I came across this little video on TED and thought it was an interesting idea. What do you think? Do you agree, disagree, care? What would it mean for the ad companies who rely on Jean Kilbourne's "techniques?" Comment below.
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I think that this is a very interesting idea, and in theory, it seems like a great solution (or at least step) in eliminating gender stereotypes in the mass media. However, because of the overwhelming amount of data now available with the popularity of social networking, it seems impractical to use this data to target the interests of consumers. What with facebook, twitter, and all the other forms of social networking, the amount of output must me staggering. While I like Kilbourne's ideas, I doubt their effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteI both agree and disgagree with Jean Kilbourne and her various points made in this video. I find her statements regarding ad companies shifting to a more efficient way of advertising to us interesting and accurate. The more we put ourselves out into cyber-space through facebook and youtube the more we are defining ourselves online. Rather then being boxed into a demographic and letting that demographic define us, as Kilbourne says, we can now be divided into taste demographics that reflect us as individuals not just age, socio-economic backround, and race.
ReplyDeleteHowever, i did disagree with her statements regarding to growing power of women in social media. I don't see a correlation between social media use and a role in controling the social media itself. Just because someone sits at home and watches youtube videos and stares at facebook doesn't mean their qualified to run these industries. Although women may be driving these industries forward, it is due to their compliance and buying into the system not their power to control it.
I agree with Grey and Olivia. While I think that the points made in this video are interesting I think it is a real stretch for her to think that because women are the ones who drive the social networking industry that this will lead them to go on to take control of the industry. As we discussed in class, there must be a willingness by those in power to give up their power and I highly doubt that just because women are the ones the companies want to appeal to, those in charge (primarily men) will begin to give control over to them. However, I do think it is very interesting that women are such a strong figure in who is driving the the social media industry. The idea that because through social media we are identified by our interests rather than age, gender, race, or class is also interesting because it means that, hopefully, there will be less polarization between these different groups. However, I'm somewhat unsure if that will actually happen because to me it seems that the polarization of different social groups is getting worse, not better.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that what people do online is a pretty fair assessment of what to advertise to them, far more effective than their demographic information. However, I disagree that companies even think about using the information online to find peoples race, gender, age, etc. and then pick what to advertise to them, I think companies have always just used the persons recent searches to assess who would buy their product.
ReplyDeleteAs Grey pointed out, I too disagree that the amount of time women spend on social networking sites and other online entertainment will not affect their power in mass media. Kilbourne's data about which gender spends more time online, although interesting, will not (I dont think) lead to any type of power shift. Women are still being objectified in advertisements and that is not changing, in fact it's worsening.
I think, like Grey, Olivia, and Kim, that the theroy is interesting but probably won't be effective. The idea that women drive social networking and, therefore, can have some power to change some things in the media is very unlikely to me because of exactly what Kim stated. Men are the people who have the ultimate power in the industry and won't give up that power easily. The idea is a good one that would be nice to think about trying, however, actually inplacating it will not be that simple.
ReplyDeleteBTW, this video is NOT Jean Kilbourne. It is a woman named Johanna Blakley. Still thinking about the point several of you have made concerning the power (or lack thereof) of the consumer and whether that matters. I think her point is that ad companies may stop using the same techniques that Jean Kilbourne points out in KUS because they won't have to be so broad and therefore won't have to rely on an overal structure of society that thrives on selling sex. The ad companies aren't invested in denigrating women necessarily, so if they don't have to do that to sell products, then perhaps there is less exposure and culture changes. That is the theory anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think that this video and her idea is more complex than she is explain or trying to convey. Basically all it is, is that women shop more and spend more time doing quote on quote more useful stuff on the internet. This is why women control the social media. There is no need to make a big concern that women are making the social network go round. If a social media system was not revolved around societal standards, then nothing would be bought. There wouldn't be any consumerism in the media. The reason why different genders are stereotyped is because certain themes and certain aspect apply to other genders more than others. This is why some people are "objected." It is only to sell a product. The world is revolves around money and sex and sex sells, so using this to ones advantage is the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteFrom Emily:
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that people with the same interests tend to gravitate towards each
other because of common likes and dislikes. I think the graphs she showed about gender
and social networking was interesting because i never thought about the difference
between the time men and women spent on the internet. It's interesting to think that
since women are spending more time social networking that they will eventually effect
what the media offers in terms of what women want. I agree with the fact that social
networking is making it easier to determine what people want in the media according to
what they actually look at in the media/social network.