Jason Bloom
July 30, 2007
ENG 102/ Section 3952
Professor Shelley Rodrigo
Summer Session 2
Writing Project 4
WP#4 Draft
Dear Professor Rodrigo and class,
In four short weeks I have learned a lot about myself and writing. I also learned that writing can be simpler if you follow the proper steps. Knowing the who’s, what’s, when’s, whys and how’s can start you off on composing a great paper. Even though I struggled at times, rereading the work made me understand the outcomes more.
To start, course outcome number one introduced me to the components a paper should possess. Identifying your audience is crucial. If you write for the wrong audience, you may not get your point, or ‘topic’, across. I believe that with learning this key element, I will be able to write a well constructed and focused paper for any occasion. WP#1 is a good way to start thinking about a paper. After constructing a proposal, you have a step by step key to what information you will need. However, I do need to continue working on the purpose of a paper. This is where the question should be answered. Yet I look past this too often and rush into it. I will use what I have learned from this outcome in preparing proposals. In the golf business you have to make a proposal for work that you would or need to do. Being able to do these could help my supervisors in seeing the why, when and how I am planning to complete these tasks.
Next, outcome number two tends to end up like the purpose. I rush the development and lose the focus. Keeping focus on this outcome helped in making my paper stay on point. Unity is where I need the most work because writing a paragraph is not well-structured can be easily misunderstood. Reading as well as writing the peer reviews is where I believe I realized this. http://jcbloomeng102.blogspot.com/2007/07/d5hw3peer-review-reflection.html. By reading other people’s work, I was able to notice my mistakes by comparison. The reviews helped me revise my WP#1 to be more specific. I know that I will use this feedback on a day to day basis, not just in writing but also in communication. Being able to get my point across by clearly speaking makes my job as a superintendent easier.
After that, outcome number three really showed me that I need to be consistent in tone and structure. I still tend to write in phrases, not complete sentences. I noted that throughout my postings. The grammar exercises I did helped, but I still catch myself.
At first, finding online resources was the most difficult part for me. I wasn’t finding any sources that dealt with my topic sentence. Then I made the list of key words to widen my search, and I found a lot more articles. http://jcbloomeng102.blogspot.com/2007/07/d5hw7.html. As I put my paper together, this new keyword list helped me narrow my research. I could find research to back up my ideas. I definitely improved my internet research skills as the three weeks progressed. My final paper had better sources than my WP#2 did.
This next outcome, using sources, was one of my stronger suits. I think I was able to pick out relevant quotes, quotes that supported my thesis the best. However, looking back at my paper, I noticed that I did tend to use direct quotes the most. I think I did that because I thought my sources said things more succinctly than I could. For future improvement in this area, I would try to put their ideas into my own words, and cite them. Also, I learned how to evaluate a source—is it a reputable author, or someone just ranting? This is helpful for the future because I should always understand the source of any materials I read, whether it’s a media story or someone trying to sell me “the best” fertilizer.
Learning APA documentation style was a challenge for me. At first I thought I was using the correct format, but I learned that there was specific information (such as when I retrieved an article) that I was leaving out. In fact, it was a peer review that pointed out these deficiencies. I appreciated that. I also struggled with correctly citing sources that didn’t fit the format in the book. For example, one article I quoted said it was written by “staff”, so that is how I credited it. However, I was later told that it was the wrong way to do it. I will use this knowledge in the future because I really think I understand the proper way to cite a source now.
The feedback that I got was mostly helpful. As I mentioned, it was a peer reviewer that pointed out my incorrect APA documentation style. Comments made about my WP#1 helped me consider other ideas for my topic. I think I did a good job incorporating suggestions that others made. I took criticism well. This is a skill I’ll carry with me because I need to realize that when my boss comments on my projects, he, like my peer reviewers, is trying to help me improve, not criticize me. I also learned that sometimes I need to actively seek out others’ ideas about my project. Overall, this was a strength for me.
I think my greatest strength is that I present a fair, balanced review of an issue. I have the ability to look at all sides, evaluate them, and present them equally.
I definitely started off slowly learning the new technologies required by the course. I was intimidated by the use of a blog and the number of postings we had to do. However, with practice, it became easier. I also struggled with Turnitin because I wasn’t always sure how to share. My favorite program, however, was Delicious. This is a program that I’ll use in the future to continue to tag my favorite websites or articles I’d like to refer back to.
I would like to thank everyone for their support and feedback during this process. I feel I learned the process of how to write a research paper. In the future, I won’t feel so overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. I wish everyone the best of luck!
Best regards,
Jason Bloom
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Final WP#3 with revison suggestions
Here are the revisions I would make to my WP#3:
When presenting other sides of the argument, I would probably take more time to evaluate the sources I used. I didn’t talk about what their motives are or their reputations. Doing that could have helped my position or shown them to be a non-credible source.
I also didn’t talk about the values that are present in this paper. If this kind of fanaticism over technology gadgets is a good thing or not. I would add that perspective to make the paper as a whole more complete.
Here is my WP#3 that was turned in as the final;
Jason Bloom
July 28, 2007
ENG 102 Summer Session 2
Professor Shelley Rodrigo
WP#3
What Creates the Demand for Consumer Products and How Manufacturers Can Use it the Their Advantage
Although consumers have been buying new, high tech gadgets and toys for years, there has not always been the frenzy that has been created by these products launches. This consumer madness is a relatively new phenomenon. Because this strange rise has come about only recently, one wonders, what is the cause behind it? Is it the media? Is it the marketing that the companies do? Or, could it be the result of a psychological or other need to consume? And if we can pinpoint what causes this high demand for technology and gadgets, then can manufacturers manipulate consumers to ensure that their newest products will be a hit? Because this strange rise has come about only recently, I believe that the need to buy expensive, high-tech, or high-demand products is created by marketing and media.
