Monday, November 12, 2007
Gattacca-Heather Miguel
In the film Gatacca we are taken to a place in the future where your life and death are already planned for you at birth. You are told what you will do, what will happen to you and when and how you will die. The ideology of the people's genetic superiority involves superiority and organization. Control is the ultimate power in this film and you can either have it or not, determined by your genetics. Our book talks about the gender differences at work and in Gatacca, they are clearly apparent. The men have the power and the women do wht they are told, even when it will out them behind in their own work, which in the long run will most likely be a factor on whether or not one is promoted. Irene and Vinecent are both living with heart conditions, which would set them apart and never allow the to go 'up'. However, Vinecent is able to manipulate this insane identity verification system, everyday, and work his way from the janitor to and elite, as two 'different' people. Irene doesn't accept her heart condition, she is clearly bothered by it, but accepts that she will never be able to go up, and continues her work as she is told and goes on with her life as a passive, suspicious but supportive figure. This is a part of gender discrimination. Irene and Vinecent have the same job, same goals, same condition, yet Vinecent gets by it and achieves his dream. Gender discrimination still goes on in the workplace today unfortunately, men are more likely given better pay, higher jobs and more security. I feel that we are trying as hard as we can to overcome this and are succeeding little by little, but we still have a ways to go.
Alex Malliaris - Gattaca Insights
1) Based upon the analysis of one's urine, an individual is allowed acceptance into the organization of Gattaca. This type of testing does not account for character qualities or personality, but is based solely on a person's physical makeup. Either someone is born with the qualifications for admittance or he/she is rejected without any hope of improving oneself for another try. It is genetics, over which a person has no control, which determines a person's occupational destiny. In the film, the genetically engineered characters were viewed as superior to those born naturally. The medical community possesses control over the identities of everyone because they define people's existence with their testing. Chapter 7 introduces us to Alvesson and Wilmott's nine practices of identity-shaping enacted by organizations (p. 201-202). By categorizing people as "valid" or "invalid," Gattaca enacted a system by which the value of their employees was determined. There was a heirarchy of roles that people were slotted for according to the predispositions evidenced in their blood. As an invalid, Vincent would have been viewed as subordinate, but as a valid, Jerome was superior. The two categories were reinforced everytime testing was implemented.
2) The women in the film were given no respect and were allowed no voice. Both in the sphere of home and work, we see female characters being overruled and devalued. Vincent's mother is the one who gives birth to her sons, but she is not given a voice with which to make the decisions of names for her kids. The father is given the responsibility of bestowing on his sons their identity as men and naming them. Irene is delegated the undesirable go-between job at Gattaca and is silenced when she expresses concern about completing tasks that were previously assigned. Karen Ashcraft's four frames address gender concerns. Both the organization of the home and the workplace can be viewed as gendered structures as described by frame 3 (p. 211). Within both contexts, we can see evidence of the "systemic privileging of masculinity." Men are praised and women are devalued. Males are rewarded, promoted, and heard; whereas females are disregarded, neglected, and unnoticed. This type of thinking does not lead to equality, but rather to abuse and further distancing of women from the ability to exercise influence and power. Even though the women in this film seem incredibly capable and evidently do possess strength, their abilities go unrecognized and their power is untapped.
2) The women in the film were given no respect and were allowed no voice. Both in the sphere of home and work, we see female characters being overruled and devalued. Vincent's mother is the one who gives birth to her sons, but she is not given a voice with which to make the decisions of names for her kids. The father is given the responsibility of bestowing on his sons their identity as men and naming them. Irene is delegated the undesirable go-between job at Gattaca and is silenced when she expresses concern about completing tasks that were previously assigned. Karen Ashcraft's four frames address gender concerns. Both the organization of the home and the workplace can be viewed as gendered structures as described by frame 3 (p. 211). Within both contexts, we can see evidence of the "systemic privileging of masculinity." Men are praised and women are devalued. Males are rewarded, promoted, and heard; whereas females are disregarded, neglected, and unnoticed. This type of thinking does not lead to equality, but rather to abuse and further distancing of women from the ability to exercise influence and power. Even though the women in this film seem incredibly capable and evidently do possess strength, their abilities go unrecognized and their power is untapped.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Gattaca
Posted By: Jessica Jordan
The presence of genetic discrimination in Gattaca is a good example of how superior values become an ideology that guides people’s behaviors in hopes of becoming successful. Genetically enhanced individuals known as valids, are engineered to be perfect and understood as normal compared to naturally born individuals referred to as invalids. The assumption that humans ought to be flawless becomes universally accepted and necessary in order to thrive in society. In effect, Gattaca carries out the reality of their world’s ideology by requiring routine genetic sampling in the workplace to ensure workers are of the required status. Naturally, in such a world, it follows that invalids face oppression and domination from their privileged peers in power and end up displaced in society. Hegemony comes into play as parents procreate with the help of science in order to conform to the social norm.
