Summary pop culture text "San Diego Comic Con"

 

In the article Every Year of Comic-Con in One Giant Timeline, the authors show the wonderful history behind this popular exposition.  The San Diego’s Convention is one of the biggest pop-culture gatherings in the whole world. This article post pictures in which revels that the San Diego Comic-Con wasn’t always a big draw. In fact, when it was founded in 1970, its first iteration took place in a basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel with just 145 attendees, mostly of them were fans and booksellers like Ken Krueger. The event was known as the San Diego Golden State Comic Mini-Con. The following year the newspaper Los Angeles Times estimate that San Diego’s second con, only attracted 300 fans. Still, the event was much more significant than its predecessor, attracting comic book lights like Jack Kirby, one of the creators of characters like Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four.  Over the years this huge pop culture event was gained popularity with the society. It turning in one of the most numbered and important convention. The San Diego Comi-Con has expanded to include not just readers of superhero comics, but fans of television, film and other pop culture. The author believes that this convention has developed a reputation as one of the hottest tickets in town.  According to Los Angeles Time this year’s attendance was 130,000-plus, hosted by the San Diego Convention Center. The tickets were sold out in just 55 minutes.  Super star actors and actress were invited as honorable guest, such as Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Jeff Bridges, Paul Rudd, James Spader, Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Ben Affleck.  This small event turns in a masses attractor. This is live pop culture.  

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-comic-con-san-diego-timeline-htmlstory.html

Summary of Blues Text

           

        In the article International House of Blues Foundation (IHOBF) BLUES School House Timeline Overview, the author explains how the blues genre was developed. He state that the African Americas created the blues in south of United States in late 1800's. This genre reflected the sad social conditions of the African Americans people, in that time slaves, subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment, and those how survived were sold into slavery upon arrival to New World countries.  The story of the blues is rooted in African culture, and begins with the middle passage and all those slaves who were brought to USA. In this oppressive environment, Africans culture and musical traditions were passed from one generation to another one thought the oral tradition. Their music played an important role in their daily life, expressing their feelings of loss, hope and longing for home and freedom.  Usually their work songs set the peace and eased the pain of hard manual labor, it was like a hymn.  At that point the name blues does not appears, they just made the call and respond technique.  African culture and music was kept alive through more than 200 hundred years of slavery.  In 1865 the government through the 13 Amendment abolished slavery.  This new kind of freedom did not bring equality, the discrimination persist the same as the injustices for the Afro Americans. After slavery freedom the people started to use add more instruments to their music songs like pianos, horns banjos and harmonicas, and they continued using  the Call and respond technique. At this time the songs began to focus on all aspects of life such as: work, love, traveling, hope and survival. The guitar gained popularity and finally the blues music was born. The firs denomination of this genre was country blues, and the musicians mostly were men.  Couple years after a new style of blues appeared. The name was called classic blues, and the singers were mostly women, this genre was gaining popularity because of his sophisticated lyrics and variety of instruments. Then the Great Migration occurred and the blues took some form. In 1900’s a lot of African Americans moved to the north of the country looking for a better conditions, this brought an update in the genre. The urban sound appeared. The sound was called rhythm and blues. Various styles of urban blues emerged in different cities, but with the common denominator: the singers introduced the electronic guitar instead the acoustic one. This genre became increasing popular with black and white audiences. Chicago was the first home of this new genre.  In 1960 was a social protest era in The United States, all the people were demanding equality in all areas of life. Because of this, popular music coming out likes soul music, funk and rap. All this sub genres were reflecting the revolution and changing social. This music rapidly attracts the attention and by 1980's the rap had become a mainstream musical form.  In 1990’s the genre hip hop was born, songs that reveal the harsh realities of the urban life.  In this decade thru 2000 the music reflects a changing social, economic, and political climate. This decade was marked by materialism and consumerism and the most important the growth of internet and social media.  The new millennium moves forward and the blues tradition still alive. The year 2003 was denominated year of the blues by the senate of The United States, this genre represents everyday emotions, good times and bad times, hopes and faith but mostly survival fight

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Magazine Cover - New visual project

Movie Poster/ new visual project

Cool Pop Culture Apps

Flipboard

Is an app that mixes your social networks and all websites you like, from magazines to blogs, and turns them into stunning magazine-like digital pages.

