...Are famous people treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives? The question of unfair treatment of famous people by the media is one that cannot be easily answered without a close examination of all that is involved. Fame is a state of being well known either by one’s personality or a result of one’s accomplishments and cannot happen without the media. The media makes people famous. The world is now in an information age that is totally driven by the media. You view events happening around the world via satellite TV in the comfort of your living room; you get the latest gist and gossip on smart phones connected to the ubiquitous internet that is proliferated with social media like Facebook and Twitter; propagation of gossips has not been easier! Success, being synonymous with fame is something people naturally love to identify with. The most intricate affairs of successful people thus become goldmine of information for people who have made them role models. They believe they can also achieve success by patterning their lives after their models. Likewise, famous entertainers like the late Michael Jackson also are idolized especially by young people. The ‘wannabes’ of these entertainers will do whatever it takes to get information about what things make their favourite acts tick. On the other hand, the unhealthy secrets of the private lives of famous people make good sources of scandal...
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...Erica Prophete Professor Tarver 01 April 2013 ENC 1101 9:00am Americans Obsession with Appearance In today’s society, many Americans have become really obsessed with their appearance. We would see numerous of people spend thousand of dollars on products and specifics items just so they would look appealing. Based on the advertisements that we would see on television, magazines, ads and etc; Americans became victims to the pressures of being fashionable, thin, and beautiful. Fashion is one of the largest obsessions that Americans face when it comes to appearance. When walking in a retail department, you would see the clothing changes almost every week based on what is in trend. According to Mark Dolliver, Fashion companies attract the attention of approximately 70 million American young people know as generation y.(Mark Dolliver.) In today generation, we see that the fashion statement has changes and it also attract the older generations known as generation x. Many older people does not like to feel old but quite younger than they would actually look. Although the media certainly doesn't help the problem, it is common for humans to prefer to look pretty. What is considered beautiful may change in different times and places. Today’s youth is simply different from what it used to be back in the 80s and it reminds the older people of all the good times they had when they were younger. According to Mark Dolliver...
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...Research Hospital, both in Los Angeles. Both facilities cater to and are championed by Hollywood celebrities, so in many respects they are similar. Their positioning and differentiation is distinctive in other respects, however. This paper will examine the positioning and differentiation of both organizations, noting their similarities and differences. Cedars-Sinai can boast that “Many a star has been born, literally” there (“Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,” 2008). Its location, “where Los Angeles meets Beverly Hills and West Hollywood,” ensures that it serves movie stars and other Hollywood celebrities, and this visibility prompts exceptional care (“Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,” 2008). In addition to its star-studded patient list, the hospital is also known for being a teaching and research hospital that has approximately 600 different research programs (“Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,” 2008). Even its Board of Directors boasts such notables as Steven Spielberg and Sherry Lansing, and it enjoys celebrity supporters such as Barbra Streisand, Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, and others (“Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,” 2008; “Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,” n.d.). Cedars-Sinai’s positioning and differentiation are both related to its celebrity image. It has positioned itself as the hospital to the stars by extending special privileges to stars at the expense of its ordinary, non-celebrity patients. It provides “private, 24-hour nurses, gourmet meals and, in adjacent rooms, plush beds...
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...Parenthood and the response of celebrities. The article talked about the House of Representatives passing a bill to cut millions in federal funding for women's health care centers. This bill has enraged many people including many Hollywood movie stars. Some of the Hollywood stars speaking out include Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Bilson, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Moore, Dana Delany, Amber Tamblyn, David Eigenberg, Alan Cummings, and Jason Alexander. Even 17-year-old teen sensation and “iCarly” starlet Miranda Cosgrove is not happy with the situation. Former American Idol judge also shared her opinion about the proposed cuts. “I don’t think it’s a good thing to cut those budgets. It’s hard because we are going through a tough time economically, and sometimes they cut money from things that we really need to keep”. Scarlett Johansson was also very outspoken regarding this bill. "The House passed a bill to eliminate our country's family planning program and to stop Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving any federal money to provide life-saving preventative care. That means no money for cervical cancer screenings and breast exams. No money for testing and treatment of STDs, not even testing for HIV. No money for birth control… For many people, especially those with low incomes, Planned Parenthood is their only source of health care.” Quite frankly, I am getting really tired of hearing the opinions of famous people. Just because celebrities have a voice in public...
