Sunday, September 20, 2009
Journal Analysis
Fanzines are important to the communication of information from fan to fan. OK, so you are asking, what is a fanzine? Fanzines are a form of publication that is moderated and published by fans to the fans. Sports Illustrated is not considered a fanzine because it is not moderated by the fans. Cogen (2007) described the fanzine as more personal than a magazine article and more opinionated than a newspaper article. Since the inception of fanzines, webzines have spawned. Webzines are communcation tools like chat boards and discussion forums that allow fans to "sound off" about certain aspects of their favorite team or game. Any sports fan has debated the third down play that the coach called in or whether the base runner was safe or out. The attraction of sports and the passion that the fans have for it was the catalyst for fanzines. The popularity of fanzines could be directly related to the popularity of radio call in shows, webzines, and quite possibly sports bars. If BW3 didn't play the games, would they be as popular today? Fanzines were a product of popular culture and today are not as popular because of technological advances; regardless, fanzines were the pioneer of today's fan communcation and how a fan watches the game.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Weekly Analysis- Week 5
Clint Eastwood has been a fixture in Hollywood since 1959. According to 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, as presented by VH-1; Eastwood was ranked 90. He has portrayed silent cowboys, obnoxious law enforcement officers, and the latest character, a prejudiced man that has his views changed by being open to conversation. Our topics for the past couple weeks in class have centered on a hero and the idea of hero worship. Eastwood’s movies have usually portrayed him as the hero of the movie. The Outlaw Josey Wales is a classic example of Eastwood’s hero status in movies. In this selected movie that is taking place in post-Civil War Missouri, Wales’ family is killed and he vows revenge. In his pursuit for revenge, he saves a girl from being raped by renegade Indians and helps an elderly lady move through the rough frontier of post-Civil War United States.
His latest movie, Gran Torino, was another Eastwood hero piece. During the film, the character changes his views towards the minorities that have moved into his neighborhood and eventually gives his own life so that the young people in his neighborhood have a better and safer place to live. Once again, the hero character in Eastwood shines through. It is roles such as this that placed Eastwood as a favorite when society is polled about hero worship.
How to be Great (1995) revealed that Clint Eastwood “often shows up on lists of today’s heroes because of his rugged individualism” (p. 50). The example of Eastwood is a result of the characters that he traditionally portrays. Eastwood’s characters fit the mold that was created for a hero by showing courage and strength in the face of danger. Eastwood hasn’t been placed into the marketing strategies of many companies like other people in the hero worship status. You will not find him pitching under garments or cars. His outside of Hollywood activities include public service, including a stint as the mayor of his town and serving as an advisor to the governor of California regarding environmental issues.
Eastwood has been a fixture in American culture for fifty years. His presence today was reaffirmed by the success of Gran Torino. The ruggedness and courage that the majority of Eastwood’s characters portray have led him to be a fascination on America’s desire for hero worship.
References:
Author, N. (2009, July 21). 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Retrieved September 14, 2009, from PopDirt: http://www.popdirt.com
Author, N. (1995, November/December). How to be great. Psychology Today , pp. 48-54, 62.
His latest movie, Gran Torino, was another Eastwood hero piece. During the film, the character changes his views towards the minorities that have moved into his neighborhood and eventually gives his own life so that the young people in his neighborhood have a better and safer place to live. Once again, the hero character in Eastwood shines through. It is roles such as this that placed Eastwood as a favorite when society is polled about hero worship.
How to be Great (1995) revealed that Clint Eastwood “often shows up on lists of today’s heroes because of his rugged individualism” (p. 50). The example of Eastwood is a result of the characters that he traditionally portrays. Eastwood’s characters fit the mold that was created for a hero by showing courage and strength in the face of danger. Eastwood hasn’t been placed into the marketing strategies of many companies like other people in the hero worship status. You will not find him pitching under garments or cars. His outside of Hollywood activities include public service, including a stint as the mayor of his town and serving as an advisor to the governor of California regarding environmental issues.