Gogobot

Is a travel app. This app will help you to find things to do and see around you, since museums, music concerts thru lunch places.  It is free. 

3 unique Pop Culture Web Site

BuzzFeed

www.buzzfeed.com

In this web page you will find original entertainment, such as: new movies, music, fashion, ideas, and technology.

Trendhunter

 http://www.trendhunter.com/popculture

This is the most popular trend web-community. You can discover articles about  style, gadgets, tech, pop culture, art and design.

Lifehacker

www.lifehacker.com

This web site will help you with all kind of tips for the tech fields and downloads programs usually for free.

Pop Culture in my Culture

 Full presentation: http://prezi.com/jlasaxnrjwdw/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Pinboard

Full Version: Pinterest web site. click on the following link:

http://pin.it/hZycLFQ

Music Genre

Full version:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jNb1XjJvOJYgpVPkwgtDU31CRsnH3rNYdnFyy1D7vDg/edit#slide=id.g12d4255934_3_55

3 Unit Reflection

1.    Aha Moment.

My aha moment was when I was completing the list of terms sheet.  A lot of times I heard terms like blockbuster or Indi, but I never ask what that means. For example, in my country exist a lot of video stores named “blockbuster” I thought it was just a brand, now I understand its meaning. The same happened with the “Indi term”, when I listened that word I thought that it means an Indian movies, my aha moment was when I learned that Indi actually meant independent films and Bollywood is the indie language films.

2.    Bumper Sticker.

3.    Critical Insight.

The third united was full of fun and knowledge. In the firs activity I explored the variety of genres in the film industry. I already knew that exist a couple genres, but it was amazing discover the diversity that exists; I never heard before that existed a biopic genre, now I know that this is a subgenre of drama, and the term becomes for the combination of biography and pictures.   Also the film noir genre, I and my grandma saw a lot of this kind of movies, but I didn’t know the classification or the characteristics of the genre. Knowing this, we move into the film industry, a giant worldwide industry.  Here we can find the Hollywood, Paramount, Warners Bros, Tyler Perry studios, Indi, Bollywood etc. the principal differences between those ones are the following.

	Famous actors	Huge production	Big budget/Bussiness	Popular	Notes
HOLLYWOOD	X	X	X	Almost worldwide	3 act structure
INDI	-	-	-	With certain groups	Different content, artistic.
TYLER PERRY	50%	-	Big business,               no big budget.	Target in specific audience (Afro-Americans)	Afro-Americans cast. Religious overtones. Strong messages.
BOLLYWOOD	x	x	x	India and middle east.	Almost all the films have musical tones.

Also we explored the world of the horror movies, in my opinion I don’t like this genre, I cannot found anything fun in a film that will disturb my mind. But a lot of people enjoyed, the author Stephen King explains how the society are insane and when they see this kind of movies helps to feel more normal. Finally we conclude this chapter with a fun activity; make our own movie trailer. I enjoyed making it, because you can create whatever you want, you can use your imagination and you don’t have limits. I received the general prompt, after that I created my own plot:  a dangerous teachers conspiracy that are tired of their foolish lazy students are planning to take over the world, they will insert a microchip on their students. Only the best agent can stop them, but first we need to find him.  

4.    I Didn’t Know That…..

Exist Bollywood, one of the biggest film industries!!!!!  I know that I sound so ignorant, but it is unbelievable the huge production that they have. Actually the make much more films than Hollywood. They have their own awards. And the actors and actress are so famous in India, they are super stars. This situation makes me feel so small, but at the same time hungry of more information, overall curios about the excitements of the entire world. 

