NSync or NStink?

I have never been good at knowing who sings what song and for that I have always withdrawn myself from circumstances in which I would have to know such things. When I was about nine years old, my best friend at the time, Jennifer and I, coming home from school, turned her CD player on. NSync was the sound that I heard. I remember Jennifer asking if I liked them and all I could say was they were okay, when in fact I had no idea who they were. Finding this out, months later she and soon later, my cousin, educated me on what the cool music was at the time. To this day, I still can’t say who sings what song on the radio but I am doing much better, with the help of my friends. So, I automatically adapted to whatever my friends liked, which, unfortunately at the time, NSync was popular among young kids.
After getting me to know the music for that time, then I was shown the video that went to the music that was cool, like NSync. Now that I look back I did think that NSync was a good boy band then. I never had the regular crushed on the singers like most of my girlfriends did, but I enjoyed the music, back in the 90’s it was hip and happenin’. As I watch the video today, I realize that although I would admit to liking NSync back then, it was cool and no one had a problem with it. I don’t despise the music today but I would not listen to by choice. Times have changed and the style with it, but who knows one day, just maybe, they might come back again. They still maybe popular for the younger generation but to come full circle to my age group again… Fat Chance!

Vanilla Ice- I Love You (1990)

I believe I have found the worst music video ever and the winner of this esteemed award goes to Vanilla Ice and the video to his song I Love You. The music by itself put me to sleep and was boring but not to the extent of the video. I wanted to gouge my eyes out after two minutes and there was still two and a half minutes left. You tube didn’t even have all of the video, they cut it a little short, gee, I wonder why? While watching the video I didn’t even know what to say, I had no reaction other than to keep my mouth wide open in shock that someone thought this was good and keep my eyes trying not to burn. I was not happy that the only women showed in the video were well endowed and were wearing skanky clothing. Why can’t a “normal” female portray the woman he loves? I understand why the most gorgeous women are in movies and such but for realistic purposes make women seem like everyday women. The outfits were terrible and the fake clouds in the background didn’t help the video at all. Some videos are bad but hilarious so it makes up for how bad they really are but this video had no good characteristics but maybe the words. I didn’t listen to the lyrics too carefully but even if the words were good, after watching the video I would no longer like the song for every time I’d listen to it that awful video would play in my scared mind. I know that is video was done in the 90’s and style was different back then, but I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that this video may have been popular back then.

Nebraska Children's Home (NCH)

I have seen rough times, but none as hard as when I signed over a life. My little girl, now nine months old, lives with her adoptive parents. Thanks to the Nebraska Children’s Home, I was able to find a family I could trust to take care of my daughter, Ava. The Nebraska Children’s Home Society, a non-profit organization, is the largest statewide agency in Nebraska helping over 20,000 children in its 114 years. The Nebraska Children’s Home’s (NCH) mission is to provide safe and loving care to children of all ages. The NCH provides care in three main programs. They have a statewide Adoption Program, including services to those who are dealing with unplanned pregnancy, Foster Care and Day Care, which focuses on strengthening children’s social skills for their future success. The Nebraska Children’s Home website shows viewers exactly what they are about and what they stand for. I can vouch for it personally.

Almost all of the well-known rhetorical strategies were used when this website was made. The main strategies used were logos via division and pathos. The focal point being the series of images, surrounded by the divisions of information, was designed to bring about emotions in those who viewed it in a simple organized manner and help out the cause. The viewers who make a connection, will give money, and in turn help the lives of children.

The division of information on the site gives the user less hassle when trying to find the data he/she wants or needs. The facts are then classified into certain sections, but when all of the knowledge is put together, it fits into the larger scheme of what the Nebraska Children’s Home Society really is, a home dedicated to children all over Nebraska. The square segments, yet simple, are efficient and are split up into the NCH news, press room, how we can help and how you can help. The division is effective due to its simplicity. The simpler and more organized a site is the more convenient it becomes for the viewer.

The layout in itself uses a lot of smaller plain text and bright colors. When someone visits this site, the NCH knows that this person is looking in the best interest of their child or children and have a big decision to make. When a person has such a decision, that person has a lot rushing through their mind and want simple, understandable answers to their questions. I know I did. The two main colors, black and white, compare and contrast. These two colors make it easy to read and make the site more convenient for viewers. The segmentation of the NCH site enhances the focal point, which in turn, utilizes pathos. Using pathos attracts people and connects them to the cause, consequently making money to help the children of Nebraska. Pathos is generally used when a corporation is trying to raise money because people are more likely to give money freely when they believe their money is going to help a good cause and feel connected to the cause in some way, shape or form.

The character/setting of the layout is altogether simple. The series of images featured in their website, the key division, shows those people who need and use the services of NCH. The images all feature children and are the basis for what the NCH is all about. The first image is of a young African American woman staring off into the distance. She is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and doesn’t know where to turn. She represents all of those teenagers who have and will experience an unplanned pregnancy, a growing concept today; giving the site an everyday historical context. The second picture is a young girl playing with toys looking up at what is assumed to be a caregiver. The last images show a picture of foster parents, a young boy holding on to his adoptive parents, people who have waited a long time for a child to call their own and a picture of a young girl who has found her biological family. The illustrations show what the NCH does and draws the audience’s eyes to watch it. Cause and Effect is also portrayed in the series of images. It shows how the organization makes a difference in children’s lives from what they were before.

The up close and personal shots done by the photographer generates pathos within viewers. The close up shots let the audience feel like they are there and the viewer assumes the point of view of the person that is in the image.

The first picture of the little boy who is holding on to his parents’ hands is a close up shot to emphasize the unity of the hands. There is a fluid connection that flows from the mother to her son and then to the father. Close up images allow the viewer to see expressions and analyze them more carefully. There is an intimate connection made between the audience and the cause by producing a driving force or specific feeling of hope for children through these close up images that allow the audience to really see how these people feel. The language shown on every slide of the series of images is simple and to the point. Every picture has text that directly corresponds with the images such as, pregnancy, adoption, and searching, all show the services available at the NCH and provide emphasis for them. The relationship between the words and the images creates an analogy or association. Separately the images and the words have no real meaning or significance but together they make a powerful statement. Everyone can relate to struggles in life and know the pain that the individuals in the series of images are going through; this process is called empathy. They know what it is like and having that knowledge makes them want to reach out. Together the language and images bring about the emotion of sorrow for children who are in need but of hope for the cause of the NCH who will help the children.

When glancing at the website, the viewer feels a sense of needing to help. There is so much pathos used that the viewer feels obligated. This creates a logical fallacy or slippery slope. The viewer gets the feeling that if s/he does not help the Nebraska Children’s Home then children will suffer, and never lead as good a life. However, if the viewer does donate money or help in some way, then children will have a home and in the long run, save a life.

The NCH website demonstrates that they, as a team, are committed to helping children. Their site is designed to raise money for those who need its services. The overall simple layout combined with the strategic placing of pathos and logos in the images brings about a connection between the viewer and the cause allowing this change to occur. All of the strategies used create perfect harmony and a powerful sense of purpose and hope for children all over Nebraska. When searching for the perfect place to start my search for options as a pregnant teen, I knew right away that the Nebraska Children’s Home was the place for me. I see Ava every month and am lucky that I had NCH there for me every step of the way.