JordanInGermany

Germany Study Abroad 2018

[lesterj28-blog]

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Week 4 Prompt 3 (extended): Dimeo, Hunt & Horbury, “The Individual and the State: A Social Historical Analysis of the East German ‘Doping System’” explores a governmental scandal about a sports/medical technology. Compare this to a contemporary sports scandal of your choice, using at least two quotes from the reading. Take a local photo to illustrate the East German doping scandal in some way, and another photo to illustrate the scandal you choose.

The assigned reading from this week, entitled “The Individual and the State: A Social Historical Analysis of the East German ‘Doping System’”, describes the abuse of East German athletes through mandatory doping. This was done in order for the East German state to have superior athletes who could compete and win international competitions. Because of this, many experts claim East Germany is the “worst example of corruption in the history of competitive athletics.” (Dimeo et al p.219). 

When we toured the DDR Museum earlier in the trip, I encountered a display describing how many East German athletes were put on life-threatening performance-enhancing drugs at an early age so that they would have a better chance of winning international competitions.

One of the most prominent doping scandals in the history of the United States is the scandal involving Lance Armstrong. He was caught voluntarily using performance-enhancing drugs and consequentially stripped of all seven of his Tour de France titles. He was loved by many for being an inspiration as a cancer survivor and founder of the LIVESTRONG organization. Getting caught for using performance-enhancing drugs not only took away his titles, but permanently tarnished his reputation.

Unlike Armstrong, East German athletes did not have a choice of whether or not to dope. While Armstrong was motivated to dope to gain victories for himself, East Germany forced their athletes to dope in order to gain national prominence as an international power athletically. Armstrong doped to strengthen his individual reputation, while East German athletes were only seen as statistics which resulted in a “loss of individuality.” (Dimeo et al p.220). 

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Week 4 Prompt 2: Museum Communication meets Metropolis: At the museum, look for two examples of science or technology to relate to the film: 1 - Find an exhibit that suggests the film was accurate in communicating the future. 2 - Find an exhibit that suggests the film was inaccurate in its vision of the future. 

After we watched the film Metropolis depicting a dystopian future where the rich live above ground while the poor live below and an evil robot attempts to destroy everything, our class toured the Museum of Communication in Berlin. This museum displays exhibits of communication tools from the very beginning of communication to cutting-edge technologies. Within the Museum of Communication there are exhibits that support Metropolis’ depiction of the future as well as exhibits that disprove it.

A display that somewhat supports Metropolis’ depiction of the future is the display depicting an astronaut in outer space. Metropolis depicts an unimaginable future where those with riches and power live above ground while the less fortunate people are forced to work and live underground. In 1927, the year Metropolis was released, it was certainly unimaginable that humans would reach outer space or land on the moon. Metropolis was released during a time when people believed that the future would be completely different than anything they were used to. While much of their fantasies were exaggerated, the idea of astronauts in space was something that even Metropolis couldn’t think of.

A display that makes everything that happened in the movie Metropolis seem ridiculous is the display of the robots in the center of the room as soon as you enter the museum. Yes, Metropolis did predict robots in the future. However, none of the robotic technologies we have today are capable of accurately impersonating a human and developing complex thoughts to come up with a plan to destroy society (at least I hope not). The robots in the museum were fun to look at for a moment, but were nowhere near the level of the evil robot in the movie.

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Week 4 Prompt 1: Research the GPDR online privacy regulations that went into effect last Friday. Link to an official government communication from the EU or another governmental body about these new technological restrictions. Then, find an example of art or advertising in the the city you’re in (not online) that deals with similar issues of privacy or surveillance.

https://www.eugdpr.org/

The link posted above directs to an overview of the GDPR privacy regulations. These regulations, which were approve by the EU Parliament on April 14th, 2016 and enforced on May 25th, 2018 set the standard for privacy laws across Europe. According to the website, these regulations are designed “to protect and empower all EU citizens data privacy and to reshape the way organizations across the region approach data privacy.” 

The picture I posted above is a graffiti ear at the Teufelsberg spy towers in Berlin. During our tour of Teufelsberg, our guide stopped us at this painting and explained how the ear was meant to represent the NSA and other secretive organizations listening in on citizens. I knew that Americans back in the states always worried about their privacy, especially with the recent controversies surrounding the NSA and the Facebook Cambridge-Analytica scandal, but I had no idea that this idea and suspicion that “big brother” is always watching was prominent in Europe as well. With the implementation of the GDPR privacy regulations, Europe has taken a huge step in the right direction. It will be interesting to monitor how the United States responds to Europe’s implementation of these laws, or if they will continue to talk very little of it in the U.S. media.

