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1.Luna
ReplyDelete2.Tharptown student allowed to bring her girlfriend to prom
3.Nathan Strickland
4.Franklin County Times
5.November 13th, 2009
6.http://www.franklincountytimes.com/articles/2009/11/15/news/news1.txt
Garfinkel:
Cynthia Stewart (17 years old), wanted to bring her girlfriend to the school's prom. The school told her no, and when the ACLU became involved, they canceled the prom. Later, they announced that the prom was on again but that if Cynthia tried to bring her girlfriend, she would not be allowed to attend. Eventually, under pressure from the ACLU, it was decided that she could bring her friend (it doesn't say “girlfriend,” just “friend”).
The reality of the situation (the taken-for-granted beliefs held by a group of people) is that gay couples are not real couples, and therefore should not be treated as such. Cynthia's account (her description/explanation/criticism used to make sense of the world) was that they were not just ruining her prom, but the prom of all of the rest of the school. She felt as if her rights were being violated. They way she described the event seems to be more important than what actually happened.
She definitely conducted a breaching experiment. As stated earlier, the taken-for-granted assumption is that gay couples are not really couples, so she pointed out that in fact they are, through bringing her significant other to the prom. She redefined and changed reality because now her girlfriend must be allowed to attend. The school board looked for interactional corrorboration from other members of the school board and the principal of the school, but could find none. Cynthia did not breach just to break the rules, instead, she wanted to make clear a rule for interacting in society that was not clearly articulated.
1. Xaipe
ReplyDelete2. China’s Role as Lender Alters Obama’s Visit
3. By Helene Cooper, Michael Wines and David E. Sanger
4. The New York Times
5. November 14, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/world/asia/15china.html?_r=2&hp
Everyday life for President Barack Obama is a series of social interactions in which he must “sell” an image to people of other countries and those of his own country. In the case of his visit to China, this was done for social approval because we are indebted to them. The relationship of the past was one of a stern parent chastising an unruly child but today the relationship between the United States and China is that of a lender and a bank. President Obama’s ability to manage the impression he exudes is compounded by the fact that the cultural norms that a lot of the Chinese hold on human rights and currency manipulation are vastly different from the Western norms of fairness and equality for all.
Therefore, the President now has to assume a tone of conciliation because of the changing dynamics of economic resources without appearing to be in support of the things Western society frowns upon. This does not make the President a manipulative force, but an intelligent one. His strategy allows him to “perform himself” without compromising on his ideals, beliefs, or his personality. This will ensure that the shared reality has a give and take interaction between leaders of the Chinese government and President Obama. In this way, the President can act one way while in the front stage and have alternate actions and plans set in place for the back stage that will ensure the safety and well-being of the American people in the future.
The performativity of President Obama’s daily life may require his performance team of government officials to participate in his performance with a great deal of emotional labor being put forth to appease the Chinese government but they will all know that it is for the best and ensures a favorable future of the United States. During his trip to China the President will be doing his best to avoid stigma to keep positive relations between the United States and China. His performances while there will make social life consistent and recognizable. President Obama knows that his performance can be used to maintain and perhaps enhance his position as a world leader.
Greece
ReplyDeleteSelling Lessons Online Raises Cash and Questions
Winnie Hu
New York Times
November 14, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/education/15plans.html
Garfinkel:
The role of the internet in everyday interaction is constantly expanding. It is no longer just a search engine, but is an easy way for people across the world to interact. This interaction has lead to the use of the internet as a marketplace for people to sell and purchase a variety of things. The most current and controversial use of the internet is by teachers and educators who are selling their lesson plans. The controversy stems from whether this action is or should be illegal and also from whether it violates the general consensus which believes in the free exchange of ideas and information. The teachers who are selling their lessons plans do not see themselves as breaching or violating any expectations associated with being an educator. Some of the teachers have made thousands of dollars by selling their lessons plans. These teachers believe they have worked hard and deserve to receive some kind of compensation. But how does the public feel about educators selling their lessons plans to other educators? An educator in New York said she saves hours of time by buying lesson plans developed by others. Developing a lesson plan leads to an increase in knowledge of the educator. Buying a lesson plan from another person can be compared to purchasing an essay written by another person. Some people may use it exactly as it is or adapt it a little. Either way the point of being an educator is to develop your own ways of teaching. Selling your ideas inhibits the free exchange of knowledge. The vast majority of people would agree that getting advice from another person is socially acceptable. On the other hand, to copy the ideas of others is plagiarism and is looked down upon by most educators as well as the public at large. Educators are participating in exactly what they discourage their students to do- using the ideas of others as if it were their own. They are breaching the expectations associated with being an educator. As this issue gains publicity, the public will unite to reaffirm the belief that educators are breaching the expectations associated with their profession by setting a monetary value to their lesson plans and selling them for their own profit.
1. Charlie
ReplyDelete2. Where Have All the Protests Gone? US Students in Limbo
3. Michael Mathes
4. CommonDreams.org
5. November 16, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/11/16-6
Garfinkle:
I found this article particularly interesting because it was very intriguing that today many of America’s students on university campus are not stepping out of their roles and taking action as they previously have. In a economy like we have today it seems people are not breaching their roles in society as much as they may have previously. Students are trying to follow the mold that they are suppose to as much as possible, because breaching as had been done before can possibly hinder their chances of getting a job in this hard economy we live in. No one wants to have a public disturbance arrest on their record. The second half of the article was particularly interesting to me. It seems that students of today are using the internet to breach instead of previous years where they would march on political issues. Not they are blogging, signing online petitions and so on on the internet. The internet gives these students a chance to breach while still keeping an anonymous face. Although this may not be as affective as previous methods have been, it still gives people an anonymous way to act against the decisions made by others in higher positions, allowing them to breach politics in the US, and take a stand.
