I am appalled that a website like Pro-ana would even be allowed in the US and was dumbfounded by its rapid popularity. Allowing a website that enables oneself to express desperate emotions and thoughts like “the thinner, the winner”, and “you can never be too rich or too thin” will promote whatever “secret” or message they are trying to conceal. When I read that this website also “invites people who aspire to having eating disorders” to come and express how they feel, I was in utter shock. This website is the antithesis of what kind of message we want our children to perceive. We want our children to feel beautiful in their own shoes, not constantly yearn to mimic the bogus images they see on TV. We want a community who is willing to seek help for their disorders, not flaunt their naiveness and possibly encouraging others to be and do the same.
When I think about the courage Claire had, to be the brains behind such a website, a website that enables bulimic and anorexic persons to vent, I couldn’t help but to sympathize with her. She must have really hit her breaking point trying to cope with her disorders before she made “pro-ana”. Clair knew she wasn’t alone. That’s why the website recruited nearly a thousand members within the two-week sign up period. With usernames like “Wannabeboney”, “Neverthinenuf”, and “afraidtolookinthemirrow”, it was obvious that all of the members of the site have one thing in common; they are all discontent with their image and turn to anorexia, bulimia, or both as a remedy. These “disturbed” people have nobody to turn to. They don’t want to go to the doctor because doctors won’t advocate it, and their friends and families “just don’t understand”. Pro-ana is the only source of comfort these helpless people have to turn to where nobody can judge them and, if they want, they can withhold their true identity. Claire clearly states that “this is a website, a place where people who have only their eating disorders can congregate, along with the people who aspire to having eating disorder”. If these people are so diligently unwilling to get help, why would we take away their only savior?
Although I have great compassion for the members of the Pro-Ana website, I do think they should seek help, or at least accept it when given the opportunity. Understanding the fact that these people have nobody to turn to, they should be allowed to vent on the website as long as they try to recover. I do not by any means think Pro-ana should be allowed if all the members do is talk about their distress and leave it at that. If someone wants to tell their story it must have a beneficial ending in effort to benefit readers. For example, you can talk about how you are/were discontent with your image and resorted to anorexia/bulimia, but gradually you got help and you are recovering. Also, the website should provide immediate and legitimate contact information for people seeking help. This way anyone who is on the verge of becoming anorexic or bulimic will be inspired to get better and live a healthy life.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Im a Barbie Girl in an Anorexic Mixed Up World
Ana Carolina Reston, Terri Schiavo, and Karen Carpenter are three out of a long list of celebrities that have died because of eating disorders. As our generation begins to create almost impossible standards for people to live up to, I am seriously not surprised that pro-ana websites exist. When a size zero is the new size two, I am the first one to say something is seriously wrong with our society. It is obvious that people have succumbed the thinking that anorexia or bulimia is ok because the end result means that you are thin. When these websites are kept on the internet, people including the younger generation will begin to think being pro-ana is a social norm. As a result, these websites need to be shutdown immediately before more people die. It is becoming a vicious cycle and needs to be ended now.
In the United States of America, the first amendment protects freedom of expression. Although controversial, these pro-ana websites have a right to be on the internet no matter who they offend. These people are looking for a support group. No one tries to shut down support groups for alcoholics or drug addicts so why do people have a right to judge people who are pro-ana. If you are an American, stand up for the people’s right to freedom of expression and support the existence of pro-ana websites.
Controversy is such a hard thing to deal with in the United States. People always think of certain issues as black or white with no middle ground. However, society has proven that does not always work. In terms of the Pro-ana website, some people could say that these websites should remain on the website because they technically are not inflicting harm on anyone. Any person should be able to find a support group for something they believe in even if they are the minority. On the other hand, other people could say that Pro-ana websites should be taken down immediately because they are sending the message that eating disorders are a part of everyday life. Both positions are strong and could be well argued. Therefore, people should just let these websites exist but try to stop future participation. The middle ground always has a better outcome so be the change, be the gray area.
In the United States of America, the first amendment protects freedom of expression. Although controversial, these pro-ana websites have a right to be on the internet no matter who they offend. These people are looking for a support group. No one tries to shut down support groups for alcoholics or drug addicts so why do people have a right to judge people who are pro-ana. If you are an American, stand up for the people’s right to freedom of expression and support the existence of pro-ana websites.
