Emojis *Insert Thumbs Up Emoji Here*

After writing with a combination of emojis and text, I feel that I was able to write a meaningful reflection and carry the ideas of philosophy regarding language. I chose to write my passage with a mixture of standard English and emojis, which is the way I would use language and emojis to talk to my friends over text, email, or Facebook.  The use of emojis helped me to display emotions or physical objects without having to use words to describe them. Instead of using the words “computer” and “iPhone,” I could easily just insert the emoji for a computer and iPhone. As I wrote, I just added emojis whenever I felt like they would help further convey my point. I didn’t feel as if I needed to sacrifice any crucial language when using emojis. That being said, I had some difficulty deciding what the appropriate placement of punctuation would be in relation to the emojis. Should emojis be treated like words? Or is punctuation unnecessary? I was able to communicate efficiently during emojis, but I did feel as if my language was not as legitimate with the use of emojis. Some of my ethos could be taken away because the reader would see my language—and therefore, me—as childish. Without Standard English, communicating in just emojis would have been nearly impossible. Emojis can help make Standard English clearer, but if one were to take the emojis out of my passage, not a lot would be lost due to the fact that the Standard English is the main carrier of the message. 

The Inner Meaning

            This advertisement depicts a knee-down picture of a man with one real leg, and one prosthetic leg. Immediately, it is evident that the bottom of the prosthetic leg is made to look like a normal foot. But, as one’s eye moves up the leg, it begins to resemble more of a machine, and less of a human. The text to the right of this image says, “Spare parts for humans are not as original as those for cars.” And below that it says, “Don’t drink and drive.” The last thing my eye saw was the tiny text stating that this advertisement was “issued in public interest by,” followed by the BMW symbol. In the background of the entire ad is a blurred out white and gray background. This creates a sterile and cold environment, which automatically makes the viewer feel uncomfortable. It can be inferred that this person is standing in a hospital, or somewhere unfavorable. Right away, this sets the mood for the advertisement.

            This ad uses the tactic of cause and effect to show the viewer a grim possibility as a result of drunk driving. After all, the public service purpose of this ad is to convince people to not drink and drive. The underlying and not so obvious message of this advertisement is hidden in the words. The text to the right of the image has two meanings. The first interpretation points out the machine-like, unoriginal, and overall unfavorable appearance of the prosthetic leg. The second, subtler, interpretation implies that BMW makes original, and pleasing to the eye (opposite of the prosthetic leg) car parts.

I commend BMW and this advertisement for tackling a major problem in our society—drunk driving. That being said, the higher purpose of this ad cannot be forgotten: BMW wants to sell cars. Through their message, they are implicitly implying that they make the best and most original car parts, and that people should buy BMW cars. BMW also uses this drunk driving advertisement to boost their ethos and show the character of their company. BMW is hoping for a more solid client base that buys from them because of their “original” cars, along with because they appreciate the good BMW is doing for the public. In the end, it’s all about making money.

           
 

Project Reflection

Fairfield Country is certainly a unique place in regards to its cultural space. On the surface, it may seem like having the Starbucks cup in hand and tanned skin is what Fairfield County is all about. Sure, maybe that’s part of it, but it is the values that have come to create this culture that deserve to be analyzed. All around the world, United States, and Fairfield County in particular, acceptance is what drives cultural boundaries to be formed. What qualifies people to be considered “socially acceptable” changes from place to place.

After stopping and actually observing the “unwritten rules” of Fairfield County, I have realized that the idea of wealth—or appearing to be wealthy—has come to become an obsession here. Money is very often associated with Fairfield County, and this really isn’t so far off from the truth. It is true that this county is one of the richest in all of the United States. But, what is often neglected, is the fact that not everyone is rich and lives in mansions. In fact, it can be argued that what might be the considered the upper class in another part of the country is considered middle class here in Fairfield County. This idea that in order to fit in here, you must be rich is what causes the preppy attitude that is all too easily found in this area.