Howard
ReplyDelete“Health Reform’s Senior Moment”
Timothy Noah
Slate
November 18, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2235758/?from=rss
Berger and Luckmann:
We would state that health care, as Timothy Noah articulates, is an institution. An institution is as large-scale social structures (family, education, and religion) and actions and behaviors that have a taken-for-granted nature and meaning (gender, race, class, social norms); first social theorist to define institutions inclusive of actions and behaviors; institutions exist separate from individuals, and act upon and control individual behaviors; they confront us as a “social reality”; yet, at the same time, individuals create institutions (not separate from individuals). The reason this would be defined as an institution in our eyes is because it is a structure that affects all individuals in one way or another. Additionally, health care, specifically Medicare, is expected to help individuals who are 65 and over have health insurance coverage. However, as Noah is mentions, if Medicare were to make some budget cuts then the expectations we have of Medicare would not be possible.
We believe that institutions come from a three step process which consists of: 1) Humans acting upon the social world (externalization), others act and react to our actions, by acting we are creating the social world; (2) these actions become objectified, actions become habits built out of human routines (born out of efficiency); 3) habitualized actions become institutionalized. We can apply this three step process to Medicare by imagining that humans, 65 and older, were struggling to pay medical bills and started to act out their frustration on the social work. In turn the government decided something would have to be done to help these individuals. The government then decided they would help those 65 and older to pay their medical bills. As time went on it was understood that Medicare would give you health insurance coverage once you reached the age of 65, no questions asked. As people watched these individuals reap the benefits of Medicare they came to expect it once they turned 65. Medicare then became institutionalized.
1. Footlocker
ReplyDelete2. Arrest at Walmart triggers charges of racism
3. Associated Press
4. MSNBC
5. 16 November 2009
6. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33963193/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
Goffman-
Heather Ellis performed an unintentional breeching experiment in Walmart that went horribly wrong. The woman switched lines in the checkout, cutting a line of people, so she could check out right after her cousin in a line that was faster than the one she was initially in. The details of the event are unclear as she claims she just wanted to pay with her cousin and that the woman she “cut” pushed her, while witnesses claim she shoved the woman’s merchandise out of the way. Whatever the details may be, Heather Ellis is an African-American woman, and the officers who were called to the scene were white and accused of having a racist, small-town mentality.
By cutting in front of the line in the checkout, Heather broke a very strictly held social norm that people are supposed to wait patiently in line for their “turn” to check out and pay. She learned very quickly, whether she was actually pushed or not, that no one appreciates a person cutting in line, especially because it implies that you have something more important to be doing or you feel you’re entitled to that space you’ve claimed.
In addition to the simple breech of cutting in line, Heather allegedly “shoved” the woman’s merchandise. If this is in fact true, Heather also should now be aware that people become very possessive of anything they place in their cart and on the checkout conveyor, whether they have purchased the item or not. The fact that Heather is an African-American woman also adds a dimension of breeching on the part of the police offices who allegedly approached her inappropriately calling her names and using racial slurs. They learned very quickly through the negative press that those terms are inappropriate and a breech of some newer social norms that deem individuals should not be approached with disrespect.
The most glaring breech would be her behavior during her arrest; she kicked and shouted expletives at the police officers. She is learning the very hard way that there are more severe consequences for breeching written law, such as assaulting a police officer, and is now facing a possible 15 years in prison.
Bob Marley
ReplyDeleteFlag Football: How the NFL became the American war game
Michael Oriard
Slate.com
November 17, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2235469/pagenum/all/
Goffman
Football and Patriotism has always been on the front stage of society. When we are at war it is always the topic of discussion. The sport of football has established kinship with modern warfare for years. Football is used as a backstage to patriotism. One NFL pregame show was broadcasted directly from Afghanistan. This theme to show the good side of the military was on the front stage. By using the setting of an NFL show, it brings various audiences to view the program not only to watch football, but to up hail patriotism for our country. Seiler was one of the first people (actors) to establish a system for the patriotic fans who watch football. The gestures he proposed were to salute the flag, Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty at football games. Some innovative props that were used by Seiler were Air Force flyovers in Super Bowl II.
Mnk86
ReplyDelete“Students drink more and more often if living in coed dorms”
Greg Toppo
USA Today
November 17, 2009
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-11-17-coed17_ST_N.htm
Goffman:
The theory of dramaturgy emphasizes actions that are done for social approval. Through impression management, everyday life consists of social interactions in which a person “sells” a particular image of himself or herself to others. This image is influenced by cultural and societal norms. Actors play certain roles in front of their audience of peers. One significant place where this performance can be observed is on a college campus.
This article discusses the effects of co-ed dorms on campus. A great majority of college students are living in co-ed dorms and this increases drinking and sexual promiscuity. In comparison, those students in single sex housing have a 17.6% rate of binge drinking, while those in co-ed dorms have a 41.5% binge-drinking rate. These behaviors are most certainly influenced by the presence of the opposite sex and the norms of college life where students feel like they need to perform the role of college student as a heavily drinking partier in order to fit in.
Most college campuses have dorms that divide each floor or part of the building by sex. This creates a back stage in individual dorm rooms where students usually live with one member of the same sex. And the front stage is the common room where social interaction occurs. The actors learn how to play the role of college student in order to avoid any stigma. In college, those who do not drink typically suffer some type of embarrassment when put in such settings that co-ed living arrangements can provide. People are socialized to understand how their performances can enhance or maintain their position in a social group. Thus, this contributes to the excessive drinking and partying that occurs on college campuses across the United States.
Speedy
ReplyDeleteA boy and his flag Why Will won’t pledge.