Controversy is such a hard thing to deal with in the United States. People always think of certain issues as black or white with no middle ground. However, society has proven that does not always work. In terms of the Pro-ana website, some people could say that these websites should remain on the website because they technically are not inflicting harm on anyone. Any person should be able to find a support group for something they believe in even if they are the minority. On the other hand, other people could say that Pro-ana websites should be taken down immediately because they are sending the message that eating disorders are a part of everyday life. Both positions are strong and could be well argued. Therefore, people should just let these websites exist but try to stop future participation. The middle ground always has a better outcome so be the change, be the gray area.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Running Running Running, Marsha MArsha MArshaa
Wait, I am still laughing. I loved the way there is a clear and distinct difference between runners and joggers. Pearl Izumi obviously leads the reader in becoming a runner because runners solve crimes. Runners are acutely aware of their surroundings. Runners are cool. Runners are portrayed as heroes. Runners, runners, and runners; reminds me of “Marsha Marsha Marsha” from the Brady Bunch and I LOVE it. Pearl Lzumi is ingenious; she shoes you the significance of running through the intelligence and motives of runners. In her efforts of persuasion, she indirectly ridicules joggers for “stopping for a snow cone if the fancy strikes them” because what was the point of the workout if you instantly and effortlessly gain all the calories back? She has convinced me that joggers are inferior to runners and runners shall always prevail in everything. I myself was a jogger, but after reading this ad I have converted to running. The text obviously alludes to pathos because I, a former jogger, am ashamed that I didn’t take it to the next level and be a runner! After readying the ad I feel as if joggers are incompetent, and one should strive to be a runner so they can reap all the benefits that come with being a runner.
The Rbk ad was just disturbing. My god, I don’t even want to remember the add let alone by the shoes. What kind of message would you be sending to people by showing a man vomiting on the floor, even though you are trying to get across the opposite of what is portrayed? I think the mind behind the first add would destroy the second ad in comparison. The first ad was clever, witty, and funny. I was inspired to become a runner. The second ad was weird, disturbing, and deterred me from the whole concept of working out.
The Rbk ad was just disturbing. My god, I don’t even want to remember the add let alone by the shoes. What kind of message would you be sending to people by showing a man vomiting on the floor, even though you are trying to get across the opposite of what is portrayed? I think the mind behind the first add would destroy the second ad in comparison. The first ad was clever, witty, and funny. I was inspired to become a runner. The second ad was weird, disturbing, and deterred me from the whole concept of working out.
Jogging Your Thoughts
1. I thought the ad was a little extreme, considering it was trying to get readers to believe that if they don't run (which really means if they don't buy the shoes) then crimes will go unsolved. Not true.
2. I, personally, am not a runner - not even a jogger. I think that particular sport is boring and presents no challenge (such as, get the soccer ball into the goal, etc). However, whether or not I run or jog or don't do either doesn't affect my reactions to the ad.
3. The ad seems to have a really rugged feel to it; from the slate-grey colors of the pages to the style of text they used, the whole thing feels very primal and barbaric - which, I think, was the whole point.
4. Jogging is discouraged and running is promoted.
5. I think the ad targets joggers, runners, and even couch potatoes. From a marketing standpoint, I can see excellent advantages in segregating the 'runners' from the 'joggers'. The ad makes the 'runners' feel entitled to the shoes, as if they've earned them, almost. The 'runners' seem worthy of wearing the shoes. On the other hand, it makes 'joggers' want to strive to become as good as the 'runners' - which, obviously, buying the shoes would help them achieve.
5. This ad definitely appeals to Pathos because it is bringing in certian emotional elements. On one page the ad reads, "Precious few are lucky enough to feel what it means to run." This makes the viewer want to become a runner, makes them develop an intense yearning to 'feel what it means to run'.
I would even go further and say the ad touches on instinctive elements, as well. It pushes us to believe that a 'runner' is naturally inside all of us...buying the shoes will help bring out the 'runner' within.
6. Although I - and other practical human beings - would probably buy the Reeboks simply because they are cheaper, I am still going to say that Pearl Izumi's ad is more effective in marketing its product.
Nonetheless, when it comes to a magazine, I would rather see a Reebok ad reassuring me that 'I am who I am' and not a Pearl Izumi ad screaming, "If you're not sure whether you're running or jogging, go faster!" That would make me a little uneasy...
2. I, personally, am not a runner - not even a jogger. I think that particular sport is boring and presents no challenge (such as, get the soccer ball into the goal, etc). However, whether or not I run or jog or don't do either doesn't affect my reactions to the ad.
3. The ad seems to have a really rugged feel to it; from the slate-grey colors of the pages to the style of text they used, the whole thing feels very primal and barbaric - which, I think, was the whole point.
