Collective identity and representing ourselves: blog tasks

Task 1: Media Magazine article

Read the Media Magazine article on collective identity: Self-image and the Media (MM41 - page 6). Our Media Magazine archive is here.

Complete the following tasks on your blog:

1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'

Who are you - The representation of cultural values are what is at best with this brand and the construction of role models helps form the lifestyle choices and the media plays an impactful part in that too. 

I think, therefore I am - This term is constructed as how we perceive ourselves and is defined by interpersonal relationships. Our identify would have been based around the values that are outside of our values that are excluded family, class, race, gender and prenominated roles as this would behind the notion of the induvial would be less central but now has grown. 

From citizen to consumer - The idea that identity could be constructed to fit a person's agenda and self-image. This the form of marketing and advertising that that changed the consumer thinking from buying goods to survive and changed it to buying products that fit their desires. The idea of creating wants and desires was of the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. 

The rise of the individual - This term suggests that are defined by people coming to terms with their identity and have began to express their differences and built and community to relate to others with the same uniqueness.   

Branding lifestyle - This term is used to market a product that links with a personality that reflects the brand and their self-image, advertisers tend to sell personality rather than a products as linking that personality to a certain lifestyle.

Who will we be - This means that we as individuals have more control over self and public image as we allow ourselves to be viewed a certain way from different aspects of the media. 

2) List three brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.

One brand that I am would happily be associated with is Adidas. This is because they provide quality clothing which fits my choice of fashion and is appealing and they are also ethical which makes it more better to buy. Another brand in which I would associate with is Sainsbury as they're also ethical as the values they uphold reflects their mission statement and their food selections are amazing and are valued at a great price. The third brand that I would happily associate myself with is Tesla because I think its a great car manufacturing company that prides themselves with selling electric cars that are eco-friendly and has great space for traveling that car. This would be because a Tesla is my dream car and I'm not really into cars but this company and car would be something I'm interested in.

3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

Yes, this expression "style over substance" connotes the idea they've become desensitised to the idea of internal features are less recognizable as the media only cares for their profits and invest in standards that are unattainable which means that they are conforming to the ideological process that is affecting our mental health and environment. 

4) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

Baudrillard's theory of "media saturation" connotes to society being sucked into the black hole of technology and social media. This extends to society being okay with "fake reality" this means that we are becoming attracted to things that are materialistic. 

Baudrillard's theory of "media saturation" means that we are adapting to our technological advances but are willing experimenting with our lifestyle. His theory explored the intake of media consumption and and how big corporations are giving out subliminal messages that are either conforming to their personal ideologies or subverting them into a bigger picture. 

5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

My social media presence will vary with what I post on my social media. For instance on my main Instagram I will post only certain levels of things whereas on my fake social media I.e. finsta = fake Instagram (private) I will post everything as I trust the people on their. Sometimes I'll add something but delete it later because I dont like it anymore which is bad but having a personal boundary with private and main social media helps me recover myself and my nature.

6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

No, I would not be okay with "data mining" as it's invasive to an extent. I wouldn't say I really mind as I only have interests in finding new restaurants to go too. However, to an extent it's creepy as they would be tracking what I like to send me targeted ads. 

Task 2: Media Magazine cartoon

Now read the cartoon in MM62 (p36) that summarises David Gauntlett’s theories of identity. Write five simple bullet points summarising what you have learned from the cartoon.

1) Mass media offers us range of different perspectives and gives audiences the choice to choose.

2) Audiences help control their presence on social media to fit their agenda. 

3) Society (some parts) question whether masculinity is in crisis. 

4) Audience aren't seen as passive but active and learn from the media that they consume. 
Task 3: Representation & Identity: Factsheet blog task

1) What is collective identity? Write your own definition in as close to 50 words as possible.

Collective identity is a part of our culture as it gives a group of people to share what they believe in together I.e. political beliefs or favourite cartoon. This means that they share the same views and value as eachother and see the world around them.

2) Complete the task on the factsheet (page 1) - write a list of as many things as you can think of that represent Britain. 

> Tea 

> Big Ben 

> Knife crime (due to the epidemic) 

> Red buses

> Fish & Chips 

> English breakfast 

> Highly polluted

> Influx in diversity 

3) How does James May's Top Toys offer a nostalgic representation of Britain?

James May Top Toys offer a nostalgic sense into what Britain is by selling toys that are used as metaphor to represent what makes you British. 

4) How has new technology changed collective identity?

Technology has changed the view of collective identity as we are able to incorporate our ideas onto a wider audience and platform that gains a responsive approach from other who share the same beliefs and values. This means that technology hasn't changed collective identity but has improved ad it reaches a wider audience. 

5) What phrase does David Gauntlett (2008) use to describe this new focus on identity? 

The phrase that Gauntlett used in 2008 to describe the new focus on identity was " identity is complicated; everyone thinks they got one". 

6) How does the Shaun of the Dead Facebook group provide an example of Henry Jenkins' theory of interpretive communities online?

The Shaun of the dead facebook group relates to Henry Jenkins theory of interpretive communities online well as it is creating a group which idolized the movie and people sharing that same belief about the movie and that have      "learnt" from the movie.