Monthly Archives: August 2018

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“Truth isn’t Truth”

Some Media Implications of Mayor Giuliani's Statement

Truth? I demand that my students understand nature and importance of truth. Yesterday Rudy Giuliani provided an example I’ll use in my classes for years to come. He said “Truth isn’t truth” in his interview on Meet the Press (8/19/18). He was referring to a “he said/he said…” situation in the Mueller investigation. You can watch the video and draw your own conclusions. But look at the headlines about Giuliani interview. Taken out of context, what we see is Giuliani says, “truth isn’t truth.” Is that factual? Yes. Does it accurately convey his meaning? Questionable.

Should Giuliani ever have used that phrase in a network interview? No. He set himself up for a public relations disaster because most people will only read or remember the headline. Cable news commentators will be arguing about it all day, beating him (and the administration) up, and everybody’s credibility (including media) will take yet another hit. The only thing lasting from Giuliani’s Meet the Press interview is not better understanding of an issue, but more shouting  on cable news. He sabotaged his own message. It would have been more productive to go to Krispy Kreme or just stay in bed.

It’s beyond difficult to be in the public eye. Every word matters ALL the time. That’s really hard in a live program. I’m sure I wouldn’t do well under that pressure. Giuliani is experienced. He should have known better. He provided a “nuclear” sound bite to his opposition. Media editors have a responsibility to truth as well.  They should insist on meaningful headlines not just eyeball bait.

Truth matters. We’d need to respect it more, abuse it less, and realize that while it may be “constructed” it is not a construct.

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Why Waves?

Just as ocean tides are powerful, so is the tide of media messages washing over individuals and culture.

I took the picture you see in 2012 when I attended a National Association of Television Production Executives in Miami Beach.  My hotel was vintage, tidy, and right on the beach.  It was worth losing sleep to rise at 5:30 a.m. so I could be on the boardwalk in time for sunrise.  The sound of waves, the smell of the sea, the peachy pastel morning light made the hour each morning one of peace, beauty and contemplation.

It occurred to me that the waves I loved to watch were much like the media I study.  Waves have such power and regularity.  They never stop. There is never a rest from them.  They can be breathtakingly beautiful — especially for an in-lander like me. They can  be devastatingly destructive.  Peaceful mornings turn violent when a hurricane blows in.

On that morning I saw a parallel between ever-present waves on the beach and the ever-present waves of media messages flowing over our lives and our culture.  Media bring us news and information.  They bring art and beautiful music, but  they also bring hatred, ugliness and destructive effects.  Those varying outcomes are constant, and they demand our attention and study.  As consumers we must be continually aware of our exposure, our engagement, and the consequences of our media use.  Are we being entertained, informed, deceived, distracted, persuaded — or all of the above?  Like the ocean, these technologies we call media should be enjoyed, appreciated, and respected, not only for the way they enrich our lives, but also for the potential they have to do quite the opposite.

 

 

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Freedom of Speech is a Two-Way Responsibility

On August 16, 2018,  more than 350 newspapers across the nation are publishing editorials in support of Freedom of the Press. Some will say this is an attack on President Trump. Others will say the papers are giving the president just what he wants — a show of unified media antagonism.
Whatever your political perspective, our Freedom of Speech is absolutely essential for democratic republic. The history of this nation if full of ugly cartoons, editorials, and opinionated reporting. What we need is a citizenry that thinks critically about both sides of an issue — and one which looks in more than one place for information, especially one which tells them what they want to hear.
So before we get mad at these newspapers, think about the principle fundamental to their arguments. Free speech is vital to America, but responsibility goes two ways. Media creators and media users must be responsible. Ideas are not about entertainment; they are pillars upon which our past, our present and our future are built. Real ideas are more than snark, memes or easy answers. They demand our attention and our critical evaluation, not just our emotional reactions. That goes for you and me, and for the president of the United States.

For more information (and differing viewpoints) see the article from Poynter : http://go.pardot.com/…/230e0036e0d7f7d749a192a1e06f7e047874…

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We Boldly Went …. Again!

