Article Analysis

In 1964, the perfect model of male masculinity was born in miniature-size form. Hasbro’s G.I. Joe was created and based on what was to be a replica and image of the American soldier. It turns out that for the past 45 years, Hasbro has marketed and sold the consumer image of male masculinity to the world, furthermore influencing popular culture and gendered expectations for both men and women alike. Although Joe was and is created and marketed as a playmate for young boys, he symbolizes much more than that. He signifies a lifelong self-evolving, testosterone-driven, world adapting, fearless and a mentally strong representation of what male gender is. He is a boy’s answer to the girl’s Barbie; just as her smile, pose, and dress is to be the ideal image of femininity for girls, so is the face of masculinity for boys.
Hasbro has profited from the sympathy of the American people, and created a market, exploiting the sacrifices men and women made during and for U.S. war, and the nation’s support and devotion for them. Since the production of G.I. Joe, Hasbro has helped standardize, shape, influence, and modernize the image of male masculinity in America. Every action figure made was done so in part to a larger idea of what masculinity represents.
The media and Hasbro brought the simulation of the battlefield to America’s playground, thus enabling children to partake in something that their family and loved-ones were experiencing, thus enforcing gender roles. Children can “make believe” and eliminate the “bad guys” without stepping foot in harm’s way. This further assists as society has the comfort of being which was taught early on in life through the playtime elite war soldier, G.I. Joe
When society’s opinion of the war changed, so did the image of the soldier and what he stood for. It should then come as no surprise that well as and favorably so did the characteristics of Joe. As America became more culturally diverse and integrated, Hasbro likened Joe’s characteristics and features to every household and demographic, increasing sales.
Companies such as Hasbro created what represents gender characteristics with whatever sells the best. That’s how they define our culture, by sales. He was strictly created for profit and part of his marketing was from U.S. war and its soldiers. If it’s good for their bank account, it’s good for the majority.
The article states that the relationship between Hasbro to use G.I. Joe to be a representation of force in still in use today. The United States is at war and force is being used on both sides. The U.S. has been accustom to fighting wars overseas but this recent war brings on increased tension because the practices of the Taliban. How can you fight the enemy if the enemy is not afraid to die? The goal of Joe has not changed. Joes were introduced to allow youth to believe they could grow into these ideal soldiers and protect a nation. The opposition that Joe would have met after World War II is different than that of modern times because soldiers and innocent individuals are being forced into chaos.
In the seventies Joe introduced an African American character that contained different features to boost sales. This action may have been in part of the number of blacks that fought in the Vietnam War versus previous wars. There has become less racial tension and acceptance because blacks and whites were being killed in record numbers during Vietnam. During this time America was changing.

(Image Source: www.mr1964.com)

(Image Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4287106)

I’ve been a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers ever since there was a player on the roster that gave any native Ohioan a spark of hope. Hope that would someday lead the Northeastern Ohio team to victory, and we wouldn’t be the unlucky state for professional sports anymore. With the addition of “King James” to the Cleveland cavaliers, there has been an overwhelmingly amount of support, including myself from all parts of Ohio and everywhere else around the country. Lebron James is one of the best professional basketball players around, and with Shaquille O’Neal on the team; it seems a championship ring is due for our beloved King James and the Cavs.
I’ve been wondering if anyone else has been wondering about this years’ line-up for the Cleveland Cavaliers as I have. I’ve been asking myself why I think it’s a bad idea when I know that this is 2nd best thing that has happened to Cleveland since Lebron. Is it that Shaquille is a “seasoned” player and may not be as goo d as he used to be? Is it that he has had well-publicized surgeries done in the past, making him vulnerable to more injury?
I can’t take away from the wonderful idea of Lebron and a younger Shaq side-by-side, making beautiful music on the court. That image inspires me to new heights. There would be no NBA tor pro basketball team in the world that could stop the two. Of course the other three players could help out a pass or two.
I’m sure this year is Cleveland’s year for winning a championship ring and I should be grateful for that. Any help should be appreciated because there is only so much a giant, a gladiator, a titan can do. The fact is that Shaq isn’t getting any younger is what has got me wondering, but he has been “beasty” at one time too. Keep up the good work, Shaq!

Lance looks as if he was so close he could taste it. Taste the sweet victory once more by winning the Tour De France, something he’s achieved an astounding seven times. The look on his face as he stands next to Tour De France champion, Alberto Contador shows disappointment. This man, one of my hero’s has shown the world that he is human after all. I haven’t been following Mr. Armstrong for that long but what I do know is that from his accomplishments he’s been unstoppable and somewhat of a Superman in my eyes. This is the same man who defied cancer and kept it moving. Through adversity, he never gave up, never blinked. Lance is 37 years old and is still out there peddling next to men with more youth and physical stamina behind them. To me, that’s amazing. Why should we settle for what we think we are limited to, God gave us the power to do anything that we set our minds to.
What pushes a person to the limits? Why do some people accept what they’ve been taught and others excel beyond their circumstances? I’ve always desired to be better than where I’ve come from; I want to be greater than present self. Lance Armstrong may have come in third place but he will always be an inspiration in my eyes. He’s shown me that my vision determines how far I go, what sets my goals and where I’m headed. A lot of us subconsciously limit ourselves because we have been taught to. Our goals are common to our surroundings. Just knowing that I am what I think I am inspires me to be great.

(Image Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=4357232)

Modern Soldiers

Imagine a war being fought without the risk of human casualty. The face of U.S. warfare is changing. It is changing because instead of putting human soldiers in harms way, robotic drones are being used as substitutes. Technology, once again is changing the world as we know it. One of the most important characteristics about the drones is they can be controlled long distance from anywhere in the world. They are much more advanced than the average everyday radio-controlled vehicle.

