Category Archives: Discussion questions #4

DREAMS VS. REALITY

Question number one:

  1. According to Berger, how do “publicity”–what we would call advertising–images influence consumers and why is this significant? 

publicity proposes to each of us in consumer society to change our life by buying something more and become richer although buying stuff will make us spending money and get poorer. advertising persuaded us of this transformation by showing us people who transformed after buying more stuff. it shows how society enviable these people after that imaginary transformed buy buying more stuff. this is the fake glamour, and the publicity is the process of manufacturing glamour. and this is important because it shows how companies use advertisements to make more money, and we get poorer this is the real purpose behind any advertisement.

Question number two:

 2.  As he compares oil painting to publicity (advertising) photography, Berger argues that oil painting “showed what the owner was already enjoying among his possessions and way of life;” “it enhanced his view of himself as he already was.”  Whereas publicity pictures, “appeal to a way of life that we aspire to or think we aspire to.” Why are these differences important? What do they reveal to us about the production of images for publicity?

Oil painting represents the reality which artists lived and showed us what kind of life was it but publicity is the opposite and its something they creat to glamour and makes people think and dream to transform and become like them. its a creation some people dream about it and camera record it and with some designs, they create the perfect life. in publicity they act and manipulate the pictures to serve there purpose but in oil painting that’s their true nature no act and no darkness and what they enjoyed.

Question number three:

3.  Choose one of the “dreams” he offers or thinks of your own. How does this dream offered by advertising use imagery to manipulate consumers?

The dream of later tonight. this dream is offering the best life with all the pleasure you think about, beautiful women, fancy clothes, the perfect smile, rich people, and the best night ever not only that but this dream go to another level to show that this is not a dream, you wake up in the morning with beautiful women in a wonderful place and that is the rich life and it needs money. so they use our desire to manipulate us that these clothes and this kind of liquor if we buy them we can be like them and enjoy the night with this kind of rich people. living this kind of life is a dream to all of us but a dream will remain a dream because buying fancy clothes or drinking the most expensive liquor won’t change reality. we all work hard to achieve your goals, but spending money to imagine we belong to something far away from, will take money from our pockets and give it to the companies.

 

 

DB4

After you watch episode 4 of Ways of Seeing (or even while you are watching it), provide short answers the questions below. 

 

 

  • According to Berger, how do “publicity”–what we would call advertising–images influence consumers and why is this significant?

 

 

 According to Berger publicity can be a action that brings “hype” in the community or trying to stand out in the media world, for example like Kanye west he likes publicity and trying to stand out with his street wear clothing plus he knows he can use this as a marketing too. 

 

 

  • As he compares oil painting to publicity (advertising) photography, Berger argues that oil painting “showed what the owner was already enjoying among his possessions and way of life;” “it enhanced his view of himself as he already was.”  Whereas publicity pictures, “appeal to a way of life that we aspire to or think we aspire to.” Why are these differences important? What do they reveal to us about the production of images for publicity?

 

 

-Berger stated that oil painting shows the true color of beauty, showing their skin as of self image. They use oil painting images for publicity as posters or even advertising, people tend to be more visually appealing when looking at posters or even images such as painting to gain information that’s why it’s imagine are main fir publicity. 

 

 

  • Choose one of the “dreams” he offers or think of your own. How does this dream offered by advertising use imagery to manipulate consumers?

 

 

-Imagine can be used to manipulate consumers,  for example high end brands using well known celebrities like Kanye west or even Travis Scott for their clothing as advertising for young consumers. 

Discussion question #4

Question #1:According to Berger, how do “publicity”–what we would call advertising–images influence consumers and why is this significant?

According to what Berger says in “Way of Seeing Episode 4”, publicity proposes to each of us in a consumer society that we change ourselves or our lives by buying something more.He also mentions that the publicity also persuades us to spend more money by the method of telling people that would be such a great transformation by showing us people who have apparently been transformed would be enviable.It’s quite significant because people’s thoughts would be changed as more and more publicity arises.People would be mind washed by the contents which the advertisements convey. Nowadays, we have different forms of advertisements around our life, when we are browsing news at electronic devices ,we’ll see advertisements.When we walking in streets ,we can see advertisement from big screens of buildings.Even at bus stations ,we can still see advertisements.As far as I am concerned, this is not a good phenomenon because it would probably make us spend more money and lost the idea that we should manage our money correctly.

Question #2:As he compares oil painting to publicity (advertising) photography, Berger argues that oil painting “showed what the owner was already enjoying among his possessions and way of life;” “it enhanced his view of himself as he already was.”  Whereas publicity pictures, “appeal to a way of life that we aspire to or think we aspire to.” Why are these differences important? What do they reveal to us about the production of images for publicity?

