Culture Jamming - Definition and Examples

Culture jamming is the practice of disrupting the mundane nature of everyday life and the status quo with surprising, often comical or satirical acts or artworks. The practice was popularized by the anti-consumerist organization Adbusters, which often uses it to force those who encounter their work to question the presence and influence of advertising and consumerism in our lives. In particular, culture jamming often asks us to reflect on the pace and volume at which we consume and the unquestioned role that the consumption of goods plays in our lives, despite the many human and environmental costs of global mass production. Key Takeaways: Culture Jamming Culture jamming refers to the creation of images or practices that force viewers to question the status quo.Culture jamming disrupts social norms and is often used as a tool for social change. Activists have used culture jamming to raise awareness of issues including sweatshop labor, sexual assault on college campuses, and police brutality. The Critical Theory Behind Culture Jamming Culture jamming often involves the use of a meme that revises or plays off of a commonly recognized symbol of a corporate brand (such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Nike, and Apple, to name just a few). The meme is typically designed to call into question the brand image and values attached to the corporate logo, to question the consumer relationship to the brand, and to illuminate harmful actions on the part of the corporation. For example, when Apple launched the iPhone 6 in 2014, the Hong Kong-based Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM) staged a protest at a Hong Kong Apple Store where they unfurled a large banner that featured the image of the new device sandwiched between the words, iSlave. Harsher than harsher. Still made in sweatshops. The practice of culture jamming is inspired by the critical theory of the Frankfurt School, which focused on the power of mass media and advertising to shape and direct our norms, values, expectations, and behavior  through unconscious and subconscious tactics. By subverting the image and values attached to a corporate brand, the memes deployed in culture jamming aim to produce feelings of shock, shame, fear, and ultimately anger in the viewer, because it is these emotions that lead to social change and political action. Sometimes, culture jamming uses a meme or a public performance to critique the norms and practices of social institutions or to question political assumptions that lead to inequality or injustice. The artist Banksy is a notable example of this type of culture jamming. Here, well examine some recent cases that do the same. Emma Sulkowicz and Rape Culture Emma Sulkowicz launched her performance piece and senior thesis project Mattress Performance: Carry That Weight at Columbia University in New York City  in September  2014, as a way to draw critical attention to the universitys mishandling of disciplinary proceedings for her alleged rapist, and its mishandling of sexual assault cases in general. Speaking about her performance and her experience of rape, Emma told the Columbia Spectator that the piece is designed to take her private experience of rape and shame in the aftermath of her attack into the public sphere and  to physically evoke the psychological weight she has carried since the alleged attack.  Emma vowed to carry the weight in public until her alleged rapist was expelled or left campus. This never happened, so Emma and supporters of the cause carried her mattress throughout her graduation ceremony. Emmas daily performance not only brought  her alleged assault  into the public sphere, it also jammed the notion  that sexual assault and its consequences are private matters, and illuminated the reality that they are often  hidden from view by the shame and fear that survivors experience. Refusing to suffer in silence and in private, Emma made  her fellow students, faculty, administrators, and staff at Columbia face the reality of sexual assault on college campuses by making the matter visible with her performance. In sociological terms, Emmas performance served to vanish the taboo on acknowledging and discussing the widespread problem of sexual violence by disrupting the social norms of daily campus behavior. She brought rape culture into sharp focus on Columbias campus, and in society in general. Emma received a heap of media coverage for her culture jamming performance piece, and fellow students and alumni of Columbia joined her in carrying the weight on a daily basis. Of the social and political power of her work and the widespread media attention it received, Ben Davis of ArtNet, the leader in global news about the art world, wrote, I can hardly think of an artwork in recent memory that justifies the belief that art can still help  lead a conversation  in quite the way  Mattress Performance  already has. Black Lives Matter and Justice for Michael Brown At the same time that Emma was carrying that weight around Columbias campus, halfway across the country in St. Louis, Missouri, protesters creatively demanded  justice for 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed Black man  who was killed by a Ferguson, MO police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014. Wilson had at that point yet to be charged with a crime, and since the killing occurred, Ferguson, a predominantly Black city  with a predominantly white police force and a history of police harassment and brutality,  had been raked by daily and nightly protests. Just as intermission concluded during a performance of  Requiem  by Johannes Brahms by the St. Louis Symphony on October 4, a racially diverse group of singers stood from their seats, one by one, singing the classic Civil Rights anthem, Which Side Are You On? In a beautiful and haunting performance, protesters addressed the predominantly white audience with the songs titular question, and implored, Justice for Mike Brown is justice for us all. In a recorded video of the event, some audience members look on disapprovingly while many clapped for the singers. Protesters dropped banners  from the balcony commemorating Michael Browns life  during the performance  and chanted Black lives matter! as they peacefully exited the symphony hall at the conclusion of the song. The surprising, creative, and beautiful nature of this culture jamming protest made it particularly effective. The protesters capitalized on the presence of a quiet and attentive audience to disrupt the norm of audience  silence and stillness  and instead made  the audience the site of a politically engaged performance. When social norms are disrupted in spaces in which they are usually strictly obeyed, we tend to quickly take notice and focus on the disruption, which makes this form of culture jamming successful. Further, this performance disrupts the privileged comfort that members of a symphony audience enjoy, given that they are primarily white and wealthy, or at least middle class. The performance was an effective way of reminding people who are not burdened by racism that the community in which they live is currently under assault by it in physical, institutional, and ideological ways  and that, as members of that community, they have a responsibility to fight those for ces. Both of these performances, by Emma Sulkowicz and the St. Louis protesters, are examples of culture jamming at its best. They surprise those who bear witness to them with their disruption of social norms, and in doing so, call those very norms, and the validity of the institutions that organize them  into question. Each offers a timely and deeply important  commentary on troubling social problems  and forces us to confront that which is more conveniently swept aside. This matters because viscerally confronting the social problems of our day is an important step in the direction of meaningful social change.

