Celebrity Culture

From the behaviours today’s celebrities I feel that todays culture is more and more about instant information predominantly fed through the ‘Twittersphere.’

The celebrity culture changes though. Two years ago it was to join a radical religion, five years ago it was to adopt African children, and ten years ago it was copy what Justin Timberlake was doing.

Though when trying to answer the question, ‘Which comes first, the celebrity of the culture?’ I cannot help feeling that it’s slightly similar to the chicken and the egg theory (am I stretching this too far?).

In my tutorial this week the question “Who was the worlds first celebrity?” was asked. After some thought, and bypassing of Jesus, we came to think it was in face Charlie Chaplin; the first great Hollywood actor.

If this is the case, then the culture of Hollywood movies in the United States created the ‘celebrity’.

So moving back to today’s era. The celebrity culture of building an extra-textual version of public individual occurs over social media, video and photos included.

http://cdn.crushable.com/files/2012/01/lady-gaga-kermit.jpg

Think of Lady Gaga, her appearance is a great example of an extra-textual version of somebody. The paparazzi, and public allow her to live in the culture specially created for her through the gossip magazines, newspapers and social media.

http://gottalovegossup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Gossip-Magazines.jpg

The culture, which is continually created for the celebrity, will continue to have an impact through the media. The current alternative culture for the celebrity will soon be eradicated for something different.

In my opinion, something related to social media. 

References

Crushable, 'Lady Gaga Kermit', retrieved 6 September <http://cdn.crushable.com/files/2012/01/lady-gaga-kermit.jpg>

Gotta Love Gossup, 'Gossip Magazines', retrieved 6 September <http://gottalovegossup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Gossip-Magazines.jpg>

Diasporic Marketing and cultures

Before social media, diasporic marketing could be thought of as a business flyer stuck on the car windshield.

Since the rise of social media, diasporic marketing has become an effective way to broadcast a message, whether that is for a large company or simply a small business trying to find possible valuable customers.

                                                                                                

The adaptation diasporic marketing to social media has also resulted in many businesses creating online Facebook and Twitter pages.

For example, the local hairdressers Loxx, the Yacht Club and even the Gym 

Diasporic marketing not only has to adapt to social media strategies but the cultures along with it, as many of Australia’s immigrant population own the small businesses.

While businesses also adapt so do the cultures associated with them. Just as the Greeks and Italians had changed their cultures when they migrated out to Australia, so too have the Chinese and Indians in todays society.

Many of the Chinese and Indians are adjusting their culture to suit the current Australian one, while many Australian made businesses are listed above have joined social media, so too has the Indian fast-food restaurant to use the success of diasporic marketing.

http://www.dfat.gov.au/images/countries-signpost.jpg

These small local businesses use diasporic marketing through social media to spread the information of their business. Social media provides the businesses the ability to advertise their message not only locally to everyone who uses social media but potentially also globally.

References:

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 'Embassies and Consulates', retrieved 5 September,<http://www.dfat.gov.au/images/countries-signpost.jpg>

Indian Express Facebook, 'Indian Express', retrieved 5 September, <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indian-Express/109760843517?ref=ts>

Loxx Hairdressing Facebok, 'Loxx Designers of Hair', retrieved 5 September, <http://www.facebook.com/pages/LOXX-Designers-of-Hair/124742797550422>

Sandringham Yacht Club Facebook, 'Sandringham Yacht Club', retrieved 5 September, <http://www.facebook.com/SandringhamYC>

Recreation Trackside Facebook,' Re-Creation Trackside', retrieved 5 September, <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Re-Creation-Trackside/110213802355097>

Al Jaz-Fox News

Having never heard of Al Jazeera before my tutorial I clearly am pretty inexperienced in knowing their type of broadcasting; the Fox News style of propaganda I am much more familiar with.

At first I thought that Al Jazeera is a counter to the western media of Fox News for simply believing that they publish the other side of the news. However at a second glance I see that it is far more similar to Fox News than first thought.

Just as Fox News has been accused of biased news coverage in the western world, so too has Al Jazeera in their coverage of the Syrian uprise.

Early in 2011, Al Jazeera were reporting on the conflict occurring in Syria, during that time they were criticised in their broadcast for supporting the rebels and foul mouthing the Syrian government.

Furthermore, they were similarly accused of fabricating many stories to agree the Emir of Qatar who is believed to have influence in the broadcasting.

Something that sounds far too familiar within the Fox News Network and Rupert Murdoch’s control. 

http://thinkpress.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/media-bias.jpg

“There is a fine line between a real reporting biased and presenting the news from an Arab point of view to Arab viewers throughout the world” (El-Narawy & Iskander, 2003:54)

So is Al Jazeera just reporting Arab news consistently to the Arab world? Or being biased through the potential bribery from the Emir of Qatar? 

In my opinion, while Al Jazeera attempts to report ‘the other side of the news’ they continue to be selective in the stories that they report, ultimately mirroring the propaganda used by Fox News. 

References:

Al Jazeera 2012, 'Al Jazeera', retrieved 30 August <http://www.aljazeera.com/>

Alakhbar English, 'Al Jazeera reporter resigns over "biased" Syria coverage', retrieved 31 August <http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/4941>

El-Nawawy, M. 2003, ‘The battle for the Arab mind’, Al-Jazeera, the story of the network that is rattling governments and redefining modern journalism 2003, Westview Press, Boulder CO, pp. 45-69, 217-218

Pulse Media 2012, 'Fox News: The most trusted, most ideological network in America', retrieved August 30 <http://thinkpress.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/media-bias.jpg>

Australian Culture

What is it that makes you Australian? Is having a Southern Cross tattoo over stamped over your chest? Hosting a barbeque on Australia Day? Or is it the unconditional support, and at times criticism, we provide our Australian role models day in day out?

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2008/10/16/va1237335908668/Peter-Siddle-cricket-6303667.jpg

I’m not exactly sure either, however, these government websites give me some idea. http://www.citizenship.gov.au/learn/schools/citizenship.htm/

http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/people_culture.html        

Being a relatively young Australian, I feel that in some way I contribute to the national culture through the technologies of today’s media. Whether that is through my online identities or simply engaging in the Australian news on television and in the newspapers.

Brian D Loader (2007) comments, “Young people may be more influenced by television, for example, than by the internet” (Livingston et al., Chapter 2) which I believe to be true.

It is easy for the youth of today, myself included, to look online for news stories from around the world for balanced perspectives instead of the Australian ones we are provided with.

Once we turn on to Channels 9, 7 or 10 we are shown news stories from Victoria and Australia that further assists us in supporting the national culture.

Watching the Olympics, I support Sally Pearson and all the sailors that won gold, but also somehow agree with the television stations that harshly criticise Steven Hooker for his performance.

The national television and newspapers help me contribute to the Australian culture as they provide continual reminders of what is news in this country.

Even if that means beers and a BBQ on Australia day!

How to be Australian (Youtube 2008)

References:
Citizenship 2012, 'What does Australian Citizenship mean?', retrieved 21 August, <http://www.citizenship.gov.au/learn/schools/citizenship.htm/>

Foreign Affairs Trade 2012, 'Australian Culture'. retrieved 22 August, <http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/people_culture.html>      

How to be Australian 2008, video, natbrunovs, 30 August, retrieved 22 August, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9iyeLblVJM>

Loader, BD 2007, ‘Introduction : Young citizens in the digital age : disaffected or displaced?’, Young citizens in the digital age : political engagement, young people and new media 2007, Routledge, London, pp. 1-17