Disney is an extremely influential company in our
society. It reaches wide and young audiences. Moreover, children can be easily
influenced. Dorfman and Mattelart explore this issue in their essay. They argue
that Disney material is a vehicle for parents (and for Walt Disney) to
introduce and perpetuate their own ideals into young populations.
One of the quotes from the authors really spoke to
me. They said that, "Even to whisper anything against Disney is to
undermine the happy and innocent palace of childhood, for which he is both
guardian and guide" (110). I have witnessed this barrier many times when
talking to friends. Whenever Disney is brought up, many people get extremely
defensive. Most individuals don't want to analyze and look at the enterprise
critically. Dorfman and Mattelart’s article was written more than 40 years ago,
but, even today, it seems that Disney is held up as an irreproachable entity. I
admit that I am not guilt free concerning this behavior too. Sometime I catch
myself defending Disney because of my emotional attachment. However, as a CMC
student, I know I have to be critical especially when it comes the media I
enjoy.
Eco’s text really spoke to me as well. Of course it is interesting to
analyze the Disney parks from a Florida resident perspective (their presence
are constantly affecting us). But the demeanor of my Brazilian peers and their
obsession with the parks also instigates me. In Brazil we see this new trend of
spending long vacations at Disney. Upper-middle class individuals spend all of
their savings in visiting Disney and they repeat this routine again and again (many
people come to Orlando every year). They are obsessed with the consumer
ideology present in the parks and in Orlando (outlets are also very popular
destinations). Vacationing has become a synonym for buying.
Personally, I have never enjoyed visiting the parks very much.
Therefore, this new philosophy fascinates me. Pleasure seems to have developed
a link to purchasing goods.
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