Instant Gratification

The other day, my family and I went out on a boat ride with about thirty other people to go whale watching out in Maui. We got out there and saw three huge humpback whales, and two of them literally grazed up on the boat. It was truly unlike anything I had ever seen, utterly incredible. However, as this was happening I noticed that most everyone around me had their smart phones out and were taking pictures and videos of the whales. Luckily my mom had me leave my phone at the hotel or I probably would have done the same thing. But it made me realize a couple things; one being how social media and technology in general has disabled our ability to live in the moment, and two is the world's growing need for instant gratification, especially through online connections. This reality that I had experienced on the boat, where people sit immersed in the world of technology rather than enjoying the moment, has become the societal norm for people of all ages. Everywhere I go, there are countless faces droned into a virtual world. I am responsible for such behavior as well. For instance, I can't go to sleep until I have checked my Twitter feed and my Snapchat story is up to date. Social media dominates the social lives of myself and society as a whole. It has become and abused platform, and instead of making people more social, as the name implies it should, it has caused an immense amount of antisocial behavior.

Our excessive need for instant gratification can also be to blame for our lack of interaction. That's how social media sites have hooked millions of people; they provide instant gratification whenever their members need it. On Twitter, for example, likes, retweets, and comments make users feel good, and those users come to expect such immediate response and satisfaction whenever they post a comment or picture. Posting pictures of whales in Maui is one way to achieve this kind of satisfaction. However, it has gotten to the point where people will wait until a certain time to post something so that it will be displayed when most people check, or deleting a post if it doesn't get enough likes as if one's number of likes somehow equals one's level of self-esteem. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much this craving for instant satisfaction has changed the way we work, the way we live, and the way we communicate, not to mention making and maintaining friendships.

While some may argue that the internet and social media enhance our relationships with others by allowing us to stay in touch and make social plans with ease, I believe that by taking away from the physical world and hiding behind a screen we are only becoming more unsociable. It seems like hanging out with friends is now just gathering together as we constantly check our phones to further isolate ourselves through "social media," and from there it's like a competition, i.e., who can get the most likes, followers, or texts back. It leaves me worried about the value of true social interaction. I think the rise in social media and competition is correlated with the rise of narcissism in our society. Our self-esteem seemingly depends on the false impression that getting more likes makes you a better person. This is why I crave change.

Starbucks

Starbucks has been acknowledged and praised for its excellence in branding and marketing. It has done this by creating a branded experience that can satisfy the expert, bring in new fans, be accessible to all, and irresistible in its appeal. Consumers emotionally connect with brands when the brands repeatedly provide something that the consumer wants, desires, or needs, and that is what Starbucks has done. I for one, love Starbucks because it never fails to fulfill my expectations, and I don't remember ever meeting someone who feels differently about it. However, much of the company's success comes not from what is inside the cup, but rather what can be found outside the cup.

Starbucks is everywhere. It seems as though it is impossible to walk down a street without seeing a location on the corner or someone walking around with its extremely noticeable cups. Myself being a dependable Starbucks customer, I have found that not only do I constantly crave its products, I crave its image. I write this as I look out onto the ocean from a beachfront hotel in Hawaii (and must I include that right next to the hotel pool is a Starbucks), and I'm noticing a whole lot of people flashing their trendy Starbucks cups. As I see this, my first thought is that I need Starbucks; however, it's not because I'm dying for double chocolate chip frappuccino, but rather because I look at that iconic white and green cup and see intelligence, class, and power. This distinct and renowned Starbucks cup is what sets Starbucks apart from most stores and puts it right up there with Nike, Apple, and Coca Cola in terms of popularity and prominence. Starbucks coffee seems to simply act as a medium for the consumer to effectively market its own image, which makes it so successful.

Saturday Night Live Skit: Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell Reprises George W. Bush Role on 'Saturday Night Live' to Mock GOP Field

I absolutely love Saturday Night Live. I tune in practically every Saturday at 11:30 with my family because we love it too much to not see it live. For those of you that don't know, SNL is a late-night comedy show featuring several short skits and parodies, a live guest band or artist, and a pop-cultural guest host each week. This week I was especially excited because one of my favorite artists, Chance the Rapper, would be making an appearance on the show to perform. The opening skit for last nights' show was Will Ferrell, taking on the role of George Bush, announcing his decision to enter the republican race in the 2016 presidential campaign, and then mocking each of the leading candidates.

This was definitely one of the better SNL skits I have seen in a while. I don't know much about politics nor about this upcoming election, but I have been following, to some extent, the absurdity within the Republican race through social media. While this skit is mostly a parody of the Republican candidates, it also exhibits a lot of truth. Thus far in this election, it seems as though the craziest candidates are the ones not only getting the most attention, but also the most support. As strange as this sounds, it is true.

As many of you know, Donald Trump is currently leading the polls in the Republican race despite his seemingly racist, sexist, malicious comments and intentions. It makes me wonder if people truly believe and agree in what he is saying, or if they simply appreciate that he speaks his mind on political issues without being overly politically correct. Now more than ever, it seems as though people are looking for the most frank candidate, even if what they are saying goes against traditional American values, to support. Trump's outlandish positions have gotten him far more media attention than any other candidate in the race; however, rather than losing supporters he is gaining them. It is absolutely absurd, and I have never seen anything like it. However, I believe that in the end, American values will outweigh voters' artificial views, and we may attain order once again.

