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Top 3 Shared Stories on Facebook 2011: Media & Parenting
Most Shared Stories on Facebook 2011
Facebook released the top 40 Most Share Stories on Facebook of 2011. It’s a list dominated by Yahoo and CNN stories ranging from light-hearted articles of babies and dogs to more serious topics such as the Japanese Quake and Steve Jobs.
Here at Clean Cut Media, we’ve posted on a number of articles on these very popular topics from Steve Jobs, the Japanese Quake, to the Golden-Voiced Homeless Man. Finish this article then check them out later!
Top 3 Media & Parenting Related Articles Shared on Facebook
Since we are a media site, we wanted to list below a few notable and well written articles related to MEDIA as well as Parenting. We’ve provided an excerpt so you can get a feel for the article before clicking through. The titles of the Articles are links.
Enjoy! Please leave comments below on your thoughts on the article!
How to Talk to Little Girls
This is a very enjoyable article discussing how even the smallest compliments can really mess up a girl’s perception of what is important especially when it comes to her looks. Considering we’ve written many articles here about a Girl’s Self Image, Young Girl’s Perception of Beauty, among many other similar topics, this article seemed pretty relevant to our readers. I think you’ll find yourself saying “that makes a lot of sense…” Please do comment your thoughts on the comment section below on this post.
Little Maya was all curly brown hair, doe-like dark eyes, and adorable in her shiny pink nightgown. I wanted to squeal, “Maya, you’re so cute! Look at you! Turn around and model that pretty ruffled gown, you gorgeous thing!”
But I didn’t. I squelched myself. As I always bite my tongue when I meet little girls, restraining myself from my first impulse, which is to tell them how darn cute/ pretty/ beautiful/ well-dressed/ well-manicured/ well-coiffed they are.
What’s wrong with that? …
…This week ABC News reported that nearly half of all three- to six-year-old girls worry about being fat.
…15 to 18 percent of girls under 12 now wear mascara, eyeliner and lipstick regularly;
…eating disorders are up and self-esteem is down;
…25 percent of young American women would rather win America’s Next Top Model than the Nobel Peace Prize.
…Even bright, successful college women say they’d rather be hot than smart.…Teaching girls that their appearance is the first thing you notice tells them that looks are more important than anything.
Parents, Don’t Dress your Girls like Tramps
This piece is more of a rant towards parents than anything. However, the rant is still valid in pointing out that parents really need to take more responsibility about how their kids dress and understand how they are really messing up their child’s perception of themselves by dressing them up inappropriate ways. Check it out, then if you feel like ranting about it , leave some comments below on this post ok!
I guess I’ve been out-of-the-loop and didn’t realize there’s been an ongoing stampede of 10-year-old girls driving to the mall with their tiny fists full of cash demanding sexier apparel.
What’s that you say? Ten-year-olds can’t drive? They don’t have money, either? Well, how else are they getting ahold of these push-up bras and whore-friendly panties?
Their parents?Noooo, couldn’t be.
What adult who wants a daughter to grow up with high self-esteem would even consider purchasing such items? What parent is looking at their sweet, little girl thinking, “She would be perfect if she just had a little bit more up top.” …
… It’s easy to blast companies for introducing the sexy wear, but our ire really should be directed at the parents who think low rise jeans for a second grader is cute. They are the ones who are spending the money to fuel this budding trend. They are the ones who are suppose to decide what’s appropriate for their young children to wear, not executives looking to brew up controversy or turn a profit.
What Teachers Really Want to Tell Parents
This piece is not “media” related per say, but an article I enjoyed mainly because I have many friends who work full time as teachers and understand a little bit of the pains teachers go through. A good interesting read none-the-less. Feel free to comment with your opinions in the comment section below.
Today, new teachers remain in our profession an average of just 4.5 years, and many of them list “issues with parents” as one of their reasons for throwing in the towel…
…For starters, we are educators, not nannies. We are educated professionals who work with kids every day and often see your child in a different light than you do. If we give you advice, don’t fight it. Take it, and digest it in the same way you would consider advice from a doctor or lawyer. I have become used to some parents who just don’t want to hear anything negative about their child, but sometimes if you’re willing to take early warning advice to heart, it can help you head off an issue that could become much greater in the future…
…Please, take a step back and get a good look at the landscape. Before you challenge those low grades you feel the teacher has “given” your child, you might need to realize your child “earned” those grades and that the teacher you are complaining about is actually the one that is providing the best education…
Hope you enjoy those! Please leave some comments below and give us your thoughts on these matters!
Did You Know Your Children Can Buy M Rated Video Games?
Did you know your kids may be able to buy M Rated Games?
Did You Know: Selling of video games is self-regulated. This means video game merchants can decide to check ID, not check ID, or just sell any rated video game to any age group. Based on a Federal Trade Commission study, about 20% of minors were able to purcahse mature video games on a national average. One nationwide chain was high as 50%.
US Supreme Court Rules – No Restrictions
Couple months ago, US Supreme Court ruled that, YES, game merchants should be allowed to sell violent games to kids. The US Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association formerly Schwarzenegger v. EMA) deciding that the 2005 California law that prohibited sale of violent games to minors as unconstitutional. The SCOTUS ruled in a 7-2 vote. The original California Law was enacted to limit the sale of violent games to minors.
California Law of 2005 Law Banning the Sale of Violent Games to Minor
California Senator Leland Yee introduced the original law banning the sale of violent games to minors in 2005. It held a $1,000 fine for any infractions by retailers. He wanted to regulate the video game industry due to various connections between violent video games and aggressive behavior in children. Similar laws passed in other states. This law was challenged numerous times and eventually show down on June 2011.
Why Rule Against Restricting Minors from Buying Violent Games?
One reason the Supreme Court ruled against this previous California law was the consideration that the definition of “violence” was too vague. The video gaming industry defended themselves by proclaiming that even Super Mario Brothers could be considered “violent” and so how is anyone to deem what is violent? On the opposite end of the spectrum was discussions over games such as “Postal 2” where the player can urinate on non-player characters then set them on fire.
Other reasons that were considered was whether the state government should have any rights to implement such restrictions and whether it conflicted with the first amendment.
Are We on a Slippery Slope? Standards Changing?
Ques: If we are allowed to sell M rated Games to kids, why stop there and sell M Rated Movies?
Outside of the ruling here is a question. Are we going down a slippery slope?
Over the past 15 years, I’ve seen the definition of “PG-13” change dramatically over that short period. Standards change over time, little by little.
Forget the arguments about first amendments or the rights of the government for a moment. If we don’t place boundaries on limiting what a minor can purchase, are we heading down a slippery slope? If selling R rated video games is ok, why not R rated movies? Something will have to eventually give. If M rated video games are ok, why not adult movies? How can we say yes to one and not the other? If someone demands these things, how can we argue? Who has the right to determine where the line needs to be drawn? Why?
In the movie industry, we’ve already seen that “line” shift dramatically. There was once a time PG-13 would be completely safe to take your children. Not anymore. Standards have changed over time. Plus who is to say where the line is? It’s concerning when the video game industry seems to have the most say. Is this a subjective matter?
- What is your opinion on this?
- What are your thoughts on the continual changing of our standards in media?
Is Halloween Candy Poisoning & Blades True? Or is it Media Hype?
A Blade was Found in my Child’s Halloween Candy!
Everyone knows the story. Some kid found a blade in his snickers bar. Some other kid found a needle in his 3 musketeers. Now every mother and father is called to check all the candy a child receives before allowing them to eat it. Check for open packages. Check for sketchy pieces of candy. Your child’s life might depend on it!
Is it true? Was Candy Poisoned in Halloween?
