COMM 303 Blog #10

I Will Never Leave You Love

 

Sweaty palms, rapid palpitation, twitching, headache, and nausea. I might have been exaggerating with my symptoms after losing my phone for over two weeks last month. Precisely a day before I received a new phone in the mail I began to experience mini anxiety attacks from not having a phone to cradle and protect.

Knowing that was my behavior from simply losing one of my communication technologies, makes me think I would be driven insane if I had no devices in my life that connect me to my networks. Let me state that the most tragic outcome of being “unplugged” would be the lack of immediate virtual communication between the people in my life—no social life. Then, the one that should be first, college would be chaotic without any communication technology. Face it, everything is becoming digital and how the university communicates with the enrolled is by email. If I did not have a computer I would be doomed. I would be like the grade I would receive for my courses, incomplete.

There is absolutely no way I could go natural on this aspect of life. I am connected and I will remain that way. I was forced to be partially unplugged for over two weeks, and at first it was not too bad, but when I realized I had to go to a computer every time I needed to talk to my friends, it became tedious having to trot up and down the stairs. I enjoy exercise, don’t misunderstand me, I mean with my phone, my thumbs probably sweat off a thousand calories a day.

This communication technology course has exactly taught me how connected we are, and that every day that passes we become more dependent on robots. Take by example the history of different innovation developments and the rate in which they were adopted. There is a trend that every new technology is embraced by the majority quicker than the last one.

What is it that is trending now? The iPhone 5? And Snapchat? Dear, I’ve said it enough on my blogs, I cannot keep up with all these new inventions, I might after all become a laggard.

I have to unplug evey time I go to El Salvador, because there is not Internet access everywhere, and my poor phone gets lost in time. I do take my companion abroad with me, it gives me a piece of mind to know it's there with me. Check out the article I had to read for this blog. Do you unplug when you go out od the States?

http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/8535.aspx

 We discussed in class displacement theory, which referred to the amount of time we have constrains the communication activities we perform. In other words, operating one communication technology takes time from another, most likely older. Communication technology is like fashion, or a teenage girl’s crush, meaning one day it is what all the focus and energy goes towards, and then the next there is a cooler new shirt or guy that takes time away from the vintage skirt and John I-Forgot-His-Last-Name.

Here is a brief listing of my likes and dislikes of new communication technologies. The tougher words are hyperlinked so you can see what they mean.

My Likes on Comm Tech	My Dislikes on Comm Tech
Asynchronous	Loss in ability to communicate face-to-face
Ubiquitous	Texting and Driving
All on the palm of my hand	Loss of privacy—just be smart on what you disclose

 This video makes me shake my head. That is not living! Get off Facebook, and stop stalking people you don't even see in real life. One thousand "friends", should be 986  strangers instead.

 

Because I have posted my blog on Facebook and Twitter I have gotten a total of 797 views as of right now! Positive exposure on the Internet can be a good thing for, and to a blogger. For the blogger, because future employers could look at the potential of a writer, and to the person because it makes them feel good someone cares enough to read it, besides the professor who has to read it. That being said, I appreciate all the support and comments from all of my readers.

Blog 10! Thank you for staying with me until the end. Happy Finals!

COMM 303 Blog #9

Suit? What Suit? I Rock My Pajamas

When I Report

New and alternative media…hmm I should know what this is now, after all I have been taking a class all this semester on the subject and I have been blogging more consistently than ever before.

Blogging is a form of citizen journalism, a person who may not be accredited as a journalist, but finds it in their civic duty to report the happenings of the world in a different perspective than mainstream media portrays them.

Thomas Jefferson was the one who said, “I would rather have a free press and no government, than a government and no free press.” In the U.S. today anyone can exercise this freedom by blogging.

The word publishing is broader than it used to be. What do you understand when you hear “to publish”? Not until this year did I discover this word is one of the most complex P words ever invented. You know that publishing is not necessarily written and read by a mass audience? It means anything written or said and read or heard by a third party is considered to be published. I have published nine pieces of information and thoughts thus far. You, the one reading, have been my audience and reader throughout the semester.

In the article we had to read for this particular blog, about blogging and the incorrect regards made on a blog about the governor of South Carolina are comical. Anyone can really go on the Internet and post anything about anyone. The particular article talked about the immediate reaction by mainstream media by a tweet posted alleging the governor was going to be indicted. The time it took for that to spread and for news outlets to verify if that was true, was faster than the selling of Justin Bieber concert tickets. The allegations were NOT true as the governor easily proved.

Twitter has become a micro form of blogging. The immediate thoughts, feelings and knowledge a person might have are published within the boundaries of 140 characters. Then you may look at a blog like mine and it elaborates more on the content and gives more information. Being true or not true what I say, I still have the freedom to post it.

A concern among classmates, as I have discovered throughout the term, has been that many of these students are concerned with the legitimacy of the traditional news sources, because they consider them to be too biased. But then, when you ask if they trust the blogging world or other alternative forms of media they are skeptical to go forth and trust them.