David Koon
Arkansas Times
11/5/09
http://www.arktimes.com/articles/articleviewer.aspx?ArticleID=2f5d7a3b-c72a-446b-8d20-3823aa79c021
Garfinkle
Will, a ten-year-old student at West Fork School District in Washington County decided he was no longer going to stand up and recite the pledge of allegiance because he does not agree with the line: “liberty and justice for all”. Will is extremely intelligent and his family has exposed him to the gay community. After participating in gay pride parades and other gay pride events Will has come to the conclusion that not all Americans are treated equally. Because of his exposure to the gay community and seeing the injustices that they run into on a daily basis he has decided to no longer stand and recite the pledge of allegiance.
Will has committed a breech in society. Students, from elementary to high school, are expected to stand up at the beginning of the school day and recite the pledge. Will has broken this taken for granted rule of interaction by sitting through the pledge of allegiance. By breeching in his classroom he has changed or redefined the reality. The substitute teacher that was present the first day that Will decided to sit just ignored the breech. The teacher along with some fellow students began to question the reality of the situation and ask himself or herself, “What’s wrong with Will”? Or “What is going on here”? Once his original teacher returned Will’s breech was given more attention and eventually caused him to get reprimanded and his parents even had to come down to the school to discuss the issue. To Will, his breeching is satisfying to him but to other non-supporters they find the behavior odd and abnormal. Some fellow students have even gone as far as to call him gay and make fun of him on a daily basis.
Will’s breech makes visible the taken for granted rules for interacting in society. The taken for granted rule in this case is that everyone is to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance when told to do so or when it is expected of them.
K94
ReplyDeleteFrench 'school shooting foiled'
BBC News
BBC
November 17th, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8365316.stm
Goffman:
The student who was stopped by police from bringing a hunting rifle into his school clearly had a strong divide between his front stage and his back stage up until this point. His performance team, which was his parents, and himself played the role of a happy family with a well rounded son as a student. Everybody thought this boy was a good student and a happy person. He was preparing well in the back stage to put on a strong performance so people would not know the sadness he was feeling. Most of the time the front stage and back stage stay seperated but wen he brought a gun to school intending to kill himself and maybe others it became apparent that his front stage was not who he actually was but just an act.
codeword
ReplyDeletePalin angered by 'sexist' Newsweek cover
Brett Dykes
news.yahoo.com
11/17/09
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20091117/pl_ynews/ynews_pl984;_ylt=AmPuTLZXeUCexUNK_PhIUges0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTJia2s4MDFhBGFzc2V0A3luZXdzLzIwMDkxMTE3L3luZXdzX3BsOTg0BHBvcwM0BHNlYwN5bl9tb3N0X3BvcHVsYXIEc2xrA3BhbGluYW5nZXJlZA--
Goffman:
A dramaturgical approach to social analysis can be taken with any instance of human interaction. In highlighting this approach, I simultaneously point out that the context in which meaning is defined drastically changes what the ‘truth’ of the situation is. In the case of Newsweek’s cover of Sarah Palin, a few observations must be made and commented on: Palin’s outfit, in context of athletics, is ordinary and unworthy of attention; in the context of politics, the picture of her runner-wear is inappropriate, sexist, and hurtful to women.
If one thing is to be noted, it is that there is nothing exceptional about Palin’s outfit. It is comprised of a red jacket and a pair of black shorts. According to the situation in which Palin acts, this outfit can be deemed obviously appropriate, or drastically improper. The audience’s interpretation of the actor’s clothing will range from casual recognition in the former situation (jogging) or ironic disapproval in the latter (politics). The setting in which the picture appears – Newsweek – creates a caricature of Palin as a dopey woman. The fact that this caricature was created is what the actor, Palin, believes to be sexism.
1. Banana
ReplyDelete2. "How Ceremonious You Are!"A history of bowing in America.
3. Juliet Lapidos
4. Slate
5. 11/17/09
6. http://www.slate.com/id/2235915/?from=rss
Garfinkle
Unknowingly President Obama performed a breaching experiment for the entire world to see when he met with the Emperor of Japan over the weekend. President Obama, to the shock, of many Americans bowed to the Emperor of Japan. Bowing is a tradition and sign of respect when greeting someone in Japanese cultures, but the taken for granted belief and assumption some Americans hold is that the President of the United States does not need to bow to anyone. There is the belief that the President is the most powerful man in the world and that something as simple, and courteous as bowing may show weakness.
The article also explains that in the past bowing was even a practice common to the United States but somewhere in the late 19th and early 20th centuries bowing fell out of favor as the taken for granted assumption used to greet someone. What used to be a perfectly acceptable salutation became far to “ritzy” or undemocratic for the American people and was replaced. The interaction between Obama and the Emperor has probably made people look for an explanation for the President’s strange behavior, to justify why he would bow to someone else and to reaffirm that the President should bow to no one.
Somali woman stoned for adultery
ReplyDeleteNo author listed
BBC News - Africa
November 18, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Berger and Luckmann
This article tells about the recent death of a young woman by stoning in Somalia. Her life was taken because she committed adultery, which is against the teachings of Islam in her area and punishable by death. The dominant religion in her culture is Islam, but it is not just something the people practice, they are so immersed in it that it would be considered an "institution". Islam is the large-scale structure in the southern tip of Somalia. Its teachings govern the ways of life of all the citizens in the area and one of the rules is not to commit adultery, this goes for women who are married or were previously married. The institution also interacts with the individuals who feel that it is important for their society to follow the Islamic rules, and since the majority of the citizens feel that it’s important to strictly follow their religion, everyone must adhere to the guidelines. Over history these rules have become institutionalized to now the people in the area do not react negatively to the stoning but participate in the action by being an audience. Women must have first externalized themselves into the social world of Southern Somalia, and certain reactions from others helped them find what was expected of them and they perform actions under these guidelines that they've learned. These actions become habit and eventually become institutionalized to the point where they adhere to the rules without any opposition and accept that this punishment is just for the situation. Once this transformation had occurred in this society, the Muslim religion became a full fledged institution in Southern Somalia.
