Blog III: Ethical Questions

When cable TV became readily available, many networks developed practices and standards for their shows.  However, most networks applied these standards loosely, especially with cartoons. In the 70s, animators created cartoons outside the family arena.

One such feature was Ralph Bakshi's Fritz the Cat; the first X-rated animated feature based on R. Crumb's womanizing feline.   By the 80s, many animators buried satirical commentary in their shorts, eluding profit-minded executives.  Although the practice of placing hidden sexual meanings in cartoons started long before Disney, younger animators began taking advantage of cable television's freedom.

 Years later, certain viewers complained about the subversive messages contained in the cells.  For more than a decade, animators evaded scrutiny with double-meaning cleverness.  Finally, the televised rulers reviewed cartoons with surgical precision. It became clear that writers and animators story-boarded shows appealing more to adults than precocious children.

For this blog, you are to consider the concepts we discussed in Chapter IV regarding ethics.  Once you have finished pondering, you will draft your own standards and practices for whatever medium you want.  If you want to start a television network, then you discuss the content acceptable for airing.  You should have at least five standards.  Once you have finished your standards, discuss how rights, utility, and care apply to your standards and practices.  Do your terms take into account the audience for your medium?  Are you willing to make exceptions (like we discussed with care)?  Finally, discuss one ethical dilemma you might face once you establish your standard of practices.

Once again, good luck!

Spring 2014: Blog II, The Video

For your second blog, you are to make a video and post it on your blog page.  This is not as hard as it seems.  First, you need to make a movie.  You can do so with your phone or screen recorder.  The choice is up to you.  Then, you are to upload it to your blog page.   Once you have uploaded the video, you must do a brief write up on the following questions:


(1)What is your video about?  Are you trying to market something or are you trying to inform.
(2)Who are the primary, secondary, and tertiary readers of your video.
(3)What are the needs, values, and attitudes of your intended audience.

Once again, you have complete freedom.  Just make sure you use good judgement when filming your videos. I wish you luck on your second blog. 

*For those of you who cannot make a video, you must write a summary of what type of video you would like to make.  Once you have done that, answer the the three questions above regarding your imaginary video.

Spring 2014: Blog I

The American-Beta-He-Man:  Hot Chocolate, Plaid Jammies, and Retro-Fitted Glasses

Unless you have been living under a rock or a beer tap since 2010, you know that healthcare in this country has recently changed.  Like all programs, "change" is not enough without advertising. Throughout history, advertisements helped spread movements and reflected national history.  Although it might seem like a loose connection, technical writers fall under the same political and ethical guidelines as advertisers.  Not only are technical writers responsible for describing intricate designs of products, they also play a hand in marketing.

The current Administration is attempting to tap into hipness of the millennial psyche.   Doing this successfully requires a solid understanding of the current generation's needs, values, and attitudes.  No doubt the most creative minds labored over the right image for the young, savvy consumers of today.  Millions of dollars and many stiff hot chocolates later, they came up with "Pajama Boy"—er—"Man."

Coinciding with Chapter 2, take a look at the ad and answer these questions regarding primary readers only:

(1)What are the needs of the readers of this ad?

(2)What are the values of the readers this ad is targeting?

(3)What are the attitudes of the ad's target audience?

(4)Do you think this ad successfully considered the needs, values, and attitudes of its intended primary readers?

Your response should be at least a paragraph and a half.  I wish you the best of luck on your first blog post.