Media Meditation #1: A New Hope

Ok so, State of the Union...

1. TRIUNE BRAIN- First off, the formality of this event somewhat impeded any "Reptilian" appeals to the brain, with much of the address being directed to the Limbic or Neocortex parts of the brain. In Obama's opening statements, he brought up patriotic events such as the Union soldiers in the Civil War or the Allied forces charging the beaches at Omaha during WWII. These highly emotional events share a deep-rooted tradition of pride in our nation, creating an excellent metaphor for the nation's current state and Obama's optimism in a time of grief for the American people. To appeal to the Neocortex or "thinking" brain, Obama adds statistics throughout his speech of how the American economy is on the road to reform, leading viewers to think about the changes this country is facing.

2. EIGHT TRENDS- The first sign of an epistemological shift is that the annual State of the Union address was not only carried out on live tv, but that it was also posted to the popular video hosting site YouTube.com This can also be applied to a technological shift, because thousands of people (myself being one) who missed the live broadcast are now able to watch the address at their own leisure online. There is also a discursive shift occurring, in the form of any person having the freedom to give their beliefs and opinions regarding Obama's address and his policies in general through commenting on YouTube.

3. SEVEN PRINCIPLES- The State of the Union address held very little special production techniques. The camera was mostly focused on Obama, but occasionally panned the crowd during intermittent scenes of clapping after certain points were made or examples brought up. Obama's speech was intended as a ray of hope on the current economic climate and an attempt to comfort the American people by promising a better America on the horizon. This broadcast was/is not owned by any media groups, but is a publication from the government. At an individual level, I interpreted Obama's State of the Union address to be a reassuring statement of progress for a restless nation attempting to put itself back together after being torn by war and a poor economy.

4. 29 TECHNIQUES- Like many politicians of today, Obama wears an American flag pin on the lapel of his suit, displaying his patriotism and American pride. Early on in is speech, Obama describes letters he has received and the questions they bring up, setting up a perfect example of using rhetorical questions to direct his address. Similarly, Obama is able to use the "plain folks" approach by mentioning the people of Elkhart, Indiana, a town hit particularly hard by the plunge in the economy and used by the media to represent working-class America. Relating back to Obama's references to the Civil War and to WWII, he was using nostalgia to bring a sense of hope to the people by reminding them of how the United States has been victorious in the past and shall be again. In an attempt to relieve some stress and tension experienced with the discussion of war and a failing economy, Obama also takes on a lighthearted approach to some statements ("...it was about as popular as a root canal..."), flashing his trademark grin as a method of lightening the mood with humor. Finally, in the opening statements, President Obama addresses his "fellow Americans". This reinforces the idea that we as a nation are a solid group with common goals, creating unity among the people.

5. IYOW- "It is because of this great spirit -- this great decency and great strength -- that I have never been more hopeful about America's future than I am tonight."

6. THREE FACTS-
1. Obama points out that "the markets are stabilized and we've recovered most of the money we spent on the banks" in regards to the economic crisis.
2. Obama "extended or increased unemployment benefits for more than 18 million Americans" to help get the economy moving in a positive direction again.
3. Taxes were cut for 95% of working families.