Miyagi
ReplyDeleteSomali woman stoned for adultery
No author listed
BBC News - Africa
November 18, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Berger and Luckmann
This article tells about the recent death of a young woman by stoning in Somalia. Her life was taken because she committed adultery, which is against the teachings of Islam in her area and punishable by death. The dominant religion in her culture is Islam, but it is not just something the people practice, they are so immersed in it that it would be considered an "institution". Islam is the large-scale structure in the southern tip of Somalia. Its teachings govern the ways of life of all the citizens in the area and one of the rules is not to commit adultery, this goes for women who are married or were previously married. The institution also interacts with the individuals who feel that it is important for their society to follow the Islamic rules, and since the majority of the citizens feel that it’s important to strictly follow their religion, everyone must adhere to the guidelines. Over history these rules have become institutionalized to now the people in the area do not react negatively to the stoning but participate in the action by being an audience. Women must have first externalized themselves into the social world of Southern Somalia, and certain reactions from others helped them find what was expected of them and they perform actions under these guidelines that they've learned. These actions become habit and eventually become institutionalized to the point where they adhere to the rules without any opposition and accept that this punishment is just for the situation. Once this transformation had occurred in this society, the Muslim religion became a full fledged institution in Southern Somalia.
1. Seymour
ReplyDelete2. Dictionary word of the year: 'Unfriend'
3. Doug Gross
4. CNN
5. November 17, 2009
6. http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/17/unfriend.word/index.html
Berger and Luckmann:
Language develops through the interaction of individuals and becomes habitual, that, in turn, becomes institutionalized. The social institution of language acts upon individuals by mandating how people should communicate. However, at the same time individuals are the creators of language and responsible for its institutionalization.
The social construction of reality is shown through the creation of such social institutions. Without the interaction of individuals with each other language would be unnecessary. Interaction between individuals forms ideas and concepts, such as language.
The recent awarding of “Dictionary Word of the Year” granted to the term “unfriend” shows that language is socially constructed. Previously the word “unfriend” was considered only slang, the unofficial term for removing a friend from an online social networking website. However, repeated use has forced its inclusion into the English language. The growing use of the word constitutes externalization, where more and more people use the term in reaction to its growing acknowledgment. The use of “unfriend” has become objectified, or habitual. This in term has led it to be included into the social institution of language, where it has become an acceptable and valid term for use. Eventually, the use of the term “unfriend” and other terms related to social networking websites will become so ingrained into our language that individuals will internalize them, in which case their use becomes normalized.
Lucas
ReplyDelete'Ex-Nazi' charged with 58 murders
Walter Manoschek
BBC News
November 17, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8364447.stm
Erving Goffman
A former Nazi member currently the ago of 90, may be charged and prosecuted with 58 murders during WWII. The elderly man recalls being a Nazi member but not the murders perhaps blaming it on his memory. Although, the reporter claims he does not fully believe him.
Currently in 2009 is understood that the Nazi regime was socially unacceptable, perhaps this man feels that he has lost face during his interview, and possibly saying that he does not remember may save his spoiled identity. His old memory is perhaps an excuse for his wrong doings. The beliefs, ideals, and personality which he portrays have shifted. During the war his front stage self of a Nazi/ murderer was his main character. He must have used his “impression management” to intimidate the prisoners with a very tough script. This was very defining “image” he had to keep up with his Nazi group interaction with her his back stage self was constantly in agreement with his actions.
Currently at the age of 90 year, one would not even start to believe of his possible past. His performance and daily roles have been changed in accordance to society as the Nazi regime is no longer dominant in Germany. His image of an elderly person most probably does not portray a Nazi or a murderer. His “image” and front stage self now is a retired frail, weak older man. At some point his backstage self must have felt remorse of what he did in the past.
M_Luther
ReplyDeleteSomali Woman Stoned For Adultery
Author unknown (it’s not listed anywhere)
BBC News
November 18, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Berger and Luckman: the article chosen displays the socially accepted institution of stoning adulterers in Somali. Initially, someone in Somali decided to stone someone for adultery. Others saw this, and their reaction was one that encouraged the continuation of the practice: i.e. externalization. After a while, the act of stoning someone for adultery became objectified, and somewhat of a “habit”, if one can call it that. This is the point at which we currently find ourselves in this cycle in Somalia. The article discusses how this is the 4th stoning of someone for adultery (they don’t just stone women, surprisingly). So while this is starting to become a habit, it is not yet institutionalized, which is why the cycle is currently only in the “objectified” stage. However, if this practice continues, and if people continue supporting it, eventually it will become institutionalized, and will then become internalized by the people of the country. It won’t be a matter of right or wrong, it will simply be how you react to someone who has committed adultery; it will be their reality.
Berger and Luckmann
ReplyDeletetundra
'Ex-Nazi' Charged with 58 Murders
BBC News
BBC News
November 17, 2009
http:/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8364447.stm
In accordance with social constructionism, this article deals with an issue that is subjective and macro level. A 90 year old man is being charged with the murder of several people which was at the time supported and enforced upon him by his government. His reality was constructed by his environment and what the people in that space/time required of him. If he had not murdered, he probably would have been murdered. But even beyond that, he felt it was the right thing to do. The ideology instilled by the Nazi's grasped many young men and helped them commit atrocities. So, for him in his context, he was a patriot. It is unfortunate to give trial to this man without addressing this issue, thereby assuming he acted on his own accord. Killing another human is a crime, but the ideology is the criminal. In order to feel at peace, humans must blame something. And because it's difficult to get an idea to sit in a courthouse, this man will take the rap (for now). Berger and Luckmann would agree we cannot be true individuals. Instead we must take a broader perspective.