Gender differences in work/life can apply to Gattaca in the scene where Vincent’s mother, after giving birth, was overruled by her husband when she attempted to name her natural born child. Particularly, the scene presents the woman as being below the man and subject to his requests. It seems as if women are expected to know their rank and not over step their male counterparts. In regards to genetic identity verses gender identity as organizational performance, an example of this can be seen when Vincent uses Eugene’s genetics to overcome being a degenerate. Through micropractices, Vincent brings himself into character by presenting Eugene’s genetic samples of blood, hair, and urine in workplace tests to get ahead in life with his career and fulfill his dreams of space travel. He must act outside of his true character because it is the only way he can convince his world into believing he is a valid. Ultimately, Vincent becomes what others want to see in a person because it is the only way he will have a future.
Aspects of gender discrimination are similar to genetic discrimination when you compare the micropractices of Vincent to those of exotic dancers explained by Alexandra Murphy (pg.208). Dancers were found to take on forms of femininity in order to conform to male desires and workplace norms. Their work becomes a performance and they are often times left to prove their innocent identities to those around them that may have doubts. A good performance is needed to earn rewards or else unemployment will result and competition will take over. Indeed, there is a connection between the everyday struggles of Vincent and exotic dancers. All in all, the study by Murphy shows that gender discrimination is alive today as some women alter their behaviors to comply with the ideologies that define the workings of our society.
The presence of genetic discrimination in Gattaca is a good example of how superior values become an ideology that guides people’s behaviors in hopes of becoming successful. Genetically enhanced individuals known as valids, are engineered to be perfect and understood as normal compared to naturally born individuals referred to as invalids. The assumption that humans ought to be flawless becomes universally accepted and necessary in order to thrive in society. In effect, Gattaca carries out the reality of their world’s ideology by requiring routine genetic sampling in the workplace to ensure workers are of the required status. Naturally, in such a world, it follows that invalids face oppression and domination from their privileged peers in power and end up displaced in society. Hegemony comes into play as parents procreate with the help of science in order to conform to the social norm.
Gender differences in work/life can apply to Gattaca in the scene where Vincent’s mother, after giving birth, was overruled by her husband when she attempted to name her natural born child. Particularly, the scene presents the woman as being below the man and subject to his requests. It seems as if women are expected to know their rank and not over step their male counterparts. In regards to genetic identity verses gender identity as organizational performance, an example of this can be seen when Vincent uses Eugene’s genetics to overcome being a degenerate. Through micropractices, Vincent brings himself into character by presenting Eugene’s genetic samples of blood, hair, and urine in workplace tests to get ahead in life with his career and fulfill his dreams of space travel. He must act outside of his true character because it is the only way he can convince his world into believing he is a valid. Ultimately, Vincent becomes what others want to see in a person because it is the only way he will have a future.
Aspects of gender discrimination are similar to genetic discrimination when you compare the micropractices of Vincent to those of exotic dancers explained by Alexandra Murphy (pg.208). Dancers were found to take on forms of femininity in order to conform to male desires and workplace norms. Their work becomes a performance and they are often times left to prove their innocent identities to those around them that may have doubts. A good performance is needed to earn rewards or else unemployment will result and competition will take over. Indeed, there is a connection between the everyday struggles of Vincent and exotic dancers. All in all, the study by Murphy shows that gender discrimination is alive today as some women alter their behaviors to comply with the ideologies that define the workings of our society.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
M Davis- Gattaca
Gattaca
The movie Gattaca, explores a world in which genetically altered people become the dominant and naturally born become the recessive of the culture. Organizational issues such as ideology, power and hegemony are helping create the plot and drama of the film. Gattaca also provides examples to the comparison between gender or genetic differences at work as well as gendered or genetic organizations.
