Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Why are we watching Max Headroom?

In class on January 30th we watched the episode War from the Max Headroom series that aired in the 1980's. A short-lived but interesting portrayal of the future controlled and obsessed by the media (in particular television).

I'd like to get you started blogging so there's no better time to start. Here's what I want you to do:
  • First read Mr. Brad Weaver's guide to blogging. His recommendations are good and so there's no need for me to write anything new.
  • Next, set up a blog of your own. I suggest either Blogger or Wordpress (in that order).
  • Choose a creative name for your blog and get it going live.
  • For Monday, February4th, I want you to compose a post based on the Max Headroom episode we watched in class. Make the post about 150-200 words. (Please don't make it one huge block of text. Make a new paragraph every three or four sentences...this makes it easier to read)
  • Assume that you are a media critic/observer and you just discovered these old Max Headroom episodes and you decided to write on it. Focus your comments on how this episode illustrates a key concept of media literacy (we have talked about many so far so pick a concept and base your comments on that).
  • Remember approach this as if you are writing for a mass distributed blog and you are the media expert.
This assignment isn't graded but it is intended to get your blog up and operational and you writing.