Written Analysis 3

Cody Smith

Popular Culture

Professor Whitney Isles
July 23, 2014

            As we know many athletes are the heroes and role models of many.  Athletes of every sport have fans of all ages who look up to them and love to watch them perform.  As the fans of these famous athletes stay on top of the every move of their favorite athletes the controversy that steroids has produced weighs heavily on the attitudes towards athletes.  The athletes are celebrities and are exploited every time an athlete admits to ever using a steroid or performance enhancing drug (Browne, 2005). 

            It seems once that the athletes are brought out into the light and are viewed as cheaters and potentially addicts and liars they aren’t looked in the same light as they once were.  Athletes on the professional level are viewed as super human almost being able to perform tasks that most cant.  For example, Mark McGwire who seemed to ever so easily launch a baseball out of any ball park against any pitcher is now a batting coach and considered cheater by some fans because he admitted to using a steroid during his playing career.  This is the same situation among many others such as Jose Conseco, Roger Clemens, Ryan Braun, and many others("The Steroids Era - MLB Topics - ESPN", 2012,) . 

            Tabloids and the mainstream media exploits these athletes during entire investigations or throughout the time period that allegations surface.   Lance Armstrong a professional cyclist who seemed super natural is seemed to be humiliated constantly and dropped by sponsors because of his admission of drug use which caused him to metaphorically fall from the top of the world.  Many pro wrestlers who have died at a young age and their deaths have been pointed towards steroid use are a poor example to the children who admire them.  

            All children moralize baseball players, wrestlers, football players, and many other famous athletes as they almost seem like super heroes and as they grow older they learn that steroid use contributed to their success.  This promotes the message that as they grow and develop and become involved with sports performance enhancing drugs are a necessity to success. 

                                                                       References

The Steroids Era - MLB Topics - ESPN. (2012, December 9). Retrieved July 23, 2014, from                 http://espn.go.com/mlb/topics/_/page/the-steroids-era

Browne, R. B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture: A reader. Madison, WI: The University of        Wisconsin Press. ISBN: 0-87972-869-8.

Journal Article Paper

Journal Article Paper

Cody Smith

Popular Culture

Professor Whitney Isles

July 23, 2014

Introduction

Entertaining Elephants: Animal Agency and the Business of the American Circus, authored by Susan Nance are reviewed by Erik Mortensen of Humber College in my chosen article to be analyzed for the purpose of this paper. 

Analysis

Mortensen describes the Nance’s book as entertaining and enlightening as he describes the publication as articulate and much researched.  Nance’s book based on the history of elephants since their arrival in North America and the role played in our history as they are marketed and displayed as enormous spectacles at circuses across the nation.  The article also describes how the book relates to the American circus specifically and its normal business practices.   Nance’s research is mentioned on how the accounts of various animal owners, trainers, circus performers, spectators and circus advertisements were taken into account and were contributing factors to Nance’s book.  Mortensen describes Nance’s accounts of the knowledge gap that was present about elephants and works to present new additions to the knowledge of the animals (Mortensen, 2014). 

            I believe that this article is directed at those who are searching for an account or summary of the book authored by Nance.  It is possible that this type of article is directed towards animal lovers, students of animal science, business owners, and people who are interested in the well fare of animals who perform in the circus.  Mortensen’s examples of who the book reviewed may be useful to I believe is a testament on who the article is aimed towards.  I would summarize this article as a good review on a book where the author is dissecting the business of utilizing elephants as performers and the history of such animals in the circus business.  There are a few main ideas discussed in this review such as, the history of elephants in North America, how elephants which are not native are displayed as performers and developed into a lucrative business involving animal owners, trainers, and performers (Mortensen, 2014).

Agree or Disagree?

Although, I haven’t actually read the book that is being review in the article by Mortensen, I do find the subject material very interesting and thought provoking.  I do agree that this book authored by Nance would be potentially valuable to those researching elephants, the business of circus in America, business practices of the North American Circus, and the elephant trade and markets.  I believe that Mortensen does a good job advertising the publication as something that would be fun to read and interesting even if you are not researching the subject material provided. 