Cat
ReplyDeleteIn Obama’s China Trip, a Stark Contrast to the Past
Andrew Higgins & Anne E. Kornblut
Washington Post
November 18, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/18/AR2009111801076.html
Garfinkle:
For many years, relations between China and the United States have been less than friendly. Presidents of the past have visited China with the agenda to criticize China’s government and to limit trade agreements. Obama’s trip to China earlier this week; however, has proved to be a departure from the usual tension that takes place between the two countries. Washington politicians were surprised, but not shocked by this abrupt change. Political analysts have found an explanation or account for this breach of norms that stems from worldly economic trends. China has become increasingly powerful because of they are a huge source of labor and product development. Environmental issues and the ongoing debate about internet censorship took a backburner to the more prominent economic crisis. For the first time in history, the United States is in a position of need for help from the Chinese government. Therefore, Obama’s dynamics with the Chinese government were at first confusing to the public, but later explained by the down-turning economic trend. Interactional corroboration has taken place and the reality of relations with China has changed. This obvious breach has made visible the older reality of hostile relations with China. Obama’s position of power has made the change of reality more possible. He has the ability to form and change international relationships as the ultimate representative of the United States. The way that the United States views China has now permanently changed.
Shorty
ReplyDeleteRemembering Andrea Lewis
Max Pringle of KPFA
Common Dreams.org, New America Media
November 17, 2009
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/11/17-5
Goffman:
Andrea Lewis left an unforgettable impression to millions of people around the world. The many thousands of radio listeners that awoke to the sound of her voice everyday interacted with the person she was, as she sold a story of herself to be a very relaxed, educated, loyal individual. Andrea performed herself to the viewers and listeners as she delivered her knowledge and beliefs on public affairs. Andrea exemplified dramaturgy very well. Her study of the social aspects for what was going on nationally as well as locally in politics reflects how people project images in front of others. Lewis projected an image to the radio listeners, one that attracted the attention of many as she performed her reality through her personality over talk radio in front of millions of listeners (audience). Lewis front stage was that of her actual hosting radio where live everyday discussions took place as her social interaction with others. Her back stage could be viewed as her college education in English literature as her preparation to engage in the performance of a talk show host/ career. Lewis produced a shared reality in her close to heart issues such as, race, gender, and sexual orientation. She used these topics as teachable moments where she could reflect to her audience on how she felt, as well as hear feedback from others. Overall, Lewis’s performance as a radio host made social life recognizable as many people were fans of her show and admired her honesty. Her performances maintained her position as popular, and privileged within her friends, colleagues, and radio listeners.
1. Skittles
ReplyDelete2. $500 Million and Apology From Goldman
3. Graham Bowley
4. New York Times
5. Nov 17, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/business/18goldman.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
Goffman:
Upon reading the final sentence of this article I found that this event can easily be compared to a theatrical performance with the application of my theory-dramaturgy. The main actors are Goldman’s chairman and chief executive who’s main audience has expanded to all of America. The reason for this expansion can be attributed to the fact that their reputation was getting worse and worse as they continued to accumulate billions of dollars while America’s economy continued to plummet and thousands of small businesses suffered. In Goldman’s defense it seems as though this scrutiny that they now face from the public is a direct effect of role conflict. In order to fulfill their role as businessmen they are expected to focus on profit for their company, yet as citizens of America they are also expected to show discernment and concern towards others that will be effected negatively by their business decisions. Although these decisions may be made ‘back stage’ the effects their massive accretion of wealth is definitely in the forefront and on ‘front stage’.
It is clear that from the audience’s perspective the men behind this company have spoiled their performances as good citizens as they have been referred to as “the great vampire squid”. Just as I calculated, following a spoiled performance would be an aligning action. In an effort to remedy their performance with an aligning action these men behind Goldman Inc. made an account, trying to minimize their stigma. On the behalf of the company chief executive Lloyd C. Blankfein stated “We participated in things that were clearly wrong and have reason to regret” and that they apologize for these actions.
In a continued endeavor to rectify their “blemished image” and enhance their performance as good citizens the men behind Goldman plan to spend $300 million to help small business and $200 million in business and management education for business owners, simply put, a hefty price to pay for ‘losing face’.
j32828
ReplyDeleteSomali Woman Stoned for Adultery
Author Unknown
BBC News
November 18, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Goffman
The world is made up of actors. Each individual playing a part of the greater whole. The context each individual is playing in is crucial. In Somalia the culture supports people being stoned to death for sex outside of marriage. The culture or each subsect of the government could be viewed as a team that supports the performance and the norm.
The men in control of the performance convey the standards that the whole supports. The men prepare for their roles then act out in front of many. Their performance is one that solidarity must be maintained and not questioned. The teams supports the punishment of stoning for crimes. If one is to break the loyalty of the team, the entire performance could be broken.
Some men in the backstage could disagree with the degree of severity but they must present a united front for their small government to work during the front stage.
There is also a view of manipulating the audience by only having performed this punishment for a few and "deserving". If they were to carry out the performance whenever a rule was broken, the performance would lack in seriousness. However, because it has only been performed a few times, the performance is taken very seriously.