I kept hearing over and over this year the example of FOX News, and how conservative they are and how they only report on those principles. While that’s true, there are narrow minded people who get their information from that broadcasting station, just like those who only watch MSNBC.

Bloggers are usually biased too whenever they report. Therefore, do not always believe everything we post or say, check it twice before making an erroneous claim. While I have injected my opinion throughout the semester, I have left room for you to comment and let me know what you think and other facts I might have omitted. I am not narrow minded and I like to see an argument from all sides, even if I don’t agree in the end.

On the issue that we are “too free” as to what we are able to say in the world of the Internet, I will not blame the writer, or publisher of a work, because every single individual is responsible for their actions. If an insane person reads something or views something, it's all on them how they interpret things said or written. 

Now, that being said, as an educated citizen show some intelligence when posting blogs, comments or tweets. Offending another religion or the lack of is never okay, critique it eloquently, but do not be disgusting in how you treat others. Another important point rises up, bullying in person, or more cowardly, through the web, is never ever alright.

Things to take away from blogging are to not so naively believe everything posted is the sacred truth, and to check it before you fake it, and spread the lies or hatred even further.

Take a look at this State Farm commercial. I think it’s funny and relevant, not everything on the Internet is true!

If you want to be more than an opinion piece on the blogging world I recommend looking up the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. Click on the link below!

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

As always, thank you for reading! One more to go.

COMM 303 Blog #8

Permission? What is That? Oh Well,

I See You!

“No Twitter, I do not want you to transfer my Gmail contacts. Wait, how do you know who my Gmail contacts are in the first place?” –Me.

Lately I have been noticing these notifications greeting me on Twitter, and I wondered how is it possible for them to know who my contacts were on my Gmail account? Well, I do use my Gmail to log in to my Twitter, so I suppose they are connected, but still that was kind of a creepy notification to find as I opened up my page.

Privacy is not as easy to guard as it was before the internet or mobile phones. The constant need to publicize what we do, where we do it, why we do it, when we do it, who we do it with, and how we do it may bring some unwanted consequences. Today, it is very easy to make all of that content public because of the social networks, but is it safe to put every thought out there? Is it okay to accept every friend request? Or let people follow you? Why would you want a stranger following you?

I think that these social networks have the capability of being used positively. Yet, there are people with over a thousand friends, who I really doubt know every single “friend.” I only accept people I’ve met, and I am constantly deleting people who I do not keep in contact with anymore. On Twitter, I refused to get one, but now that I have one, I still think twice before posting a thought. My Facebook is private, although, I found out my profile picture is not private, anyone can click on it and view it as any of my friends could. It becomes “private” when it’s no longer your profile picture. The Internet world can view all my tweets, because I’m not really being irrational with my thoughts, although, you might think that way. The point is, I am not irresponsible with what I post. I know for a fact employers will look at those networks, so I have to be intelligent to with the things I reveal.

Take a look at this video on social networks. This channel on YouTube has many other videos advocating the realities of privacy in our overly connected world today.

These networks when you sign up for them do not ask much information about you, it’s very easy to sign up. However, once you have one you realize there is a lot of information that ends up being needed to participate in certain applications. The more information one reveals, the less privacy one holds. When you Google your name, what do you find?

Besides the lack of responsibility when using a social network, privacy easily fades every time you sign up for some rewards program. Kroger customers get tracked on what they buy every time they swipe their Kroger card. Those coupons you receive at the check-out or by mail are not convenient every single time just by coincidence. The products that the customers buy are tracked and therefore they send coupons for the same items. Personalized coupons equal more probability the customer will go back to shop there again.

Check out the dad that found out his daughter was pregnant, before she even had the chance to say anything.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2012/02/16/how-target-figured-out-a-teen-girl-was-pregnant-before-her-father-did/

If these invasive social networks or large retailers are not enough there is the all encompassing government who keeps you safe while you aren’t watching. Safe? Yes, from terrorist and other threats, but for that they must look at every single possible suspect, and you might be one. The Patriot Act was signed into order in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. The act allows intelligence agencies to look into more detail than ever before citizens who might be infringing the law. To do so they are allowed to wiretap telephone lines, and look into their Internet history.

Recently, I had a rude awakening to the real world without a phone. Two weeks ago I lost my phone, and immediately there after I called my company to suspend services so no one else could use my phone. Even though my phone had every lock possible, I still worried that someone savvy enough could bypass those passwords and see all my open applications and phone number I had that phone. My phone was my life, and these past two weeks I have been checking all my bank accounts and all other networks that I had connected in that phone to make sure no one has accessed to any information that could harm me. Take a look at this video about cell phones.

I hope everyone reading will be more conscious on how they handle new communication technologies, because as much as they can be helpful they can also hurt you if we misuse or misplace them. Also, don’t accept every reward card! Where do you really shop? Stick to what you need the most. Big Brother is always watching, and as technology advances it will be a step ahead of what you even know about yourself. Be aware. Be smart. Log off.

