I choose the “Smoking is not permitted” sign as the stereotypical piece of media that can be found just about anywhere. The “Smoking is not permitted” sign is designed to show areas of public or private places where smoking is prohibited by the inhabitants. The sign depicts a cigarette with smoke coming from it with a red slash mark across it, and a white background. I believe that the sign was made to be very stereotypical and we don’t even realize it since we have seen the sign for most of our lives. The sign has become iconic, indexical and symbolic. It is such a successful sign because it can be viewed in many different perspectives. It can be viewed from personal, ethical, cultural or critical perspective. The sign is stereotypical because cigarettes are not the only form of implement that people can use to smoke from, yet for some reason the sign specifically targets them. I have never seen the same “Smoking is not permitted” sign, but with a big fat cigar or pipe on it. Apparently the media has shown that all the smokers simply smoke cigarettes and therefore there is no reason to put other products on the sign. I don’t think the stereotype is fare to the companies that produce cigarettes or the smokers, since it makes them seem like one trick ponies.
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