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Week 4 Prompt 3 (extended): At Teufelsberg this week you will see a lot of graffiti. It's a cultural phenomenon here - highly skilled artists have been allowed to paint the walls of this defunct spy station. Some murals have lasted years, while others are painted over from one week to the next. As Ledingham tells us, “Public relations is best defined and practiced as the active attempt to restore and maintain a sense of community.” How is this graffiti a function of community building/maintenance? How might this space be different in the U.S.? Would the owners of this property or the federal government be likely to allow this long-term graffiti haven to continue untouched by anyone who isn't part of the community? Post a selection of murals to illustrate your post.  

John Ledingham, one of the authors of our assigned readings for the week, claims that “Public relations is best defined and practiced as the active attempt to restore and maintain a sense of community.” A very good example of this definition of public relations in action is the Teufelsberg spy tower which our class toured yesterday. Any site like this in the United States would be abandoned and condemned, but the people of Berlin have revived Teufelsberg by allowing graffiti artists to paint the walls and transform an abandoned spy tower into a work of art and a travel destination.

The graffiti that has been permitted at Teufelsberg functions as community building and maintenance. The graffiti brings those in Berlin together by allowing everyone to marvel at the works of art that are strictly prohibited in other parts of the city. Those who come to see the graffiti will also have the opportunity to learn the history of the spy tower by reading some of the panels they have on display in Teufelsberg. The money generated from those who pay to enter Teufelsberg and see the graffiti goes towards maintaining the historic spy towers. All those who work as guides at Teufelsberg are volunteers who work to maintain Teuflesberg because of what this site means to themselves and to the people of Berlin.

I find it very difficult to envision the American government supporting a site like Teufelsberg back in the states. Because of the structural issues of the facility and the encouragement of an outlawed act like graffiti, United States officials would have condemned a location like Teufelsberg years ago. The US federal government would be unlikely to allow this long-term graffiti art to take place, and would definitely crack down on graffiti artists who attempted to create displays seen in Teufelsberg. They definitely would not stand for some of the more explicit works of graffiti that are all too common within and surrounding the spy towers. 

Instead of condemning and demolishing this historic site, which would most . likely be the case in the United States, the German government has allowed graffiti at Teufelsberg to continue because they are able to see the good it does for the community. What would be nothing more than an abandoned, unstable tower has been turned into something completely different. By allowing graffiti at Teufelsberg, the site can be maintained and restored not to what it was before, but to something that all of Berlin and all who come to visit can enjoy and admire.

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Week 4 Prompt 2: You have now seen the Mercedes-Benz arena & museum, the BMW Motorcycle Factory, and the VW Autostadt. How are these various locations similar in terms of stakeholder engagement? In what ways are they different? As a tourist viewing these locations (rather than as a local fan, a native German, or a customer), which was more effective in creating a compelling experience for you? Think about the Ramshaw reading as you answer, and include specific examples. 

Today we visited the Volkswagen Autostadt, where we toured the site and took in exhibits of many Volkswagen companies including Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, and Audi. In many ways the Autostadt is comparable to the Mercedes-Benz arena and museum and the BMW Motorcycle Factory, but there are also distinct differences. In terms of stakeholder engagement, all three sites appealed to their respective audiences by highlighting the quality of their products. Not only does this strengthen the brand of these companies, but it also entices audience members to purchase their products. Another way in which all three locations appealed to stakeholders was through descriptive histories of their respective companies. All locations gave their presentations emotional appeal by detailing where their companies began and what they endured to be as successful as they are today, creating admiration of their companies in their stakeholders. As stated in the Ramshaw text, “heritage is something to be experienced and performed.” (Ramshaw p.21). By not only showing the heritage of their companies but presenting it in an interactive exhibit allow stakeholders to really connect with the companies on a whole different level.

While there are certain similarities between these three locations, there are also differences in the ways in which they appeal to their respective stakeholders. The Mercedes-Benz museum is exactly what it sounds like, a museum that details the history of their brand along with global history from the beginning of their company to modern day. The BMW Motorcycle Factory was quite different. While it briefly touched on the history of the company, the BMW Motorcycle Factory focused more on what they are currently doing to make their company a success, appealing to stakeholders through showing off their cutting-edge factory and explaining their quality parts and production process. The Volkswagen Autostadt differed from both the previous locations in the way it fostered stakeholder engagement. The Autostadt is set up very much like a college campus, with different buildings dedicated to different Volkswagen-owned brands. Because of this, guests are able to tour the Autostadt by going to the exhibits that are most interesting to them. The exhibits are also extremely interactive. For example, the Audi exhibit issued each group a sphere that when pressed up against a panel would explain a section of the exhibit in the selected language of the audience. Because of this, the Autostadt was most effective at creating a compelling experience for me. It’s interactive features and ability to make it what you want it really set it aside from the other two.   

