This weeks Blog discussion has two parts:
Part A: The 1920's say the coming of age of Canadian artists with the Group of Seven gaining international recognition for their images of the rugged Canadian landscapes. Since this time Canadian artists, musicians, writers and performers of all types have continued to gain international recognition for their work. Today Canadians such as The Tragically Hip, Mike Myers, Leonard Cohen and Jim Carrey are household names throughout the world for their work in the arts and entertainment industries.
Who is your favorite Canadian artist (this includes musicians, actors etc) and how do you think their work gives Canadians a sense of national pride?
Part B: The twenties in Canada saw an upswing in the economy that meant Canadians were searching for was to spend their "extra" money and fill their leisure time. As a result the 1920's gave birth to a number of "fads" that became wildly popular only to pretty much disappear in a few short years. Take a look at the following video to get a better sense of 20's entertainment.
The Flappers
The Jazz Age
What types of popular activities today do you think may turn out to be just "fads. Personally, while they called the 1920's the Roaring Twenties, I think they may end up calling the 2000's the iPod 2000's.
Do not forget to finish your post with your initials and the period of your socials class or else I cannot give your credit for your response.
21 comments:
My favorite actor is Adam Beach. He's of the Saulteaux nation from Manitoba. There really aren't many other people who are half native or more than that who really have the kind of success that he has. It's cool because he's so mainstream and is part of a minority ethnic background. Anyways, I think that cellphones are a fad. They are practical to a point but give it a few years and the hype will dwindle, and totally agree ipods and mp3s are just a fad. And AWESOME! First comment!
Block A
MB
My favourite Canadian artist is Stompin' Tom Connors, who has been singing since the sixties.
He performs all around Canada, and is particularily well-known for his songs, such as Reversing
Falls Darling, The Snowmobile Song, and The Hockey Song. He returned his six Juno awards
because he was protesting Canadian artists who lived in and worked in America, but still competed for Junos, instead of leaving them to the artists living in Canada.
On the topic of fads, Blackberries, cellphone texting, and other devices are an example. We're all probably going to end up with eye problems in the future from reading such tiny screens. Music devices and gaming systems are also probably going to become a thing of the past.
JG, Block A
Although I like almost every Canadian comedianmy favourite is probably Jim Carrey because he is hilarious and has become world renound for movies like Ace Ventura and Bruce almighty. Even though he is pretty much an American now because he lives there and does all his work here I think every Canadian knows where he is from and is proud to know that someone from here has become so famous.
For the fad thing I'm almost positive that constant texting will die out in a couple of years. I'm also sure that it won't be because people will get bored of it but because some new way of communicating will be introduced and people won't want to text anymore because that would be the "old way" of doing things.
BH, Block A
my favorite canadian entertainer is bryan adams. he goes around helping causes like when i watched him in concert he was raising money for the forests fires in BC. he has had many classics and known world wide. As far as fades go i completely disagree about the ipods, i just think they will get more complex but will always be a hit, kids will always want portable music.and cell phones, in my perspective people will get afraid of the radiation they give off so unless they fix this problem i think the popularity may go down.
RMoe
I have many favorite Canadian super stars. But My most favorite would have to be William Shatner. I'm not too sure his work gives Canadians a sense of national pride. But I just think he is funny as heck. He was almost even born in the 1920's! I guess star trek could give us some pride, I mean have you seen the graphics? Phenomenal!
I'm going to object to the comment that cell phones are a fad. They have been around for quite some time and they will still be around for many many years, but they will just keep coming up with newer versions and models. But I do believe Ipods are going to be a fad (even though I couldn't love my ipod more than anyone else) The VHS was definently a fad.
LS
My favorite Canadian entertainer is Russell Peters. He is an East Indian comedian who relentlessly attacks culture and race issues. He isn't afraid to push it to the limit. He points out the most obvious flaws in races and other cultures.
Things like the VHS and DVD are fads. There is constantly new technologic advances that create new and exciting ways for the audience to experience entertainment. There will always be new and exciting technology that will fade in and out with these new advances.
