The comic, Pride of Baghdad, is based on a true story, in which three lions escape out of a Zoo in Baghdad after a bombing. Nevertheless, they died due to lack of food and their violent surrounding. Yet, the story is an allegory, as the comic’s real aim is to explain the severe situation during the Iraq war.
Pride of Baghdad is explaining the current situation and conflicts in warfare. With many different symbols and representations, the author depicts in a careful way how the citizens of Baghdad feel. Although lions are explaining all their problems and feelings, it becomes clear that the lions are also representing the feelings of humans. Their innocents and helplessness tells the reader who aimless and unfair the war is between Iraq and America. It is an allegory as it explains many different mistakes which makes the warfare useless. As for example, when the book uses the “shock and awe” effect, the reader realizes how America is advertising for the war. Therefore, the book actually explains the reader why the war is not helping but only bringing pain and horror.
Pride of Baghdad is an allegory, as its true meaning is based on the people who were forced to be involved in the warfare between Iraq and America.
Mittwoch, 17. Dezember 2008
Mittwoch, 3. Dezember 2008
Why Congo's Peacekeepers Are Coming Under Fire
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1854483,00.html
1000’s of peacemakers have been sent to the Congo to rescue the citizens from starvation and civil wars. However, the peacemakers are facing a problem, as the people who they want to protect are rebelling against them. Many inhabitants from the Congo began attacking and killing peacemakers, which makes the situation in the Congo even more dangerous.
The Congolese are currently involved in many civil wars which cause a great increase in starvation and deaths. All the civil wars are based on the constant demand for the scarce resources in the Congo. However, the profits coming out of the sales of these products are never seen by the poor people in the Congo. The reason for the attacks towards the peacemakers is due to the unprofessional behavior of the humanitarian organization. They try to reinforce peace with guns and violence. In addition, they are also arresting many Congolese people. Therefore, the organization has a very bad reputation among the inhabitants. For the Congolese this organization is another threat to their existence.
The UN should control this organization more with the intention to improve the situation in the Congo and not worsening it. However, the chance of the Congolese people to trust a humanitarian organization again is very low.
1000’s of peacemakers have been sent to the Congo to rescue the citizens from starvation and civil wars. However, the peacemakers are facing a problem, as the people who they want to protect are rebelling against them. Many inhabitants from the Congo began attacking and killing peacemakers, which makes the situation in the Congo even more dangerous.
The Congolese are currently involved in many civil wars which cause a great increase in starvation and deaths. All the civil wars are based on the constant demand for the scarce resources in the Congo. However, the profits coming out of the sales of these products are never seen by the poor people in the Congo. The reason for the attacks towards the peacemakers is due to the unprofessional behavior of the humanitarian organization. They try to reinforce peace with guns and violence. In addition, they are also arresting many Congolese people. Therefore, the organization has a very bad reputation among the inhabitants. For the Congolese this organization is another threat to their existence.
The UN should control this organization more with the intention to improve the situation in the Congo and not worsening it. However, the chance of the Congolese people to trust a humanitarian organization again is very low.
Dienstag, 2. Dezember 2008
Who should own water? And who does own it?
The owners of water vary depending on the situation. The owners of water are sometimes landowners or it belongs to the local government. This government than regulates how the water is used and in what amount it is given out.
Nevertheless, the local government is not always best for this job. If the government misuses its power and sells the water to a company for higher income, than the citizens could suffer under this decision. Therefore, the government should be controlled by a humanitarian organization, which checks if the government is using the water appropriately. However, the water should not be owned by landowners, as the water supply would not be shared equaly in such a situation. Everyone should have the same chance of getting water.
Unless the government misuses its power, it is a good idea to let the government controlled the water supply of an area. Like this no bias people are involved in the tasks and the water would be split fairly for the population of the area.
Nevertheless, the local government is not always best for this job. If the government misuses its power and sells the water to a company for higher income, than the citizens could suffer under this decision. Therefore, the government should be controlled by a humanitarian organization, which checks if the government is using the water appropriately. However, the water should not be owned by landowners, as the water supply would not be shared equaly in such a situation. Everyone should have the same chance of getting water.