The frenzy around the launch of new products and toys is relatively new, developing with the spread/rising influence of media. In fact, the first example of a toy or product creating a buzz was the introduction of the Cabbage Patch Kids in the 1980s (McKeand, 2002). It is widely regarded as the first consumer product of any kind that people stood in line for and resold for profit. The Cabbage Patch Kids became so popular because the media made a story of the fact that “no two are alike. You don’t merely purchase them, you adopt them” (McKeand, 2002).
Thomas L. Harris, in his book, “Value-Added Public Relations: The Secret Weapon of Integrated Marketing”, states, “The Cabbage Patch craze was fueled entirely by public relations” (Harris, 1999). He goes on to also cite the release of Nintendo 64, “which became the fastest selling video-game system in history”, largely due to the fact that Time magazine named it “machine of the year”. A lesson learned, Harris adds, is that to create consumer interest, one should “fan the frenzy with reports of consumer demand” (Harris, 1999).
Other examples of hit products include Beanie Babies, Furby toys, Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3), and Apple’s iPhone. Tickle Me Elmo, another hit toy from several years ago, was another product that fans stood in line hours to buy. In an interview with PBS, Gary Cross, Penn State University history professor and noted author of "Kids Stuff, Toys and the Changing World of American Childhood," was asked why he thinks interactive toys are so popular. His response was, “Well, I think they're popular in part because they - they're hyped, in part. One of the real attractions of Tickle Me Elmo a few years ago or some of the other interactive toys like the Virtual Pets of last year was that they were part of a fad, and one of the real attractions is simply to be a part of that fad, to be the only kid on the block who has one, or for the - to be the parent who's able to get one” (Toy Story 1998). The hype, not the product, creates the demand for the product. So people are buying it because only some people can get their hands on it, and not because it’s the greatest toy ever.
More proof that marketing and media drives demand for certain products are the idea that consumers tend to buy things they want, not that they necessarily need. This statement is backed up by the fact that many new gadgets are not only prohibitively expensive, but they actually complicate our lives. “The ability to take a product out of the box and just have it work, without the need to read a manual for hours, is now on most consumers’ priority lists” states Paul Zeven, of technology expert internet site CNET, in his commentary titled “Do people need the gizmos we’re selling?” (Zeven 2006). It becomes clear that the demand for products is artificially created and inherent in our lives. In fact, “two out of three Americans have lost interest in a technology product because it seemed too complex or difficult to operate” (Zeven, 2006). This article, ironically from an internet site that is an industry leader, supporter and expert in all matters technological, clearly states that most of us don’t need the gadgets we’re buying.
A recent article in the Christian Science Monitor states that the frenzy around the Furby toy is driven by the media. The article reports that toy manufacturers can create demand for their product by appearing on certain television shows and creating hype for their product (Scherer 1998). This buzz creates high demand for a product, even before the “hot” toy is on the market. Around the holiday time, articles in the paper and reports on the news often report on “this year’s hot gifts”, adding more fuel to the fire. Furthermore, when the media reports on those long lines and fights over a product, it creates even more demand, because the casual consumer thinks “everyone else has one, so I need one too” (Scherer 1998).
The influence of marketing and media has become a growing concern in some circles. Website globalconcerns.org talks about this problem in an area dedicated to human rights. Their position is that people are almost powerless to resist the messages they see and hear: “…as the years have progressed, the sophistication of advertising methods and techniques has advanced, enticing and shaping and even creating consumerism and needs where there has been none before, or turning luxuries into necessities” (Shah, 2005). Consumers are simply convinced that their wants are actually needs.
The article also faults the media, saying that companies have too much power in their influence over what kinds of stories are written. “A study in 1990 discovered that almost 40 percent of the news content of a typical U.S. newspaper originates as public relations press releases, story memos, and suggestions” (Shah, 2005), adds the author. He makes it clear that a company can become a story far too easily, simply by recommending that their “news” be covered.
Some people would argue that our economic system of capitalism creates the demand for product. Because we are a “free market”, that means that people can sit in line and be among the first to purchase a product and then resell the product for a profit. One example is the PS3 which, at launch, retailed for $599 but sold on eBay for an average of $1,959.73 (GamePro Staff, 2006), nearly four times it’s price.
This is a good point—capitalism does make the purchase and reselling for a profit possible. Still, it’s the marketing that creates the demand in the first place. It is the news reports of fights in lines outside of Best Buy, of mothers pulling each other’s hair over a doll, that make people think they have to have a new product, and that they should have it at any cost.
Others may argue that there could be an underlying psychological need to buy. This psychological need is called “compulsive shopping”. A compulsive shopper is one who goes on shopping binges and tends to “shop till they drop and run their credit cards up” (Engs). However, compulsive shoppers typically shop often and buy a lot of things.
In addition to the fact that the behavior we have discussed does not fit the profile of a compulsive shopper, most of the “on the street” interviews did not capture that inherent need to buy. As in the case of David Clayman, who was on vacation from Chicago, “happened to be walking by and decided to change his travel plans on the spot” (Jesdanun, 2007). While the addiction does exist, it does not normally manifest itself in people waiting in lines for two days. “For Jessica Rodriguez, waiting four days for an iPhone is nothing when the prize is ‘the next big thing’” (Jesdanun, 2007). Rather, compulsive shoppers tend to buy out of compulsion, without thinking, sometimes even “blacking out” during the buying process.