My favorite Canadian group is the performing group Cirque de Soleil (French for Circus of the Sun). Cirque de Soleil is an entertainment group that is based in Montreal, Quebec. The show is a mixture of circus styles from around the world, each with its own central theme and storyline. Each performance features continuous live music, and the performers change the props rather than the stagehands, so they have no curtains. I think that their performances give Canadians a sense of national pride because Cirque de Soleil is a group known world wide and is very successful. People travel to see these performances and it all started in Canada! Now they have shows all over the world and a variety of different performances.
As far as fads go I think that the old video game systems are definitely a fad. They just keep coming up with newer and better versions and the old ones like Nintendo 64 are almost extinct. Soon we wont need Ps3’s because there will be new systems invented that will be more popular than the old versions.
Block A
BP
One of Canada's best known bands is Rush. Although their music (or Geddy Lee's singing) doesn't appeal to everyone, they are undeniably talented. Their drummer, Neil Peart, is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovated drummers today. He is known as a legend next to John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. The bassist, Geddy Lee, is known as a virtuoso on his instrument. He created very complex bass lines and solos in songs such as YYZ and La Villa Strangiato. And last but not least is the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. He is known as all-around excellent guitarist, capable of playing many different styles. Rush has won many Juno awards, sold over 40 million records worldwide, and has participated in many causes for human rights.
ME - Block A
To answer the question, I am proud that Canada is the home to the three groundbreaking members of Rush.
ME - Block A
Personally, I don't listen to / watch a lot of Canadian media (no TV, and I don't like the radio). I really have no experience with Canadian artists; my favorite artists would be Fredric Chopin, Amit Duvdevani, Erez Aizen, and Armin van Buuren, none of whom are Canadians. In terms of current fads, I believe that blogging is the latest dissemination of information fad, just as community broadcast TV was in the 70s and 80s. In such a consumer-centered market, I also believe that many products which are marketed to appear useful and superior are just fads. Text messaging is one of the most extreme examples of this; one may send a text for 10 cents, however if one attaches a modem to the phone and calls one's friends, thousands upon thousands of text messages could potentially be delivered in less than a second :). Overall, current fads will be made obvious by their degradation over time.
Whoops, I forgot question two.
I think that a fad that is fading out is reality television shows. Back in 2001 to 2006, shows like Survivor, the Apprentice, or Fear Factor were very popular. Everybody was watching to see Rupert get voted off. Nowadays, not nearly as many people watch those shows, and they will probably be faded out by the end of the decade. So You Think You Can Dance is strong, but its years could be limited...
Block A - ME
I have to say that while Rush may not be my favourite Canadian artist, they are recognized around the world as being one of the most skilled rock bands. Neil Peart is a household name among drummers. While Geddy Lee is not everyone's favourite singer, he is known as being one of rock's great bassists. This is complemented by Alex Lifeson's difficult guitar work. Their output includes 24 gold records and 14 platinum records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling rock bands in history.
As for the fads of this decade, I agree that the iPod brand is a fad, but MP3 players are not. Though the iPod name may die out eventually, the concept of a portable music player has been around since 1979 and will continue for far longer. One thing that is a fad, as a concept and as a brand name, is Guitar Hero (and numerous similar games such as Rock Band and Rock Revolution). These days, it is a cultural phenomenon, with the songs from the games determining the most popular songs of the following year. The idea of playing a virtual guitar with the five buttons was made for plain fun, but as technology advances, it can only go so far until people grow bored and, in this case, want to play the real thing. This was the case for many old video games, which had simple graphics and gameplay, but gave way to more complex and lasting games.
