Saturday, April 10, 2010

Merchants of cool DQ's

  1. Give two reasons why corporate America has targeted teenagers. They're the economy.
  2. Why does Robert McChesney call teenagers “Africa”? They have an exotic culture.
  3. What does Bob Bibb emphasize about teens and their parents?They dont spend enough time together.
  4. How does Sharon Lee define “guilt money”? "Heres the credit card since we dont spend time together."
  5. To what extent is a typical American teenager exposed to advertisements? Give examples. When they turn on the TV.
  6. What does “cool hunting” mean? Why is it important for corporate America?
  7. How do cool hunters work? What techniques do they use?
  8. According to Douglas Rushkoff, “the paradox of “cool hunting” is that it kills what it finds.” Why? Once you know what "cool" is, its uncool.
  9. Marketers know that kids do not like them. What strategy do they use to approach kids? They use other people.
  10. What is the reason for Sprite’s success with teenagers? Sprite connected with hip hop.
  11. What does “under-the-radar” marketing mean?They market their stuff without seeming like it.
  12. Discuss the following statements: “Youth culture is not something that is just being sold to us. It is something that comes from us. It is an act of expression, not just an act of consumption.” How people arent what they buy.
  13. Who are defined as the true merchants of cool? Mook.
  14. According to Robert McChesney, what weapons do the merchants of cool use?
  15. What does Robert McChesney draw our attention to about MTV?
  16. What conclusion did MTV draw when their ratings slipped? They have to change with the teenagers.
  17. What is special about MTV’s TRL show? It keeps people up to date with new music and artists.
  18. MTV market researchers are involved in an “ethnography study”. What is it? What is the use of it?
  19. What does MTV research indicate about teenagers as a result of their ethnographic study?
  20. Comment on the following quote by Douglas Rushkoff : “They [MTV market researchers] don’t call it “human” research or “people” research, they call it “market” research.” They only think of the money.
  21. According to Mark Crispin Miller, why is the MTV machine not interested in listening to the young?
  22. Why do commercial culture providers like MTV not represent characters in depth for their audiences?
  23. What does “professional wrestling” mean to today’s teenagers?
  24. Why is Mark Crispin Miller quite concerned about gigantic transnational corporations and their TV shows?
  25. What does “midriff” mean? Who is the midriff archetype? How might a midriff affect girls? Britney Spears.
  26. What does the image of Britney Spears signify? Your body is your best asset.
  27. What might a mook and a midriff have in common?
  28. How is “family” represented in the TV series “7th Heaven”? What formula is used in this program? Innocence.
  29. How are TV series such as “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Dawson’s Creek” kept “cool”? Drama and sex.
  30. How do the makers of teen TV defend their programs?
  31. Does the media really reflect the world of teens? How realistic is teen TV? Yes, its not realistic.
  32. What is a “feedback loop”?
  33. What could be the reason for the popularity of rage rock in the States? What do rage rock fans protest against?
  34. How did a group like Limp Bizkitt become superstars? As a rage rock band, how authentic would you accept them? MTV spring break.
  35. Discuss the following: Who creates youth cultures: the youth themselves or corporate America? Corporate America.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Chocolate War 21-30

1. Why is it cool to be in the Vigils?
I dont think it would be cool to be a Vigil. But, in the book your cool if your a Vigil because you have power over people.





2. Obie obviously does not like Archie or being in the Vigils. Why does he stay?
He will be an outkast if he does and it gives him a sense of belonging.





3. Brother Leon says sales are down because of apathy. Is that true?
Yes.



4. Is trying to get the students to sell chocolates just a game? Why or why not?
Yes, it is causing the students to do something you want done so if you succeed it makes you feel like you have power.



5. Did Jerry become a symbol to other students?
Yes, he symbolized that you dont have to go along with what everyone else is doing.


6. Who or what gives the Vigils such power?
He students and fear gives the vigils power


7. Who or what in your life gives you the courage to stand up for yourself? Who do you wish encouraged you? Why?
My sense of being right gives me the courage to stand up for myself.


8. Carter punches Rollo when he talks back to Archie. Why does he do this?
To show that the vigils were in control


9. Is the quote, “All schools have animals” true?
Yes


10. How would the dynamics at Trinity change if it was a co-ed school?
There wouldnt be as much violence there


11. Why do people get caught up in a herd mentality?
People think they need to fit in with everyone and so they do what everyone else is doing.


12. “Funny – someone does violence to you but you’re the one who has to hide, as if you’re the criminal.” Explain this quote. Is this true in real life? Give examples.
Yes, if you get beat up in school you have to hide from everyone because they pick on you



13. What is the difference between a spirit of brotherhood and what the boys at Trinity have?
The boys at Trinity think they have spirit of a brotherhood but they have the spirit of a huge group of bullies that try to outsmart everyone else.

14. Did Jerry have to go to the field to fight?
No.





15. What would you have done in Jerry’s situation?
Faught him.





16. To what lengths would you go to stand up for something?
As far as I needed.





17. Silence = consent. What does that mean?
Its not true. Just because the answer isnt said doesnt mean the answer is yes.





