Space Shuttle Program Comes to an End Assignment 5-1

          An icon in popular culture has come to an end after over 30 years of missions to the moon. Space Shuttle Atlantis ended the U.S. shuttle program when it landed at the Kennedy Space Center on July 21, 2011. From Columbia to Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavor, America’s space program was full of highlights, discoveries, tragedy, and achievements.

            N.A.S.A. had tragedies over the years, with the explosion of Challenger on January 28, 1996 when it exploded 70 seconds after blast off, killing all 7 members aboard and Columbia, which exploded February 1, 2003 upon re-entry after it was damaged on take-off.

            Between the five shuttles, they flew a total of 135 missions that varied on accomplishments but they helped construct the International Space Station while inspiring many people along the way. The space missions included Sally Ride, the first woman in space, John Glenn, a politician, who also re-entered into space in October of 1998 at the age of 77, and animals were all part of N.A.S.A. history.

            It was announced in April of 2011 that N.A.S.A would “retire” the remaining shuttles to different locations in the U.S. for display. Space Shuttle Discovery, the oldest and most flown craft will be displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Endeavour, will be displayed at the California Science Center and Atlantis will make its home in the most fitting of places, at The Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL.

            Although the space shuttle missions have ended, there is some speculation that the space program is “just taking a break” and that it will, at some point in the future, return to complete more missions to the moon.

References

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout/index.html

http://www.space.com/11367-nasa-space-shuttles-museums-winners.html

"Farming" Facebook Style Assignment 4-1

Anyone who knows me will tell you that am as far from a “gamer” as a person can get. My idea of   “gaming” is curling up in bed with a book of Sudoku puzzles. However, there are fun and addicting games in the world today that are nearly impossible to avoid if you are a gamer. Even social networking sights, such as Facebook, are getting in on the fun and offering games of their own. Some of their titles include; Cityville, Frontierville, Yoville, and Farmville-just to name a few.

Out of the games listed above, one of the most popular games seems to be Farmville. I wish I could tell you why it is so popular, because I personally myself do not get it! However, let us take a look at my own mother. She is by far the biggest Farmville addict I know. She is on level 140 (I am unsure as to how many levels there actually are) and she shows no sign of slowing down in the near future. I think as long as she continues to be able to see, and her arthritis will allow her, she will sit at her computer for hours a day harvesting her crops, feeding her horses and strolling around the pond! She finds her “happy place” when she sees her ducks floating on the pond in her virtual Farmville pond. She is able to customize her farm to her liking, build a bigger house by obtaining more neighbors, and she can even decorate her farm for every season. There are pumpkins and scarecrows for the fall and Christmas trees and lights for the Jesus season.  

            However you put it, Farmville is popular and an addiction for “kids” of all ages!

References

Top 25 Facebook games. (2011, March). Retrieved July 22, 2011, from http://blog.games.com/2011/03/01/top-25-facebook-games-march/

Cell Phones and Pop Culture Assignment 3-1

     What makes cell phones a part of pop culture? Goodness, where do we start with that answer? Look around, how many people do you see with a cell phone? Actually, an easier question would be how many people do you see WITHOUT a cell phone? Cell phones went from a luxury item to what now seems to be a necessity. Young elementary age children, all the way to our elderly grandparents are now in the possession of cell phones. There are so many ways to personalize your phone that cell phones have now become as much a part of fashion as your clothes and your hair are. The 'ring tones', the colors, the wallpaper, the message styles, and often your ability to send a message in as few letters as possible, not to mention the ability to take a picture and send it instantly to someone thousands of miles away.

            We use to turn the television on to check for weather updates or check the local newspaper for sports scores or to get updates on local news. Now, we reach for our cell phone and jump on the internet to find that information.

            The cell phones of the past were as big as a home phone and were not exactly a sign of fashion! Today’s cell phones are sleeker, hipper, and can easily slip into your pocket. From an Iphone, a Droid, a Razr (nope, not something you use in the shower, either), a Blackberry (not the blackberries we use to pick off the vines and eat!), to virtually any type of phone you can imagine, cell phones are her to stay and are very much a part of our pop culture.

                                                                                                                      

References

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/popular-cell-phone7.htm

Facebook Assignment 2-1

           Anyone who watches television, connects to the internet, listens to the radio, or reads any kind of magazine or newspaper publication has heard of the newest fad in social networking that is known as Facebook. Facebook is the newest phenomenon that is sweeping across the world, not just a teen heavy site, but users of all ages are flooding this social networking site in record breaking numbers (Facebook, n.d.).