Now I sign off with this appropriate song. "Every Breath You Take" by The Police.

COMM 303 Blog #7

Gaming to be One of the Many, Not Few

A young male with glasses, acne, physically really skinny or really chubby, wearing high-waters, suspenders and anything else that characterizes a video game nerd might not be exactly accurate. The average age for videogame player is 30 years old (Entertainment Software Association, ESA, 2012). The average number of women playing video games is also surprising for someone who over generalizes the characteristics of gamers—47% of all players are women, even in the total market women, 30%, surpass boys 17 years old and under, 18%, (ESA 2012).  Getting rid of stereotypes is important when looking at this communication technology, so take a closer look at the trends affecting this growing consumer community.

Video games can be evaluated through the three main theories in communication technology, Use and Gratification, Media System Dependency, and Social Learning Theory. While all three have different levels of evaluation, let’s look at one of each to understand better the culture of gaming and the possible future.

Gamers use video games to escape the real world into completely different worlds. Use and Gratification explains this aspect of what people do with the technology. A video game as a software transports the individual not only visually but interactively to a completely new place. Call of Duty which is a war based game, makes a soldier out of common Joe and gives him/her the weapons and abilities necessary to defeat the enemy. Back in 2009 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was the top selling video game, with total sales worldwide of $11.86 million (Grant and Meadows 2010, p. 209). The gamer escapes from peaceful suburbia to a dangerous war zone. Who doesn't love that?!

From violent escapism to family fun? Video games allow families to come together and play each other in the Media System Dependency. According to the ESA, 61% of parents believe video games provides more time together as a family. The Wii is an example of a hardware that has put the controller in the hands of the age group who usually repulses technology away, the older folks. “The 2006 release of Nintendo’s Wii game console drew a new audience by attracting large numbers of older users to the motion-based games enabled by the Wii’s motion sensitive remote,” (Grant and Meadows 2010, p. 14).

Social Learning Theory tells us how we model others. In the video game world this is such an important applicable strategy for marketers to sell their products. Gamers are interested in the current trending games, because if they are really connected they play with others all over the world, and they will want what they are playing so they can stay linked with other gamers. By attending social events too people see and try different systems or games, and if they like it enough they are more likely to purchase a console of their own or the specific game.

Looking at the three different theories it is simple to observe the audience within this communication technology. If they are analyzed further there exist possible outcomes to the future of these audiences who demand updating to the current fields of play. More specifically, the reduction of the importance of hardware, and the increase in the demand for software capable of terminating the use of those systems seems to be the way video games are headed. It’s a parallel to the way CDs and DVDs are going, more on the “cloud system” based viewing and listening.

To understand better what cloud systems can do take a look at this video that explains it.

 

Hardware companies like Nintendo, and Sony (Playstation distributor) will have to get to the level of Microsoft (Xbox distributor) who is not only a hardware based company but it is also software. Having the capability of producing software packages capable of providing discless and deviceless ways of playing video games is the next big thing. Not only because it will be less of a clutter around the TV set, but also because virtually, you can play anywhere, even on cellphones, which have become a popular device for gaming.

No stereotyping anymore! Most people in some way or other play video games, and you don’t need the glasses nor the acne to be a professional at it. Take a look at this ad I saw the other day targeting women. Notice the cool and trendy young woman who is playing on the Nintendo 3DS.

What do you think? An artist or a gamer? Do you like the new trend of going to a more simple way of playing games? How long do you think it will take for it to diffuse throughout the gaming population?

As always thanks for reading!

COMM 303 Blog #6

Welcome, You’ve Got An Addiction?!

In the December 2010 article on the “Must Read” section of the US Airways Magazine, John Freeman, author of the book “The Tyranny of E-mail” gives a synopsis of what the book is about. The article is about nine pages long, detailing the impact of email in the average receiver or sender of the web based mail. Exactly because it is nine pages long there is a lot covered, and I will not be discussing it all.

The article characterizes email as being positive as well as negative. The positive aspect about email is that it is quick. It can be sent from one side of the world to the other within “nanoseconds.” The bad part is that like most communication technology, it enables a somewhat of a solitary life.  

My previous blog gave you all a quick reminder to not forget how to communicate with people face-to-face. In this article it particularly points out the same issue, that email has caused a one way mode of communicating and that it takes the time we could have spent talking with actual human beings away.

As I get older, and hold an actual “adult job” I am sure I will be more like the people the author talks about in the article. Those cubicle individualized spaces that only produce the sounds of stroking keys and mouse clicks, and no actual human to human voice is heard throughout the building.

“It has been estimated, the average corporate worker will spend more than 40 percent of his or her day sending and receiving some two hundred messages.” (Freeman p. 2)

However, now, I use email mainly to communicate with my professors and the various organizations I am part of. As you will see though, is that the organizations have found it much easier to use another application to communicate what is going on.

