Buy Nothing Day

Buy Nothing Day is an activist movement taking place on November 28th across North America, and on the 29th at an international level. For the duration of 24 hours, participants are expected to “detox from consumerism” by not shopping. It is considered to be the “largest 24 hour moratorium against consumerism.” The event is perceived as a financial break from consumerism, an experiment and a public statement against mass consumption (Buy Nothing Day UK, 2008).

With the highly anticipated Holiday shopping season, groups of anti-shopping activists have gathered to accomplish their goals. One of their goals is to gather as many individuals as possible to participate in a 24 hour suspension of shopping against the destructive power of advertisements and corporations, which try to persuade individuals to indulge in consumerism (Revkin, 2008). Individuals can participate in a variety of activities that protest consumerism. Whirl-Mart is an activity in which an individual, followed by a congo line of participants, can push a shopping cart without purchasing anything in the store. Another activity is the credit card cut up, in which individuals can place an end to the increasing interest rates and debt through a simple cut (Buy Nothing Day, 2008).

In terms of consumption, the movement targets the wealthiest 1 billion people on the globe, who are the privileged 20 percent that consume 80 percent of the goods and services in the marketplace (Revkin, 2008). However, as I stated above the movement encourages individuals of all social classes to collectively join and protest against consumerism. The scale of the protests can be large as witnessed in Reverend Billy’s “What would Jesus buy?” trailer, or small like joining a facebook group or participating in Whirl-Mart activities with your friends.

“Buy Nothing Day.” 20 Nov. 2008 <http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd>.
“Buy Nothing Day UK.” 20 Nov. 2008 <http://www.buynothingday.co.uk/#>.
Revkin, C., Andrew. “A Fresh Advertising Pitch: Buy Nothing.” 20 Nov. 2008 <http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/a-fresh-advertising-pitch-buy-nothing/>.

We Are at War: My Response

I have three main reasons as to why I oppose Canada’s combatant role in the Afghanistan crisis. My reasons include inhumane practices, environmental impacts and the societal desire to withdraw. Although the Canadian army does not torture the captured Taliban, the detainees are transferred to Afghan authorities who participate in torture. As stated by the globe and mail, “The Harper government knew from its own officials that prisoners held by Afghan security forces faced the possibility of torture, abuse and extrajudicial killing” (Koring, 2007). Examples of torture that the detainees endure are beatings with bricks, deprivation of sleep, and electric shocks (Canada out of Afghanistan, 2008). These practices are inhumane and void of morals. Whether these detainees are criminals or not, they deserve the right to fair trail with a lawyer. Barbaric torture is not the solution, and as Canadians we should advocate civilized methods that preserve human rights. If we deal with criminals in our country in a modern and humane manner why should we contribute to degrading inhumane practices elsewhere?

The deployment of radioactive weaponry used by NATO, such as the depleted uranium munitions, leads to grave consequences for the local environment and it is also responsible for the birth defects. In 2001, approximately 800-1000 tons of depleted uranium had been used (Canada out of Afghanistan, 2008). The image above demonstrates not only the irreversible conditions of this child, but the thousands of innocent lives who currently are and will continue to suffer.

As a Canadian, I agree with the majority of Canadians who do not view the Afghan conflict as an issue central to our national security. Approximately 47% of Canadians want our troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. Although Al-Qaeda has never attacked Canada, the issue of our nation fighting alongside the U.S. causes Canadians to worry that the risk of being attacked will increase (Power, 2008). I understand their view on the issue; however it is also necessary that we do aid the crisis in Afghanistan without engaging into combat. I am not an expert in this subject matter, but through donations and relief in the form of food and basic necessities we should alleviate the detrimental conditions without causing further harm to individuals and the environment.

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“Canada out of Afghanistan.” 20 Nov. 2008 <http://canadaoutofafghanistan.ca/index.html>.
Koring, Paul. “What Ottawa doesn’t want you to know.” 20 Nov. 2008 <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070424.wdetaineereport0425/BNStory/Afghanistan/home>.
Power, Samantha. "Keeping Canada in Afghanistan." 20 Nov. 2008 <http://www.time.com/time/>.

