Media: TV show: Downtown Abbey

NEW FAVORITE SHOW!! I normally don't watch series, but this show is AWESOME.  Takes place during Titanic-era.. early 1900s... I love this show and recommend it to everyone! The parallel is so neat to compare to our lives/conflicts now and it addresses so many interesting human characteristics; envy, pride, honor, integrity, etc.  Also, great historical touch!

Media:Movie: Mirror Mirror

This movie was interesting!! Definitely not what I expected- new twist... not typical princess saved by prince, giving more of the heroism to Snow White (just a hint)... very interesting/modern... feminist-types would like this if they don't like the whole prince-saves-princess movies!

Media: News

WOW. This is probably the most shocking story I have ever heard.  Talk about evil becoming more and more prevalent in the world... this is like Hulk/Devil.  Watch it...

Media: Social Media; Facebook

Alright, so it is Memorial Day and I have been sick alllll weekend, i slept all day everyday, and I think I wore my husband out sleeping- poor guy has been trying to keep himself occupied while I sleep all the time.  Woke up at 10 am today and he proclaimed that we will be having a cajun crawfish broil today whether I like it or not.  I couldn't argue with the little trooper- he stuck it out all weekend and I wanted to help him have fun even if I wasn't feeling up to much. So, I wasn't in the mood to call or text anyone and then I had a brilliant idea... facebook.  I wrote a note on our page about us putting on a little crawfish broil for Memorial Day and tagged everyone I knew that was in Provo.  Jared went out all day hunting for crawfish with his buddy while I stayed home and slept and attempted to study, but ended up just writing on this blog for my entries this week.. but it has been great because I can just message people on there about this little dinner party and not have to worry about much!  Hassle free and oh so convenient.  I am not a huge facebook fan, but today, facebook is my best friend- helping me help makeup for my lame weekend imposed on my husband!  Not sure if I will be getting anyone else sick around me or if they will be scared of my pale sickly complexion but I got this part of it done and I am hoping it all goes well and I can be back in bed by 8pm.  I'm lame, I know!!! But social media better workout for me today!

Media: Movie; The Lorax

So I was pretty sick this weekend, Memorial day weekend (stinks, I know-tell me about it), and didn't  get out much, but one of the nights my husband made me get out of bed and took me to see The Lorax-- I of course roll up to the dollar theater in sweats and no makeup and look like a rollie pollie, but oh well... I'm not sure if I only ended up staying 1 hour through the movie because I was sick and couldn't focus and just wanted to go to bed or because it was kinda slow?  I love the Lorax, it was my favorite Dr. Seuss book, but maybe the movie is just slow? I don't know- I actually want to know what other people thought about the movie so I can figure out if it was just me being sick and out of it or if anyone else thought this?  It really could have been just me being sick so I want to know what y'all think!! If it is better than I thought, I will pay the $1.75 and go back.  Comment, please!! But for the record, I thought the graphics and colors were awesome and I love the story line of the Lorax. 

Media: the News and Articles

My husband was on Facebook and found that there was a group of people forming on Facebook starting a group and sharing the link to this news article with the Facebook community:

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/joannabrooks/6001/mormons_prepare_for_wa_marriage_equality_fight/?comments=view&cID=28028&pID=28016#c28028

In response to his bringing to light this issue, I shared with him one of my favorite articles published about marital relations:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1756-2589.2010.00064.x/full

I love this form of media because of the power we have to share our perspectives about things that we feel strongly about or for particular causes. 

It is always interesting to see people posting those causes for which they believe in, and I am grateful that it is possible for everyone to have a way for their voices to be heard, I think this is a particularly special form of media where power is given to people (so long as media does not take advantage of this with unethical statistics- which does in many cases happen)... that is why I normally stick to C-SPAN if I am going to be watching the news on television, because they just show recordings of legislative process, rather than portraying any type of bias. 

Media: Sound Recording?

http://soundcloud.com/mormon-channel/blogging-sharing-your-beliefs

So, I just saw this really neat idea about blogging from lds.org, the sound clip is above.  It's really cool because it is advertising sharing the gospel in a non-threatening way for bloggers.  How appropriate! 

Media: Music

Alright, so I know I already posted for this week's but maybe this will count for next week or just be here for my own record - but I LOVE this song for some reason and think it is an awesome portrayal of music used positively!  Love J.Gro

I think this kind of music, up with Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, and the like are such wonderful types of more pop-style music that are uplifting! 

