Saturday, March 29, 2014

Media Log 7





USA: United Selfie of America

            (3) The article depicts an image of United States President Barrack Obama participating in the act known as a “selfie”, along with other national leaders such as Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and British Prime Minister David Cameron. (1) The article was written by Leslie Larson for New York news company, Daily News, as a slander against US President Barrack Obama’s actions during the funeral of late and former South African President, Nelson Mandela.
http://www.patspapers.com/images/uploads/obama_selfie_DN.jpg
            (2) Though initially perceived to be an article directed at international audiences due to the presence of the leaders of different nations, but with further analysis, I believe that the articles was targeting the American people: Democrats, Republicans, and the indifferent alike, due to the focus on the actions of their President. (4) After further examination, I believe that the true intention of the author is to slander the name of US President Barrack Obama by criticizing his actions.

            (5) In the image, President Barrack Obama is seen participating in a selfie, an act that is a part of this generation’s culture. This has been popularized due to social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and much more. With that being said, I believe that this piece of media promotes the lifestyle of today’s social networking culture.

            (6) The author utilizes the emotional aspect of pathos by making the reader feel disappointed or angry at the inappropriateness of the action due to the event it happened in. I believe that the author utilizes Ad Hominem in a way that the attack on the inappropriateness of President Obama is more of an attack on Democrats in general.
           
            (7) In the image, the negative message it tries to convey is the inappropriate and childish actions our world leaders performed during a sombre occasion. At the same time, the image shows a positive message, one that tells us that even the leaders of these great nations are human beings, they partake in cultural practices, and they make mistakes as well.

            (8) For me, the articles are used in a way to disempower the people of America who placed their faith in Barrack Obama, a democratic president. Simultaneously, giving confidence and empowering the opposing party, the Republican Party. Perhaps the author of the article is against the ideals of President Obama, or perhaps she just wishes to inform people of the inappropriate actions of the US President.

            (9) The picture has in fact gone viral on the internet, mostly due to the stern and peeved facial expression of Michelle Obama, the first-lady of the United States. Much of these pictures and comments revolve around the impression that the first-lady is jealous. The photographer of the photo spoke out recently though rejecting this theory, stating:

“The atmosphere was totally relaxed – I didn’t see anything shocking in my viewfinder, president of the US or not” he said. “At the time, I thought the world leaders were simply acting like human beings, like me and you.”

“I doubt anyone could have remained totally stony faced for the duration of the ceremony, while tens of thousands of people were celebrating in the stadium. For me, the behaviour of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural.”

            (10) Though I believe that the actions done by US President Barrack Obama were inappropriate for the event, I also believe that it is not something to make a big deal out of. In fact, I believe that his actions may have even possibly increased the relationship between the United States, Denmark, and England.

http://www.patspapers.com/images/uploads/obama_selfie_DN.jpg

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