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COMM 3070 4-1

Prompt 1: Dimeo, Hunt & Horbury, "The Individual and the State: A Social Historical Analysis of the East German 'Doping System'" explores a governmental scandal about a sports/medical technology. Compare this to a contemporary sports scandal of your choice, using at least two quotes from the reading. Take a local photo to illustrate the East German doping scandal in some way, and another photo to illustrate the scandal you choose.

Doping scandals are a reoccurring event in modern sport. Recent doping scandals include the Russian team at the 2012 summer Olympics, Lance Armstrong and his Tour De France trophies, and the 100m world champion Justin Gatlin. These are just a few examples of a common issue in today's world of sports. These issues are not new to sports: the first big doping scandal happened during the Nazi regime in Germany. At our brief stop at the Olympia Stadium our tour guide mentioned the doping scandal that happened at the time. The 1936 Olympics took place in Berlin and was a propaganda stunt by Hitler to "prove his theories of Aryan racial superiority" to the world (1). To prove this theory, it is rumored that a majority of the Germany athletes that year had taken steroids or speed.

Dimeo explains that "Doping in the German Democratic Republic, …was central to the national policy for sport from the mid-1960s to the collapse of the Soviet satellite in November 1989" (Dimeo, p. 218). In the midst's of the Cold War, the DDR could get ahead by a stellar performance in the Olympics against the American controlled West Berlin. In contrast to the Nazi doping scandal, "The fact that the athletes in the former East Germany (or GDR) enhanced their performance by the use of androgenic anabolic steroids is widely known and often repeated in media and academic discourses" (Dimeo, p.220). 

The doping of east Berlin athletes was a terrible publicity stunt. The DDR's abuse of their athletes "damaged the health of numerous athletes and left a legacy of cynicism around elite international sport" (Dimeo, p.220). I would make the argument that large-scale doping scandals in Germany, like the DDR and Nazi scandals, have shaped the competitive sport scene we currently live in. Sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics have become a place to assert a countries dominance in the World, and countries try to abuse this opportunity.

1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_Games_scandals_and_controversies#1972_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Munich

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COMM 3550 4-2

Week 4 Prompt 2: You have now seen the Mercedes-Benz arena & museum, the BMW Motorcycle Factory, and the VW Autostadt. How are these various locations similar in terms of stakeholder engagement? In what ways are they different? As a tourist viewing these locations (rather than as a local fan, a native German, or a customer), which was more effective in creating a compelling experience for you? Think about the Ramshaw reading as you answer and include specific examples. 

Stakeholder engagements are a form of public relations. Examples of public relations varied from tour to tour, as each company targeted their specific publics. For example, Mercedes-Benz utilized different forms of public relations than the BMW Motorcycle Factory because they have different audiences, and different values they want represented. However, all three tours had the same overall purpose: to bond with the company's publics, and to portray a positive image onto the publics. All three tours highlighted the organization message and painted them in a positive light. In a way they were designed to make the company tangible to their stakeholders, and to strengthen the relationship. For example, the BMW factory pushed the idea of excellence though German engineering and highlighted how the company served its stakeholders. Leaving the factory, the group has a positive view of the factory and its dedication to their customers: which was the intended, designed purpose of the tour.

The Mercedes-Benz Arena and museum was the first tour the group attended. From the reading, the importance of stadium tours become clear as "many sports teams hold a special place in the communities in which they play, the stadium has become the tangible, permanent representation of a club and therefore has been imbued with special cultural meanings by supporters" (Ramshaw, p.18). The arena was unique as it was the only stadium we visited. The stadium itself was a form of public relations, and it also highlighted the team's history and important players. They tour highlighted these things in an attempt to build a sense of "heritage construction" with the fans (Ramshaw, p.8). Another thing present on our tour was the teams motto, which reflected the city of Stuttgart. Our tour guide from the first day mentioned that the people of Stuttgart were humble compared to other cities in Germany. This same concept was present through the stadium tour, as it was highlighted that the teams motto translated to "being true and fearless". The team, representing the city of Stuttgart, treated visiting teams with respect and gave them the same locker facility and equipment. For me, this was the most effective tour because it was both sports and automotive related. I enjoy sports more than cars, so the stadium tour was incredible and is something I want to look into when I get back in the states.

The tour of the BMW Motorcycle factory was meant to communicate the companies' commitment of excellence for their customers and international business partners. The promotional video, the rhetoric used by our tour guide, and the sights shows were examples of how they communicated this message, and how they managed their relationship with stakeholders. External stakeholders were given the freedom to customize their motorcycle and were promised a certain level of quality and craftsmanship in the products. This level of craftsmanship was ensured through both mechanical and human quality assurance testing.  The internal stakeholders were taken care of by BMW through a secure and relaxed job. On top of this internal stakeholders were given on sight dental, medical care, and leisure lounges which created a comfortable work environment.

The VW Autostadt was the most immersive experience. The VW company owns 11 other automotive brands, such as Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi to name a few. The Autostadt was massive to compensate for all 11 of these brands. Our tour guide took us on a two-hour tour of the facility and we only saw a glimpse of everything it had to offer. The Autostadt was more immersive than other tours. Movies, interactive hotels, and leisure activities were present on this tour exclusively. On top of that you were able to pick up a personalized vehicle, have a nice lunch somewhere, and stay at the Ritz Carlton. Overall the Autostadt was able to communicate the company's values and history through an immersive experience.