This class and wealth situation also has an effect on how we view race. Since this country was founded, white people have often been thought of as the superior race. With this superiority comes the connotation of wealth. In our society today, most people know that this is a racist stereotype, but it cannot be ignored that it still exists in our very own county. In the two physical places I visited—Starbucks and a tanning salon—there was an obvious white majority. I do not believe this was unusual for two fairly upper class institutions within Fairfield County.

Now that I’ve taken a step back to review the inner workings of Fairfield County—my own life here included—the problems we face as a society have become clearer. What we consider to be acceptable should not be based on financial status. Friendships should be made based on who can buy the most stuff, or who has the most expensive clothes that day. I’ve really started to think about whether paying that extra four dollars per cup of coffee at Starbucks is worth it.

In this area in particular, I get the sense that people do not really feel obligated to do their part in bettering society. Most like to go about their daily business, and take little care in worrying about the well being of others. Being on time for that spray tan appointment exceeds all other things at that moment. As critical as that sounds, I believe it to be true for most, but not everyone. Now that I have looked around me, I can start with myself in trying to better society and make Fairfield County a place where everyone can feel accepted. I recognize that I make a conscious effort to fit in here, and I have no problem admitting that. But, after seeing the superficial values make up what I try so hard to be, I think it is time to take a step back. Maybe if I tried to be more of myself and less what everyone expects me to be, others will follow. 

Physical Place Journal: The Spray Tan

            I’m certainly not too proud to admit it, but I did get a spray tan before the Mistletoe Dance. I went to Zen Bronze in Greenwich, and I knew for a fact that places like these are carved out for certain groups of people. The large sign outside the salon had a picture of a tall, blonde, tan girl with perfect features, which implied that getting a spray tan there would automatically make you look perfect like that. When we got inside, there were signs posted everywhere about the organic elements of the spray tan, and how it was a healthy alternative to tanning beds. This can be thought of as a form of propaganda to help justify the reasoning for getting one. 

            This tanning salon targets a very small demographic around the country, but this small demographic is actually the majority in the Fairfield County—Greenwich in particular. This tanning salon was targeted towards upper class white teenagers in Fairfield County. Being tan has come to be a cultural symbol of wealth and high status. Personally, I had a shin guard tan to get rid of, but the owner was telling us about all of the girls who come in before returning to college in order to make it look like they went on some expensive vacation to a tropical island.

            There are no physical boundaries preventing any group from accessing Zen Bronze, it is a public business. But, cultural boundaries do exist. For example, it would be a surprise for a darker skinned person to go in and ask for a spray tan. This would just not be culturally acceptable in this physical place. It is amazing how a place with absolutely no physical  boundaries is able to put a wall due to cultural expectations. 

Eavesdropping Journal: Not Just a Cup of Coffee

            The local Darien Starbucks is a very familiar spot for me. That being said, never before had I taken my mind off my Pumpkin Spice Latte long enough to listen to and think about what was going on around me. Once I settled myself in a chair, I decided to focus on the most abundant crowd—teenagers. The first teenager that caught my eye was sitting two tables away from me with a woman who looked like she was in her late twenties. Laid out in front of the teenager were multiple college brochures for Williams College—a small, but very prestigious, liberal arts college in Massachusetts. It did not take me long to figure out that an interview was taking place.

            I turned my attention to three teenage girls, who I would guess to have been around thirteen-years-old, sitting around a table with what looked to be chocolate flavored Frappuccinos. I felt bad eavesdropping at first, but they were giggling so loudly it was difficult not to. They were talking about a couple in their school that had apparently just broken up, and how “shocking” it was. Although the three girls were all talking, they were also all on their cell phones, texting and taking pictures of themselves. I could not help but think that these girls were representing stereotypical Fairfield County teenagers. They did not even notice that their noise level was becoming increasing louder. Whatever was on their phones’ was keeping them from being aware of their surroundings.

            Overall, Starbucks definitely attracts more than one group of people. Starbucks—at least in Fairfield County—has come to be known as a relaxed place with a slightly upscale environment. This is an explanation for both the college interview and the giggly teenagers. There is a clear connection between the physical place of Starbucks and that culture which has been created. In fact, I could not have been less surprised by my findings, which just goes to show that I, too, have been affected by this culture.