"Thank You for Smoking." Reflection

The 2005 film Thank You for Smoking highlights the truth about advertising, public relations, and ethics. Just because something is legal does not mean it is morally right. Through the character of Nick Naylor, a spokesperson for the tobacco industry, the film shows how persuasive communication can be used to defend harmful products and how influential it can be on its audience. It raises an important question for people like me who are entering the communications field, where should we draw the line between doing a job and doing what is morally right?

Nick Naylor’s job is to spin facts and create uncertainty about the dangers of smoking, even when the evidence is overwhelmingly skewed against his points. What makes this a little unsettling is not just what he says, but how effective he is. He doesn’t lie but instead, he re-words arguments to distract audiences and changes the main focus to prioritize personal freedom. This reflects real-world tactics used in advertising, including industries like alcohol, vaping, guns, and gambling. These industries often rely on messaging that emphasizes choice, lifestyle, or enjoyment while minimizing the risks.

Personally, I don’t think I could do Nick Naylor’s job, even for a lot of money. While a large salary is tempting, it would be difficult to justify promoting something that is so well known to harm people. That being said, the situation becomes a little more complicated when considering things like vaping because some argue that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. However studies have shown that vapes used among teens have increased significantly in recent years, raising concerns about nicotine addiction and long-term health effects. In this case, working in marketing for a vaping company might feel more justifiable at first, but the ethical concerns are still an issue.

The movie also brings up the idea of editing older movies to take out smoking scenes, Which I get why people would want to do that but I don't think changing movies is the right move to make. I that it erases a time period where smoking was normalized and we should be exposed to those time periods. Instead I think it makes more sense to focus on educating people and helping them understand what they're watching and the risks that smoking has. 

Another big part of the movie is the role of the reporter. Her methods were definitely questionable but her goal of exposing the smoking industry was crucial to the storyline. I think she was right in trying to expose the truth even if she didn't go about it in the best way. It kind of shows that doing the right thing isn't always easy or straightforward. 

The idea of banning ads for things like cigarettes or alcohol is pretty complicated. On one side, limiting those ads could help protect people's health but on the other hand, it brings up issues with free speech under the first amendment. I think a good middle ground would make the most sense like having stricter rules instead of banning it all together. For example, not allowing ads that target younger audiences and emphasizing clear health warnings to reduce harm without taking away our rights.   

Overall, Thank You for Smoking shows that working in advertising and PR is not just about being persuasive but it’s about being responsible. Going into this field it's important to think not just about what you can say, but what you. should say for the better of the people. 

My Top 5 News Sources

1. TIKTOK 

After Covid-19 and the events of 2020 TikTok has become a huge source of news. It has become an extremely influential piece of my generation Z and I have fallen guilty of using it as a primary source of news.  TikTok uses an algorithm that creates a "For You Page" completely adherent to recent searches, likes, and videos you've interacted with. With that algorithm comes news placed right in front of me that is incredibly geographically accurate as well as skewed to my interests. I am able to hear about hot topics through my favorite social media influencers and other perspectives I wouldn't get to see on official news cites. 
     

2. INSTAGRAM 

Like TikTok, Instagram has become a prevalent source of news because of its convenience and how personalized it is. The platform's algorithms curates content based on my interests, so I'm more likely to see news stories that are relevant to my life or directly connected to issues i care about. As I scroll through friend's and family's posts, news about current events pops up in between, making it easy to stay informed about events without seeking out traditional news sources. This blend of personal content and news makes Instagram a more accessible way to keep up with what’s happening in the world.

3. GOOGLE NEWS

Google News is another quick and easy way to find news. I use it occasionally when looking for specific headlines and current events. I use Google News when looking for more official and credible news that is not always found through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. I would recommend Google News because it offers many different websites and sources of information for the plethora for news stories.    

4. NBC

NBC is one of my more credible sources for news and used mostly at home with my parents. My parents are constantly playing the news in our living room when not watching other shows or sports. I occasionally watch the news with my parents and gain a lot of insight on whats going on in the world around me. NBC and similar news channels are probably some of the best places to find news because it is in real time as well as factual and credible.  

5. FAMILY & FRIENDS

A lot of my news comes from what I hear through friends and family. My family especially makes an effort to keep me updated on what's going on because I'm away at college and don't watch the news as regularly as I probably should. They often share important stories or talk about current events in conversation, which helps me stay informed even when I’m busy with school and daily responsibilities. I would recommend to stay in touch with friends and family about news because it offers multiple perspectives and possibly news from different areas. 

THE FUTURE OF YOUR WORK

 We are living in a word where Artificial Intelligence is rapidly growing and reshaping how we connect online. After watching "The Future of Work" and analyzing how AI will affect social media and digital communication I see a lot of big opportunities as well as many questions ahead. 