Media: Youtube Video

So, we watched this in class, I know- but I wanted to post it for my blog entry for this week because I thought this was a really wonderful way of using video media to send a message to the youth.  I think this is a really positive use of media!! I had not really checked out a lot of the youth mormon messages but now am going to watch more, because these are really great!!

Media: Cell Phones and Texting

After Monday's discussion and lecture on cell phone use and texting, I took some time to think about this and look at more research presented on texting and cell phone usage.  There are a handful of interesting studies, but  one thing I thought was interesting about the correlation between aggression and texting is that text messaging presents a very impulsive way of interacting.  It is not like writing a letter, or an email even- it is an informal, deemed personal/private and quick way to interact with someone for whatever reason.  When people spend a lot of time using this as a primary mode of communication, especially for disagreements or very personal usage as the like, it is easy to get in the habit of saying something impulsively merely because it is at the touch of your fingertips.  Because of these studies, and my own frustrations with the text messaging world, I think I am going to start cutting back my text messaging and especially the depth of personal usage and use it more for sending or receiving information quickly.

Music: MOTAB vs. Other Modern Genres

Alright, so I usually listen to a lot of country and some John Mayer/Colbie type genre's that I love... but after our discussion in class I wanted to try listening to a little less modern-type music and more hymn/spiritual type music.  So this whole week, I have pretty much been listening to MOTAB pandora... it's been really nice.  I feel a lot more peaceful, less anxiety/stress and a lot more focused and positive.  Now, nothing is wrong with modern or country music- I will still listen to all sorts of stuff, but just feeling the difference was so neat.  I appreciate that the studies done on music have proved accurate in my life after doing my own little observational study on how music affects my thoughts/moods.  Anyways, I find myself a little more cheerful, patient, calm and content.  I have also been singing more (hymns) throughout the week in the car or at home, and find that to be relaxing too (although others may argue it stresses them out more to listen to me scree... I mean sing ;-) )

Music proves to make a difference in studies, and on me! It works.  No more listening to Biggie Smalls before taking a test for me...

Books: The Lorax and Anna Karenina

My favorite book as a child was actually the whole series of Dr. Seuss. My all-time favorite Dr. Seuss book was probably The Lorax. The Lorax is a really interesting children's book because it incorporates a fun story line with bright colors, rhymes, lovable characters, excitement, mystery and good morals that teach children the importance of cherishing those people and things around them rather than money. My favorite book now would probably be a scripture or church doctrine book but for the sake of comparison I'm going to say Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Anna Karenina is an interesting book- it's very different from Dr. Seuss because it is not bright and colorful and it certainly does not have lovable characters in it. Anna Karenina does, however, have a story line that teaches you to love and savor the positive aspects of your life as it is and not chase after vain notions of happiness (aka romanticism, in this particular book). I suppose they both have been my favorite books over time because they have taught me further that there are more important things in life than money or personal gain- they have taught me that the people currently in my life, like friends and family are so important and not to trade them for romantic ideals or short-lived thrills.  These books both teach important lessons that I think are both valued over time.  

Film(s): Baby Einstein

This blog entry is a result of some of what we already touched on in lecture, but I went back to further examine the Baby Einstein films and found that the videos are somewhat out of sync with several stages of infant/child development (even when videos are marketed for that particular age group).  As we already established in class, the studies done on the videos show that there are no positive intellectual outcomes from exposure to these films for infants and developing children over 15 months and that it had negative effects for infants 15 months and under (Zimmerman et al, 2008).  I think the main reasons for this is lack of proper stimulation according to stages of development.  Though a busy parent with fussy children may hope that these videos can be a positive intellectual boost for their infant while taking care of personal needs- it really is just a distraction and has little, or no effect on the infant's intellectual development- in some cases it may only train a child to watch TV more frequently.  Because studies show that some exposure to television has little or no effect on a child, television programs that parents could feel comfortable allowing their infants have exposure to must then vary.  

As an alternative- assuming the parent is using this program strictly as a tool for intellectual expansion, they would be better off familiarizing themselves with stages of development and target learning theories that would accommodate such stages of infancy.  However, older ages (past infancy) could benefit from certain television programs aimed at learning, if properly targeting appropriate learning faculties. 

Ultimately, as research proves, LIVE music and reading books with your infant are the most productive ways of helping their language and intellectual development- declaring Baby Einstein videos as a waste of time (and money) if aimed solely at educating your infant.  

For those parents who are loyal Baby Einstein advocates, might do well to consider a lurking variable to their perceived "successful results" after exposing their infant to such videos- that they are in the higher percentile of parents that are more concerned about occupying their infants educationally, therefore other methods that they use may be the reason for seeing an increase in intellect.  Of course parents are entitled to their own opinions, usually in favor of these videos- but research thus far and discrepancies to the cognitive stages of infant development indicate otherwise.   