I am part of four different organizations and clubs at UofL, and there is not a single one of them that doesn’t have a Facebook page. Realistically speaking, college students, if they are anything like me, wake up next to their cellphones and go immediately to their Facebook and Twitter accounts to check what they missed while they were in REM. That is what I do at least, even before checking my email I go to those social networks. The organizations have learned that those are the best ways to get in touch with their members, because like me, they go to email afterwards and sometimes they neglect it completely.

How many times have you gone to class and found yourself there with a scattered amount of people one minute before class is supposed to start? Yes, you missed that email the professor sent right before class at 7:37 a.m. telling you “Class is canceled due to illness, will resume on Thursday.” How mad are you that you didn’t check the email before you drove 20 minutes to class? And the sad part that you could have slept in a little longer? Realize, however, that those scattered classmates didn’t check their email either, and that not the whole class got up at 7 a.m. and checked it. The word spread through text messages or twitter, and if you aren’t a friend or a follower of those few individuals who obsessively check their email, then you missed out. Bye bye zzzs.

Now I keep my email open 24/7. I still don’t check it in the mornings before heading to school; I figure I can still do something productive by getting there early. The only times I get obsessive about email is if I am expecting a reply for a job, organization or volunteering position I have applied for, or more recently my study abroad application. Otherwise, my email goes unchecked most of the weekend. The need-to-know is all on Facebook, Twitter and more importantly my cellphone with its text messages. Maybe if I had email set up on my phone I’d refresh it as often as I do my social networks, but I don’t. My apologies?

The final point is that email doesn’t control my life yet, but if that’s the way it is in the “grown-up world,” I suppose I will have to adapt. I do still hope to overcome the ramifications of being stuck in front of a screen all day long. I like actual human contact, the expressions and palpable emotions are best when it’s face-to-face.

“The upshot is that we spend less time dealing face-to-face with other human beings and more time before a machine.” (Freeman p. 7)

Also, I am an astigmatism child, and the screen projected light has harmed my eyes to the point that my vision gets a little worse at my annual check-up. I want my eyes to always be able to see beyond this screen. Don’t you?

“In Singapore, for instance, 60 percent of children are myopic, up from 25 percent just 30 years ago. Close study of books, but also computers and videogames, is thought to be to blame.” (Freeman p. 6)

COMM 303 Blog #5

Cornucopia of WWW Knowledge

Have you ever seen a single episode of Gossip Girl? If you haven’t here is the basic premise: there is a person, a girl from the sound of her voice in the show, who keeps up with the lives of the Upper-East Siders of New York City. She tracks them down and posts things about them through her web page and text messages. Her powers of finding the characters in the most compromising of situations are pretty limitless especially with the technology she possesses.

Why am I talking about this show for this particular blog? In the article “The Terrifying Truth About New Technology” by Daniel H. Wilson, the author discusses the reactions to technology by the older population, whom he says are not really afraid of the new technology, but more so of growing older in the daily evolving world of technology.

I absolutely love the show, but if you look at it from the perspective of the article it is pretty scary having one “person” who does not interact with you face to face to post your life online or through some text messages. People in your own life I am sure hide behind the comfort of their computer or phone screen to post and send cowardly messages.

How many social networks do you have active? Up until last year I had a MySpace, and Facebook account active. Although I did not use MySpace anymore it still held a part of my life in the World Wide Web. Currently you will find me on Facebook, Twitter and most recently Instagram.

Personally, I fought against everything to get a Twitter, because I thought it was so stupid, sorry for the chosen word, but there is no other way to explain the way I felt about people posting their every thought and actions. Now I am all in it, posting the whispering words floating in my head and the steps I take through each day that passes by. I am part of the 500 million people since April of this year to post in 140 characters or less my very existence.

Just like I did not want Twitter I wanted Intagram much less, because as I read somewhere online, “Instagram is for people who can’t read.” One of my best friends convinced me to get it, so after much consideration I dove into the most recent craze. A primary reason why I decided to join another application that will waste my phone’s battery is that I am after all a communications major, and I should be in touch with the new technology that arises. Plus, it is pretty fun becoming a professional photographer with the touch of a few buttons to create some cool edited pictures.

Going back to the show, the problem with all these social networks is that if you do not turn off the GPS setting it will broadcast to the whole world exactly where you are. I do not want a Gossip Girl of sorts to be able to see my every move, even though I sometimes post about it. Let me make the choice on whether I want you to know where I am and what I am doing. If you go to someone that has the GPS on in Twitter, if you click on the location it will take you to Google Maps, and it shows exactly where you are located. Not only with the whole virtual picture of the place but with the coordinates too, just so you don’t get lost.

I think it all comes down to being wise in how the technology is used. There is no need to be frightened by it or by the fact that you are getting older. It’s hard for me to adapt to the new trends, even if I am part of the younger population. I am usually the last one of my friends to embrace a new social network, but I try to at least attempt it just to be in touch with the world. One of my favorite inventions are CDs, I still use them way more than I use my phone, iPod or computer to listen to music, because the memories of holding one, truly transports you to a previous time and place.