Lateral Violence As A Non Physical Act - 1368 Words

Lateral violence is described as a non-physical act occurring between individuals and is intended to hurt another person emotionally. It may be a secretive or noticeable act of verbal or non-verbal hostility. The actions can extend exterior to the place of work and can be perpetrated individually or in cyberspace. Within the nursing community, lateral violence is described as aggression behaviors amongst nurses. The most common forms of lateral violence in the nursing practice include: undermining actions, withholding information, interference, backbiting, incrimination, backstabbing, broken confidences, and failure to respect the privacy of another person. Workplace conflict leads to adverse impacts on registered nurses, patients, other†¦show more content†¦Other issues mentioned include discrimination in the workplace, the perception of subjection, anger, and power wrangles within healthcare organizations. They further conclude that health care organizations need to eradic ate antecedent and equip nurses with skills and techniques required to eliminate lateral violence and improve the nursing workplace, patient health care, and nurse retention. A study by Jean Carban titled â€Å"Lateral violence in nursing†, presents three major factors contributing to lateral violence: Oppression in the workplace, gender issues, and low self-esteem. The author argues that there has been the culture of domination within the nursing community leaving nurses feeling powerless. This is further intensified by the fear of reprisal and punishment preventing the nurses from responding to oppression. Consequently, nurses feel hurt and vulnerable since this cycle is repeated. Gender theory as a cause of lateral violence maintains that lateral violence happens because socialization amongst women does not allow them appreciates themselves and the role they play in nursing. The gender theory postulates that female nurses do not feel equal in control or professional stature. As a result, they become unsatisfied and angry and will let out their feelings on each other. Within the nursing community, positive self-esteem enables empathetic conducts; the provision of personalized, universal care, and

