Ideology Behind Texts

Advertising is a form of persuasive communication to convince consumer to purchase products or services by showing the strong points but hiding the weaknesses. Advertisers are so clever that they always associate some kind of ideologies or qualities with products NATURALLY, audience always receive all messages from advertisement without thinking critically. For example, as advertisement says professionals use MacBook Air to do business so Peter should get one or Lucy should buy iPhone as trendy people use iPhone to surf on the internet all day all time.

Here is an advertisement of Apple MacBook Air, some ideologies and techniques will be revealed which are hidden in it.

Firstly, there is an assumption that notebook is still very bulky and thick which is so inconvenient to bring out. However, Apple MacBook Air is so thin which can fix in a paper file just like papers! It is so portable. The slogan ‘The world’s thinnest notebook’ delivers a message to audience that Apple MacBook Air is greater than other Macbook.

However, the advertisement does not tell consumer that some devices are missing in Apple MacBook Air so extra devices need to add on, such as CD drive and USB drive. Another advertisement Lenovo X300 reflects the truth of this for consumer. It is so funny!!





Social Networking and Me

In today’s lesson, when Rodney asked ‘how many facebook friends do you have?’ I was shocked because I did not know the exact number?! I normally accepted friends on facebook without knowing exactly who they are. (dangerous?!) People who ‘add’ me mostly are my primary school classmates (even I cannot recognize), friend’s friends or groupmates from interest classes. The question really make me reflect my attitude to make friends online. 


 Are the 'friends' on facebook really my friends???

Do friends must have actual contact?

Do virtual contact acceptable?

If I only chat with them once a month,

are they still my friends?

What does the word 'friend' mean?

I try to create my Friend Wheel on Facebook to understand my social networking. It can be divided into four groups: toastmasters, secondary school classmates, EP classmates, groupmates from interest groups.

My Friend Wheel on Facebook

I discover my friends are closely connected with each other (some of them are friends and I even do not know!!) Besides, I agree to keep strong weak ties as a connection provide a chance for people to contact. Friend A wants someone to be a part time tutor and I introduce friend B to A, it is a win win situation to benefit themselves.

At last, I share a video clip about social networking, hope all of you enjoy!