Ideology refers to the taken-for granted assumptions about reality that influence our perceptions about organizational life. In the movie Gattaca, certain assumptions were taken for granted. The dominant ideology about the culture, is that genetically altered men are better than either genetically altered women and should hold superior positions. For example, when the mission director gets murdered, Irene, a worker at Gattaca Corp. gets assigned to be the go between for the company and the detective. She asks the Commander if someone else could do it so that she didn’t get behind on her work. He responds by cutting her off and restating her new task. Another example is Gattaca Corporation only takes ‘valids’ or genetically altered persons. It doesn’t matter how well someone places on their entrance examination, if a person does not have the right blood, they will not be admitted into the program. Vincent, being an ‘invalid’ goes as far as to take over someone else’s identity so that he can get into the program. “ . . . the powerful influences of ideology are linked to everyday organizational and research practices in ways that complicate our understanding of what happens in organizations and of the role researchers and their theories should play in those happenings” (154). Irene and Vincent show that they merely accept the ideologies of their life. Irene chooses to follow the Commanders instructions and become the mediator between the company and the detective. Vincent chooses to conform to the expected standards to fulfill his dream of going into space.
“Early attempts to define power are based on the assumption that it is something a person or group possessed and can exercise through actions” (152). The book breaks down power into 5 different types. Two types of power that are found in the movie Gattaca are reward power and reverent power. Reward power is when “person A can give some formal or informal reward in exchange for B’s compliance, such as a bonus or a reward” (152). Vincent works diligently at his job because he knows that if he does he will eventually get rewarded and asked to go on a mission. Therefore, Vincent is person B. In the movie, he has worked hard and is getting rewired by going on a yearlong space mission.
Another form of power is referent power. This is where person “B is willing to do what A asks in order to be like A” (152). A person with referent power is often described as a mentor. In the case of Gattaca, Jerome has reverent power over Vincent. Vincent is turning to Jerome for guidance on how to become him. Jerome tells Vincent, “If at first you don’t succeed . . . try, try again.” Jerome pushed Vincent to the limit to become him. He had to because if Vincent could not convince himself that he was Jerome, he would not convince anyone else that he was Jerome. Power is very critical for organizations. It sets standards with requirements to meet them. There are many tactics that organizations us to motivate their employees. Two examples of such power shown in Gattaca are reward power and referent power.
Hegemony is “the hidden power of society. It encompasses the power of rules, standard operating procedures and routines” (159). Chapter seven addresses four frameworks that deal with societies standards and rules. Two frameworks are gender differences at work and gendered organizations. In the framework gender differences at work, men and women are defined as two different types of communicators. Men talk to demonstrate knowledge, appear in command and express direct or assertive expressions (204). Men like to be in control and therefore they use communication as way to show their ‘opponent’ that they are in control. For example, Vincent proves that he has all the answers when the director talks to him and asks him if all of his figures are right. Vincent responds with the comment, have I ever been wrong before? Clearly Vincent is proving his intelligence through communication.
Women on the other hand, use communication as a way to build a relationship. Irene talks to Vincent and asks him “ How many launches are there each day Vincent? A dozen?” She is not asking this to appear smarter than Vincent but merely engage in a conversation to form some sort of a relation ship. In the company men and women react differently. Men use their communication skills to show they are more competent than the next where as women simply use communication to establish relationships. Hegemony comes into play because the culture and companies that we live in are conducive to the unspoken rules. Women are put in roles of mediators; like Irene was put in between the company and the detective and men are encouraged to reach for the stars figuratively and sometimes literally. Hegemony is a self- propelling machine that few choose to stop.
Another framework is gendered organizations. Gattaca is a company that is predominantly male. It runs on a patriarchic society and is more conducive to the male gender. Women who work their dress to hide their femininity where as men are not presented with any sort of issue. Furthermore, the atmosphere, the walls, office spaces and such are all very ‘manly’ The Company’s structure is made up of blue, gray and black hues. At a glance, it is apparent that this is a dominantly make society. Chapter seven states that the gendered organization emerges out . . . the social construction of division of labor; symbols and images that reinforce gender division; mundane communication interactions between men and women . . . reinforce men’s powerful position, career choices; style of dress, interaction patterns and everyday performances” (211). Work’s culture fuels the fire that men and women should be placed in different roles. The roles are divided into two categories, leaders and followers. As the research shows, men are predominantly viewed as leaders and therefore get catered to in that role where as women are pushed into lower roles of the mediators and the organizers.