Another reason people might feel compelled to buy something new is to feel better about themselves. An article on GROKDOTCOM, a website run by New York Times, Business Week and Wall Street Journal best selling authors Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg, recognized “The 5 Whys of Consumer Purchase Behavior” (Eisenberg 2007). In their article they list “who we are” and “why we buy” as top drivers of consumer purchase behavior. A closer look at “who we are” says that people buy things because of who they think they are or, more importantly, who they want to be. With the use of celebrities hocking products, or “cool” companies introducing new gadgets, they have clear influence on the “who” people want to be. True, people buy things to feel better about themselves. But this is again another clear influence of advertisers telling people what “cool” is, and that if they buy a certain product, they, too, will become “cool”.
A second “why” in this article cites Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. At the bottom of this pyramid are the necessities in life—food and shelter. The next level cites “lifestyle item”, such as “food, clothing and beer” (Eisenberg 2007). The third level includes luxury items. This is where $600 game system would normally fall. However, media and advertising have positioned these products as “must haves”—you can’t live without them, you’re not important without them—so these expensive gadgets and toys move closer to “needs” and further away from wants. In fact, rarely can people distinguish between their needs and wants anymore, as the ads and news reports they see make it clear these toys and electronics are “must have items”. Simply by labeling them “must haves”, the media has made them an imperative purchase.
It’s clear that manufacturers can control the demand for their products and that they can influence marketing and media to help their own product sales. So what steps can manufacturers take to ensure their next product will be a hit? Of course it helps to have an innovative product. But the manufacturer’s main task is to create the hype or buzz around the launch, to make it seem like the average consumer can’t live with out it. This buzz can be created by simply planting the idea with media, who will report on this amazing new product ad nauseam.
Magazine and talk show placements are another way to get people talking about your product. Giving them away free to celebrities, or paying celebrities to endorse or use the product will also make people think they need to have the product to complete the lifestyle they admire in the rich and famous.
For new technology gadget launches, it is useful to spill carefully crafted “secrets” on popular tech-talk websites and blogs. Everyone will wonder what technologies and capabilities the new product will have, and word will spread quickly that it will be the “coolest thing ever”. Toys, too, can become “must haves” simply by implying that very thing in advertising. Parents will want to either provide the must-have for their children, or won’t want their children to feel left out.
Another way to create a hit is to get on top lists, such as lists of the best new toys for the holidays, neatest innovations (think about iPhone’s button-less navigation), or “best anything of the year” lists. Or, a manufacturer can manipulate the demand simply by producing less. Slower production actually increases demand (and pricing) for products. No one wants to be caught without one, so lines will form. The media will report on the lines. And then more people will want the product.
Some people will argue that these products are useless, that their production doesn’t help people or society. But I would argue, and I think you would agree, that where would man be without advancements such as fire, the wheel, the telephone, and the computer? And how far can we go with the technology of the next great game system, toy, or phone?
When presenting other sides of the argument, I would probably take more time to evaluate the sources I used. I didn’t talk about what their motives are or their reputations. Doing that could have helped my position or shown them to be a non-credible source.
I also didn’t talk about the values that are present in this paper. If this kind of fanaticism over technology gadgets is a good thing or not. I would add that perspective to make the paper as a whole more complete.
Here is my WP#3 that was turned in as the final;
Jason Bloom
July 28, 2007
ENG 102 Summer Session 2
Professor Shelley Rodrigo
WP#3
What Creates the Demand for Consumer Products and How Manufacturers Can Use it the Their Advantage
Although consumers have been buying new, high tech gadgets and toys for years, there has not always been the frenzy that has been created by these products launches. This consumer madness is a relatively new phenomenon. Because this strange rise has come about only recently, one wonders, what is the cause behind it? Is it the media? Is it the marketing that the companies do? Or, could it be the result of a psychological or other need to consume? And if we can pinpoint what causes this high demand for technology and gadgets, then can manufacturers manipulate consumers to ensure that their newest products will be a hit? Because this strange rise has come about only recently, I believe that the need to buy expensive, high-tech, or high-demand products is created by marketing and media.
The frenzy around the launch of new products and toys is relatively new, developing with the spread/rising influence of media. In fact, the first example of a toy or product creating a buzz was the introduction of the Cabbage Patch Kids in the 1980s (McKeand, 2002). It is widely regarded as the first consumer product of any kind that people stood in line for and resold for profit. The Cabbage Patch Kids became so popular because the media made a story of the fact that “no two are alike. You don’t merely purchase them, you adopt them” (McKeand, 2002).
Thomas L. Harris, in his book, “Value-Added Public Relations: The Secret Weapon of Integrated Marketing”, states, “The Cabbage Patch craze was fueled entirely by public relations” (Harris, 1999). He goes on to also cite the release of Nintendo 64, “which became the fastest selling video-game system in history”, largely due to the fact that Time magazine named it “machine of the year”. A lesson learned, Harris adds, is that to create consumer interest, one should “fan the frenzy with reports of consumer demand” (Harris, 1999).
Other examples of hit products include Beanie Babies, Furby toys, Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3), and Apple’s iPhone. Tickle Me Elmo, another hit toy from several years ago, was another product that fans stood in line hours to buy. In an interview with PBS, Gary Cross, Penn State University history professor and noted author of "Kids Stuff, Toys and the Changing World of American Childhood," was asked why he thinks interactive toys are so popular. His response was, “Well, I think they're popular in part because they - they're hyped, in part. One of the real attractions of Tickle Me Elmo a few years ago or some of the other interactive toys like the Virtual Pets of last year was that they were part of a fad, and one of the real attractions is simply to be a part of that fad, to be the only kid on the block who has one, or for the - to be the parent who's able to get one” (Toy Story 1998). The hype, not the product, creates the demand for the product. So people are buying it because only some people can get their hands on it, and not because it’s the greatest toy ever.
