Final Project: Technonormativity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=922Gh1dL8OM

Marlena Brown, Jake Doolin, Christopher Haygood, Samantha Holifield, Dawn McGough, and  Anson Shull 

Counter that culture

Some people seem to get so caught up in trying to be different that it makes them exactly like everyone else.  Once some one gets bored with a style or type they recycle something that's already be done and try to turn it into their own! I am very different but it's not because I try to be different. I simply try to be me! I think that if every one was 100& authentically themselves then people could stand a chance at being different or possibly having their own style.  Counter Culture seems to be a never ending cycle. I didn't know they actually had some one out scoping and looking for that stuff until this class. That makes so much sense because when people try to change their style and do something different yet catchy it makes it's way slowly but surely to mainstream.  It is very obvious when people purposely switch up to try to be like something that they aren't at all and that is very irritating.  I do not hate those people or talk about them constantly but I do admit I get a tad irritated.  Why dress like a ballerina just because every one else is dressing like a biker and you've never danced a day in your life.  I'm just pro be yourself. It honestly takes too much effort to try to be different when you can easily be different, just being you.

women in sports

As a little girl I was obsessed with women athletes. Particularly track and field and tennis athletes. As I got older I began to admire and look up to women in all types of sports. My favorite was basketball and track and field.  I could name almost even team and all the starts that were going to be something but I think that I had to search and at that time it was at its peak when I was in middle school.  Now it seems that women's sports is falling off more and more because people seem to lack interest.  I admit I am not as fanatic as I used to be but I think part of that is because I can not watch it like I would like too in order to enjoy it and pick my teams.  People feel as if it isn't fast break after fast break or dunking at the end of a play then it isn't exciting.  Instead people should be looking at the athleticism and passion theses women posses for the game.  When you watch them play or run you can see the love of the game that some men even seem to lack.  It hurts my feelings that I am not as caught up in women's sports as i used to be but a lot of that has to do with the lack of publicity.  Hopefully things are being done in oder to change this and to bring back interest to women's sports. Despite some beliefs, women are just as athletic or possibly even more skilled then some of theses men and their cheated and unrecognized so much.

Gender role progression

I know that Gender roles is always a big topic of discussion and that women feel degraded or looked down upon but I think things have changed so drastically from where they used to be.  A lot of people think that in a traditional Christian house hold that the women are always extremely submissive and that the man is supposed to carry the wait in every way.  That stereotype or notion is not always true at all.  My household for an example is the opposite of that.  My mother brings in majority of my family;s income and makes more money then my father. My father has had very good jobs through out his whole career from opening business to managing offices and business but my mother is at the point in her career where she is making more.  That factor ads no trouble to our household or to their marriage.  My father is also the one who does all the cooking and is more of a neat freak then my mother.  switched roles? not at all. My father is still without a doubt the man of the house.  There's no question about it. The fact that he cooks, cleans, ands sews doesn't take aways from his masculinity or "man hood". The man was a star athlete all his life and will go to war over the people he loves! I just honestly think things have come such a long way in the aspect that men don't need to hold to stereotype in order to be a man.  My mother isn't a power hungry woman who posses male qualities like the movies try to portray in moves, she's a very petite, gentle, christian woman. I respect them both so much. I think they may be the reason I don't feed into stereotypes but it just seems to me that America is a lot more diverse in family life then TV and the movies make it seem.

Eating cheap

I always tell myself that I am going to try to eat healthier and that I need to start trying organic foods or foods that are just good for me in general! I only eat fast food on occasion but even when I don't eat fast food I tend to put a lot of salt on my food or the food I cook isn't healthy ether.  The only time I eat healthy is when I am at my parents house.  The only reason that happens is because my dad cooks and because they have the money to buy those healthy foods.  I could ask them for money to buy the extra healthy foods but I would prefer to keep it cheap and save my money for other necessities instead of depend on my parents too much.  The other problem I have with eating healthy is that I don't know exactly what is healthy.  Some times I wish there was a clear cut way. I wish I was educated better on how I should construct my diet and healthier approaches instead of having to dig to find diets.  I am actually in good shape and rather healthy but I know for a fact I could do better and costs & lack of knowledge is a big problem for me in that aspect.

symbolism in sports

I always respected the athletes in sports that broke the color barrier and paved the way for minorities in sports.  I know some people say keep the politics out of sport but it is a way for people to stand for something and make there personal statement.  Whatever the stance ma be.  One of the most symbolic pictures in sports is the picture with the two African American runners at the olympics with their fists to the sky symbolizing 'black power'.  I always respected the picture but I found out from the movie so much more about the picture.  How the open jacket symbolized where he was from, how his shoes symbolized something, and how the necklace symbolized lynching. I admire that type of stance so much.  In other pictures I also remember a man saluting hitler.  I may not respect that but it is still powerful and is a reminder of history.  I think sports and athletes play such a big role and are representatives for so many people on a national and universal platform, I personally ether respect it or take note of it.