Eastwood has been a fixture in American culture for fifty years. His presence today was reaffirmed by the success of Gran Torino. The ruggedness and courage that the majority of Eastwood’s characters portray have led him to be a fascination on America’s desire for hero worship.
References:
Author, N. (2009, July 21). 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Retrieved September 14, 2009, from PopDirt: http://www.popdirt.com
Author, N. (1995, November/December). How to be great. Psychology Today , pp. 48-54, 62.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Weekly Analysis- Week 4
Michael Jordan was arguably one of the best basketball players of all time. His presence on the basketball court was strong, but his presence as a marketing model was nearly as strong. His playing days are over; however, you will still see him on commercials for Hanes and Gatorade. This week we focused on heroes and celebrities and the importance of heroes and hero worship. Michael Jordan was and still is an example of hero worship.
Jordan was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame this week. Jordan fits a lot of our discussion from this week. He was a hero and idol to many of today’s basketball superstars, namely Lebron James who wears Jordan’s number 23 as a tribute. Jordan was a celebrated icon of popular culture of yesterday mainly because of the hero worship. Knight (2006) detailed how Nike Corporation was able to turn their future around by signing Jordan to an endorsement deal in the mid-80’s and taking advantage the hero worship that society had of Michael Jordan. Do you remember the Air Jordan basketball shoe?
Jordan’s image as a pitchman is nearly as large as his as a basketball player. Jordan has endorsed food items, underwear, athletic gear, and other items during his heyday as a pitchman. Even Greenburg (2009) noted of Jordan’s induction speech at the National Basketball Hall of Fame “In this sometimes funny and sharp-edged speech, the world's most ubiquitous and successful corporate pitchman proved he was still human. He wasn't selling Nike or Gatorade or batteries or hot dogs”.
While Jordan was one of the best basketball players to ever walk on the hardwood, he was one that was able to incorporate his position in hero worship to create a very lucrative position for himself.
References:
Greenburg, J. (2009, September 11). Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame Speech. Retrieved September 13, 2009, from The Man Behind the Legend: 2009
Knight, P. (2006, November). Sell the dream. Retrieved September 9, 2009, from Management Today: EBSCOhost
Jordan was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame this week. Jordan fits a lot of our discussion from this week. He was a hero and idol to many of today’s basketball superstars, namely Lebron James who wears Jordan’s number 23 as a tribute. Jordan was a celebrated icon of popular culture of yesterday mainly because of the hero worship. Knight (2006) detailed how Nike Corporation was able to turn their future around by signing Jordan to an endorsement deal in the mid-80’s and taking advantage the hero worship that society had of Michael Jordan. Do you remember the Air Jordan basketball shoe?
Jordan’s image as a pitchman is nearly as large as his as a basketball player. Jordan has endorsed food items, underwear, athletic gear, and other items during his heyday as a pitchman. Even Greenburg (2009) noted of Jordan’s induction speech at the National Basketball Hall of Fame “In this sometimes funny and sharp-edged speech, the world's most ubiquitous and successful corporate pitchman proved he was still human. He wasn't selling Nike or Gatorade or batteries or hot dogs”.
While Jordan was one of the best basketball players to ever walk on the hardwood, he was one that was able to incorporate his position in hero worship to create a very lucrative position for himself.
References:
Greenburg, J. (2009, September 11). Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame Speech. Retrieved September 13, 2009, from The Man Behind the Legend: 2009
Knight, P. (2006, November). Sell the dream. Retrieved September 9, 2009, from Management Today: EBSCOhost
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Weekly Analysis- Week 3
How fitting that this topic would be discussed on week three.
The famed black number 3 was made famous by the late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. Since his death on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, the number has not been used on any race vehicle in any of NASCAR’s three largest series. According to NASCAR.com (2009), that will change on Saturday, September 5, 2009 when the NASCAR truck racing series takes the green flag at Iowa Speedway.
Piloting the number 3 truck in Iowa will be Austin Dillion. Austin is the grandson of Richard Childress. Richard was the car owner of the number 3 car during its glory days while Earnhardt piloted the machine up until his death in that same black number 3 car. Prior to Earnhardt driving the number 3, Richard Childress himself drove the machine before he stepped aside as a driver and focused on the role of team owner and manager. When the 3 truck takes the track at Iowa, it will be adorned with decals commemorating the 40th anniversary of Richard Childress Racing. What a fitting tribute to acknowledge a longevity feat by using the flagship number that was the most identifiable of the team.