Fact: During the poison candy scare in the 70s and 80s, almost every incident of blades, needles or poison in candy was found to be a hoax. A deliberate hoax by the child in question. Several experts have done extensive studies and reviews of past reports in order to determine this fact. In fact up until the year 2000, there hasn’t been a single proven incident where a child was injured by Halloween candy from a stranger.
So then what are the candy horror stories that were true?!
In 1970, a 5 year old boy in Detroit, fell into a coma after consuming his uncle’s heroin. The family tried to cover it up by claiming the heroin was in the Halloween Candy. FAIL.
In 1974, Timothy O’Bryan in Pasadena, Texas died after eating a cyanide-laced Pixy Stix. But further police investigation revealed that the boy’s Father, Ronald Clark O’Bryan had premeditated this murder in order to claim life insurance money. To hide his attempt, he had also given the Pixy Stix to his daughter and three other kids. Luckily the other kids did not eat the Pixy Stix. Ronald O’Bryan was convicted of murder and executed by lethal injection.
There is a pattern here. It was not by some psycho trying to poison kids for fun. These incidences that spurred the Halloween scare were more due to their family then some random candy bar. In fact Ronald O’Bryan used the urban legend to try to cover up his own crime. Yet it’s become an urban legend, but how?
Media Hype Creates an Urban Legend
Though these incidences were clearly either false, or family neglect, or a premeditated murder, the media ate these stories up. All throughout the 1980s, these stories were circulated and given considerable attention. News outlets pumped up these stories especially during the Halloween season because it grabs everyone’s attention especially the concerned parents. Often news would break before the claims are investigated and when found to be a hoax, it was rarely followed up.
Thus it is no surprise that there was a growing concern amongst the parents and this one sided coverage created a mass panic. By 1985, a poll by ABC News/Washington Post showed that 60% of parents feared their children would be injured or killed by Halloween Candy.
Samples of Hyped up False Alarms
There are many stories out there that added to the hype. Helen Pfeil of Greenlawn, NY was a housewife who was annoyed by trick or treaters, made up joke treats to give to teenagers. She gave out dog biscuits, steel wool pads, and ant poison buttons, meanwhile telling the kids that these were joke treats. She was charged for endangering children.
Another report found traces of strychnine in a box of sunkist fun fruit dinosaurs. It was reported by the New York Times, but later the suspicious powder was found to be corn starch. New York times would later print an update to the article, but not before the manufacturer of Fun Fruits destroyed 9400 cases of the product. Unfortunately most remember the destruction of the products, not the followup.
There were several other incidences where doctors or the police announced their suspicions about tampered candy creating a mass stir and hysteria as the media warned everyone about crazy poisoners on the loose, only later to be revealed that the cause of the illness or death was due to some other means.
Trying to Debunk the Halloween Candy Myth
Below is an excerpt from 1989 Article in the Los Angeles Times. The article interviews Joel Best, a professor of sociology at California State Univeristy, Fresno who have been trying to debunk this urban legend.
“We checked major newspaper from throughout the country from 1958 through 1988…”
Well, they found a total of 78 cases and two deaths. Further checking proved that lamost all of the 78 cases were pranks. The deaths were tragically real, but they, too, were misrepresented in the beginning.
The prank, he said, were all of kids – after years of hearing similar stories – inserting needles or razor blades into fruit, not realizing (or maybe realizing) how much they frightened their whole town.
“My favorite,” Best says, “was the kid who brought a half-eaten candy bar to his parents and said, ‘I think there’s ant poison on this,’ They had it checked and, sure enough, there was ant poison on this,’ They had checked and, sure enough, there was ant poison on it – significantly, on the end he had not bitten,” Of course, the youngster had applied the poison himself.
Best has tried mightily over the years to destroy this particular myth, but obviously to no avail. “It’s the old problem of trying to prove a negative,” he says.
Urban Legend – Halloween Candy Lives On
Unfortunately despite the lack of evidence and a very low likelihood of this ever happening, the Urban Legend lives on. Having said that, because of the Urban Legend, one can’t help wonder if some psycho out might be more likely to do it…
Just becareful.
Media Owned by the Big 6: GE, Disney, CBS, Viacom, Time Warner, & News Corp.
False Security in Diversity
As you flip through 3000 channels, listen to numerous radio stations, and cruise around the Internet – you may be thinking how great it is to have access to so many different ideas and shows. It is like going to the supermarket and having access to 100s of different kinds of cereal. Great! Except you look closer at the box and realize, the vast majority of those cereals are owned by 3 companies: General Mills, Kellogg’s & Post. Wait, 75% of all soft drinks are owned by Coke & Pepsi as well. What is going on here!?
The truth is that through years of mergers and acquisitions, very few powerful media corporations control the vast majority in almost every market. Media is no different. That same company that produces great children films probably produces the trashy movies as well – just under a different name. What is your favorite movie? Favorite TV Show? Favorite children film? Favorite Sports radio station? Don’t be surprised if it is all owned by the same company.
US Media Controlled by the Big 6
The U.S. media landscape is controlled mostly by six massive media corporations: General Electric, Walt Disney, News Corp., Time Warner, Viacom, & CBS. These six media corporations control most of what we hear, read, and see. Our perceptions, worldviews and our culture is dictated by the message portrayed by a few corporations. With so much influence and control it is very easy to capitalize on such influence to market products, create desires we never had, influence our emotions and ultimately use it all to make huge profits.
Is that thought scary? Is it to much to think companies control media messaging for maximum profit? Chime in and let us know in the comments!
Just to note, there are other big media companies who are big players in particular media markets (ex. Cox, Bertelsmann), but these six are easily the biggest both in terms of profits and sweeping influence. These companies are vertically integrated, meaning they control everything from production to distribution.
Did You Know?
Zondervan – The largest Christian publishers, including the vast majority share of the “Bible” is owned by News Corp. Every time someone purchases a bible, the #1 bestseller in history, News Corp profits.
Let us know what you think about these media facts!
- Did you know that six companies controlled most of media?
- Did any of the facts shown below surprise you?
- What is your biggest concern with a few companies controlling and dictating the vast majority of media?
Let us know in the comments!
Snapshot of the Big 6’s Control over Media
GENERAL ELECTRIC
2008 Revenues: $183 Billion
Sample Ownership: NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, Telemundo, USA, A&E, Universal Pictures, NBC.com, CNBC.com, iVillage.com, and Hulu.com (joint venture with News Corp).
TV – Television networks: NBC Networks, Telemundo, Ion Media (partial stake).
TV – Cable: NBC Entertainment, NBC News, NBC Sports, NBC Television, NBC Universal, CNBC, CNBC World (Arabia, India, Asia, Europe), MSNBC, Bravo, Sci Fi Channel, Telemundo, USA, Oxygen, Weather Plus, Mun2, Sleuth, Chiller, Universal HD, A&E Networks (25%; includes A&E, the History Channel, History en español, the Biography Channel, Military History Channel, Crime & Investigation Network, A&E HD, the History Channel HD, History International), the Weather Channel (partial), Sci-Fi Channel HD.
TV – Production and distribution companies: NBC Universal Television Distribution, Universal Media Studios
26 television stations, owned under the “NBC Universal” division. These include NBC affiliates, 46 stations, Telemundo affiliates, and a small number of independents.
TV – International Channels: 13eme Rue (France), 13th Street (Germany), Studio Universal (Germany), Sci-fi Channel (Germany), Calle 13 (Spain), Sci Fi Channel UK, Movies 24 (UK), DivaTV (UK), Studio Universal (Italy), Universal Channel (Latin America), CNBC Asia, CNBC Europe, 18 Hallmark Channels (worldwide), KidsCo (worldwide, partial).
