Chapter Eleven...

1. What is your earliest recollection of watching a television commercial? Do you have a favorite ad? A most-despised ad? What is it about these ads that you particularly like or dislike?

I really don't remember what the first television commercial was that I ever saw. More than likely, it was some kind of toy that I thought was the coolest thing ever and had to have. I would have to say that my favorite ad as of right now would have to be the SunDrop commercial on television. My most-despised ad would have to be the Kia Soul commercial with the mice. The fact that the mice rap drives me crazy. My dad also feels the need to go around singing this commercial at least once a day. (That makes me really aggravated). What I like about the SunDrop commercial is that it is creative; whereas, the Kia Soul commercial is a little too much. The commercial seems as if it goes on for five minutes straight.

2. Why are so many people critical of advertising?

I would have to say that people are so critical of advertising because it's pushed in our faces on a daily basis. There's no way to avoid having an ad right in front of you whether it be in a subway station, newspaper stand, grocery store, a university, etc. Everywhere you go, someone is always trying to advertise a particular product. One thing about advertising that gets on my nerves especially is television commercials. Commercials tend to take up the majority of your time when watching television. For example, American Idol has become really popular over the years. Throughout this particular show, Ryan Seacrest announces breaks at least ten times. If it wasn't for the commercials and everything, American Idol by itself would probably only last around twenty minutes whenever it's broadcasted for an hour. But there is no way to avoid watching commercials; therefore, you have the choice to either change the channel or mute your television. Hopefully within the next few years, advertising will find a new method besides being aired on television or on the internet.

Chapter Ten..

5. Why do you think the availability of television and cable hasn't substantially decreased the number of new book titles available each year? What do books offer that television doesn't?

I’m not surprised that neither TV nor cable has substantially decreased the number of books produced. There are a number of people in the United States who read books on a daily basis during their free time to keep this industry growing exponentially. Books have a lot more to offer than television. For one, they’re in hard copy and they’re guaranteed to last a lifetime as long as they are taken care of. Secondly, books have a wider variety than television. Television rarely has anything on that is worth watching. With books, you will find something that catches your attention whether it be a mystery, romance, or horror novel. With a library card, books can be provided whenever you want them; whereas, television only plays certain things each day.

6. Would you read a book on an iPod or a kindle? Why or why not?

I’m really not sure if I would read a book on an iPod or a kindle. I probably wouldn’t enjoy reading a book that way. I’m a “touchy-feely” kind of person so more than likely, I would prefer a hardcopy of a book rather than having a virtual copy. The hardcopy is something that you can keep for a lifetime; whereas, you aren’t guaranteed forever with a virtual copy. Unfortunately however, I do believe that that’s where the book industry is headed because of our technological advancements. Everyone seems to be turning to the idea of the kindle rather than having their own personal copy of a book. I believe that this will be the only way to read a book within the next fifteen years.

Chapter Nine..

6. Discuss whether your favorite magazines define you primarily as a consumer or as a citizen. Do you think magazines have a responsibility to educate their readers as both? What can they do to promote responsible citizenship?


I would have to say that my favorite magazines define me primarily as a consumer, not as a citizen. I tend to subscribe to the Seventeen and Vogue magazines more than any other certain type of magazine. I love to look at the different types of designer clothing, the hairstyles, and even the makeup. I'm not sure Vogue or Seventeen magazines would educate readers both as a consumer and a citizen. Looking at the hottest trends and makeup has nothing to do with being a citizen. These products aren't only sold in America, but they are sold in other countries as well. 


7. Do you think the Internet will eventually displace magazines? Why or why not?


Personally, I believe that the Internet will displace magazines in the near future. The Internet is slowly starting to replace the newspaper industry; therefore, I can see the magazine industry being affected as well. U.S. citizens have started to use search engines such as: Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. to get their daily news, directions, recipes, as well as, the latest trends. I expect magazines to quit being produced by the year 2050. They may even disappear before that. They have slowly started to die out already. Many U.S. citizens never take the time to stop by the magazine section in a store anyways. By 2050, I believe that almost everything will end up being virtual rather than being printed in hard copy. 

Chapter Eight...

2. Why do you think people aren't reading U.S. daily newspapers as frequently as they once did? Why is newspaper readership going up in other countries?

I believe that people aren’t reading newspapers anymore because people are tending to use the Internet to get their news instead of purchasing newspapers. If you use the Internet to get your news, it’s free. But if you purchase a newspaper from a stand outside a gas station, it’s like two-dollars in quarters. I would much rather use my quarters to purchase a carwash than to use them to buy a paper whenever it’s just as easy for me to log on my laptop. Newspaper readership is going up in other countries because of the digital divide. Other countries besides America tend to have less access to technology. They also want to have a way to stay in touch with their everyday lives and what’s going on in their surroundings.

5. Will blogs and other Internet news services eventually replace newspapers? Explain your response.

When it comes to blogs and Internet news services replacing newspapers, my personal opinion is I believe that it’s going to happen in the near future. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, people would much rather use the Internet to get their news instead of purchasing newspapers. It’s more convenient if you have access to that particular technology. I don’t know that blogs will replace newspapers though; people tend to use blogs for their “diaries,” instead of using them for news. Blogs are easier to post about your everyday life, certain topics, etc. I do not foresee them being our everyday method of finding out our daily news.