Many NASCAR purists will argue that the number 3 should not be used again, except if Dale Earnhardt Jr. would like to take a few laps later in his career as a fitting tribute to his late father. NASCAR fans are loyal to the numbers and the driver that steers the machine. According the Marty Smith (2009), the most famous three cars and numbers in NASCAR history are the blue 43 that Richard Petty drove, the black 3 of Dale Earnhardt Sr., and the red 8 that Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove.
NASCAR is not the only sport that focuses on numbers. I was a baseball player and always wore number 6, except for my freshman year of college when because of the number already being assigned I was forced to wear an upside down six. This infatuation with the number crossed over into my NASCAR fandom and I instantly became a fan of the driver of the 6 car, at the time Mark Martin. Any of you that follow NASCAR, realize that Mark no longer drives the 6 car; however, the number infatuation did stop. Some NASCAR fans will tell you that they follow the driver, not the car or the manufacturer. This is the case that led to my wife and me driving nearly 700 miles in April 2009 to personally meet Mark Martin, driver of the 5 car.
The argumentative side would push that in NASCAR, the number of the car is its brand, similar to the wishbone C of the Chicago Bears or the star of the Dallas Cowboys. However, who owns that brand, the driver or the car owner? The car owner leases the use of the number and trademarks its font and appearance. The driver is best identified with the number. This became a hot topic when Dale Earnhardt Jr. no longer was the 8 and Tony Stewart no longer was the 20. For the driver to take their number to another car would be similar to an ex-employee of McDonalds to take the golden arches to their next place of employment.
References
Author, N. (2009, September 1). Number 3 returns to track. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from NASCAR.com: http://www.nascar.com
Smith, M. (2009, April 15). News that EGR plans to park to the 8 car until sponsorship is secured. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from ESPN: http://www.espn.com
Piloting the number 3 truck in Iowa will be Austin Dillion. Austin is the grandson of Richard Childress. Richard was the car owner of the number 3 car during its glory days while Earnhardt piloted the machine up until his death in that same black number 3 car. Prior to Earnhardt driving the number 3, Richard Childress himself drove the machine before he stepped aside as a driver and focused on the role of team owner and manager. When the 3 truck takes the track at Iowa, it will be adorned with decals commemorating the 40th anniversary of Richard Childress Racing. What a fitting tribute to acknowledge a longevity feat by using the flagship number that was the most identifiable of the team.
Many NASCAR purists will argue that the number 3 should not be used again, except if Dale Earnhardt Jr. would like to take a few laps later in his career as a fitting tribute to his late father. NASCAR fans are loyal to the numbers and the driver that steers the machine. According the Marty Smith (2009), the most famous three cars and numbers in NASCAR history are the blue 43 that Richard Petty drove, the black 3 of Dale Earnhardt Sr., and the red 8 that Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove.
NASCAR is not the only sport that focuses on numbers. I was a baseball player and always wore number 6, except for my freshman year of college when because of the number already being assigned I was forced to wear an upside down six. This infatuation with the number crossed over into my NASCAR fandom and I instantly became a fan of the driver of the 6 car, at the time Mark Martin. Any of you that follow NASCAR, realize that Mark no longer drives the 6 car; however, the number infatuation did stop. Some NASCAR fans will tell you that they follow the driver, not the car or the manufacturer. This is the case that led to my wife and me driving nearly 700 miles in April 2009 to personally meet Mark Martin, driver of the 5 car.
The argumentative side would push that in NASCAR, the number of the car is its brand, similar to the wishbone C of the Chicago Bears or the star of the Dallas Cowboys. However, who owns that brand, the driver or the car owner? The car owner leases the use of the number and trademarks its font and appearance. The driver is best identified with the number. This became a hot topic when Dale Earnhardt Jr. no longer was the 8 and Tony Stewart no longer was the 20. For the driver to take their number to another car would be similar to an ex-employee of McDonalds to take the golden arches to their next place of employment.