Unless the government misuses its power, it is a good idea to let the government controlled the water supply of an area. Like this no bias people are involved in the tasks and the water would be split fairly for the population of the area.
Samstag, 29. November 2008
Left Out of the Bailout: The Poor
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1861843,00.html
Due to the financial crisis the number of people living under the poverty rate in America will increase another 10.3 millions. The whole world is currently concentrating on Wall Street and trying to stabilize the situation, therefore, they are neglecting the fact that many families suffered immensely under the crisis and require help.
Since the financial crisis in America, the United States has suffered a great increase in their poverty rate. 36.5 million are already living under the poverty line and will now increase to 46.8 million who do not have a average living standard. The impact of the financial crisis has been recognized due to the for food-stamp caseloads. Many families do not receive enough income and therefore, have problems nourishing their family. There was a 9.6% increase of families who are now buying food stamps in order to feed their children. These families need more help of the government since many humanitarian organizations cannot help them, as they have suffered under the financial crisis as well. However, the government only supports 40% of the families with cash assistance.
America needs to find a solution to decrease their poverty rate as fast as possible. The newly elected Barack Obama, is now promising 700$ million in federal rescue to support the poor people. This gives the families hope that they will soon get out of their debts and financial problems.
Due to the financial crisis the number of people living under the poverty rate in America will increase another 10.3 millions. The whole world is currently concentrating on Wall Street and trying to stabilize the situation, therefore, they are neglecting the fact that many families suffered immensely under the crisis and require help.
Since the financial crisis in America, the United States has suffered a great increase in their poverty rate. 36.5 million are already living under the poverty line and will now increase to 46.8 million who do not have a average living standard. The impact of the financial crisis has been recognized due to the for food-stamp caseloads. Many families do not receive enough income and therefore, have problems nourishing their family. There was a 9.6% increase of families who are now buying food stamps in order to feed their children. These families need more help of the government since many humanitarian organizations cannot help them, as they have suffered under the financial crisis as well. However, the government only supports 40% of the families with cash assistance.
America needs to find a solution to decrease their poverty rate as fast as possible. The newly elected Barack Obama, is now promising 700$ million in federal rescue to support the poor people. This gives the families hope that they will soon get out of their debts and financial problems.
Montag, 29. September 2008
Boxing out of poverty and prison in Thailand
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1815747_1815707_1815695-2,00.html
Currently Thailand consists of 65 million citizens of which 170,000 are in prisons. Rubbery, vandalism and drug abuse are the most common crimes being committed. Thailand is trying to reduce their crime rate, however, due to great poverty in the country this is very difficult to achieve.
Many prisoners first come to jail when they are 17 years old. Once they are in prison they are not educated in any way. Therefore, when they return into real life it only takes a short period of time until they are back in jail. Thailand has now introduced a new program which should help the prisoners out of jail and poverty. To stop the boredom in the prisons, sport instructors have introduced bo
xing lessons for all. Samson Thaveesuk is only one of many prisoners who have started boxing during her imprisonment. During this time she has learned how to box and set herself a new goal for her future life. She decided to box professionally and succeeded by winning many tournaments including the world boxing council championship.
With this new method of teaching discipline to the prisoners and giving them a new perspective of life Thailand has succeed reducing their number of prisoners. Prisoner officials state that no prisoner who has attended boxing classes has returned to jail. This program helps Thailand to reduce its poverty rate efficiently.
Currently Thailand consists of 65 million citizens of which 170,000 are in prisons. Rubbery, vandalism and drug abuse are the most common crimes being committed. Thailand is trying to reduce their crime rate, however, due to great poverty in the country this is very difficult to achieve.