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COMM 3550 4-3

Week 4

Prompt 3: At Teufelsberg this week you will see a lot of graffiti. It's a cultural phenomenon here - highly skilled artists have been allowed to paint the walls of this defunct spy station. Some murals have lasted years, while others are painted over from one week to the next. As Ledingham tells us, "Public relations is best defined and practiced as the active attempt to restore and maintain a sense of community." How is this graffiti a function of community building/maintenance? How might this space be different in the U.S.? Would the owners of this property or the federal government be likely to allow this long-term graffiti haven to continue untouched by anyone who isn't part of the community? Post a selection of murals to illustrate your post. 

Tuefelsburg has become a part of the community itself. The murals are from local artists and give them a chance to express themselves to the community. From this freedom to express themselves has come this sense of community. The Tuefelsburg has become a cultural phenomenon because it allows the artist to show their true colors and express their identity with the community. Graffiti and murals are a common sight across Berlin and are synonymous with the culture. Art is best shared with others, especially if it creates the kind of community present at Tuefelsburg. 

The art at Tuefelsburg comes from renowned artist from all over the world. The art there is a celebration of world culture, as Berlin is a melting pot of the world. The tour today highlighted the diversity in the art as it encompasses societal, political, and world issues. Famous world figures such as Trump, Putin, and Obama are highlighted throughout the facility. Through portraying these usually sensitive topics in a unique and artistic way, the art works to bring people together. A normal poster of President Trump in Berlin would usually cause distaste. However, the portrayals of Trump in this artistic way work past the issues related to the name. In the U.S. street art and graffiti is a punishable crime and is looked down upon in society. In most conservative States I can't see this kind of exhibit being successful. Especially given the political climate in America, depictions of important U.S. figures, even if they are done in an artistic and joking way, would be frowned upon. 

Overall, I loved what they did at Tuefelsburg. It celebrated the culture of Berlin and allowed artists from every background to come and express themselves. The art celebrates all walks of life and through this expression comes a sense of community and belonging.

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COMM 3070 4-2

Prompt 2: Museum Communication meets Metropolis: At the museum, look for two examples of science or technology to relate to the film: 1 - Find an exhibit that suggests the film was accurate in communicating the future. 2 - Find an exhibit that suggests the film was inaccurate in its vision of the future.  

Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist film based in the fictional city Metropolis. The movie is set in a futuristic dystopian society that takes place in 2027. One of the movies messages is that ""The Mediator Between the Head and the Hands Must Be the Heart" (1). The society itself has many flaws. The upper class live in the high rises of the city, while the workers slave away in the underground working on the machines that make the city operate. In a desperate move to bring back a loved one, a crazy scientist named Rotwang tries to bring back the love of his life using a robot. He uses Maria, a female character in the movie, to replicate her soul and bring the robot to life. After the robot comes to life, she is able to manipulate the workers into destroying the machines, and eventfully their homes. This is where the quote above comes into play: the robot was supposed to be the mediator and bring the people of Metropolis together. I feel like the plot of the movie, along with the underlying meaning of the Nazi Titanic, is the fear and misunderstanding of machines and robots. The machines in the movie created a divided society, and lead to the two sides to be unable to communicate. 

The music exhibit is proof that the films vision of the future was inaccurate. Music is a universal language. Many American songs are played on the radio here in Germany, and Europe as a whole. Music brings people together: sporting events, concerts, and celebrations are all places where music is played in a social setting to bring people together. This is an example of technology BRIDGING societies and cultures, not dividing them. 

The exhibit I found interesting was located on the third floor. It was three black strips that's had different countries names running across (just like the Wall Street sign that has the DOW and NASDAQ numbers in red). The exhibit stated that in today's time public communication, or lack thereof, is what leads to modern conflicts and war. The lack of communication is what created a divide in the movie, and the same can be seen in modern times. Also, the spread of fake news is just as dangerous. In the movie the "Robot Maria" miscommunicated to the underground workers and created the uprising. In America fake news is becoming a popular topic of discussion, and if continued could lead down a dark path.

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COMM 3070 4-1

Week 4

Prompt 1: Research the GPDR online privacy regulations that went into effect last Friday. Link to an official government communication from the EU or another governmental body about these new technological restrictions. Then, find an example of art or advertising in the city you're in (not online) that deals with similar issues of privacy or surveillance.

The GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, is Germany's attempt to protect your online footprint. In other words, the GDPR is a way for the EU to regulate how companies "collect, store, or process large amounts of information" on EU residents. This means more openness from companies such as Facebook on the data they collect on you, and who they share that information with. EU residents are open to make complaints to their governing body. Any company found to be in violation can be fined up to 20 million euros, or 4% of the company's annual global revenue. This law protects information such as your name, government ID, and a person's activity online and in the real world. This also includes location information, IP addresses, and browsing cookies. The advertisement I found is a Microsoft ad that translates to "always on your side". The GDPR doesn't only apply for businesses inside of the EU: it applies to international businesses that EU residents use. This applies to American businesses such as Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. This add shows Microsoft support of the new regulations set by the GDPR and is a good move in my opinion. Given all the Facebook drama, it feels good for a company to be on our side and understand our rights as customers. Microsoft understands the importance of our privacy and vows to protect it. 