Chapter 8 Case Study free essay sample

How does Wrangler’s new B2C e-commerce site assist Wrangler’s brand recognition and marketing efforts? Wrangler’s new B2C e-commerce site assists Wrangler’s brand recognition and marketing efforts in many ways. Their brand recognition was already high since their company started in 1904. They have grown since their first owner, C. C. Hudson started out with only several sewing machines. Their company has become known country-wide. Their next step to grow even more was to enable purchases through their e-commerce site. Wrangler has made a site with goals to be exceptional from their competitor’s. They have enabled their customers to now be able to purchase online. They are also presenting their site in the best quality website and that proves that their marketing efforts are positive. Without these marketing efforts, no one would like to use their site and would prefer to just visit a brick-and-mortar store. We will write a custom essay sample on Chapter 8 Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If their website would have not been successful, they would have lost a lot of money by implementing the site to just be a failure. 2. What goals did Wrangler set for its e-commerce site? Visit www. wrangler. com. Do you think its new site meets those goals? Wrangler had several goals set for its e-commerce site. One goal that they had was that it needed to provide visitors with a view into the spirit behind the Wrangler brand. They wanted their site to utilize the latest technologies. The reason that Wrangler wanted to have the latest technologies because they wanted to show that Wrangler is tech savvy and they also wanted the Wrangler’s marketing department to be able to present their products in the best way. I do believe this site meets these goals. It was very organized and user-friendly and it was easy on the eyes. I did not find the site to be distracting or take away from their product but instead enhance on how great their product truly is. Without having a successful site, they would be taking away possible customers because they would be less likely to shop online. E-commerce is very important for profits. Critical Thinking Questions: 1. Wrangler targets a very specific type of person with its marketing and Web site. How would you describe that group? What risks and benefits do companies assume when they target specific types of individuals? Do you think it pays off for Wrangler? Why? Wrangler targets a style that is mostly associated with a western-style. Their slogan is â€Å"Enduring American Freedom; it’s in the spirit of people who work hard, have fun and recognize courageous individuality. † They Wrangler brand targets men, women, and children around the world and with their product being sold in 1 in every 5 pairs of jeans that are purchased, it proves that their target group is successful. With targeting specific groups, there is a chance of failure because your target group may be small. Also, if the target group does not take like the product, they will be doomed due to losing their group. Luckily for Wrangler, they have grown due to their target group. They have been able to be successful for many years and have been able to grow into an e-commerce company. If their specific target group had not liked the product, it would have not lasted as long in the business world. 2. The Wrangler site incorporates a lot of dynamic visual elements. How do these elements affect a shopper? What types of products are best suited for this type of marketing approach? The Wrangler site incorporated a lot of dynamic visual elements. It is important for any kind of business; there are visual elements involved both in a brick-and-mortar and e-commerce. Visual effects are pleasant to look at and there is more of a positive buying experience. These elements make the shopper happy and therefore they will purchase more items. All kind of businesses, including clothing and general stores, must find a way to incorporate dynamic visual elements. Without having dynamic visual elements, people will be less likely to stop in the store and therefore they will not spend any money. Profits are important when you are involved in a business and without profits, you will be unable to stay in the market for long. Being able to be successful requires that visual effects are available in order to make profits and have a successful business. All businesses can benefit from dynamic visual elements.