References
Author, N. (2009, September 1). Number 3 returns to track. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from NASCAR.com: http://www.nascar.com
Smith, M. (2009, April 15). News that EGR plans to park to the 8 car until sponsorship is secured. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from ESPN: http://www.espn.com
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Weekly Analysis- Week 2
This week’s review at popular culture focuses on the infatuation ofsome Americans with the lottery. The reason of this focus is brought about by the “water cooler” talk because of the amount of the Mega Millions drawing; at the time was $333 million. On August 28, 2009, two tickets had the winning numbers, which would split the jackpot between the ticketholders (Mega Million, 2009). This week’s class discussion was centered on myths and the American dream. By combining the “water cooler” talks and class discussion, I have pondered, what would I do if I were the winner of a jackpot such as this?
According to Christakos (2005), many lottery winners compile a list of wants, mostly material possessions. Christakos (2005) continues that eighty percent of all lottery winners file for bankruptcy within five years of hitting the jackpot. Let’s think about that. If I were one of the ticketholders of the most recent Mega Millions, I would split $333 million.My half would be $166.5 million before taxes. For mathematical reasons, taxes absorb another half of that which would leave me with $83.25 million, still an astronomical amount of money.
With my money, I could buy just about anything that I could possibly want. My family, which would probably become larger after the news of my fortune, could be set for their lives, or at least debt free. My wife and I could have the house we always wanted, the automobiles only dreamed of, and the lack of stress that encompasses a day at the office. However, can it buy happiness, love, and respect?
Not all too far away from my home in Bellefontaine, Ohio; a lottery pool at work became part of a legal battle. Fellow workers for the city of Piqua, Ohio, were engaged in a weekly lottery pool. They all had an agreement that if someone was not at work, that someone would cover their cost for the tickets and payment would be made on the next time they were at work. This was never a problem until December 12, 2008 when the work group held the winning ticket for a $207 million jackpot and four members of the lottery pool were absent from work on the Friday when the lottery collection was made. According to American City and County, the four co- workers that were absent were left out of the jackpot claim by the others that had paid their share that week. These individuals had worked with each other for nearly 20 years in an intimate small setting and turn on each other when the riches became real. Based on the evidence of how money changes everything, I prefer the old fashioned way of earning it.
References
Author, N. (2009). Money changes everything. American City & County Vol. 124, Issue 1.Retrieved on August 30, 2009 from Business Source Complete.
Christakos, C. (2005, April 21). Lottery winners lose it all. Retrieved August 28, 2009, fromEzine Articles.com: http://ezinearticles.com/Lottery-Winners-Lose-It- All
Mega Millions. (2009, August 29). Retrieved August 30, 2009, from Mega Millions Home:http://www.megamillions.com
According to Christakos (2005), many lottery winners compile a list of wants, mostly material possessions. Christakos (2005) continues that eighty percent of all lottery winners file for bankruptcy within five years of hitting the jackpot. Let’s think about that. If I were one of the ticketholders of the most recent Mega Millions, I would split $333 million.My half would be $166.5 million before taxes. For mathematical reasons, taxes absorb another half of that which would leave me with $83.25 million, still an astronomical amount of money.
With my money, I could buy just about anything that I could possibly want. My family, which would probably become larger after the news of my fortune, could be set for their lives, or at least debt free. My wife and I could have the house we always wanted, the automobiles only dreamed of, and the lack of stress that encompasses a day at the office. However, can it buy happiness, love, and respect?
Not all too far away from my home in Bellefontaine, Ohio; a lottery pool at work became part of a legal battle. Fellow workers for the city of Piqua, Ohio, were engaged in a weekly lottery pool. They all had an agreement that if someone was not at work, that someone would cover their cost for the tickets and payment would be made on the next time they were at work. This was never a problem until December 12, 2008 when the work group held the winning ticket for a $207 million jackpot and four members of the lottery pool were absent from work on the Friday when the lottery collection was made. According to American City and County, the four co- workers that were absent were left out of the jackpot claim by the others that had paid their share that week. These individuals had worked with each other for nearly 20 years in an intimate small setting and turn on each other when the riches became real. Based on the evidence of how money changes everything, I prefer the old fashioned way of earning it.
