Dear Classmates,
If you would like to read my post on my horror/ slasher film experience it is underneath all of my midterm blogs. So if you choose to look at older posts, it should be the first or second one to come up, considering I posted it before my midterm was posted.
Always,
Katie =)
Pictures =)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hilmnes and Starr theory
Just recently the government has been moving towards making a law against Texting while driving. This will join the law that prohibits talking on a cell phone while driving. However, someone may only be charged with this offense if they have been pulled over for some other violation. I remember thinking that this is a very good law because of how many car accidents are caused because of cell phones. I know that in my hometown, many of my high school friends have gotten into car accidents recently because of their use of their phone.
I feel this resembles the Starr theory because the cell phone has brought about political changes because of the circumstances at that time. The cell phone is very popular for communicating with someone without being by their side. It links us to people all across the nation and can be very helpful if used properly. Some of us tend to have our best thoughts or remember something while driving in the car. This can lead to phone calls to loved ones or to work associates. Cell phones can come in handy as it does for my mother's job. She is in a business where she must be on call almost 24 hours out of the day for her elderly patients and their relatives as well as her other cases. Having a phone with her is essential. Most of the time, her calls come in when she is driving from one patient's house to the other. Needless to say, she has gotten many traffic tickets for talking on the cell phone. She has also begun to use texting as a shortcut for phone calls. She views texting as convenient because she can relay a message with just a few short words instead of a lengthy phone call.
I feel that the cell phone has brought about the political change of the law banning talking on the cell phone while driving. If we didn't have the cell phone in the first place, there would be no reason for this law. The political change was brought about because many accidents were being caused by those who were talking on their cell phones or texting. This creates the circumstances of the time that needed the political change because the death toll was rising for the number of car accidents caused by cell phones. These new laws are also giving rise to bluetooth devices and other non-hand held devices.
I just thought that was interesting. I was reading over the theories and this one kind of stuck because of what's going on with the new laws and bills regarding the use of cell phones.
I feel this resembles the Starr theory because the cell phone has brought about political changes because of the circumstances at that time. The cell phone is very popular for communicating with someone without being by their side. It links us to people all across the nation and can be very helpful if used properly. Some of us tend to have our best thoughts or remember something while driving in the car. This can lead to phone calls to loved ones or to work associates. Cell phones can come in handy as it does for my mother's job. She is in a business where she must be on call almost 24 hours out of the day for her elderly patients and their relatives as well as her other cases. Having a phone with her is essential. Most of the time, her calls come in when she is driving from one patient's house to the other. Needless to say, she has gotten many traffic tickets for talking on the cell phone. She has also begun to use texting as a shortcut for phone calls. She views texting as convenient because she can relay a message with just a few short words instead of a lengthy phone call.
I feel that the cell phone has brought about the political change of the law banning talking on the cell phone while driving. If we didn't have the cell phone in the first place, there would be no reason for this law. The political change was brought about because many accidents were being caused by those who were talking on their cell phones or texting. This creates the circumstances of the time that needed the political change because the death toll was rising for the number of car accidents caused by cell phones. These new laws are also giving rise to bluetooth devices and other non-hand held devices.
I just thought that was interesting. I was reading over the theories and this one kind of stuck because of what's going on with the new laws and bills regarding the use of cell phones.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Winston theory
So my mom told me today that we were going to try and talk my grandfather into getting those buttons that hang around old people's necks in case they get hurt while at home. Even though my grandparents live with us, my family is not home most of the day. It's basically my grandmother and grandfather there by themselves. My grandfather's balance has been failing and he's been falling over more and more lately. Luckily I was home the few times it happened so I could help him get up and there were no major injuries but imagine if I wasn't? My grandmother is certainly not strong enough to lift him up nor will she be able to be level headed if he was hurt. She would panic and not know what to do.
So my family decided to try out those new red button necklaces for my grandfather. They have a link to a certain phone in the house that will automatically dial 911 for you in case of emergency. This way, my parents and I feel safer leaving them at home without having to worry about him falling or worse my grandmother falling. It's actually quite a brilliant technology. It's basically a remote for your phone to dial in case of emergency.
This reminded of Winston's theory about technology being incorporated by society to fit our everyday life. Since man kind began, people have been getting old. It's not something new and it's certainly never going to change. There was no way we could solve the factors that come with being old: loss of hearing, loss of balance, loss of eyesight etc. Instead, we created technologies to adapt to these changes that all of our society was going through. We now have things such as hearing aides, reading glasses, contacts, cataracts surgery etc. This button is just another one of those technologies that allows for old people to adjust to daily life easier. It makes their lives and the lives of their loved one more stress free and easy. That's the point of technology in the first place isn't it?
I managed to find this commercial on youtube about the product that my grandfather is currently testing. This began running in 1987 and continues to run today with different people and different scenarios.
So my family decided to try out those new red button necklaces for my grandfather. They have a link to a certain phone in the house that will automatically dial 911 for you in case of emergency. This way, my parents and I feel safer leaving them at home without having to worry about him falling or worse my grandmother falling. It's actually quite a brilliant technology. It's basically a remote for your phone to dial in case of emergency.
This reminded of Winston's theory about technology being incorporated by society to fit our everyday life. Since man kind began, people have been getting old. It's not something new and it's certainly never going to change. There was no way we could solve the factors that come with being old: loss of hearing, loss of balance, loss of eyesight etc. Instead, we created technologies to adapt to these changes that all of our society was going through. We now have things such as hearing aides, reading glasses, contacts, cataracts surgery etc. This button is just another one of those technologies that allows for old people to adjust to daily life easier. It makes their lives and the lives of their loved one more stress free and easy. That's the point of technology in the first place isn't it?
