Communications and Media

John and Jett Travolta A Portrait of Paternal Love

Any man can be a father, but it takes a special kind of love to be a dad. The portrait of John Travolta and his son, Jett is one of the most touching pictures that capture the deep love and affection between a father and a son. The relationship between father and son is one that is quite distinct in most families because the son, especially the eldest is traditionally deemed to be the principal successor of the father.  The male children are deemed to be the extended progeny of the fathers especially because they carry the family name. In the culture where I grew up, fathers are figures of authority. As the head of the family, he sets the rules in the house and implements the necessary punishments to discipline his children. As the breadwinner of the family to whom all family members are dependent, he commands and directs what and how to do things and makes major decisions in family affairs apparently in consultation with my mother.  For taking care and sincerely protecting us, I loved my father very much.  However, I have had difficulty getting along with him especially during my teenage years. I see him like a stubborn mountain that never moves. In time however, I realized how much he loved me and that his seemingly harsh actions were meant to help me mature and grow to be a better person.  The portrait of John and Jett Travolta is especially significant as it shows a rather meek and mild father towards his son. While arguably, the depth of Johns love towards Jett and my father towards me are on par and comparable, John provided an extra caring and special love towards Jet because of his sons special conditions.  Such love relationship is beyond description which can only be reflected in the heartfelt portrait of father and son.

Lady Gaga A Corruption of Musical Artistry 

Music had been an essential part of our culture as a creative form of expression with an intimacy unique to written, verbal or visual language. (Frith, 2007) I have had utmost respect for musical artists for their contribution to arts, entertainment and society in general. Lately however, the commercialization of musical industry, music has terribly deteriorated. The focus on artistry was lost as music has become business. Lady Gaga is an epitome of this musical corruption.  In one of her pictures, she posts in her weird revealing clothes in a haphazard performance, which seem to have no direct relationship to the messages of her song.  While it is true that many musical artists display some sense of bizarre or revolutionary culture through their performances and clothes, Lady Gaga seemed to take that notion to an odder level.  That could have been acceptable if her clothing and performances are inherently associated to her musical messages but it would seem that she does this to create an impact to sell her albums. The songs of Lady Gaga like Poker Face and Bad Romance could have had very noteworthy messages but her performance and stunted clothes are intended to sell sexuality, which undermines her artistry and her songs messages. I think she would be better of if she refrain from engaging in sexually provocative clothes and acts and concentrate on her musical art instead. While it is true that art is boundless and can be relative, artists should also act or dress for that matter, responsibly. With the enormous appeal and fascination of Lady Gaga to young teens, she indubitably serves as a model to children.  Thus her visual representation and acts give subliminal messages that may be harmful to children, which could negatively affect the personality, values, thoughts and behavior of the next generation that completely annihilates the objective of music to entertain or improve humanity in general.