I honestly do not want Gossip Girl following me around as much as I like the show. Not that I fit the profile that she would follow, but everyone in a way is a #GG when it comes to knowing about their social circles. You are connected to know what is going on and who is doing what with who. Pay attention to how many times in a conversation you bring up something you saw on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MySpace, etc.

Advice of the day: One more thing, that should be noted. With all these new forms of communicating, don't forget how to actually talk to people. Do NOT send a text message to break up with someone or to argue with them. Have the courage to have a face to face conversation. I think it's important to mention this, because as much as you should embrace new technology, don't let it be your only means of communicating. Get out of the house and socialize.

COMM 303 Blog #4

NOTE: Before you read the whole blog, you should know that it is a video as well. I provided the script for class, but you don't have to read it, just watch it!

 

Scripted

     Hi everybody! I decided to do this blog a little bit different in the spirit of the theme, home video recording. I wrote it down for class purposes, but I created this spoken video as well to prove the importance of home video productions.

     It is safe to say that anyone with access to a camcorder or webcam can make a video and post it on the internet. Many of the videos that I have watched on this matter are mostly upcoming artists who record covers or their own songs to promote their talent, creativity and uniqueness. This mode of self-promoting can be successful for a privileged few who actually make it big. The power of the YouTube world, as I call it, can be very important to some song writers and singer. Popularity is measured on the amount of views one gets. In some cases it can bring fame. Artists such as Karmin and Christina Perri, who were two of my favorite YouTube sensations have gained national fame now, and although you might not necessarily know them, for the fans that do, it doesn’t only make us happy for them, but also it can give hope to some that posting videos online will bring fame and success for us.

     Ellen DeGeneres is a good example of a famous celebrity who actually pays attention to videos posted on line of singers, dancers and sometimes just random talents or life stories. She provides time on her daytime TV show for some of the most viewed YouTube artist. Sophia Grace and Rosie were YouTube sensations, and these little girls now appear on the show every week making audiences laugh with their innocence and quite surprising vocals and rapping skills. Now, some people do not like them and it might be because they are jealous of these little girls gaining fame. I think they are adorable and really funny, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So, make your form your own opinion about Sophia Grace and Rosie, or skip it if you want, it’s wonderful that you have the power of fast forward. Here is the video that took them to L.A. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7hTAp6KrGY&list=UUBbl9TWafqQcPfsdG32t--A&index=8&feature=plcp.

     Besides the corky and talented hits on the internet, other people who make home videos might become more prevalent in our daily lives. It can be defined as alternative media when people create their own video blogs and post them so people can follow them and the “news” they provide. Personally I do not watch video blogs posted, but I know some people that do. What these video blogs provide is a different point of view on news and sometimes they are not dedicated to mainstream arguments but on issues that have a more activist purpose behind them.

     As far as the knowledge one needs to make videos and use it to their advantage, I think it is pretty easy to push record on whatever camera you have. The creativity on how videos are produced I think come second to content. I do feel like content is more important because people will watch what they want, they are not necessarily looking at critiquing the way home videos are produced. However there are a lot of people who think of themselves as experts and want and expect the best from average people. I do think however, that it is important for communication majors to learn how to use this medium because they will use it in some point of their lives. Think how important it is to be the guy or gal in charge of putting together the advertisements for the Super Bowl or just the teasers that you see for the local news in a smaller scale. You have to start somewhere, and now with the internet taking a more important role, editing home videos is the first step to producing impressive works either for TV or the websites.

     I mean how easy was it for me to make this video? I just used my laptop camera, which is not the best, and the Windows Live Movie Maker that was already installed in my computer, to get my message out there in the world of the internet. I mean really, you don’t need to be a scientist to know how to work it and make it connect with an audience. I do not consider myself a video professional, but I can make it work.

   What do you think about the role of home videos? Leave a comment! Thanks for watching or reading. Have a wonderful day or night.

 

COMM 303 Blog #3

A Lonely Winter Medium 

All I wanted to do last winter was cuddle up in bed with a hot drink and watch some of my favorite movies. Every night for the winter break of 2011, before going to bed I chose a movie I had not seen for a really long time and watched it. Even though I had my family and friends around, in the evenings my best companion became the TV in my bedroom.

       Television has been around for nearly 90 years in the commercial world. Its very beginnings were in the late 19^th Century. More surprisingly is how long it’s been present in most American households, “Since the 1970s, 97% to 98% of U.S. households have owned a television,” (Grant and Meadows 2010, p. 214). In my house alone, there are four television sets, one for every person in the house, and only two have satellite connection.

       One of my favorite theories in communication technology is the media dependency theory, which states that it is, “An ecological theory that attempts to explore and explain the role of media in society by examining dependency relations within and across levels of analysis,” (Grant and Meadows 2010, p. 53).

My television. No satellite connection
 or cable. Favorite DVDs next to the TV.