18. How does the ending feel to you?
It left me hanging. I could tell there would be another book.





19. Does this story leave the reader with any hope at all? Explain.
No, it was disappointing.





20. If you had to predict what happened next (after the ending of the story), what would you say happens?
Jerry stays away from them at school.

Friday, February 19, 2010

The Chocolate War DQ's 11-20

1. In your opinion, should Jerry have said no to selling the chocolates?
No.

2. Where does school spirit begin and end? Where do you draw the line? Think about the kinds of things that happen between BHS and GA during football season.
I draw the line at vandalism, School spirit is about painting your face your school colors and cheering on your team at the football games. I dont think you should destroy your apponents school.

3. Should you make sacrifices for your school? Talk about an experience you have had with fundraising at school. What was it like?
It depends on what kind of sacrifices they were talking about. I did a funraiser one time because I thought it would be fun and once I started doing it and nobody wanted to buy anything it became very boring and I didnt want to do it anymore.

4. What makes Brother Leon a bully? Give examples. Where does he cross the line?
He uses psychological warfare against his students to show them that he has power, like when he slapped the kid in the face with the pointer. He crosses the line at that point.

5. Do you think the world is made up of either “victims or victimizers?” Explain.
Yes, because at least once in everybody's life they have had someone attack them verbally or physically or they have attacked someone verbally or physically.

6. How does Brother Leon bribe David Caroni? Would someone else be able to bribe you with a grade?
He told him he would give him a good grade. No, I would not let someone bribe me with a grade.

7. Why does Jerry refuse to sell the chocolates after the assignment is over?
He said he just doesnt feel like selling them.

8. Jerry feels sick every morning because he has to face Leon. What physical symptoms of stress have you experienced in stressful situations?
My stomach would start to hurt and I would get a big lump in my throat.

9. Should the other Brothers do something about the Vigils? If the Vigils existed here at GA, would you want teachers to do something about it? Explain.
I think they should do something about it. If they existed at GA, I would want the teachers to do something about it if they were taking over the school like they do in the story.

10. Does bully happen at GA? Is anything done about it? Why or why not?
People do get bullied at GA. Most of the time nothing is done about it because nobody will say anything.

200 word blog response

To me "Dare I disturb the universe" relates to Jerry the most. Jerry is a rebellious character in the story. He disturbs the universe by changing the way things are done and changing the trend of Trinity. He does rebellious things that no one else would do. Like, for example, he refused to sell the chocolates, just because he does not feel like selling them. I think Jerry is an arrogant selfish ignorant individual. He goes against what would normally be done. He started a trend at Trinity that I think would definitely changed the school for the worst. He is disturbing Trinity which relates to T.S. Elliot's quote "Dare I disturb the universe".

KMG Cartoon

Killing mr. G!!

KMG Prologue!!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Chocolate War DQ's Ch. 1-10

1. What affect did the first sentence have on you? Why did the author use it?(ask this question again after reading the whole book)
The first sentence gave me a kind of feeling that the book would be a really good mysterious book. The author probably used it to get the attention of the reader.

2. Do you feel you have to stay on the good side of anyone in your life? Why?
I feel that I have to stay on my daddy's good side, because I have seen him get mad and im pretty sure I dont want that side of him to be directed to me.

3. What would you do/how would you feel if you found out someone was keeping private information about you? ( like Obie's notebook)
If someone was keeping private information about me, I would be very mad. I would probably take it from them.

4. Why is the man at the bus stop contemptuous of Jerry? What does he mean when he tells him he's "missing a lot in the world"?
He feels that Jerry is wasting his time with school and he is just conforming to the norm by going to school and doing good. He could possibly even be jealous that he didnt stay in school himself and he is trying to pick on Jerry to make himself feel better.


5.Who is Brother Leon?
Brother Leon is the assistant headmaster of Trinity. He is becoming the head of the school though because of the headmaster becoming ill. He is also a teacher.

6.Why does everyone in the school ignore the Vigils?
Everyone is afraid of the Vigils so they all ignore them.

7. Why does Goober have to comply with the assignment? What would you do?
He has to comply because if he doesnt he could get beat up. I would do it because it would be funny.

8. What kind of a teacher is Brother Leon? Have you ever seen a teacher pick on a student? Have you ever been picked on by a teacher? What did the rest of the class do?
Brother Leon is a teacher that likes to let the students know he controls them. I have seen a teacher pick on a student. A teacher has picked on me about my boyfriend before, and she said that all the girls would try to steal him from me. All the students told her she was wrong for saying that to me.

9. Do you know anyone with any of Emile's characteristics?
Yes, I do know someone with his characteristics, the boy is a complete jackass and hardly anyone likes him, because he can never be nice to anyone.

