Text VS Visual

blog post #4

When interested in something would you rather read about it or see a picture? Many people, including me, would rather see a picture and analyze from there. Sometimes people need a visual prospective to understand things like in math class for example. Instead of step by step instructions on how to solve a problem, others would rather see a visual example broken down into the steps. Long texts that don't have any images come off as boring or dull and the reader immediately loses interest. Colorful pictures or videos can help attract the reader making them want to read what you have to offer. Although text isn't fascinating, it does in fact come in handy.  just by looking at something doesn't exactly reveal the true meaning of an image. Text is beneficial because it gives us the logic or description of an image. 

In the photo essays , The pictures and the texts correlated well with each other in order to make the reader understand the background of the image. For instance, my picture was of a young boy, who looked like he was about 8-years-old, hugging a stuffed animal. I instantly assumed that he was happy, innocent and satisfied due to the bright and joyful vibe I got when glancing at the picture. however, when reading the text, I was shook. This little boy is actually going through rough times knowing his mother is HIV positive. The text then includes that the concern of children's well-being should be our number one priority and I agree. All kids deserve a beautiful life in such an ugly world. I chose this picture because it was a perfect example that will get my point across. The writer set two moods in their essay. Looking at the image alone, it made me assume positive outcomes but reading the text alone gave me the complete opposite feeling. When reading, I imagined a black and white picture of a boy crying with his mother and that the little boy was living unhealthy and in pain due to his mother’s tragedy.  The message I portrayed from this picture essay is that writer wants readers to know that we are all facing hard battles but we should always smile through the pain just like the young boy in the picture. It also raises awareness of children's health and well-being.  Although an image can be appealing, it can also be deceiving.  Don’t get me wrong, there are many writers who use discreet imagery and you would be able to paint a picture in your head, but then there are others who need a picture to complete the piece. 

Young Minds and Violent Media

blog post #3

In the article "Violent media is good for kids", Gerard Jones believes that violet media can be beneficial for kids who are timid or who may not have a source of outlet to release their anger or aggression. He then goes on about violent media such as games and comics that include blood, guns, violence, mentioning that it can help children achieve the feeling of "powerlessness".  Jones gathers more evidence of his heroic strategies that have influenced real life children such as a little girl named Emily who claims that drawling violent fantasies helped her deal with her parents' divorce. fortunately, although Jones gives many detailed evidence and includes credible sources such as, psychologist Melanie Moore, he doesn't fail to mention refutations from parents, teachers, and other psychologists. They disagree, declaring that violent stories are harmful to kids and that parents should keep it away from their off springs. 

I personally agree due to the fact that our world today is corrupt and full of violence. Young kids should be exposed to innocent, kiddy shows not violent media. My baby brother, Jaylen, is a perfect example. He got in trouble in school for saying inappropriate things about guns to the students such as "I’m going to blow your head off". Of course, my parents handled the situation, but as a young child who I still developing and is soaking up everything he sees and hears, he would’ve been better off watching SpongeBob or something. Although violet media may not affect every child the same, some become dangerous. After doing some research, I discovered that a teenager was arrested after a school shooting in France. This attack occurred less than two weeks before the two-round presidential election in France, in which 3 students and a teacher was injured. The education minister, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, described the attack as “the crazy act of a fragile young man fascinated by firearms”. I wonder where he got this desire from. Could it be from violent media? Witnesses say he was armed with a rifle, two handguns and two grenades. If you ask me, that sounds like a clear description of those characters in "Call of Duty".  Police indicate that the teenager’s recent history included videos of massive shootings. This could only mean one thing. Whatever this young 16-year-old boy was going through, he used violence in a negative way to portray his feelings and that what I am afraid for my future kids. Of course, I’m not going to be able to fight every battle my child is going through, but if putting positive gestures in his/her mind will help, then so be it.