More proof that marketing and media drives demand for certain products are the idea that consumers tend to buy things they want, not that they necessarily need. This statement is backed up by the fact that many new gadgets are not only prohibitively expensive, but they actually complicate our lives. “The ability to take a product out of the box and just have it work, without the need to read a manual for hours, is now on most consumers’ priority lists” states Paul Zeven, of technology expert internet site CNET, in his commentary titled “Do people need the gizmos we’re selling?” (Zeven 2006). It becomes clear that the demand for products is artificially created and inherent in our lives. In fact, “two out of three Americans have lost interest in a technology product because it seemed too complex or difficult to operate” (Zeven, 2006). This article, ironically from an internet site that is an industry leader, supporter and expert in all matters technological, clearly states that most of us don’t need the gadgets we’re buying.
A recent article in the Christian Science Monitor states that the frenzy around the Furby toy is driven by the media. The article reports that toy manufacturers can create demand for their product by appearing on certain television shows and creating hype for their product (Scherer 1998). This buzz creates high demand for a product, even before the “hot” toy is on the market. Around the holiday time, articles in the paper and reports on the news often report on “this year’s hot gifts”, adding more fuel to the fire. Furthermore, when the media reports on those long lines and fights over a product, it creates even more demand, because the casual consumer thinks “everyone else has one, so I need one too” (Scherer 1998).
The influence of marketing and media has become a growing concern in some circles. Website globalconcerns.org talks about this problem in an area dedicated to human rights. Their position is that people are almost powerless to resist the messages they see and hear: “…as the years have progressed, the sophistication of advertising methods and techniques has advanced, enticing and shaping and even creating consumerism and needs where there has been none before, or turning luxuries into necessities” (Shah, 2005). Consumers are simply convinced that their wants are actually needs.
The article also faults the media, saying that companies have too much power in their influence over what kinds of stories are written. “A study in 1990 discovered that almost 40 percent of the news content of a typical U.S. newspaper originates as public relations press releases, story memos, and suggestions” (Shah, 2005), adds the author. He makes it clear that a company can become a story far too easily, simply by recommending that their “news” be covered.
Some people would argue that our economic system of capitalism creates the demand for product. Because we are a “free market”, that means that people can sit in line and be among the first to purchase a product and then resell the product for a profit. One example is the PS3 which, at launch, retailed for $599 but sold on eBay for an average of $1,959.73 (GamePro Staff, 2006), nearly four times it’s price.
This is a good point—capitalism does make the purchase and reselling for a profit possible. Still, it’s the marketing that creates the demand in the first place. It is the news reports of fights in lines outside of Best Buy, of mothers pulling each other’s hair over a doll, that make people think they have to have a new product, and that they should have it at any cost.
Others may argue that there could be an underlying psychological need to buy. This psychological need is called “compulsive shopping”. A compulsive shopper is one who goes on shopping binges and tends to “shop till they drop and run their credit cards up” (Engs). However, compulsive shoppers typically shop often and buy a lot of things.
In addition to the fact that the behavior we have discussed does not fit the profile of a compulsive shopper, most of the “on the street” interviews did not capture that inherent need to buy. As in the case of David Clayman, who was on vacation from Chicago, “happened to be walking by and decided to change his travel plans on the spot” (Jesdanun, 2007). While the addiction does exist, it does not normally manifest itself in people waiting in lines for two days. “For Jessica Rodriguez, waiting four days for an iPhone is nothing when the prize is ‘the next big thing’” (Jesdanun, 2007). Rather, compulsive shoppers tend to buy out of compulsion, without thinking, sometimes even “blacking out” during the buying process.
Another reason people might feel compelled to buy something new is to feel better about themselves. An article on GROKDOTCOM, a website run by New York Times, Business Week and Wall Street Journal best selling authors Bryan and Jeffrey Eisenberg, recognized “The 5 Whys of Consumer Purchase Behavior” (Eisenberg 2007). In their article they list “who we are” and “why we buy” as top drivers of consumer purchase behavior. A closer look at “who we are” says that people buy things because of who they think they are or, more importantly, who they want to be. With the use of celebrities hocking products, or “cool” companies introducing new gadgets, they have clear influence on the “who” people want to be. True, people buy things to feel better about themselves. But this is again another clear influence of advertisers telling people what “cool” is, and that if they buy a certain product, they, too, will become “cool”.
A second “why” in this article cites Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. At the bottom of this pyramid are the necessities in life—food and shelter. The next level cites “lifestyle item”, such as “food, clothing and beer” (Eisenberg 2007). The third level includes luxury items. This is where $600 game system would normally fall. However, media and advertising have positioned these products as “must haves”—you can’t live without them, you’re not important without them—so these expensive gadgets and toys move closer to “needs” and further away from wants. In fact, rarely can people distinguish between their needs and wants anymore, as the ads and news reports they see make it clear these toys and electronics are “must have items”. Simply by labeling them “must haves”, the media has made them an imperative purchase.
It’s clear that manufacturers can control the demand for their products and that they can influence marketing and media to help their own product sales. So what steps can manufacturers take to ensure their next product will be a hit? Of course it helps to have an innovative product. But the manufacturer’s main task is to create the hype or buzz around the launch, to make it seem like the average consumer can’t live with out it. This buzz can be created by simply planting the idea with media, who will report on this amazing new product ad nauseam.
Magazine and talk show placements are another way to get people talking about your product. Giving them away free to celebrities, or paying celebrities to endorse or use the product will also make people think they need to have the product to complete the lifestyle they admire in the rich and famous.