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...opinion. Even on social media sites personal problems and personal opinions intertwine with public issues because people use what they are going thru to persuade people to think the same thing as they are. Also when I think of this issue I think about celebrities there whole personal life is out there for everyone to see which I believe should stay out of our media and we should focus on more serious issues going on in the world rather than who broke up with who or which celeb this week got a dui. Needless to say it kind of rubs me the wrong way. One big issue that I can personally relate with is the economy and how prices are rapidly growing on everything from fuel, housing and food. I know the issue of inflation has become a huge question some believe that there is no inflation but rather its just relative price change. Others believe it is inflation. Inflation or not I know that the increase in prices has hurt my family tremendously and it makes me view things such as inflation and our economy differently. In my eyes everyone is having to live differently just to live and “scrape” by. As I mentioned in my intro I believe our social media is overlooking a lot of our public issues and broadcasting more of what celebrities are doing or there views. I question why we value what these movie actors and singers views are more than what is really going on in our society. They weigh on our personal opinions and personal problems because we are infatuated with what they think and...
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...Celebrities, Capitol Hill, and the 2009 Health Care Debate In the day and age we live in, it almost seems like celebrities run our world at times. Social media is to blame for that I believe, as it has become an everyday necessity. Naturally on these social media sites like Twitter and Facebook we like to follow our favorite actors, musicians, athletes, etc. and their opinions, while they may not matter to us, are without a doubt at least seen due to the sheer number of followers. Is it right for us to blindly follow the opinions of someone based of social status? Of course not. In fact, Ignacio Gatti, the author of the article “Celebrities: Why Do They Have So Much Influence?”, went as far as to say that following someone’s opinions based simply off of social status is unethical. Does that mean that it doesn’t happen? Of course not. Whether we like it or not, celebrities have a large impact on much of our society, and their political opinions are no exception. Looking at the critical analysis questions in the textbook, the first question is “Do you think celebrities should have the chance to address congressional committees even if they are not experts on the policies being discussed?” (Pg. 464) To answer this question is a tough one for me, as it gives me mixed feelings. My initial reaction to the question is that celebrities, unless a proven expert on the policies at hand, should not have a place in congressional committees. I’m sure if you polled the nation they would...
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...Madison Davis English Mrs. Petersen April 14, 2015 With the dawning of television, celebrity boundaries began to blur. In much the same way as if you were to remove partitions in a room where two distinctive social situations were taking place, television presented different groups of people with new perspectives of other groups that they otherwise would have never been introduced to. As television became widespread, groups began to mingle together due to the easily accessible and widespread programming, and the population combined. Although fame could be thrilling, losing all of your privacy, due to paparazzi, not only threatens your safety and sanity but creates unneeded drama and predominantly false accusations. The more refined television became, the more the world seemed to resemble direct interactions and para-social relationships formed (Meyrowitz, 1985). Television users rapidly began to feel as though they personally knew television personalities and cared about them in the same manner they cared about their close friends or family. Horton and Wohl stated that television never shows an ending that exhibits the actors coming out of their character, which often leads viewers into believing that what they view is truly the actors’ identities (Horton & Wohl, 1963). This perception created opportunities for photojournalists to capitalize on actor public engagement. Carl O'Connell stated. The origin of the name Paparazzo is argued, but its onomatopoeic resemblance...
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...statement, made by Daniel Craig, unintentionally (and unknowingly) references the power struggle between celebrity spin machines and the paparazzi. In his piece, “On the Function of the United States Paparazzi: Mosquito Swarm or Watchdogs of Celebrity Image, Control, and Power”, Andrew Mendelson analyzes the function of paparazzi and the role these popular culture fixtures have on society and celebrity. Specifically, Mendelson examines the “war” between highly controlled celebrity images and candid, raw offerings provided by the paparazzi. While an argument can, and should, be made regarding privacy issues, pictures obtained by paparazzi provide a necessary checks-and-balances system to the cunning world of celebrity and entertainment (Mendelson). To this end, Mendelson’s argument that journalists (i.e. the paparazzi) should “look more deeply” into celebrities and popular culture events is completely valid. This paper will provide arguments that support Mendelson’s view of the paparazzi – first, by exploring the issues presented by celebrity-controlled personas; and second, by reinforcing the need for fact checking, as exists in political and professional realms. Mendelson provides a thought-provoking piece that challenges conventional wisdom on the paparazzi (i.e. privacy and boundary issues). The most poignant of his arguments describes the tactics the media can use to report on celebrity – ignore them altogether, position them as little more than tabloid fodder, comply with the carefully...
