Mean Girls and Morals

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mean girls

By Katarina Luistro

The fresh odour of melted butter and freshly popped kernels fills the air as the girls grab as many pillows and blankets as they can find, setting them a sane distance away from the glowing television set and slide into their plaid flannel pyjama pants and oversized hoodies, and carelessly twisting their long hair into loose buns. After a long week filled with exams, boy drama, and constant war within themselves, they surround themselves with a barrier consisting of comfort and each other, protecting themselves from reality as they indulge in the realm of the Mean Girls. The movie Mean Girls (2004), is more than just a chick flick on a Friday night sleep-over. Some have argued that it is “too smart for its audience“. At first glance, the film seems to be another vain movie on girl drama, love triangles, and social hierarchy, but it stands for more than that.

“T.T.Y.L”

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cell-phones, Facebook, Shonah, social media, youth

By Shonah Mhene

Remember the last time you talking to someone while they were texting and in your mind were only hoping he or she was still paying attention. It’s hard to know whether the person is in an emergency and needs to respond to their text immediately, or that the person really doesn’t care what you’re talking about. How are people supposed to truly connect when teens are addicted to the newest device? Within the last decade there have been major changes in technology that will have a lasting effect on youth. Today they face constant pressure through media to keep up with the latest technology and it also can lead to a lack of social awareness, involvement and appreciation. Here are a few symptoms:

Toddlers and Tiaras

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TLC, Toddlers and Tiaras

By Laura Sierra

For all those who have watched Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC, it is evident that this controversial show exploits young girls into acting and dressing a certain way in order to rise to the expectations of the competitive pageant life. With the stresses and pressures from judges, other competitors, and especially their parents, these girls develop unhealthy concepts of appearances and maturity levels that are inappropriate for children their age. From little girls wearing fake teeth and butt pieces to walking on stage with skimpy outfits, it is beyond anyone to understand how TLC could allow such performances and child abuse to be viewed by millions on The Learning Channel.

A Sad Song: The Failure of Song Airlines

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advertising, branding, Delta Air Lines, marketing, media, Song Airlines

By Alexander Vaz

Companies nowadays tend to take a somewhat unrealistic approach when it comes to the marketing and branding of their products. They try so desperately to have their advertising stick out of the noise of the media advertising landscape and often try to create impressions or images that usually have nothing to do with the actual product itself. Just because a company has a marketing plan with what seems a highly logical and potentially great set of ideas does not mean that they will be successful. This was the case with the now defunct Song Airlines. Not too many people have heard of Song Airlines, probably because it only flew for three short years, but nevertheless, it is a prime example of how a company can totally miss the mark when it comes to marketing in the byways of advertising and creating impressions or images of the actual product.

Another Day of Motion Pictures

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Alexandra Glinsbockel, film, motion pictures

By Alexandra Glinsbockel

“Here’s looking at you kid” (Casablanca, 1942); “There’s no place like home” (The Wizard of Oz, 1939); “I’m the king of the world!” (Titanic, 1997); “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” (Love Story, 1970); “If you build it, he will come” (Field of Dreams, 1989).

Classic quotes from timeless tales; single statements transcending generations; famous narrations that contain an extra quality that seem to have the power to render an audience speechless. What is this secret trait, you may ask? What is so special about lines like “Dignity. Always, dignity” (Singing in the Rain, 1952)? The answer is quite simple: emotion. Every great line ever delivered in a motion picture connects with a particular emotion. Whether joy or despair, loss or elation, these quotes provoke thought, heart, and memory. Drawing an individual into the world of imagination… and out of reality, film has an unspoken etiquette attached to every sitcom, every horror, and every romance that airs. This instinctive rule relates to the reason motion pictures were even created: documentation, connection, and truth. It is not the purpose of this post to criticize failed attempts of this mandate, but rather to enlighten the public about how positive subliminal messages, such as the ones presented within the aforementioned lines, have begun to evaporate.