The Middle-Eastern protests

By Kayley Erlandson

There has been a lot of unrest in middle-eastern countries. Even people who don’t follow the news every day have heard about the protests happening overseas. The Egyptian leader recently stepped down from his position and there are still many protests in other Middle-Eastern countries.

I don’t know if I understand all of the thought processes behind the protesters, especially since they’re from different countries, but it is obvious that they’re trying to change something they don’t like about their respective country. I heard that the social networking site Facebook played a role in helping rally people for the protests. Maybe it’s a coincidence that these protests are happening now, once social networking sites are popular and draw people together and that countries that have stayed virtually the same, politically, for so many years are finally seeing some desire to change the system.

Superbowl: Pepsi vs Coca Cola

By Kayley Erlandson

Beat: The Battle Between Soft Drinks

The Steelers and the Packers weren’t the only ones duking it out this past weekend. Rival American soft drink companies Coca Cola and Pepsi both had more than a few coveted commercial spots during the Superbowl. But who’s advertising was better?

Here are the commercials:

Pepsi

Cooler Launcher

Love Hurts

First Date

Coca-Cola

Border

Dragon

I preferred Coke’s advertising over Pepsi’s. Pepsi’s ads just seemed more mean-spirited and two of the commercials end in a violent way, with the cause of a “problem” getting hit with a Pepsi Max can…hard. The other Pepsi Max commercial concerns a man on a first date who only wants to sleep with the woman sitting across from him. The only thing that can distract him from his one-track thought is a Pepsi Max. Apparently, this drink is that good.

The Pepsi commercials were the winners of an amateur video contest that Pepsi is now doing every year. While it’s understandable that these amateurs did not have as many resources to work with, it’s strange that they all went for more edge than any of the Coke commercials.

I don’t think the commercials will affect which soft drink people will choose. We all have a brand we prefer over the other.

Coca Cola’s commercials were more about tolerance. The two border guards share a Coke, despite being on opposing sides. A deadly dragon who is being used as a weapon of mass destruction is turned into a glorified sparkler, ending the fight and starting a celebration.

Implication? Coke is so good it can unite people with opposing views. Pepsi can solve your problems through violence and possibly end a horrible date with a man who only wants one thing.

Which do you prefer: Coke or Pepsi? Do you think advertising has anything to do with your preference? Have you noticed a pattern in the way these soft drinks are marketed?

The Difference Between the Brits and the Americans

Both countries have their stereotypes. Americans are lazy and selfish while the British have bad teeth and drink tea. But I’ve been thinking about the differences in what the Brits see on television and what we (Americans) see. In a nutshell, the British are more tolerant of sexual material and Americans are more tolerant of violent material.

I’m sure some of the British shows would be shocking for Americans, and vice versa. For instance, the American remake of the British-based show Skins has caused quite a hullaballo in the States, with its concentration on sex, drugs, and other questionable elements. I’ve heard that the content isn’t even as “bad” as it was in Britain.

(below l-r, the British version of Skins, the American version)

Also, it seems that British people aren’t afraid to let their television shows “die” or stop when there is a nice conclusion. Americans drag out popular shows for season upon season. They never really offer a conclusion until the show is cancelled because people are getting sick of waiting for a conclusion. The irony.

Why do you think Americans put so much stock in violence and the British in sexuality? Have you noticed any other differences between British and American entertainment?