By comparing the book with the movie Gattaca there are many similarities when comparing gender differences and genetic differences. In the movie, those with genetic differences were forced into lower social roles, just as it appears women have been too. Furthermore, it appears that even when women are superior, such as in the movie they are considered ‘valid’ they are still inferior to ‘vaild’ males. Secondly, when comparing gender to genetics it appears that those who are ‘invald’ are not encouraged to step outside of the box. When Vincent was looking at a book about spaceships his father tells him, “Son the only time you’re going to see the inside of a space shuttle is if you’re cleaning it.” In comparison, as young girls we are often faced with issues of family or job. Girls often have to answer to their family if they are going to satisfy their dreams of having a family or a career. Men on the other hand do not have to make that decision. In conclusion, Gattaca provided insight on ideology, power and hegemony as well as a parallel between genetics and gender differences.
The movie Gattaca, explores a world in which genetically altered people become the dominant and naturally born become the recessive of the culture. Organizational issues such as ideology, power and hegemony are helping create the plot and drama of the film. Gattaca also provides examples to the comparison between gender or genetic differences at work as well as gendered or genetic organizations.
Ideology refers to the taken-for granted assumptions about reality that influence our perceptions about organizational life. In the movie Gattaca, certain assumptions were taken for granted. The dominant ideology about the culture, is that genetically altered men are better than either genetically altered women and should hold superior positions. For example, when the mission director gets murdered, Irene, a worker at Gattaca Corp. gets assigned to be the go between for the company and the detective. She asks the Commander if someone else could do it so that she didn’t get behind on her work. He responds by cutting her off and restating her new task. Another example is Gattaca Corporation only takes ‘valids’ or genetically altered persons. It doesn’t matter how well someone places on their entrance examination, if a person does not have the right blood, they will not be admitted into the program. Vincent, being an ‘invalid’ goes as far as to take over someone else’s identity so that he can get into the program. “ . . . the powerful influences of ideology are linked to everyday organizational and research practices in ways that complicate our understanding of what happens in organizations and of the role researchers and their theories should play in those happenings” (154). Irene and Vincent show that they merely accept the ideologies of their life. Irene chooses to follow the Commanders instructions and become the mediator between the company and the detective. Vincent chooses to conform to the expected standards to fulfill his dream of going into space.
“Early attempts to define power are based on the assumption that it is something a person or group possessed and can exercise through actions” (152). The book breaks down power into 5 different types. Two types of power that are found in the movie Gattaca are reward power and reverent power. Reward power is when “person A can give some formal or informal reward in exchange for B’s compliance, such as a bonus or a reward” (152). Vincent works diligently at his job because he knows that if he does he will eventually get rewarded and asked to go on a mission. Therefore, Vincent is person B. In the movie, he has worked hard and is getting rewired by going on a yearlong space mission.
Another form of power is referent power. This is where person “B is willing to do what A asks in order to be like A” (152). A person with referent power is often described as a mentor. In the case of Gattaca, Jerome has reverent power over Vincent. Vincent is turning to Jerome for guidance on how to become him. Jerome tells Vincent, “If at first you don’t succeed . . . try, try again.” Jerome pushed Vincent to the limit to become him. He had to because if Vincent could not convince himself that he was Jerome, he would not convince anyone else that he was Jerome. Power is very critical for organizations. It sets standards with requirements to meet them. There are many tactics that organizations us to motivate their employees. Two examples of such power shown in Gattaca are reward power and referent power.
Hegemony is “the hidden power of society. It encompasses the power of rules, standard operating procedures and routines” (159). Chapter seven addresses four frameworks that deal with societies standards and rules. Two frameworks are gender differences at work and gendered organizations. In the framework gender differences at work, men and women are defined as two different types of communicators. Men talk to demonstrate knowledge, appear in command and express direct or assertive expressions (204). Men like to be in control and therefore they use communication as way to show their ‘opponent’ that they are in control. For example, Vincent proves that he has all the answers when the director talks to him and asks him if all of his figures are right. Vincent responds with the comment, have I ever been wrong before? Clearly Vincent is proving his intelligence through communication.
Women on the other hand, use communication as a way to build a relationship. Irene talks to Vincent and asks him “ How many launches are there each day Vincent? A dozen?” She is not asking this to appear smarter than Vincent but merely engage in a conversation to form some sort of a relation ship. In the company men and women react differently. Men use their communication skills to show they are more competent than the next where as women simply use communication to establish relationships. Hegemony comes into play because the culture and companies that we live in are conducive to the unspoken rules. Women are put in roles of mediators; like Irene was put in between the company and the detective and men are encouraged to reach for the stars figuratively and sometimes literally. Hegemony is a self- propelling machine that few choose to stop.
