Week 1 Homework

Answer the following questions in detail - To what extent do you agree with the representations on the map? (http://blogoscoped.com/prejudice) give an example)

I only agree with this map to a very small extent. The descriptions of the people are only based on the dominant entertainment and media portrayal of the countries. As the United Kingdom is described with words such as “aristocratic” and the United States with “dislike of walking”, it is clear that these links are coming from ideals showed in the media. However I do partly agree with this map because there are truthful qualities that describe what the country is famous for - as with Japan being associated with technology. However, there is much more to the countries than what is stated on the map.

Do you find this amusing, helpful or outrageous? (Give reasons for your response) 

I find this map outrageous, for it has no comic element to it and they are simple comments, therefore, have no helpful use to them. If the comments had more slang to them or a more joking matter, it could have been amusing. Or to make it helpful it would have needed facts and/or statistics, however, it is purely stating the stereotypes, which is what makes the map outrageous.  

What do you think about the comments about Australia? If you were asked to provide evidence of this what would you say?

The Google map says Australia is no-nonsense, uncomplicated friendliness, directness, obsession with sport. Out of all these comment, obsession with sport would be the easiest to prove because Australia prides itself on its AFL and swimming. However I would not say that Australia was any more excited about its AFL then (for instance) Canada is about its ice hockey, or US on it football. Onto directness, I wouldn't even know how to prove it because I cannot see how Australia is more direct than any other place. Though I believe that Australia has a sense of uncomplicated friendliness because any visitors to the country that I know, have said that the Australian people are friendlier that they would expect from people on whom they do not know. Finally the no-nonsense remark, like directness, I would have no idea on how to prove because there hasn’t been a memorable example of this that I can remember.

How accurate is the title ‘Prejudice Map’? Or should it be called ‘ Stereotypes Map’? What is the difference between these two words? I believe that this map with be better fit with the name of stereotype map. Because stereotyping is oversimplifying, while prejudice is judging before. To an extreme extent, the bubbles are correct – these are what these countries are known for. However as the definition of stereotype states, these comments are highly simplified.



Look at this map of Australia and answer the questions below
(http://www.stickboydaily.com/laughs/funny-aussie-map/)

Do you think that this is an accurate representation of Australia? Explain your reasons

My response is similar to the Google Prejudice map. These representations are from the most outrageous, yet memorable events that took place in the areas (e.g. Steve Irwin, man eating koalas, baby killer dingoes). Never the less, as before they do have some fact to them, as there are fires in the NSW area but they are not always there. Therefore, it is not an accurate representation of Australia because they are based on 'one-off' or occasional events. 

Who do you think may have drawn up this map? What do you think their knowledge of Australia is like? I believe that the person who drew this map had been in Australia for a limited time because of the generalisation of the map. If most of their knowledge came from "one-shot" events that had made the news, or events exciting enough to induce a comic element to the map, it would have only required limited knowledge on Australia. Therefore it is more likely to be someone who had spent limited time in the country and is easily able to generalise the country.  



As an Australian with an inside knowledge of the country select three areas (e.g. Sharks, Steve Irwin and Man eating koalas) and change them to a more accurate representation.

Mosquitoes = Tourist District (due to the easy access to beaches, theme parks and great hotel population)

Steve Irwin  = Amazing fishes (due to the great barrier reef, which is usually the main item shown in Australian tourist sites)

Nothing = World Wonder Rock (Uluru has been listed in UNESCO world heritage list and like the great barrier reef – is one of the selling points to Tourists when they visit Australia.)