Film: Like Crazy

I watched this film last night and found correlations between the content and several different theories. This is a love story that depicts the brutal realities that come with a strained relationship (involving physical distance, unfaithfulness, alcohol and romanticism).  The couple (in short) meet, bond/drink, consummate, establish mutual "commitment" to the relationship, break up and get back together several times, get married, separate again, then are back together again.  The relationship is an emotional and (metaphorically) physical roller coaster which ends with emotional disappointment and a frustrating dissonance at the closing of the film.  I wouldn't recommend this movie to watch for enjoyment or for any ounce of mood-lifting, but it makes a great subject for dissecting human development and relationship theories or ideas from.  Because of the correlations that this movie has pertaining to media, human development and intimate relationships, I am using it as a blog entry for this course's bi-weekly requirement.

Below are the theory correlations that I noticed throughout the film:

Excitation transfer theory: The girl (Anna) is 1. in a new place (America) 2. seeing him in class and romanticizing about him 3. when they "bond" they are both under the influence of alcohol

Cognitive Neoassociation Theory: Associates alcohol with love/connecting- the couple use drinking whiskey as a source of bonding and familiarity- at the end of the movie when Anna no longer likes drinking whiskey because she is trying to be healthier, it is associated as a negative thing because it breaks that bonding factor between the two.

What could be used to negate the behavior in the film is the Information Processing Theory:
sleeping with your desired partner before knowing them very long or before marriage, that it is normal to sleep with other people when going on a "break" or don't know if you will be able to be together so replace that person with another source of "love"....

Cultivation theory:  the director/writer of the film obviously has their own view on how relationships work and that it is normal to sleep around with different partners to try and find your best fit, or to "test" the bonds of love.  The film makers display casual sex as normative and almost necessary way to figure out who you do truly love and want to be with.

Anyone feel free to correct me if you see a discrepancy in the correlations.

Film: Cinderalla II (sequel)

Though a sequel usually is never as good as the original film, Cinderella (the sequel) exhibits the high caliber of morals which every parent aims to instill in their children- females especially.  This film also portrays the reality of "happily ever after" and that it is only "happily ever after" after hard work and maintenance.  This film includes the "ugly" step sisters, one of whom, Cinderella finds the good in despite her cruelty, and Cinderella truly seeks to serve her by helping her find happiness.  Cinderella sees that her step sister is interested in a young man, who is a baker, but poor- something her step Mother would never allow for her high class daughter.  Cinderella takes her step sister under her wing and teaches her to smile more, care less about appearances and that the temporal wealth of the one she loves is of little concern if she could but find love and happiness (and therefore grow as a person).  The movie portrays that a person can change, such as did the "ugly" step sister and she was beautiful for her kinder demeanor even if she had not always been that way.  Overall the moral Disney portrays is that a woman is beautiful and rewarded for her kindness, for being true to herself and by having charity for others.  Though Cinderella is in a new world completely outside of what she is used to, she makes the best of it.  The main example of this is when she was getting "princess lessons" and was told that royalty does not associate with commoners, she finally digs deep inside of who she is and realizes that her Prince married her for who she was, not what she was supposed to be to fit some image.  She steps outside and lets who she is shine and is loving and charitable to all, and is rewarded by positive reactions from her husband and father-in-law.

Cinderella 2 is unlike most Disney princess movies in this respect- that we get to see what "happily ever after" truly is, that it is not living in mere bliss at all moments- but struggling at times and almost never without some sort of affliction to work through and grow- certainly this movie depicts an important gospel principles pertaining to marriage and love and charity.

Even for moms that are anti-Disney-princess movies for little girls (and even boys), I would recommend reconsidering this film in particular- and even so for young boys, to instill in them to look for a woman (at the appropriate time) who cares for the important things of life- like serving others and showing kindness and exhibiting more inner beauty even if she possesses outer beauty, such as Cinderella.

Film: Love, Wedding, Marriage

My husband was out of town and one of my best friends came over and had dinner with me and we watched this flick... this movie was really interesting because it's all about marriage and the trials that afflict relationships.  This film was a great example to me of media used for a positive and negative influence. I think the positive aspects of this film were those which encouraged focusing on your marriage and working at it daily.  The negative aspects were the lustful influences which the men (even married men) were involved with.  It's a funny film with a lot of truth but also negative inserts which seem to be justified.  Worth seeing, but with paying attention to negative inserts which seem to desensitize the severity of the negative associations.