kireihana4

Instant Identity: Blog #6

2009-05-01T03:32:42Z

I really found the topic on "instant identity" among adolescents very interesting. It is something that should be researched because there is so much that goes on psychologically, emotionally, and sociologically in teens' minds. Such a topic can be research extensively and uncover many truths about how and why teens think and behave the way they do. For some reason, as we get older, we forget how we feel about certain things, our way of thinking, and our decision making processes that we had as teens. It becomes an area of curiosity among most adults, especially parents when they opt to better understand their children.

]]> Studying adolescent use on the internet is an interesting way to gather data on how they can cope with their self esteem issues. 2nd Life on MTV (shown in class) shows some perfect examples of this. By observing their internet use, and their actions/interactions with others on the internet, and asking them questions, we can better determine their thinking processes. It is interesting to see how teens use the internet to boost their self esteem by manipulating their identity online. It is a fun to do on home computers without prying parents' eyes around.

I can think of risks involved with high internet use. Would it hinder the teen's development in communication skills? Would they become too shy to talk confidently in public? Would this be an issue if they're interviewing for jobs? And of course, there are possibilities that they can get stalked or their profiles would be discovered by teachers/classmates/parents and thus would ruin their reputations? What if they depend on it too much for finding boyfriends/girlfriends? I remember reading an article listed in a syllabus about a 13 year old girl who hanged herself after a woman neighbor pretended to be her boyfriend through myspace and told her the world would be a better place if she did not exist.
This makes me believe that instant identity online can be helpful in acting as an outlet for people who feel uncomfortable interacting daily, or it can be downright danger.

Inaccurate Voting Machines: Blog Entry #5

2009-05-01T02:42:30Z

As I am typing this blog, I am thinking about the topic that JOUR 4551 is currently on: the inaccuracy of electronic voting machines. It is an interesting topic due to its importance and significance of voting and elections in our country. What goes through my mind is the question, why? Why does this have to be an issue!! Who would have the lack of heart to hack into these machines and change votes? Seriously! I know that people can be greedy, but this is so extreme! Especially related to politics! I always thought that people have some decency and respect for others; not to mention for the whole system!

]]> This whole issue seems shocking to me. I don't understand why businesses would sell machines that would negatively effect political elections! As a country, are we that shady? I know it's a dog-eat-dog type of system, but that is just a bit far. If you think about it, our country's companies (especially the bigger well known ones) represents who we are. I think this issue ruins our country's reputation from a greedy, capitalist one to an even more greedy, capitalist, shady one.
What I think would solve this problem is if we vote the old fashioned way, with paper, pencil/pen, hands, and brains! It would be tedious tedious work, but it seems to be more reliable than machines. There are risks associated with this, such as miscounting. There are risks to everything and most of the time the simple way is the best way.

Relating to technology in general, I think that we should stay away from anything too complicated, especially with things that are run by computers where people can hack into. Was this thought of before the concept of these machines were designed?

Blog entry #4 for JOUR 4551: Advertising

2009-03-12T20:40:05Z

In the modern world we live in now; we are surrounded by all these logos and advertisements of big brand companies.

Because everyone grew up seeing these logos and advertisements every single day, we can't imagine life without them. They are a part of life for us. Something would seem completely off they disappear completely.

Is being so used to branding and advertising a good or bad thing?

]]> Globalization is a concept that is not thought about among the population except those who study advertising.
Most Americans would go to a store and buy products that are so lavishly laid out to satisfy their ego needs. It would never occur to them that the article of clothing was most likely produced in a sweatshop by unpaid workers in another part of the world, then shipped to yet more countries for manufacturing purposes before it lands to a store to be sold.

Should we continue being unaware? Should we leave the sweatshops the way they are and let whoever is in charge of them take care of the humane conditions? Or, should we be living another way of life? Should we locally made clothing or locally made fabric and make our own clothing?

Another thing to consider is that numerous jobs center around big branded companies. I have a few friends who are majoring in advertising. Without the possibility of designing for a branded company, what can they do? They can train to do something else, but then competition would become even higher for potential jobs among people.

To me, advertising is a form of art; a design that young designers go to school for. The average Joe can't do this because it requires knowledge to psychology; how people are affected by colors, shapes, lines, forms, balance, etc etc.

In my opinion, many people out there are too concerned about how bad branding is and don't appreciate all the work and talent that is put into it by our wonderful designers.

JOUR 4551: Blog Entry #3: Internet Access for All

2009-03-12T01:42:31Z

I've been thinking a lot about the topic on internet access since March 11's class. The discussion on the digital divide among people with access and knowledge of how to use the internet and those who don't interest me.
As a class, we discussed some options that can help close this divide. They include digital technology centers (community centers) where people can use and take classes, the concept of one laptop per child in public schools, and more.
In class, we were discussing about what move of action would be most effective in closing the divide; I think setting up wireless internet everywhere is the best action.

]]> This is a very Utopian thought, but if we could figure out a way to set up wireless internet EVERYWHERE, many issues regarding internet access would be resolved. Just think, some people out there can't afford computers/laptops, and internet access for their homes. Others, such as immigrants, can't speak English very well so they're unable to use it as a medium for communication (as mentioned in class about Latino women). As time goes on, it becomes essential for everyone to have internet access and to know how to use it.
The idea that applying for jobs is almost completely online now is also interesting to me. People who are behind in technology need to catch up fast or otherwise they would have trouble finding a job.

