Generation LIKE!

I was watching a documentary on a phenomenon called generation LIKE referring to 'likes' obtained from social media sites and its effect on teens including other age groups. It was done by Frontline and was very informative including interviews, statistics and expert opinions. The main focus of Frontline was to portray the advertainment techniques that we as consumers or "you tubers" are being drawn into doing by knowingly or unknowingly selling out on your initial message.

When I watched the video, it emphasized on the 'fact' that obtaining likes or shares or good comments are a way in which the teens become empowered. I liked to question this as I feel that this creates unnecessary ego and actually reduces self esteem of everyone who has less likes than others which is the majority. I also don't believe that likes or comments are a constant source of empowerment and it can be said that having sparks or being in the Top 100 fans of a billion dollar enterprise is not at all empowering in any way but rather it is an addiction like smoking to get empowered!

Ok, I accept that getting likes will prove that everyone likes you and that you are famous or popular. But the word 'empowerment' in this context, is just an excuse for an addiction.
 

All About that Bass- A song against marginalizing fat people

Meghan Trainor's song ' All about that bass' encourages fat people to be confident and tries to prove that fat people are better off than the thin people. Her bubble-gum pink music video, instantly-memorable lyrics, and addictive bass line, makes the song hard not to love:

Because you know
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all about that bass
'Bout that bass

Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two
But I can shake it, shake it
Like I'm supposed to do
'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase
And all the right junk in all the right places

I see the magazine workin' that Photoshop
We know that shit ain't real
C'mon now, make it stop
If you got beauty, beauty, just raise 'em up
'Cause every inch of you is perfect
From the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama she told me don't worry about your size
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night."
You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along
*CHORUS*

I'm bringing booty back
Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that
No, I'm just playing. I know you think you're fat
But I'm here to tell ya
Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top

Yeah my mama she told me don't worry about your size
She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night."
You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along

 *CHORUS* (x3)

Looking into the lyrics of this song it starts off with the chorus with which it draws in listeners and gives a starting bass to the song. In the first paragraph she states that she is fat by saying she is not "size 2" but then saying "that all the boys like chase" women like her with big 'booties' rather than skinny girls. The song goes against the norms of beauty ideals of being extremely slim like the models in magazines who are "workin' that Photoshop" and tells the fat people no to worry and that "every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top."

In the video a fat man dances confidently and without any shame of doing so. This shows the listener or viewer that one does not have to be shying away from anything if your are fat. The fat man also does a leg split which gives a strong message that people who are fat are also able to do acrobatics and be as well off in terms of flexibility as the "skinny bitches". The 3rd verse says that Meghan Trainor's mom told her to not worry about your size and tells us that she recommended having a bigger 'booty' for men to hold at night.

This song tries to empower fat people by telling them they are as good as thin or skinny people in this world. So I think that this song has hit the mark as many people have reported being empowered after seeing the video and listening to the song because they are all about that base.