Another framework is gendered organizations. Gattaca is a company that is predominantly male. It runs on a patriarchic society and is more conducive to the male gender. Women who work their dress to hide their femininity where as men are not presented with any sort of issue. Furthermore, the atmosphere, the walls, office spaces and such are all very ‘manly’ The Company’s structure is made up of blue, gray and black hues. At a glance, it is apparent that this is a dominantly make society. Chapter seven states that the gendered organization emerges out . . . the social construction of division of labor; symbols and images that reinforce gender division; mundane communication interactions between men and women . . . reinforce men’s powerful position, career choices; style of dress, interaction patterns and everyday performances” (211). Work’s culture fuels the fire that men and women should be placed in different roles. The roles are divided into two categories, leaders and followers. As the research shows, men are predominantly viewed as leaders and therefore get catered to in that role where as women are pushed into lower roles of the mediators and the organizers.
By comparing the book with the movie Gattaca there are many similarities when comparing gender differences and genetic differences. In the movie, those with genetic differences were forced into lower social roles, just as it appears women have been too. Furthermore, it appears that even when women are superior, such as in the movie they are considered ‘valid’ they are still inferior to ‘vaild’ males. Secondly, when comparing gender to genetics it appears that those who are ‘invald’ are not encouraged to step outside of the box. When Vincent was looking at a book about spaceships his father tells him, “Son the only time you’re going to see the inside of a space shuttle is if you’re cleaning it.” In comparison, as young girls we are often faced with issues of family or job. Girls often have to answer to their family if they are going to satisfy their dreams of having a family or a career. Men on the other hand do not have to make that decision. In conclusion, Gattaca provided insight on ideology, power and hegemony as well as a parallel between genetics and gender differences.
Gattaca
LaPorche Carlisle
11/13/2007
Organizational CommInsights/observations The film “Gattaca” had a great plot with what I thought were hidden meanings. I observed the ideal that the main point of the film was to prove that only the strong survive and that the life expectancy is pre-determined so people who believed in their “destiny” would die off because of their mind frame already believing that they were useless past a certain age. For example the main character Vincent, was not supposed to live past 30, he had a high chance of heart conditions and he was not smart enough to compete with the best of the best in the workforce. His whole life was determined by his genes. His destiny kept being reinforced by his parents because they were so sure that he would become a low man on the societal totem pole. He was what they called a “God Child”, he had all these imperfections that were of no good to his family or his future, according to how they kept reinforcing his fate. Vincent knew better of himself and his ability to succeed regardless of what his genetics read. That example shows how he was not influenced by his genetic reading to just accept his conditions and live with it. He was in that situation for life, but he took measures to accomplish his dreams to fly an air craft. So the ideal that your genetics is the only way you will get to accomplish certain things were non-existent to him but alive in his society. I think that Vincent being born into that situation of “poor genes” gave him will power and strength over everything around him that told him differently. Things in his environment such as the doctors, family, employers, and even his love interest once she found out he was not genetically chosen was what kept giving him foresight to overcome his genetic disabilties.Also another observation, which can be in regards to the topic of one of the four frames in the book of gender difference at work, was that the work scenes were of mostly male workers and a few females. What I furthered recognized was that the only other woman that was in the film besides, his mother and love interest was of more masculine type. She was monitoring the staff as they were working out but she could almost be considered a man because of her demeanor and the way she was dressed, there was no womanly appearance to her. That part in the movie brought to light that maybe the films creators were saying that a supervisory position in which I think she was playing, can only be displayed and taken seriously in the work world of the future, by a stoic looking woman, who in many ways resembles a man. On the topic of gender narratives in popular cultures I could say that in the film it took on a role of men being in roles of power are more legitimate than a woman. For example in some households it is traditional and popular still, in some homes that the man holds the power because he may be the one making the money. The story goes that if he makes all the money then he can most of the time rationalize what can be given to the wife, how much can be spent, and whether he wants to give her money at all. Some working husbands with non-working wives take advantage of their “power” and use their excuse of they are the bread winners as justification for their attitude. Explained in the book the main ideal of gender narratives in popular culture is “the meanings we assign to ourselves, our work, and our organizations are significantly influenced by the texts-films, books, television shows, news reports, magazines, fashions, and even scholarship-we consume in our everyday lives.” That is what the book states but I believe that texts, films, and books are influenced by real life. The topics and concepts writers make in the movies are from real life activities. Where else would films get their ideas from? People think that the way our society is, is a reflection of what we read and see when in actuality it is a reflection of our life trials and tribulations that cause us to sometimes develop certain attitudes and ways of living. In the movie “Gattaca” the lady that was monitoring the staff exercising was probably not a made up look. The writers may have experienced a situation or plenty which let them know that the woman needs to look dominate in a supervisory position.