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COMM 3550 4-1

Week 4

Prompt 1: Capture an advertisement that you think would be ineffective in the U.S. Tell me why it would be ineffective, and then describe how you might do it differently for a U.S. market. Post a photo of the advertisement so that your classmates and I can see what you're referring to. (Note: You cannot post something in German and say "it would be ineffective because it isn't in English" or something similar. Think in terms of the intended message, intended audience, and how both are communicated - would the spirit of the message be ineffective? Why?) Make a connection to at least one of our readings from the program.

The advertisement I believe would not be effective in the U.S. is smoking ads found across the city. Smoking cigarettes is a common sight here in Berlin: 29% of men, and 20% of women aged 15+ smoke according to a 2013 micro-census (1). This number increases to 35.2% for 18 to 25-year olds. There are smoking advertisements everywhere you look, and cigarettes are sold just as frequently. They are sold at every grocery store register, bars have cigarette vending machines, and there are tobacco shops found throughout the city. Seeing an add on the streets would be normal to a German person but is perceived differently from an American tourist.

One should not assume that the "world has become one big U.S.-based culture" (GM, p.435). The social view on smoking in the U.S. Is not the same across the world? In America the percentage of people smoking is at a steady decline. As of 2015 the CDC found that only 15.1% of U.S. adults smoke and had declined 5.8% in the past decade (2). On top of this, smoking adds are restricted and regulated by the government. In as early as 1971 the U.S. Government started cracking down on cigarette use nationwide by putting stronger health warnings on cigarette packages. That same year Richard Nixon passed a ban on cigarette advertising ban through commercials and radio (3). At a young age most, American children are taught about the dangers of tobacco products in school programs such as D.A.R.E. 

I don't think the advertisement would be affective because of the differing societal views on smoking. GM explains that social "traits and traditions of other cultures" are often different, which is the case here (GM, p.439). If a smoking company wanted to promote something like this in the U.S., I think advertising online on smoking websites or similar outlets would be the most effective. That way only those who are purposefully looking for tobacco products would be exposed to such advertising.

1)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_in_Germany#Cigarettes_annual_consumption_per_capita

2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence_of_tobacco_consumption

3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence_of_tobacco_consumption

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COMM 3070 3-3

Week 3

Prompt 3: Advertising / Public Sphere: Public Communication and Democracy. Find an example in Berlin (not TV, online, etc.) of communication from a regional, city, or national governmental body about a particular technology. Drawing on Habermas , examine it first from a public sphere perspective: What information is needed about this technology for citizens of a democracy to have informed civic debate and deliberation about it? Then, drawing on Jaganathan et al , examine it from a rhetoric of advertising perspective: What persuasive arguments might a manufacturer or distributor of the same technology want to make to the public?

Habermas explains that "in a large public body this kind of communication requires specific means for transmitting information and influencing those who receive it" (Habermas, p.49). He also explains that political public sphere is when "public discussion deals with objects connected to the activity of the state "when the public discussion deals with objects connected to the activity of the state" (Haberman, p.49). In Jaanathan's reading, he expresses the importance of language by explaining "Language is a powerful tool used to evoke the readers appeal to make the necessary response" (Jaganathan, p. 152).

The banner pictured above translates to "One result. For Germany. For Europe." This building is the Bundesrat, which is a legislative body of the Federal Republic of Germany. In this instance the Bundesrat, a governing body in Berlin, is communicating an event that is both for Germany and Europe. In this case, they are trying to influence the public and promote their agenda. No information is necessarily needed for this banner to be read, but more knowledge is needed to understand the meaning behind it, and to create a public discussion. There will be no public discussion if no one knows the meaning behind the event. The language of the add is positive and unifying. It is like this to promote similar feelings and attitudes to the public.

Another example of this is one I found in Milano. As I was walking down the street near the Duomo (a big city center), I saw spikes outside of certain store fronts. When I spent my spring break in D.C. studying poverty and homelessness there were similar spikes and bench dividers that served to deter homeless people. I these spikes serve a similar purpose: the local Milano state government set these up to deter homeless people, as well as immigrants. Doing research, I found out that Italy has a "immigrant problem". Most Italian political figures look down upon them, and believe they are bad for the country (I will post a link down below for more information). This use of technology is easily seen, and the message is understood. This piece of technology doesn't use direct language, but it speaks on the governments attitudes on that issue. In a way it promotes the anti-immigrant rhetoric most political powers in Italy use, and intends to create a similar feeling within society. The manufacturer of these spikes might not make them specifically for this purpose, but may want to make it public that this use is not their intentions.

Other examples not listed are the pictures on cigarette packs, the poster near the Italian restaurant advertising vasectomies, and the concentration camp. All of these examples are the national/state government communicating with the public (an example of public or political sphere). They combine technologies and specific rhetoric to get an intended point across to the general public. 

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/19/rome-italy-migrant-crisis-squatting-emergency-shelters-asylum-seekers

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COMM 3550 3-3

Week 3

Prompt 3: Luke Lalor from AlphaPool Content Marketing is coming to talk with us about his firm and what they do. For this post, you need to take careful notes during Luke's talk so that you can go out this week and find an example of something he discusses. Specifically, you need to identify a concept he discusses, then find an example of that practice (1) done well, and (2) done poorly.