       This past winter I entered a solitary play dependency with my TV. I entertained myself alone, in my bedroom, every night by watching a passionate unrealistic love story play out or the believable blood sucking vampires of the Anne Rice series. Spending time alone like that, in front a bright screen producing moving and speaking figurines gave me some sort of peace and comfort every lonely and icy winter nights.

       Most people I am sure are not as dependent on TV for self-entertainment. As a matter of fact people have been brought together by television since the 1950s. The social play perspective is evident in the evening gatherings of families who watched the news together as a family or a particular show. In most recent years television at the bars and other gathering places use it to share some common interest, that being mostly of sports. If you cannot get a Super Bowl ticket, well you go to the bar or a friend’s house to witness the most important event of the year.

       Among other dimensions within this particular theory, media dependency, there are also social understanding and self-understanding dependencies formed with the medium of television

       The History Channel with its various shows, help you travel through time to learn about the ancient majestic kingdoms of Egypt, as well as the potential disastrous future. What do you take away from shows as “educational” as those shown in the History Channel? Possibly, you see the world with different eyes, and learning about the past as well as the future help you understand more of the world around you. Then if that realization is possible you come to a social understanding

       When you want to learn about yourself then you probably watch “reality” TV shows. It is easier to relate to some types of people who appear to have the same life as yours. Now, the big critique on reality TV shows is that who can actually relate to the “Real Housewives” of whatever? Or the over exposed and tanned to crispy brown color of the “Jersey Shore” cast? Well, you can probably learn about yourself that you actually have a better life than those wealthy empty souls or that you are actually one of the smartest Americans compared to those thirty year old hollow heads. Maybe if you find a show that really relates to you, you will learn something about yourself that you didn’t know. Go on and watch Dr. Phil, see if he won’t put you in place.

       I enjoy television, as much as I do not like to admit it. Today there is so much garbage on TV, that it’s channel surfing for me every time I turn it on and I know I am not scheduled to watch my telenovela (Mexican soap operas) or news. I do not watch that much anyways because I have too much studying to do or I just rather not be a couch potato.

       Television is not disappearing any time soon, even if the internet gives you more flexibility to watch your shows. DVRs and other play system devices that allow you to record or watch whatever you want whenever you want still requires that 56 inch flat screen. Other functions of television like cable and satellite TV are not leaving any time soon either, too many people depend on the medium to project the learning or entertainment they thirst for.

       Me in particular, even though I do not have cable or satellite in my room, I do have my screen and DVD player. I’d like it to be there for every breakup or lonely nights to keep me company when no one else can.

What do some of my friends/followers think about television?

Hugo Valle, 15 years old, cousin from El Salvador: Said that he finds TV entertaining but prefers the internet.

Andrew Hornback, junior at IUS: “Don't watch TV because I'd rather study.”

Dario Darji, student at UofL: “An archaic, outmoded medium of receiving information/entertainment from the 20th century. Still in use by people who have not progressed to the 21st century.”

Christina Corder, Alpha Phi Omega—Delta Theta Historian: “I like to watch something that will leave me craving more like the books I read do. Now I know that TV shall not consume my life, but when I do get time to watch I take it as a chance to take a break from homework/studying or to do that while during commercials.”

COMM 303 Blog #2

Taking Turns For My Ears

YouTube, Pandora, iTunes, 93.1 FM, 91.9 FM, 99.7 FM. Cellphone, iPod, computer, radio, CDs. The first list is a gathering of “places”where I listen to music. The second list has the different hardware I use to get my music from. My most prominent source is probably my laptop. All of the variant places where I listen to music can be played through the wonders of the internet, even the radio stations.

My laptop with the iTunes and Pandora
browser open. Some CD cases, my
phone and iPod.

I love music for so many reasons; one of the main reasons is that music can help me get through anything in life. The music I listen to usually interprets the emotions that are running through me at a specific time and place. I think music for me is an escape to a world of bliss and tranquility. It is that use and gratification I get from listening to music being streamed through the various devices, which provide escapism from the palpable everyday world, to my own private secured world.

The voices singing through the speakers of my iPod help me concentrate hard on my weekly workouts. I love to run, and it is very difficult for me to get to the finish line without blaring music coming out of my headphones. When I am in my car, I usually listen to CDs my brother has created for me, my phone which I plug in the car or sometimes I just listen to the local radio stations. When I am at home, cleaning or doing my homework, I use my computer to play the notes once written by Debussy or Tchaikovsky.

I am not a one digital audio technology at a time kind of gal; I like a wide selection of options. One thing is for sure, the media dependency on this particular technology is high above many of the other communication technologies I am sure to be discussing very soon. Music is the delightful, entertaining sounds of my deepest thoughts and desires. The haunting voices of some artists or just the poignant sounds of notes written long before I was born, make me want this medium so much more.

