The Ace's Sandbox

ALL THE KIDS ARE DEPRESSED - Log 6, 12/18/2018   Jeremy Zucker is one of my favorite musical artists. Earlier this year he released the song "All the Kids are Depressed". When hearing the name, it definitely sounds like a very sad song. Well, I mean, it definitely is. However, a oddly upbeat beat plays in the back as he sings the lyrics about the phenomenon seemingly common in today's young generation. Zucker uses his platform to speak out about the mental illness and the life living with it.   Talking about mental health has definitely become a more normalized topic. People have learned it's okay to not be okay or that getting help doesn't show weakness. This is definitely attributed to the media on the internet. A movement of people advocating for mental health awareness can expand faster because of it's easier access to those who think alike, and who care about the same issues.   These lyrics definitely indicate a realistic depiction of depression. As so...

Madison and Vine - Log 5, 12/10/18   In Persuaders , we learn about the product placement in the media people want to consume. This technique of advertisement used by the persuaders is called Madison and Vine. Companies who want to convince the public to buy their product may pay TV shows or movie creators or YouTubers to strategically place certain items to secretly advertise.    My first connection to this technique is the movie The Truman Show . The main character, Truman, was born into a fake world created by movie producers. The entire movie is based around how he was born into this artificial space and ultimately figures out his truth. When Truman starts to realize something is off about his world, he starts to run into problems such as other people telling him he's just going crazy. This stops him from figuring out the truth. As he tries to talk to his wife about his new revelation, she calls him crazy and tells him about the new product she bought at the stor...

IT WASN'T ME - Log 4, 12/5/18   I'm going to be completely honest. I didn't realize I grew up with tech. Especially when I grew up, I didn't know DVD players weren't something we had for hundreds of years. I didn't know TV's used to have very few channels. I didn't realize iPods were something newly created. I've always had my mom's blackberry at restaurants to play games on. And I mean, most little kids don't have a very good perception of time. So when I learned I was apart of the very first generation to experience this, I was shocked. I thought the older generations were just trying to point a finger as to why the world is doomed. It's not our fault that we were born now. I certainly didn't create the iPhone or Microsoft or the computer. Yes, I'm the generation that has to teach my parents how to use an iPhone or turn on a computer. But I'm not the one who made this vision and created a reality. It wasn't me.   Look,...

Gun Control: Let's Talk About the Talk - Log 3, 12/4/18   Gun control. We've been hearing about this for a long time. From Virginia Tech to Sandy Hook to Parkland to Las Vegas to Thousand Oaks. Guns are a largely polarizing subject. Some say it's under our 2nd amendment right as it reads we have the right to bear arms. Others want to put restrictions on who can have a gun, what kind of gun, and how one can get a gun. In "Persuaders", they talk about not even mentioning a candidate's stance on this issue because of it's strong feelings. They also mention a lot about the language found in politics. Certain words are used to provoke a certain feeling. Such as "pro-life" instead of "anti-choice". Being "pro-life" sounds like it has a positive feeling. Who wouldn't want to be against life? That's why we are here. But "anti-choice" sounds negative as if it's a dictatorship and someone is determining rig...

THIS IS WHAT WE CAME HERE FOR - Log 2, 12/2/2018   I mean, it is. We came here to have fun. And to meet new people. But sometimes people are strange. Very strange.   Yule Ball 2018 is held by the Sacramento Public Library. It is a semi-formal Harry Potter theme dance where teenagers 14 through 19 can come and enjoy a DJ, arts and crafts such as button making, weird drinks, and wands. It's truly a magical night, especially if you're a huge lover of the theme. Now, what did this have to do with media you may ask. Well, let me tell you a story.   The easiest answer I could give you that we posted flyers on our Instagram story. Therefore, a much larger amount of people went because they may not have seen the advertisement otherwise. Not too many teens I know go to their local library on a daily basis, so advertisement through a more open platform definitely helped inform others of this event. And a lot of people came! I know a lot of people who've told me they came or want...

My Relationship with Media - Log 1, 11/17/2018 - Jennifer G.     In the plethora of media that I am constantly submerged in, whether it be social networking, television, newspapers, magazines, billboards, or just everyday web surfing, I feel as though media is a huge aspect of my life. And this may seem obvious, but in a world with its prevalence so huge, I feel as though in my lifetime, it's easier to limit or not have certain types of media such as television watching or social media using which is a he part of media. You may not be caught up on the latest trends, but you can still get your newspaper and search on the internet whatever you would like.   To me, the most conscious type of media I use and see everyday is social networking apps or social media. Instagram, my only social media platform, is the fourth most downloaded app in the world. Just in front are also social networking apps with WhatsApp in first and Facebook and Facebook Messenger are in 2n...