From the title we know that this article is going to be about the social networking site "bebo" their new soap, and how it has no plot and is accusing it of being all "product placement" meaning that this soap was created simply for advertising purposes, she states that it is "utterly unsubtle product placement" this is further explored throughout the article. The secret world of Sam king is a new short drama soap for bebo viewers that is aired on a regular but seasonal basis. The writer of this article is clearly not impressed by universal records new soap as she calls it a cross between "a careers day advert for entry-level positions at large conglomerates, and every other Disney show banging around at the moment", she uses witty humour to explain that this show looks like its either an advertisement for children to attend a careers day, or a Disney show, she may say this because like most Disney shows "banging around at the moment" the soap is about a "shaggy haired teenager", which contemporary is the American teenage look. the show has tried to adapt an American look as they are aware what's "cool" in America is "cool" here too.
The reason she said it was very product placement was because she mentions how in one episode the brilliance of virgin mobile was said 9 times in under a minute. This is pointing out the obvious that virgin have clearly sponsered them to do so, as she has mentioned Sony ericson did so too a few episode before. the reason for this is clearly because they are trying to reach out to their target audience of British teenagers who are active users of the youthful socialising website bebo, and interest them in their great deals or at least persuade them of their "brilliance". Other then the critical side she does praise them for their excellent editing as it is "very sharp and looks good" she also mentions Sam the main character is a cutie, which is important to gain attention especially from females, as the ratings view could increase. The writer acknowledges that this soap was not targeted for her liking, however she refuses to disembark the fact that demographics is not an excuse "to make something bad" and mentions how even though it is only a 3minute episode this is neither an excuse to lack from a proper "plot". She ends the article by comparing the show to other short soaps that are far out-strethed in its creative reach to have a good plot. To end the article she makes a brief attempt to talk about a new sci-fi show, but complain how she cannot view it as it is not available in her territory, she makes a joke about emigrating just so she can view the "hulu" shows which she agrees is worth it. In summary this article was written in "the guardian" and as it is about something quite youthful, the newspaper audience I don't think would be much aware about subject matters like this, so i disagree that the article had much relevence however I do still think it is important for people from all demographics to acknowledge what kind of media is being fed to their children.
New technology like the internet makes a huge impact on contemporery media landscape, this addition to the media "the E-media" is available for everyone from all ages, and has extended the media consumption in our lives.
The second article is named " The critics need a reboot the internet hasn't led us into a new dark age" by David Wolman who writes for the "Wired" magazine. the title is a mix of a pun and a cliché. we can tell the article is going to be an argument criticising critics who claim the internet has led "us" meaning the current generations into a dark age. The article opens with a statement. and then a philosophical and religious point on media.
In the second paragraph there is the use of sarcasm e.g. the article is criticising critics who criticise the internet, however he himself refers to the internet out of sarcasm "the technological bogeyman" this was his attempt to show critics how "moronic" it sounds, to say that this is the thing responsible for the "supposed sharp uptick in American shallowness and credulity". He gives an example of one of the critics;Mark Bauerlein and his statement that " the internet video games and IM's all serve to numb and dumb". David says that his assessment was very "grim" and was just rattling of about statistics which where used to buttress his assertion on his statement.
His attempts to make more fun out of this theory that the internet "stupefies" people is done by using more sarcasm by giving examples or irrational conspiracy theories like "vaccines cause autism" or "Saddam Hussein was behind the 9/11 attacks". He agrees that the web does contribute into providing these "bogus ideas" however he also states a fact that it is in human nature to search our for information that supports "pre-existing assumptions" and this behaviour of humans can be explained as it has occurred in the past as-well before the introduction of the internet. David mentions that when people or as he states "Americans" look on the internet they already have pre mind-set of what they are looking for. He summarises this article by stating and giving example of why the internet "gives us the opportunity to become smarter not dumber" e.g. wikipedia not perfect yet provides accurate information, this one source is a new sort of revolution of how we can get information in comparison to methods that where used before the 21st century. The article concludes its self by giving his last viewpoint telling us how it would be naive to think that this new digital age will "magically remedy stupidity" and that the only solution is having better schools with better facilities, good teachers and keen students. a new commitment to the idea of having a method to distinguish what on the internet is real "knowledge" and what is just plain "garbage". To ultimate the argument of whether or not the internet is truly leading into a new dark age, he concludes by saying "what's moronic is to assume that it hurts us more than it helps" meaning it is foolish for one to think the internet does more harm to someone than it does good. Throughout this article David has referred to a number of authors and their books relating to the subject matter, to make this article seem less bias or based upon a minimum amount of information. New technology within the 21st century like the internet has had a magnificent impact on contemporary media and in which the way the world currently works. if we compare the difference within the last two centuries of how vastly technology has developed since the industrial revolution it is almost unbelievable as to how far fetched the landscape has established.
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