TV – Programming: NBC Network News, NBC Universal Global Networks, NBC Universal International Channels, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, Dateline NBC, Meet the Press, Early Today, CNBC, Squawk Box, Mad Money, CNBC World, CNBC Arabia, CNBC-India TV-18, Hardball with Chris Matthews, the Rita Cosby Specials Unit, Morning Joe, Mun2, Sleuth, A&E [partial], the History Channel [partial], the Biography Channel (partial), ShopNBC (27%).
Film – Production: NBC Universal (80% ownership): Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Rogue Pictures. Universal has production agreements with Imagine Entertainment, Jersey Films, Tribeca Films, Shady Acres, the Kennedy/Marshall Company, Playtone Company, Strike Entertainment, Type A Films, Depth of Field, Stephen Sommers and Working Title Films (Europe).
Film – Distribution: Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Online – NBC.com, CNBC.com, iVillage.com, Scifi.com, telemundo.com, nbc.com, hulu.com (a joint venture between NBC Universal and News Corp.), Bravotv.com, Triotv.com, msnbc.msn.com, nbcolympics.com, ShopNBC.com. Partial: aetv.com, biography.com, historychannel.com, military.history.com, Thehistoryhcannelclub.com, Historytravel.com, Newsvine.com.
WALT DISNEY
2008 Revenue: $37.8 Billion
Sample Ownership: ABC, ESPN, Disney, A&E, History Channel, 277 radio stations, Marvel Entertainment, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax Films, Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, NBA.com, and NFL.com
TV – The ABC Television Network: ABC Entertainment, ABC Daytime, ABC News, ESPN on ABC, ABC Television, ABC Kids, and Touchstone Television.
TV – Production & Distribution Companies: Walt Disney Television, Walt Disney Television Animation, BVS entertainment, ABC Studios, Walt Disney Television, Disney-ABC Domestic Television.
TV – Cable Networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN PPV, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPNHD, ESPN2 HD, ESPNEWSHD and ESPNUHD, Disney Channel HD, Toon Disney, SOAPnet, ABC Family Channel, A&E Television Networks (37.5% equity; includes A&E, the History Channel, the Biography Channel, History en español, Military History Channel, Crime & Investigation Network, A&E HD, The History Channel HD), Lifetime Entertainment Services (50% equity; includes Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women).
TV – International Channels: ESPN International, ESPN Classic Sport Europe, ESPN Latin America, ESPN Asia, Jetix Europe, Jetix Latin America, Jetix Canada, Jetix Israel, International Disney Channels, History International, NASN Limited.
The ABC Television Network has 226 affiliated stations reaching 99 percent of all U.S. television households. The company owns and operates ten ABC television stations in the nation’s top markets.
TV – Programming: Good Morning America, World News with Charles Gibson, World News Now, 20/20, Primetime, This Week With George Stephanopoulos, Sportscenter/Monday Night Football, ESPNplus, Playhouse Disney, Jetix, ABC Kids.
Radio – Programming: ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes Radio, Radio Disney, Lifetime Radio for women (50% equity), ABC Music Radio, ABC Radio Networks: Imus in the Morning, The Mark Levin Show, Morning Joe, The Tom Joyner Show.
Publishing – Magazines: Family Fun, ESPN the Magazine, Jetix Magazine, Wondertime Magazine, Bassmaster Magazine and Disney Adventures
Publishing – Music: Disney Music Group distributes music and motion picture soundtracks under its four labels: Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, Buena Vista Records, Lyric Street Records, Disney Music Publishing Worldwide.
Film – Production and Distribution: Walt Disney Pictures (includes Walt Disney Feature Animation and DisneyToon Studios), Touchstone Pictures, Miramax Films, Pixar Animation Studios, Hollywood Pictures, Buena Vista International, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Buena Vista Home Entertainment International, Disney Theatrical Group, A&E IndieFilms (37.5% equity).
Publishing – Books: Disney Publishing, a subsidiary of the Company, owns Hyperion Books, Hyperion Books for Children, Disney Press, Disney Editions, Disney Adventures, Disney Fairies, Disney Digital Books, Mirimax, ESPN books, ABC Daytime Press, Hyperion East, Hyperion Audiobooks, Volo, Jump at the Sun, Disney Libri (Italy), Disney Hachette JV (France).
Online – ABC.com, ABCNews.com, Oscar.com, Disney.com, Disneychannel.com, Family.com, ESPN.com, Familyfun.com, Go.com, Soccernet.co (60%), NFL.com, NBA.com, NASCAR.com, Toysmart.com (partial), Go Network, www.disneysgamecafe.com, ESPN.com, Abcsports.com, ESPNdeportes.com, Wondertime.com, iparenting.com, celebrityparents.com, incrediblebabynames.com, disneyfairies.com, clubpenguin.com, Disneyshopping.com, (37.5% equity: aetv.com, biography.com, historychannel.com, militaryhistory.com, thehistoryhcannelclub.com, Historytravel.com).
News Corp
Sample Ownership: Fox Network, Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox, Myspace.com, Ign.com (gaming), Scout.com (sports), Simply Hired (job), New York Post, Rotten Tomatoes, Marketwatch, Hulu.com, 150 newspapers, Harper Collins, & Zondervan.
2008 Revenue: $33 Billion
TV – Networks: Fox, MyNetworkTV. In the United States, News Corp. owns 27 television stations.
TV – Cable: Fox Business Channel, Fox Movie Channel, Fox News Channel, Fox College Sports, Fox Regional Sports Networks (16 owned and operated), Fox Sports En Espanol, Fox Sports Net, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Reality, Premier Media Group (Australia 50%), Premium Movie Partnership (Australia 20%), Cine Canal (Latin America 23%), Telecine (Latin America 13%), FUEL TV, FX, FX HD, National Geographic Channel (US 67% and Worldwide 52%), National Geographic Channel HD, SPEED Channel, SPEED HD, Big Ten Network & Big Ten Network HD (49%), Premier Media Group (Australia 50%).
TV – Production and Distribution Companies: Fox Television Studios, Fox Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Television, 20th Television, Regency Television (50%).
TV – Satellite Television: Fox International owns 120 channels around the world.
TV – Europe: SKY Italia includes Sky Sport, Sky Calcio, Sky Cinema, Sky TG 24, Premiere AG (25%). British Sky Broadcasting (39%) includes Sky News, Sky Sports, Sky Travel, Sky One, Sky Movies, Artsworld. News Corp. also owns Balkan News Corporation.
TV – Latin America: LAPTV (33%), Telecine (13%).
TV – Asia: STAR Channels, Space TV (India DBS 20%), Phoenix Satellite Television (18%), Hathway Cable and Datacom (22%), China Network Systems (17 affiliated cable systems), Vijay, Xing Kong Channel [V], ESPN Star Sports (50%), ANTV (20%), TATA Sky (20%).
TV – Australia & New Zealand: Sky Network Television Limited (44%), FOXTEL (25%).
TV – Programming: Fox Sports, Special Report with Brit Hume, Fox Report with Shepard Smith, On the Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News Sunday, The O’Reilly Factor, Fox Pan American Sports (38%).
Publishing – Magazines: Barron’s, SmartMoney (50%), Big League, InsideOut, donna hay, News America Marketing (In-Store, FSI (SmartSource), SmartSource iGroup, News Marketing Canada), Alpha, The Weekly Standard, The Weekend Australian Magazine, sundaymagazine, body + soul, STM (WA), home, TVGuide, News Magazine (Australia).