Importance

I believe that this article is important for a number of reasons.  Those who are studying animal sciences would be able to read a quick review of the article and decipher if it would pertain to a project or research paper that they were currently in the process of developing.  I think that those interested in the history of elephants in the North American circus or the history of how elephants made it to North America and the journey to the present day would find this article very helpful.  The article may not be as important to someone that is not interested or involved with elephants or their involvement in the circus however, I do believe that it would be possible for someone to be interested by this article and choose to read Nance’s book for their own pleasure.  This book will provide a vast important information to all of its readers and potentially aid in furthering the efficiency and effectiveness of the business of circus and help to close the gap of knowledge about elephants in the circus world. 

 References

Mortensen, E. (2014). Entertaining Elephants: Animal Agency and the Business of the American Circus. The Journal of Popular Culture, 47(2), 421-422. doi:0022-3840

Written Analysis 2

Cody Smith

Popular Culture

Professor Whitney Isles

July 17, 2014

A ritual is defined by Merriam Webster as follows, always done in a particular situation and in the same way each time.  Steroid use has become a popular topic and could be seen as a ritual among many athletes in the sports arena.   Although steroids have been deemed highly dangerous and unacceptable in recent news, there was a time when steroid use was the norm among athletes and the behavior was not shunned upon ("Ritual - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary", 2014). 

For example, many athletes that needed a certain physique or specific amount of power engaged in steroid use to help gain the edge they needed to produce results they were expected to by their superiors and fans.  Professional wrestlers in the 1970’s-1990’s before the steroid ban used these to maintain their figures and muscle mass as well as, football players and other athletes who used the drugs to not only gain muscle and strength faster but also to recover faster and more efficiently("Historical Timeline - Drug Use in Sports - Pros and Cons - ProCon.org", 2013) . 

Athletes are stereotyped today such as the big linebackers of the NFL or the professional wrestlers who make a living entertaining on tv.  These figures to be competitive not only in the marketplace but on the field have to undergo a vigorous amount of punishment and physical activity.  However, it seems that the stereotypes are implemented to any baseball player, football star or wrestler with some size that they must be “juicing.”  Although, with recent news stories and admissions by those who were professional athletes that it was a common ritual to take steroids and performance enhancing drugs to keep the edge so to speak and to be able to keep going out night after night and performing, a large number of athletes indeed do not use steroids and conduct themselves in a manner that is acceptable to today’s standards and yet still fall victim to the stereotype of a few who chose to engage in this specific ritual in professional sports that is now considered cheating and suicide.  Understanding rituals and stereotypes in popular culture helps you understand what is expected of these athletes and what they have to go through ("Historical Timeline - Drug Use in Sports - Pros and Cons - ProCon.org", 2013). 

                                                           References

Historical Timeline - Drug Use in Sports - Pros and Cons - ProCon.org. (2013, August 8). Retrieved July 20, 2014, from http://sportsanddrugs.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000017

Ritual - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual

Written Analysis-Analysis 1

Cody Smith

                                                                  Popular Culture                                                   

Professor Whitney Iles

July 8, 2014

Introduction

The topic of steroid use in the professional sports arena is a very popular topic that seems to gain popularity as time passes.  We know that steroid use and performance enhancing drugs are an unhealthy way for athletes to maintain the edge or the boost they need to stay on top of their game.  This paper will discuss how theories are related to this topic, how performance enhancing drug use is evaluated by such theories, and what insights could be gained from applying these theories to the controversial topic of steroid use by pro athletes (Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports Fast Facts - CNN.com, 2014).  

How do the theories evaluate steroid use?

It is popular belief that steroid use by those who compete as professional athletes is an unfair advantage.  Even though not all pro athletes use performance enhancing drugs the ever growing percentage who admit to using them are record holders, champions, and sponsored role models to those who are their audience.  It is believed by most that the titles, championships, statuses, and licenses should be revoked by their respected associations because of the unfair advantage steroids are believed to provide to those who use them.  Performance enhancing drugs help athletes achieve the supernatural myth that pro baseball players, wrestlers, etcetera are believed to possess.  Icons that are represented by this topic include Barry Bonds, Lance Armstrong, Randy Savage, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGuire, Jose Conseco, and Gary Sheffield.  The popular belief that the unhealthy trend of steroids has spurred the development of the Anti-Doping Agency and various investigations conducted by many professional sports organizations who have decided to battle drug use (Fainaru-Wada & Williams, 2006).