From my point of view,  oil paintings ,especially old European oil paintings are very similar with each others.The reason why those paintings were created it’s because they wanted to show off their wealthy , social status, accomplishment etc.They aimed to tell everyone that they had better life comparing to most of the normal people.On the contrary , publicity pictures aim to gather more people maybe to sell something or publicize  particular thoughts. The differences between oil paintings and publicity pictures  decide they should be shaped by different  ways.Therefore, the  images for publicity should be  more influential and  more related to common people’s daily life.Meanwhile, publicity images also need to convince their customers that if  they buy the item they can feel happy or have a better life like what is depicted in the images.

Question #3:  Choose one of the “dreams” he offers or think of your own. How does this dream offered by advertising use imagery to manipulate consumers?

Berger states three different dreams here.And I would like to discuss the dream of later night.He describe it as that you are part of good life they smile at , they are part of good life you smile at.Everyone is surrounding by what brings pleasure buy it is you who will bring the greatest pleasure of all.This “dream” will make people feeling joyful if they have adequate imagination.However, dreams will not come true just by thinking.Their potential customers will feel a huge difference between dream and reality.They might think if they were so sorrowful in reality, they prefer last in dream forever.Then they will truly become the customers of wine company，cigarette company or any other company which sells items can make people feel happy mentally.

John Berger’s Ways of Seeing Episode 4

Berger states that advertising gives consumers something to envy in a time when status is not determined by birth. We live in a society that makes it feel like anyone can be a celebrity with the right tools, and advertising exploits that feeling for a profit. This is important because it puts extra significance on money, which can cause people to “scramble competitively to get more.” Berger also mentions people taking out high interest loans just to keep up the look of a certain lifestyle.

Oil painting and publicity photography both glorify money, but in different ways. Oil paintings show the wealth the subject of the paintings had, while advertising shows the wealth that the consumers want to have. These advertisements send the message that consumers are inadequate, but also offer a solution. If you buy what is being advertised then you will be, or at least feel, more wealthy. This is a false solution, as Berger mentions, because you will only be less rich once you’ve spent your money. It shows that these images reproduce what Western Europeans thought signified wealth, and use that to push the items they are selling in the present.

In the “dream of later tonight” that Berger talks about, the subject of the dream is alcohol. Berger says that everyone is smiling, and everyone is “surrounded by what brings pleasure.” Although you, the consumer, are said to be bringing the “greatest pleasure of all,” nearly every photo shows people with drinks in their hands. These people laugh, pour, clink their glasses, and share intimate looks. The following morning, the consumer’s pleasurable night is again attributed to alcohol. The concept of a “dream” contributes to the idea that advertisements offer something that will enhance the consumer’s life and increase their wealth. 

Discussion questions #4

1. According to Berger, publicity has the purpose to make people to want to buy new things, and buying new things, people will feel more self-confident and happier. Likewise, advertising is an act of informing people about current clothing trends, new cars, jewelry, styles, devises, and many other things, influencing people to want those goods and to enhance their list of continuously needs. Companies increase their revenues due to advertising and publicity images, and people are spending their money in hope to get richer with new purchases. 

2. Through oil paintings the “spectator owner” is showing his wealthy and luxury life in the present moment, he is a subject to be envied. On the other hand advertisement show viewers that they are unhappy in the present moment of their life, and it can offer them a better alternative with a good price to satisfy their need.

3. Kim Kardashian is an example of glamour, beauty and wealth to be envied. Regarding her retouched and photoshopped pictures on social media, she became a fashion icon and idol for many women in the world. Through her Instagram pictures, she is promoting a specific body type, that many women wish to achieve through plastic surgeries, or other correction methods. However, this is just a form of false consciousness.

Discussion question #4

  • According to Berger, how do “publicity”–what we would call advertising–images influence consumers and why is this significant?

According to Berger. He explains the main concept of publicity is glamour. The advertisements in the newspaper and magazine influence us and they summarize our happiness depend on the product they offered to us. It is significant because they post the advertisement everywhere they influence us by seeing this advertising and made us dream about the product and imagine our life if we buy it. Those techniques the advertising company to sell their product.       

  • As he compares oil painting to publicity (advertising) photography, Berger argues that oil painting “showed what the owner was already enjoying among his possessions and way of life;” “it enhanced his view of himself as he already was.”  Whereas publicity pictures, “appeal to a way of life that we aspire to or think we aspire to.” Why are these differences important? What do they reveal to us about the production of images for publicity? 

According to “the way of seeing episode 4” john Berger compares the oil painting tp publicity. Berger states te difference purpose between oil painting and publicity. the oil painting shows their ownself and own life and based on their life fact, however, publicity represents ways to aspire others but cannot be achieved. They persuade you to buy their product by using an image of landscape, beautiful women, or using happiness phrases. Your persuasion will be in one idea that if you buy their product your life will be different from it is.          

  • Choose one of the “dreams” he offers or thinks of your own. How does this dream offered by advertising use images to manipulate consumers?