"I'm a Pizza Guy"

Pizza Guys Commercial

"I'm Ben McLemore, of the Sacramento Kings, and I'm a Pizza Guy. Are you a Pizza Guy?" I have been a huge Kings fan for my entire life, despite the fact that they (or we as I like to think myself a part of the team) haven't been very good since I was a little kid. Growing up watching the team as well as my dad's extreme passion for the team has aided to my love and support for them. For the past five years, Pizza Guys has played the same commercials about eight times with every Kings game I watch. Multiply that by the number of Kings games I have watched, and that's a lot of Pizza Guys commercials. If that isn't convincing enough, I have memorized each word to just about every Pizza Guys commercial, starting with ex-Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas, and now shooting guard Ben McLemore.

I am not one to see an advertisement and think, "I need this product." To be honest, I think these commercials are kind of stupid, but in a funny way. However, these Pizza Guys commercials gave me a reason to try their pizza. I think the reason for this is not because I see them so often, but rather because they feature Kings players. When I see any person that I envy in an advertisement, I immediately pay attention, and Pizza Guys is targeting Kings fans with these commercials by including guys like Isaiah Thomas and Ben McLemore. I must say, I have tried Pizza Guys once before and it was not my favorite, but if it weren't for these commercials I wouldn't have ever thought of going to Pizza Guys. Do I really care about what Pizza Guys has to offer, cheap/average pizza? No, I can't say I do. Nonetheless, I do care about the Kings, and by including Kings players is what makes this commercial effective.

George Orwell #5

Why do we have grammar? Why do we have syntax? Why do we have any rules at all regarding language? The fact is, rules are put in place to put everybody on the same page, and to make it easier for us to better understand one's message. So why should proper grammar matter if one's meaning is clear without it? George Orwell argues that correct grammar and syntax are of no significance as long as one is clear to the point, in his essay, "Politics and the English Language." I agree with Orwell to some extent, despite being told my whole life the importance of correct grammar and sentence structure. As society develops, language will change, and it has. In today's society, people seek the simplest solutions and prefer the "easy way" sometimes over the correct way. Modern technology and social media have allowed this by changing the way we use language to communicate.

It has become perfectly acceptable in modern society to speed things up by ignoring proper grammar and structure. In fact, social media has led to the creation of a whole new vocabulary in which people are not only creating new words, but also applying new meanings to existing words. Feeling the need to make things easier has pushed for many short forms of words that have become a part of everyday life for many people. Such words include Idk - I don't know, Lol - Laugh out loud, and Btw - By the way. Twitter is a great example of driving us to simplify things as much as possible. The 140 character limit has pushed society in the direction of shorter thoughts and minimal grammar to get a point across. So now it is I luv u, instead of I love you. It is wat r u doing, instead of what are you doing, and so on. Being an avid social media user, I know all to well how this use of language has influenced present-day communication. However, I don't necessarily mind it for a few reasons.  It allows me to get my point across quicker and with clarity, plus it's convenient. This is why I agree with Orwell, that correct grammar and syntax are of little importance as long as one's message is clear to its audience.

With that being said, there are times when correct grammar is necessary to send a clear message. This is especially the case in long, complex sentences that would otherwise be extremely confusing. As language is constantly changing, we have to be able to monitor these changes to maintain a structured society. In some cases, changes in the use of language are harmless, and even useful. Other times change could result in negative ramifications. However, in the end, the ability to understand one's message is more important than correct grammar and syntax.

Degree Men Deodorant Commercial

Stephen Curry: Game Changer

This Degree Men short film featuring current NBA superstar, Stephen Curry, his father Dell Curry, and future Hall of Famer Steve Nash, seeks to advertise Degree's full range of deodorants and antiperspirants. However, it did this without really mentioning the product, or showing it in the film at all. Rather, this strategy focuses solely on Stephen Curry, the current face of the NBA, and how he is a "game changer."

 I found this advertisement through youtube, where I like to watch videos of sporting icons and controversial sporting events. It came up after I had spent a large amount of time watching videos of Stephen Curry, and I clicked on it, completely oblivious to the fact that it was an advertisement. When I first saw this clip, I thought I was watching just another video on how great of a player Stephen Curry is, and how he has revolutionized the game with his unique style of play that has been so effective. I didn't realize until the very end that the video was actually an advertisement for new Degree Men products. I found it very interesting that Degree chose to advertise its products without giving them a significant part in the ad, but I thought this was done very effectively. Nobody really cares about the product, but people do care about the person representing the product. Stephen Curry is certainly somebody that is looked up to in the eyes of NBA fans, and the goal of the ad is to compel its viewers to seek more information on Degree products because Stephen Curry represents them.

Another very interesting aspect of this advertisement is how it subconsciously ties Degree products with being a better basketball player and a game changer. By talking about how great of a player Stephen Curry is and then mentioning Degree, it makes us feel as though if we use Degree products we can be great like Stephen Curry, although it does not say that explicitly. Clearly, it is not true that using Degree will make you a better basketball player, but the advertisement makes you feel like it will. This is another reason that this advertisement is so effective, because everyone wants to improve their game in whatever way possible, especially if it means not having to put any work in.

In addition, Degree appeals to a wider audience by including past NBA stars. These include Steph's father, Dell Curry, one of the great three point shooters to ever play the game, and Steve Nash, one of the NBA's best point guards ever. By including these players, the advertisement is not only appealing to a younger audience with Stephen Curry, but also an older audience with these retired stars. It gives everybody a reason to want Degree products, rather than just engaging with a specific audience.