            Mark Zuckerberg is the mastermind behind the creation of Facebook, which began as an exclusive way for Harvard students to correspond with one another in 2004. Within just a few weeks, this form of social networking was a massive hit among colleges in the Boston area and students from other campuses were demanding to be a part of the Facebook network (Facebook, n.d.).  Facebook has grown beyond colleges and universities and is larger than some could have ever imagined.  Currently, Facebook has over 750 million active users with over 50% of those users logging in on a daily basis (Statistics, n.d.).

            Many users on Facebook use the site to stay connected with family and friends, while some users utilize Facebook to promote business and business relationships. There is something for everyone on Facebook, from building your own “virtual” farm, to playing poker or other games, or just keeping up with the daily lives of those who are a part of your “friends” list. No matter how you put it, Facebook is a part of modern day pop culture that is here to stay.

References

Facebook (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2011 from http://www.crunchbase.com/company/facebook

Factsheet (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2011 from http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?factsheetved

Statistics (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2011 from http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics

Assignment 2-2 Icon Analysis

The icons that I chose to elaborate on for this assignment are: Uncle Sam, who was the driving force behind military recruitment starting in the 1800’s; the original Nike logo which is also associated with outstanding athletes such as Michael Jordan and college football teams nationwide; and Willie G. Davidson, better recognized as the mogul behind Harley-Davidson.

                               

            Uncle Sam is an icon that every American can recognize and associate with the U.S. Government and our military. I can remember as a child seeing posters with Uncle Sam, decked out in Red, White, and Blue, pointing his finger and saying “I Want You” all while looking me straight in the eye. What a true example of an American icon (Sam I am, 2007). 

            How often do you watch a sporting event on television or see a sport’s clip on the news and see the famous Nike swoosh. Even if you see the “swoosh” without the word “Nike” (which takes its name from the Greek goddess of victory) you know that they belong together. The Nike swoosh was born in 1971 which also happens to be the same year that I was born. I always have been athletic, so let’s just say I grew up with Nike. As a lifetime fan of Michael Jordan, the Nike name and symbol are a part of my pop culture icons dating back many years (Nike, n.d.).

            Riding a motorcycle seems to be a favorite past time for many especially with the warmer weather finally here. When most people think of a motorcycle, the brand that comes to mind is Harley-Davidson. The mogul behind the Harley-Davidson name is Willie G. Davidson, who is a pop culture icon from the 1960’s and was a driving force in saving the Harley-Davidson Motor Company from bankruptcy many years ago. Although I am not a motorcycle rider, I am a fan of Harley Davidson and truly enjoy the American made quality and unique sound associated with them (Motorcycle, 2007).

References

Sam I am: how a N.Y. butcher became America's most famous Face. (August, 2007). Retrieved July 7, 2011 from http://www.neatorama.com/2006/08/07/sam-i-am-how-a-ny-butcher-became-americas-most-famous-face/

Nike logo –design and history (n.d.). Retrieved July 7, 2011 from http://www.dinesh.com/History_of_Logos/Miscellaneous_Logos_-_Design_and_History/Nike_Logo_-_Design_and_History.html

Motorcycle and pop culture icon visits wheels through time (September, 2007). Retrieved July 7, 2011 from http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/latest-news/motorcycle-and-pop-culture-icon-visits-wheels-through-time.html

Assignment 1-4 Tattoos and Pop Culture

Tattoos and Pop Culture

            If you want to know how popular tattoos have become in our society, just go to a public place, have a seat, and pay close attention to people passing by; it seems as if this form of art is everywhere. Tattoos were once reserved for rebels and greasers and those who had them were considered a menace to society. Tattoos were a part of the anti-social antics of the 1960’s and grew into a full blown fashion trend in the 1980’s and 90’s. In today’s modern society, it appears that tattoos are part of social norm and are accepted as such by many (Why having a tattoo, 2007).

            Tattoos are a form of art and a way of self-expression for individuals. Tattoos can pay tribute to a lost loved one, a child, and stand for a symbol of love, patriotism, and many other meanings. Tattoos can be found on almost any part of the body and an individual may have 1 or multiple tattoos spanning their entire body. Some individuals want their tattoo where it is not visible to just anyone, while others proudly display their art for anyone to see. Tattoos are no longer found solely on the bodies of rebels, outcasts, and those of alternative lifestyles. Tattoos are found on professional athletes, nurses, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and housewives and are considered a part of today’s social norm and a massive part of modern day popular culture (So why do, 2007).

Refrences

So why do normal people get tattoos? (October 9, 2007). Retrieved July 3, 2011 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7034500.stm

Why having a tattoo is becoming increasingly popular. (2007). Retrieved July 3, 2011 from http://www.deptfordx.org.uk/Why_Having_A_Tattoo_Is_Becoming_Increasingly_Popular 

Elvis Presley Pop Culture Icon