1. Peaches
ReplyDelete2. Republicans Seek Inquiry on Fort Hood
3. SCOTT SHANE and DAVID JOHNSTON
4. New York Times
5. November 17, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/us/18hood.html
Berger & Luckman
“Debates over what constitutes terrorism date back to the League of Nations, and are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.” Terrorism by most Americans today have come to attack those of Arab, Iraqi, Afghan, or anyone that “looks” like a terrorist which normally is middle-eastern looking. The knowledge of what we as Americans have constructed terrorism to be are only in those middle-eastern descents all the while the government has failed to recognize their own. Recently on November 5, 2009 a terrorist act was committed, not by any people fitting these backgrounds of what we gave the meaning of a terrorist, but by an American Psychologist in our Army. The way we acted when finding out this act was done by our own was immediately dismissed to say it was not a terrorist attack. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army Psychologist is an American but is Muslim. He said prior to his appointment he was Muslim first and American second. This was a tip to look further into him and the FBI also barred about a dozen emails between him and radical Muslim cleric in Yemen, Anwar al-Awlaki. In their opinion the emails weren’t extreme enough so they did not do anything with their findings. This is because the context that we put Hasan in was in the American Army so of course he couldn’t be a terrorist or commit terrorist acts, he made a commitment. Assigned to Hasan was a position of Honor, so he would not be likely to further investigate. If had been a known middle-eastern descent person then surely the context of this situation would have been handled differently. Because he lacks the “look” of what we say a terrorist is this issue is not a terrorist situation, but simply murder. The way we construct information in our minds and the contexts we put situations in our culture is leaving us vulnerable and making this something likely to happen again.
7138
ReplyDeleteObama admits delay on Guantanamo
BBC editor
BBC News
Nov. 18, 2009
News.bbc.co.uk
Goffman:
Unknowingly, Obama is using my theory of dramaturgy which sees reality as a performance with actors and props. Obama is the main actor who is trying to deal with the problem at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Two days after his term in office, he promised that by Janurary 2010, the Guanatanmo Bay prison would be closed and the prisoners removed. However, Obama now realizes that this task will not happen in time. As a result, he utilized aligning actions to restore his identity which is possibly damamged from not delivering on his promise. He used both an excuse and justicfication to remedy his spoiled identity. For instance, his excuse to the government and people (also actors in the large performance) was that there are more technical issues behind the closure of the prison than previously believed. To justify his actions, he claimed that he was planning on sending some prisoners to U.S. courts to be tried and that it may take time to find a new location to house these criminals. Obamas performance as a president and the descisions he makes places him as the main actor in the scene (i.e. issues with Guantanamo Bay). These social interactions which take place continue to make social life consistent and recognizable; it allows individuals to maintain or enhance their position in the "scene".
ImSaari24
ReplyDeletePoor Women 'Bear Climate Burden'
Anonymous Author
BBC News
November 18, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8365808.stm
Berger & Luckman:
I chose to analyze and reflect on this particular article from the perspective of Peter Berger and Thomas Luckman because it properly illustrates several crucial points that are crucial within social constructionism. This particular article focuses on poor women in developing countries, and the complications they face from drastic climate change. In these underprivileged countries, women are typically responsible for securing food, water, and energy to support their families. As the climate on Earth continues to steadily rise, these women are forced to work much harder to acquire these same resources, especially in severe droughts. As these women manage the household and look after their families, they are stripped of their income-earning opportunities and limited to a very small geographical location, which increases their vulnerability to abrupt weather-related natural disasters. Berger and Luckman would likely argue, “Scientific knowledge is not a direct representation of the natural world.” Obviously someone from a more privileged country would look at this situation and immediately dismiss it as unbearable living conditions, where as the women from these poorer countries have continuously adapted to severe climate changes throughout their existence and have been able to continuously survive. Since the beginning of our existence, humans have formed social norms and survival skills that set the path for future generations. The future generations then adopt these norms and a social institution is formed. I guarantee these women know how to survive, regardless of most drastic climate changes. Yes, the gradual heating of the climate is quite devastating, but the perception and interpretation of these social and cultural norms are heavily contorted by the depressing presentation of these situations through various forms of media.
1. Bernie
ReplyDelete2. Rogue American Woman
3. Maureen Dowd
4. New York Times
5. 11/17/2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/opinion/18dowd.html
Goffman:
Sarah Palin makes the new again with the release of her new book, "Going Rogue: An American Life". All throughout the pesidential campaign she was crticized over and over again about her clothes, things she said and was given the nickname Rogue.
Her book is about her life as she claims it to be a real American life. We can use Palin to demonstate Goffman's Dramaturgy.
Palin's backstage is her thought process while writing the book. Where she wrote it, her notes and facts she collected while writing it, and maybe even her rough drafts. Her frontstage is the book itself, and Palin as she does her book our and acts as a Real American. Palin is an actor playing the "real American" role. Her mannerisms and coversations with people revolve around her performing her role. The props she uses are her book and clothes that she wears. The audience is the people who buy her book and accept her role as a Real American. Her costume is the clothes she wears. She is always wearing skirt suits and wearing the same style of hair and glasses. Because many Americans accept her role as what an American woman should look like, her style has become very popular over the past 2 years.
Many Americans, like her or not, believe her role as an American woman and consider her a good actor in performing this role.
1. Eastside
ReplyDelete2. Somali woman stoned for adultery
3. No Author Credited
4. BBC News
5. November 18, 2009
6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Who determines what is right and what is wrong in our society? Who constructs this element of justice that alienates and indicts those who deviate from the “norm”? Berger and Luckmann proposed that people and groups interact together in a social system that over time, the representations of the actions of those around us eventually become adapted into joint roles that are played by everyone within the society. When everyone in the society adheres and conforms to these roles, the interactions become institutionalized; this is the social construction of reality. The Somali people have created a social institution that has interpreted Sharia law in a fashion that allows severe punishment to those who break the laws of the society. Although people in the United States commit adultery all of the time, the worse that can be attributed to their actions is a categorization of a “moral failure”. In the Somali society the norms are different because they have socially constructed them to be that way. The conformity of Somali citizens has allowed these ideas and rules to be institutionalized to the point that a woman was stoned to death in front of an audience of 200 because of her adultery. Although I do not believe that this is fair, it is a result of habits or routines that have become objective because of the social construction of this society.