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Week 4 Prompt 1: Capture an advertisement that you think would be ineffective in the U.S. Tell me why it would be ineffective, and then describe how you might do it differently for a U.S. market. Post a photo of the advertisement so that your classmates and I can see what you're referring to. (Note: You cannot post something in German and say "it would be ineffective because it isn't in English" or something similar. Think in terms of the intended message, intended audience, and how both are communicated - would the spirit of the message be ineffective? Why?) Make a connection to at least one of our readings from the program.

This ad, which I found in Berlin while waiting at a public transportation stop, is actually advertising apartments in Berlin. The text translates to “Residential Berlin: Furnished living on time - For a city where angels do not fall from the sky.” It is clear that the ad is using imagery to represent the nurse/ doctor in the ad above as Jesus Christ, based on the character’s hair, beard, and light behind him appearing like a halo on his head. This advertisement simply would not fly in the United States. Many Americas would be offended that a normal man is being represented as Jesus Christ in order to advertise residential apartments. Perhaps if the ad had more of a charitable meaning or better intentions it would be okay, but to represent someone in such a manner just for commercial profit would likely trigger the religious community within the United States. 

If I was in charge of Berlinovo Apartments’ ad production in the U.S., I would steer clear of any technique that could upset the religious community. Instead, I would make it clear that the ad is promoting residential living and focus on the quality of the furnished apartments to make the ad as straightforward as possible. According to the Botan Ethics reading, “A campaign intended to influence suggests  a  relationship,  or  a  desired  relationship,  between  the  parties, and the  ethicality  of such  campaigns  is  determined  primarily  by the values and relationships expressed in them, including how the  target publics are treated.” (Botan p.189). An ad that has the potential to offend a certain section of society does not reflect solid values of the organization. Focusing the U.S. ad more on the quality of the residential apartments would reflect better values and therefore draw more potential customers and create much less of a backlash than if this Berlin-based ad were to appear in the States.

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Week 3 Prompt 3: Advertising / Public Sphere: Public Communication and Democracy. Find an example in Berlin(not TV, online, etc.) of communication from a regional, city, or national governmental body about a particular technology. Drawing on Habermas, examine it first from a public sphereperspective: What information is needed about this technology for citizens of a democracy to have informed civic debate and deliberation about it? Then, drawing on Jaganathan et al, examine it from a rhetoric of advertising perspective: What persuasive arguments might a manufacturer or distributor of the same technology want to make to the public?

This advertisement targets the public to vote. This voting ad roughly translates to, “Where do you want your money going.” This is a good tactic to use for voting because it talks about taxes and encourages people to pay attention to where the government is spending their money. Before citizens can have an informed civic debate, they need to have knowledge of where the government spends their money and how the tax system works. According to Habermas, “Citizens behave as a public body when they confer in an unrestricted fashion,” (Habermas 1964, p. 49). He goes on to discuss this unrestricted fashion as the ability to comment publicly on things of general interest in society-including voting. When individuals are free to confer in any manner they choose, they may engage in civic debate effectively. 

Jaganathan discusses car advertisements mainly throughout the piece. However, one good point was made that related to all advertising, “the luxury cars too need to remain competitive in the global market so that they do not lose customers to other car manufacturers,” (Jaganathan et al 2014, p.155). If a grassroots political organization fails into motivate individuals to vote, those voters will eventually respond to other campaigns, discrediting any ad put out by Eidgenössische Volksabstimmung. The tactic of discussing money as a means of motivating publics to vote will always be effective as people care about their money and how it is spent. As long as the manufacturer is able to pull on the heart strings or the pockets of the public they intend to target their persuasive content should be successful. 

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Week 3 Prompt 3: Luke Lalor from AlphaPool Content Marketing is coming to talk with us about his firm and what they do. For this post, you need to take careful notes during Luke's talk so that you can go out this week and find an example of something he discusses. Specifically, you need to identify a concept he discusses, then find an example of that practice (1) done well, and (2) done poorly.

Luke’s in-class discussion on Alphapool and effective PR was quite intriguing. Luke talked about how certain organizations came to Alphapool in order to better their public image, oftentimes as a reaction to bad PR representing them in the media. This talk was interesting because it made me realize that oftentimes the public’s opinion on certain subjects is not determined by the subjects themselves, but rather the way in which they are portrayed in the media. Alphapool realizes this fact, and consequentially thrives as a business by giving organizations effective PR through pitching positive news stories to numerous outlets. After this was brought to my attention, several examples of this concept stood out to me, some of which done well while others were done poorly.