References
Author, N. (2009). Money changes everything. American City & County Vol. 124, Issue 1.Retrieved on August 30, 2009 from Business Source Complete.
Christakos, C. (2005, April 21). Lottery winners lose it all. Retrieved August 28, 2009, fromEzine Articles.com: http://ezinearticles.com/Lottery-Winners-Lose-It- All
Mega Millions. (2009, August 29). Retrieved August 30, 2009, from Mega Millions Home:http://www.megamillions.com
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Icon Analysis
This assignment called for the identification of three contemporary icons. In order for something to be considered iconic, it must fit one of three criteria. It must be something that is impressive. It must be something that literally cannot be touched. The final criteria is that a person has an emotional attachment to it that it could be considered obsessive.
The Ford Mustang has been a symbol of American automotive performance since its creation in 1964. The Mustang has been been through many transitions through the years and still retains its place as a symbol of American automotive performance. While other manufacturers have stopped manufacturing muscle style cars, The Ford Motor Company has continued to manufacture and continuously improve the Mustang. The Mustang was identified because an iconic figure could not be touched. Ask anyone that owns a Ford Mustang, regardless of the year, if you can touch their car.
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt can be considered an icon of contemporary culture. Before his death in 2001, Earnhardt was one of his sport's greatest names. His name carries on today through memorabilia sales and through the name of his son; the sport's most popular driver. Eight years after his death, his signature number three can still be seen on fan's apparel or even their automobiles. One of the requirements of an icon was an emotional attachment that borders obsession of the icon. This is apparent through his fans purchasing his merchandise over eight years after his death.
The final contemporary icon is an American soldier. While views may differ about our involvement in overseas conflicts, the sight of an American soldier is their dress attire is impressive. Whether the soldier is well decorated or new to the service, the respect that they receive because of their bravery and the freedoms that their efforts give to us as Americans is more than impressive.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Weekly Analysis
Michael Vick has returned to the National Football League. Vick has not played professional football since 2006, when he was suspended pending investigation into his activities with a dog fighting ring. He was convicted and spent 23 months in federal prison. Vick's return to the NFL via a new team has come with some personal gain of Vick. He has seen the luxuries of life as a professional athlete fade away and he is currently attempting to regain his status as it once was as a very gifted and versatile professional football player.
His return, however, has drawn criticism from animal rights groups. His actions in the dog fighting rings warrant their concern. The man has paid his dues via the legal systems and the animal rights groups continue to draw publicity as they picket the Philadelphia Eagles practices, where Vick is currently trying to regain his conditioning for football season.
My opinion of this matter is leave the man alone. The animal rights groups have the every right to allow their voice be heard, but the man has paid his dues via the legal system, spent nearly two years in prison because of his actions, and is working with various animal welfare charities in an effort to clear his name. The problem that I have is recently Dante Stallworth of the Cleveland Browns was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. During his drunken ride home, he ran over a pedestrian and killed him. Stallworth received a sentence of 30 days in jail. What is a man's life worth? Is it worth less than that of man's best friend? Apparently the legal system believes that.
His return, however, has drawn criticism from animal rights groups. His actions in the dog fighting rings warrant their concern. The man has paid his dues via the legal systems and the animal rights groups continue to draw publicity as they picket the Philadelphia Eagles practices, where Vick is currently trying to regain his conditioning for football season.
My opinion of this matter is leave the man alone. The animal rights groups have the every right to allow their voice be heard, but the man has paid his dues via the legal system, spent nearly two years in prison because of his actions, and is working with various animal welfare charities in an effort to clear his name. The problem that I have is recently Dante Stallworth of the Cleveland Browns was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. During his drunken ride home, he ran over a pedestrian and killed him. Stallworth received a sentence of 30 days in jail. What is a man's life worth? Is it worth less than that of man's best friend? Apparently the legal system believes that.
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