In order to provide wireless internet everywhere, technology needs to improve to accommodate the society's needs. If I had to guess, I'd say that towers are not strong enough to get every square yard of an area. They would probably have to be placed in every corner of every block to be anywhere near successful. Plus, citizens in suburbs might think they are too ugly to be placed by their lawns. Another thing too, it would be difficult to get these towers placed in rural areas.
With time, digital companies could redesign the towers to emit stronger signal so less can be built. Studies of rural towns and farms would need to be studied before determining where to place towers in these areas.

If this is going to take place, citizens could pay a federal tax and that would be the only cost.
Yet the benefits would outweigh the costs because with wireless internet everywhere, low-income people would only need to save money to buy a computer. No matter where they are, internet-savvy people could help those who have no idea how to use the machine.

Wireless internet can be a big convenience for everyone.

Biased Outspoken Individuals

2009-02-20T13:28:31Z

While writing this, I am thinking about people who have to voice their opinion about the way things are in our modern culture, relating to media of course. I have someone in mind: Andrew Keen.
I respect him on voicing his opinions via a book, but I think he goes a bit far.

]]> The fact that he calls humans "monkeys" and that he is almost entirely negative about new media makes me respect him less.
It's great that he speaking his mind, but calling people "monkeys" is rude. I know he is attempting to give his arguments more of a punch that way, but it is making people want to read his work less.

Sure, he does bring interesting points that many people have not thought much about, like how today's user-generated media is taking over how things used to be: such as the distinction between expertise and amateurs is becoming more blurred over time. I can see that happening, that is true. What I think he should do is also introduce more of a counterargument, especially in the beginning of his book. That way, readers won't get an automatic opinion of him that he is a biased jerk. He needs more of a "reader-center approach" to his writing if you will.
There are plenty of sensitive people out there. Good writers are those who are persuasive about what they are trying to argue but are not completely one sided.

There are plenty of great things coming out of user-generated media that should be taken into consideration. Individuals like Andrew Keen should realize that with time, things change. Whether it would be architecture styles, fashion design, and the way people act, the way things are constantly evolve. 50 years ago, newspapers, radio, and television were the standards. Since then, technology changed, and media took on new forms. The way media is now is a reflection of our modern culture is. 10 years from now, it will change.

Sure, Journalists are negatively affected, but they should change with technology too. Maybe the distinction between expertise and not-as-educated writers are becoming blurred, that is just how it is. This defines what our culture is like now. It makes media more interactive among everyone, and that is great. It brings out more perspectives on things, and something to do when bored at home.

This is America. All individuals should have equal rights, right? They should have the right to construct blogs and write about what they want to write about.

I agree with Keen that it is becoming more difficult to find academic sources online that professionals wrote and edited themselves, without "amateurs" tampering the information.
Maybe those sites should be kept separate from the user-generated media sites such as Facebook and YouTube. If this can happen, then media would be more beneficial for society.

JOUR 4551 and Mass Media in General

2009-02-16T03:23:36Z

The media is something that the public takes for granted. Since they grew up with it, their lives are surrounded by the media at a constant basis and many of them are not aware of it because they take it for granted. Without technology, life would not go on since we all depend on it to communicate, for our jobs, our economy, everything. Media is so vital to our society that we even study it in schools. JOUR 4551 studies this topic closely.

]]> It is well within the second month of spring semester 2009. Enough time has passed since the first day to get an impression on my classes here at the University of Minnesota. JOUR 4551 has brought up interesting topics so far relating to media. They include: the history of the internet, the differences between old and new media, and throughout how our society throughout history look up to new inventions with great hope and optimism in a romantic way, among other numerous topics that were already discussed and will be brought up later in the semester. Since first introduced to these topics, I've been pondering over the complications of our culture and media.

The internet has not been around that long at all, and now everyone depends on it like water. How do we get so dependent on such things so quickly?

As a student, I love having a laptop, being able to bring it around with me, and having access to the World Wide Web at any time I want. Such convenience! The problem is, my computer became dysfunctional for a long period of time before a computer nerdy friend of mine fixed it like new. Not being able to use my laptop was horrible. It was difficult finding time to go to a computer lab in one of the on-campus libraries. Schools do most of their teaching on the net: communications with students, taking online quizzes, downloading power point notes, completing assignments, turning assignments in, writing papers. I couldn't do any of that on my own time really, unless if I was lucky to borrow a friend's laptop for a long period of time. This experience made me realize how our society completely revolves around the internet. This makes me think that we always have to be with the times: when a new technology or feature comes out, we MUST be familiar with it and know how to use it, otherwise we would have a difficult time surviving. It seems to me that the public is always hungry for the new features, new designs, new anything that will make life just a bit easier.. but it never does exactly.

Will the human race ever realize that there will always be problems? There will be no magical utopia from the perfect machines of the future. Is this hopeful outlook related to a biological instinct we have? Is the hope for perfect technology something to look forward to or a source of comfort? This question reminds me of how people look into religion to provide them hope and comfort during hard times. Somehow, religion and technology and connected.

What will the future bring us? What is going to happen in the next 20 years? How will third world countries be affected by this ongoing phenomenon? We'll just have to patient and see what the future brings us.. most likely with disappointment in some form.