HGTV

Back in 20011 I purchased my first home at the age of 25. Homeownership was foreign territory for me but I was ready and anxious to embark on the journey. I moved into my home and began doing things around the house to make it my own. I went out bought all the necessary appliances, lawn mower, and many different miscellaneous necessities. It was around this time that I got into HGTV. Of their many shows, House Hunters quickly became a favorite. Even though it has been revealed that the show is scripted, it still interested me. One of the things that really interested me is the way the entire network runs its channel as a business. They are marketing for a very specific group and all their ads have something to do with homes.

Things like exchange value are evident in shows like House Hunters. This is the value of good in the market. Every time before an offer is put in on a property, a fair market analysis is done to give the potential owner a general idea what a good offer to make would be. Based off of this exchange value, the purchasers submit an offer and wait to hear back from the realtor. HGTV is a prime example of niche marketing. This is the marketing of things specifically to different groups in different ways, and creating programs that do the same. The network has shows that target males and females alike. HGTV airs shows from fashion, to design, to contractor shows. Some examples of this are Property Brothers, Design Star, and Holmes on Homes. These shows target different groups of people all in the same industry. Business of media is clearly evident in networks like HGTV. It’s always nice to see programs like this on TV instead of the typical shows on other networks that focus on selling sexuality to the general public.

Media Related

            I enjoy watching TV shows when I have the time to do so. Some of my favorites include Two and a Half Men, The Simpsons, and The Walking Dead. The media has a way of showing what is socially acceptable in society in basically everything that gets televised. There are many different gender media critiques from the likes of Judith Butler, Laura Mulvey, and Joseph Hoffswell.

            In the media today, the Gaze theory is clearly evident. This theory was introduced by Laura Mulvey in 1976. This states that all women on the screen are subject to the male gaze. This is evident in the movie American Pie. Women are seen as sexual objects that the four main characters attempt to dominate. This movie shows these women as their subordinates. This type of sexual reference goes on throughout the entire movie. The movie is then followed by several other follow up movies again referencing the male conquering the female object. (Hoffswell, 2013)

            In the movie, Jim, Oz, Finch, and Kevin are four high school friends who make a pact to lose their virginity before they graduate and head off to college. The goal for these boys is to accomplish this task before prom night. Along with advice from Jim’s father, these boys set off on their quest to accomplish this goal. Eventually all four boys accomplish their goal while at Stifler’s party on prom night.

            While I did enjoy the humor of these movies, it is alarming at home much sexual references were made. Women were clearly depicted as objects for these four boys to conquer. It was definitely a movie I enjoyed but after learning more about the Gaze theory in a communications class, I can clearly see how woman are portrayed in this fashion. The more disturbing part of the theory is that everyone is said to adopt the male gaze, because it is the only way to view woman (Hoffswell, 2013).

Grizzly 2.0

Printed media has come a long way since the printing press came around. People like Joseph Pulitzer played major roles in establishing newspapers as the way for people to get information out to the public (Hoffswell, 2013). National distribution of newspapers began and people were able to get their hands on news from across the United States anywhere. Even in today’s technologically driven society, printed media still has a strong presence.

I recently came across an article in the Huffington Post about a 3D printed rifle. The story claims that the Grizzly 2.0 was able to single fire 14 rounds before it cracked. This is an amazing feat. The rifle is almost entirely made from plastic from a 3D printer. i had read articles about people making 30 round magazines for AR-15’s and even upper and lower receivers but an entire rifle is new to me. The rifle was made by a Canadian man who simply goes by the name “Matthew.” This is the second rifle mad by him and on his second attempt, was able to fire off an additional 3 rounds. During a time when gun control laws are the hot topic, 3D printers are adding more problems for lawmakers. These guns can be made at home with the use of a 3D printer. No license is required and the fact that they technology is getting better is a scary thought. These guns are almost entirely made of plastic which could jeopardize safety because they could easily get passed metal detectors.(The Huffington Post, 2013)

I’m all for gun ownership, but this is a bit terrifying. If this technology is going to be done, it should be regulated. These weapons could fall into the wrong hands like people who are convicted felons. The last thing we need is another tragedy happening that could have been prevented if this type of technology was regulated in some fashion.