For new technology gadget launches, it is useful to spill carefully crafted “secrets” on popular tech-talk websites and blogs. Everyone will wonder what technologies and capabilities the new product will have, and word will spread quickly that it will be the “coolest thing ever”. Toys, too, can become “must haves” simply by implying that very thing in advertising. Parents will want to either provide the must-have for their children, or won’t want their children to feel left out.
Another way to create a hit is to get on top lists, such as lists of the best new toys for the holidays, neatest innovations (think about iPhone’s button-less navigation), or “best anything of the year” lists. Or, a manufacturer can manipulate the demand simply by producing less. Slower production actually increases demand (and pricing) for products. No one wants to be caught without one, so lines will form. The media will report on the lines. And then more people will want the product.
Some people will argue that these products are useless, that their production doesn’t help people or society. But I would argue, and I think you would agree, that where would man be without advancements such as fire, the wheel, the telephone, and the computer? And how far can we go with the technology of the next great game system, toy, or phone?
Final WP#2 with revision suggestions
Here are some revisions that I would make to my WP#2:
I would compare more sources to each other. If I had done that, I could have ensured that all sides of the topic had been covered. I also would have found more reputable sources. For my final paper I used different sources that weren’t included in WP#2, so I would also add them in a revision.
I also didn’t evaluate well how each source helps me understand my topic or audience.
Finally, I would write the bibliography more formally. Looking back I realize that my tone was quite informal, which probably isn’t appropriate for that kind of assignment.
Here is my WP#2 that i turned in as the final;
WP#2 Bibliography Final
This issue that I’m exploring is, why do people need to buy the latest toys and high tech gadgets? I’m exploring the psychology of that need.
Heath, J., & Potter, A. (2002). The Rebel Sell: If we all hate consumerism, how come we
This Magazine. Retrieved July 12, 2007
http://www.thismagazine.ca/issues/2002/11/rebelsell.php
This article is about consumerism. Or rather, is against consumerism. It takes two movies and talks about how they illustrate the pitfalls of consumerism. One movie is Fight Club and the other is American Beauty. Both critique society’s need to buy more. But the author says that capitalism creates that need to buy more. The movies though, like people, claim to be anti-consumer (or subversive consumers) yet fail, because they still consume. The author seems a bit “out there” politically and sounds angry. Still, his point is valid and may be useful when I talk about how capitalism may be one contributor to our desire (need?) to own the latest tech toy. Oddly enough, his answer to advertising (which creates the need for “stuff”) is to tax it.
Jones, K.C. (2007, June 26) Meet the People Waiting in Line for an iPhone. Information
Week. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20070627/tc_cmp/200000853
This article is fascinating because, like the one below, it talks about the long lines to buy a new high-tech gadget. This time it’s the iPhone. Most people think that the folks waiting in line are young and geeky. But this article interviews a retiree who is the first person in line. What’s interesting about him is that he doesn’t intend to resell the phone for a profit, he just thinks he should have it because we’re in the age of technology and he wants to keep on top of it. However, he doesn’t own too many other hot products. So what makes him want an iPhone? Perhaps the strength of the brand is influencing this man, although the article also states that he has waited in lines for other things. I’ll use this to think about why people stand in line. Maybe people have different reasons based on the gadget itself, and that stereotypes or theories can’t be applied across all markets. This is something I’ll have to look into. Again, this is like primary research into the reasoning behind waiting in line, so I’ll probably quote this directly.
McKeand, D. (2002). Cabbage Patch Kids. The St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture.
Gale Group. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100197
This article talks about the popularity of Cabbage Patch Kids in the 1980s. It is a good article because it talks about how this toy is the first “personalized” or individualized toy—no two alike were produced. It also talks about how the back story (the history of each doll) added to its popularity. This relates to another source I have about how toy companies can create their own buzz and frenzy. This article states that the back story added to the popularity of the toys. The article actually came from an encyclopedia, which implies it’s a good source, but… it’s an encyclopedia of pop culture. However, the author presents a very balanced view about the dolls and talks about some parents’ objections to Cabbage Patch Kids. I’ll most definitely use the Cabbage Patch Kids as an example of a super-popular toy and the beginning of the lines.
Schiesel, S., Zaun, T. (2004). Finding Glamour in the Gadget. The New York Times.
Retrieved July 13, 2007.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=technology&res=9F05E0DA143BF936A25757C0A9629C8B63
This article is an interesting look at high end goods and how the marketing tactics used to sell them will be employed by technology companies. Technology companies want to sell the experience of owning the product, as evidenced by the quote by the Sony Executive. This article gives an interesting insight into the minds of the marketers. I will use this first hand quote to show how they try and sell to people.
Staff. (2006, November 17) Sony’s PS3 makes US debut to long lines, short supplies.
USA Today. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-11-17-ps3-debut_x.htm
I found this article in USA Today. The author didn’t really a bias, although the report focused on the rowdiness that ensued in the lines waiting for the PS3. So perhaps the author is showing that the crowds for these toys gets out of control, or that the situation itself is ridiculous. I would use this story in two ways. First, it illustrates how popular the PS3 was. It talks about how long people stood in line to buy it. Second, it interviews people’s reasons for doing it, so perhaps I can use those and try to analyze them through a psychological angle. Because I can’t find primary sources, this might be the closest I come to hearing directly from consumers why they stand in line. This is a good source for real life examples.
Zeven, P. (2006, December 18) Do people need the gizmos we’re selling?