10. Why do they choose to pick on Brother Eugene?
Because he was an easy target, he's not strict at all. He's shy.

11. Jerry feels like he can't talk to his father. How could he remedy the situation? Do you ever feel that way? How could you remedy the situation?
He could tell his father he feels that he can't talk to him and that he doesnt like it or he could try planning something with his dad so they can spend more time together.

12. What have you had to sell for school fundraisers? Have you felt any pressure to sell?
I had to sell candy and candles before. I didnt really feel any pressure. I sold all of the product rather quickly.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

KMG DQ's Ch. 13-19

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

1. What surprises Mrs. McConnell about Mrs. Griffin’s visit?
She sais Susan was the last person to see Mr. Griffin.

2. How does Mrs. Griffin surprise Susan?
She didnt know Mr. Griffin's feelings for her.

3. Mrs. Griffin is certain Susan is lying about her teacher conference with Mr. Griffin. List
her reasons.
What Susan was saying wasnt making sense, and Mr. Griffin's watch was in the shop.

4. How do Susan’s parents react when Mrs. Griffin accuses her of lying?
They took up for Susan.

5. What does Mrs. Griffin know about David? Mark?
She knew Lana stole the term paper for Mark and About David's assignment getting blown away by the wind.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

1. Why does David’s Grandmother believe he is secretly seeing his Daddy? What proof do
you think she has?
David is never home and she found Mr. Griffin's ring and thought it was her son's.

2. Lana tells Lt. Baca about the turned-up ground and gives him the prescription bottle.
What else does she say to expose the kidnappers?
She said No one else knew except her friend Mark.

3. What new plans do they make for the car?
They want to re paint it and travel in it.

4. Why does Mark think the news report is false?
He said no one else knew about it and he thought the ring was still there. He didnt know David took it.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

1. Why does David take the ring?
It reminded him of his dad.

2. The blowing wind may be a symbol of freedom in this novel. Explain its possible
importance in the following events:

David and Susan’s first meeting
Without the wind blowin his papers, he wouldnt have met Susan.

the picnic by the waterfall

the inscription on the ring

3. Why does the lady from the other house smile through the window at Susan?
The beds werent made.

4. What is Susan’s opinion of David’s grandmother?
She thinks she wont give the ring back to David.

5. Why does Susan call Jeff’s house?
She wanted to tell Mark about David's grandma having the ring.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

1. In what ways do we see that the Garrett’s do not see their son Jeff as a real person?
They dont see flaws in him. They think he is "perfect".

2. Mystery stories rely on inference, the act of drawing a conclusion that is not actually
stated. Using inference, what information will Mrs. Griffin learn from the newspaper?
The Lana connection.

3. Why does David’s grandmother refuse to attend church?
The preacher said If you dont take care of earthly responsibilities you wont go to heaven.

4. Explain what David’s grandmother means in the following quotation. “The winds of
freedom are filled with laughter.”
She thinks her son left because David's mom was a bore.

5. What clue in the story reveals the identity of Irma Ruggle’s visitor?
Brown sweater and funny looking eyes.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

1. Why do Betsy and Jeff stop by to see Susan?
Betsy needed an alibi.

2. What is surprising about David’s grandmother’s death?
The neighbor said someone was with his grandma.

3. Do you think Betsy and Jeff believe Mark has killed the old woman?
Yes, they just dont want to tell him because they are scared of him.

4. The first paragraph of the chapter discusses the wind. Why do you suppose the author
writes about the wind blowing again at this point in the story?
The truth will be out and Susan can go on with her life.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

1. What are the implications of Susan’s statement “I did that” on page 208?
She told Mark about the ring. She feels guilt for Mrs. Ruggles death.

2. What is Jeff worried about?
She doesnt want to drive Mr. Griffin's car.

3. Why doesn’t Mark gag Susan?
No one will hear her.

4. How does Mark feel after he sets the fire?
He feels calm and serene.

5. How does Susan feel about Mark?
She said she loves him and hates him at the same time.

6. Why does Susan scream, “I’m going to die, You’re glad, aren’t you?”
Because she knows she helped kill her husband.

7. How does Mrs. Griffin respond?
Mrs. Griffin said of course not, why would I want that?

CHAPTER NINETEEN

1. Mrs. McConnell tells Susan, “It is only by facing things that you ever put them behind
you.” What do you think is good or bad about this advice?
Its good because people go insane from not letting their thoughts out.

2. How does Mrs. Griffin recognize the car?
It was dark and she knew what the interior looked like.

3. Why is the whole family going to counseling?
To make things better with all of them.

4. Do you think the proposed penalties are fair? Explain.
Yes, each of them deserved what they got.

5. How does the last verse in Susan’s, “Song for Ophelia,” explain why she becomes involved
with Mark and the others?
She was vulnerable because she was rejected so many times and she wanted to fit in.

6. What may the reader infer from the last paragraph?
She has accepted her part in the responsibility.

7. “Coming-of-Age” stories are usually about “Loss of Innocence” or “Rite of Passage.” State
what kind of story this is and why.
Both. Susan used to be good and she is more mature now because she learned "fitting in" isnt important.