Research Topic

          I have altered my research topic quite significantly. I plan to research whether depictions of illicit and pernicious activity in films instigate similar practices by viewers in their personal lives. I plan to use three films relevant to popular culture as examples: The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited, and Requiem for a Dream. My research question is as follows: Does the depiction of self-mutilation in The Royal Tenenbaums and substance abuse in The Darjeeling Limited and Requiem for a Dream instigate viewers to subsequently exercise these practices and the like? This research topic is immensely relevant to popular culture. What the media exposes to society tends to influence the way in which society functions in most, if not all, of its facets. By determining whether or not a correlation is in fact established using these three films as examples, the magnitude of film's influence on societal members' psyches can be amounted. Currently, I am certain that the content depicted in mass media, especially film, almost invariably parallels values that proliferate within the popular culture of the time. Knowing this, I would like to attempt to discover if mirroring back the values and decisions that are presented to viewers psychologically impels them to adhere to and implement what they are exposed to. As of now, I would determine that depictions of illicit and harmful activity in film does indeed impel viewers to do the same. However, I am ignorant if this response from viewers is on the subconscious, conscious, or both subconscious and conscious levels. As such, in order to develop this research topic into a stronger essay, I must study the process of psychological influence on human beings in conjunction with the added effect of film as the medium conveying the psychological effects. 

Response Essay # 4 Rough Draft

Chris Fernandez

HON 101

Response Essay # 4

11/3/13

           Photography is a medium whose central function has remained the same for many years. The common phrase “A picture is worth one-thousand words” implies just how powerful of an impact a photograph can have on those who view it. In this sense, all photographs posses the same essence, serving to provide members of society with the chance to not only capture memories but preserve them as well. A mere glimpse of a meaningful photograph can instantly transport the photographer or even a random viewer back to that point in time when the photo was taken. Consider, for instance, the photograph taken of the sailor and nurse kissing in Times Square after World War II had just ended. This photograph captures the excitement, relief, and patriotic pride that proliferated at this particular point in time. Photographs such as these, however, are becoming less and less common. Most photographs the average person views are on social networking websites or applications, such as Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook. Instagram is a social networking application offered primarily on smart phones. Tumblr is a blogging website that can aptly be described as a virtual network of diaries. Facebook is intended primarily for social networking, helping friends and family to stay in touch as well as offering the ability to learn more about newly met people. In the context of photography, the function of these applications and websites is merely to share photographs and videos with one's followers or friends. The underlying function, however, is quite different from the former and painfully apparent. Through the use of Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook, the amount of likes one receives for his or her photographs has become a general indicator of one's hierarchical status within societal culture, specifically within the realm of adolescents.

           Of most social networking applications, Instagram is the most centrally focused on photographs. Within this application, users establish accounts that enable them to post photographs. Users are provided with the opportunity to “follow” other instagram accounts, which are typically their friends' accounts. There is also the option to apply a filter to the photographs one has posted for the sake of enhancing the photograph or diversifying its effect. However, a key feature of this application is a feature of Tumblr and Facebook as well. This feature is the ability to “like” photographs users have posted. For Instagram, this particular aspect has seemingly become the most significant. As most would already assume, the major demographic of Instagram accounts belong to teens in high school. Therefore, many adolescents utilize Instagram as a gauge for popularity within their particular community. Clearly, the more “likes” one receives, the more popularity he or she possesses. This nonsensical method of judgement is unfortunately employed quite often within educational institutions. An unofficial scale of rank based on the amount of “likes” one receives is as follows: Less than five “likes” generally indicates a low status; greater than five, but less than twenty “likes,” suggests mild popularity; more than twenty “likes” most likely indicates a high level of popularity; finally, more than fifty “likes” deems the user to be especially popular. A major reason as to why this irrational and unethical system of ranking exists lies within the application's accessibility. The majority of teens possess smart phones, which is generally the only way in which one can use Instagram. Because teens are already addicted to their phones, Instagram is frequently used, bolstering the implicit use of this ranking system. This application rarely allows for photographs void of social connotation. At least on Instagram, a picture is now worth one-thousand likes as opposed to one-thousand words.