Retrieved July 7, 2007.
http://news.com.com/Do+people+need+the+gizmos+were+selling/2010-1041_3-6144335.html
This is a great commentary on the usefulness of gadgets that are being sold. This is an interesting contrast to the research I’m trying to do because it talks about how people don’t need the high-tech things being sold today. In fact, the article states, these gadgets actually complicate lives because they’re so complex and take forever to learn how to use. This source is good because it provides a contrary point of view, but I wouldn’t call it an authoritative source. It’s just one guy’s opinion. The article mentioned that the vast majority of consumers probably have at least one electronic gadget that they don’t fully know how to use. So, it made me wonder, who is standing in line for these high tech toys? Maybe it’s a really small subset of the population. For most of this research I’ve thought that these new gadgets advance our lives and make it better, so I’ll use this as a counter argument.
How consumerism affects society, the economy and the Environment.
Retrieved July 12, 2007. http://www.verdant.net/society.htm#howaffects
This article is fascinating because it talks about how immigrants aren’t affected by consumerism until their second generation. This seems to imply that it’s a learned behavior. The article as a whole is anti-consumerism and says that we don’t need the things that are forced upon us, yet we still buy them. The article says that commercials (advertising), the status (you’re cool) that you get when you own them, and the fact that everyone else has one are the things that drive consumerism. While the article is interesting, it is on a site that is totally anti-consumerism. This is this author’s philosophy. Like the previous source, the author seems to be politically “out there” and angry at society. He seems to be writing to change our minds about the things we buy, to be persuasive. Although this isn’t a reputable source (like a newspaper), it’s another presentation of an idea that’s counter to my own. I would use it to show another perspective.
The Toys and history of toys from last 80 years. (2007).
Retrieved July 7, 2007. http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/toys.html
This is a brief history of popular toys. As technology advances, it usually is due to children’s toys. Toys often lead the charge, bringing to the populace in an affordable package early. This in turn leads to people wanting a better more advanced product. This article isn’t a strong source—it basically just provides a starting place for me to get an idea of what products I should research more thoroughly. It’s not a well-respected source, but for a simple quote about the rise of the Cabbage Patch Kid, I thought it would be ok. It’s certainly not as reputable as some of the major publications I have found.
These sources have shown me some other ways to look at this—what is the media’s role in creating demand? What fault do the marketers have? How is capitalism responsible for the lines that form three days before a new video game comes out?
I would compare more sources to each other. If I had done that, I could have ensured that all sides of the topic had been covered. I also would have found more reputable sources. For my final paper I used different sources that weren’t included in WP#2, so I would also add them in a revision.
I also didn’t evaluate well how each source helps me understand my topic or audience.
Finally, I would write the bibliography more formally. Looking back I realize that my tone was quite informal, which probably isn’t appropriate for that kind of assignment.
Here is my WP#2 that i turned in as the final;
WP#2 Bibliography Final
This issue that I’m exploring is, why do people need to buy the latest toys and high tech gadgets? I’m exploring the psychology of that need.
Heath, J., & Potter, A. (2002). The Rebel Sell: If we all hate consumerism, how come we
This Magazine. Retrieved July 12, 2007
http://www.thismagazine.ca/issues/2002/11/rebelsell.php
This article is about consumerism. Or rather, is against consumerism. It takes two movies and talks about how they illustrate the pitfalls of consumerism. One movie is Fight Club and the other is American Beauty. Both critique society’s need to buy more. But the author says that capitalism creates that need to buy more. The movies though, like people, claim to be anti-consumer (or subversive consumers) yet fail, because they still consume. The author seems a bit “out there” politically and sounds angry. Still, his point is valid and may be useful when I talk about how capitalism may be one contributor to our desire (need?) to own the latest tech toy. Oddly enough, his answer to advertising (which creates the need for “stuff”) is to tax it.
Jones, K.C. (2007, June 26) Meet the People Waiting in Line for an iPhone. Information
Week. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20070627/tc_cmp/200000853
This article is fascinating because, like the one below, it talks about the long lines to buy a new high-tech gadget. This time it’s the iPhone. Most people think that the folks waiting in line are young and geeky. But this article interviews a retiree who is the first person in line. What’s interesting about him is that he doesn’t intend to resell the phone for a profit, he just thinks he should have it because we’re in the age of technology and he wants to keep on top of it. However, he doesn’t own too many other hot products. So what makes him want an iPhone? Perhaps the strength of the brand is influencing this man, although the article also states that he has waited in lines for other things. I’ll use this to think about why people stand in line. Maybe people have different reasons based on the gadget itself, and that stereotypes or theories can’t be applied across all markets. This is something I’ll have to look into. Again, this is like primary research into the reasoning behind waiting in line, so I’ll probably quote this directly.
McKeand, D. (2002). Cabbage Patch Kids. The St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture.
Gale Group. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100197
This article talks about the popularity of Cabbage Patch Kids in the 1980s. It is a good article because it talks about how this toy is the first “personalized” or individualized toy—no two alike were produced. It also talks about how the back story (the history of each doll) added to its popularity. This relates to another source I have about how toy companies can create their own buzz and frenzy. This article states that the back story added to the popularity of the toys. The article actually came from an encyclopedia, which implies it’s a good source, but… it’s an encyclopedia of pop culture. However, the author presents a very balanced view about the dolls and talks about some parents’ objections to Cabbage Patch Kids. I’ll most definitely use the Cabbage Patch Kids as an example of a super-popular toy and the beginning of the lines.
Schiesel, S., Zaun, T. (2004). Finding Glamour in the Gadget. The New York Times.
Retrieved July 13, 2007.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=technology&res=9F05E0DA143BF936A25757C0A9629C8B63
This article is an interesting look at high end goods and how the marketing tactics used to sell them will be employed by technology companies. Technology companies want to sell the experience of owning the product, as evidenced by the quote by the Sony Executive. This article gives an interesting insight into the minds of the marketers. I will use this first hand quote to show how they try and sell to people.