Gender discrimination is when people accept a person or not based on if they are man or a woman. People have pre-conceived beliefs of what a man can do and what women can do. If it is not usual for a woman to work and a man stay at home a woman who was trying to apply for a job may get judged in regards to that notion. In the film gender discrimination was not so transparent because the character make up was of mostly men. When watching it you would have to have to know something about how the society really is to understand that there were hidden messages of gender discrimination. For example the father overriding the name that the mother was picking for Vincent, he cut in and it was just accepted. That could be saying that women have no say so, because they are supposed to be quiet and submissive.
Before the movie I never really thought of genetic discrimination, now that I have seen “Gattaca” I understand that the definition of genetic discrimination is when you are chosen to succeed based on your genetic make up. If your parents are average working people, you will be average with even more health problems than they will have. In the film Vincent had a brother and his brother was supposed to be smarter and stronger than him because he was not a natural born but all his cells were chosen for him to be a perfect child. Vincent was average, with all sorts of imperfections that were unacceptable for him to succeed in his goals.
These two concepts are similar because they are not broad enough. It is either black or white. If you are naturally born, you will have aspects about yourself that you can not do anything about because you are supposed to be placed where you fit. If you have all your qualities chosen for you than you are a shoe in for a good job and success at whatever you do. Vincent was smart and articulate but no one noticed that, because no one recognized him. They only read his genes. I do not know if gender discrimination is taking place today so much in California, I think that gender discrimination is more so prevalent because people now look at and judge who you are instead of trying to figure your genetic make up.
11/13/2007
Organizational CommInsights/observations The film “Gattaca” had a great plot with what I thought were hidden meanings. I observed the ideal that the main point of the film was to prove that only the strong survive and that the life expectancy is pre-determined so people who believed in their “destiny” would die off because of their mind frame already believing that they were useless past a certain age. For example the main character Vincent, was not supposed to live past 30, he had a high chance of heart conditions and he was not smart enough to compete with the best of the best in the workforce. His whole life was determined by his genes. His destiny kept being reinforced by his parents because they were so sure that he would become a low man on the societal totem pole. He was what they called a “God Child”, he had all these imperfections that were of no good to his family or his future, according to how they kept reinforcing his fate. Vincent knew better of himself and his ability to succeed regardless of what his genetics read. That example shows how he was not influenced by his genetic reading to just accept his conditions and live with it. He was in that situation for life, but he took measures to accomplish his dreams to fly an air craft. So the ideal that your genetics is the only way you will get to accomplish certain things were non-existent to him but alive in his society. I think that Vincent being born into that situation of “poor genes” gave him will power and strength over everything around him that told him differently. Things in his environment such as the doctors, family, employers, and even his love interest once she found out he was not genetically chosen was what kept giving him foresight to overcome his genetic disabilties.Also another observation, which can be in regards to the topic of one of the four frames in the book of gender difference at work, was that the work scenes were of mostly male workers and a few females. What I furthered recognized was that the only other woman that was in the film besides, his mother and love interest was of more masculine type. She was monitoring the staff as they were working out but she could almost be considered a man because of her demeanor and the way she was dressed, there was no womanly appearance to her. That part in the movie brought to light that maybe the films creators were saying that a supervisory position in which I think she was playing, can only be displayed and taken seriously in the work world of the future, by a stoic looking woman, who in many ways resembles a man. On the topic of gender narratives in popular cultures I could say that in the film it took on a role of men being in roles of power are more legitimate than a woman. For example in some households it is traditional and popular still, in some homes that the man holds the power because he may be the one making the money. The story goes that if he makes all the money then he can most of the time rationalize what can be given to the wife, how much can be spent, and whether he wants to give her money at all. Some working husbands with non-working wives take advantage of their “power” and use their excuse of they are the bread winners as justification for their attitude. Explained in the book the main ideal of gender narratives in popular culture is “the meanings we assign to ourselves, our work, and our organizations are significantly influenced by the texts-films, books, television shows, news reports, magazines, fashions, and even scholarship-we consume in our everyday lives.” That is what the book states but I believe that texts, films, and books are influenced by real life. The topics and concepts writers make in the movies are from real life activities. Where else would films get their ideas from? People think that the way our society is, is a reflection of what we read and see when in actuality it is a reflection of our life trials and tribulations that cause us to sometimes develop certain attitudes and ways of living. In the movie “Gattaca” the lady that was monitoring the staff exercising was probably not a made up look. The writers may have experienced a situation or plenty which let them know that the woman needs to look dominate in a supervisory position.
