In episode 5 of “Ways of Hearing” by Damon Krukowski talks about how companies use algorithms to give us more personal suggestions on what we might like. Music, movies, ads and friend suggestions are all based on our history. Is that too invasive? Should our previous interests be recorded for the benefit of these large corporations?

Technology has made huge advancements throughout the years. Algorithms are definitely helpful when we get bored of our song libraries or want a new movie to watch. I’ve been suggested many things I ended up liking. On the contrary, the means to create these suggestions does feel a little too desperate and invasive. In my paper, I will agree with Damon Krukowski’s view that these companies have too much power and control over what we see by taking our freedom to roam and stumble upon anything, and instead making what we see predictable. However, despite his claims I still feel as though algorithms are very useful and a beneficial to both parties, the consumer and producer.

Television is always the main source of my procrastination. If I’m watching a series on Netflix, I will watch multiple episodes and look at the time and notice how it just vanished. Watching Netflix all day definitely doesn’t make me feel good when I reflect back, but it’s addicting. Now I have many assignments to rush through and my day is gone. A lot of these sources of entertainment distract us from the real world and cause us to rely on our devices for entertainment instead of getting our entertainment through experiences. They even distract people with little self control from their responsibilities causing them to neglect their own lives. 

I don’t blame the devices themselves because we, the people produce the entertainment and encourage it. There isn’t enough emphasis on building up your own life. We see all of these celebrities on social media and tv screens and want to be like them but while you’re spending time admiring them, there’s homework left undone, a job you’re running late for and tasks you can’t complete anymore, because you spent too much time on your phone or tv this morning. It is important to know your limits and use them without forgetting about your own life and responsibilities.

Kehinde Wiley’s oil painting is giving a twist to the classical European paintings by substituting a white man with an African American one. I interpret this as him showing us that we live in a new world, one where black culture will be recognized. The man he painted is wearing modern clothing such as timberland boots and a bandana. The history of African Americans was never on the same level of importance as European’s, so Wiley decided to include them on his own, it just took so long that now we’re wearing the latest fashion. 

Episode 1 of John Berger’s “Ways of Seeing” will be referred to, to discuss the manipulation of an image to deliver a message. I’ll explain in detail how Wiley took a contemporary portrait of Napoleon an altered it to prove a point. Episode 3 will be used to discuss the history behind oil paintings and the power and wealth they displayed in Europe. Wiley purposely did an oil painting to relate back to the time period and giving black people power.

To society, wealth equals success. If you wear all the high end brands, own a nice car and live in a huge house, everyone looks at you as someone who has it all. In episode 3 of “Ways of Seeing” with John Berger, he talks about the exhibition of wealth in European oil paintings. The high class were painted while surrounded by all their possessions to display and show off their wealth. Materialistic things were what proved your social status.

Today, instead of paintings we use photographs and post them to social media outlets. Social media has brought materialism to a different level. It has raised the bar and now everyone craves to live up to these extravagant life styles. Even people who don’t have the money to support these things will go out of their way, emptying their bank accounts just to seem wealthy.

The photograph below shows Jeffree Star, a beauty influencer, in front of his expensive car, wearing expensive clothing. It’s similar to the oil paintings because the sole purpose of this picture was to show off his merchandise. The only difference is the more modern aspects such as the car and designer clothing. Back then they wore fur and would use food or jewels to stand around.

I’ve attached a video of a YouTuber who’s showing her fake designer items. This video shows how desperate people are to fit in and feel accepted through the items they own. People will spend money on fake things as long as they have the label.

In episode 2 of John Berger’s, “Ways of Seeing” he expresses how women were depicted during the nude era of Western art. Women were painted in the nude to show vulnerability and submission to men. Their poses and gazes to the intended male viewer were meant to be seen as provocative to intrigue him. Women to this day still suffer with being objectified. We have these ridiculous expectations of what our bodies should look and what we have to offer a man. 

What really bothers me about the effects of superiority some men feel they have over women, is the catcalling. I know everyone has either seen or experienced this and it’s absolutely disgusting. There have been a few times I have walked around even with my daughter and men have made noises or said gross sexual things towards me. These men clearly saw me as an object, and it’s extremely insulting. The lack of respect these men have for women comes from a long line of stereotypes our history has placed on us. We’re meant to cook, clean and take care of your babies and look sexy doing it. Women haven’t been recognized for their intelligence, strength or any of their unique individual qualities until they demanded it. And still, some men haven’t changed their views on women. 

Below is a disturbing video of a woman walking through New York City for 10 hours experiencing a ton of sexual harassment from men. Catcalling is NOT a compliment.

Binta Ngom

John Berger emphasizes how seeing comes before words. In his book “Ways of Seeing” he says “We never look at just one thing; we are always looking at the relation between things and ourselves”. We all feel a certain connection when we can relate to a message that someone else put out there. Giving us reassurance that we’re not alone. Images are used to as an artistic platform to bring awareness or send a message to the viewer. Thus making it a kind of language that can speak louder to us than most words can. Words are set in stone and super specific, but with a photograph, picture or illustration multiple interpretations can surface. Everyone has their own unique perspective, which can in some ways be more powerful. 

The photo below spoke to me because of the way I can automatically relate to it. In one way, I see it as an illustration of a woman looking in the mirror at her younger self, viewing her innocence and noticing how it has changed into who she is now. She looks like she’s been through a lot of pain and has given up, envying her younger self who hasn’t seen any of it yet. Sometimes I too wish I could go back in time to relive the easier life I had before  I had all these adult responsibilities. Although I don’t do drugs or self harm, she clearly has been doing in the illustration, she’s showing pain, which we all can relate to.