MZTV

The MZTV was really interesting. i enjoyed looking at the timeline of TV. i particularly liked seeing the progression and the importance of variety shows. First was the Ed Sullivan show. this show produced memorable moments such as the first images of Elvis dancing and the introduction of the Beatles. Next came The tonight show with Steve Allen in 1954. I thought that it was interesting because this year we are going through a late night transition. Jay Leno, who replaced Johnny Carson, is being replaced by Conan O'Brien. its cool to see history still evolving.

I also looked at the Marlyn Monroe feature. It was interesting that all of the stars at the time ignored TV and underestimated its influence. Although she underestimated the medium she eventually used to gain even greater popularity.

Speaker!

I really enjoyed Cynthia Lawson Jaramillo's lecture. I liked her ideas on space and time. my favorite part of the lecture was when she showed us her photographs. I liked the one that had 9 photographs combined. I thought that it was interesting that she took a photograph every second to complete the piece. It was cool to see the mans image repeated in the photograph and the continuation of his path.

I also thought that it was interesting that she took technology to Guatemala. It was funny to see the video of her teaching a woman how to send an email. It is strange to think that something we do everyday is seen as a technological complication and advancement in other parts of the world.

my flip book!

Singing in the rain!

I thought the contrast between singing in the rain and clockwork orange was very strange to see. singing in the rain is a very happy and feel god movie. the scene when Gene Kelly was preforming singing in the rain was such a joyful part of the movie. This is when his character realizes that he is in love. However the clockwork orange scene which featured the song was creepy and violent. It had the exact opposite effect of Gene Kelly's version. Perhaps the times were simpler in 1952. Movies often reflect the themes and spirit of society. It was a simpler time in the 1950's when people had fewer concerns and responsibilities. In the 1960's and 70's America was immersed in the drug culture. Clock work orange reflects this activity. It is amazing to see the change in our society with in 20 years. A beloved song terned into a terrorizing song with in 20 years.

Wearable Computing System!

The article on wearable computers was really weird. I can't decide if its a good idea or not. On the one hand it would be very useful when you need to know information right away. It would be useful to know what times flights were and when they would be delayed.On the other hand it seems like an unnecessary luxury. You could just use your phone to get this information. It also seems weird that you can point it to someone and find out a lot of information about them. That seems like an invasion of privacy. I think if they want to sell this item as a commercial product they need to make some changes. It seems like it has the same capabilities as an iPhone or blackberry, just with the ability to project on a screen. i personally would not spend $350 on this new technology. I would just buy a really nice phone.

Early Films!

I realized from our last class that my attention span has definitely been shaped by modern TV and movies. This was my second time watching the Great Train Robbery. I watched the movie in my mass media and society class freshman year. Both times that i watched it i was bored by it and distracted by other things. Its kind if funny that i had the same reaction three years later. I would never have been able to watch the movie in a dark theater with only a piano playing. I have the same reaction when my parents make me watch old black and white movies with them. My mom had me watch Breakfast at Tiffany's, which is such a great classic movie, but i was bored and didn't finish it. Its funny to see how different my attention span is from my mom who is only a generation behind me. This makes me wonder how my kids are going to watch movies.

Broadway!

The movie we watched on Broadway last Thursday was really interesting. I love Broadway and have been fortunate enough to be able to see a couple of the shows. It was strange to see how Broadway evolved and how it started as a men's only club. Now it seems like the opposite. now it is more of a women's activity.

I also liked learning about Fanny Brice. I thought that she was really unique in that she could both be serious and funny. This is a quality that I could not see in the other preformers. It also seemed like many of the entertainers in the movie were thought of as a group and not as individuals. Fanny Brice on the other hand was presented as an individual.