Who Are You Voting For?

I recently saw this picture on the side of an internet page I was visiting:

Regardless of my own political opinions, I found this particular ad campaign intriguing. 

We've recently discussed in class how politicians (or anyone in the public eye) strategically construct a public image of themselves. Target audiences is a subject we've also discussed, and how companies will construct their image to appeal to a certain demographic.

Courtesy of the Obama Campaign

This image is promoting Barack Obama's run for presidency but the first real words are "Join Michelle". First off, the use of the presidential couple's first names gives off a certain casual air - as if you're talking about your joining your neighbors for some random event. This technique makes the presidential couple seem much more relatable and accessible. 

By telling the public to "Join Michelle", it is implied that she somehow has some influence in the political sphere. Interestingly, Barak, the one person who actually can change things, isn't even pictured. However, Michelle has no official power over the policies of our nation although she has been active with campaigns for social change like her "Let's Move" campaign against childhood obesity in addition to keeping up public appearances. It is important to remember, though, that voting for Obama does nothing more for Michelle's power except to keep her living in the White House. 

It is clear that this ad targets the female demographic of the Obama vote. He has done an amazing job characterizing himself as the family man by keeping his wife and children by his side throughout the campaign trail and his presidency. This ad further emphasizes that Obama can appeal to the female demographic because he has such a strong woman by his side. 

What other messages do you pick up from the picture?

Funding for the Performing Arts

For my junior theme topic, I'm thinking about researching why public schools cut funding for performing arts and the effect that that has on environment of the school and students. I recently read an article from Crain's New York Business that talked about New York City public schools that had to cut funding in 2010.

The Department of Education cut per pupil arts funding in 2007, according to the article, which was before the huge economic downturn that led to even less funding. With pressure for schools to excel on state math and reading tests, art programs were pushed aside. 

However, New York City Council Member Robert Jackson, chair of the education committee, said, "the real irony is that students with access to arts education have been shown to produce superior academic achievement on standardized test, the very goal that is being pursued". 

With so many reasons why there should be art programs in schools, it completely amazes me that schools continue to push these programs aside or isolate them from the core curriculum. Just like sports are a place for athletic students, and the math and science club is there for the academic kids, the arts are a home to those who participate in them. 

As I continue to do research on this topic, I wonder what other alternative programs that are important to the student population that might be cut back due to funding?

The 99 Cent Trick

The most recent JCPenny commercials featuring Ellen joke about how retailers commonly price things at $14.99 instead of just $15. But it got me thinking - does one cent less really make a difference to the consumer?

According to a BBC News article, "Why is a 99p tag so attractive?", there is such thing as the "99 effect", researched by Robert Schindler. He theorizes that "people overweigh the left hand number. When a price changes from a $30 to a $29.99, the change from three to two makes more of a difference than the value of that money". He likens this difference to when a 39-year-old turns 40 and the birthday feels like a tremendous leap. 

This practice originated, according to Schindler, from the same practice of department stores in the late 1880s to communicate discount or the impression that things are on sale - even when they are not. 

Nick Gladding, another contributor to the article, is skeptical that consumers are fooled the the "99 effect". However, as an avid shopper myself who knows basic math, I think there is some truth to it. Everyone wants a bargain, and if the price tag looks cheaper, then it makes sense that we associate the product with being a bargain. 

I wonder how easy it is to be a smart consumer, with retailers pulling out all the stops to lure in costumers?

Flattening of Experiences

In class, we're reading White Noise by Don DeLillo which is a novel that follows themes such as consumerism and media obsession and dependency.

Courtesy of TinyFarmBlog

One particular quote that stuck out to me was in Jack's description of the supermarket, a reoccurring location. As he's observing everything around him, the exotic fruits and P.A. announcements, he says, "Everything seemed to be in season, sprayed, burnished, right" (36).

What this speaks to is the flattening of experiences. This can apply on a global level, but I'll be focusing on the U.S. It's the idea that, no matter where you go, you will find the same products (Goldfish, Oreos, etc.) and fresh produce is sold no matter what time of year. You can buy raspberries in the dead of winter.

Because of this phenomenon, things that made certain areas of the U.S. unique - like the grapes in California or the citrus in Florida, are no longer unique to that area. Everyone can get oranges all the time and we're all eating grapes no matter if they're native to our area or not.

When something is no longer in season, the U.S. has another country growing that crop and shipping it over to us. Growing consumer demands for certain products has led the U.S. to rely on other countries for the their produce but, in the process, I see our country losing some of the characteristics that make it unique.

If we look at a map of the U.S., the wide array of different landscapes divides the country into quite dissimilar pockets of American culture. Living in Denver used to be wildly different than living in Boston, for example, because what products were available, among other things. The landscape differences have stayed the same but consumer habits have flatlined all over the country, leaving us with one "American" experience wherever you travel to.

Does this enhance our identity as Americans, living in a "melting pot", or does it erase that image?

When College Isn't an Option

On the North Shore of Chicago, it's common knowledge that you'll be going to college. We live in an area of highly concentrated wealth and a heavily-funded school district that provides us with a quality high school education...so why wouldn't you go to college?

This past weekend, my dad's best friend from high school visited us. His two children attended community college for two years in a small town in Kansas called Ark City so that he could barely scrape enough money together to send them to two years at Oklahoma State University to finish off their education. His son is in the Navy reserves and receives a stipend that also helps pay some bills.

I live comfortably knowing that my family will never have to make the same sacrifices so that each of my five siblings can attend a four-year college.

My dad and his friend came from the same town. And yet, their children are leading polar opposite lives.

According to Economic Policy Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank that conducts research and analysis on the economic status of working America, a low income can keep even the highest achieving students from attending college.

A longitudinal study (conducted over a period of 12 years) followed a group of students from their 8th grade years, charting their performance based on math scores from standardized tests and, of that group, who attained a college degree.

The article featuring the study said that, based on the figure, there are "great disparities in college completion based on socioeconomic status". I don't know if such a broad, sweeping claim can be made just on the figure alone - but it is clear that there is a correlation between college completion and socioeconomic status. This is evident even in our own neighborhood.

I don't have the answer, but I wonder: what can be done to help even the most low-income families receive a strong education?