I like the idea that we have this technology at our disposal. This technology in the future will allow us to save lives. One day we will no longer have to send our brothers, sisters, mothers, or fathers to battle. For many Americans this would be more comfortable than having risk family members and friends to fight in present and future wars. Many troops have been saved or relieved of serious personal injury because of drones that can detect bombs. Throughout history men and now women have been placed on battlelines and died to fight and support their countries. The future of drone warriors has been met with some opposition. The drones have come with some problems because they are new. As time progresses this technology will only improve and other countries will sign on to help save lives and assist their military.

(Image Source: www.cnn.com)

Did Neil Armstrong really step foot on the moon some 40 years ago? And if so, what’s so special about that moment for humanity? This year is the 40th anniversary of America’s first setting foot on the moon and recently Americans have been questioning the validity of NASA’s accomplishment, suggesting that it was all a hoax or that maybe it was all just to convince all that America’s technology was just as advanced as the Soviet Union. Recently, I’ve had the dissatisfaction of reading some comments on this topic. A few posts mention how the U.S. has managed to pollute the earth and that everything that they touch or have a hand in, they screw it up. Really?!! I mean, come on, do these people have lives? First of all there is always a price when it comes to advancement in anything in life, why should technology be different. I’m sure that these are the same people that own computers which emit carbon pollution, the same people that own vehicles that give off the overwhelmingly popular pollutants that negatively contribute to our environment and common everyday ozone hazardous products. Does it really matter? I’m assuming he did but we have so much to be happy and fortunate for and nothing to complain about. Just look at some hardships of other countries and look back at America and be grateful that we live in one of the most independent and opportunistic places on the globe. So even if Neil hadn’t got to the moon, in a way, everything that we feel, see and hear is beyond the moon. One small step for mankind is just another way of saying we’re making slow, but good progress.

This week’s topic is the new wireless reading device from Amazon, the Kindle which sells for $299.99. The world as we know it is being fully integrated in every aspect of technology. This makes me think of the movies where computers and machines take over, eventually a world dominated by AI, or artificial intelligence. The Kindle comes equipped with 3G technology, using the same connection as cell phones so there is never a need to log on to the internet or subscribe to any Internet Service Provider (ISP). You just browse your favorite book, blog, newspaper or magazine and within 60 seconds after purchasing you have your fine piece of digital literature to

either read yourself or with the text-to-speech function.
Some people might see this as the inevitable advance of technology for the future but doesn’t this make it harder for the book writer and publisher who wish to earn a living publishing and writing books? Technology is getting less expensive, and each time it does it reduces the amount of income the manufacturer, publisher or maker gets. This will eventually cut jobs and extinct some others. Each book download cost but a mere $9.99 and I’m sure there are plenty of paper books that cost 10 times that amount. Even though Amazon has to obtain the license from the publisher before converting ink to screen, there are plenty of computer hackers out there just waiting to manipulate devices like these and many others. My question is will technology bring about more recession and cost some people to change their profession? How soon will it be before books are sold through some random website that decided to illegally make money off of school books? Your favorite campus bookstore would then likely miss a large amount of its business. Don’t get me wrong this device will surely come in handy for school, business or leisure and as soon as I can afford one, I’m in. But at whose expense does our advances in technology affect?

2-2 Icon Analysis

First, take note that an icon is merely a symbol, and that it represents something that a culture or an individual may cherish in a specific period. The icons that I have chosen are those that I have valued for some time. I’ve always been fascinated with the Italian-made Ferrari, any choice of these vehicles represent accomplishment, prestige and an elite financial status that I’ve valued in the past, some more than others. I’ve also chosen my watch as an icon. This watch is made by Tag Heuer, a watch manufacturer which can get pretty expensive ranging from around $750 to more than $25,000. Cliff Huckstable, a fictional character played by actor Bill Cosby on the 80’s family sitcom, The Cosby Show is one of the most influential black-American icons.

I remember being an 11-year old and wanting everything that a relative of mine had in his bedroom. His bedroom consisted of expensive radio controlled cars, multiple video game systems and games, sports equipment, telephones and few more items. My family maybe at one time had a Nintendo game system, but that was it. My family struggled and we could not afford such privileged items as my cousin’s mother could. One toy in particular that I remember being in his room and that I always looked for when visiting was a Nikko, radio-controlled Ferrari sports car, which I then dreamed of owning. There was also a similar photo of a real Ferrari on the wall above his bed. I thought my aunt and her sons were rich at the time. That small toy represented to me being financially stable, happy and being able to afford above average things for one’s family. Until this day I still want a Ferrari Spider, which costs around $375,000. I know in my mind that the goal of purchasing this vehicle is very reachable but the idea is more important.

Many of the people in my culture and childhood neighborhood care about things that aren’t really important or things that have no real value; material items, especially when things are purchased beyond one’s means. I purchased my watch for $950 plus tax less than 3 years ago and it never leaves my sight. It’s the most expensive item of jewelry that I’ve ever purchased, and it represents to me quality and somewhere along the lines of sophistication. Too, it stands for not conforming to ways of some of my friends’ idea of what’s important. Most people from my community value material items more than family unity, community structure and emotional support, which are the real riches in life. I feel like if I’m going to buy something expensive it better be of quality and have some value, other that street value. It would be safer to say that my watch represents quality, not quantity.
The Cosby Show, to me symbolizes what can be obtained with the right set of circumstances, outlook and motivation. This one show showed me a successful, happy and supportive structure that I lacked in my home and my community, one that was and is obtainable for any family. They had success and happiness; the American Dream.