Many prisoners first come to jail when they are 17 years old. Once they are in prison they are not educated in any way. Therefore, when they return into real life it only takes a short period of time until they are back in jail. Thailand has now introduced a new program which should help the prisoners out of jail and poverty. To stop the boredom in the prisons, sport instructors have introduced bo
xing lessons for all. Samson Thaveesuk is only one of many prisoners who have started boxing during her imprisonment. During this time she has learned how to box and set herself a new goal for her future life. She decided to box professionally and succeeded by winning many tournaments including the world boxing council championship.With this new method of teaching discipline to the prisoners and giving them a new perspective of life Thailand has succeed reducing their number of prisoners. Prisoner officials state that no prisoner who has attended boxing classes has returned to jail. This program helps Thailand to reduce its poverty rate efficiently.
Dienstag, 23. September 2008
The grunge movement
During the 1980’s the grunge movement was introduced in Seattle. Suddenly, the punk rock and heavy metal scene mixed. Although a lot of small bands existed only some became famous. However, the punk movement also introduced a new way of lifestyle. This new generation wanted to rebel against their environment. They believe that society is trying to limit their freedom and control them. The grunge scene is fighting against this control of freedom by listening to loud and provocational music. In addition, they are trying to rebel with their looks by coloring their hair and wearing spikes and old jeans. In the beginning their rebellion was successful as many people felt rejected by this new lifestyle. However, as soon as the first band, Nirvana, got successful with the music, the rebellion was once again sold through media.
Mittwoch, 17. September 2008
Summary of Chapter 2 "No Logo"
In chapter 2 of No Logo the author describes how brands tried to turn their products into a lifestyle and culture. The corporations began to produce products which had bigger logos on them. Suddenly, the people believed that huge logos on clothes are cool and started to buy them. This helped the company spread their brand. Thanks to the big logos even small children could recognize brands and wear them. To increase their incomes, many brands also began sponsoring cultural events, as for example Credit Suisse sponsored the UEFA. Both companies are benefiting from each other, because the UEFA is receiving useful money and Credit Suisse can advertise. To make advertising more attractive for the community, corporations began using art as their advertisement. In some cases even streets were designed and painted by a certain brand. All this advertising became more and more important to the corporations because competition began to increase. As people were always surrounded by advertisements, the brands and ads became part of people’s culture. Also TV series started to advertise for certain products and labels. As for example in Dawson's Creek all characters wore the same labels of clothes. Like this the TV series benefited from the sponsored clothes, and the corporation benefitted because it could advertise through TV series. The TV series’ lifestyle was then sold to the people, who wanted to adapt to their favorite TV stars.
Dienstag, 16. September 2008
The Deadliest War In The World
After Mukeya Ulumba has witnessed the murder of her family, she is now struggling with losing her six months old son. Mukeya is one of the many refugees who have fled before their village was stormed by antigovernment rebels. During the last years, Congo's crime and poverty rate has been rising due to poor infrastructure, weak leadership and undeveloped economy.
Since 1960, leaders like Leopold II, Mobutu and Kabila had their share of the Congo’s misery and have led millions of people into starvation, torture and death. Today the situation has not greatly improved. Although the UN already sponsored more than 94 million dollars, there is little progress seen. This is because of rebellions within the country. Cuba's military and native organizations are both storming thousands of villages every year. In this process people have been brutally murdered and women have been raped. These people do not have enough education or money to help themselves. Therefore, they flee from place to place searching for protection. The government is under immense pressure, as they are struggling to control their natives and to trade goods and resources with other nations. As they have a very bad infrastructure and lack of labor and money to improve it, the Congo cannot change into an economic development.
The Congo's poverty is worse than in any other country, although in truth the Congo is the richest country regarding resources. Europe does not realize that their trading with the Congo is only for the benefit of the government and the upper class people. Mothers, fathers and children will have to keep on fearing their existence until finally the world realizes the seriousness of the situation. Mukeya Ulumba is now praying that her son will recover from meningitis and like many other mothers she is trying not to lose hope.
