REPRESENTATION, BIASM, AND STEREOTYPES

 Representation

Representation

If we were to suddenly appear on Earth as visitor from a different planet and we were suddenly exposed to media, there would be an awful lot of contradictions in what we see. We would probably come to the conclusion that there are alternate realities, and we would be partially right. There is only one reality, but the perception of reality can be very different and it can be manipulated by the media in many ways. There is what we see, what we think we see, and the thought, memories and desires that come to mind when reality is represented in different ways by the media.
Depending on the purpose of it, representation can be very precise, close to reality or it can be accurate, which means it is so often represented like that, that we already think it is real.
I chose this picture because it is an unusually accurate representation of reality, and the case is, they are not using it to help their sales, but to compile with government regulations.

Biasm

Biasm

We are biased, there is no point in denying it, in just about every judgement we make, from the very trivial, to the presidential campaigns, we are biased, so we shouldn't really expect media not to be biased, what we have the responsibility to do, is be very aware of it, and make our students aware, the have to learn to be responsible media expectators and not be influenced by it. Specially when it comes to principles, or things involved with thier health and well-being. The article I chose to represent this idea of Biasm is from Esquire Magazine and it was written by a gourmet, this might not be the way I see it or maybe if I were british, food wouldn't be so important, it is entertaining and I happen to share his point of view, but I can and won't take his statement as the absolute truth.
I think is important to teach students the habit of looking at the name of the author and doing a little background research, and maybe they can guess what the bias is of what they are reading.





Stereotype

Stereotype

Attractive, sensual, good humored, loved, strong, fit, caring, important, influencial, rich, fashionable. Who doesn't want to be it? but do we really obtain one of this attributes by possesing a certain car, wearing a brand of clothing or splashing on the perfume in the advert? of course we don't, but it's what the media is trying to sell to us, and we often buy it. Stereotypes are everywhere we look, they seem to follow us around and it's hard to ignore them. Handsome men are always rich and viceversa. If you don't like meat, you are probably a hppie who practices yoga.

If you can achieve to have a stereotype free class, congratulations, you are my heroe, because it is practically imposible. But like all the other concepts, it doesn't do you any harm unless you are not aware of it, can you imagine to actually believe that people in Holland wear wooden clogs, or that everyone in china looks the same. People who are informed don't believe this things, although they will still picture clogs and tulips when they think of Holland. The difference is in the judgement.