Latest news with #AnnenbergSchoolforCommunicationandJournalism
Forbes
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
20 Years Later, Another 'Zoo' Video On YouTube Has A Very Different Message
Video sharing service YouTube marked its 20th anniversary on Wednesday (Photo by Olly Curtis/Future ... More via Getty Images) Video sharing service YouTube marked its 20th anniversary on Wednesday, marking the literal billions of videos that have been uploaded to the service. It all began with a simple 19-second clip of co-founder Jawed Karim at the San Diego Zoo titled "Me at the zoo." "Alright, so here we are in front of the, uh, elephants, and the cool thing about these guys is that, is that they have really, really, really long, um, trunks, and that's, that's cool. And that's pretty much all there is to say," Karim says in the narration. "Me at the Zoo" may not have the lasting impact, perhaps of Neil Armstrong's "One small step for man," moon landing, but as narration goes, it was arguably better than Thomas Edison's first recording on a phonograph, in which he simply recited the "Mary Had a Little Lamb" nursery rhyme. "YouTube's twentieth anniversary is a notable milestone in the evolution of the internet and video-based social media. This anniversary also shows that these impactful technologies are still very young. Though our knowledge increases as more research is published, we still do not have the full scope of YouTube's influence yet," said Dr. Julianna Kirschner, lecturer in the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California. Now, two decades after Karim's day out at the zoo, animal rights supporters released another video, this time called "Us Still At the Zoo." It presented a more carefully considered message that didn't just note the "really long" trunks, but was meant to put a focus on the plight of animals in captivity. "The 20th anniversary of the first YouTube video is a great way to raise this topic," explained Diederik Jeangout, the creative head of Make it Happener, which produced the recent video for World Animal Protection USA. He explained in an email that combining footage of the very first clip, help show that over the past two decades the issue of the treatment of animals hasn't changed much. "As it's a seemingly meaningless clip of someone enjoying a visit to the zoo, it's much more than that. It's a portal to two decades ago, showing how we treated animals back then and how essentially nothing really changed," added Jeangout. "Yes, we've put these magnificent creatures in slightly larger enclosures and we've dressed these confinements with faux rocks and bamboo walls, but we're still holding them in 700,000 times smaller cages compared to their natural habitat." There is no shortage of activist videos on YouTube today, but what might make "Us Still At the Zoo" stand out is that it could be linked going forward with the historic first video. "From such a simple video — a man standing in front of elephants at the zoo talking about how cool are their trunks — we got the incredible platform that is YouTube. And this is an interesting idea, using YouTube's first video as a springboard for something that carries a deeper message," said Susan Campbell, distinguished lecturer in the Communication, Film and Media Studies Department at New Haven University's College of Arts & Sciences. "Given the resurgence of the 2005 video, it is a smart marketing move to create 'Us Still at the Zoom.' The audience analysis strategy is effective for activists to use while communicating their intended messages," added Kirschner. "However, whether they convince audiences not already primed to accept or consider their message is unlikely. Audiences would need to be considering the activists' stance already or firmly in their camp for the messaging to be effective." The message could fall on deaf ears or worse. "As with so many messages meant to sway the public, the people who create such things walk a fine line between earnest education and, well, being maudlin, as in having a person deliver the voiceover as a dead elephant," warned Campbell. "The message can get lost in the method, and it's unfortunate, because this is an important message from World Animal Protection. It's sad to think we're still caging these beautiful beasts." Then there is also the danger that engagement can also come in the opposite direction. Instead of bringing users to their cause, it may have the opposite effect. "Users with different stances might respond to these posts as they would with rage bait," said Kirschner. "Activists should expect these distinctly polarizing perspectives in their video comments. The effectiveness tends to remain with those already primed for the message, while the rage-bait commenters might unintentionally amplify these messages to more users. The latter case is key for activists: Accept rage bait as the cost of doing business, so the message can be amplified and potentially reach those that might be convinced."
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: Why is USC, located in L.A. of all places, capitulating to Trump on diversity?
To the Editor: I am not a USC alumna, but I am moved to write because the university's craven actions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion have stained the reputation of all Los Angeles residents ("USC scrubs DEI from some webpages as Trump cracks down on campus diversity programs," Feb. 28). The city's diversity and commitment to social justice is its superpower. As a university that is linked in the minds of many to this city, USC has higher standards to maintain. Speaking of standards, the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism's actions stand out as particularly egregious because they undermine its mission. The school is not upholding standards of journalistic excellence when it obfuscates language and a top administrator and faculty member refuse to speak to the press. USC has bowed to authoritarian pressure by 'obeying in advance.' It can and must do better for the sake of our city and all of the good it represents. Janine Perron, Los Angeles .. I was angered but not surprised when I read about USC capitulating to President Trump's anti-DEI tyranny. But without even a direct threat, USC administrators fear an artificial intelligence scrubber might notice their DEI-speak and drain the college of some unknown amount of federal funding. Please. Is this the journalistic and scholastic leadership students should expect in 2025? If USC wants to continue to be one of the most respected journalism schools in the nation, it should put down this cowardice, stand up to Trump and "Fight On." Carrie Poppy, Los Angeles The writer earned a master's in journalism from USC in 2015. .. To the editor: President Trump hates diversity, equity and inclusion. It's wasteful spending and, heaven forbid, might bring "different" people to the table. USC, in response, scrubs some references to DEI. Remember when your mom told you to clean your room and you did it in record time? That's because all of your stuff went under your bed. USC can openly stop making a display of its commitment to DEI. Unless Trump requires a mind wipe, USC staff and administrators can still follow DEI guidelines; they just don't have to advertise it. Trump will never look under the bed. Pat Conwell, La Mesa This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: Why is USC, located in L.A. of all places, capitulating to Trump on diversity?
To the Editor: I am not a USC alumna, but I am moved to write because the university's craven actions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion have stained the reputation of all Los Angeles residents ('USC scrubs DEI from some webpages as Trump cracks down on campus diversity programs,' Feb. 28). The city's diversity and commitment to social justice is its superpower. As a university that is linked in the minds of many to this city, USC has higher standards to maintain. Speaking of standards, the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism's actions stand out as particularly egregious because they undermine its mission. The school is not upholding standards of journalistic excellence when it obfuscates language and a top administrator and faculty member refuse to speak to the press. USC has bowed to authoritarian pressure by 'obeying in advance.' It can and must do better for the sake of our city and all of the good it represents. Janine Perron, Los Angeles .. I was angered but not surprised when I read about USC capitulating to President Trump's anti-DEI tyranny. But without even a direct threat, USC administrators fear an artificial intelligence scrubber might notice their DEI-speak and drain the college of some unknown amount of federal funding. Please. Is this the journalistic and scholastic leadership students should expect in 2025? If USC wants to continue to be one of the most respected journalism schools in the nation, it should put down this cowardice, stand up to Trump and 'Fight On.' Carrie Poppy, Los Angeles The writer earned a master's in journalism from USC in 2015. .. To the editor: President Trump hates diversity, equity and inclusion. It's wasteful spending and, heaven forbid, might bring 'different' people to the table. USC, in response, scrubs some references to DEI. Remember when your mom told you to clean your room and you did it in record time? That's because all of your stuff went under your bed. USC can openly stop making a display of its commitment to DEI. Unless Trump requires a mind wipe, USC staff and administrators can still follow DEI guidelines; they just don't have to advertise it. Trump will never look under the bed. Pat Conwell, La Mesa