Publishing – Newspapers:
Publishing – Australia/Asia: More than 150 titles including: The Wall Street Journal Asia, the Fiji Times, Daily Telegraph, Nai Lalakai, Shanti Dut, Gold Coast Bulletin, Herald Sun, Newsphotos, Newspix, Newstext, NT News, Papua New Guinea Post-Courier (63%), Sunday Herald Sun, Sunday Mail, Sunday Tasmanian, Sunday Times, Sunday Territorian, The Advertiser, The Australian, The Courier-Mail, The Mercury, News Limited, The Sunday Mail, The Sunday Telegraph, Weekly Times, The Weekend Australian, MX, Brisbane News, Northern Territory News, Cumberland (NSW), Leader (VIC), Quest (QLD), Messenger (SA), Community (WA), Darwin Sun/Palmerson Sun (NT).
Publishing – United Kingdom: News of the World, The Sun, The Sunday Times, The Times, News International.
Publishing – United States: Newspaper holdings include the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, MarketWatch and Dow Jones Newswire; News Corp. also acquired the Ottoway group of community newspapers through its takeover of Dow Jones in 2007.
Publishing – Books: HarperCollins Publishers, Zondervan
Film – Production and Distribution: Fox Film Entertainment: 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, Fox 2000 Pictures, 20th Century Fox Espanol, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising, 20th Century Fox International, Fox Atomic, Blue Sky Studios, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Music, Fox Studios Australia, Fox Studios Baja (Latin America), Canal Fox (Latin America), Balaji Telefilms (26%, Asia), 20th Century Fox Animation.
Online – Fox Interactive Media manages Fox’s online holdings, which include MySpace.com, Scout.com (a college sports site), ign.com (Internet gaming), Simply Hired (an online job search site), FoxSports.com, Fox News.com, Fox.com, Intermix, IGN.com, IGN.com.au, NYPost.com, MSN.Foxsports.com, WeeklyStandard.com, Broadsystem.com, NewsOptimus.co.uk, NewsOutdoor.com, RottenTomatoes, Fox.com, AmericanIdol.com, MarketWatch.com, Photobucket.com, Hulu.com (45%), jamster.com (51%), askmen.com, whatifsports.com, ksolo.com, springwidgets.com, flecktor.com milkround.com, nds.com, newsoutdoor.com, wsj.com, dowjones.com, barrons.com.
Time Warner
2008 Revenue: $29.8 Billion
Sample Ownership: Warner Brothers, CNN, Cinemax, HBO, Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT, AOL, AIM, Mapquest, Moviefone, Advertising.com, ICQ, TMZ, PGA.com, Bebo, New Line Cinema, Castle Rock, DC Comics, Times Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Fortune Magazine, People Magazine (150+ Magazines)
TV – Network: CW Network (50% with CBS).
TV – Cable: Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO, Cinemax, HBO Sports, HBO Pay-Per-View, HBO on Demand, Cinemax Multiplexes, Cinemax on Demand, HBO HD, Cinemax HD, as well as HBO channels around the world), TruTV, TBS, TBS HD, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, TCM Europe, TCM Asia Pacific, TNT, TNT HD, CNN Airport Network, CNN International, CNN Headline News, CNN en Español, CNN en Español Radio, CNN Pipeline.
TV – Regional and Local Channels: NY1 News, NY1 Noticias, Sports Net, R News (Rochester, NY), Turner South, Capital News 9 Albany, MetroSports, News 8 Austin, News 10 Now — Syracuse, News 14 Carolina-Charlotte, News 14 Carolina-Raleigh.
TV – International: CNN International, CNN Headline News in Asia Pacific, CNN Headline News in Latin America, CNN+, CETV (36%)(China), CNNj, CNN Turk, CNN-IBN, Cartoon Network Europe, Cartoon Network Latin America, Cartoon Network Asia Pacific, Cartoon Network Japan (70% share), Imagen, TCM Classic Hollywood in Latin America, TNT Latin America, Nuts TV, Cartoonito, Pogo, 7 networks in Latin America.
TV – Production and Distribution: Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Home Video, Warner Horizon Television, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, Telepictures Productions, HBO Video, HBO Independent Productions, New Line Television, Williams St. Studio, Cartoon Network Studios, CNN Newsource.
TV – Programming: CNN Newsroom, Live From The Situation Room, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Larry King Live, Anderson Cooper 360, NBA Games, MLB Playoffs, NASCAR, Entourage, Kids’ WB, American Morning.
Film – Production: Subsidiary The Warner Bros. Entertainment Group owns: Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, Castle Rock, Warner Premiere, Picturehouse, Warner Bros. International Cinemas, Warner Independent Pictures, a joint venture with Village Roadshow Pictures, and a joint venture with Alcon Entertainment.
Film – Distribution: Distribution to more than 125 international territories.
Publishing – Comics: DC Comics, E.C. Publications, Inc. (publisher of MAD magazine).
Publishing – Time, Inc. : Time Warner Book Group (with publishing companies The Mysterious Press, Time Warner Book Group UK, Warner Faith, Warner Vision, Warner Business Books, Aspect, and Little, Brown and Company (includes Little, Brown Adult Trade, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Back Bay, and Bulfinch Press); Oxmoor House, Inc., Sunset Books, Books-of-the-Month Club, Inc., Southern Progress Corporation, Grupo Editorial Expansion (publishes 15 magazines in Mexico).
Publishing – More Than 150 Magazines: People, Time, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, This Old House, 25 Beautiful Homes, 25 Beautiful Kitchens, 4×4, Aeroplane, All You, Amateur Gardening, Amateur Photographer, Ambientes, Angler’s Mail, Audi Magazine, Balance, Bird Keeper, Business 2.0, Cage & Aviary Birds, Caravan, Chat—Its Fate, Chilango, Classic Boat, Coastal Living, Cooking Light, Cottage Living, Country Homes & Interiors, Country Life, Cycle Sport, Cycling Weekly, Decanter, Entertainment Weekly, Essence (joint venture), Essentials, EXP, Expansion, European Boat Builder, Eventing, Family Circle (U.K.), Fortune Asia, Fortune Europe, FSB: Fortune Small Business, Golf Magazine, Golf Monthly, Guitar, Hair, Health, Hi-Fi News, Homes & Gardens, Horse, Horse & Hound, Ideal Home, In Style, In Style U.K., International Boat Industry, Land Rover World, Life, Manufactura, Marie Claire (joint venture), MBR-Mountain Bike Rider, MINI, MiniWorld, Model Collector, Money, Motor Boat & Yachting, Motor Boats Monthly, Motor Caravan, NME, Now, Nuts, Obras, Outdoor Life, Park Home & Holiday Caravan, People en Espanol, Pick Me Up, Practical Boat Owner, Practical Parenting, Prediction, Progressive Farmer, Quien, Quo (joint venture), Racecar Engineering, Real Simple, Rugby World, Ships Monthly, Shoot Monthly, Shooting Times, Soaplife, Southern Accents, Southern Living, Sporting Gun, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Stamp Magazine, Sunset, Superbike, Synapse, Targeted Media, Teen People, The Field, The Golf, The Golf+, The Railway Magazine, The Shooting Gazette, This Old House Ventures, Time Asia, Time Atlantic, Time Australia, Time Canada, Time for Kids, Time, Inc. Content Solutions, Time Pacific, TV & Satellite Week, TV Easy, TVTimes, Uncut, VolksWorld, Vuelo, Wallpaper, Webuser, Wedding, What Camera, What Digital Camera, What’s on TV, Who, Woman, Woman & Home, Woman’s Own, Woman”s Weekly, World Soccer.
