Author Archives: Jose Jimenez

Blog Post #7

        I believe what Krukowski means when he asserts to “the marginal-the rejected-the repressed” is that ultimately, the power of marginalization comes directly from the people. What some may consider insignificant now, may be of significance later on in their life. By asking this question, he indicates that the same ideology that marginalizes certain aspects of music is also used to contradict it. He explains this at the very beginning of the episode in simple words, “even yesterday’s hits end up in the dollar bin eventually.” What we might consider marginal, changes over time with the exposure to different lanes in music. 

 

Blog Post #6

  • What do you think about the ideas Krukowski lays out in this episode? Does he adequately describe the intimacies afforded by sound and the tradeoff digital sound presents? In your answer, please incorporate at least one quotation from the episode.

When we speak, we are able to communicate our feelings and emotions through sound. Every word said has a deeper meaning behind it. In the third episode of “Ways of Hearing”, Damon Krukowski explains how the age of digital technology has taken away the intimacy of sound in turn for efficiency. Most notably, Krukowski says “The sound of our voice across the digital line is limited. It’s stripped to that minimum we need to recognize a voice and decode its words.” I agree because In a way we are limited. Often through contemporary media, we hear words and associate them with meaning, not feeling. Although the compression of sound through modern technology allows us to deliver our voice to a wider audience, it takes away the emotion that is captured in that of analog recordings. The inability to capture human emotion through these digital recordings takes away the intimacy of the experience. They take away the personal feel integrated by stripping it down to a bare form.

  • The New York Times article “How A.S.M.R. Became a Sensation” presents something like the opposite situation by providing an example of how digital tools are being used to circulate the intimate experience certain every day and passing sounds induce. What do you see as the most interesting or important point about sound in this short history of A.S.M.R.? 

Although A.S.M.R has recently become a phenomenon, as Keiles stated, the perplexing effects induced by this digital trend have been questioned since the early 2000s. Often caused by otherwise common triggers such as the sound of chalk against a chalkboard, or the obnoxious chewing of food, societal acceptance of it was incomprehensible up until recent years. Personally, I’m not intrigued by the concept. That being said, others around me seem to enjoy these videos quite a lot. I believe the most interesting point I picked up on about the various sounds in A.S.M.R was their ability to cause a physiological, euphoric feeling without actual physical interaction.  “A tingling that spread through her scalp as the camera pulled back to show the marble of the earth. It came in a wave, like a warm effervescence, making its way down the length of her spine and leaving behind a sense of gratitude and wholeness.” This part of the reading stood out to me because it explores the connection between the psychological and physiological effects of A.S.M.R. The way Keiles describes these feelings highlights how the intimate range of emotions delivered through the simplicity of sound form these personal bubbles for society to indulge in.

Blog Post #5

In episode two of his podcast, “Ways of Hearing”, Damon Krukowski explains how social interactions within spaces are becoming less accessible due to digital technology. Noting how earbuds and phones have deprived us of our ability to process the environment and energy around us. With technology being a part of our everyday lives, it is easy to be overly consumed by it. Although most of the time, I allow myself to intake the multicultural experiences the city offers. I also can relate to Krukowski’s perspective on it. Jeremiah Moss, a guest on the podcast, noted how he feels as if people create their own private space thru technology while out in the city. Personally, I can relate to sometimes zoning everything out with my headphones while I commute. I’m able to achieve a state of serenity within the chaotic, fast-paced setting of New York City by just simply pressing play on my playlist. Some of us don’t notice this type of micro behavior in our every day because we’re accustomed to it. Growing up in New York, you’re forced to push aside the overwhelming sounds of the city. So for some, putting on earbuds may be seen as a form of escape. But for most, it’s a way to avoid communication as Krukowski explained. I can obviously notice this type of micro-behavior while riding the subway, you notice people with their heads down and earbuds in. People walk right by each other, not saying a word. It’s as if they were invisible.

Jose Jimenez | Blog Post #4

Throughout the years, many civil rights movements have sparked political action amongst many communities that have unequivocally changed how we view society as a whole. But recently, the media focus has been drawn towards racial violence within the African-American community. With media highlighting the unfortunate aspects of life as a POC, like white on black violence or police brutality, this is a very common storyline that is constantly portrayed. Martin A. Berger explains how this is solely because many newspaper and magazine editors noticed that targeting the graphic realities of such communities had appealed more to the white reader, therefore lessening their anxieties. I strongly agree with Berger’s theory, mainly because of how big of a problem it is today. These communities have gone through years of oppression and were able to withstand some of the most difficult issues in history, just to be downplayed by media and seen as a marketing ploy. This constant narrative portrays these communities as weak and helpless, drawing the sympathy of millions, failing to highlight all the empowering and positive advancements within them. This is controversial because such images appeal more to white readers, which in turn results in heightened racial tensions because of how such touchy subjects are perceived by the black community. 