In the video, Berger states three dreams such as the dream of later tonight, the skin dream, and the dream of a faraway place. I choose the dream of faraway because in that dream you travel in your imagination from one place to another. When you are sitting in your bed,  You can imagine yourself being in two places at the same time, wearing your elegant clothes, going to an ancient castle. In fact, the dream of faraway, meaning is to allow one thought to pass through the window and travel to elsewhere conjuring image distances without horizon, to be in two worlds at the same time just where European ends.  This dream offered by advertising use image to manipulate consumers by traveling everywhere, for example when the travel agency their advertisement about Bali, Maldives, or paradise, you imagine yourself make a tour there and you think about heaven and how you will be happy there.           

 

 

Discussion Questions #4

 

John Berger’s Ways of Seeing episode 4

Question 1:  Publicity influences consumers by playing with the individuals envious nature. By doing so you are making society’s daily consumer assume that their life would be better with this materialistic product. Publicity includes the factor of glamour; glamour when promoting a product creates an undeniable attraction to it that lures in the consumers into thinking I have to have it. Berger mentions, “Glamour is for everybody who believes they can be glamorous or perhaps more accurately, for everybody who finds that they cannot afford not to be glamorous”. Meaning by enticing the consumer you are making them believe it is possible for them to achieve the same glamour being publicized thus causing a transformation.

Question 2: The differences between oil paintings and publicity photography  are important because each aspect of these mediums maintains its own purpose. Publicity photography is made to inspire people to the way of life that they wish to attain versus oil paintings that portray what the owner already has which only adds more to their own perceptions. This reveals that the production of images for publicity can only provide a sense of what you haven’t obtain versus what you already have.

Question 3: If you know Natalie Portman, she is a visual spokesperson for most Dior products from perfumes to make up. One of the few commercials she has  done has her trying to promote a foundation sporting different, beautiful woman. These women then say in soft, alluring tones forever this and forever that. One even says forever perfect which honestly made me so mad. These models use their exotic features as a way to help push a product. Then get a celebrity to help back them as if to say this must be true.

Discussion questions #4

1.The way advertising companies influences consumers is by posting ads in television commercial breaks and/ or web browsing ads in your computer. These items might interest you because they use celebrate to endorse there products and adversity for them. With that, they use this tactics to increase the sales of product and services to consumers.

2.The reason the owner bought this oils painting is to have the joy of looking at it whenever he wants and show it off to people. However, the public picture is to show people what they need in their life. Also, to try to replicate to their life.

3.One of the images Berger offer is the good life that everybody wants in their life. This images manipulate people into buying items for example, clothing; being in fancy areas etc. He makes people think if they get these items they will living a good life.

  1. In ways of seeing they call advertising image a image that it is visual image. This is significant because how people in the streets and buildings looking at the images it convince people they want to buy a product in a image magazine that shows advertising.
  2. these statement by John Berger is important because it shows how the messages in the images that how they want the people to see in their way they want to convince them.
  3. In the ways of seeing they was a scene where their was a woman with a coke in her hand she was advertising a soda  its message is it wants you to convince that buying a coke will make you happy.

Discussion Questions #4

1. The general concept of advertising is such that advertising produces glamour. Glamour, in turn, the happiness of being an object of envy. Thus, advertising is the opportunity for everyone to freely choose to change themselves or their lives by buying the advertised product. Nevertheless, advertising is an engine of economic progress that works for the consumer and the manufacturer, awakening the consumer’s desire to purchase the advertised product and at the same time satisfying the manufacturer. Further, the manufacturer is enriched by advertising and has a beneficial effect on the country’s economy, increasing the standard of living of the consumer and producer. Therefore, this cycle is very important for the development of the capitalist state.

2. According to Berger, advertising uses the same language as painting. However, advertising and painting have some differences among themselves. For example, advertising offers the buyer to improve their lives by buying the advertised product, while the painting does not advertise anything since it is in itself a private property. More significant differences are that oil painting belonged to those who profit from the market. However, advertising appeals to those who represent the market, i.e. viewer buyer. Oil painting as art has always been a sign of wealth and prestige while being a cultural authority in life and in advertising. Thus, painting is very useful for advertising as it demonstrates wealth and spirituality to the buyer, and stimulates the buyer to purchase a dream.

3. Everyone has different dreams. Someone dreams of an expensive car; someone wants to buy an evening dress. However, advertising does not realise these dreams, advertising only stimulates buyers to feel dissatisfaction with their existence and wish to acquire their dream in order to improve their lives. Berger mentions the dream of skin. Advertising speaks to the viewer about a future that may not come. Additionally, advertising depends on the visual language of an oil painting. Sexual poses in advertising only to attract attention and enhance the glamour of the image. Thus, images in a dream about skin show the viewer gestures, poses, and naked physical forms of men and women convey to the viewers the sensation that they can touch the image. Special sexual emphasis on the legs gives mystery to the image, allowing the buyers to imagine themselves in place of the model or near. Moreover, advertising allows the buyer to make a free choice of what to wear, what to ride, where to relax, and how to look.