We've all seen these 5-Hour Energy Commercials. It's supposed to help people stay awake whenever they need that extra push of strength. This little shot of energy has as much caffeine as a premium cup of coffee. What would happen if someone took more than the daily recommended amount (which is two bottles)? Can this actually be an addicting thing? Coffee drinkers usually have a cup every morning before they begin their days. Some usually drink more than one cup a day. Could these 5-Hour Energy Shots have a larger effect than a regular cup of coffee? Is this something that should be purchased by someone who is suffering from ADD or ADHD? Since this drink is considered a dietary supplement, should it be banned from anyone under the age of 18?
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Don't Drink and Drive
I personally am curious as to whether our American society has limits to what it is willing to portray to communicate something with such depth. This anti-drink and drive advertisement is not ashamed of going to the extreme of showing a very graphic death to make it's point. There doesn't seem to be a particular audience either, it seemed to be a very universal structure to the way that alcohol is conveyed. However I am still curious as to whether this ad actually does anything.
Does seeing this just make the audience angry of drunk drivers or does it really convict the people who are drinking and driving? Does the audience feel compelled to be more responsible with their alcohol consumption just by the way this is presented to them?
Also what do you think the purpose of showing a parallel between the driver and the child who dies is/does? What does showing the similar cloths and activities (soccer) try to say?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymiF-okrdMg&feature=related
The above
picture was found on Google images. I chose to post this because I thought that
it would provide a strong foundation for discussion, and was also appropriate
for its rhetoric for the class. These images, called “memes” are popular now
because they take previous pictures and attach words to them to manipulate
them. Because of this, these photos and advertisements can convey several
different messages based off of the statements that are written on them. The
young man is clearly on a college campus and listening to his music. The fact
that he is listening to his music contributes to the strength of the statement
in the picture because of the fact that it mentions rap songs and how alcohol
is mentioned in these songs. Many of these images are meant to be comical and
humorous, but is a photo such as this really that funny? Does it hold a large
amount of truth? What is it really
trying to tell us? What is implied in this image? What is the significance of
this photo being in a college setting? Who does this photo appeal to? Why is this statement/stereotype assumed to
be true?
Above the Influence - Hurt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grB6Hm_NI4Q&feature=related
Many anti-drug ads only deal with the effect that drugs will have on the user. This Above the Influence commercial focuses on the effects that it will have on the people surrounding them. It concentrates on a younger brother, how he is also “hurt” by the decisions that his older sibling makes. They end the commercial by say, “smoking weed hurts more than just you”. What is your reaction to the commercial? Does having a little boy in the commercial make it more effective? Do the actions of older siblings truly have such a strong impact on younger siblings as this commercial implies?
Sex sells in Plumbing commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7fz0jpuLkM&feature=relmfu
This is a commercial made by liquid plumber. It is a very clear representation of how companies try to over sexualize something to sell their product. This commercial I feel has gone further than most companies are willing to go, as it uses clear double-endras to try and catch the viewers attention. Clearly they believe this will get them sales. Does this style of marketing really help to increase sales? Also, is this the furthest companies will go to catch your attention, or will they only make them more sexualized in order to make money?
This is a commercial made by liquid plumber. It is a very clear representation of how companies try to over sexualize something to sell their product. This commercial I feel has gone further than most companies are willing to go, as it uses clear double-endras to try and catch the viewers attention. Clearly they believe this will get them sales. Does this style of marketing really help to increase sales? Also, is this the furthest companies will go to catch your attention, or will they only make them more sexualized in order to make money?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Video of Retired Cop Asking Obama to Legalize Marijuana Wins White House Youtube Contest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0IpiATxdR4&feature=player_embedded
This video is a submission to a contest held by the White House for questions to ask President Obama. This particular one is of a retired LAPD Deputy Chief asking the President to legalize marijuana because of his stance that he has taken from his years on the job. He views the U.S. drug policy as a failure and a gigantic waste of funds. He also points out that more Americans are now in favor of legalization rather than the continued prohibition of marijuana and confronts the President on what he plans to do to change this during his term, which will soon be over. What questions does this raise about the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana? What statement is being made about America as a whole as our country progresses through this social era?
This video is a submission to a contest held by the White House for questions to ask President Obama. This particular one is of a retired LAPD Deputy Chief asking the President to legalize marijuana because of his stance that he has taken from his years on the job. He views the U.S. drug policy as a failure and a gigantic waste of funds. He also points out that more Americans are now in favor of legalization rather than the continued prohibition of marijuana and confronts the President on what he plans to do to change this during his term, which will soon be over. What questions does this raise about the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana? What statement is being made about America as a whole as our country progresses through this social era?
Sunday, February 12, 2012
"Denial is a Drug" Youtube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_vWAvpvKR0
The “Denial is a Drug” Youtube video is sponsored by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, which educates families about teen substance abuse and addiction. The television commercial opens with a boy saying, “I was in junior high the first time I caught my mom using denial.” He then admits to stealing his mother’s prescription drugs. He explains that he can get away with almost anything because his mother is on the drug called denial. The video shows the boy and a friend sorting his mother’s pills. His mother observes them, but chooses to ignore the situation. At the end of the video, the mom is shown finding a bag of marijuana in her son’s room. Finally, the commercial ends with, “denial is a drug” and urges parents in denial to seek help. The commercial caught my attention because it takes a different angle on drug abuse by highlighting that denial can also be considered an addictive drug. This commercial definitely makes a statement to parents who may be in denial of the reality of teenage drug use. What is your reaction to this commercial? How do you think this commercial takes a different stance on drugs and the role of parents? Do you think denial is a drug? How does this commercial make a lasting impression on viewers?
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