Management and Organizational Behavior

Emotional terms The three major emotional terms incorporate â€Å"affect, emotions, and moods†. Affect refers to assortment of feelings people experience. Emotions are deep feelings directed to some source. Conversely, mood refers to prevailing general attitudes. It is usually less intense contrasted to emotions and may usually lack contextual stimulus.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Management and Organizational Behavior specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Affect is evident in the form of emotions or moods. Emotions culminate from specific events and last shortly, whereas the cause of moods is unclear but last for moments, or infinitely. These phenomena are similar since they involve body arousal with an influence on behavior. On differences, emotions are usually action oriented while moods are cognitive. Moods differ from emotions in magnitude and sources realms. Group and decision-making The la st group formed was in a biology project. Class members had to segregate themselves into groups and decide on which projects to undertake. The lecturer required each group to investigate and emerge with a single useful biological project. The techniques involved in coming up with a desirable project initially started by proposing several feasible projects. Each affiliate researched on a project of interest. Secondly, each project was reviewed from all aspects. Consequently, elimination based on feasibility, importance, cost, and ultimate impact on the coursework was done. Finally, decision occurred on the project, which appeared lucrative enough. My input to the group helped in forming devoted group mates. Concurrently, it helped in the aspect review of each project proposal with a great influence on decision-making. Motivation and Job satisfaction Managers should emphasize staff motivation more than job satisfaction. This is because motivated employees execute better than their non -motivated fellows do. The ensuing productivity is improved leading to elevated job contentment. Motivated employees strive to perform better with positivity. Their creativity and self-esteem is boosted leading more desire to offer their best. Job satisfaction depicts the exact output of workforce. It thus pegged on the real performance elicited by the workers. If managers can strive to motivate their subjects, the job satisfaction they aspire will obviously knock. Impact of emotions and moods on customer service Emotions, which purchasers relate to the available services, enhance pleasure. People availing consumer services usually focus on influencing clients’ emotions optimistically. Notably, this is tenable when customer service providers develop tactics to improve the emotions of purchasers.Advertising Looking for critical writing on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moods together with emotions i mpinge service delivery and capability of clients to memorize the services. Affirmative feelings and emotions enhance satisfaction whereas the less constructive ones hinder happiness with services provided. Emotional comments relates to this concept since individuals sentiments and disposition regularly manipulate others when they share surroundings. Emotional, behavioral, and public phenomenon amplify opportunities for transmitting one’s emotions to others. Group formation models Group creation in any entity follows five models. The first is â€Å"Forming,† which incorporates the group members joining themselves with relentless efforts to know each other. Consequently, they form the desired group, which is destined to construct a single objective. Second in the list is â€Å"Storming.† At this phase, the group lacks organization with members focusing on various posts while sabotaging group processes. The characteristics of the stage involve silent chaos with ev ery group affiliate holding divergent opinions. Formation of sub-groups is also rampant at this stage, where gangs emerge against one another. The third is â€Å"Norming,† where group cohesion comes arises; furthermore, each affiliate agrees on how the group will operate. There is undisputed concurrence on the group issues as differences diminish. Fourth is â€Å"Performing,† which entails the group’s affectivity and determination to complete goals. Every affiliate participates in the group’s activities with full devotion. This stage indicates the triumphs of group’s destiny. â€Å"Adjourning† is the end phase, which incorporates a planned termination of the faction engagement. The warnings against the use of these models include the inability to measure the socialization process. Equally, they only describe typical individuals but neglect people with extreme traits. Decision-making strengths and weaknesses In groups, complete ideas and unde rstanding, which are necessary for making better judgments, arise. Regularly, participants conform to the solutions attained thus encouraging collective implementation of the solutions. Further, commitment and inspiration by participants in judgment process escalates the ownership of resolutions thus easy execution of plans. Additionally, authenticity of decisions made is encouraged and persons will adhere to solutions. Conversely, group decision making consumes significant proportion of time as participants engage in lengthy discussions to arrive at resolutions. Again, participants face demands from others thus buy their opinions while reducing opportunities for weaker people to speak. Notably, decisions made in groups also suffer from ambiguity since participants share responsibility in implementing resolutions without identifying persons answerable for the outcomes. Teams in organizations The use of teams in firms is popular due to lucrative outcomes attainable. Individuals vary in numerous aspects and when converged, each entity will donate a distinctive contribution, which could have been missing if they were operating alone.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Management and Organizational Behavior specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This incorporates varied talents, innovations, and many virtues that augment the organizations performance. Concurrently, teams always commit to certain goals, which become everyone’s prerogative to ensure its accomplishment. In this context, each member endures to offer his/her best to meet the desired goals. Additionally, tasks are handled enthusiastically while embracing specialization and dissection of labor. Lastly, an organization can easily unveil the distinctiveness in each individual for proper utilization. It is imperative to assert that triumphant organizations emerge due diverse efforts contributed by employees; however, embracing teamwork is evident to uphold prompt results and improved turnovers. Managers and teams Managers require skills to uplift their subjects to become team participants. They can show their strong passion for teamwork by making it a norm for employees to execute their duties. This increases the likelihood of individuals recognizing the norms of their organization. They can organize workshops to train workers on teamwork benefits. This means that each employee acquires the self-esteem required to embrace teamwork. Having informal sessions with employees to explain that they must support one another is not an exception. Additionally, managers also need to identify behaviors, which undermine teamwork and streamline activities. They should direct the firm by example through participating in teamwork without prejudice. Each employee can partake, and feel the unity of the workforce through organized forums. Concurrently managers can also guarantee incentives to enthusiastic team players. This critical writing on Management and Organizational Behavior was written and submitted by user Mered1th to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.