Online – America Online: AOL, AOL.com, AOL Instant Messenger, AOL Wireless, AOL Music Now, AOL Local, McAfee VirusScan Online (bundled with AOL services), AOL by Phone, AOL Call Alert, AOL CityGuide, AOL PassCode, AOL Voicemail, AOL Europe (Germany and Luxembourg), America Online Latino (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Chile, AOL Global Web Services, AOL Latino).
Online – Other Online Holdings: CNN.com, CNNMoney.com, CNNStudentNews.com, MapQuest, Moviefone, Movietickets.com, RED, Advertising.com, CompuServe, ICQ, KOL, SI.com, People.com, Pipeline, GameTap, CartoonNetwork.com, DCComics.com, Time.com, VeryFunnyAds.com, Cwtv.com, Golf.com, Truveo, Weblogs, TMZ.com, Momlogic.com, AIM, Bebo.com, NASCAR.com, NASCAR.com en Espanol, PGA.com, PGATour.com, Play On!, superdeluxe.com, MyRecipes.com, MyHomeIdeas.com, ThisOldHouse.com, buy.at, MedioTiempo.com, Goowy, Sphere Source, Mousebreaker.com.
Viacom
2008 Revenue: $14.6 Billion
Sample Ownership: MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures
TV – Viacom owns 10 TV stations (primarily broadcasting MTV Tr3s).
TV – Cable: MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon/Nick-at-Nite, TV Land, VH1, Spike TV, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, Palladia, MTV U, LOGO, MTV World, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies, Paramount Comedy, BET, BET Jazz, BET Gospel, BET Hip Hop, Nick Jr., MTV Tr3s, VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Pure Country.
TV – International Channels: MTV Networks International operates in 160 countries. Viacom also owns Colors, The Music Factory, The Box, Game One, VIVA, QOOB, MTV Network Europe, Comedy Central Germany, MTV Base, MTV Arabia.
TV – Production: BET Event Production, MTV Productions.
TV – Programming: The Hills, Nick Gas, Turbo Nick, Nicktoons Network, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, MTV Jams, MTV World and TeeNick.
Radio – MTV Radio, BET Radio, Imagine Radio Limited
Publishing – Music: The Extreme Music Library, Director’s Cuts Production Music.
Publishing – Magazines: Nickelodeon Magazine.
Film – Paramount Pictures (includes Dreamworks, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Home Entertainment), Viacom 18 (50%) (India).
Online – MTV.com, VH1.com, Spiketv.com, ComedyCentral.com, Nick.com, GT.TV, GameTrailers.com, Neopets Inc., MTVi Group, SonicNet.com, GoCityKids.com, MTV Overdrive, VH1 Vspot, BET.com, BET on Blast, Cmt.com, TurboNick, Quizilla, Nick Jr. Video, The Click, Nicktropolis, Addictinggames.com, Shockwave.com, ParentsConnect.com, Atomfilms.com, Rhapsody America (49%), Virtual Worlds (Nickropolis, vmtv.com), thedailyshow.com, colbertnation.com, southparkstudios.com (51%), spiketv.com, ifilm.com, jokes.com, Xfire (gaming).
CBS
2008 Revenue: $14 Billion
Sample Ownership: CBS, CBS Sports, Showtime, Simon & Schuster, CBS radio, Paramount, 29 television stations.
TV – Networks: CBS Network consists of 29 stations. CW Network (50% with Time Warner).
TV – Cable: CBS College Sports Network, the Smithsonian Channel, MountainWest Sports Network (50% with Comcast). Showtime Networks, Inc. (SNI) owns Showtime, the Movie Channel, Flix, Showtime Too, Showtime Showcase, Showtime Extreme, Showtime Beyond, Showtime Next, Showtime Women, Showtime Familyzone, the Movie Channel Xtra, Showtime HD, Showtime Too HD, Showtime PPV, Showtime on Demand, the Movie Channel HD.
TV – Programming: CBS Television Distribution: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Survivor, Everybody Loves Raymond, Jeopardy!, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entertainment Tonight, The Early Show, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours, Face the Nation, Two and a Half Men, The Young and The Restless. CBS also owns CBS News, CBS Sports, CBS Entertainment, and broadcasts the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
TV – Production and Distribution: CBS Paramount Network Television, CBS Paramount International Television, CBS Television Distribution, CBS Films.
Radio – CBS Radio owns 140 radio stations in 31 markets; most of these are in the nation’s top 50 markets.
Radio – Books:
Publishing – Simon & Schuster: Atria Books, Kaplan, Pocket Books, Scribner, Simon & Schuster, The Free Press, The Touchstone, Fireside Group.
Publishing – Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Little Simon, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Spotlight.
Publishing – Other Publishing: Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster UK, Simon & Schuster Australia, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, MTV Books.
Online – CBS.com, CBSNews.com, CBS Interactive, CBSGames.com, CBS Outernet, CBSSports.com, Sportsline.com, CNet.com, ourchart.com, ProElite, Inc., smithsoniannetworks.com (50%), MaxPreps.com, NFL.com, NCAAsports.com, ParentConnect.com, PGATour.com, Sho.com, Innertube, TheShowBuzz.com, Last.fm, GameSpot, TV.com, MP3.com, help.com.TV show?
- Let us know what you think!
Sexualization of Girls in Media – New Report
[Welcome Twitter Visitors – follow @CleanCutMedia Here!]
Sexualization of Girls Report by the APA
American Psychological Association came out with a report that shows girl as young as 4 and 5 years old are wearing new clothing styles such as push-up bras, thongs, mini skirts and other adult type outfits. Following the onslaught of media images girls see on TV, there is a changing standard born out of the pressure these images give to children to “get with it” or “fit in”. This report brings up the decrease in self-esteem and the increase in depressions and eating disorders linked to the increasing sexualization by the media. It also emphasizes the increasing underage sex rate.
Defining Sexualization of Girls
The APA taskforce on the Sexualization of Girls was formed in response to these public concerns. The APA taskforce also produced reports on the Violence in Mass Media, Advertising to Children, Video Games and Interactive Media among other similar reports. The “sexualization” process was defined having one of the following criterias.
- a persons’ value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics;
- a person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness with being sexy;
- a person is sexually objectified – that is, made into a thing for other’s sexual use, rather than seen as a person with the capacity for independent action and decision making; and/or
- sexuality is inappropriately imposed on a person
Examples of Sexualization in Advertising
Sexualization of Girls is pervasive throughout all media. The report outlines a few categories:
- Ads – Sketchers “Naughty & Nice” – featured Christina Aguilera dressed as a schoolgirl in pigtails with her shirt unbuttoned, licking a lollipop
- Dolls – Bratz Dolls – dressed in sexualized clothing such as miniskirts, fishnet stocking, and feather boas
- Clothing – thongs sized for 7-10 year old, some printed with slogans such as “wink wink”
- TV – Televised Fashion show in which adult models in lingerie were presented as young girls.
In addition, I find the most powerful media messages are often a lot more subtle. It is true that the constant barrage of images of pretty women with questionable outfits changes what we consider the “norm” in terms of how we define “beauty” and what is “appropriate” behavior. However just as powerful, is the message found in the lifestyles of sitcom characters. People love watching sitcoms. They become attached to characters and they see the characters in the context of “life”. When people watch their beloved characters living a promiscuous lifestyle or behaving in a sexualized way (using their beauty to charm guys, chasing after pretty woman, gawking at a pretty girl who walks by) we take in these “behaviors” as normal reactions and how things actually are in the real world. We learn what is normal through what we observe in carefully constructed sitcoms that milk on what sells and let’s face it – sex sells.
Interesting Studies of Sexualization in Report
List of some interesting studies covered in the report:
Note that these bulletpoints are not at all comprehensive.