My Response to the American Presidential Election

I believe it’s massively publicized. The dominant focus of the news on the campaign steers viewers away from world-wide crises. Has anybody wondered where President Bush has been in the last couple of months? What genocides, wars, famines are occurring which require the attention and participation of viewers? Most of our attention is currently centered on the glamorized American presidential elections. Unfortunately society and the media isn't as centered on the principal goals of each candidate, we are more preoccupied with their personal lives than on what each candidate is capable of doing. For instance, John Edwards and his extra marital affair openly placed his private life into the limelight. His campaign manager stated that "Thousands of friends of the senator's and his supporters have put their faith and confidence in him, and he's let them down," "They've been betrayed by his action" (CBC, par. 24). The public support and affiliation with Edward’s was diminished by his affair regardless of whether his abilities as a presidential candidate were positive. It’s almost as if his previous accomplishments are worth nothing to America.

However, this isn’t the only issue in American politics. The emphasis of celebrity endorsements has caused the presidential election to become an arena of entertainment. According to USA TODAY, celebrity endorsements have a minimal effect on voters, statistics indicated that “just 8 percent of adults said Winfrey's backing made them more likely to support Obama. Ten percent said it made them less likely to support the senator” (Edward Ross, par. 13). Although there are minimal effects on the voters, the trends of celebrity endorsements will continue on and after all, American politics is just another form of entertainment.

“John Edwards admits to affair, but denies fathering child.” 04 Oct. 2008
< http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/08/08/edwards-affair.html>.

Ross, W., Edward. “Celebrity Endorsements of Presidential Candidates.” 04 Oct. 2008.
<http://www.ewross.com/Celebrity_Endorsements_of_Presidential_Candidates.htm>.

Culture Jamming: The Meta-Meme

Upon taking the initiative to write about culture jamming, I did not expect this to be an anti-corporate culture movement. According to the center for communication and civic engagement, “Culture jamming presents a variety of interesting communication strategies that play with the branded images and icons of consumer culture to make consumers aware of surrounding problems and diverse cultural experiences that warrant their attention” (Culture Jamming par. 3). Their weapon of exposure is the meme which functions as an element of culture jamming; it is a fundamental component of the transmission of culture.
However, a much more powerful element that is provided by the center for communication and civic engagement is a “a meta-meme, a two-level message that punctures a specific commercial image, but does so in a way that challenges some larger aspect of the political culture of corporate domination” (Culture Jamming par. 6).

For instance the “Media Carta” is a meta-meme which calls for a contract that demands free public airwaves that are not controlled by corporations. The reconstruction of the “genetic code” of corporations is another example that demands that corporations have less licensing power over society. Interestingly enough, it seems that the meta-meme is a powerful method. An example of a culture jam that incorporates the meta-meme is the Nike symbol with the engraved words “sweatshop” that Johan Peretti, a culture jammer had requested for from a custom Nike website. The usage of meta-memes exposes the truth regarding the corporate culture and it also provides visuals for individuals to create mental associations. Now one can make the mental connection that Nike, the athletic fashion statement is related to the societal issue of sweatshops.


“Culture Jamming.” 03 Oct. 2008 <http://depts.washington.edu/ccce/polcommcampaigns/CultureJamming.htm>.

Advertising image from a Magazine: Guess who is sexy?

What are the goals of advertisements? Quite obviously to sell their products. However, I believe that their goals extend beyond the act of selling products it appears that advertisements want individuals to conform to a certain idea or stereotype for what defines masculinity, femininity and what sexually appealing should be. It’s been said that sex sells, and naturally the provocative clothes that are worn on these Guess Jeans models bare nothing but the truth. No pun intended. Clothes have become sexualized, and much of the content on fashion advertisements indicates that the role of provocative clothing and sexual poses are the norm. We have been habituated to the exposures of sexual images. I for one did not realize the extent of the sexualisation in advertisements until I analyzed and depicted the segments of the picture.