AlphaPool is a media production and advertising firm based in Berlin. Luke Lalor explained the inner workings of the company, how they communicate with clients, and what makes the business successful. One thing I focused on was when he spoke on intercultural communication. Lalor was explaining one of his recent business deals, and he mentioned that it's important to understand that what works in one country may not work in another. An example of this is pictured below. In Europe smoking is a socially accepted thing, as 25-35% of Germans smoke (1). Because of this cigarette advertisements are everywhere. The advertisement pictured has a positive, light hearted feel and is an example of what Lalor was explaining. This style of advertisement, and advertisements about cigarettes and tobacco are not seen in America. This is because of differing social norms and attitudes between the cultures. The advertisement might be well perceived here in Berlin but would be ineffective with an American audience.

Another topic discussed by Lalor is the important of social media. Joseph asked how AlphaPool incorporates social media, and how they use it. Lalor explained that social media means being "engaged in broad, mass media campaigns" and plays "an incredibly important role". A company who effectively utilizes social media is opening the door to reach a much broader audience at a much faster pace. Walking around Berlin, the bikini ad is an example of the proper use of social media. Walking around Berlin it is impossible to miss the bikini advertisement (they can be found at almost every metro station). The advertisement is very simple: two models wearing bikinis, and the companies' website and social media information. There is no information about the bikini or the brand. If you're interested to learn more, you have to visit their social media platforms. Seeing the advertisements over and over make you think about the bikini's, and makes you want to use their social media accounts to learn about them. This particular advertisement is an example of the importance of social media described by Lalor.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/433390/individuals-who-currently-smoke-cigarettes-in-european-countries/

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COMM 3550 3-2

Week 3

Prompt 2: Capture an image from the portion of the BMW Motorcycle factory where we're allowed to have photos - anything you like (something cool, obviously). Discuss the concept of communicating/connecting with internal & external stakeholders, and how this tour accomplishes both of those things (refer to the entire tour and to things we learn from the tour guide and the promo videos). Draw specific connections to the Zerfass reading - quotes w/ page numbers are a good way to do this.

The BMW tour along with the promotional video were specifically designed to impress their fans, existing customers, and future clients. The presentation also detailed their entire manufacturing process and demonstrated their global business model. The presentation detailed all their car and bike manufacturing plants, as well as part manufacturers. Their business can be found in places such as India, Japan, Germany, and the United States. This sense of globalization demonstrates "public relations as a discipline are more often charged with managing communication and relationships between organizations and their stakeholders on an international level" (Zerfass, p,785). This changes their business model and forms of public relations as their stakeholders and potential clients. They are located worldwide, so their campaigns have to be far reaching. In this sense the tour, presentation, and promotional videos are all examples of how BMW connects with their external business clients. What makes this type of public relations successful is the underlying message told throughout: quality. Everything BMW does with their name attached is assumed to have a certain level of craftsmanship, excellence, and overall quality performance. This idea can be seen in the reading on page 286 where Zefrass explains that "Organizations should have core competencies and policies that are valid worldwide, while at the same time their implementation in different parts of the world should appreciate local specialties." Like before, BMW has a global reputation of excellence. This level of excellence goes unquestioned as BMW markets certain vehicles and items depending on the region. For example, our tour guide explained how great their electric scooter was but said that they were unpopular here in Berlin. However, traveling to the south of France and that changes. The organizations competencies and policies are seen worldwide, but the local needs are a better fit for a certain model of car or motorcycle. These are all examples of how BMW communicates their business with external stakeholders. 

Another form of communication discussed within our time at the plant was with internal stakeholders. Employees of the plant were important internal stakeholders, and the communications with them were just as important. The reading explains that important internal communication functions are "implementing traditional management structures (for planning, organization, and evaluation), communicating in multiple languages, enforcing corporate design rules" (Zerfass, p.790). Our tour guide mentioned how different color jackets meant different things, which created a hierarchy within the plant. There were assembly line managers, floor managers, and overall shift managers and they all communicated with each other before and after shifts. Our tour guide also mentioned that most people within the plant knew both English and German. Lastly the assembly lines, along with the quality assurance by both machines and humans ensure that the plant follows corporate design rules. These are all examples of how the BMW plant follows internal communication functions detailed in the readings. These functions are a few ways BMW communicates with their internal stakeholders. Another way the BMW plant communicates internally is with shift check-ins. These check ins are a way for the managers to gauge the previous shifts success. They meet in the designated area and communicate about plant issues and progress. Another example of internal communication is with the placement of on campus doctors, dentists, and leisure loungers. These are all created to ensure the workers comfort and safety. Because of these things, the employees feel happy about going to work, and are better able to live up to BMW's quality manufacturing.

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comm 3070 3-2

Week 3

Prompt 2: Computerspielmuseum / DDR Museum: Public Communication of Sport Sciences and Technologies. Compare and contrast an example from each museum that talks about, shows, or otherwise presents a science or technology used in sports. Embed a music video of one song you would choose to play along with each sport (one for each, two songs total). Use supporting quotes from McLeod to explain why you chose those songs.

