Analytical Writing 2.5 pages for Rey writing

Qi Rui

6/20

Paper 3

For many years, large corporations have been accused of herding the society as one would, sheep or other animals, but many have refuted such claims. This idea finds a very strong support base from the two articles “Social Networking and the Death of the Internet” by Alfredo Lopez and “Girls on Film: The real problem with the Disney Princess brand” by Monika Bartyzel. On the one hand, Lopez argues that social networking, although paraded as a revolutionary development within the larger World Wide Web, is actually reversing the intended gains of the Web. Bartyzel on the other hand, argues that the increasingly narrowing depiction of the “princess” as the holy grail of femininity by Disney is having a negative impact on society, especially because this misleading idea is sold to young girls. These two articles, although widely diverse in many ways, convey a similar message that many people may not see as clearly; that corporations are out to create a herd mentality that ultimately benefits them and not the public.

As strong as the above claim sounds, it certainly is the truth and is clearly discernible if one takes a hard and objective look at the two articles in question. The underlying message in the articles mentioned earlier is simple; social networking and Disney are backtracking the gains that have previously been made insofar as the concepts of freedom and liberation are concerned. Lopez (2013, par. 7) states that “As ubiquitous and popular as Social Networking is, it represents a contradiction to the Internet that created it and to the World Wide Web on which it lives.” In making such a statement, this author voices a concern that is perfectly plausible. The revolutionary idea behind the Web was the freedom it gave to the individual. It gave everyone the space to communicate to the rest of the world in any manner considered fit. In stark contrast, social networking has boxed individuals into limited spaces in which they can only say so much, and only a small number of Web users can see what they said. In a similar fashion, Bartyzel (2013, par. 2) states that “Disney has a sad history of gross racial stereotypes … and highly problematic female characterizations and storylines …” Here, Bartyzel is concerned because Disney’s depiction of female characters in its films has been growing increasingly narrow and stereotypical. Concisely put, it is misleading. The princes's concept, as peddled by Disney, is a carefully constructed, increasingly homogenous rendition that leads young girls to believe that to be a princess, one has to dress and behave in a particular way. Clearly, the two articles are making a valid point. A deep look at the sentiments of both authors reveals a coercive attempt by corporations to compel people to think and act in a particular manner.

Intriguingly, the players in question have achieved significant success in driving their motives forward within society. The desired herd mentality is taking or has already taken root among internet users as well as consumers of Disney products. Consider what Lopez (2013, par. 7) says about social networking, “Twenty years later, it’s painfully ironic that, when they hear the word “Internet”, most people probably think of Social Networking programs like Facebook and Twitter.” To this author, synonymizing the Web with social networking sites is problematic. Yet, to many young people today, visiting the internet is the same as spending hours on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Youtube for that matter. To them, there is little else to do on the Web. A similar problem appears in Bartyzel (2013, par. 8) when she notes that, “She began refusing to do or wear things that princesses didn't do or wear.” This statement is attributed to another author quoted by Bartyzel, about a three-year-old girl. Bartyzel adds that the influence has gone far beyond this rather bizarre example, to encompass just everything about young girls including how their parents relate to them. Through all these developments, one can clearly see a shoving-hand from the concerned corporations, pushing society towards a direction that will give them (corporations) much gain. When the life of every young girl is about being a princess, so much business can result from this, as is the case around the world today. Similarly, when social networking becomes equal to visiting the internet, players in this niche stand to gain massively. Unfortunately, this is happening at the expense of other more important issues, which is sad.

In conclusion, there is no denying that corporations are very busy planting in people a herd mentality, which they can then exploit and profit from. The brief discourse above proves this claim reasonably well. Social networking sites and Disney are disparate in just about everything. However, a close look at the tactics they use to drive their business agenda proves beyond doubt that they are aware that they stand to benefit more if they get people to think and behave in a particular manner and are not leaving anything to chance as they strive towards this goal.