COMM 403: Hermeneutics

Mimes

By definition it is a construction, Hermeneutics that is, as it establishes itself as a science and philosophy of interpretation. Feels sort of like a paradox how one can make a science of interpreting things that are created to give meaning to action. Emotions, ideals, personalities and memory are all things we have created and use to interpret our surroundings. If we spoke to a foreign alien race, would the find the same things valuable we would? Would loved ones be a concept they could understand? Its a muddled topic one can't pin point as we are biased.

The five types of Hermeneutics break it down a bit more, but ultimately it is up to the interpretation of the individual to find the meanings and relate their own interpersonal experiences to the concepts.

• Natural -basic miscommunication for the most part. (Not useful, but understanding it will lead to less instances of misunderstandings.)
• Normative - using text as basis for decision making (Using things such as laws as the means of making decisions.)
• Scientific - History and means of measuring to form ideas (Taking things such as events and data to use towards factual interpretations) 
• Philosophical - Coming up with some means of understanding existence (Finding others and being able to clearly describe my own means of understanding existence and life. Finding meaning.)
• Depth - Questioning things instead of simply accepting blindly ( May help lead towards reform and the change we need in society.)

COMM 406: Contemporary?

With this blog I am treading into a territory I've often tried to stay neutral on and kept an open mind. When I saw the trailer for this game though a few months ago it sends me into a conflict with myself. Lollipop Chainsaw is a new game coming to major gaming consoles that depicts a chainsaw-wielding cheerleader that fights hordes of the undead. At the helm you have Suda51 and James Gunn, Suda being well known in the gaming industry for being the "Tarantino of Video Games" and Gunn working on major films. In the first trailer it shows the protagonist, Juliet Starling, as being a cute and innocent individual while having a figure that would certainly make many feminists stand on their heads.

I chose this trailer as it stands as something of a "guilty pleasure" in which I find it mocks the mindset I have that wishes to keep the thoughts and feelings of others in mind while the other part just wants to play it and see what is going on. Knowing Suda's work though I know for a fact there is a great deal being left out that will be left to those that actually play the game. He has a way of taking a character and truly fleshing them out into a very deep and meaningful individual that his fans know him for. On the surface I think this game looks bad and many probably will be outraged by it, but ultimately trailers these days can be misleading while others hold true to what they set out to achieve and provide those that buy their products. Will I think the game will fully redeem itself? No. Will I still buy it and probably enjoy myself? Yes.

COMM 346: Tank again!

Granted I have used this example before, but it still feels well-suited.

Tank! the opening to the acclaimed series Cowboy Bebop has an exceptional use of  various hues that exemplify the many facets of the characters. Spike Spiegel, the shows many protagonist, is shown in various colors in a fast paced mash-up of various ideas. At one moment he is seen in blue, calm and relaxed with a darker shade to sort of add to the mystery. The next shown in a red that almost gives that eerie look of real blood as he runs. Another frame he is shown laid back and cascaded in a deep purple that adds more sense of mystery to the character.In the next moment completely covered in a joyful yellow that is somewhat darker. All of which are faces and parts of what make the character as a whole.

In this we see simple representations as the young boy, Dr. Tran, is sitting and enjoying some quiet log time. We can tell he is pure and innocent by the hue of the baby blue shirt he is wearing. The chicken has green eyes which shows he is envious of Dr. Tran and thus why he proceeds to torment him.

COMM: 333 Video vs. Radio

Did Video kill the Radio Star?

From the beginning when sound and vision were made into the consciousness of existence there has been a sense of music and rhythm. To ask if Video killed Radio as a means of people obtaining music, for that time frame it did indeed. In the grand scheme of things, no it did not. Music is a universal sensation we feel in our very core.

Video can maximize or diminish the ideas the artist has with their music. Many feel a music video may take away from the vision of the audience and strip the idea of their own creativity, but in the opposite it may sprout life and flourish into a grander vision.

We feel it, a sense or tickle of nostalgia that filters into our minds when we hear the music. How the radio can be on while you drive and you relate an experience with a specific song. Thinking in the extremes of is one way of music better than the other does not hinder or help what music is about. Music is about touching the soul of the people that listen to it. True music as Chris Cornell put it "defies the concept of genre" and ultimately is about showing our humanity. Sharing our experience and connecting with others on a macro level.

COMM 406: My favorite Ad Campaign >Frith Analysis.

Well, in my tastes I hit a sort of wall. A Frith Analysis of something simplified can have merit as others could take away more than I could. At first glance it is your typical adventure RPG, but moving into the business meanings one could take away that they do intend everyone that sees this ad to instantly want to see it for themselves. Graphics that rival many out there and monsters that come from the darkest horrors of people's minds.

All leading up to the cultural or deeper meaning of the analysis. To Struggle, endure, to suffer, and overcome are things we teach many as they grow up. This first commercial dictates to do all these things within the game. With prior knowledge it is known that many find the game "too difficult" "sadistic" and as one put it "an abusive relationship".. it is heavily known that many buy the game for this reason alone. In an age of video games that point out the obvious and make every attempt to take the difficulty out, it is refreshing to see a game ready to say "No, I'm going to break you, but if you keep at it you will overcome." Many these days want instant gratification.. Dark Souls certainly isn't for them.

COMM 403: Media Literacy

http://www.digitalpassionwebsite.com/

In a world of forever expanding technology and media there are many ideas and media being processed as it comes down to what we can filter. People are beings of intelligence in most respects as they soak up knowledge like a sponge. This means though that there is a certain way to read this information. To be literate means to understand the information given and therefore be able to recite said information, but it is ultimately up to them to do fact checking. Without this process wrong information gets propagated and passed onto others.

There are many out there that would bank on this and continue the idea of many being given misinformation for the purpose of their own gains. (IE: Hacking, fishing, spam.) Culturally one could say that the internet itself is now a culture, and with this I fully agree as it allows the removal of borders and geography to dictate who interacts.

COMM 406: My favorite Ad Campaign.

Dark Souls

Many video game companies and developers resort to some stupid stunts and gimmicks to sell their games. One company did not. FromSoftware and Bandai/Namco opted the route many of us that enjoy games would prefer. Simply a trailer showcasing the game and many portions we may look forward to if we purchase their product.

This was the first trailer. A display of how amazing the world of Dark Souls, a fantasy RPG that is well known for its difficulty. In this we get a brief glimpse of the environment and overall severity of the situation. "Prepare To Die" is the main hook of the ad, and once you see the horrors you face it is well earned.

This was the second, a much more hopeless feel but ultimately gives you the full warning that you will feel utterly destroyed by this game. As someone who has actually beaten the game there is no greater feeling than overcoming this pantheon of fantastic boss fights.

That level of minimalism and yet letting the game speak for itself was all that needed to be done and as a game enthusiast I find it refreshing compared to the many childish antics some companies will stoop to sell a title.