The Good... And The Not So Good

When it comes to commercials, I can’t that I truly recall my first encounter; they have always been there. However I do remember the first commercial (for me) that really gave a buzz, I mean everyone was talking about these commercials. The Budweiser Frogs was the first big recognizable commercial for me. Anyone who is anyone was talking about those frogs and reciting the commercial line for line. My favorite commercial is pretty recognizable, because there are many forms of this one commercial.

The E-Trade Baby holds a special dear place in my heart.

This commercial < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmw23Ad9aLM> or even this one

< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqVBKO_QM3o>

I can’t exactly put my finger on why I love these commercials so much. Maybe, it’s because I know what’s going to happen and I still get excited or maybe even because I don’t watch it for the product. I don’t use E-Trade…never even stumbled upon their website, but if they keep giving me commercials like the ones that are out know, I won’t use my Tivo and fast forward through them.

The type of commercials that get on my nerves may make me seem heartless. But I HATE those ASPCA commercials. I have literally dove across couches and nearly broken my neck to get the remote to change the channel. If you don’t know what I am talking about let me show you.

< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gspElv1yvc>

Oh dear God, tell me you didn’t just die a little right there and then?!? It’s already sad to see these animals hurt and abused, but the to add that song…that song that reminds you of your own life and how short it is.

Both types of ads serve their own purpose, but then they share a common: to ge the word out about their product or cause. And ultimately they have done a good job of portying it in a way so that I remember the commercial, whether positively or negatively.

~Give Me Room to Stand, And I Will Move the World~

It’s Like Having My Bookcase Everywhere!

Would I like to read my books on a device that is light weight and compact, holds more books than my backpack, can also hook me up to the internet and comes with me everywhere I go anyways? YES!!! What kind of question is that? Reading my book on my iPad is like the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don’t really read different genres of books, but when I find a good series I can’t help but be lost in the mystery and imagination of it all.

It’s is a great conversion stopper. Let me explain. J I have many friends that will argue about the information that a particular book gives. I then come in with my trusty iPad and turn to the exact page and prove them wrong while making me smile just a little bit.

I hope that having access to book on out hand held devices will increase children’s desire to read. I feel that the nation can improve its literacy one Kindle at a time. Kids already use if for games and studying why not add one more thing to their list and encourage them to explore their imaginations and read. The bonuses to this are if they stumble upon a word they do not know, they have a dictionary a few clicks away. Or if they finish one book and don’t want to break the mood of getting up to find another, one quick search and they can have a new series of books waiting to be read.

~Give Me Room to Stand, And I Will Move the World~

Let's Lock and Load!!!

One of my favorite magazines is Guns and Ammo. OMG!!! I become a kid in a candy store when I get the latest issue. From hand guns and bullets to holsters and news, Guns and Ammo has it all!!! This magazine (even though I mostly use the online version) helps satisfy my thirst for knowledge about my hobby and how to better my skills by using the right tools. Now, it took me a minute, but I came to the realization that my love for this magazine defines me as a consumer. I use this magazine to sift through the many options I have as a gun user; mainly what gun works best for myh hand type and competition. I buy products, not just guns, and accessories to help advance my skills. I realize that every citizen has an access to the second amendment (which is essential the right to bare arms) and if I was using this magazine to find out more about the second amendment, then I could be defined a citizen, but because I use it to find out the latest news, about how having protection can save lives, or how much my new Springfield M19 will cost, I am a consumer.

I don’t think magazines have a responsibility to educate readers as a consumer or citizen, I think that readers are attracted to what they want. Magazines are there to provide the product that the people desire. And also, isn’t that what we have newspapers for? To be educational. I know that when I started with Guns and Ammo it didn’t have nearly as many stories as it have now, but when they felt secure in their fan base they add more stories until eventually the whole last section of the magazine is about the good uses of guns and self defense mechanisms. I think that Guns and Ammo do their civic duty by encouraging people to take classes at your nearest range or club, preferably sponsored by the NRA and also mention that if you do not use your civic right to protect yourself, the government might threaten to take it from you. Most importantly, they stress how ammunition is for self protection and the protection of others and any other use is subjected to a court of law.

<http://www.gunsandammo.com/>

~Give Me Room to Stand, And I Will Move the World~

Big Brother is Watching...

Newspapers have always intending to provide the reader with a pressing topic (politics, weather, foreign nations, ect) give a few examples and maybe a few opinions, but hopefully (ultimately) the final opinion was that of the reader…and that was the opinion that was suppose to matter. But on a rare occasion newspapers bring attention to matters that we, as readers, didn’t even know we cared about until we read it. And it is because of this point I feel that newspapers still play a role in being that “watchdog” figure; keeping big business in check.

The message that newspapers give is one of concern for the people; whether for or against the problem or product. Our very own Atlanta Journal Constitution provided an article as to how the headphones, mainly used on Apple products, are causing ear loss in teens and young adults. Now this article can be received in many different ways. One can read this and think, “Wow, maybe I shouldn’t use Apple headphones,” while another person may think, “This kids need to be off these devices and read a book any ways.” What I feel this article truly did was cause Apple to revisit their product, cause them to think, is this true? How can we help consumers to buy this product without fear of hearing loss? Newspapers articles also work both ways though.

Apple, a few weeks later, asked for a rebuttal article that stating, “Nothing is fundamentally wrong with our headphones, but please be sure that the volume is not up all the way as you listen to your programs.” In addition, they did place a warning label on their headphone packages.

Newspapers help keep the people informed about these businesses that they trust so highly. If newspapers downsize, and in my opinion become obsolete, the knowledge of the people would decrease. Newspapers do what people don’t and even can’t; get to the source and ask questions. The average person cannot ask the CEO of a company why they do what they do, but newspapers ( by showing the interest of the people) can persuade and convince the head to have a sit down.

At the end of the day, I would like to know the different situations that are plaguing my community, my city and especially my country.

~Give Me Room to Stand, And I Will Move the World~