Movie trailer

Movie trailer.

click the following link:

https://youtu.be/nbABJcZs6ME

Unit 2 Reflection.

1.      CRITICAL INSIGHT.

In this second unit I explored the world of the pop culture. If I define pop culture I will says that is a collection of objects, people, places and events that represent our popular society.  PC is compound by thoughts, ideas, attitudes, perspectives preferred by the mainstream population; A sort of common denominator. You can find PC in everywhere, since the PSY video until the grumpy cat on internet. This is something that goes viral. At first look the words popular and culture looks apposite, but if you connects those words as a concept will become the “fabric of our lives”.

Also, in this unit I made a pop star presentation. Steve Jobs, it was fun and recreational made this homework because in the past I knew who Jobs was, but I didn’t know all the potentially that he had. He changes the computer world, and evolved the technology in 1000%. His philosophy is a great role model.  

Then, we made the decade presentation; in my case was the 2000’s decade. It was the first time that we work in teams. In my opinion was a challenging and interesting exposition. I think I enjoyed making it and learning something new.

In addition we made a fads research. I got a lot of new knowledge about the olds fads. It was fun.

2.      AHA MOMENT.

My aha moment was when comprehend that Pop Culture is more than just a college class. Pop culture is “the fabric of our lives”. This is the mirror of our mainstream society. In that moment I understood that everything around us is culture; even the silly cartoon of the Simpsons; all the people, places, objects and events that are influencing in good or bad way our society.   

3.      BUMPER STICKER.

4.      I DID NOT KNOW THAT.

Pop culture is fun, fascinating and is at the center of our lives. Even you can obtain an MBA in a good university.  Pop culture brings us together. The last time that you spoke with your best friend, wasn't pop culture part of that conversation?

2000 's Museum (Team Project)

Full version:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1espcY1S8hNDr9LN0b1gvlLwDWDJHXHzyZtUTQuSmTdg/edit?usp=sharing

 

1960' Fad.

 

Rickie Tickie Stickers:

These were colorful flower stickers. People were sticking these rickie tickie stickers on everything from automobiles, waste baskets, walls, windows, and more.

Smiley faces:

The smiley faces started in 1963. The creator was H.R. Ball. He was working in Massachusetts for an agency when one of his clientele asked him to come up with a way to soothe employees. He was only paid $45 for the drawing, which he never trademarked. The Smiley Face has appeared on millions of items since, including a United States postage stamp.

Pop Star - Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs:

Was an American information technology entrepreneur and inventor. 

He was:

• Co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc. 
• CEO and largest shareholder of Pixar Animation Studios.
• Member of The Walt Disney Company's board of directors following its acquisition of Pixar. 
• Founder, chairman, and CEO of NeXT Inc. 

Jobs is widely recognized as a pioneer of the microcomputer revolution.

 

CULTURAL IDENTITY-DIVERSITY MOVIE PROJECT.

CULTURAL IDENTITY-DIVERSITY MOVIE PROJECT.

 “BEND IT LIKE A BECKHAM”.  

  This great multicultural diversity film is about an Indian teenage girl, living in modern-day in London. She is passionate about soccer, but her immigrant parents who follow the Sikh religion and culture, ban her from playing it.

  One of the scenes that caught my attention was the wedding issues; what a wonderful party, looks like an official holiday, and if I be honest I like that tradition, so different at my culture. There is a lot of rituals and steps for the “perfect wedding” (give money to the new husband, house decorates, couple days of party, family authority, tattoos, etc) a huge tradition and really important in their culture.

