Pop Culture: Jersey Shore

BLOG: POP CULTURE

Did you see what happened last night on Jersey Shore? This is a popular question that has been asked over the last 3 years. When people hear of the words Jersey Shore some words that instant come to mind are; orange, guido, Italian, party, or alcohol. Just by reading these words, one could tell that this is not a proper or conventional TV show.

            Welcome to the world of the Jersey Shore reality show! This is where cameras follow them around, clubbing is a part of their day, and there is much drama all through the episodes. Jersey Shore is a MTV reality show that has been running since December of 2009. This is a television show that mainly appeals to teenagers and young adults. This TV show became popular after the showing of the first episode. Within minutes after the first episode bloggers, facebookers, and many others talked about the hot new show of Jersey Shore. MTV now had a new hit show on its hands that sent ratings skyrocketing.

            With four seasons filmed Jersey shore became one of MTV’s most current popular TV shows. Jersey Shore has been considered to be a climbing success. Overtime the cast has been used on various commercials and products. Popular catch phrases became famous among teens. It was not long before everyone knew what the Jersey Shore was. I think that this TV reality show became famous because of the large amounts of stupidity, partying and careless lifestyle. I mean to some people it is pretty entertaining watching people getting intoxicated and making complete fools of themselves on national television. After this show came out many teens and young adults felt that they could relate to the lifestyle of the cast of the Jersey Shore.

            From the start the hit TV show Jersey Shore has been on a growing trend. With each seasons premiers the more and more the show racked up viewers. I have found out from experience that many people who bash the show and give ill feelings towards the show still watch it. This is what keeps the ratings up for MTV. Even though you may not be paying attention or are totally oblivious to what is going on, your view still counts in the ratings. I think a major influence that has brought the show to new heights is the fact that they have moved the show to various locations. In the second season the cast took a trip down to Miami, Florida. This was a new atmosphere for the group and a new place for the group to explore. The big change came on season 4 when the cast packed their bags and flew off to Italy. During this season much drama overseas happened. Mike “The Situation” gave himself a concussion from hitting his head on a wall, and Pauly D had a few confrontations at the club with the “real Italians” I guess you could say.

            Jersey Shore has raised many controversies among its viewers. Many Traditional Italians argue that the “guidos” of Jersey Shore are a mockery to their culture. The use of excess drinking and vulgar language attract an eager crowd of viewers. The use of non-morals also makes the show. One of the main things to do on the Jersey Shore is to find a girl and bring her back to the house and “smash” this is considered a successful night in the eyes of the cast. Women are put as prizes and the cast clearly does not care what they are thought of during the time that they are out partying.

            To simplify this show into simple terms, it is easy to say that this show is Low end of the low culture. In my opinion it is a product of what America’s teenagers want to see.  To me it seems that people are easily entertained by such stupidity. This is clearly not a show that high culture would look very highly of. As for now I still will continue to watch this show. While watching this show it is easy for me to take mental notes on what not to do when I go out in public.

            

Writing Needs A Digital Upgrade

I guess the main thing about having my teachers prepare me for a "technological" class room is by instituting more use of technology in the classroom. By this I mean use more programs like Microsoft Powerpoint, Adobe Photoshop and the Internet for more projects. I enjoy using technology in the classroom. Weather it is using google on my phone, or powerpoint to present a presentation, I think that technology in the classroom brings a new feel to the future of learning. Especially in high school I enjoyed using technology in the classroom on the few projects that I had to do. I think by adding more computer classes or by instating technology on projects kids would be able to keep up with this updating changing world.
Just by shadowing and learning about my field, technology is everything. Especially when you are in the business field. From writing an email to doing a powerpoint technology is used almost every moment of everyday. Cellphones are another huge part of my field. This is how the main forms of communication are formed. This could either by by sending a text message to talking on the phone for a business conference call. When you go into the marketing field, technology is everywhere. Computers are used to make magazines and various publications. Powerpoint's are used to show charts and various information at a meeting. Without todays tech, the business field and marking field would be totally different than they are today. I feel that Oakland University will do a fine job of doing so. By having a online english class to using the mac computers in the library, I believe that OU is up to date and will better me for my career path.
I feel that I write much better in a relaxed setting. Sometimes it is on my bed, on the couch or sitting at a table at Starbucks. When I usually write a paper I start off writing things and phrasing sentences how I would if i was talking casual. After this I go back and proofread and edit out all the improper language and the errors. This was makes it easier to express my personal thoughts and to get my ideas out either on paper, or written on the screen. When I try to sit down and instantly try to write in a formula, my ideas and other thoughts can sometimes become blocked.
If I were a science teacher per say, I would make my students use technology every day. I think that this is a must because because the world today is constantly updating and changing. I would have projects where you would have to do presentations and charts. This doesn't only help the technology advancement of my students, but it will also help their public speaking presentation skills. On certain days i would allow cellphones to be used to look up information on the internet. By doing all of this, I think my students will be ahead of the game and will be able to use these skills in high school and even college.
I agree with the main thesis of this piece. The classroom is constantly changing and digital literacy is taking over. An explicit example of this is my online friday writing class. This class is teaching me how to go thorough school online and is helping me learning skills such as how to blog. As the years advance, more and more online classes are available. Almost everything is on the internet in this current day. I think that in this current day OU and many other schools have upgraded to digital literacy.

Reflection Questions

1/ I think that we read print and digital text differently. This could be because of the context. People today are more comfortably reading digital text verses reading a book.

2/ I think it is all the same in my opinion. Weather a person reads or writes digitally they are still participating in the so called "digital age"

3/ I think that "Contribute, Distribute, and Consumption" is very accurate. From the moment you contribute a status and hit the post button which is distributing, it is seen in everyones news feed which is classified as consumption. This make me look at Facebook in a whole new way with this formula.

4/ Yes i believe this because digital literacy is very close if not the same. There is still vocabulary, culture , sentences paragraphs and stories used in digital literacy along with normal literacy. This is sometimes called the online language.

Timeline of Literacy

My timeline of how literacy has helped shaped my life

-Born

-Reading books with grandpa Henry (4-6years old)

-Watched tv (rugrats - sesame street)

-3rd grade/ Started music lessons

-4th grade spelling tests increased my spelling vocabulary

-Becoming more advanced at music made me appreciate arts

-Hockey Goalie / Strategy & Thinking (5th -8th grade)

      - Playing as a Team (working together)

-Performing in Public recitals 

      -Feeling of pressure

      - Conquer feelings of nervousness in front of people.

-First Cell phone 

     -Digital Literacy

     -Became social, Texting language

-Taking a Foreign Language in high school

      -3 years of Spanish

      -will be taking italian in college

-Writing Class in college

Why Writing is Important

The career that I currently have going through my head is business. I would like to own some type of business or work for a marketing firm. For me, a college student going into business, writing is almost everything. From writing a note on a post it note, or even writing a 10 page report, writing is how people communicate in the business world. In the business world the main source of getting little bits of information across the board is Email. The profession of business allows me to meet people who are higher up on the ladder than I am. This means that I have to be on my game when it comes to talking properly, and knowing how to respond in the proper form.
   I have many courses in college that will help me focus improve on my business writing. I have a class called Small Group Communication. This will help me with work with small groups and achieve a common goal. In my field if there was no writing or words, things would fall apart very quickly. Tasks would not be completed and business would fall apart easily. Needless to say weather it is business, medical or any profession, writing is a crucial part to make any profession successful.