**The following are some of the playlists with artists and/or composers who I listen to. Click on the artists On Repeat or ¿Qué es esto? to listen to a song by the artist.**

On Repeat:                               Guilty Pleasures:         No Words Please:

Young the Giant                      Katy Perry                    Claude Debussy

Mumford & Sons                    Taylor Swift                  Bedřich Smetana

Imagine Dragons                     Kid Cudi                        Franz Schubert

Of Monsters and Men                                                  Pyotr I. Tchaicovsky

Alex Clare                                 Even Mother Listens To:           

Black Keys                                The Beatles                  ¿Qué es esto?

Christina Perri                         Rolling Stones              Reik

Fun                                           Rod Stewart                  Julieta Venegas 

Coldplay                                   Queen                           La Oreja de Van Gogh

COMM 303 Blog #1

Farewell Old Friend…

Communication technology is such a necessity to many in this society, including myself.  I do consider all the new media to be important and maybe to some extent necessary for the time we all find ourselves living in. However, I am not the type of person that goes and gets in line to shop for the newest invention from Apple. I do not own an I-phone and do not plan to own one any time soon. My reasons for not complying with the “trend” are for my rebellious ways to not conform to the “cool ways” of all the “cool kids.” Don’t get me wrong, the majority of my friends own I-phones, and I love them all the same, I just don’t like to be the same as everyone else. So to be honest, I am not a communication technology junkie or part of the “trend.”

                Being that I am no seeker of adventurous new technology, I do not know how I would have approached the introduction of the radio to individuals’ homes. In a way I feel like because there wouldn’t have been such an inundation of new technologies I probably would have accepted it with more ease. Radio reached 40% of all households in the U.S. by 1930, and it passed 90% by 1947 (Grant and Meadows, 22). Today it still remains as the number one household medium. So much so that radio is in 99% of houses in the U.S. (Nielsen, Jan. 2011).

                Radio is obviously in almost every U.S. residence, however, is it really valued and appreciated anymore? That is a question that all individuals should take time to answer. In my honest opinion, it is not cherished to the extent it used to be. In a way, this makes me melancholic. As I am sure it does as well to many that delight in the pleasures of broadcasting played through the airways of frequency and amplitude.

                In the “olden days” radio was THE way of entertainment for American families. Grandparents, parents and children would all gather around to listen to the radio, being either the factual information provided by the news or even the stories told by Orson Welles, which affected the public to the point of panic with the broadcasting of The War of the Worlds. To this day the broadcasting of the fictional end of the world remains the most popular of all time.

                What I call traditional radio, both AM and FM have become ways to transmit contemporary music and commentary shows of rude-obnoxious-wannabe “political critics.” The exception being the broadcasting of NPR, which is probably still the best way to obtain real news today.

                The modernization of radio now makes it hard to define what radio really is anymore. Traditionally I’d suppose you’d expect to have some sort of tuning box transmitting signals of shows in AM or FM, as well as the in between blank spaces filled with white noise. But that’s not the case anymore, radio has evolved so much that it’s on the internet, phones and other portable devices. It has spread and not all is necessarily strictly AM or FM anymore. There also exists the HD version of radio, satellite radio, internet radio, Pandora and now there is even radio frequencies provided from 3000 miles away, like I-Heart Radio, which lets you choose from country wide radio stations to customize your preferences of broadcasting.

                Communication technology advances every day at the speed of sound. It is so fast that if radio, the traditional version, is not valued or appreciated, it will vanish into being mere memories of sounds we once heard. In the future if radio cannot find the means to compete with all these “new radios,” there is no doubt that it will disappear. Especially since the new media is asynchronous, and the internet gives us the option to listen to the broadcastings whenever we want to. There’s an element that will be lost in radio, being “live” is never going to happen again with our new attitudes of, “I’ll listen to it when I want.”

                It’s in our hands to either bid farewell to traditional/live radio, or to simply guard it. Those annoying commercials cannot be that bad as to the point of getting rid of an entertainer that has always been there, don’t you think?

Maybe This Will Be Tomorrow

                A few years from now you’ll wake up next to someone that you don’t even know. As you make your way to the bathroom you will be thinking where you went wrong in life to have the almost empty feeling of an abyss you're feeling at that moment. When you reach the mirror you will see your reflection, now with all or almost all your hair gone, missing a tooth that could never stay in place, the nails that you never had and all the hair that laughs at you all the time for the fact that you have it in all the wrong places. You will wonder in that moment, “Who am I?” “What kind of person am I?” “What good have I done in this planet?” The endless questions will pour out of you and it will not stop. A blank stare towards the luxurious bathroom you’re standing in will make you collapse to the pristine floor someone else cleans for you every day. Then it will all hit you, and that feeling of almost emptiness will turn into the worst feeling you have ever felt in your life. It will feel as if you were standing in the middle of the desert screaming for dear life and no one will ever hear your plead. "Hi," it is solitude that’s come to greet you.

