Collective identity: blog task

Collective identity: blog task

Read the Media Magazine article on collective identity: Self-image and the Media (MM41 - page 6). Our Media Magazine archive is here.

Complete the following tasks on your blog:

1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'

That the representation of cultural values, the construction of role models and the way the media informs us about lifestyle and fashion choices have an influence on who we want to be, who we want to be seen as and, possibly, who we actually are.

Previously, who we were or what defined us, stemmed from insignificant things, some of which we cannot control. For example our social standing in the current social hierarchy, the ‘working classes’ were lower down the social ranking than factory owners or the aristocracy. Our gender, men were ‘heads of the household’ and women were subject to patriarchal power and were seen as inferior. 
The self image of a person did not depend on the depth of their personalities or thoughts but their social position 

Edward Bernys:Based not on behaving as ‘active citizens but as passive consumers’.

The idea of creating wants and desires was influenced by the work of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. He argued that part of the human psyche was a need to feel the pleasure of having our desires met. Freud identified the idea of the id – the inner part of our personality that motivates behaviour based on irrational desires.

individualism began to take hold,reacting against what can be seen to be the more conformist values of the past.

Freud’s ideas about the Self seemed to imply that beneath the surface there was an ‘essential self’ – the core of who you actually are. Later thinkers began to challenge this. Lacan, for example, talks of the ‘fragmented self’; an idea that we are not one simple ‘identity’ but we have many identities. Our identities change depending on external circumstances and relationships.

Even a person’s car choice could ‘rebel against conformity’ and be part of the creation of a ‘unique’ self-image

Branding is the association of a ‘personality’ with a product. Advertisers sell the personality rather than the product, so that people will choose products that match their own self image. The product is seen to help create and be part of that image. Lifestyle marketing works on connotations.

Postmodern critics see the construction of identity through media representations as being shallow, leading to a culture that values ‘style over substance’. In addition, the increasing dominance of the mass media and what Baudrillard calls ‘media saturation’ results in high cultural value being placed on external factors such as physical beauty and fashion sense over internal traits such as intelligence or compassion.

2) List five brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.

nike : Nike is a fitness company and I am very focused in my competence with my fitness.

bobby brown: a make up company that doesn't like changing ur facial features but just enhances the features you naturally possess.

the bbc: 

1. ustaining citizenship and civil society

1. Promoting education and learning
2. 
   
3. Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence
4. 
   
5. Representing the UK, its nations, regions and communities

1. Bringing the UK to the world and the world to the UK
2. 
   
3. In promoting its other purposes, helping to deliver to the public the benefit of 
4. 
   
5. emerging communications technologies and services and, in addition, taking a 
6. 
   
7. leading role in the switchover to digital television.

1. .

3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

This expression suggests that the brands may have a higher demand for more superficial, materialistic and the exterior rather than genuinity, significance and validity.
im not to sure

4) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

In addition, the increasing dominance of the mass media and what Baudrillard calls ‘media saturation’ results in high cultural value being placed on external factors such as physical beauty and fashion sense over internal traits such as intelligence or compassion.

5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

no its not an accurate reflection of my self, I only provide my followers with very limited information about my self, what i choose to show them is not even a fraction of what i am. i currently have more quotes then pictures of my self which may vaguely describe what I believe in or what i aspire to persue. For example one of my quotes are about 'not pleasing the creation ut the creator' this reminds me that although societies unseen rules and regulations change doesn't mean i have to change my self to fit in.

6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

I thinks it is quite useful, as I may be able to get a better deal of a certain product ect. Some may argue that it is an invasion of your privacy, I do understand where they are coming from as people you do not know have personal information about you.