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...Entertainment media and culture has evolved over the years and has taken over the world. Television is a major form of entertainment that has influenced just about anyone that watches it. Almost anywhere you go, you see pop stars on gossip websites such as TMZ and their lives on display for the world to see. There are so many different shows about celebrities and what they are doing in the world. Celebrity gossip has become a major part of entertainment media because the world wants to know what is going on with celebrities and their lives. “In 1948, only 1 percent of households had a TV set; by 1953, more than 50 percent had one; and since the early 1960’s, more than 90 percent of all homes have TV.” Having a television in this century means that people can always stay connected with the world to know what is going on and how it could possibly affect them. Television has shaped American culture by providing entertainment and news to the public. Television also helps with setting new trends and ensuring that the public is aware of such changes. Television has also been evolved into dvd video services and streaming with companies like Netflix and Hulu Plus. These are companies that came about within the last few years that serve as an alternative to television. Television will always be popular because of the information it gives to the public. Social influences on television are both positive and negative depending on what you are watching. There...
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...TOEFL Writing Topics Topics in the following list may appear in your actual test. You should become familiar with this list before you take the computer-based TOEFL test. Remember that when you take the test you will not have a choice of topics. You must write only on the topic that is assigned to you. People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge). Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position. If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. How do movies or television influence people’s behavior? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has destroyed communication among friends and family. Use specific reasons...
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...Lights! Camera! Photoshop? Photoshop has been a major detail when making magazines, newspapers, etc. But is it really good for the celebrities ego when they use it and is it making them look good or a bit worse? In my opinion photoshop shouldn’t be used for these purposes, because it makes them look fake and it’s overly abused as it is . Celebrities shouldn’t let computers and stingy agents decide how they look. They should try doing it by themselves, but it’s at anyone’s free will, as long as it isn’t taken too far. Photoshopping someone with three heads is too far! On the other hand, it can help boost a rising star to the higher ranks of being famous. But when it comes to everyday things like newspapers, magazines and websites it is easily noticed and could make them look worse than what they started with....
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...when it comes to computers. The internet can trap people, and prevent them from completing their original task. The cave can also represent ignorance and limited knowledge of the world. Ignorance stops people from learning more about the world, and seeing the inhabitants of the world for who they really are. It keeps people from learning the truth, and from developing real views about the world. The cave also represents how technology can isolate people. Technology grows on people and can cause them to depend on it. This overdependence on technology can prevent someone from going out into the real world to experience what the real world truly has to offer for themselves. The shadows represent the images of celebrities or stars on the internet. These celebrities create images that may not be real, and most of the population of the world follows them. These famous people are seen as role models, leading some people to believe that what they say is always the truth. The light and fire in The Allegory of the Cave represents knowledge. The prisoner, once freed, comes back to tell the others of what he has experienced. Plato illustrates that once one has been enlightened, it is his or her job to help in the enlightenment of others, “Then it is the task of us founders,” I said, “to compel the best natures to attain that learning which we said was the greatest, both to see the good, and to ascend that ascent; and when they have ascended and properly seen, we must never allow...
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...types of everyday rituals fans do. While other editions on celebrity music fandom include explorations of the more mundane fan practices (see, for example, Duffett 2013b), Fandom-as-Religion literature focuses on events such as Elvis week and the location of fan pilgrimage, such as Graceland. Such a focus draws attention away from the manner and matter of fans lives the rest of time, when not engaged in events. Similar to McDannell’s (1995) discussion of material culture in the domestic sphere, this type of insight into fans’ quotidian lives is important because it not only provides a baseline level of engagement...
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...The Art of Rhetoric – Creative Writing Task Riley Ransom Prewriting The media is not to blame for the public’s obsession with celebrities. I will REFUTE this statement. The purpose of writing this speech is to show how media has such a large impact on our society. I am looking to prove to people that media is largely responsible for the obsession with celebrities, gossip and rumours and that not everything you see on TV, in the newspaper or on the web is true. Research: “Social media, the Internet and reality television have become increasingly accessible to young people.” “When Justin Bieber fans frantically took to cutting themselves and posting pictures online to stop the star from smoking pot, celebrity obsession among young people...
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...WRITING TOPICS Topics in the following list may appear in your actual test. You should become familiar with this list before you take the computer-based TOEFL test. Remember that when you take the test you will not have a choice of topics. You must write only on the topic that is assigned to you. People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge). Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why? A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position. If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer. How do movies or television influence people’s behavior...
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