1.) Eastide
ReplyDeleteBerger and Luckmann;)
1. Mohawke
ReplyDelete2. "$500 Million and Apology From Goldman"
3. Graham Bowley
4. The New York Times
5. November 17th, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/business/18goldman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=apology&st=cse
As Goffman:
After a torrid performance on the stage of American society by Lloyd C. Blankfein, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs, the company along with him has recently decided to engage in some aligning actions to make up for previous mistakes. Sometime in 2008, Goldman Sachs was among many banks to receive a federal bailout due to the crashing stock market and poor financial decisions. Following these events, Sachs eventually regained financial success, but the damage done to its social image had already been done.
Initially, Blankfein and his company resorted to utilizing the justification aligning action, whereby they did not deny the involvement they had with partaking in decisions that negatively impacted the overall economy, but also attempted to deem their actions appropriate, with Blankfein even stating that they were only "doing God's work."
When that aligning action backfired, they switched their tactic and began apologizing for their actions. They used an account method at a conference in New York to explain to their mistakes to the public as well as perform a formal apology. In order to ensure that other businesses believed it, they even used the all to popular prop of money in the form of $500 million dollars to back up the act. Although their first scene was not necessarily very enticing to the public, it seems like the finale to this play may prove to leave everyone satisfied.
GraffitiDrk
ReplyDeleteDell Protects Laptops With Bamboo Packaging
By: GreenerDesign Staff
GreenBiz.com
November 17th 2009
http://www.greenboz.com/news/2009/11/17/dell-protects-laptops-bamboo-packaging
Garfinkle
We live in a world that is constantly advancing and essentially the goal is to become better and more efficient at these advancements. As a side-effect pollution has started to become a global issue in which many are insisting on becoming greener. The idea of being green has become an Account towards many industrial businesses especially those that are making techonology devices. This has led to them to respond with accounting practices that counter act or create a cleaner environment for us all.
For instance Dell, beginning this year they start practicing a greener package alternative to their mini netbooks. Ironically it seems that dell wants to move from paper based packaging to Bamboo based packing. Which in essence would comply with the greener accounts that are being enforced in our society.
Ironically these green accounts that society has created are all a trend. Some that care about the environment wear shirts and are actually conscious about what they are doing. While other wear green shirts to follow the wave of the trend. Which in essence is an accounting practice by our society towards these green movements.
All in all although a trend, these accounts are making companies aware that they should comply and becoming greener to overall help not only their environment but gain support from Green groups and followers.
Yet in the end what will happen when the accounting practice employed by dell causes the endagerment of bamboo, and a surge in the food supply for pandas?
OxMan
ReplyDeleteSomali Woman Stoned for Adultery
Author Unknown
BBC
11/18/2009
www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Garfinkel
A 20 year old Somali woman was found guilty of adultery by a judge working for the al-Shabab militant group that dominates southern Somalia. The woman had been divorced for some time and had allegedly had relations with an unmarried 29 year old man (who received 100 lashes for his participation). This article is an example of how the term breaching can have a vastly different definition depending where, and who, one is referring to. While this topic of a young woman being stoned to death may be beyond the scope of what Garfinkel was talking about, it goes to show how a large group of people can corroborate and turn something that is highly illegal in most places, into a "taken-for-granted" part of their society. As the article went on to mention the various other occasions where this has happened and i responded exactly how Garfinkel describes. I questioned what was wrong with al-Shabab and was really confused as to how people could believe this behavior to be acceptable. The answer is that there is a high level of interactional corroboration and when everyone around you is reinforcing these ideals, it becomes easier to accept them.
OxMan
ReplyDeleteSomali Woman Stoned for Adultery
Author Unknown
BBC
11/18/2009
www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Garfinkel
A 20 year old Somali woman was found guilty of adultery by a judge working for the al-Shabab militant group that dominates southern Somalia. The woman had been divorced for some time and had allegedly had relations with an unmarried 29 year old man (who received 100 lashes for his participation). This article is an example of how the term breaching can have a vastly different definition depending where, and who, one is referring to. While this topic of a young woman being stoned to death may be beyond the scope of what Garfinkel was talking about, it goes to show how a large group of people can corroborate and turn something that is highly illegal in most places, into a "taken-for-granted" part of their society. As the article went on to mention the various other occasions where this has happened and i responded exactly how Garfinkel describes. I questioned what was wrong with al-Shabab and was really confused as to how people could believe this behavior to be acceptable. The answer is that there is a high level of interactional corroboration and when everyone around you is reinforcing these ideals, it becomes easier to accept them.
OxMan
ReplyDeleteSomali Woman Stoned for Adultery
Author Unknown
BBC
11/18/2009
www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Garfinkel
A 20 year old Somali woman was found guilty of adultery by a judge working for the al-Shabab militant group that dominates southern Somalia. The woman had been divorced for some time and had allegedly had relations with an unmarried 29 year old man (who received 100 lashes for his participation). This article is an example of how the term breaching can have a vastly different definition depending where, and who, one is referring to. While this topic of a young woman being stoned to death may be beyond the scope of what Garfinkel was talking about, it goes to show how a large group of people can corroborate and turn something that is highly illegal in most places, into a "taken-for-granted" part of their society. As the article went on to mention the various other occasions where this has happened and i responded exactly how Garfinkel describes. I questioned what was wrong with al-Shabab and was really confused as to how people could believe this behavior to be acceptable. The answer is that there is a high level of interactional corroboration and when everyone around you is reinforcing these ideals, it becomes easier to accept them.
RMUSTANG
ReplyDeleteSomali Woman Stoned For Adultery
Anonymous BBC reporter
BBC News
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8366197.stm
Garfinkel
The social context, in which the people of Somalia live, has strict gender borders. As can be seen elsewhere, in countries such as the United States, there are clearly defined gender lines and expectations. However, within the established social environment of Somalia, not only must gender role-play be carried out, but there are also disparities for each gender when methods of punishment for breaking laws are enforced. This difference in punishment serves to maintain both social hierarchy and gender expectations. It appears that the crime is much more severe for a woman who commits adultery than it is for a man guilty of the same offense. This reinforcement of social norms and practices is one of many ways that we come to separate gender and behave as men and women. We do gender.