Gender discrimination is when people accept a person or not based on if they are man or a woman. People have pre-conceived beliefs of what a man can do and what women can do. If it is not usual for a woman to work and a man stay at home a woman who was trying to apply for a job may get judged in regards to that notion. In the film gender discrimination was not so transparent because the character make up was of mostly men. When watching it you would have to have to know something about how the society really is to understand that there were hidden messages of gender discrimination. For example the father overriding the name that the mother was picking for Vincent, he cut in and it was just accepted. That could be saying that women have no say so, because they are supposed to be quiet and submissive.
Before the movie I never really thought of genetic discrimination, now that I have seen “Gattaca” I understand that the definition of genetic discrimination is when you are chosen to succeed based on your genetic make up. If your parents are average working people, you will be average with even more health problems than they will have. In the film Vincent had a brother and his brother was supposed to be smarter and stronger than him because he was not a natural born but all his cells were chosen for him to be a perfect child. Vincent was average, with all sorts of imperfections that were unacceptable for him to succeed in his goals.
These two concepts are similar because they are not broad enough. It is either black or white. If you are naturally born, you will have aspects about yourself that you can not do anything about because you are supposed to be placed where you fit. If you have all your qualities chosen for you than you are a shoe in for a good job and success at whatever you do. Vincent was smart and articulate but no one noticed that, because no one recognized him. They only read his genes. I do not know if gender discrimination is taking place today so much in California, I think that gender discrimination is more so prevalent because people now look at and judge who you are instead of trying to figure your genetic make up.
Holly Pepper - Gattaca
Gattaca
In the film Gattaca you are sent to the future where everything can be determined about you before you are born. This is so you will be genetically superior compared to someone who was born naturally and without predetermined genetics. If you were born and have genetic flaws you are discriminated against and have limited rights, freedoms, and are considered less superior compared the others who where genetically more superior. The film relates to ideology, hegemony, and power because they deal with control, and organizational processes. In the movie all three of these key terms in the book are made clear with the genetically superior groups in the movie that controlled society and were the illustration of what was considered power worthy, strong, and “perfect.” Through ideological control they took over power from those who were considered genetically flawed.
In the film Gattaca there were also a lot of similar themes that related to the book concerning gender, and gender discrimination. One is “Gender Differences at Work.” (pg.204) In the movie Irene (?) tells Vincent that she has a heart problem, and is open about her personal details, while he says nothing personal and reveals zilch. Gender differences at works talks about how men and women differ in the way they communicate at work. Irene in the movie is very passive at work, and does what she is told, always providing support and tentativeness. Vincent is the picture perfect example of how a man communicates compared to a women in the working world by hiding all emotions, being direct, abstract about personal matters, and only demonstrates knowledge, and ability to perform well. Another section in the book relates with the film called “Gendered Narratives in Popular Culture.”(pg. 214) In this sections is explains how ideology affects how we view professionalism through gender. In the movie Irene was a main character, though she never stepped out of her role as the typical passive yet supportive feminine figure. All the men in the movie were portrayed as competitive, strong, and domineering. I think that this relates to gender narratives because it shows that even though women are involved they are still put to the side, and male imagery of effectiveness and greatness is the majority.
This leads me to discuss gender discrimination compared to genetic discrimination in the movie. Vincent was genetically discriminated against because he was born naturally and had a heart problem, while Irene had a heart problem as well; she was mostly discriminated against just because she was female. She had the same job as Vincent though the focus was never for her to succeed and have her dreams become a reality. In the end of the movie Vincent chose to leave and go on the space ship leaving Irene behind. I think this is a perfect example of gender discrimination versus genetic discrimination in the film because both had the same job and heart problems but he was the one who’s dream became a reality, not Irene’s. This type of gender discrimination still happens in today’s society. Maybe it isn’t as noticeable in most circumstance, but it is there. Men still receive higher pay than women on average, even though both may be equally qualified. Why is this still occurring, when we know it is wrong? I guess this is because not everyone shares the same view that all are equal, and that is a sad reality.