Dr. Mc Speaks at Star Trek Las Vegas

       

This year, I was invited to speak about “Teaching with Trek” at the Official Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas.   The goal of this series was to show how Star Trek could be used to teach media literacy as well as other important themes in the classroom as well as at home and in society.  I spoke about Star Trek as modern myth, its message of diversity, and “Why Klingons Have Ridges and Tribbles Don’t.”  If you were in my Media Criticism or Media and Modern Mythology classes at The University of North Alabama, those are familiar topics.  My son, Chris, and my husband, Randy came along for moral support.  Chris and I have been to conventions before, but this was Randy’s first Star Trek convention.

I have to admit, I was more than a little nervous, but the audiences were so welcoming and supporting, I moved right into “teaching mode”.

    The first presentation was in a large lecture hall.  We were pleased to have approximately 650 people in the audience.   The other two presentations were in a smaller venue, and we had a full house both times.  Trek fans were engaged, interested, and they asked lots of questions.  It was lots of fun to share what I teach with them.  It felt like the best of both worlds: teaching and Star Trek!

     

We had some other firsts as well.  We all had an opportunity to try VR for the first time and experience a museum of Gene Roddenberry’s keepsakes from Star Trek.  I wish I had a photo of the three of us in headsets.  I kept trying to walk through the hall of the Enterprise D and kept bumping into that table!

  

The picture above-right is part of the Ten-Forward set from The Next Generation.  You can see it behind the table holding VR equipment for the Virtual Reality demonstration.

There are always lots of interesting things to do and see at a Star Trek Convention.  Discussion about production design, writing, and lot of interviews with ST cast and production team members.

   

The costume contest is always fun too!

             

It was really interesting to see the props, costumes, and production art from the Mirror Universe in season 1 of  Discovery. 

     

       

Of course the most exciting moment of the entire week was when Patrick Stewart announced  that Jean Luc Picard will be back in a new Star Trek series.

All in all, it was an amazing week! Chris and I had were in our natural element.  Randy is not a big Trekker, but he had a great time too.  We have lots of great memories, and we’re looking forward to next year!

Jan, Chris and Randy ready to go home. Chris and I are wearing our DS-9 25th Anniversary T-shirts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We Boldly Went …

The Official Start Trek Convention, Las Vegas, 2017 Part 2

The first day at a Star Trek convention involves registration, figuring out where everything is, seeing the vendor room and booking photo ops.  Once those things are settled,  we really enjoy the wide variety of activities.   I especially like the programs about the writing and production in the franchise.  Michael Westmore did two interesting ones on design and makeup for cast members  and aliens.  Others focused on costuming and production design.

 

 

There were interviews with series writers and show-runners and lots interesting interviews with celebrities from the series and films.  We were lucky to see Patrick Stewart because he doesn’t often make the conventions.

    

Cast interviews are big part of these conventions, especially in an anniversary year.  William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Patrick Stewart and most of The Next Generation cast were there.  It’s lots of fun to see the actors, hear their stories and see how they interact with each other.

Attendees also have the opportunity for photos and autographs with cast members.  William Shatner and others use this to raise money for the charities they support. Last year, at 50th Anniversary Convention, we met Michael Dorn and Brent Spiner.  This year, we had our picture taken with William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols.   These pictures are on my office wall along with the picture Patrick Stewart autographed.

A large exhibit featured the costumes, sets, props and make-up in the new Discovery series.  The detail on all of these much more elaborate than previous series.  Some were designed and produced using 3-D printing technology.

                                                                           

I used Star Trek in my classes since I began teaching more than 30 years ago. I filled a small notebook this time with information about the creation and production of the new Star Trek series, Discovery.

There were lots of people in costume and fans from all over the world.  There  was a sense of comradery, respect and belonging that felt more like church than a fan convention.  These were people who share a vision is positive, diverse, expansive and exciting.  Respect is foundational.  At times there were crowds, lines, and complications, but only once in five days did I hear a cross word.

 

There are lots of interesting displays at the convention including a collection of art celebrating Star Trek: The Next Generation.  One of my favorites was the restored set from the original series.

 

My husband Randy is not a Trekker.  He would never choose a Star Trek Convention as vacation destination, but I would love him to go with me some time.  It’s such a unique experience, and I’d love to share it with him.  (Don’t hold your breath….)

I’m not sure when Chris and I will make another Star Trek trip, but I know there’s one in our future someday —maybe even with a next generation of McMullen Trekkers.  Now that sounds like a plan!

August 12, 2017