In both museums we visited, there was an underlying theme of sports: the difference is how they represented them. At the Computerspielmuseum sports were represented through the games played. Many early games were based on sports or sporting events such as Pong, Track and Field in 1982, and Pole position in 1982 (1). As video games progressed, more themed sports games and devices became popular. NBA, NFL, and FIFA games today dominate the market with over $4 billion in revenue and is sold in over 50 countries as of 2011 (2). The obsession of sports continued, and in 2006 the Wii came out. This new gaming system was focused on sports and other active games. It was based on the idea that you can play video games, and exercise at the same time. Overall the theme of sports was represented at the Computerspielmuseum through the technology of video games, and video gaming systems. 

In the DDR museum the theme of sport and its importance in the life of the East Germans became apparent. Many plaques and posters were found across the museum detailing sports in everyday life. Upon doing research I found that sports and physical activity were promoted by the government starting as early as 1959. At that time Walter Ulbricht's government would say "Everybody - Exercise once a week" to promote mass participation in sports. Tactic worked, as "20 percent of all East German citizens were active members of the national sports organization" (3). Sports became another way to promote solidarity between the people of East Germany. They were proud of their national team, and from 1968-1988 they competed as the "East Germans" in the Olympics (4). Their T.V networks were used to highlight their performance at the Olympics and continued the tradition of solidarity through sports. 

When talking about sports, the reading comments that "Sports, however, doggedly clung to the pristine notion of military heroism, as color guards typically presented flags" (McLeod, p.535). This quote shows that in numerous sporting events, especially the World Cup or The Olympics where more than one country is present, flags are openly flown. For this instance, the song I chose to represent the DDR museum was the song "K'naan - Wavin' Flag." This song was the official song of the 2010 World Cup, and it was also featured on multiple FIFA video games. 

For the Computerspielmuseum, the song I chose is "Kurtis Blow - Basketball." This song is featured on multiple NBA games, which is my favorite video game and sport. It also features a lot of the criteria for a typical sports song/anthem. According to the reading "basketball has been most pronounced in the realm of hip hop, two entertainment genres that are allied by everything from shared fashions, attitudes, to urban roots" (McLeod, p.532). This song is the definition of old school hip hop and is all about the sport of basketball. Additionally, "A strong element of the appeal common to all of these sports anthems is that they feature memorable and easily sung choruses in which fans can readily participate" (McLeod, p.541). This song has a catchy, simple, and easy to predict chorus that fits this description perfectly. 

Links Used: 

1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_game

2) https://thetylt.com/sports/madden-vs-fifa-best-sports-video-game

3) https://www.centralberlin.de/blog/on-your-marks-get-set-go-sports-in-communist-east-germany/

4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Germany_at_the_Olympics

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COMM 3070 3-1

Week 3

Prompt #1: Ecoland / Tempelhofer Feld: Public Communication of Health Sciences and Technologies. Find the community gardens at Tempelhofer Feld. Compare how they communicate sciences and/or technologies of health (such as nutrition, sustainability, etc.). What values are expressed? How are they similar? Different? Do you see any miscommunications?

The community gardens at Tempelhofer Feld are a self-sustaining project that is found in various parts across the airport. They are a place for groups: individuals, families. farmers, and travelers to come and experience the organic collective. Tempelhofer itself draws many similarities with Ecoland, as they both have very moral driven ideals and interact with a variety of publics. At Tempelhofer, the community gardens had a variety of purposes. There main source of technology were the signs and flyers used to promote and educate those who traveled through (these are listed above). These flyers and materials are all made of recycled materials and help reinforce their overall message of sustainability. Off their website it states that the initiative wants to allow for people to "experience the countryside without ever having to leave the city". The science used comprised of recycling and compost. Through these things, they are able to re-use old items, and refashion them to further the collective. They strive to benefit the environment and the community.  

Ecoland communicated technology through there in house communication processes. They used computers and editing software's to communicate directly with their publics, as they created flyers and pamphlets. Their choice to practice in house communication makes sure their moral and message gets across directly to their customers, business partners, and other publics without bias. Another form of technology was the spice handling machines. The prevalence of science can be seen in their farming techniques, and the way the spices and livestock are handled and distributed. Just like their communication, all spice handling and livestock breeding is done in house and done in a specific way. The introduction of the plastic roofs (to control the temperature of the spices), the spice controlling processes, and the "12-month rule". All of these instances of science and technology help Ecoland represent their values of sustainability and equality.

Both organizations emphasis a sense of sustainability and positively affecting those around them. The biggest contribution from Ecoland is their beneficial relationship with their overseas farmers. They are able to give them the science and technology needed to create an organic, and sustainable farm that will help provide for their family. At Tempelhofer they focused on a sense of community: bringing the residents together to both serve them and better the environment through various forms of science and technology. Both organizations were very easy to understand and left room for little miscommunication. The only issue that I saw was that people might not be knowledgeable on composting/recycling, and leave or take something that would affect the operation.

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COMM 3550 3-1

Week 3 Prompt 1 (extended): Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross-cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you've witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you've seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you've seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video and explain how it captures or illustrates the concept you choose.

According to an online source cross-cultural communication is defined as "communication between people who have differences in any one of the following: styles of working, age, nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc" (1). As we talked about in class today when business or individuals interact with each other, understanding and overcoming these obstacles can sometimes be tedious. As detailed in the reading a simple translation with a business slogan can go terribly wrong if not handles properly. When translating "it takes a tough man to make a tender chicken" into Spanish, we find that it turns into "it takes a sexually aroused man to make a chick affectionate" (GM, p.427). Issues with cross-cultural communication aren't only seen through direct translations. Attitudes about time, personal space, and language barriers are also obstacles that appear through cross-cultural communication.