Staff. (2006, November 17) Sony’s PS3 makes US debut to long lines, short supplies.
USA Today. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-11-17-ps3-debut_x.htm
I found this article in USA Today. The author didn’t really a bias, although the report focused on the rowdiness that ensued in the lines waiting for the PS3. So perhaps the author is showing that the crowds for these toys gets out of control, or that the situation itself is ridiculous. I would use this story in two ways. First, it illustrates how popular the PS3 was. It talks about how long people stood in line to buy it. Second, it interviews people’s reasons for doing it, so perhaps I can use those and try to analyze them through a psychological angle. Because I can’t find primary sources, this might be the closest I come to hearing directly from consumers why they stand in line. This is a good source for real life examples.
Zeven, P. (2006, December 18) Do people need the gizmos we’re selling?
Retrieved July 7, 2007.
http://news.com.com/Do+people+need+the+gizmos+were+selling/2010-1041_3-6144335.html
This is a great commentary on the usefulness of gadgets that are being sold. This is an interesting contrast to the research I’m trying to do because it talks about how people don’t need the high-tech things being sold today. In fact, the article states, these gadgets actually complicate lives because they’re so complex and take forever to learn how to use. This source is good because it provides a contrary point of view, but I wouldn’t call it an authoritative source. It’s just one guy’s opinion. The article mentioned that the vast majority of consumers probably have at least one electronic gadget that they don’t fully know how to use. So, it made me wonder, who is standing in line for these high tech toys? Maybe it’s a really small subset of the population. For most of this research I’ve thought that these new gadgets advance our lives and make it better, so I’ll use this as a counter argument.
How consumerism affects society, the economy and the Environment.
Retrieved July 12, 2007. http://www.verdant.net/society.htm#howaffects
This article is fascinating because it talks about how immigrants aren’t affected by consumerism until their second generation. This seems to imply that it’s a learned behavior. The article as a whole is anti-consumerism and says that we don’t need the things that are forced upon us, yet we still buy them. The article says that commercials (advertising), the status (you’re cool) that you get when you own them, and the fact that everyone else has one are the things that drive consumerism. While the article is interesting, it is on a site that is totally anti-consumerism. This is this author’s philosophy. Like the previous source, the author seems to be politically “out there” and angry at society. He seems to be writing to change our minds about the things we buy, to be persuasive. Although this isn’t a reputable source (like a newspaper), it’s another presentation of an idea that’s counter to my own. I would use it to show another perspective.
The Toys and history of toys from last 80 years. (2007).
Retrieved July 7, 2007. http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/toys.html
This is a brief history of popular toys. As technology advances, it usually is due to children’s toys. Toys often lead the charge, bringing to the populace in an affordable package early. This in turn leads to people wanting a better more advanced product. This article isn’t a strong source—it basically just provides a starting place for me to get an idea of what products I should research more thoroughly. It’s not a well-respected source, but for a simple quote about the rise of the Cabbage Patch Kid, I thought it would be ok. It’s certainly not as reputable as some of the major publications I have found.
These sources have shown me some other ways to look at this—what is the media’s role in creating demand? What fault do the marketers have? How is capitalism responsible for the lines that form three days before a new video game comes out?
Final WP#1 with revision suggestions
Here are some revisions that I would make to my WP#1:
I would revise this paper to conform to the specifics as outlined in the syllabus. This would improve my outcome number 9, formatting the paper properly. I would double space this paper and add the correct header.
I would also revise this paper to read more like an essay. It would read better, more cohesively if it were in an essay format. I would also revise the audience section to specifically address the audience of my paper. That would improve my writing for a specific rhetorical context.
Here is my wp#1 that I turned in as the final;
Research Proposal
Overview:
The situation that I’m interested in researching is this: why do people stand in line for 24 hours to buy the latest high tech gadget? I want to know if the demand for a product is created by good marketing, or does a product become a must-have because it showcases an emerging technology that will make our lives easier? Is there a psychological need to have the newest, hard to get item? Is it a power or elitism thing? The recent news coverage on the sales of the iPhone got me interested in this topic.
Focused research question:
What is behind the need to own the latest high-tech gadget? I’ll explore the reasons that recent games, phones and movies have become such a success.
How and why the topic is controversial:
This topic isn’t controversial in that it has a “for” and “against” side. However, in my research of this topic, I haven’t seen anyone else discuss this in a scholarly way, so I think it’s a unique, timely topic to choose.
Reflection on my experiences with this issue:
My girlfriend promised me a Wii for my birthday in June. However, we couldn’t find them in any stores, and we started looking online and in stores in May. One day we ewre shopping in Best Buy and asked a sales person when their next shipment was going to come in. They told us it would be during the weekend. So I called each day until the shipment was confirmed: it was going to arrive Sunday at 10 am. At 9:30 am I joined about a dozen other people in a line outside the store. We got numbers that secured one of our very own new game systems. But my love for new technology doesn’t stop there. I had a new MP3 player when they first came out. I always want a new phone… And when I heard about the new iPhone, I wanted one of those, too. So I see myself as that consumer who always wants the latest, greatest new toy. And I wonder why I want it. Is it because of all the hype? Is it good marketing? Is it because the product comes from a cool company that’s known for producing neat things? Do I just want the latest thing to show off to my friends? Is this a phenomenon that only happens to men? I don’t know, and that’s why I find this so interesting.
My purpose for choosing this topic:
I have a hard time writing papers, so it was important to me that I chose a topic that I’m actually interested in. Choosing this topic means that I can combine writing with a passion of mine—technology and trends. I also think it will be interesting for others to learn about, and for myself to understand. Maybe we’ll all learn a little something about our need (or our significant other’s need) for a cool new “toy”.