- Sexualization inhibits Mental Capacity – Women who were in bathing suits trying to conduct a test did poorly then when wearing sweaters. Men found no such drop off. Thinking about the body and comparing to sexualized cultural ideals disrupted mental capacity.(Frederickson, Roberts, Noll, Quinn, & Twenge 1998; Gapinski, Brownsell, & LaFrance, 2003)
- Mental Health Problems – Researched links sexualization with 3 of the most common mental health problem of girls and woman: eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression (Abramson & Valene, 1991; Durkin & Paxton, 2002)
- Diminishing Sexual Health – Self objectification linked directly with diminishing sexual health among adolescent girls measured by decreased condom use and sexual assertiveness. (Impett, Schooler, & Tomlman 2006). Negative effects such as shame due to sexualization may lead to sexual problems in adulthood (Brotto, Heiman & Tolman, in press)
- Sexual Stereotypes – Girls and young woman who more frequently consume or engage with mainstream media content offer stronger endorsements of sexual stereotypes that depict women as sexual objects (Ward, 2002; Zurbriggen & Morgan, 2006)
- Effects on Men – Exposure to narrow ideals of female sexual attractiveness make it difficult for some men to find an “acceptable” partner or to fully enjoy intimacy with a female partner (Schooler & Ward, 2006)
Problem of Sexualization of Girls is Deep
The problem is not just the clothing they wear or even what girls are learning about sex – the problem is that girls at a young age are being taught how to approach relationships and how to approach intimacy. Media is teaching girls that being sexy and using their sexuality is important. Even Disney is responsible for using pretty, skinny woman characters using their beauty to get what they want. In the real world, many big name celebrities also are using their “sexuality” for all it’s worth.
Parents: Protect Your Child from Sexualization!
The ultimate message is that parents must protect their child. Some may think it’s cute to allow their young daughter to wear t-shirts that say stuff like “Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me” (the main line from a popular song) or allow your daughters to those “cute” mini skirts or short-shorts that have things written on their bottoms. To buy them make-up kits as a child and teach them to adorn themselves with beauty products. But it won’t be funny when those very children becoming sexuality active by middle school and learn to objectify themselves, placing their self-worth on how they look.
Download & Read the Full “Sexualization of Girls” Report Below
- Please let us know what other good pieces of statistics or information you find below in the comments section!
- Also what are your thoughts about the Sexualization of Girls? Do you see it as a big problem?
- What do you think we can do?
Summary: Executive Summary
Full Report: Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls (PDF, 408K)
The proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media is harming girls’ self-image and healthy development. This report explores the cognitive and emotional consequences, consequences for mental and physical health, and impact on development of a healthy sexual self-image. – American Psychological Association
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TV Media’s Influence on Child Development
“Several risks to pediatric health are literally staring children in the face. It’s time to call the doctor.”
Want to share this old, but great article from the Harvard Medical Alumni Bulletin. Very interesting points about how media cuts into many issues such as obesity, eating disorders, attention disorders, violence, sex, and drug use and how Medical Professionals need to deeply consider how much media has an influence on the development of these.
What Awesome Media Articles Did you Miss?
Hey Clean Cut Media Readers,
During this thanksgiving holiday, I am very thankful to have YOU, the readers here on Clean Cut media. I am even more thankful for those of you who have started to engage the posts by commenting with your thoughts. I would hate for readers to miss out on the interesting comments and poll results on past postings. Some of the comments are very interesting and we would all benefit from hearing the thoughts of each of you! So please visit some of the past articles, check out the comments and polls and share your thoughts! As always be courteous or should I say – Clean Cut.
Most Commented Articles
Have you read some of the comments made by our readers? Most of the posts on Clean Cut Media end with open ended questions in the hopes that collectively we can discuss the influences of media and our culture. I truly hope we can get to a point where we can post up topics and it is the COMMUNITY that will create the “real” juicy content through the discussions and commentary. So help us out! If you find the article or a comment made by another user interesting, please let us know your thoughts!
Teenager Kills Mother, Shoots Father Over Halo 3
– The comments have been a bit one sided due to the influx of readers coming from Halo Forum sites. What are your thoughts? Agree or disagree?
Clean Family Friendly Movie Reviews & Rating
– Many users have contributed to this list. We wanted to create a list of family friendly movies so users can know what movies are safe both for themselves and their children. Please be as detailed as possible when you contribute!
Creativity: Amazing 3D Building Art
– The art postings on Clean Cut Media always brings out a flurry of comments expressing their awe and delight in what they’ve seen. Check all our 3D Chalk arts postings.
Movie Review: Watchmen Morality Review
– Lot of interesting takes on this movie. What are your thoughts? If you didn’t see the movie, it’s ok! Still give us your take!
AdBlock Plus: Blocks All Ads on the Internet
– Have you downloaded this awesome plug-in? Eliminates Ads altogether!
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince Movie Review
– Too much emphasis on teen love? Is the message behind the film good? Give us your thoughts?
Polyamory Relationships & Cultural Subjectivity of Truth
– Again, heavy feedback from the Polyamory community. Word got out about this posting via twitter. Comments are mostly by Polyamory participants. Your thoughts?
Top 5 Polls
Which is your Favorite Street Art – 820+ Votes
Users voted on their favorite 3D Chalk Art piece. River Rafting & Coke Bottle have run away with this.
Do you use Facebook and/or MySpace – 630+ Votes
In this article, we discussed the growth of Facebook vs Myspace. This poll helped determine who uses MySpace and who uses Facebook. Facebook easily is the most popular.
What is the Most Amazing – 300+ Votes
Users again voted for the most amazing Chalk Art. Dive Plank edged out Batman and Robin!
Which 3D Building Art is Your Favorite – 280+ Votes
Users love these opinion polls! Which one was their favorite? The one I voted for, the building ripped open. Really incredible. Check it out.
Have sites like YouTube helped or hurt our culture – 70+ Votes
Has Youtube helped our culture by enhancing the proliferation of information? Or has it somewhat hurt our culture? See how the votes are panning out!
Most Tweeted – Follow us at @CleanCutMedia
Those who are interested in Social Media Marketing tend to follow this blog for the statistical summaries and commentaries. There is a lot of information out there and users have found it useful to find it all consolidated on a couple posts. “ReTweet” is something fairly new on this blog, so it hasn’t picked up just yet, but hopefully it will continue to grow in the future. See the list below!
Social Networks in Asia: Korea, Japan, China, India, Hong Kong, Singapore etc
YouTube Statistics – The Ultimate Time Suck
Polyamory Relationships & Cultural Subjectivity of Truth
Teenager Kills Mother, Shoots Father Over Halo 3
Twitter Statistics: Visitor Growth
Social Media Statistics Video – Growth & Impact
15 Beautiful HDR Photography Art
Most Visited Postings (excluding 3D & Social Media Articles)
Below are the most visited postings on Clean Cut Media this year. I’ve only linked the ones not linked above. Don’t want to link you out!
Movie Review: Watchmen Morality Review
Teenager Kills Mother, Shoots Father over Halo
Teens Sharing Nude Photos Online
– I really hope people are finding this article for the right reasons.
Influence of Media Advertising in our View of Life
– Pretty straightforward title. Very old post that started it all.
Israel Palestinians Media War
– Interesting post on the digital media war waged in the middle east.
Girl Self-Esteem Image Issues
– Great piece about Media’s affect on girl’s self image. Lots of Statistics.
Pro Anorexia Pro Ana Sites
– Discussion about Affects of Social Networks on Pro – Anorexia Groups.
Famous Manipulated Photos, Pre-Photoshop
– Take a look at famous pictures from history that were photoshoped for various purposes.