A big concern that American worry about when traveling abroad is the language barrier. In our groups case, only two of us had previously take German classes or had experience with the language. The first time I traveled to Munich a few summers ago, I was terrified of the language barrier. When I first arrived, I was pleasantly surprised! As the image above shows, one-way Germany works to tackle this issue is to use English outside of stores and on restaurant menus. Adam, Tracey and I sat down at a restaurant today and (unusually) we received a menu that was only in German. We asked for an English menu, and they were happy to give us one. Another way Germany works to overcome the language barrier is speaking English. Upon some online research, I found that nearly 56% of Germany speak English (2). Both of these examples are ways that Germany works to easy cross-cultural communication.

Another thing I've noticed is the difference in concept of time with regards to eating. In America is obsessed with the idea of fast dining. Fast food is a staple in our culture and going out to a sit-down restaurant should rarely go over 1 hour (depending on the size of course). In Germany, the normal dining experience is very different. You are more able to go at your own pace, and dinner usually takes much longer. You usually have to call a waiter over to be served and to be given the check, as they allow you with more individual freedom to eat at your own pace. 

The last difference I've noticed, and something we talked about today in class, Is personal space and greetings.  From the reading, it is explained that greetings are different across cultures. In America, a simple handshake and the casual exchange of first names is our form of greeting. However, in Syria they "often embrace new acquaintances", and in Norway they "rarely use first names until the relationships are well established" (GM, p.431). Something I noticed through research is that "it is common for a person who is going a group to shake hands with every single individual" (3). Looking into personal space, the social norm here in Germany varies from what we are used to in America. Typically, we like to think everyone has a personal bubble. When greeting or talking to others, we take 2-3 steps back to stay within that personal bubble. As Dr. Pyle discussed in class, Germans often get very close when speaking or greeting others. Overall these are all examples are differences experienced through cross-cultural communication as we spend our time here in Germany.

Links Used:

1) https://www.communicationtheory.org/cross-cultural-communication/

2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_English-speaking_population

3) http://www.young-germany.de/topic/live/settle-in-adjust/a-guide-to-german-etiquette

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COMM 3550 2-3 EXTENDED

Week 2

Prompt 3: We visited Sachsenhausen this week. The Holocaust undeniably was a crisis, and created a series of cascading crises for Germany, Europe, and the world over the following months and years. Thinking about the Guth reading, how does Sachsenhausen function as a response to that crisis? How does the organization utilize Sachsenhausen (and museums/memorials like it) to pursue healing, restoration, and a prospective vision for the future with the various publics affected by the Holocaust? Make specific connections to both the Guth reading and the ECC reading.

The holocaust is one of the darkest times the world has ever seen, with the death of nearly 6 million people at the hands of the Nazi regime.  At the Sachsenhausen camp nearly 100,000 people lost their lives, and acts as an example of a crisis. According to Guth a crisis is defined as situations "characterized by surprise, high threat to important values, and a short decision time" (Guth, P125). This week's readings highlighted the importance of crises, and the organizations public response as a form of healing. It's important to highlight that "crises do not build character, they expose the character of the organization" (ECC, P19). This idea was highlighted throughout our tour of the camp. 

A lot of the Sachsenhausen camp was destroyed in the 11 years following the end of the war, but some key areas still remain today. In the early stages following the war, many Germans did not look to preserve the camp. Our tour guide explained that many residents of the town actually tore down buildings from the camp to rebuild their houses. In 1956 the state government starting to turn the camp into a memorial. The meaning of the memorial is to highlight the character of the organization. In this case the organization is the Nazi regime, and the memorial points out their Aryan beliefs that lead to the holocaust as a whole. The ECC readings state that organizations that "are best able to create renewal" following a crisis are those who institute positive value positions such as "openness, honesty, and responsibility" (ECC, P19).

The memorial we see today doesn't a great job at highlighting history in an honest and open way. The buildings that remain are kept in the best condition possible. The atrocities that took place are highlighted, not ignored, and create a sense of openness. And overall the town (along with the German people) take responsibility for what happened. History is hidden and pushed under the rug like some things are taught in America. Preservation of the camp is very important to the organization running it and leads to its success as a response to the holocaust. An example of this is the neo-Nazi attacks on the camp that took place in the 1990's. Our tour guide explained that part of was severely burned by a neo-Nazi group, and a big question was how they should react to the incident. Instead of rebuilding as if nothing happened, they decided to preserve history and this act of injustice. The continuation of preserving history creates a sense of harmony between the German people and all of those affected.

In Dr. Pyle's research paper, he highlighted that "crises occurring anywhere on earth may become contexts for massive, intercultural rescue and recovery operations" (Pyle, P1). Crises are inevitable: however, organizations responses to them are what's important. The ECC readings observe that a successful response should first be "held responsible for an action", and second that action should be "considered offensive" (ECC, P17). The Sachsenhausen camp today, and the guided tour are both examples of recovery operations. The both act as ways Germany and the city of Sachsenhausen work to preserve and educate about their dark past. Preserving and educating show that they take blame for the past and preserve it as a way to show that history will not be repeated. The lives of the Germans, Jews, homosexuals, Russian soldiers, criminals, and everyone else murdered by the Nazi's all highlighted across the camp. Various monuments, art collectives, and museums have been built to help the healing and restorations process, and also create a harmonious relationship between the victims and the people of Sachsenhausen. Preservation of history, and this solidarity create a bright future for Germany as they move forward.