The Champions League fútbol game between Real Madrid and Liverpool was played yesterday, with Real Madrid taking a 3-1 victory. This brought to my attention the extremely effective PR team of Cristiano Ronaldo, star player of Real Madrid. The public really has no idea of how Ronaldo acts as a person, but he is praised across the world because of constant positive news stories written about him. Everywhere you look, especially abroad, are ads plastered with Ronaldo’s smiling face. He even has is own museum in Madrid dedicated to his past accomplishments. His positive image in the media and exellent marketing team allows for people who don’t even watch soccer to know the name Cristiano Ronaldo and respect him as a person.

I found a very poor example of what Luke from Alphapool was describing is an ad I found from Pepsi online. The “Come Alive With Pepsi” slogan was very popular back in the states, but apparently it did not go over well in China. Pepsi’s marketing campaign overlooked the fact that the universal slogan they were sending out literally translates to “Pepsi bring your ancestors back from the dead!" in Chinese. Companies like Alphapool are designed to take slogans and alter them for each culture they are broadcasted to so that mistakes like this do not happen. Had Pepsi employed Alphapool to market their slogan idea, this comical miscommunication could have been avoided.

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Week 3 Prompt 2 (extended):  Computerspielmuseum / DDR Museum: Public Communication of Sport Sciences and Technologies. Compare and contrast an example from each museum that talks about, shows, or otherwise presents a science or technology used in sports. Embed a music video of one song you would choose to play along with each sport (one for each, two songs total). Use supporting quotes from McLeod to explain why you chose those songs.

The technologies on display at the DDR Museum and the Computerspielmuseum were both evident during the tours we attended. The DDR Museum had an entire section devoted to how East Germans were required to participate in sports. East Germany wanted strong, fit, and capable citizens, so they enforced the sports requirement on every East German. As described on the “Leisure Times” panel pictured above, young East Germans were drilled at special schools and denied childhoods. Many were forced to take performance-enhancing drugs that threatened their lives so that East Germany would have some of the best athletes in international competitions.

The video link I have pasted below this paragraph is a music video of “Eye of the Tiger” and portrays different moments throughout the Rocky movies. I believe this music video would work very well with the sports of East Germany because it provokes a certain sense of patriotism and excitement, persuading those to become more athletic. This propaganda technique to support one’s country and become more active would certainly have been popular in East Germany. As stated in the assigned McLeod reading, “Music and sport allowed individuals to assert their excellence as soloistswhile  remaining  part  of  a  cohesive  group.” (McLeod 532).  East Germans who watched this music video would have been inspired to increase their athleticism to better themselves, which would have in turn improved East German sporting as a whole. 

https://youtu.be/VgSMxY6asoE

The Computerspielmuseum was quite different from the DDR Museum in the way it portrayed sports. While the DDR Museum focused on how East Germany strictly enforced physical athletic sports among all of its citizens, the Computerspielmuseum showed the transformation of video games from the very first gaming system to modern technology. The last picture I posted above is a poor-quality picture of the Poly-Play, which was a gaming system popular in East Germany. Because East Germany placed more value of active physical activities, video games were not very common. However, East Germans were still able to temporarily escape their realities if they were able to find a Poly-Play. 

The video link I have below this paragraph is a link to a music video made for the movie “Tron: Legacy” that was released in 2010. This movie is set in a futuristic cyberworld that is unlike anything here on Earth. The music of the music video is very techno, adding to the different and futuristic appeal of the movie. This music video appeals to the desires of many to escape reality for a moment and forget about everyday worries. This was exactly the appeal of the Poly-Play in East Germany, which is why this music video goes so well with it. In the assigned reading, McLeod states that spectacles such as e-gaming are “instrumental in providing legitimizing symbols that contribute to the construction and stability of  the  ‘modern’ state.” (McLeod 534). The Poly-Play, which was certainly technologically-advanced in East Germany at the time, allowed the East German government to convince its people that it lived in a modern state by letting them escape the harsh realities of East Germany momentarily.

https://youtu.be/o-ltM_ystRg

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Week 3 Prompt 2: Capture an image from the portion of the BMW Motorcycle factory where we’re allowed to have photos – anything you like (something cool, obviously). Discuss the concept of communicating/connecting with internal & external stakeholders, and how this tour accomplishes both of those things (refer to the entire tour and to things we learn from the tour guide and the promo videos). Draw specific connections to the Zerfass reading - quotes w/ page numbers are a good way to do this.

The BMW motorcycle factory does an exemplary job of communicating and connecting with internal and external stakeholders. They communicate with external stakeholders through the stressing of the quality of their products. BMW does a fantastic job of thoroughly checking each motorcycle to make sure that it is fit to leave the factory and be sent to distributors. Each motorcycle is given a test run by a BMW employee who has to determine rather or not the ride is “fun” enough and whether or not everything is running smoothly. They highlight this aspect of their production in many advertisements and all of their tours to insure that the BMW motorcycle name goes hand in hand with quality for potential buyers.