                Right now, at this precise moment, having “fun” with your buddies is the life. The common lifestyle of a college student whose daddy is going to assure his future anyways after college is your way of living. Your only difference is that daddy may not necessarily assure your future, but your wealthy friends will. It is so easy for you, all you need is a degree, your grades do not really matter, if you get fired from your job it does not really matter, you see, you are set after college. What takes the rest of us a really long time to achieve, success, it is simply handed to you, like the perfect hand in a poker game, except you are not gambling anything, or are you? So now the perfect scenario for you is to party it up every day, get wasted out of your mind, have sex with whoever opens their legs for you, take all your classes as pass or fail, so you don’t have to worry about a letter grade and just simply do not care about anything or anyone else but yourself and your desires.

I am an artist. Interpretation of this life.
Is it what you want? Yeah, it is.

                It is so easy to hate you, just as easy as life is towards you. A few privileged Americans have exactly the same life as you. One thing is for certain, you may achieve all your “dreams,” but no one ever in life will admire you for the success you’ve reached. At least I don’t look up to anyone who has not worked hard for what they have. I look up to people who come from nothing and go above and beyond the stars in life. I respect people who are privileged, but work hard and make a name for themselves in life. They do not take the easy road like you are doing. All of the success you’ve opted for is like selling your soul to the devil, because eventually you will have to pay for it.

                Just in the near future, when you finally grow up as a human being, the devil will come knocking on your door asking you to make a payment for what you have. You will be laying on that pristine bathroom floor, realizing how all the one night stands, all the sports cars you own, all the expensive treatments for gaining that hair that will never come back, all the booze you’ve consumed, etc., is just a bunch of materialistic garbage that you’ve accumulated throughout the years to convince yourself that you are not alone and that you are truly happy.

                I leave you to it. Enjoy life, after all you get one chance to live it, or well if you are born again you may not remember it. Keep going through Samsara. Go on the road you’ve chosen, it's your life.

NOTE: This is a fictitious reflection of a lifestyle and one of its possible outcomes. Any resemblance to reality is a mere coincidence.  

                Much love and peace,

                                Lauri

Hi There Reality, You Exist?

          Today I realized how lucky I am to have what I don’t appreciate every day. I woke up in my memory foam bed breathing cool air blowing from the vent. The shades that hide the beaming sun rays, the roof and wall that keeps critters out, and the shut door that provides privacy, sheltered me from the outside world. My room is furnished with a cluttered vanity, a dresser and a nightstand. I have artificial lighting above and next to my bed from a lamp. All the space in all my drawers and my closet are occupied by clothing. It is not a luxurious or spacey bedroom, it accommodates me well, I mean I am just 5’ 2’’ and 100 lbs. how much more space could I need? Honestly, I do wish for more space to fit in all the clothes that are not stowed away and linger on the doorknob of my closet or the floor, but really do I need more space?

            The reality of having more space would imply that there would be more empty spaces that I would feel the need to fill with more clothes, accessories and shoes, oh shoes! I forgot, I own the amount of shoes that each time you see a pair it surprises you because you completely forgot you owned that pair. The point I am getting to is that I don’t need more, every time I receive more I want more. Is it just me? No. Everyone that gets something good enough ends up wanting better and bigger things. Your 50 inch plasma TV is not enough now, you want the 70 inch 3D TV with the mega speakers and the Blue-Ray player.

Child at my grandfather's hacienda.
El Salvador June 2012.

You close yourself behind that door in your room and go on living life in your own world, and that is totally fine, in this society independence and selfishness is endorsed. Getting ahead and stepping on the critters outside your roof and walls is what you were raised for. Always obtaining more and more even if you forget what you bought is how you reward yourself. Avoiding the brilliance of the natural light shining through the windows is what you do to sleep in and not wake up early on a vacation time such as now that it is summer. Even now you go and get more artificial light then you need by going tanning in a salon were you enclose yourself in an oven, baking yourself until you’re the shade of a newly paved road. All these wants and desires that keep you comfortable are because you only look out for yourself, because nothing matters more than your own happiness. But are you really happy with all that material stuff that you replace each time you get bored with it or it goes out of style? Are you happy?

I live a privileged life, not as comfortable as many of my friends do or as you might live, but getting a slap from reality on the face was what woke me up today. All that I have I shouldn’t have. There are too many children without a single pair of shoes. They don’t have the roof and walls to keep them safe from the raging weather and malevolent bugs. Where is their air conditioning when it is 105 degrees outside? They can’t sleep in because they have to go to work and help provide for their families, if their lucky enough to have a family. Their entertainment doesn’t come from a box that depicts moving images. It comes from their laughter of a memory of that day or previous experiences that have been good and happy.

My goal in life is to help others that don’t have what I don’t appreciate every day. I know everything I will do in life will probably not leave a mark in the world, but I for sure do not want to leave another scar on this Earth. I can’t wait to do what you will probably never do. I don’t resent you, I pray for you, that someday you will realize there are others outside your bedroom door and you will do what you can to make them comfortable like you are in that space.

Much love and peace,

            Lauri