Goffman,
ReplyDeleteErving Goffman is very famous for his “Impression Management Theory”, and theory of “Dramaturgy”. In sum, he concludes that we are aware that other people are perceiving us, and therefore, we try to manage the impression that we make on other people. He also paralleled his study of social interactions with the theater in order to help explain societal behaviors amongst people. In response to the article I have chosen, which is about Walt Disney World making an effort to prevent the spread of H1N1, I believe he would say something similar to this…
Walt Disney World has once again shown us how impressions are carefully managed on one of it’s primary stages; Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando, Florida. On the front stage, which is the actual park, there have been vast installments of hand sanitizer dispensers. These sanitizers have been put in place by the employees, or actors of the back stage, in order to make an impression on the audience. This impression management has been carefully planned in order to make the audience feel as if the company cares about their health and safety. This is an important impression to make due to the recent obsession that venue audiences have been having regarding avoiding the contraction of H1N1. The sanitizer dispensers are overall, props of the Disney’ s theater as well.
Disney has also managed this impression by enhancing the duties of their performance team who have recently been asked to remind the audience of basic health safety tips. This work must get repetitive, so I’m sure there is a large sense of emotional labor. One of the most important jobs of Disney’s performance team is to be enthusiastic and happy go lucky all the time. No matter what, they must manage their emotions and pretend like everything is ok, even if they have told guests to cover their mouth when they cough for eight hours straight. They must not forget this new script if they want to keep their jobs. So overall, Disney has provided us with a wonderful example of how impressions are managed in everyday life. They have also shown us very clearly how social interaction can be compared to a theater.
Hiatus
ReplyDelete“Obama Admits Delay on Guantanamo”
Paul Reynolds
BBC News
11/18/09
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8366376.stm
Life is but a stage, and we are all actors in it. Nobody knows this better than Mr. Barack Obama, who’s always having to play his role of pleasing the American people. Almost every line he says is front-stage to the public eye, and is thus carefully scripted in an attempt to inspire hope without excluding or offending. His administration team and staff is a performance team that must carefully manage what they say and how and when they say it. As much as Mr. Obama may personally want to close down Guantanamo Bay, he has to perform the emotional labor to hide this want and carefully navigate the trespasses of the ever-present corporate media. To those that had doubts about Mr. Obama’s ambitious deadline of closing down Guantanamo by January 2010, hold off on stigmatizing him to be a promise-breaker. To save face from embarrassment, he is attempting the aligning action of justification, by admitting his own responsibility while listing the causes why this goal was not reached.
1. Beaner
ReplyDelete2. "The Language of Sustainability: Why Words Matter"
3. David Jaber
4. Greenbiz.com
5. 11/18/2009
6. http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/11/18/language-sustainability-why-words-matter?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Greenbuzz+(GreenBiz+Feed)
Berger and Luckman
In the article "The Language of Sustainability," Jaber explains that the Environmental movement would benefit from re framing ideas and making changes to the the literature used when describing these ideals to the general public. According to Berger and Luckman, knowledge is the product of the context in which it is constructed. Jaber is proposing a change in context. He is asking ecologists to change their language and their objectives in hopes that the meanings behind this literature identify with the individual and inspire them to modify their ideas about sustainability.
Social Interaction Theory states that meanings are socially derived and are not inherent in the state of nature. This explains why Jaber is proposing replacing phrases like "natural resource management," which sound very business-like and evoke a sense that the earth and its contents exist simply to be at our disposal. Instead, using a term like "regeneration of nature" more clearly characterizes the goal of working with the ongoing processes of nature to become more resilient and flexible. Jaber also claims that the indicators which monitor environmental progress should be modified to reflect real environmental improvements. The example used in the article deals with bodies of water. If an ecologist is trying to improve a body of water, then they should take samples and measure the pollution levels rather than simply counting the number of fish. This means that the public should be aware of how much progress is being made and exactly how major problems are able to be overcome.
Hopefully this change in objective will begin to alter the socially-derived meanings associated with the sustainability movement. The general public may begin to process these new social symbols put forth by the members of the movement and change their perception altogether.
Berger and Luckman would claim that these changed perceptions would lead to Externalization, or people acting upon their social world according to the social meanings to which they subscribe. These actions would therefore become objectified and a new set of ideas and responsibilities concerning sustainability would eventually become institutionalized for future generations.
WCBST#5
ReplyDeletelove143143
"Students drink more and more often if living in coed dorms"
Greg Toppo
USA Today
November 17, 2009
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-11-17-coed17_ST_N.htm
Goffman:
This article focuses on the effects of binge drinkning on college campus in relation to coed-dorm living situations. A great number of college students live in coed-dorm living,and it is very common to see a high rate of binge drinkning and sex amongst these students. The article explains that the students that live in coed dorms have a binge drinknig rate of 41.5%,compared to those students who live in same sex setting that have a binge drinkning rate of 17.6%. Goffman's dramaturgy is the concept that the world's a stage and its indivudals are its actors, who perform impression management to to sell a particular "image" of themself to get social approval. This is done through social interactions. This article is a perfect example because this performance is evident on college campuses. These drinkning behaviors are directly effected by the presence of the opposite sex and the "norms" associated with college living; individuals feel the need to perform the role of the party boy/girl (heavy drinker/partier) to fit in. Coed dorm living is usually set up by having a seperation of sex by floor; according to Goffman, the fronstage would be the "common room" of the dorm, where alot of social interaction is being done. The actors learn how to play these roles through behavoiralism, and do it to avoid any type of stigma from others. Students who do not drink can be stigmatized as a prude, dork or a nerd; indiviudals are constantly trying to maintain a social position in their social world.