Saraphena Teasley

Professor Gill- Mayberry

ENG 105 8am-9:50am

Images, Media, and Privacy Essay

“The best writing is re-writing”: 1 draft 0 tutorials, 0 teacher conferences, 12 scholarly sources were used to inform the Divided Stasis.

(Provocative Title) “Perfection” at its Worst

(Hook) In our society of today media is everything, our standard for attractiveness is at an unrealistic level leading to this, author Caryn James uses a quote from a woman on the show Extreme Makeover,  ''This is the last night that I'm going to look like me,'' Stacey says happily the day before her surgery, revealing more than she probably knew. The hint of self-loathing and lack of an essential self esteem both ordinary and chilling.” (Bridge) James message is, media has pushed the standard of attractiveness to a whole new level, creating unattainable standards for all viewers. (Divided Stasis)(Opponent's claim informed by 3 scholarly articles) Although opponents of the negative images that television reflects about American society feel that the media is accurate, (Rhetor's main claim informed by 9 scholarly articles) Television actually portrays a very negative image about American society because,  (Support/ Reason 1) television negatively affects children’s lives and development, (Support/ Reason 2) television gives unrealistic standards of beauty that are impossible to achieve, and (Support/ Reason 3) television has a tendency to frequently portray stereotypes.

(Narration) In Caryn James' article, "It's All in the mix: A Plastic Surgery Reality Show," James used "Extreme Makeover" as the basis for an analysis of the way media negatively affects our society. Another television show that has a similar effect would be “ Keeping up with the Kardashians.” This series focuses on sisters Kim, Kourtney, Khloé brother Rob Kardashian, their mom Kris Jenner, their stepdad Bruce Jenner, their half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner and Kourtney's boyfriend Scott Disick. Their father Robert Kardashian was a Defense attorney Robert Kardashian who was famous for defending O.J. Simpson for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman during a lengthy trial. But, in February 2007 Kim made a sex tape with rapper Ray Jay, and became a superstar. In the article “The scary world of TV’s heavy viewer” George Gerbner and Larry Gross state that  “Television is different from all other media. From cradle to grave, it penetrates nearly every home in the land. Unlike newspapers and magazines, television does not require literacy.” Due to this fact, our society looks up to people like this and glorifies people with no accomplishments of substance. What kind of image is this portraying of American society? Another thing that the Kardashians are famous for are their shapely figures. Theses women have unrealistic body types that very few people can achieve and because of famous women with shapes so drastic, the standard of attractiveness is unrealistic. James believes that these shows, “display both the voyeuristic excess of reality shows and the cultural ideal of creating a purely artificial personality.” Critics who believe that television reflects negative images think that it actually positively portrays American society through contemporary TV shows. What critics do not understand is that our society puts celebrities with surgically altered “perfect” bodies on pedestals and by doing so, makes it seem as though we are a narcissistic, egotistical society.

(Confirmation) “Perfect” celebrities that are all over television are a bad influence in more ways than one. By giving off the message that beauty equals a sort of unattainable perfection, not only do we make American society look lousy in the eyes of others, but we are hurting ourselves as well. Caryn James says, “We're not talking about Elephant Man disfigurement here. The people transformed were average Middle Americans with bumps on their noses.” James explains that it is quite disheartening that small imperfections are no longer accepted in our society, and that we feel obligated by these incessant standards of beauty to change the little things that make us different.

(Concession/Refutation) It is, indeed true that opponents of the negative images that television reflects about American society feel that the media is accurate. (1) For example in the article, “Reality Television Benefits Society more than scripted does” by Michael Hirschorn he states that reality television consist of a much more diverse cast than scripted and continues to say,  “The resistance to reality TV ultimately comes down to snobbery, usually of the generational variety.” Hirschorn’s message is, that the older generations are usually the ones who disapprove the most to these shows since they are not use to the explicit images. (2) Other opponents, such as Greg Braxton from the article, “Reality TV Helps bring Diversity to Television” says, “Despite its reputation for exploitation, reality television's desire to offer compelling social experiments centered on interpersonal conflict and competing worldviews makes it one of the most diverse genres on TV.” Braxton strongly believes that reality television has a much more diverse cast than scripted television so that viewers can relate more easily to the shows. (3) Opponents like James Poniewozik also say, “Reality TV benefits society because it teaches that there is nothing more American than to pursue dreams and work for individual improvement.” Poniewozik uses several instances of reality TV shows to get his point across for instance “American Idol,” “The Office,” and “Survivor.” (Refutation: Rhetor's Main Claim + Support 1) But, Television actually portrays a very negative image about American society. (Toulmin Warrant) Since children are much easier to be influenced they do not know what is and is not true. (1) In the article “The Scary World of TV’s Heavy Viewer” by George Gerbner and Larry Gross, they state, “Television is different from all other media. From cradle to grave, it penetrates nearly every home in the land. Unlike newspapers and magazines, television does not require literacy.” What the authors mean is that since television is available to all children who are the most susceptible to the negative effects of television. (2) In the article Screen slavers: hazardous to your health by Stephen Bates he says, “In (February), Biologist Sigman cites studies showing that children spend more waking hours at home staring at computers and TVs than doing anything else. He is referring to the fact that television is a major factor that is promoting the “death” of human contact, which will force children to suffer from a lack of social skills. (3) According to the article “ How TV Affects Your Child” “Kids who view violent acts are more likely to show aggressive behavior but also fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them” Since children’s mind are developing it is quite easy for them to be influenced in a negative way. (Conclusion) Television can be extremely influential, especially children. And with all the negative things that television portrays, we might be setting up some of these kids for failure in the future.