All quotes come from this weeks readings

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COMM 3070 2-1

Week 2

Prompt1: Briefly describe how the readings by Nebel and Stobbe and Sun relate to one of the types of miscommunication of science and technology we have discussed. Find an example of public communication of science or technology here that also evidenced one of the types of miscommunication and explain how.

In Nebel's reading, a 2011 paper found that "maternal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use during pregnancy increased risk for having a child with autism". She later explains that "information that is relayed to the public can easily be misinterpreted which causes unnecessary panic or sometimes not enough stir". This is an example of oversimplification which causes confusion with correlation and causation. The public doesn't understand the complexity of the issue, and they think that taking SSRI will cause autism. In Stobbe's article, a recent study found a link between antidepressant medication use in pregnant women leading to autism in their children. Stobbe explains that the issue with this article is "women will assume antidepressant medication is causally related", which is an example of correlation not meaning causation. There may have been a few cases of a women on this medication giving birth to a child with autism, but that doesn't mean they are definitively related. The last article we read in class was written by Sun and discussed the issue with denialism. The issue with denialism is that even though "extensive research has disproved any relationship between vaccines and autism", people still ignore this scientific finding and believe that vaccines lead to autism (Jenny McCarthy).

Walking through the subway in Stuttgart, and watching T.V on the television, it's hard to miss the add with Cristiano Ronaldo and the American Tourist luggage. Essentially the advertisement is based on Cristiano Ronaldo buying a piece of luggage and instantly being able to fit more. This is an example of a miscommunication of causation and correlation. Causation is defined as “One thing causes another thing to happen — ALWAYS”, while correlation is defined as “two things happen at the same time or in proximity to one another” (Midterm Study Guide, P.1)

One person bought the suitcase and may have been able to fit more items in it, but it doesn't mean that is the case for everyone. Buying the suitcase, just like Cristiano Ronaldo, will not cause you to instantly fit more clothes than ever possible before.

Another example of common miscommunication is with tobacco ads. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. In Germany tobacco companies have to put massive, graphic photos on the tobacco packs. Even with this knowledge and the blatant health risks pictures on the cigarette packs, the majority of Germans smoke (1). I can't speak for them and why they chose to, but back home people I know always use the excuse "I'm going to die anyway", "everything kills you", or "I don't care what It does". These would all fall under denialism, as they chose to ignore the significant health effects of smoking. (Denialism is definedon page 1 of midterm study guide). 

All definitions of miscommunications come directly from readings. 

1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_cigarette_consumption_per_capita

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COMM 3070 2-3

Week 2

Promt 3: Review notes on Futurism. Read "The Furturist Manifesto."  What exhibit at the Mercedes Benz Museum do you think Marinetti would like the most? Why?

Futurism is the idea that the future is always better. Past ideologies and technologies can and will always be improving. This ideal of denouncing the past and moving forward into the future is outlined in "The Futurist Manifesto". On the bottom floor of the exhibit I found a quote on the wall that stated, "As long as I know that better is possible, good is never good enough". This is from the Head of Mercedes Benz' development team back in 1991, and perfectly encapsulates the ideology of futurism. Marinetti proclaims in his manifesto that elements of futurist poetry will be "courage, audacity and revolt" (Manifesto, P. 2). The ideals are everywhere in the Manifesto and fuel the radical thoughts of Marinetti.

Throughout the museums exhibits, there were posters on the wall about the cultural events happening within the time period. The Fall of the Berlin Wall was a tremendous event in recent history and was a huge step towards democracy in the world. The wall itself became a symbol of divide, inequality, and social injustice on both sides of Berlin. Eventually the economy in East Germany was failing and the people were unhappy. The worlds democratic leaders, along with the people of Berlin, fought for the destruction of the wall. Additionally, Marinetti believed that "Beauty exists only in struggle" (Manifesto, P.2). The past communist regime had failed the people, and they fought towards a positive, more democratic future. Marinetti would find the struggle for freedom in Berlin beautiful as it demonstrates the ideology of futurism and his views of courage, audacity, and revolt.

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COMM 3550 2-2

Week 2

2: How is the Mercedes-Benz Arena utilized for public relations? Who are the key publics here, how are they engaged, and what types of relationship management strategies are employed to engage with these publics? Again, using information learned on the tour is a good idea.

Public relations are defined as communication practices "that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics" (1). VfB Stuttgart utilizes their stadium, history, and historic players as forms of public relations. These relations are aimed at their local supports, business partners, and international fans. Our tour today proved this as the stadium became a tangible piece of the team, and I immediately felt connected to the team. I knew nothing about VfB Stuttgart coming into it, but I left with a piece of the team. Ramshaw described the importance of the stadium by explaining "many sports teams hold a special place in the communities in which they play, the stadium has become the tangible, permanent representation of a club and therefore has been imbued with special cultural meanings by supporters" (Ramshaw, P.18). The stadium has become a symbol of the city and what it means to be a "Stuttgarter". The importance of the stadium has developed a brand connection with the city.