BMW makes sure that internal communication within their company is strong. While we were on the tour, we came across a sign which asks the factory workers who is responsible for BMW’s products. Underneath the question was a mirror, implying that each and every employee is responsible for the high quality of the BMW products produced there. This communicates how every BMW employee is valued, which probably contributes to the average age of those employed at this factory being between 40 and 49 years of age. This means that most employees stay at BMW long term rather than leaving after a couple of years. Because “International public relations are a part of daily business for more than 90 percent of CCOs in Europe, with nearly a quarter of them dealing with 20 countries or more”, according to page 787 of the Zerfass text, it is important that BMW continues these effective uses of communication both internally and externally to continue as a successful brand in the future.

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COMM 3550

Week 3 Prompt 1 (extended): Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross-cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you've witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you've seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you've seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video, and explain how it captures or illustrates the concept you choose. 

One concept that really stood out to me while reading chapter 14 of the readings was chronemics, or the concept of time. While time itself seems like such a concrete and natural part of life, it is quite interesting to consider that different cultures have different attitudes about time. On page 431 of the G&M text, different national attitudes towards time are ranked on a scale of slow and flexible to rapid and time-oriented. The United States ranks in the middle of the pack, while Switzerland takes the prize of the most timely nation and Mexico claims the title of country that moves at the slowest pace. This concept of chronemics has been seemingly unavoidable no matter where I go abroad, as I cannot stop focusing on how time in these European countries is so much different than in the United States.

I first noticed how time was treated differently overseas when walking through the city of Stuttgart on our first day in Germany. It was a Monday, yet the city was filled with people casually lounging about and taking in the beautiful outside weather. Many people where enjoying time laying out in grassy areas while others sat outside their storefront breathing in fresh air and calmly awaiting potential customers. This relaxed feel was unlike anything I had seen in the United States. Our capitalist society focuses very much on the phrase “Time is money” and wastes little time relaxing instead of working long hours anxiously waiting until they are able to leave and go home.

The feel in Berlin is very much the same. While Berlin is a larger city than Stuttgart, things still seem to move at a slower pace than they do in the states. Germans do take appointments seriously and do not expect to wait on anyone. Our tour guides have very rarely been late to our tours, and the few times they have been seem to be because of miscommunications. They are also very timely about their train stops. When the train says it will be there in 10 minutes, it means it. And they leave very promptly (believe me I have experienced that the hard way numerous times). However, the Germans here in Berlin still seem to make time for leisure to spend in the outdoors. Their work shifts seem shorter than those of Americans and in the small amount of time we have been here I have already noticed the Germans observe several holidays. Sundays are also recognized as a day of rest and most businesses are closed so that their employees have time to relax. The extent to which stores are closed on Sundays in Germany would shock most Americans, as we cannot imagine not being able to go to a grocery store because a day of rest is being observed. Because Germans value their free time much more than Americans, they are able to spend much more time outdoors and seem more active and happier as a result.

Even on my weekend excursion to Prague, I witnessed chronemics much like those of Stuttgart and Berlin. The picture I posted above is of a family enjoying a nice meal on a dinner cruise in the city of Prague. The cruise was three hours long and allowed everyone to relax, eat, and talk amongst themselves. I am considered to be a slow eater among my friends at home, but I cant say that I had ever dedicated three hours to a meal in my life before that dinner cruise. When we ate lunch earlier in the day, I noticed how those around us who had been eating when we entered the restaurant were still there when we were leaving. We had to waive down the waiter for our check. Those in Prague, as well as Stuttgart and Berlin, dedicate vast amounts of their time to eating. They do not go to a restaurant simply to eat and leave, but actually sit down and talk with those whom they are with for quite some time. In Prague and Stuttgart, and Berlin to a lesser extent, people do not seem nearly as concerned about rushing as they do in the U.S. I admire this quality that I have witnessed in the cities I have explored. If Americans treated time more like those I have encountered here in Europe, I believe the United States would have happier and more active citizens. I am certainly glad that I took the opportunity to study abroad so my eyes could be opened to the different ways in which different cultures view time, and what they choose to do in their free time.

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COMM 3070

Week 3 Prompt 1: Ecoland / Tempelhofer Feld: Public Communication of Health Sciences and Technologies. Find the community gardens at Tempelhofer Feld. Compare how they communicate sciences and/or technologies of health (such as nutrition, sustainability, etc.). What values are expressed? How are they similar? Different? Do you see any miscommunications?

