 Session Summary:Gender identity has been a concept that has been transformed in recent times as a form of self expression and to become someone's true, desired self. It has been a concept that's been alternatively shunned by close minded thinking individuals for many decades as it didn't suit the socially agreed upon stigmas of the era at the time. In the far distant past, the idea of what's perceived to be someone's gender or sexual identity largely was up to ones true feelings and decision, dating as far back as even the stone ages medieval period with the animal kingdom and underground societies within certain orders banned against gender identity, pushing it as a taboo subject for many. As society hadn't formed into a mindset where everyone thought unanimously. It wasn't until some time between the 1600s and 1700s that it became noticed and in extreme cases, deathly punished by previous leaders such as Queens, kings, emperors, etc. But we have made significant progress to change this and improve quality of life for those who wish to shape the way they feel a reality and something to be accepted and proud of, rather than to hide and keep to themselves, ultimately fitting in to stereotypical norms, and living a life they wouldn't feel was fulfilling and fake. In today's world, however. Particularly curated by the youngest generations at this point in time, Millenials and Generation Z; we have pushed back against those narrow minded ideals, and accepted gender identity, and sexuality as a part of life for anyone to follow should they ever feel it deep within themselves to explore themselves, and what identity they would want to wear. There is also a point to be made about how it can affect one's mental, as it seems to be largely attributed to not only other people's comments on one's self expression, but rather their own, as 'Gender Dysphoria is very much a common issue in today's world now, just as it was ten-fold many decades ago. But thankfully, as previously stated, today's world is far more appreciative and understanding than previous generations were towards this group of minorities, which can only be seen as a positive. Blog Task 1/2: Review Of Laura Mulvey's essay 
Mulvey, L., ed. (1975). Visual Pleasure And Narrative Cinema. Oxford: Afterall books. When overviewing the essay written by Mulvey, it's important to take note of the topic at hand, that being previous transgressions and the whole point of sexism against women becoming a much needed to address issue. Since the beginning of time, sex, procreation, and how one acts towards the opposite gender has become a somewhat sensitive area depending on who you are as a person, what political ideal you believe in, etc. It is only instinctual that we see the opposite, same or different gender as somewhat desirable. Where it becomes an issue and potentially dangerous is in how we act upon these urges, and what it may say about us as not just mammals, but human beings and the most intelligent species on earth. And as such, we can refrain from acting upon these emotions and become better for not letting them influence our real actions we leave in society. But it cannot be denied that it is fact that the two sexes objectify each other to a certain degree, as it is in our nature, and behaviour to promote procreation and ensure the human race continues. Not all, but generally stereotyped connotations surrounding male behaviour and female behaviour play into each others role as parental figures and how that child will be expected to act to their children should they choose to create a family of their own someday also. What this book talks about however, ties into that preconceived notion that objectification, the curation of the 'Male Gaze' and what connotations come with it. Mulvey was the woman to coin that term, as in this book, and particularly in the passage written for us to read in this module, it explores the utilisation of the female form in media, whether that be in film, theatre, etc. As young women are often sexually glamourised in today's world as fertile, elegant, and sexually desirable to men. You can see this in cabaret shows, plays, musicals, feminine roles in blockbuster hits at the cinema, etc.
These connotations swing into two very different, but very distinguishable directions. One is the consensual, artistic point of view that allows for self-expression, freedom and exhibitionist positivity, the key word in this point being 'Consensual', whereas the opposite connotation does not allow for it, promoting perversion, harassment, and sexist behaviour. In Murvey's talking points, she tells us about iconic female sex symbols in film, such as; Marilyn Monroe, James Bond women, etc. Whereas the male characters in films are archetypes of high status, sophistication, and are seen somewhat sexually fuelled in action films in particular. However, the female reaction to a male body may be both similar and different in a few ways of their own. To take Arnold Swarznager into consideration, and his movie Conan The Barbarian; he was type casted throughout his career as the shining hero, with gigantic muscle and was both appreciated and revered by both sexes. But in a way that you wouldn't see the same reaction from in an analysis of Megan Fox in 2007's Transformers; to give an example I personally saw when I was younger. Mulvey also talks about the womanly form and what it has, hasn't, and how it effects the male gaze and activates those aforementioned instincts. Delving into the lack of penis and the replacement of a uterus in its place, the growth of breasts, and typical imagery of a woman's skin becoming more attractive than that of a more clothed female body. The reading also notes that fetishes such as latex bodysuits, appearing as a dominatrix, certain work outfits, etc. Heavily impact this factor as well, as some spectators will prefer a certain look over the other. This is a advertising tactic often referred to "sex sells", which is the utilisation of a gender's attractive traits to reel in it's demographic whilst keeping to the confines of not being overly uncensored and inappropriate. You can see this in perfume/aftershave advertisements as it features strong, muscular men and slender, elegant beauty in women. In stark contrast to the male gaze, there has also been the question of whether or not there is a female gaze equivalent, and in feminist terms, there is indeed. Contrary to the initial sound of the term being whether or not women might see men in the same light; it is in response to Mulvey's statement and improvises it's meaning to propel women in the film industry as their own person, with an element of agency and full control of their own future and career. However, there have been critical looks at Mulvey's statement in the oncoming decades since her essay's release, with a particular book named 'The Matrixial Gaze'. This is to combat the statement of the male gaze being predominantly a standalone argument in itself without an equivalent, and criticises the statement with examples that there can be a gaze shown through a woman's point of view about what she might find attractive in a man, as many examples of attractive men in the film industry have been pushed with their own set of unique male beauty standards, just as women have in the same field. In this book, it refers to this particular point of view with the phallic image in mind, showing examples of it's desire, functionality, and ideals that might appear within the female point of view, as well as the matrix symbol representing the realms beyond that of just visuals, but in actions, contention and what can be found in a male personality. These examples include television and film's depictions of the perfect man, being financially stable, a high-grossing, six figure paying job, etc. The general consensus on this matter seems to be largely in favour of self-expression, but many will also call it a taboo subject and refrain from engaging in it. Mulvey's writings on this topic have done a fairly good job at describing what the inner machinations of what the male gaze means, and how it effects people in different forms. As well as how feminism's main argument against the exploitation of utilising sex and how it appeals to the masses, through it's demographic and outside of it.
Sources: - https://www.newyorker.com/books/second-read/the-invention-of-the-male-gaze - https://www.anothergaze.com/suddenly-woman-spectator-conversation-interview-feminism-laura-mulvey/ - https://ltsj.online/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/LTS-2022-09-1-bogetic.pdf - https://ao-norte.com/cinemas/02/cinemas02-Stella-Carneiro.pdf
Blog Task 1/2: Critical Essay Questions For my Critical Essay theme/Question of choice, I will be choosing to delve into the topic of subculture, and it's impact on history, society at large, as well as where it is headed in the modern era and future.
The main question I will be answering in my essay is the statement: 'Mechanism Of Semantic Disorder' which was derived from Dick Hebdige's book on subculture called 'Subculture: The Meaning Of Style'. I must also attribute this essay to only one subculture, and I have chosen to go with one very near to my person, as I consider myself a member of this particular subculture. I have decided to choose the 'Goth subculture', and what inner mechanisms of the subculture make it stand on its own within the lineage of several subcultures that has been amassed since the 20th century. I must also make use of proper academic reference material, and source them from specific places that can be easily traced back to, and have it be entirely be done by myself without the use of AI technology.
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