Insights and Conclusion

I believe that the beliefs of the majority on certain issues being morally right or wrong are very influential.  I think that the sports players or entertainers who are found to have used these types of drugs are detrimental to children who are modeling their behaviors after their favorite athletes.  On the other hand, I could understand why these athletes resort to steroid use during their career.  The ever stressful requirements by those who are always pushed to be the best and stay on top or they will be left behind could cause this type of behavior.  Athletes that are believed to be supernatural and perform at the highest levels may find it difficult as the years go by maintaining the strength of their youth needed to be competitive (Petracca & Sorapure, 2009).  

Icon Analysis

                The three pop culture icons I choose were Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, and Jackie Robinson.  All three represent minority in their respected sports and showcase ultimately some of the best talent ever displayed.  Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson were professional athletes in a time of sever segregation and hate in American society.  All three men mentioned here are widely known even by those who are not die-hard fans of these sports. 

 

                Muhammad Ali a professional boxer and self-proclaimed greatest fighter who ever lived, was a black man named “Sportsmen of the Century” by Sports Illustrated Magazine.  At the age of 22, Ali had won the heavyweight championship of the world.  Ali is the only three time lineal World Heavyweight Champion and a very powerful and entertaining spectacle.

                Jackie Robinson maybe argumentatively one of the most important and influential baseball players of all time to ever play the game.  Robinson, the first African American baseball player to play in the major leagues in 1947, was one of the most recognized faces in the civil rights movement.  Robinson, who played in six World Series and six consecutive all-star games had an exceptional baseball career to say the least.   Jackie Robinson respected by all for his bravery to stand against the times just for the right to play on equal ground.  

                Tiger Woods who has appeared on the front of Wheaties cereal box, Sports Illustrated, and Men’s Health is one of the most recognized professional golfers today.  Formerly a World no. 1, Woods has been one of the world’s highest paid athletes for several years.  Woods who turned pro in 1996 won his first major in 1997.  Tiger is one of the most recognized and successful golfers of this era.  

Popular Culture Blog

What is Popular Culture?

Pop culture by definition is music, TV, cinema, literature, etc. that is popular and enjoyed by ordinary people, rather than experts or very educated people.  To me, popular culture is trendy practices, clothing, music, social media, etc. These trends or things that are popular are endorsed and advertised by the mass media, celebrities, and companies.  Popular Culture is the current buzz or what is in style or cool as of right now.  The internet for example is how the majority communicates, posts pictures or what they have done in the last 15 min. via social media websites.  We see this popular behavior on Facebook, YouTube, etc.  Technology and the internet is a massive part of society’s daily life as compared to fifteen years ago.  I-tunes, smart phones, skinny jeans, slang terms, and movies such as Lone Survivor and Transformers are all examples of popular culture. 

Popular Culture in Criminal Justice

            Popular Culture is very important in the criminal justice field.  Criminologists study behavior linked to why and how crimes are committed based on the ever evolving cultures of different societies.  Social Media is a very important aspect of law enforcement's role in deterring and preventing crime.  Law enforcement agencies have implemented Facebook pages to communicate with the public about safety concerns as well as, providing a place to receive tips and information on crime that has been committed in the area.  Police departments at all levels have used the internet as a way of fighting crime such as, using Facebook and other social media as a tool in conducting investigations and gathering information.  The internet has evolved law enforcement in a way that has benefited agencies all across the world.  Records and information are now passed a lot faster and efficiently and the use of on board mobile computers that are internet capable have enabled those in the criminal justice field from law enforcement to forensic scientists to be more effective in their daily activities. 

Popular Culture Artifact

            As we know popular culture artifacts can include but are not limited to internet personalities, popular scenes or highlights from certain TV shows or movies, news stories, but also pictures, and attitudes.  A popular culture artifact can be a particular object or thing that is trendy that can come from a vast amount of sources such as the internet or media. 

            An example of a popular culture artifact would be the ever popular fitness and training method of cross fit.  The cross fit movement began in 2007 that was started by a small group of individuals who hosted a fitness competition in southern California.  Cross fit has since then skyrocketed in popularity across the globe and now the annual Cross fit games are televised on ESPN.  Gyms have popped up all over the United States with participants competing for a qualifying spot in the yearly games.  Cross fit which was once a competition consisting of cross country running, weight lifting, and various events has evolved into massive triathlon style competitions including biking, swimming, strongman, weightlifting, and endurance events.   Reebok, Rogue Fitness and other companies have made cross fit a very lucrative business for all involved and have the intention of maintaining Cross fit as a professional sport for many years to come.  Cross fit has been a variable that has pushed the fitness movement encouraging people to be fit and live healthy lifestyles.