Hope that was helpful to help you navigate around the site. Please let us know which article was your favorite. Also please comment on the ones you find interesting and give us your take!
– Media Influence
Ever Fading Sensitivity to Violence in Media
Wu Fei (吴非), is a school teacher who often contributes to several different newspapers and textbooks. She maintains a blog that covers issues in contemporary education. Utilizing the movie Schindler’s List she wrote a post discussing the need to be careful in the way we expose children to the tragedies of human history and the evil of humanity. She believes there needs to be an emphasis on kindness and understanding or these cruelties can be taken the wrong way.
Personally, I really like the post, because it indirectly brings up the issue of our ever fading sensitivity to what we should be viewing with disgust and shame. That is media’s influence at it’s best.
I’ve pasted the entire translation below.
Credit to Danwei for the translation.
Unendurable Brutality
by Wu Fei
The script to Schindler’s List has been selected for inclusion in a middle school textbook.* From the standpoint of both language arts and humanities education, this is a necessary step forward. Secondary education should make students aware that the history of human civilization contains such instances of violence against civilization and humanity.
Power of Images in Media & Iran’s Twitter Revolution
Powerful Influence of Images in Media
When I say Tiananmen Square Massacre, what is the first thought or image that comes to your mind? For the vast majority of people it is the image of the young man making a stand in front of the rolling tank.
There are many such images or photographs out there that has forever influenced public perception. One can cry all you want about starving children, but nothing moves a person emotionally until they see a picture of precious young child starving without food.
This is the power of images. Whether an image of news, or the images we see on TV.
The Iran Twitter Revolution
As you may or may not know, everyone has been following the news of the turmoil in Iran through the Internet. As journalists are not allowed (or more like afraid) to officially transmit news out of that country, all the recently events have been followed through YouTube videos and twitter updates. It has been one of the most interesting phenomenons of late.
Hundreds of Thousands of Iranians have been protesting the recent elections between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mir-Hossein Mousavi and 2 other candidates. The crowds are crying fraud due to multiple suspicious figures and the bias way the government conducted the elections. The following demonstrations are now being captured on YouTube videos and being twittered all around the globe. The Tehran’s leaders had taken down telephone systems, took down websites, confiscated tapes from journalists and dispatched police to beat and arrest anyone who dares to protest. The leaders have done everything they could to try to control the news coming out of Iran. Yet they completely underestimated the power of the citizen journalists and the use of social media. Iran, as a highly computer literate country, had citizen hackers working to keep media lines open while the government continually try to shut them down.
One example of Iranian Twittering about the Demonstration: Tehran Bureau
YouTube Videos of Recent Demonstrations
Protest News Coverage from Different Parts of Iran
Power of a Images in Turning Public Opinion
Recently a young woman named Neda Agha-Soltan (Neda means “voice” or “the calling” in Farsi) was shown on video being shot by a sniper’s bullet during a demonstration. As she fell to the ground, she instantly became the face of “freedom”, the symbol of the entire opposition. As this video, which was caught on a cell phone camera, spread quickly around the globe, it has strongly impacted the view of the world’s public opinion.
“[Neda] has become a global symbol of innocence destroyed by evil.” – Times Online
Below is an excerpt about the power of images by Breakpoint
Note: The Book referenced here called “How Now Shall We Live?
Other photos have moved entire nations. As I wrote in my book, How Now Shall We live?, I’ll never forget the first time I saw the famous 1972 photo of a little Vietnamese girl, Kim Phuc, running away after a bombing, her skin burned by napalm. That photo broke my heart and the hearts of countless others, and as I would later write, it “became an emblem for an entire nation questioning its reason for being in Vietnam.”
Another photograph from Vietnam had a similar effect: the photo of South Vietnamese General Nguyen executing a Viet Cong prisoner in February 1968. The picture has often been cited as the image that “as much as any, turned public opinion against the war”—even though the photographer, Eddie Adams, who saw both sides of the story, had not intended it that way.
Adams later wrote, “The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera. Still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world.”
Adams was right. For better or for worse, images shape our thinking, our emotions, and our responses to the world around us. Context is always important, for sometimes images can mislead, as Eddie Adams discovered. But sometimes images can show us the truth about ordinary people, people just like us, fighting for the same rights that we so often take for granted.
Could the video of Neda’s lifeblood pouring out on the streets of Tehran be the image that changes everything for her country?
That I don’t know. But I do know this. No matter how hard the Iranian government tries to silence the calls for freedom, Neda has given her fellow Iranians a voice that the world can’t help but hear.
- What is your opinion about the power of images in media?
- What does this tell us about how we should approach the intake of all media such as tv shows and movies?
- What is your reaction to Iran’s Twitter Revolution and the role of social media?
Michael Jackson’s Death causes Social Media Explosion
As everyone by now knows, Michael Jackson, one of the greatest pop icons in history died at the age of 50 due to undetermined causes. He was found unconscious by Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s personal doctor. Autopsies are underway to determine what may have caused this tragedy. The news so far from the coroner’s office is that there were no signs of foul play.
What followed was a wave of online attention never seen before. The spike in traffic was so abnormal that Google thought they were being attacked by a virus or spyware application. When people searched Google News for “Michael Jackson” they would receive an “we’re sorry” error page.
Some other social media statistics related to Michael Jackson’s Death:
- Web Usage: Jumped to 4.2 million global visitors per MINUTE. Normal is around 2 million.
- Web Search: More than 50% of top 100 searches were related to Michael Jackson
- Mobile Search: Saw the largest spike ever with 5 of 20 searches being about Michael Jackson
- Yahoo: Single day record of 16.4 million visitors
- CNN: Significantly slowed as they saw 20 million page views and saw traffic jump 5x normal levels within the first hour after the news broke.
- AIM: Went down for 40 minutes
- iTunes: 8 of the top 10 selling albums for download were from Michael Jackson, 8 of the top 10 music videos were also Michael Jackson related. 5 of the top 10 songs.
- Amazon: 10 of the top 25 albums for download were Michael Jackson.
- Amazon: For all CD sales, Jackson held 17 of the top 20 spots including all top 10 slots.
- Youtube: “Thriller Video” currently has 43.5 million views and 185,000 comments.
- Youtube: Fans are uploading videos in droves in memory of Michael Jackson
- Twitter: 5,000 tweets per minute
- Twitter: 23% of all tweets dedicated to the star.
- Twitter: 9 out of 10 popular topics were about Michael Jackson.
- Twitter: Celebrities expresses sorrows while followed by millions on Twitter.
- Facebook: Groups formed to organize vigils and celebration of Jackson
- Domains: Nearly 4,000 domain names related to Michael Jackson registered on Go Daddy within the first day
- Rumors: In conjuction with this news was a flurry of activity with rumors of Jeff Goldblum’s death. This was later shown to be unfounded.
AOL called it a “seminal moment in Internet History… we’ve never seen anything like it”.
Every major news station highlighted Michael Jackson’s Death with large images with multiple articles covering his history, his glorious career, his troubled past, suspicions about his death, about his family, his wealth, and more. It was the fastest and largest wave of information over one news in such a short period of time. The internet as a whole was “slow” as all the major news stations and websites were slowed by the sudden surge in traffic.
I appreciate Michael Jackson’s talents, his singing ability, his dancing ability, it all was fantastic and worth admiring for what it was. However the question I want to pose is…
What does this incredible level of attention towards a pop icon tell us about the culture we live in?
If a war broke out between two small countries, it wouldn’t attract this level of attention. Millions of starving children? Most people wouldn’t read that article, too depressing. How about the continual sex trafficking occurring all around the world? Most people are not even aware of it.