The community gardens at Tempelhofer feld were beautiful to admire, but the message of the community gardens go well beyond its appearance. Tempelhofer feld, which used to be the central airport in Berlin, has been transformed into something the entire community can still go to and enjoy. The repurposing of the Berlin-Tempelhofer airport into a community park open to the public is a very good reuse of technology. As Auyang states, technology is the “scientific capacity to produce.” While Tempelhofer no longer produces as an airport, it is able to produce in another manner that ties the community together. I would also argue that the community garden represents an effective use of Okazaki and Taylor’s strategy of personal extensibility. While the city of Berlin isn’t necessarily overcoming a physical distance, they are overcoming the closure of the airport through the communication technologies that the community gardens have to offer. The public is able to see that good, sustainable growth can come from anywhere, even an abandoned airport.

The values expressed through the community gardens of Tempelhofer feld are quite similar to those portrayed at Ecoland. Just as Berlin repurposed an abandoned airport into a community park, those at Ecoland took an unwanted breed of pig and developed a world-renowned organic farm. Both situations show that sustainable growth can be found in even the least desirable of areas. The use of abandoned space at Tempelhofer serves to bring the community together through outdoor activities and admiration of the eccentric community gardens that represent a sort of rebirth and growth of the area. The use of a once-unpopular breed of pig and spices from small African villages come together to create marvelous organic food that is admired by all, even Prince Charles. Both Tempelhofer and Ecoland preach messages of sustainability, but both also serve as an inspiration to the surrounding community that great things can come from unsuspecting situations. However, they do differ in the sense that Tempelhofer is a public park open for all to enjoy at no profit while Ecoland is a business generating revenue. While one’s purpose is solely to bring the community together, there is a business aspect to the other (which is not necessarily a bad thing). 

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COMM 3550

Week 2 Prompt 3 (extended): We visited Sachsenhausen this week. The holocaust undeniably was a crisis, and created a series of cascading crises for Germany, Europe, and the world over the following months and years. Thinking about the Guth reading, how does Sachsenhausen function as a response to that crisis? How does the organization utilize Sachsenhausen (and museums/memorials like it) to pursue healing, restoration, and a prospective vision for the future with the various publics affected by the holocaust? Make specific connections to both the Guth reading and the ECC (Effective Crisis Comm) reading - again, quotes are a good way to do this.

The Holocaust is one of the greatest crises to have ever occurred in the history of man. The atrocities carried out by the Nazis on those whom they saw as lesser than themselves are extremely difficult to comprehend. It is no surprise that many Germans would rather not dwell on this moment in history and have it forgotten, but museums such as Sachsenhausen are necessary in the pursuit of healing, restoration, and a healthy prospective vision for the future with all those affected by the holocaust. The museum at Sachsenhausen responds to the atrocities that occurred at this once concentration camp through effective communication with its public, which is heavily stressed in  the assigned Guth reading. Guth claims that “Public relations should be seen as a natural extension of the democratic process. It is a channel through which a real discussion of social issues can be facilitated.” Through preserving Sachsenhausen as a museum and informing the public of the atrocities that occurred there, effective public relations is used to address an issue that is difficult to discuss but one that is necessary to remember so that history is not repeated.

Not everyone is comfortable with Sachsenhausen being preserved as a museum. Far-right groups in Germany possess a very futuristic view in the sense that what happened during the Holocaust should be forgotten in order to move forward. Some even attempted to burn the museum down. However, they were unsuccessful and those at Sachsenhausen keep a charred wall preserved (as seen in the second picture above) to show how unhappy some are about the museum. This move was a very effective form of crisis communication, as detailed in the ECC reading, because the museum was able to take a threat and turn it into an impactful exhibit. 

A quote from a prisoner of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp is mounted on a wall outside of where many prisoners were executed. The quote, “And I know one more thing- that the Europe of the future cannot exist without commemorating all those, regardless of their nationality, who were killed at the time with complete contempt and hate, who were tortured to death, starved, gassed, incinerated and hanged...”, really epitomizes the need for the Sachsenhausen museum. Those who were tortured at this camp and camps across Nazi-inhabited territories do not deserve to be forgotten, but rather that their hardships be remembered and memorialized to bring closure to the victims, their families, and all those affected. The museum also serves as a great reminder of what can happen when certain groups discriminate others.

What happened at Sachsenhausen and camps across Nazi-occupied areas during the holocaust is horrific, but the Sachsenhausen museum responds to this crisis through preserving the past and informing the future. Through the employment of a public information model, Sachsenhausen is able to communicate with its guests the atrocities of what once happened to memorialize victims and prevent history from repeating itself.