For society to continue advancing, we need to have a clear balance between the positive and negative. I believe mainstream media should highlight more positivity within minorities. By portraying only the negative, it sets a certain stigma around POC, that’s not necessarily appreciated. 

 

Jose Jimenez | Blog Post #3

  • According to Berger, how does “publicity”–what we would call advertising–images influence consumers and why is this significant?

In accordance with Berger, publicity sells consumers a dream. Berger says “Advertising is effective precisely because it feeds upon the real.” This is significant because it shows how major corporations abuse real-life problems for financial gain. By highlighting the glamour of life within these advertisements, people often compare their beauty, wealth, etc. because it shows them a future where they’re living a more desirable life.

  • As he compares oil painting to publicity (advertising) photography, Berger argues that oil painting “showed what the owner was already enjoying among his possessions and way of life;” “it enhanced his view of himself as he already was.”  Whereas publicity pictures, “appeal to a way of life that we aspire to or think we aspire to.” Why are these differences important? What do they reveal to us about the production of images for publicity?

Berger argued that an oil painting often highlights features that the artist is confident in, as opposed to advertising, which often uses societal pressure to sell a dream to consumers. The difference between the two is drastic, I believe Berger compared the two to furthermore explain how the production of images for publicity, abuse the realities & struggles of the public. In today’s world, knowing the difference Berger was referring to, is very important because it reminds us that we don’t need to change ourselves or our lives to feel confident. With Instagram models advertising health & wellness products, or an ad of men in suits telling you how you can make a fortune from your couch, we are constantly told that if we feed into a certain fabricated image It’ll somehow fill us with happiness or make us superior. But It’s short-lived, because like Berger said “The things which publicity sells are in themselves neutral” which means these things we’re being sold, mean nothing.

  • Choose one of the “dreams” he offers or thinks of your own. How does this dream offered by advertising use imagery to manipulate consumers?

Throughout the video, there were 3 main dreams Berger discusses. The dream of “later tonight”, the “skin” dream & the dream of a “faraway place”. The skin dream resonated with me the most, particularly because of its popularity amongst society today. We are constantly chasing this artificial beauty because we believe we need to conform to society’s standard, companies abuse that and get consumers to believe if they invest in their product, they too will enjoy a much richer, fulfilling life. They manipulate consumers to buy beauty products with the promise of becoming more desirable to not only themselves but others as well.

 

Jose Jimenez | Blog Post #2

  • Do representations of women today objectify them in the same or similar ways as what Berger argues about women depicted in Renaissance paintings? 
  • Do women have control over their images in the media or are they still determined by the male gaze? 
  • Does sexuality play the same role in images of women today as what Berger describes? 

John Berger’s “Ways of Seeing” focuses on how things are perceived. He argues that the way we see things is greatly influenced by our own knowledge and beliefs. In episode 2, he explains how from the renaissance era onward, women in art were often depicted as being subservient to men. They were deemed as nothing more than a sight, with nudity and sexuality being the main focus of many paintings and photographs, women were objectified repeatedly in these pieces. This led to their own sense of being, getting replaced by the sense of being appreciated by others. Instead of women loving themselves for who they truly are, the way they were perceived caused them to chase a fabricated image designed by a male-targeted media. Berger says “To be naked, is to be one’s self. To be nude is to be seen naked by others and yet not recognized for one’s self.”  What he means by this is that often women in art had no control in their image or how they were portrayed. I believe that’s still very true today. You can point it out in almost any magazine, movie, or even commercials, women are often sexualized to attract male viewers and to fulfill their desires. Although more recently women have been stepping up and empowering one another to get rid of this stigma, we are still a long way from it becoming reality. Modern media plays a huge part in this, from Instagram to Tik-Tok, females put content out based on what their audience (which often is made up of males) wants to see. Because of this, many women often follow suit and believe that how the media portrays women is exactly how they should portray themselves. I do think women are slowly regaining control of their own representation but, as of today, what Berger was focusing on is still very true. Women’s portrayal throughout our culture is still very male-driven.

 

Blog Post #1 | Jose Jimenez

 

  • According to Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, writers should use the model of “entering the conversation” in their writing. What are the advantages of this model? 

According to the reading, “The best academic writing has one underlying feature: it is deeply engaged with other people’s views”. This model makes it easy to do so. The main focus of the model is to provide a way to make writing more efficient, while also giving students a template that invokes more conscious, creative thinking. This gives students many advantages, like the ability to form thoughts and engage in argumentative writing correctly.

  • The smarthistory videos on the schedule this week discuss how learning to look at artwork help us analyze other situations. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

After reviewing both videos, I certainly agree that analyzing & studying artwork can certainly have real-world applications. As the video stated, most essential jobs in the country are very detail oriented. Paying extra attention to the small details in a painting can influence how people interpret it, just like different variables in certain  real-world situations can affect their outcome. It can really be applied to anything from reading a book to watching your favorite tv shows. It’s an important skill that we start honing since young, curiosity helps us survive.