The tour itself was a piece of public relations. From the readings, The VfB Stuttgart communications team purposely chose what we saw with the intended purpose of highlighting the importance of the team and creating a relationship between our tour group and the team. Drawing parallels to the Panthers stadium tour, the purpose of a stadium tour is to “creates a narrative about the identity of the stadium”, and to “create narratives based on the perceived identities of patrons”. On our tour we werer able to walk onto the field, sit in the locker room, and walk into the team's entrance just as the players would on match day. The importance of a stadium tour is that it builds a sense of “heritage construction” with the fans (Ramshaw, P.8). Giving us the opportunity to experience what the team experiences built a connection between our group and the team, and gave importance to the stadium. This exemplifies one of the ways their communications team manages the team's relationship with international fans. Another thing I noticed is how the team handles its media publicity. Our tour guide explained that most media interviews with players or coaches happened in front of a sponsorship wall. If anything is aired on television or online, all of their sponsors will proudly be showed off in the background. This is an example of how the team manages their relationship with their business partners. The last thing I noticed is how the team manages their relationship with local fans. The first example is the standing seats, where the hardcore fans have a chance to express themselves and properly enjoy the game. The next example is in the players tunnel where the team has highlights of fans "choreography" in the stands. This is directed at the players and shows that the team appreciates the continued support from their friends. The last example is with the different seating options, and the existence of the outside patio and box seats we visited. The stadium has various types of seats (all varying in price) and shows that the team tries to include all types of fans. For example, the box seats are sometimes bought out by business and provides access to the outside patio and food/drinks. In a way this is a loyalty system for the fans. If you are willing to spend more money on seats for the matches, they will reward you. 

Something else that stood out to me was the treatment of visiting teams. The VfB Stuttgart teams motto is "furchtlos und treu" which roughly translates to being true and fearless. Visiting team's facilities, such as the locker room, is the exact same as the theirs (besides a mural). This ties back to our first walking tour of Stuttgart as our guide reminded us of how the people of Stuttgart were humble. The team uses the stadium to prove their capacity of being humble, as they don't put anyone higher than themselves. Overall the VfB Stuttgart team uses various forms of public relations to manage their relationships with international fans, local supporters, and business partners. These are all forms of relationship management, or the idea that the team should manage "good relationships with publics important to their success".

1. http://prdefinition.prsa.org/index.php/2012/03/01/new-definition-of-public-relations/

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COMM 3070 2-2

Week 2

Prompt 2: What sciences and technologies are communicated during the tour of Ecoland? Find one example to describe in detail. How effective do you think it is?

BESH prides itself with being a sustainable, efficient, and organic farming organization. This strays away from the normal farming practices of most large-scale markets. In America the farming industry is plagued with GMO's, steroids, and mistreatment of animals. This is a breath of fresh air and involved intricate and innovative farming techniques and sciences. These techniques and sciences can be seen from the spice factory, to the communication headquarters, to the pig farm and more.

We were first introduced to the communication headquarters on our guided tour. Technology is very important to this process, as they take pride in the fact that all communication and publications are in house. As soon as we entered the facility we were greeted by 4 employees working on their computers for various tasks. The headquarters also featured various different forms of public relations, such as flyers and pamphlets. These are the forms of public relations that are made in house and make BESH so unique. The use of computers, and similar forms of technology such as Photoshop and iPads make the company who they are. Identity is a key characteristic of the company and is achieved through the use of computer related technologies.

Another form of science or technology at the BESH farms was found on the spice farm. Various forms of interesting agriculture science and technology was used to ensure their customers has the best quality ingredients. For example, our tour guide mentioned how the temperature where the spices were stored was kept constant throughout the year. This was possible because of the shape of the roof, and the fact that it was made of plastic. These are all examples of agricultural sciences, and they are methods and techniques used to improve the condition of the spices. CeCe asked if there were any moisture controlling devices, but there were no need (this would have been another example). Additionally, the tour guide pointed out a useful piece of technology: the blue hanging lights inside of the spice room. These were used to ensure that no bugs or other parasites would contaminate the spices. Also, special machines (pictured above) were used on site to mill, store, and package spices on site. 

The biggest form of technology and science on the BESH farm was pig farming techniques. For example, the use of open grazing is an important agricultural science technique. Open grazing is beneficial for the animals as it means better treatment of the animals and means better living situations. The pigs are open to roam outside of their sty, are fed only grass and dry grass. Another example is the practice of the "golden 12" technique. This agricultural technique is when farmers wait 12 months before breeding, allow for 12 babies per pregnancy, and 12 pregnancy cycles throughout their life. BESH also takes certain safety precautions, as they require two off property farms to ensure a safe back up (if anything happens on the main farm). They are able to do so through organic biology and agriculture science practices. They use certain "bio-security" measures to ensure the safety of the pigs from harmful substances. As you can see BESH has numerous different systems and uses different fields of science to ensure the quality of their meat lives up to their standards. All of these instances of science and technology are used to ensure "sustainable, organic farming" on the BESH farm, and abroad on their spice farms.

In Conclusion BESH effectively utilizes varies forms of technology and science on their farms. These use of innovative techniques, combined with their value position of sustainability and equality make them the world-renowned company they are. These use of science and technology enhance their ability to produce and manage their public relations. They are able to complete their mission statement by being honest and truthful to their customers, and international partners. Their effective methods were used to save an entire species of pig and increase the living conditions of some indigenous farmers.

Links Used:

http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_science

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