For instance, if one were to flip through the pages of an Elle or Vogue magazine, I can assure you that most of the models are positioned in sexually provocative ways. For instance with these Guess Jeans models, their poses are not an act you would witness out in the public sphere. The male model is half naked, and although the female still has clothes on, the fish net implies that the advertisement does not want to cover her up. The designers of the product want you to see that this is alluring, everything from the pose, the clothes, the models it’s all sexualized.

Although I am not entirely against sexualized images, I do believe that there are harmful messages that are implicitly present. The image transmits a message of what “sexy” should be, and what is expected of you and me. The image is much more than a sexy advertisement, it is indicative of what consumerism is all about. It delivers harmful messages regarding body shapes, the women are expected to be slender and beautiful and the men are masculine and strong. These social constructs are unfortunately dominant and harmful to the individuality and uniqueness of others.

Yu Tsai. 03 Oct. 2008 <http://www.calikartel.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/guess_08_01a.jpg>.

One Web Day, Nine Days Later

So yes, here I am approximately over a week late in discussing the importance of One Web Day, but nonetheless, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to discuss the importance of the internet. According to the website, the aim of One Web Day is to “to focus attention on a key internet value, focus attention on local internet concerns, and create a global constituency that cares about protecting and defending the internet.” More or less, it sounds like an information campaign that deals with internet based issues, and why the net is oh-so valuable to us and I won’t deny it, because quite frankly I love it.

Why is the internet so influential in my life? I will tell you why. It’s because the usage of the internet functions as a daily part of my schedule. In the same manner that I shower every morning, I use the internet. It has enabled me to communicate with friends and family members who are living in different countries without any hassles. It has either strengthened my bonds with others or weakened them. As you can see, I can express my wide range of emotions and opinions and if I am even lucky, I may receive feedback from other bloggers. It has definitely made communication much more impersonal for me. Since when have I started using emotion icons to express my feelings? Since MSN took over my elementary school life. Asides from this, the internet allows me to do complete assignments, conduct research and gather information. In essence, it has broadened my horizons.

Information and Communication Technologies such as the internet have allowed us to expand our hobbies, communicate with others, express our opinions, educate ourselves, invest on-line businesses among many other activities. They are a medium that has revolutionized our social, political and personal spheres of life.

"One Web Day." 01 Oct. 2008 <http://onewebday.org/?page_id=290>.

The Ecology of Media: Typography

In the terms of culture, typography was a technology that had a fundamental impact in the American society of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This technology was able to establish a print print-orientated culture which characterised their ideas in a coherent and orderly manner. In order to grasp the content of a printed word, individuals were required to have the skills of organizing, analyzing and reasoning. The audiences that attended in the Lincoln-Douglas debates where competent to understand the discourse, they were accustomed to an oratory that was extracted from the written speeches. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, emphasis was placed on intelligence which promoted objectivity in the deliverance of logical discourse content (Postman, 51).

The purpose of typography served to connect individuals to their society. In order for individuals to become involved in their society, they had to read since it was the dominant form of acquiring information asides from oratory means (Postman, 63).
There were negative unintended functions, which would cause the decline of the typographic era, such as the introduction of the advertisements in newspapers. Neil Postman describes it as “a descent of the typographic mind, beginning, as it does, with reason and ending as it does with entertainment.” (Postman, 58) In other words, although the newspaper stemmed from the coherent print-culture it would eventually introduce an era of visuals such as advertisements that would dispense with the typographic mind.

In my opinion, typography is a technology that has influenced the way we extract concepts in a coherent manner. The very nature and structure of the written word demands that each line should be read in order, processed and analyzed just as you are doing right now. Although yes, this technology is outdated its nature still plays a fundamental role.

Postman, Niel. Amusing Ourselves to Death. New York: Penguin Books, 1985.