Media Literacy Project continued

The Media Literacy Project that I designed and implemented for Mr. Murphy's Info. Lit. Instructional Technology classes went very well overall. There were a few snags here and there, but we're going to collaborate on a similar Project in the Fall (of '09) and it will be even better! This was an excellent Project for my Instructional Technology Practicum and it will be worth re-designing to explore again.

By the way, I recently found out that my Practicum will officially be happening in the Fall (of '09) and not this Spring (as I was originally told). I'm still doing a lot of Practicum curriculum work this Spring and will re-visit the more successful Projects in the Fall. There were a lot of interesting and thoughtful replies from students with this work, so if you're interested you can contact me for more details. Here is one of the excerpts from the wrap-up/conclusion of the Media Literacy Discussion Posts (without the student replies).

As we move towards concluding this Project I want to give you some more background info. on some of these topics and some feedback on your responses.

Thread One- Adbusters, "Buy nothing day"

After looking at your replies it seems fair to say that a majority of you are concerned about issues such as over-consumption and environmental destruction. But it is not clear what is the best way to improve these problems or if something like a "buy nothing day" would do anything to help (fight these problems or to raise awareness). Also, there were mixed feelings about whether the videos were effective or not- although it did seem like most of you agreed that they were at least thought-provoking. It's interesting to note that many major TV networks refuse to let Adbusters pay to put these PSA's on the air.

By the way, "buy nothing day" takes place on "black friday" every year- which is the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year.

Here are some quotes from a Consumer Reports article (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/money/2008/11/black-friday-bu.html) with Adbusters explaining their viewpoint: "The goal of Buy Nothing Day, Lasn says, is to encourage people to conserve more of the planet’s resources for future generations, live within their means, and to avoid drowning in debt."

"For his activism, Lasn says he’s been heckled and vilified as a Communist hell-bent on destroying America’s economy. Lasn, predictably, sees it differently. “It’s all about making people think and celebrate the holidays in a different and sustainable way. Living within our means will also make us happier and healthier than we’ve been in the past.”

"While it’s impossible to guess how many people will participate in Buy Nothing Day, Lasn says the movement has spread like wildfire thanks largely to the Internet. He estimates that tens of millions of people are aware of the day, while 2 to 3 million have actually tried taking a vacation from shopping. A few thousand more, he says, are more actively involved in protests and other demonstrations."

"What do you think of Buy Nothing Day? Is it well intentioned noble ideal, Communist conspiracy, or something else?"

Here is an interesting interview with the Adbusters' founder on CNN:


Another reason Adbusters gives for such actions is stop people from being so crazed about shopping that they actually trample each other to death ("Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death", Nov. 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/business/29walmart.html?_r=2)

A different alternative viewpoint on "buy nothing day" is: "Buy Local or Buy Nothing?"
(http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/009095.html)
Some people argue that instead of buying nothing it makes more sense to buy local and more-sustainable goods and products. This sort of goes with the idea that we live in a capitalist society/system and that we need to make the best of it at this point rather than trying to destroy it.

These are important issues to think about and consider with no one easy answer.

Any other thoughts?