All hail the mighty Mos Def

I think Mos Def might be the realest hip hop artist in the game right now. His music constantly pushes boundaries and causes you to think on many different levels. I recently picked up his latest album "Ecstatic" off of iTunes, and probably his best so far. It's hard to believe that he could ever top his debut album "Black on Both Sides" but this piece of musical genius is definately tops. With smooth lyrics over Madlib and J Dilla beats, and cameos from other great hip hop artist like Talib Kweli and Slick Rick; "Ecstatic" is a non-stop roller coaster ride that fills your mind with knowledge and positive lyrics. These are the kinds of works that we should be appreciative of and support. I recommend this album to anyone real hip hop fan looking for a real hip hop fix.

--BWD

Test

Just wanted to see if this works. I recently discovered that I could post blogs from my Blackberry, which means I can pretty much post on my blog anywhere and anytime I feel like it. When I think about this only two words come to mind.........

Please Don't Stop the Music

As much as I need my Blackberry, I need my music more. Therefore my iPod dictates what mood I will be in for the day. That meaning that I am never lazy to go anywhere as long as I have it with me. When I am driving I plug it into my stereo jack, and always have it handy whenever I’m commuting to work or school on public transit. If even just to go out for a walk around my block I will keep it on me.How ever with that being said, my iPod does become a distraction. Many of my friends often tell me how rude it is that I have my headphones in when I’m having conversations with them. This is probably the only negative thing about my iPod, other than that, it carries me through the day and keeps me entertained.

--Brednan--

Greenpeace

We are all aware of global warming and the fragile condition that the environment is in. If it wasn’t for an environmental group known as Greenpeace, the earth might have blown up a long time ago. Obviously this is an exaggeration, but Greenpeace does much to help keep the earth healthy and safe to live on for all. From campaigns as the “New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act”, which is An Act to establish in New Zealand a Nuclear Free Zone, to promote and encourage an active and effective contribution by New Zealand to the essential process of disarmament and international arms control, to the rescue and preservation of wild life.

Recently, with all the talk surrounding gloabal warming and climate change, I have become more insightful in regards to how I treat my mother earth. Although I lack the will power to live without a car, I always make sure to never over use things that most take for granted, like clean drinking water. As I get older and complete the transition into adulthood, I promised myself that I would make it my responsibility to help save the environment.



--Brendan--

Works Cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenpeace#cite_ref-23
http://canterbury.cyberplace.org.nz/peace/nukefree.html

Media Hegemonies / Mapping Who Owns What

Did you know that American telecommunications company, Viacom, owns all of these cable and film companies?
Cable
MTV
MTV2
mtvU
AtomFilms
Addicting Games
Gamerailers
Harmonix
MTVN International
MTV TR3S
Neopets
Parents Connect
Quizilla
Rhapsody
Shockwave
VH1
VH1 Classic
VH1 Soul
Virtual Worlds
XFIRE
Nickelodeon
Nick Jr.
BET
BET J
Nick at Nite
TV Land
NOGGIN
VH1
Spike TV
CMT
Comedy Central
Film
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Home Entertainment
Dreamworks Studiis
Paramount Vantage
MTV Films
Nickelodeon Movies
Home Entertainment

What does this mean? I think that cross media ownership is just another term for greed. It is amazing to me that one company can control so many. It seems that no matter what I do I will always be supporting Viacom, regardless of what I choose to watch on television or in film.

--Brendan--

Works Cited

http://cjr.org/resources/?c=viacom

Media Literacy

Media literacy is the process of accessing, analyzing, evaluating and creating messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres and forms. It uses an inquiry-based instructional model that encourages people to ask questions about what they watch, see and read. Media literacy education is one means of developing media literacy. Canada is the first country in North America to require media literacy in the school curriculum. Every province has mandated media education in its curriculum. For example, in Quebec the new curriculum mandates media literacy from Grade 1 right up to the final year of secondary school.

Although blogging is a big part it is not the only form of media literacy that I engage in. It has become common practice to send and reply to e-mails on a daily basis. When on social networking websites, such as Facebook, I write on friend’s walls and send messages as well. It would turn out that media literacy is a big part of my life. But the reality is that this is the direction that the world is going in. I think that this is a good move by the Canadian Government because with the way that the Internet is growing, it is essential people are taught from a very young age on how to use it in an academic way.

--Brendan--

Jamming you with culture

Culture jamming could be defined as an art movement, however this might not be sufficient enough of statement to cover the full spectrum of activities that is culture jamming. Culture jamming has been characterized as a form of public activism, which is generally in opposition to commercialism, and the vectors of corporate image. Some culture jamming takes aim at these power structures because they are part of the dominant culture, but any other aspects of the dominant culture are also fair game for culture jamming.

The message of this particular example of culture jamming is clear…the corporation’s strangle hold on America and the American people. The billboard shows that the stars of the American flag have been replaced by corporate logos. This is a frightening. If I were an American I would seriously take into consideration how I am involved in this act and what I could do to stop it.

This example of culture jamming is also a call to action. It is telling us that we should “Declare Independence From Corporate Rule”. I think that what this means is that it is we can be bombarded with advertisements left and right, but it is ultimately up to us to decide to support these corporations or not.

Works Cited
http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

--Brendan--