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COMM 3070

Week 2 Prompt 1 (extended): Briefly describe how the readings by Nebel and Stobbe and Sun relate to one of the types of miscommunication of science and technology we have discussed. Find an example of public communication of science or technology here that also evidenced one of the types of miscommunication and explain how.

The readings assigned this week all deal with types of miscommunication of science and technology that we have discussed in class. The Sun reading, entitled “Anti-vaccine activists spark a state’s worst measles outbreak in decades”, focuses on the sad fact that many today still believe that vaccines cause autism.  While one study years ago did find this to be so, it has since been disproven by numerous studies. However, the rumors that have spread because of this one faulty study have had significant consequences. Many cultures today still perceive vaccines in a bad light. Sun’s article describes how Suaado Salah, a young Somali mother living in America, did not have her children vaccinated for measles although she had a sister that died of this disease at the age of 3. While she was fully aware of the dangers of measles, rumors spread by anti-vaccine groups in the Somali community convinced her not to vaccinate her children. There are two forms of miscommunication in this article that we have discussed. One is correlation does not imply causation, which is seen in the faulty study. The other is denialism, which is seen in the anti-vaccine groups who continue to claim that vaccines cause autism even though science has proven this to not be the case.

The Stobbe article focuses on the dangers of relying on popular news distributors as a source of finding scientific breakthroughs. The two main problems with this that Stobbe cites are that correlation does not imply causation and that the media loves to grab the attention of the public. The issue with the first problem is that every time there is a new study done showing correlation between two things, it is picked up by the media and people take the results of the study as fact. Just because two separate things may have correlated under one study does not imply that one causes the other by any means. The problem with the media wanting to grab your attention is that they wish to do so to the extent that they sometimes post large headlines that are not necessarily true just to grab attention rather than state actual news. Other times, they will use headlines that only state part of the story without giving any context to draw attention, a form of miscommunication entitled oversimplification. 

Nebel’s article also details miscommunications in science and their effects on the public. Nebel describes that just because one study found a correlation between “maternal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use during pregnancy increased risk for having a child with autism”, commercials and lawsuits started coming up everywhere although the findings in the study were nowhere close to statistically significant. The “overwhelming discordance between what the public knows and what the field knows” because of hastily assumptions from faulty studies has become a major concern and will continue to be one until something is done to combat this form of miscommunication.

Visiting the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Museum the other day opened my eyes to another miscommunication that has been spread throughout the United States. While touring the former concentration camp, our guide informed us of all those held at Sachsenhausen and persecuted by the Nazis. Sachsenhausen started off holding those with political opinions that conflicted with the Nazis, and then expanded to hold Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, and really anyone the Nazis did not like. The atrocities performed by the Nazis are oversimplified in the U.S., as many only focus on the persecution of the Jews and do not realize that the Nazis abused literally every group of people that were not like themselves. The oversimplification of the “blonde hair, blue eyes” concept is also prominent. This oversimplification actually refers to the Nazi’s obsession with the Aryan race, which was discussed in detail during the tour. When the Nazis brought prisoners to Sachsenhausen, they were labeled with what country they were from. Those from countries with high populations of Aryans were treated better than those of non-Aryan descent and were more likely to survive the camp. It is important for all of society to be informed of the atrocities of what happened at these camps so that they are not forgotten and will not be repeated, making certain to avoid oversimplification and other forms of miscommunication of this difficult subject.

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Week 2 Prompt 2: How is the Mercedes-Benz Arena utilized for public relations? Who are the key publics here, how are they engaged, and what types of relationship management strategies are employed to engage with these publics? Again, using information learned on the tour is a good idea.

The Mercedes-Benz Arena, home to Stuttgart’s soccer team, does a great job of utilizing public relations within its facility. The Arena recognizes their key publics, such as the fans, donors, and sponsors, and appeal to their specific interests accordingly. The different areas where players can be interviewed by the press have ads of sponsors plastered across the walls so that they will receive air time when the interviews are played on TV. This gives incentive to the arena sponsors to continue their sponsorships with the publicity that they receive in return. They appeal to lifelong fans with methods such as the “Hall of Champions”. This hall has walls that are plastered with some of the greatest players to ever play for Stuttgart and draws upon the emotions of die-hard Stuttgart fans. Jürgen Klinsmann, pictured above, is one of these legends, and his name is one that is easily recognizable to Americans as Klinsmann is the head of the U.S. national team. Other walls of the arena portray famous moments throughout Stuttgart soccer history that also draw upon the emotions of the fans and get them hyped for the games. 