Unit 1 Reflection

REFLECTION

1. CRITICAL INSIGHT. 

At the beginning I was so concern about this class, I didn’t know what was about. When we start to explore the basic culture terms I learn that I leaved in the mainstream and I didn’t know, and that almost everybody experience the culture shock phenomenon, I learn too that the subculture it’s not something bad or erratic they only are a small groups that have a different behavior from the main groups, and the ethnocentrism doesn’t means the same that the racism, we only need to be able to view and understand the other culture on its own terms and actually this means the cultural relativism.

And if I want live plenty my new adoptative culture I need to understand that the culture is determined for different behaviors; for example in the government, education, business areas, everybody knows that exist rules and we know the reasons of the rules so this is the technical culture, but then we can found the formal culture in the different traditions, arts, rituals that eventually exists rules but we don’t know why; and the last one the informal culture the one that is below the water, no because is bad just because is 99% imitation, no rules no reason just like the friendship or the prays to god. 

It is fun to think that USA is a salad bowl, a lot of cultures, ethnicities in just one country, blending their own culture and the new adoptive culture; I think the huge cultural diversity makes America a great place not only for live also economically, opinion that I share with the writer Richard Blanco in the poem One day, in this beautiful poem we can appreciate the sacrifices, hopes, and feelings that many people have, looking the same objective under one sky, our American sky.     

2. AHA.

My aha moment was when I was reading the articles regarding “Culture Shock”, in all the links explain the concept of culture, the stages and the different feelings that can happen; I remember that I was reading and thinking how the people can feel those all things, and if I’m be honest I can’t believe it; and then I read: …..another feeling can be Anxiety for cleanest, that means the intense desire to have everything clean at home, car etc.…. OMG!! I start to laughing and in that moment I understood why when I came to Chicago (the first months) all the day I just wanted to clean my home, nobody believes me, mi mom was concern about that, even me; I cannot understand was going on, because at my country I hate the cleanup time. So, yes I had culture shock symptoms, but this one was my aha moment. 

3. I DIDN’T KNOW THAT.

How big is the ‘culture shock phenomenon’ which involves an entire science, I mean is a complete and specifically assignment to study. Symptoms, stages and processes that affect a lot of people even to generations and the funny thing is that most people don't even know that it exists and unless is happening to you.

My cultural identity

My Cultural Identity Poster

Full version: http://taniavalle.edu.glogster.com/my-cultural-identity-mexico/

Preview:

CULTURAL IDENTITY POSTER.

(Written explanation)

• 1.      My flag:

Was adopted on September 16 1968, is a vertical tricolor of green, white, and red with the national coat of arms charged in the center of the white stripe.

• 2.      Mexican handcrafts (artesania) and folk art.

Is valued part of Mexico’s national identity. Mexico’s artesanía tradition is a blend of indigenous designs some of the items produced by hand in this country include ceramics, wall hangings, vases, furniture, textiles and much more depending the state of the country.

Two of Mexico's most famous artists are Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Their paintings include vibrant colors and depictions of life in Mexico.

• 3.      Music.

My country is closely associated with the Mariachi style of folk music. Originated in the state of Jalisco sometime in the 19th century, it involves a group of musicians playing violins, guitars, basses, vihuelas (a five-string guitar) and trumpets and wearing silver-studded charro suits and elaborate hats.

• 4.      Cuisine.

Mexican cuisine is a Unesco world heritage; The variety of food is huge, it depends of the state of the country, but the most popular diet includes corn tortillas, beans, rice, chili peppers and chorizo, a type of pork sausage.  Many Mexicans love spicy food. 

TEQUILA, is a regional specific name for a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, made at a 38–40% alcohol content. Mexican laws state that tequila can only be produced in just a couple of Mexico states. Tequila is recognized as a Mexican designation of origin product in more than 40 countries. It is protected through NAFTA in Canada and the United States.

• 5.        Religions of Mexico.

Much of Mexican culture revolves around religious values and the church; around 90 percent of Mexicans identify themselves as Catholic. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is celebrated on Dec. 12, is a major Mexican holiday celebrating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to an Indian man in the first year.

Voky Avatar

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