Answer to Erics Q

1. How effectively do you think McCloud crafts the comic-instruction in such a way that he -- pardon the pun -- illustrates the very points that he discusses, thus meta-commenting and reinforcing the lessons his character states? What particular lessons and images work well together? Which illustrations stuck out in your mind as aptly capturing a point? Why do did image, text, lesson work so well together in these particular examples? How, ultimately, does he reconcile LANGUAGE (of comics) and SOPHISTICATION?

I think the meta-commenting of the piece was a very interesting and effective way to present the information. It showed a physical example that also explained itself throughout the comic. I like how it broke it down with the repeat of the same picture 10 times in the beginning then gradually built back up by starting with basic symbols and associations before coming to its main argument. In this way, the images text and lesson all intertwined to help each other and represent each other.

3Q's

1. How do you think things in reality came about to be associated with words (why is a dog called a dog?)
2. To break it down even further, how did the first written languages come about? How did each symbol get associated with each sound?
3. As asked in the reading, why is our culture so in thrall to the simplified reality of the cartoon?

Explanation for Picture

For the visual media project, a piece of stencil graffiti with meaning behind was to be made. In the graffiti, the stencil of Mt. Rushmore also contains the face of current President George W. Bush. The piece is supposed to be a political satire and meant to draw out the irony of President Bush’s face next to the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Our current president is one of the most disliked presidents off all time. The four presidents immortalized on Mt. Rushmore are considered to be the greatest the country has ever seen. Regardless of one’s opinion of George W. Bush, he is definitely not going to be on Mt. Rushmore.

The text underneath the picture says “Dream Team.” The phrase dream team was first used to refer to the unbeatable 1992 United States Men’s Basketball Olympic Team. The phrase dream team now refers to a near perfect or unbeatable combination or group of people. Basketball is a game in which five players are on the court at once, and with President Bush, Mt. Rushmore has five presidents on it, similar to a starting line-up of a basketball team. This is meant to imply that these five presidents are the starting line-up of the presidential dream team, or this could be considered a monument of the five greatest presidents ever, which it clearly is not with President Bush’s inclusion. The text helps aid the message the picture is trying to get across with and comment that is as equally sarcastic as the picture.

In reality, this picture would be placed in almost any public spot. It would probably fit better in a more liberal-leaning area due to the fact that President Bush is very conservative, but since his approval numbers are so low it could truly go anywhere except traditionally right-wing areas such as the rural south, as this piece clearly has sarcastic bias against President Bush, his policies, and his conservative beliefs. It would have to be placed in an area where most residents have quick wit, a good sense of irony, and have a basic grasp on politics and world affairs.

So, through a sarcastic image and equally as sarcastic text, an image like this would show of the sarcastic dislike of our President George W. Bush. This piece would be found in most places where President Bush is strongly disliked, notably liberal-leaning areas, such as urban areas and the Pacific Northwest, but will fit in any place that is not considered very conservative due to the overall dislike of President Bush. And as stated earlier, despite one’s personal opinion of President Bush and one’s political beliefs, almost anyone can agree is will not be on Mt. Rushmore and is nowhere near the level of greatness that those on Mt. Rushmore are.

Question response

Eric: 3. The article discusses lots of bells and whistles to signify meaning. Different colors, boldface, fonts, sizes, CAPITALIZATION, etc. Obviously the usage and purpose of these modifying agents is situational, but is there a certain standard or mantra that we could follow that maximizes informational transfer in speediest, most accurate, most efficient manner? If so, what standards can we employ? Is less sometimes more, or should we always use lots and lots of "bells and whistles" to aid the reader?

I believe there already is a standard or mantra applied to maximizing accuracy and efficiency. In all of our term papers and essays we have to write for classes their is a set font and font size that we have to use and we are not aloud to use anything else. I do believe that it is situational as to if they should standardize type and text or not. Obviously some more formal written works will need standardization to keep the focus on the text, but other more creative works should be able to have whatever type and text in order to keep the writers own individual creativity

3 Q's

1. How do you think changes in Font, boldface, italics, Size of Font, etc. have people read the text differently? Why do we put emphasis on italics or have all caps feel like its SHOUTING?

2. How does a standardization of these variations of type and text in formal and academic papers limit the papers effective use of pathos?

3. On the other hand, do you think the lack of variation in page design helps or hurts the readers ability to focus on the content?

Probably everyone has already seen this picture on facebook but i couldnt find anything better to add also i'm two days late of putting in up.

Response to Question

Eric A: 3. What's next? Is virtual reality with 100% immersion the last best phase of media? What does 100% immersion mean, and is it even achievable? If so, what purpose would we have for reality, and how would we know whether we are in reality or living a so-called computer program? Matrix references welcome.

100% immersion in virtual reality is the ceiling of the best phase of media. In a world full of infinitives it is one of few ceilings. I am not sure it is achievalbe as far as 100% immersion is concerned. I do feel it will become a key sources of entertainment as today's video games let you create characters and allow you to live out their lives while other video games can mimic your movement. If 100% immersion is possible it would be like The Matrix. True reality would have no purpose and there would be no way of telling in which reality we were. But many philosophers believe perception is reality so in that thought process would lead to the argument that 100% immersion in virtual reality could be true realtiy.