The assigned Ramshaw reading describes the emergent and borrowed sport heritage of Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team in Charlotte, North Carolina. I feel as though many parallels can be drawn between the Mercedes-Benz Arena and Bank of America Stadium based on the way the stadium is described in the reading. Although the Panthers were a relatively new team and had not achieved much success in the NFL at the time this reading was published, Bank of America Stadium was still able to be considered an authentic site with a real NFL experience because of their promotion of heritage-based factors of the stadium. Jerry Richardson, owner of the Panthers, was a former player and was therefore able to capitalize on this fact in order to draw fans of the NFL to the team and to the stadium through incorporating heritage into Bank of America Stadium. I feel as though the Mercedes-Benz Arena attempts to do the same thing. Although Stuttgart does not have a great soccer team, the Mercedes-Benz Arena focuses on their rich heritage through their Hall of Champions and pictures depicting famous soccer plays, many of which don’t even involve Stuttgart. These efforts, combined with their enthusiastic fan base, give the Mercedes-Benz Arena an authentic feel that provides soccer fans a full experience even if the Stuttgart team itself isn’t all that great. The foundation that the Mercedes-Benz Arena has laid through their public relations department, much like that of Bank of America Stadium, has paved the way for their organization to achieve great success down the road.

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Week 2 Prompt 3: Review notes on Futurism. Read “The Furturist Manifesto.” What exhibit at the Mercedes Benz Museum do you think Marinetti would like the most? Why?

F.T. Marinetti, author of “The Futurist Manifesto”, makes clear throughout his work his belief in the necessity of constantly throwing out the old to create room for new ideas. Marinetti employs the use of similes, metaphors, and the repetition of ideas such as speed and advancement to portray his hatred for tradition. It is no surprise that Marinetti revealed his strong dislike for museums and cemeteries, both of which are designed to reflect upon and idolize the past. Because of this, Marinetti would have very much disliked the idea of the Mercedes-Benz Museum that we visited and toured as a class. However, I do believe there was one such exhibit that Marinetti would have approved of.

Towards the end of the tour, there was a panel that was titled “Future of mobility”. It described the founder of Mercedes’s determination to take responsibility for the future of the automobile. The Road to Emission-free Mobility represents an ongoing commitment to the issues of sustainable mobility, which is stated to be the basis for the growth and prosperity of every society. Unlike the majority of the museum which looked upon the past accomplishments of Mercedes-Benz, this panel was dedicated to looking towards the future. This is an aspect that I believe Marinetti would have greatly admired. On the “Future of mobility” panel, rather than a picture of a past accomplishment, was a screen that showed the reflection of those that stood in front of it. I believe that this was designed to show that we, the people who are here today, are in control of the future. This interactive portion of the panel, although simple, was filled with meaning and leaves those exiting the museum with a sense of inspiration and hope for the future.

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Week 2 Prompt 1: While we are at the Farmer Producer Association market/tasting, look/listen for stories, examples, artifacts, and practices that represent the ethical views of the organization. What values are represented through this tour experience? BESH only produces their own content, they do not rely on an external agency. Is this a values position, or a cost-saving measure? Remember to post photo(s)/video to illustrate your post. 

While touring the BESH facility, their values of transparency, simplicity, and doing the right thing were quite evident. It was impossible to miss the values of the organization, as they were portrayed throughout every section of the tour. The breed of pig that BESH raises was near extinct at a certain point, but has since flourished due to the organization’s commitment on breeding and raising these pigs in a natural and humane way. Rudolph Bühler, founder of BESH, knew that the spices available to him were not suitable for his company to produce organic bratwurst, so instead of compromising on a lesser product he sought out quality ingredients from areas in Africa. Bühler realized that the Africans, many of which lived in impoverished areas and were descendants of slaves, needed steady sources of income. Instead of taking advantage of these people, Bühler brought them into the BESH family and partnered with them for pair prices in exchange for spices. This reflects the willingness of the organization to do the right thing even if they lose money in doing so. Also, the lack of a middleman between the native Africans and BESH supports the simplicity of the operation. The “Seeds of Hope” segment that we viewed during the tour describes the relationship between BESH and the areas where their spices come from, and supports the values stated above.

The fact that BESH conducts all of their PR in-house and does not rely on external agencies gives even more credit to the transparency of the organization. Through doing so, BESH is able to communicate its mission and actions in a clear and effective manner without external agencies skewing or misinterpreting their message. While avoiding hiring an external agency for PR may indeed be cost-effective, I believe that the decision of BESH to handle PR in-house is a values position. When talking with Bühler before the start of the tour, he made it clear just how much he values authenticity. For him to stress the authenticity of his company and its mission through an external agency would not be nearly as effective as communicating it directly. Doing so put the organizations values into action, which is Aristotle’s definition of ethics as stated in our chapter 6 reading. Bühler’s commitment to the organization’s core values have gained him worldwide notoriety, as celebrities such as Prince Charles of Whales have come to visit the thriving organization.