4. Jogging is discouraged and running is promoted.
5. I think the ad targets joggers, runners, and even couch potatoes. From a marketing standpoint, I can see excellent advantages in segregating the 'runners' from the 'joggers'. The ad makes the 'runners' feel entitled to the shoes, as if they've earned them, almost. The 'runners' seem worthy of wearing the shoes. On the other hand, it makes 'joggers' want to strive to become as good as the 'runners' - which, obviously, buying the shoes would help them achieve.
5. This ad definitely appeals to Pathos because it is bringing in certian emotional elements. On one page the ad reads, "Precious few are lucky enough to feel what it means to run." This makes the viewer want to become a runner, makes them develop an intense yearning to 'feel what it means to run'.
I would even go further and say the ad touches on instinctive elements, as well. It pushes us to believe that a 'runner' is naturally inside all of us...buying the shoes will help bring out the 'runner' within.
6. Although I - and other practical human beings - would probably buy the Reeboks simply because they are cheaper, I am still going to say that Pearl Izumi's ad is more effective in marketing its product.
Nonetheless, when it comes to a magazine, I would rather see a Reebok ad reassuring me that 'I am who I am' and not a Pearl Izumi ad screaming, "If you're not sure whether you're running or jogging, go faster!" That would make me a little uneasy...
Running is for Rockstars
In a society where people will just about buy anything that is advertised cleverly, advertisers know they need to create a catchy, creative, even controversial campaign that is thought-provoking. People enjoy seeing ads that they need to stop and think about whether or not the ad insulted them or whether or not they want to go out right then and there to buy the product.Pearl Izumi's campaign included a lot of things people look for in controversial ads. The images on the left side such as the running of animals were used to prove their point that to be a runner you truly have to eat,think, and breathe running just like animals do. Then, on the right side of the ad, the storyline sent a harsh yet effective method of what a runner is. Although, adverstisers are walking an extremely thin line when they begin to question the fact that joggers are not runners, the fact that they went ahead and used it proved they were willing to go to any means to prove their point and sell their product. Any means including the fact that they brought in the story about how runners always find dead bodies. The descriptions they used appeal to pathos because people's emotions are effected by the message. The image people get when reading that excerpt might be a little disturbing to some people. However, the point they brought up is somewhat true. I have seen almost every "Law and Order" show on television and the most common way a body is found is by a runner in the park or in the woods. They are sending the message that people who run are defined by their need to run. Their lives, values, and personalities all support running. They promote values that oppose moderation and takes it the next level. Therefore, I think this ad is extremely clever because I thought it was funny and controversial at the same time. However, I might be a little biased because I am someone who exercises a lot in order to be in shape but exercising is something I do not have to do. Running is everything the ad described it is. When you run, I mean run as fast as you can to the point where you can't feel your legs anymore, you can't and don't want to stop until you can not possible take one more stride. You are running so hard you can't listen to music because your in your head thinking about only one thing which is the next stride your going to take. When you run, you don't care about how fat,thin,ugly, or pretty you are. I appreciate the ad by Pearl Izumi because it is somewhat similar to the way I think even if I don't take it to the levels of the campaign.
The other ad "Run Easy" also can be considered insulting to some people. Reebok associated running hard with the word crazy which people can be defensive about. In addition, the fact that they used a picture of someone actually vomitting after running to send a message proves that they took a side that is also controversial. The method is an appeal to pathos because people see a person vomitting and they start to feel many different emotions. They are trying to speak to an audience who likes to exercise but doesn't take it to a higher level. The other ad is speaking to an audience who exercise is who they are no matter what. Therefore, they promote values such as trying to be healthy by exercising but maintaining it in moderation. The audience that the ads are aimed at will think the ad is clever but the other people who see the ad will have a hard time appreciating the message it sends. Overall, both ads are borderline controversial but the ad I would print in a magizine or use in a TV commercial would definitely be Pearl Izumi's because advertisers need to think outside the box which is exactly what the adverstisers in the campaign did.
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The other ad "Run Easy" also can be considered insulting to some people. Reebok associated running hard with the word crazy which people can be defensive about. In addition, the fact that they used a picture of someone actually vomitting after running to send a message proves that they took a side that is also controversial. The method is an appeal to pathos because people see a person vomitting and they start to feel many different emotions. They are trying to speak to an audience who likes to exercise but doesn't take it to a higher level. The other ad is speaking to an audience who exercise is who they are no matter what. Therefore, they promote values such as trying to be healthy by exercising but maintaining it in moderation. The audience that the ads are aimed at will think the ad is clever but the other people who see the ad will have a hard time appreciating the message it sends. Overall, both ads are borderline controversial but the ad I would print in a magizine or use in a TV commercial would definitely be Pearl Izumi's because advertisers need to think outside the box which is exactly what the adverstisers in the campaign did.
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