Sports and War

 I am a sports fanatic personally and when I hear of all the bad things that come a long with it it upsets me because I feel like the good that comes along with it is overlooked.  I never once thought  that sports or football in particular idealized war.  I just always saw it as a way of paying respect to those who serve our country.  I always smile when soldier go on the field and get applauded or when the planes fly over the stadium at the Super Bowl. I understand what the man was saying that its a form of propaganda but i genuinely don't think its all bad.  I think sports brings people from all over together and gives people something in common whether its a love for a certain team or just a love for the sport.

honey boo boo

I know a lot of people that watch honey boo boo and they thoroughly enjoy it and get a kick out of it.  Every time some one watches it around me they constantly laugh at the stupidity displayed on the show or the lack of knowledge the characters have in certain aspects.  After awhile I ask that they change the channel because the show honestly disgusts me and I don't see the enjoyment people get from watching the show.  It makes no sense to me why people get on national television putting themselves on blast to be made fun of.  I came to the conclusion that people will do anything for money, but thats the thing.. they have money now because of the show! Maybe it wouldn't be as irritating if they showed the lifestyle changes after receiving money, but nothing seems to change which is almost unrealistic.  I also can't imagine what the children on the shows lives will be like one they get older and have the reputation from the show following them around.  The show annoys me just like the other 'reality' shows on television that air ridiculous or out of the ordinary things just for ratings.  People I know that watch the tv show always try to defend themselves by explaining the show to me.  As they "explain" the show they always laugh because they know the plot of the show is ridiculous.  I have nothing against the people that watch it or the people on the show, I just know I do not enjoy this show along with majority reality television!

a stereotypical classification

I feel like a lot of times people automatically associate christians as being homophobic.   I know what the real meaning of homophobic is because I was taught the meaning in my sociology class in high school but not every one knows the real definition of homophobic.  Just because people come from a certain (Christian for example) background or possess certain beliefs does not mean that they posses hatred or fear towards homosexuals.  Their are people that are christians that are actually homophobic just like people who are not christians that  are but it just irritates me that all christians seem to get a rep to be homophobic.  Every one is entitled to their opinion and beliefs. If a christian does not support a certain lifestyle or agree with some thing yet does not treat a homosexual any different then a heterosexual then they should not be automatically classified as a homophobic for their person belief.  I know I personally do not treat any one differently because of their sexuality, race, or class and I am a christian.  I have gay friends & associates, I am a christian and stand true to my beliefs yet people that don't know me or my friends may automatically classify me as homophobic because of my beliefs.  Every one has their own personal beliefs but before you start to classify them for what they believe based on stereotype, make sure you get to know them on a personal level person first. Very random post but that is a pet peeve of mine so I decided to write about it! :)

never acceptable

I feel like hate crimes and violence is never acceptable.  I know that every one comes from different backgrounds and has different perceptions of things but that will never give any one the right to abuse another person whether it be physically or verbally.  I know I don't agree with a lot of things but I would never torture another person based off of their beliefs, looks, or sexuality.  I think the article about Matthew Shepard pointed out a lot of key and important things but I also think it put emphasis that the brutality and the boys image is the only reason it received national recognition and the response that it did from people. I agree but at the same time I also think that is just how media is.  Media does not cover and broadcast every crime and murder that takes place no matter what the conditions or motive is behind it.  I'm disgusted with any type of murder or hate crime and if media or news outlooks covered every hate-crime that takes/took place I would be disgusted with all of them whether it was based off of race, culture, sexuality, or beliefs.  That case may have received more recognition because of the brutality and Shepard's image but I don't think it means that America would only be upset about that crime and not upset about a homosexual being shot at point blank range.  They still may be upset and appalled no matter what their beliefs.

Parents influence..

I personally think that parents play one of the biggest roles in their children's lives.  Yes, I agree media can have affects on children and teens. I also know that my parents had the biggest effect on who I am todady. Society may have defined me as a "tom boy" at a young age because I preferred to race my dad's toy cars, wrestle with my dad and brother, and race the boys at recess time but my parents never fed into any of it or worried I was gay or anything. I saw what other girls did and I had female friends but it never shaped who I was or am. I loved movies like Mulan, Cinderella, the little mermaid and etc but I also loved watching sports all day. Society wouldn't know how to define me probably. My parents treated me like a girl, made sure I knew I was a girl and just because I liked different things didn't make me any different from other girls.  I grew up with decent self esteem and honestly think those things didn't shape how I grew up at all.  I do understand that every one doesn't come from a household with good parents but even in those instances I don't know if I agree with the fact that princess movies have a HUGE impact on girls lives. Some influence maybe, but not as big and negative as some make it seem..