Since 1960, leaders like Leopold II, Mobutu and Kabila had their share of the Congo’s misery and have led millions of people into starvation, torture and death. Today the situation has not greatly improved. Although the UN already sponsored more than 94 million dollars, there is little progress seen. This is because of rebellions within the country. Cuba's military and native organizations are both storming thousands of villages every year. In this process people have been brutally murdered and women have been raped. These people do not have enough education or money to help themselves. Therefore, they flee from place to place searching for protection. The government is under immense pressure, as they are struggling to control their natives and to trade goods and resources with other nations. As they have a very bad infrastructure and lack of labor and money to improve it, the Congo cannot change into an economic development.
The Congo's poverty is worse than in any other country, although in truth the Congo is the richest country regarding resources. Europe does not realize that their trading with the Congo is only for the benefit of the government and the upper class people. Mothers, fathers and children will have to keep on fearing their existence until finally the world realizes the seriousness of the situation. Mukeya Ulumba is now praying that her son will recover from meningitis and like many other mothers she is trying not to lose hope.
Mittwoch, 10. September 2008
Product vs. Lifestyle advertisments
Product
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HsDou-e9qM
What is being sold: The commercial is selling an oil named Minepba which can be used cooking any kind of food. During the commercial the consumers begin to fly because the oil makes such good food and makes you feel free. How do they sell it: They sell the product by making the consumer feel free and comfortable. They want the consumer to believe that the food is the best when you use Minepba oil.
Lifestyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g-SFpzJshs&feature=related
What is being sold:
Actually the commercial is selling the new Windows Vista program. However, they are also selling new revenues, business opportunities, new solutions for customers, more security, more reliability, more potential and the connection with other people.
How do they sell it:
To motivate the customers to buy the product, people who look happy dance and jump around introducing each new opportunity of Vista. There is no computer seen in the whole commercial, but the happy people bring the customers close to the new product.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HsDou-e9qM
What is being sold: The commercial is selling an oil named Minepba which can be used cooking any kind of food. During the commercial the consumers begin to fly because the oil makes such good food and makes you feel free. How do they sell it: They sell the product by making the consumer feel free and comfortable. They want the consumer to believe that the food is the best when you use Minepba oil.
Lifestyle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g-SFpzJshs&feature=related
What is being sold:
Actually the commercial is selling the new Windows Vista program. However, they are also selling new revenues, business opportunities, new solutions for customers, more security, more reliability, more potential and the connection with other people.
How do they sell it:
To motivate the customers to buy the product, people who look happy dance and jump around introducing each new opportunity of Vista. There is no computer seen in the whole commercial, but the happy people bring the customers close to the new product.
Dienstag, 9. September 2008
Summary of No Logo, Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Before brands were introduced, companies’ aim was to sell their products in a big quantity. They tried to convince the consumers, that they need new inventions or a new product. During the 19th century corporations like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and Microsoft started to let contractors make their products. While the contractors made the products, the brand could concentrate on advertisements. Soon the corporation’s aim was not to sell their product, but to sell a new lifestyle. Soon generic goods began to be branded and brought to consumers. The sellers tried to make the brand as family friendly as possible to get trustworthy buyers. As all companies began to sell the exact same product, brands needed to be introduced, to show customers the differences between them. For brands it is very important to succeed in this competition, therefore, they spend a lot of money on advertisements, which are mostly bias.
Before brands were introduced, companies’ aim was to sell their products in a big quantity. They tried to convince the consumers, that they need new inventions or a new product. During the 19th century corporations like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and Microsoft started to let contractors make their products. While the contractors made the products, the brand could concentrate on advertisements. Soon the corporation’s aim was not to sell their product, but to sell a new lifestyle. Soon generic goods began to be branded and brought to consumers. The sellers tried to make the brand as family friendly as possible to get trustworthy buyers. As all companies began to sell the exact same product, brands needed to be introduced, to show customers the differences between them. For brands it is very important to succeed in this competition, therefore, they spend a lot of money on advertisements, which are mostly bias.
