Faze Values

ROLCAM · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject: Faze Values

Faze Values .

by Tanja Cilia

Their names are the same; they are envied by thousands of women for a myriad of reasons, and they are both in the entertainment business.

The similarities between Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez do not end there. These two celebrities were targeted in a morphing 'game' where the technique was used to make them look as they would have aged, had they been 'ordinary people'.

The result was not flattering. Both looked like homely Jennies from the Block.

Country Singer Faith Hill got similar treatment, albeit in a different context. Someone managed to get hold of the 'before' picture of the 'after' one that eventually appeared on the cover of the July issue of Redbook.

This expose is accompanied by a running commentary of what the person who did the eleven-point airbrushing with Photoshop was supposed to have said. Ironically, the readership band of Redbook is supposed to consist of mature women; so why this subterfuge?

These anecdotes illustrate a salient point: the media may manipulate images to mould public opinion according to hidden agendas or editorial policies.

1. Is television your ultimate electronic baby-sitter? Children may get RSI from tapping all day at their pc keys - television is easier, because there are fewer buttons to press.

2. Do you spend time watching the Box with them, at least stay within earshot?

3. Would they watch the same thing if you were not in the room with them? Do they have the willpower to zap if they feel uncomfortable with what they are watching?

4. Have you taught them, inasmuch as they are able to comprehend, what critique is?

5. Do you sometimes ask children how they would have made a film, an episode, a news bulletin, or a programme, better than it was?

6. Do you realise that some "children's" programmes may have questionable moral influences?

7. Do these children have a timetable, or a choice, or do they watch whatever is on, whenever they want, possibly on "their own" television set?

8. Just because their friends watch a programme, it does not mean that they 'have' to do so too. Are they individuals or do they go with the flow?

9. Political television stations preach to the converted. Are you teaching children how to differentiate between fact, opinion, interpretation, innuendo, or the omission of significant threads in the story?

10. Draw the line at immorality, obscenity, and violence; you may live to regret not having done so.
_________________
Roland Camilleri

Moderator

Sydney , Australia.