My opinion on this issue:
I think it’s frustrating that companies come out with a cool new product that everyone wants, even though it will be obsolete in just six months. These gadgets make them millions, and then we just want something else a few months later. Even knowing that we’re making others rich, we keep on buying. I think it’s a status thing, so others will look at us and say, “Oh wow, look at what he has.” I don’t think that people need these things, they just want them. But why they want them is what I want to uncover.
My audience:
The people who will read this assignment will be my professor, my classmates, and myself. This is different from my “target audience” I’m writing to in the paper; namely, the product developers.
Analysis of wants and needs of audience:
If we’re still thinking about my professor and classmates, I think their wants and needs are basic: they want a well-written, well-researched, interesting paper. They need me to effectively present my findings and be convinced of my authority on the topic.
Limitations of projects:
Well, this project might be difficult because there isn’t an opposing side. It might be harder for me to figure out possible objections to my argument. Another limitation could be a lack of research on this topic: the psychology of consumerism. I may have a hard time finding good, reputable sources to cite.
Research plan and timeline:
Submit final WP #1 on 7/14 (final decision on angle of project)
Continue to look for and research sources that are on going.
July 14-16 finalize sources and put relevant note on note cards.
I would revise this paper to conform to the specifics as outlined in the syllabus. This would improve my outcome number 9, formatting the paper properly. I would double space this paper and add the correct header.
I would also revise this paper to read more like an essay. It would read better, more cohesively if it were in an essay format. I would also revise the audience section to specifically address the audience of my paper. That would improve my writing for a specific rhetorical context.
Here is my wp#1 that I turned in as the final;
Research Proposal
Overview:
The situation that I’m interested in researching is this: why do people stand in line for 24 hours to buy the latest high tech gadget? I want to know if the demand for a product is created by good marketing, or does a product become a must-have because it showcases an emerging technology that will make our lives easier? Is there a psychological need to have the newest, hard to get item? Is it a power or elitism thing? The recent news coverage on the sales of the iPhone got me interested in this topic.
Focused research question:
What is behind the need to own the latest high-tech gadget? I’ll explore the reasons that recent games, phones and movies have become such a success.
How and why the topic is controversial:
This topic isn’t controversial in that it has a “for” and “against” side. However, in my research of this topic, I haven’t seen anyone else discuss this in a scholarly way, so I think it’s a unique, timely topic to choose.
Reflection on my experiences with this issue:
My girlfriend promised me a Wii for my birthday in June. However, we couldn’t find them in any stores, and we started looking online and in stores in May. One day we ewre shopping in Best Buy and asked a sales person when their next shipment was going to come in. They told us it would be during the weekend. So I called each day until the shipment was confirmed: it was going to arrive Sunday at 10 am. At 9:30 am I joined about a dozen other people in a line outside the store. We got numbers that secured one of our very own new game systems. But my love for new technology doesn’t stop there. I had a new MP3 player when they first came out. I always want a new phone… And when I heard about the new iPhone, I wanted one of those, too. So I see myself as that consumer who always wants the latest, greatest new toy. And I wonder why I want it. Is it because of all the hype? Is it good marketing? Is it because the product comes from a cool company that’s known for producing neat things? Do I just want the latest thing to show off to my friends? Is this a phenomenon that only happens to men? I don’t know, and that’s why I find this so interesting.
My purpose for choosing this topic:
I have a hard time writing papers, so it was important to me that I chose a topic that I’m actually interested in. Choosing this topic means that I can combine writing with a passion of mine—technology and trends. I also think it will be interesting for others to learn about, and for myself to understand. Maybe we’ll all learn a little something about our need (or our significant other’s need) for a cool new “toy”.
My opinion on this issue:
I think it’s frustrating that companies come out with a cool new product that everyone wants, even though it will be obsolete in just six months. These gadgets make them millions, and then we just want something else a few months later. Even knowing that we’re making others rich, we keep on buying. I think it’s a status thing, so others will look at us and say, “Oh wow, look at what he has.” I don’t think that people need these things, they just want them. But why they want them is what I want to uncover.
My audience:
The people who will read this assignment will be my professor, my classmates, and myself. This is different from my “target audience” I’m writing to in the paper; namely, the product developers.
Analysis of wants and needs of audience:
If we’re still thinking about my professor and classmates, I think their wants and needs are basic: they want a well-written, well-researched, interesting paper. They need me to effectively present my findings and be convinced of my authority on the topic.
Limitations of projects:
Well, this project might be difficult because there isn’t an opposing side. It might be harder for me to figure out possible objections to my argument. Another limitation could be a lack of research on this topic: the psychology of consumerism. I may have a hard time finding good, reputable sources to cite.
Research plan and timeline:
Submit final WP #1 on 7/14 (final decision on angle of project)
Continue to look for and research sources that are on going.
July 14-16 finalize sources and put relevant note on note cards.
D#14,HW#2 Peer Review Reflection
This peer review was the best of them. Everyone’s papers show a grand improvement from the beginning of the class. I believe that we all have learned a great deal. It seems like there where less comments made on the papers. Paragraphs were easier to read also containing good structure. After reading these drafts, I realized some just how much we have covered. Also, the comments that were made on papers were a big help. I appreciated all comments made. I will take them into consideration.
This week I commented on;
Jessica W-D;
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcp6f87z_5gkp2k5
Alexis;
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dftzgqkp_7d6pz7p
This week I commented on;
Jessica W-D;
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcp6f87z_5gkp2k5
Alexis;
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dftzgqkp_7d6pz7p
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