Journal #9

For my example of pastiche, I chose the song Dare To Be Stupid by Weird Al Yankovic. The original song was by the band Devo and was also featured in the movie Transformers. The song was written several years ago (1985) and was reworked by Weird Al, including the music video. He kept the same beat and instrumentals, but completely re-wrote the lyrics to be much funnier. It's a trend he is ultimately known for, crazy, unpredictable songs from an array of genres. This particular examples is pastiche with parody because it's a spook of the original work by means of humor. It's a questioning of the status of the original because of all the different elements and the extremely different direction the song took. Part of the video looks reminiscent of other Devo music videos, the tune resembles Big Mess, the video has weird and bizarre imagery completely irrelevant to the words, they use Demo-like images throughout the video and the video references other bands or logos. It is completely different, yet similar to the original work.

Here are the lyrics:
"Dare To Be Stupid"

Put down your chainsaw and listen to me
It's time for us to join in the fight
It's time to let your babies grow up to be cowboys
It's time to let the bedbugs bite

You better put all your eggs in one basket
You better count your chickens before they hatch
You better sell some wine before it's/its time
You better find yourself an itch to scratch

You better squeeze all the Charmin you can while Mr. Wimpole's not around
Stick your head in the microwave and get yourself a tan

Talk with your mouth full
Bite the hand that feeds you
Bite on more than you chew
What can you do
Dare to be stupid

Take some wooden nickles
Look for Mr. Goodbar
Get your mojo working now
I'll show you how
You can dare to be stupid

You can turn the other cheek
You can just give up the ship
You can eat a bunch of sushi and forget to leave a tip

Dare to be stupid
Come on and dare to be stupid
It's so easy to do
Dare to be stupid
We're all waiting for you
Let's go

It's time to make a mountain out of a molehill
So can I have a volunteer
There's no more time for crying over spilled milk
Now it's time for crying in your beer

Settle down, raise a family, join the PTA
Buy some sensible shoes and a Chevyrolet
And party 'till you're broke and they drive you away
It's OK, you can dare to be stupid

It's like spitting on a fish
It's like barking up a tree
It's like I said you gotta buy one if you wanna get one free

Dare to be stupid (yes)
Why don't you dare to be stupid
It's so easy to do
Dare to be stupid
We're all waiting for you
Dare to be stupid

Burn your candle at both ends
Look a gift horse in the mouth
Mashed potatoes can be your friends

You can be a coffee achiever
You can sit around the house and watch Leave It To Beaver
The future's up to you
So what you gonna do

Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
What did I say
Dare to be stupid
Tell me, what did I say
Dare to be stupid
It's alright
Dare to be stupid
We can be stupid all night
Dare to be stupid
Come on, join the crowd
Dare to be stupid
Shout it out loud
Dare to be stupid
I can't hear you
Dare to be stupid
OK, I can hear you now
Dare to be stupid
Let's go, Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid
Dare to be stupid

Extra Credit Journal Entry

1. What was your response to The Persuaders video? Do you think this is an accurate assessment of the persuasion industries? Why or why not?
I thought the video was interesting. My favorite part was when they talked about consumers being bombarded with advertising forcing companies to break through the clutter in order to continually catch their attention. They also talked about how advertisers had to make products an experience instead of just a product that cleans. It had to set itself apart of its competition. I also think it’s an accurate assessment of the persuasion industries. People need to be shown a product or experience and eventually they will persuade themselves that that’s what they need.
2. How does the film portray social awareness and coolness marketing?
I personally saw social awareness portrayed through the Song campaign. The campaign targeted women who had to deal with day-to-day struggles of travel, by offering low prices, organic meals and a chic brand. They wanted to cater to women and make their travels as enjoyable and efficient as possible. On the other hand, iPod did a great job of using coolness marketing. Their colors, music and overall feel really makes you feel like you could be the one in the commercial. You feel connected with the product and cool when using it.
3. How do the practitioners in the film promote commodity fetishism?
They tried to sell to the heart not the head. Any product could get the job done, but they really wanted to make you feel connected while having a positive and enjoyable experience. They want you to feel as though YOU are the focus and YOU have the power to make a decision. The author of LoveMark said that people make such a strong relationship with a product that they don’t just like it or use it, they LOVE it. They do research to figure out how you connect with the product and what will allow you to make that intimate and lasting connection.

Journal #7

a. I used my cell phone the most to text message. It averaged out to about six hours a day.
b. I used the radio the least. This was about two hours a day while doing homework.
c. I communicated with people all day long either through online sources or my cell phone. This averaged about 10 hours a day.
d. I used the tv about three hours a day. The only radio I used was an online source.
e. I was surprised that I had my cell phone so much. I guess sometimes I don’t realize how much I text throughout the day.
f. I don’t know if I will change my phone habits, but I probably should. It might help me focus on my homework better.