(Refutation: Support 2) Television gives unrealistic standards of beauty that are impossible to achieve. (Toulmin Warrant) Most famous celebrities for example the Kardashians have had cosmetic work done, whether they admit it or not. Since television is a constant reminder that we must be perfect if we want to look beautiful like them, people see cosmetic surgery as a solution. An example of this would be in an episode of keeping up with the Kardashians, Kim goes to a cosmetic doctor to receive a “Blood Facial.” The doctor explains the procedure, which would entail having blood drawn, then using 9 small-motorized acupuncture needles to distribute the blood platelets throughout her face and Kim is more than willing in order to have “perfect” skin.  (1) Edmonds, Alexander said in his article, "The Risks of Cosmetic Surgery Should Not Be Ignored” that, "Some patients may overlook the risks of aesthetic surgery because it is performed by doctors." The author means that since the pressure to conform to our society’s standards or attractiveness people will put their lives in danger just for a certain outcome. (2) In the article “Fresh Faces” by Sascha de Gersdorff she states, “Magazines have pushed the envelope on what it means to be beautiful, and surgery is now a way to deal with body issues. We're a very visual and quick fix society. Young people are now getting that quick fix, that instant body.” Gersdorff believes that the standards that media has placed on our society is preposterous, and that because of this even the youth of today are conforming to this unhealthy way of thinking. (3) In the article, “The role of the mass media in promoting a thin standard of bodily attractiveness for women” the authors said, “Recent speculation has focused upon the role played by an unrealistically thin standard of bodily attractiveness for women in the promotion of disorders.” Another result of the negative effects that television portrays to our society would be that of eating, and psychological disorders as well. (Conclusion) The image that television portrays is negative and quite damaging to members of society.

(Refutation: Support 3) Television has a tendency to frequently portray stereotypes.

(Toulmin Warrant) Since contemporary TV shows are a huge part of everyday American life, it is safe to say that at times our thoughts are influenced as a result. (1) In the article “Reality TV helps bring diversity into television” the author states, “Unresolved issues surrounding race, class and sexual orientation can either quietly fuel tension on programs or generate outright emotional explosions.” In this statement we can conclude that these reality TV shows exploit minorities by using them to benefit viewer ratings. (2) In the article, “Reality TV shows perpetuate stereotypes of southerners” the says, “Shows promise new insight into Southern culture, but what they really represent is a typecast South: a mythically rural, white, poorly educated and thickly accented region that has yet to join the 21st century. If you listen closely, you may even hear banjos.” This author is explaining that the media makes all southerners look as though they are all the same, when if reality as with all racial and ethnic categories everyone is different. (3) Brian Lowry mentions in the article “Reality TV Stereotypes Minorities,” “Reality TV shows like The Jersey Shore and Flavor of Love rely on stereotypes of minority groups for entertainment. Careful editing exaggerate these stereotypes and help producers create the story they want to tell. A major concern with such stereotyping of people is that an undereducated audience will end up forming opinions of races and nationalities based on the reality TV they watch.” Lowry is explaining that through careful manipulation certain stereotypes are used to get a certain reaction, and certain people are gullible enough to fall for this trap. (Conclusion) Reality Television portrays negative stereotypes towards certain racial and ethnic groups by manipulating certain situations to their advantage.

(Summation) Reality Television shows have been prominent throughout American history, as the times have changed so have the content. These shows have become much more explicit in several aspects, and for this reason American society is portrayed in a negative manner. We are seen as people who care only for their good looks, and power in this world. The messages that these television shows are presenting are harmful for the development of children. These shows also are harmful to the self-esteem and health of Americans as well as the dignity of their racial and ethnic stereotypes.