I don’t blame the news outlets, since honestly most of the articles written are just fillers about random things as journalist are trying to find something they could write about. News like this is a goldmine. However they definitely help feed the fire. See some headlines below.
- Unravelling Michael Jackson’s Finances – Newsweek
- Michael Jackson dead at 50: Did drugs kill the King of Pop? – Telegraph
- 6 Random Michael Jackson Pop-culture moments – NYmag
- The History of Michael Jackson’s Face – Anomalies Unlimited
- Michael Jackson and the Jewish Nose – Jewish Telgraphic Agency
- Jackson’s art trumps questionable behavior – StatesmanJournal
- Michael Jackson’s Ex-Nanny Reveals his Drug Habits – Celebuzz
I don’t need to read about the history of Michael Jackson’s face thank you. Every angle you can think of, they wrote it. But the world has never seen this kind of explosion in interest and activity over anything in such a short period of time.
Another Question:
How does one reconcile with the thought that Michael Jackson has a long history of being accused of molesting boys… yet is celebrated and admired on a level very few ever will achieve?
First of all let’s be clear, the question says “accused” not “convicted’. Michael Jackson was found not guilty of the accusations brought before him, though he still continued to allow boys to sleep in the same bed as he did. Yet with the plastic surgeries and the bleaching of skin, Michael Jackson’s was labeled “weird” and “perverse” and his reputation took a huge hit which he never recovered from. By the way Michael Jackson had a skin conditions that would create white blotches on his skin, thus the bleaching of his skin. In case you did not know.
This question is far broader than Michael Jackson. It is a question of how in many circumstances, a celebrity (or any person for that matter) could do the worst of things, yet it is often overshadowed or overlooked simply because of what they are able to accomplish. There are so many actors, singers, sports players who are involved in all sorts of scandals and shown to have very little morals or virtue, yet all it takes is another awesome acting performance, or the memory of some incredible song we all have grown fond of, to simply push all the “bad” aside. Is that right? What does that tell us about our culture and what does that teach our children? Just a thought.
“Michael Jackson proves, in a really sort of perverse way, that maybe we’re not as offended by behavior as we are entranced by music. And think about that. Think about what level of quality you must have to attain to have somebody say, “I know that you’re accused of having molested children, but I can’t hate you for that as much as I love you for your music.”
“There’s just one Michael Jackson now. We don’t have to reconcile the Michael Jackson we love with another Michael Jackson. In a way, he has returned to pristine condition in death. We can be free now for the rest of our lives to love the Michael Jackson we used to love.”
– John Mayer
- Do you agree with this statement?
- Does the fact that he contributed greatly to society both in his music and the blurrying of racial lines in music, “cover over” the fact he has been accused of perverse conduct? Does a right cover a wrong?
- Does the world’s immense reaction to his death tell us anything about our culture focus and values?
Again, just a thought. What do you think?
Media Influence Dips then Roars
Clean Cut Media – Growing Media Influence
Last month there was turmoil here at Clean Cut Media. A bad coding test took the site down for a few hours. Unfortunately Google indexed the site during that period. The effects were immediate as we saw a full week of data at lower volumes. However, the site has rebounded nicely during the last week of May. With a new record pace, we easily made up what we lost the week before.
Mar: 12,859 Views
Apr: 16,008
May: 22,515
That makes one wonder, what if the site never went down? 25K? 30K?
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Top 10 Articles & Posts in May
In Order of Online Activity [Previous Rank]
Remember since this is for the month of May, it favors posts from early May…
(1) Creativity: 3D Chalk Art in the Streets Part I [1]
At the starting of June, there are 354 votes in the poll! Revisit to see how it is doing!
(2) Creativity: Amazing 3D Building Art [2]
If you haven’t seen this. The 3D art is amazing. I would probably walk into some of these walls accidently.
(3) Creativity: 3D Chalk Art in the Streets Part II [3]
The rest of the posts are crying foul as #1 drove this part II post into the #3 slot. What are they going to do to break this tight grip on the top 3?
(4) Israel Palestinians Media War on the Gaza Strip [8]
Flurry of activity has show this post up the charts. Can it break the top 3?
(5) Movie Review: Watchmen Morality Review [4]
Second consecutive month dropping one slot. Edged out by Israel by 37 views.
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(6) Influence of Media & Advertising in Our View of Life [NR]
The new darling of the list. Posted on April 29th, so got a full month of traffic to climb almost into the top 5.
(7) Selling Products or Selling Lifestyle? [9]
Moved into the charts last month. Climbed 2 slots. Will it be able to continue to rise?
Unnaturally Beautiful Children: Image & Beauty
In 2004, a survey by NPD Group showed that on average, girls started to use beauty products at the age of 17. Today that average is 13.
Influence of Media on Children & Beauty
There’s a scene in “Toddlers & Tiaras,” the TLC reality series, where 2-year-old Marleigh is perched in front of a mirror, smothering her face with blush and lipstick. She giggles as her mother attempts to hold the squealing toddler still, lathering her legs with self-tanner. “Marleigh loves to get tan,” her mom says, as the girl presses her face against the mirror.
- Children’s Perception of Beauty (Newsweek)
The quote above is about Marleigh, one of the pageant girls on the show. Does anyone find something disturbing about this picture? She is two years old. Unfortunately the ridiculousness of this scene doesn’t end on screen, it is a depiction of our current generation.
What do these shows have in common? “Extreme makeover”, “I Want a Famous Face” “Little Miss Perfect” “Toddlers & Tiaras”. These are shows centered around raising the bar of what is considered the norm when it comes to beautifying our children.
With reality TV shows, thousands of beauty product commercials, air-brushed magazine ads, and beautiful celebrities adorning every movies we watch, the norm of the importance of beauty has changed dramatically. In 2004, a survey by NPD Group showed that on average, girls started to use beauty products at the age of 17. Today that average is 13.
But even that figure could be an overstatement. According to a market research firm Experian,
- 43 percent of 6 to 9 year olds are already using lipstick or lip gloss
- 38 percent are using hairstyling products
- 12 percent use other other cosmetic products
By the time they are 50 years old, an average women would have spent nearly $300,000 on just their hair and face according to Newsweek’s research on beauty trends (noted below). But is this surprising considering girls ages 11 to 14 are exposed to 500+ advertisements per day? 8 to 12 years old already spend $40+ million a month on beauty products according to NPD Group. Teenagers? $100 Million.
More Statistics on Beauty
- Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Under 18 – Doubled last 10 years
- 14% of Botox injections given to 19-34 age group, seeking “preventative treatments”
- [American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery]
- 42% of 1st to 3rd Graders want to be thinner
- 81% of 10 years olds fear getting fat
“When you have tweens putting on firming cream… it’s clear they’re looking for imaginary flaws,” – Harvard psychologist Nancy Etcoff
True Cost of Lifetime Beauty
Economy got you down? Trying to pinch a few pennies here and there? How about cutting out on some beauty products and enhancements! See the chart below.
| Tweens | Teen/20s | 30-40s | 50s | Lifetime | |
| Hair | $1,260 | $15,761 | $23,640 | $169,274 | $209,935 |
| Face | $3,900 | $32,684 | $108,660 | $21,840 | $167,084 |
| Body | $0 | $10,586 | $17,820 | $16,366 | $44,772 |
| Hands/Feet | $2,010 | $6,834 | $8,040 | $10,452 | $27,336 |
| Totals | $7,170 | $65,865 | $158,160 | $217,932 | $449,127 |
See Beauty Spend Breakdown Here
- What are your thoughts about young children and teens spending so much time and money on beautifying themselves?
- How about Adults?
- What can be done to help push up against our image driven culture?
- Can anything be done?