1. AI Speeds Up Busy Work!

With the new growth of AI such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, drafting, organizing, and analyzing information. This means professionals in my field will spend less time on busy repetitive tasks and more time on creativity strategy and brand imaging.

2. AI Will Change Skill Requirements

For social media jobs, it will now be a requirement to understand AI tools and be able to use them to the company's benefit. I read that the World Economic Forum says skills like analytical thinking and being comfortable with technology are growing fast. Instead of criticizing AI, social media professionals need to know how they can use it to their benefit.

3. Algorithms are controlled by AI

In social media algorithms decide what goes viral, so social media professionals have to try and think like AI would. If you want a career in AI, you need to start understanding AI-driven algorithms to shape trends.

4. Misinformation is a HUGE problem

AI is getting smarter and smarter by the second. It can create fake images, fake videos, fake voices etc… That can be scary, but in the social media field credibility is everything! So, part of the job is not just creating content, but protecting audiences from AI-generated misinformation.

Privacy, Online & Off

 What if I told you that companies, websites, corporations and even the the government are violating our privacy. The internet is the foundation of our modern society. Its created such an influence on our lifestyles and daily routines that we aren't even fazed about its impact. People are amazed at the suggested topics and websites that seem to directly adhere to what they're looking for but in reality these websites and large companies are collecting, analyzing, and processing all of our information. 

In today's digital world online privacy has become a major concern for me, my friends and my family. We spend so much time online weather it be doing schoolwork or just scrolling that we forget how much personal information we are sharing. If private information is leaked we are more prone to theft, scams, identity fraud, and stalking. As a teenager and college student who grew up with social media and access to the internet this can be very scary if the right precautions aren't taken. Although my generation has a slight advantage knowing that these risks can occur, the older generations are more susceptible to falling victim to this behavior. In addition younger children don't fully understand privacy risks which create safety concerns.    

As privacy becomes a big concern the government plays a large role in protecting individuals and families. With so much of our personal information being collected, stored, and shared, stronger protection needs to be put in place to ensure safety in the digital world. The government should be more open about the information they are using and what they are using it for. Instead of being buried in small print, privacy and information-use policies on social media platforms should be clearly bolded and presented with prominent headings.  

We can protect ourselves from invasions of privacy by being more intentional about what we share online and who has access to our private information. Regularly checking and adjusting privacy settings on social media can limit unnecessary data collection. As well as using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication adds extra layers of security. While total privacy isn’t realistic, small habits can be crucial and reduce how much personal data is being collected and used.

Eight Values of Free Expression

Freedom of expression is one of the most important rights we have, and it plays a huge role in shaping both individuals and society as a whole. It gives people the ability to share their opinions, express their beliefs, challenge ideas, and show who they truly are without fear of punishment. In class we talked about different scholars and people who have explained why free speech matters in different ways. These ideas come together as the Eight Values of Free Expression. These values show that free expression is about much more than just speaking freely; it’s about developing identity, building confidence, and contributing to society. Out of all eight values, the one that connects to me the most is Individual Self-Fulfillment because it has had a direct impact on my personal growth, confidence, and future career goals.

The value that resonates most with me would be Individual Self-Fulfillment for three main reasons:

1. Growing up, I was extremely shy and had a hard time expressing myself. I would often stay quiet and keep my thoughts to myself because I was nervous about saying the wrong thing or being judged. I avoided speaking up and didn't feel confident talking in front of people. Looking back I realize that staying quiet prevented me from fully understanding who I was. When I turned four, I started dancing, which became a turning point for me. Through dance, I was able to express myself in a different way. I quickly made friends who pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to be more outgoing. Looking back, this connects to the idea of Self-Fulfillment. Being able to express myself not just through speech but through art and movement as well has taken a huge part of developing my identity. Dance gave me confidence to find my voice and be more comfortable with who I am.
2. As as a sophomore in college, self expression is a huge part of my experience at High Point University. The transition from high school to college was honestly a fresh start, and that meant the way people saw me was almost completely based on how I chose to present and express myself. I had to make new friends and create an impression in college because the people I'd meet don't know about my past or who I was in High School. Free expression in college gave me they ability to create my own identity and put myself out there to form new friendships and participate in class.  
3. Individual self-fulfillment has also influenced my academic and career decisions. As a Social Media and Digital Communications major, I am constantly thinking about how pwoplw present themselves online. Social media and branding are all modern forms of self-expression. Every post communicates something about a person or organization. In many ways it reflects my own journey. Learning how to use expression as a tool for confidence and connection. I hope that throughout this career path, I can help others share their voices and tell their stories in meaningful ways.