In the film Gattaca you are sent to the future where everything can be determined about you before you are born. This is so you will be genetically superior compared to someone who was born naturally and without predetermined genetics. If you were born and have genetic flaws you are discriminated against and have limited rights, freedoms, and are considered less superior compared the others who where genetically more superior. The film relates to ideology, hegemony, and power because they deal with control, and organizational processes. In the movie all three of these key terms in the book are made clear with the genetically superior groups in the movie that controlled society and were the illustration of what was considered power worthy, strong, and “perfect.” Through ideological control they took over power from those who were considered genetically flawed.
In the film Gattaca there were also a lot of similar themes that related to the book concerning gender, and gender discrimination. One is “Gender Differences at Work.” (pg.204) In the movie Irene (?) tells Vincent that she has a heart problem, and is open about her personal details, while he says nothing personal and reveals zilch. Gender differences at works talks about how men and women differ in the way they communicate at work. Irene in the movie is very passive at work, and does what she is told, always providing support and tentativeness. Vincent is the picture perfect example of how a man communicates compared to a women in the working world by hiding all emotions, being direct, abstract about personal matters, and only demonstrates knowledge, and ability to perform well. Another section in the book relates with the film called “Gendered Narratives in Popular Culture.”(pg. 214) In this sections is explains how ideology affects how we view professionalism through gender. In the movie Irene was a main character, though she never stepped out of her role as the typical passive yet supportive feminine figure. All the men in the movie were portrayed as competitive, strong, and domineering. I think that this relates to gender narratives because it shows that even though women are involved they are still put to the side, and male imagery of effectiveness and greatness is the majority.
This leads me to discuss gender discrimination compared to genetic discrimination in the movie. Vincent was genetically discriminated against because he was born naturally and had a heart problem, while Irene had a heart problem as well; she was mostly discriminated against just because she was female. She had the same job as Vincent though the focus was never for her to succeed and have her dreams become a reality. In the end of the movie Vincent chose to leave and go on the space ship leaving Irene behind. I think this is a perfect example of gender discrimination versus genetic discrimination in the film because both had the same job and heart problems but he was the one who’s dream became a reality, not Irene’s. This type of gender discrimination still happens in today’s society. Maybe it isn’t as noticeable in most circumstance, but it is there. Men still receive higher pay than women on average, even though both may be equally qualified. Why is this still occurring, when we know it is wrong? I guess this is because not everyone shares the same view that all are equal, and that is a sad reality.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Gattaca Assignment Prompt
Hi Everyone,
Post two insights and observations about the film Gattaca on this blog by Tuesday, Nov. 13. Bring in printed copies of your post on Tuesday to class on Nov. 13. How does Gattaca relate to what you have studied in terms of ideology, hegemony, and power? What does an ideology of genetic superiority mean and how does it invade people's lives in the film? How do two of the four frames of chapter seven: gender difference at work, gender identity as organizational performance, gendered organizations, and gender narratives of popular culture
apply in the film? Especially if you substitute the term gender with genetics? What aspects of gender discrimination are similar or different from genetic discrimination? Is it happening today? In using scenes from the film as examples, use and explain the terminology in the text. If you use a quote, analyze and explain how the quote from the text or the film is relevant. If you wish to relate personal experiences, explain how they are relevant to the film and text.
Prof. Brooks
Post two insights and observations about the film Gattaca on this blog by Tuesday, Nov. 13. Bring in printed copies of your post on Tuesday to class on Nov. 13. How does Gattaca relate to what you have studied in terms of ideology, hegemony, and power? What does an ideology of genetic superiority mean and how does it invade people's lives in the film? How do two of the four frames of chapter seven: gender difference at work, gender identity as organizational performance, gendered organizations, and gender narratives of popular culture
apply in the film? Especially if you substitute the term gender with genetics? What aspects of gender discrimination are similar or different from genetic discrimination? Is it happening today? In using scenes from the film as examples, use and explain the terminology in the text. If you use a quote, analyze and explain how the quote from the text or the film is relevant. If you wish to relate personal experiences, explain how they are relevant to the film and text.
Prof. Brooks
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