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Since the release of the Buggles song “Video Killed the Radio Star” and the introduction of the music video station MTV in the early 80’s, music videos have progressed into a predominate part of our culture. Every generation has had its video icons. These icons have used the music video to convey messages to their viewers. Messages sent through music videos have included everything from what to wear, how to act, and who to vote for. With such an influence and with ever increasing availability, it is important that viewers become media literate in order to critically question what messages are being sent through videos to them. We have chosen fifteen popular videos that are on current, consistent rotation on music video stations. We have summarized them and added in critical questions to consider for visitors to this blog to answer. We have also linked the videos to this site. You can access each video by clicking on the picture of the artist that is found beside the title of the video.

Friday, March 30, 2007


Rise Against- "Ready to Fall"
In this video the band performs in a clear-cut area of a forest. When the band is not shown, the audience is shown a multitude of images. These include the following: pictures of Earth from Space, a dead bird lying in an oil spill, endangered animals, captive animals, melting ice caps, burning forests, oil sands, clear-cutting, mass- produced chicken farms, heavy traffic, and dead dolphins trapped in fishing lines. The video ends with the lead singer stating to the audience “Every action has a reaction. We have one planet, one chance”.
Questions to Consider:
What do you think the lead singers' quote at the end of the video means?
How did the images make you feel?
How are we all responsible?

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