A Violation of Persuasive Ethics

The term "ethics" derives from the Greek word "ethikos", which comes from the Greek word "Ethos". "Ethos" usually refers to a community's common values and guiding ideals, their "character". For example, the culture of the United States maintains a strong national pride and patriotism for its military. So what we understand as ethics was originally used to describe the shared beliefs of a society. Today, our understanding of ethics is slightly different as we incorporate other influences such as individual and spiritual. Ethics of modern society mainly inquires as to what conduct is considered good or bad and how we should live. Essentially, what is considered to be ethical or "good" is highly if not totally dependent on the context and social ideology.

The exponential advancement of interconnection within our society and way of life, albeit mainly through technology, makes it important to look at how our morals have changed and continue to. Access to information has a huge influence on our perceptions of life. What we as individuals understand about the world is largely controlled by our culture and the flows of information within its structure. We have more channels of communication than ever before via the internet, radio, and TV. While the internet is becoming the more popular and dynamic platform for information, TV broadcasts are still very powerful on public perception. In the US, the majority of our mainstream media networks, this includes nearly everything seen on TV, are owned by 6 corporations. The concentration of control over such a wide range of information distribution can be dangerous in a society that properly functions with educated and informed citizens.  Privately-owned media companies in our society aren't exactly held accountable for their political and social bias or the skewing of facts in favor of an agenda. Inspired by private interests most corporate owned media has a motive behind the rhetoric and dialectic being presented.

Our modern media is obsolete in the way it operates with a subtle top-down structure. Most information is filtered down to the masses, diluted with handpicked facts, bias, and many times outright lies. As we move toward a much more horizontal exchange of info where everything is on the table and up for scrutiny without censorship, its still fun to look at the deceptive tactics still used today.

Ethics, or what is deemed good or bad is entirely subjective. As information will be more well received depending on how well it aligns with one's ideology. This being known, we should strive for objectivity in news reporting. Empirical evidence and facts should be the top priority, a notion of truth should be the epitome of communication. My understanding of an ethical persuasion violation based on what I've experienced and know is an intentional suppression of truth.

Blog Post #8

Pulp fiction is one of my all time favorite movies and considered one of the most influential films of the 90's. There isn't a specific reason why I'd give it an A. I just love the film as a whole... the dialogue is comprehensive, the actors are full of talent, and the plot is a little random in the beginning, sort of like me. The sequence of the plot is probably the most unique facet of Pulp Fiction. Director Quentin Tarantino intentionally starts off with seemingly separate plots that culminate into one story of brilliant oddity. Shooting the film in a more traditional form would completely ruin what makes it so unique. The story includes two hitmen, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, working to retrieve a briefcase for a mobster, Marcellus Wallace. Once acquired, they're held up at gunpoint in a diner. The diner robbery was actually the opening scene of the film. Within a different plot-line Marcellus Wallace bribes Butch, a boxer, to lose his fight. Instead, he wins and flees with his girlfriend. Realizing he left his family heirloom back at the hotel, Butch returns and is confronted by Vincent. Butch and Marcellus run into each other later that day as they become victims of sadistic perverts. For me, the movie symbolizes how everyone operates within their own little worlds, not aware of how each intersect within the bigger picture of our existence. The irony of violence and comedy, interesting conversations, and pop culture gives Pulp Fiction a cool, sexy style with a touch of comedy.

Blog Post #7

Ever wish you could rule your own country or an island? Spending some time on Wikipedia's Unusual Articles database, I found a micro-nation titled "Principality of Sealand". Since 1967 an old WWII sea fort located on the North Sea off the coast of Suffolk, England has been occupied by the family of Patty Roy Bates and associates. The structure was formally used to defend vital shipping routes and estuaries from German aircraft. Pirate radio broadcaster Roy Bates wrote a constitution for Sealand followed by a national flag and anthem, a currency, and even passports. Recognition as a sovereign state has been skewed depending on different interpretations. Before 1987, Sealand remained outside of England jurisdiction by a few miles, but since then they've extended territorial waters. The old fort is still managed by the Bates family as they consider themselves the royal leaders, yet they're not recognized as a sovereign entity by any other state. With the name "Sealand" one would imagine actual land, but its far from that. The fort is simple with two concrete towers supporting a steel platform/structure sporting a helicopter landing pad.

Sealand has an odd history including some violence. In 1978, the Bates family was attacked by mercenaries paid by a Sealand citizen being charged for treason and over $35,000. One of the sons was held hostage too. The son escaped, took back the structure and captured the supposed traitor. His German government sent an official to negotiate a release of imprisonment. The diplomatic situation, Bates claimed, established Sealand as a recognized state. I'm surprised a movie hasn't been made documenting the life of the Bates family and the wild scenarios that ensued trying to maintain independence. I'm curious what life is like on a isolated little castle upon the sea. A castle is befitting since the family sees themselves as royals and adopt many political standards from England. I honestly don't think its healthy for humans to be sea bound with no way of grounding themselves. I personally need mountains in my life.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

Blog Post #6

Watching a "That 70's Show" Halloween episode from Season 2 today I noticed some product placement. The show was done well with a Halloween theme played out through the entire plot. Some of the film sequences were exaggerated like flashing lightning and classic, yet overemphasized cues from the mystery/horror movie genre. During the first few minutes of the episode a character comically inquires about "UNICEF", or United Nations Children Fund, a children's rights and emergency relief organization. I'm unsure if this was intended as product placemen. If anything, I think it was a nostalgic nod at their history and popularity compared from then to now. The second instance that I noticed was more like brand placement with Batman. The character Fez, played by Wilmer Valderrama dressed up as Batman for most of the movie and incorporated some of his moves into the act. Batman is a classic icon in pop-culture and of course in Halloween culture. He was also useful in the plot, as his idea serves to save the group from further argument over gossip. The last example was pretty obvious when characters both Fez and Hyde consume "Sugar Babies" candy on different occasions enjoying the rewards of Halloween. Not only do they mention the product by name, but scenes include the product being held as well. This episode didn't include as much advertising as I thought most sitcoms would. The holiday theme might've affected this. Overall I enjoy "That 70's Show" mainly because that era of American history and culture always interested me. This episode was also fun to watch with Halloween being so close.

An Introduction

I'm Cody. I'm a junior here at Kutztown University and plan on switching my major to communications. Overall my goal in life is to be happy with whatever I'm doing. What I see myself doing in the future is either traveling as much as possible or becoming completely self-reliant in terms of  living (hopefully both). Meaning solar panels, gardens filled with food, etc. Yes I'm a hippy at heart, but really I just want to live simply and look past the material, tangible things people desperately desire whether its money, cars, or a hot wife. Although a beautiful partner who shares the same ideals would be nice. I love to be outside... I even try to eat breakfast outside before class every morning. I enjoy backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing, and jeeping when I have the time. Intelligent conversations are also something I thoroughly enjoy, maybe because their so rare today. In the end, I love adventure and improving myself whether its mentally, physically or spiritually.