Dienstag, 2. September 2008
Sonntag, 31. August 2008
Disney's Cooperations
Disney’s Cooperations:
Radio
Magazines
Networks
ABC, The Disney Channel, SoapNet, ESPN (partial ownership with Hearst), A&E (partial ownership with Hearst and GE), The History Channel (partial ownership with Hearst and GE), Lifetime (partial ownership with Hearst), E! (partial ownership with Comcast, MediaOne and Liberty Media).
Television Production
Buena Vista Television, Touchstone Television, Walt Disney Television, Animation.
Radio
ABC Radio Networks, Radio Disney, ESPN Radio, 27 radio stations.
Books
Walt Disney Company Book Publishing, Hyperion Books, Talk/Miramax Books.
Magazines
Discover Magazine, Disney Magazine, ESPN Magazine Talk, US Weekly (50% stake).
Daily Newspapers
County Press (Lapeer, MI), Oakland Press and Reminder (Pontiac, MI), Narragansett TimesSt. Louis Daily Records.
Sports
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Anaheim Angels (partial ownership).
Theme Parks
Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney-MGM Studios, EuroDisney (partial owner), Disneyland Japan, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's California Adventure, Disney Cruise Line.
Production/Distribution
Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Caravan Pictures, Miramax Films, Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Buena Vista Internet Group:
ABC.com, ABCNews.com, Oscar.com, Disney.com, Family.Com, ESPN Internet, GroupNFL.com, NBA.com, NASCAR.com, Soccernet.com (60%)
Music
Buena Vista Music Group, Hollywood Records, Lyric Street Records, Mammoth Records, Walt Disney Records.
Mittwoch, 27. August 2008
Trucks and McDonald's
This small toy truck, made by the brand McDonald, gives a lot of profit to McDonald’s. Obviously the idea of the tractor is to appeal to small children. Once these realize that the truck comes from McDonald’s they would want more, and would therefore visit the restaurant. Like this the fast food restaurants make their clients loyal to McDonalds. However, the truck is not only advertising the fun toys for children. The truck has a clear image of McDonald’s burgers and is therefore, even in the child’s bedroom, advertising for hamburgers and fries. Nevertheless, this trucks production involved vertical integration between McDonald and a toy production com
pany. While thousands of these trucks are being sold, the purchaser does not realize that he supports McDonald and the toy production. When the demand for the trucks increase, the toy production company can sell more and McDonald can advertise more. The truck is not the only toy made by McDonald’s to increase advertisement and income. The McDonald watch for children, is also available in every shop along the highway, with which McDonald advertises and makes vertical integration. Like this McDonald can even say that they are helping small children to learn how to read a watch.
pany. While thousands of these trucks are being sold, the purchaser does not realize that he supports McDonald and the toy production. When the demand for the trucks increase, the toy production company can sell more and McDonald can advertise more. The truck is not the only toy made by McDonald’s to increase advertisement and income. The McDonald watch for children, is also available in every shop along the highway, with which McDonald advertises and makes vertical integration. Like this McDonald can even say that they are helping small children to learn how to read a watch.Montag, 25. August 2008
Comment on "A vision of Students today"
In 24 hours I do the following:
- 8 hours sleeping
- 0.5 hours watching TV
- 2.5 hours listening of music
- 1 hour talking on my cell phone
- 6 hours attending classes
- 1.5 hours eating
- 3 hours studying
Total: 22.5 hours
Sonntag, 24. August 2008
Global me
I am branded with:
- H&M - Sweden
- Diesel - Italy, Molvena
- Converse - Massachusetts, Malden
- Mango - Spain, Barcelona
- Levis - USA
- Adidas - Germany
- Nike - USA
- Tommy Hilfiger - American
- Benetton - Italy
- DELL - America, Texas
- Sony - Japan, Tokio
- Nokia - Finland
- Apple - USA, California
- Toshiba - Japan, Tokio
- IKEA - Sweden
- Swatch - Switzerland, Biel
- Texas Instruments - USA, Texas
I am from:
Switzerland
I have lived in:
Switzerland
I speak:
German, Swiss German, English, French (beginner).
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