--Jordan Elder, Block A
So pretty much I think that I thought of Mike Myers before you used him in your example :P
and bourqueyy, thats another good idea about Russell Peters, hes like my idol
any who back to the subject. So my FAMOUS CANADIAN PERSON is... MIKE MYERS!!! :D
you have to admit he is known world wide, like his quotes like; "yeah baaaby...","really?...really really", etc. He's played so many characters that everyone loves, even when he's the bad guy and the good guy all at once, and even some more along with them :S He has his name on the Hollywood walk of fame and I think he deffinately deserves it. and he does things to help the world like hundreds of children fund raisers and television shows for children. long story short, i think hes awesome and im proud that hes canadian, and i can be like "Yeah Im Canadian too, im just like him!!!"
now for the second part of this blog...fads!!
i came up with this idea and its not like anyone elses, maybe that means im original or just completely off topic, but frozen meals are deffinately a fad and i dont think their gunna go out anytime soon. if anything their comin in even more and in a lot more flavors. they have everything now and its hard to get REAL food nowadays. everyone has them cause their "conveniant" and easy/fast to make. its like astronaught food and their just givin it away, and the REAL, organic food is like ten times more expensive. so yeah thats my take on the whole fads thing...
D*C :D
Blk A
The Canadian artist I would chose is Bachman Turner Overdrive(BTO) and The Guess Who, as they are the same band, because the best artists arn't Canadian. BTO gives Canada a sense of pride by providing Canadians with the song such as "Takin' Care of Business" to listen to at the workplace. They also gave us the awesome road-trip song "Roll on Down the Highway."
As for "Fads" I think that Chuck Norris and Mom jokes are going to fade out, there is already a decrease in there numbers since the 90's. Laugh at them now, because soon you will never hear em agian.
Dominator
Block A
PART A:
My favorite artist is Sarah McLachlan. I think she gives Canadians a sense of national pride because her lyrics are very powerful and promote a good message.
PART B:
I think the the DVD players are just a fad. Even now they are coming up with new fangled technology that is way more competent than the DVD play. Take the Blue-ray, for instance. This new technology is already starting to outshine the DVD player.
--DM
Block A
My favorite Canadian artist is Bryan Adams. He is a singer/ songwriter, what I find so unique about bryan is that he is a photographer aswell. I think Adams has a great deal of national pride! He is a social activist, performing in concerts that help raise money and awareness for many different causes.
Yes technology, including iPods and cell phones are considered a big hit or “fad”. Personaly, I don’t think that they will go out of popularity; they will just upgrade and change for the demand of the people. Although, I cannot really think of too much else that would be considered a fad for the 2000’s.
Mknox
BlockA
Some things that are probably going to become fads are mp3 players and blackberries and things like these. Texting might start becoming boring, as everyone is doing it. Msn may also become a thing of the past. In this technological world, I'm sure inventors will think of something new to take the place of things like cell phones and computers. But who knows. A blackberry is basically a teeny tiny computer...
And i think JIM CARREY is the best EVER!!!!!!!! He's my favourite Canadian actor. The story of Jim Carrey and how he grew up in a poor family and how he is so famous now is an excellent example of how to never give up on your dreams. I just absolutely LOVE most of his movies. (Ace Ventura and The Mask ROCK!!) And his more serious stuff like The Number 23 was also very good.
Pauli H.
Block A
I must say that Sarah McLaughlin is also my favourite Canadian artist. She has amazing songs and honestly just gives Canada some pride. She's known world-wide and her song lyrics have amazing lyrics to it. It makes you want to listen to them over and over again.
As for the fad, I think it's just something that happens in every generation. Cell phones and TV is just something that is in our generation. We're gonna look back on this in a few years and think it's crazy that we were so obsessed with cell phones just like we look back on the 70's and wonder why we were so obsessed with ABBA or the colour pink and side ponytails int he 80's. I think that yeah it is a fad, but I also think that we're gonna get over it and think it's utterly hilarious that we spent so much time texting and having one headphone in our ears whenever someone was talking.
-- PD Block A
[sorry it's a little late Mr. Lewis =) ]
I think if they make a law that everyone of age, has to vote. Then we would have a proper repesentation of the people. I think a large part of it, is that so many people think that their one little vote doesn't matter. If all of those people voted, who knows what would happen in the future. SF Block D
Rob, just checking out your blog at SKSS.
PA
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