I managed to find this commercial on youtube about the product that my grandfather is currently testing. This began running in 1987 and continues to run today with different people and different scenarios.
Reminded me of a parasocial relationship
So i was watching Spongebob the other day and this episode reminds me of the parasocial relationship. In this, Spongebob goes from his dream to others dreams kind of how we go to others lives. The video is sped up because i couldn't find the original episode but if you watch, you can clearly see he's intruding on others.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Interview with my Roommate
Me: Emily, What do you think is the medium that you rely on most today?
Emily: Definitely my computer.
Me: How often do you use your favorite medium a day?
Emily: I'm on my computer at least fives times a day for about 30 minutes to an hour each time.
Me: Do you consider this normal or healthy?
Emily: Yes because I need to do it for the emails, work, and my facebook!
Me: Why is this so important to you?
Emily: Because all my assignments are on the computer. All my information is on my computer and I rely on it heavily for things other than entertainment. It's a way for me to get all my online and writing assignments done with the most convenience.
Me: What would you do if this was taken away from you for say a week? a month? forever?
Emily: For a week: I'd probably fail a few assignments in my classes. I'd feel out of sort with the social world: facebook, etc. I just would feel out of contact with all my friends. I'd have no email or ways of getting in touch. I'd definitely go through withdrawal of entertainment and online sources. I don't watch much TV so i'd be outdated with information on the world. For a Month: All of the above. except a lot worse. Forever: Let's not even joke about that.
Me: What do you think about today's society and the way we use media?
Emily: I think technology advances and we have to go with the flow. I don't know if we're necessarily taking advantage of it but there's always going to be a down or up side to advancement. For example: pornography. It's always been around probably since the beginning of society. Now that we have a computer, it's easier access. I don't endorse it but there's definitely a way that society can abuse it.
Me: Are there ways we can improve upon our usage?
Emily: Not that I can think of. People rely too much on our computers, TVs etc. Technology is there to help up, not hurt. It's there to improve our lives. Therefore, there's no way we can really abuse it.
Me: Do you think we abuse certain media types? Which ones?
Emily: I think we definitely abuse cell phones and texting. When you have a technology, you're going to have negative aspects. Phones are being used while driving and we need to ensure that we're being safe as we're using all these different media.
Me: There are four theorists that my class has studied so far. Of the four, which one do you believe that gotten our society's viewpoint on media the most correct? Why?
Emily: I think Winston has the most accurate description of our society today. Facebook allows us to look into other's lives even though we normally wouldn't be able to.
Me: Think about todays media. Does this influence our behavior and the way we look at the world?
Emily: Yea. I think things are a lot more liberal. From a social and moral standpoint, I think things are a lot more liberal. We all watch TV a lot and we're seeing these negative messages about sex and violence that change the way we look at things.
Me: Thanks a bunch, Em!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Am I searching for answers to unknown questions too?
While reading this article this evening, I immediately got a flash of what I’d been doing with myself all day. My roommates and friends across the hall all decided to take a trip home this weekend leaving me alone for the past two days. The tale in the beginning of Peggy Orenstein’s “Stop your Search Engines” is exactly the same experience I have when I’m trying to kill time. I can spend hours searching the Internet trying to gain more and more pointless knowledge.
Most of the time, I’ll start my search looking for a movie and end up somehow sifting through youtube with different bands and song titles. My train of though usually goes from movie, to actors, to songs, to related bands. I believe what Ms. Orenstein stated with all of us trying to use the Internet to find that specific answer and hoping that all the knowledge we seek will be present
I liked this piece because I could personally relate to what Ms. Orenstein was writing about. She also introduced the program for Macs which blocks Internet access for up to 8 hour. The only way to get rid of this block is to restart the computer and by the time that task is achieved, the previous cycle of randomly surfing the internet has been broken and forgotten.
I believe this program could be very useful to those who need to get off the Internet and get their work done or focus more on what’s going on around them than what they can find in the web. This program could help those who are addicted to the web and watching their lives just pass them by with the time they spend online.
Using the Internet should be a privilege, something that is respected for the amount of information it contains and the convenience of this source. It should not be abused as many of us use it. We figure the Internet holds all the answers to every question we might have, whether it’s a relationship problem, math equation, or a philosophical question. To us, the Internet knows all and can provide those answers. It’s unfortunate to see how the youth of today and even the older generations have become addicted to online using and to the ways of the Internet. Other sources of entertainment and knowledge have faded into the background thanks to an easier access. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. This program that Ms. Orenstein mentions could change all that. Overall, I believe this article was an eye opener for me and for many others like me.
Most of the time, I’ll start my search looking for a movie and end up somehow sifting through youtube with different bands and song titles. My train of though usually goes from movie, to actors, to songs, to related bands. I believe what Ms. Orenstein stated with all of us trying to use the Internet to find that specific answer and hoping that all the knowledge we seek will be present
I liked this piece because I could personally relate to what Ms. Orenstein was writing about. She also introduced the program for Macs which blocks Internet access for up to 8 hour. The only way to get rid of this block is to restart the computer and by the time that task is achieved, the previous cycle of randomly surfing the internet has been broken and forgotten.
I believe this program could be very useful to those who need to get off the Internet and get their work done or focus more on what’s going on around them than what they can find in the web. This program could help those who are addicted to the web and watching their lives just pass them by with the time they spend online.
Using the Internet should be a privilege, something that is respected for the amount of information it contains and the convenience of this source. It should not be abused as many of us use it. We figure the Internet holds all the answers to every question we might have, whether it’s a relationship problem, math equation, or a philosophical question. To us, the Internet knows all and can provide those answers. It’s unfortunate to see how the youth of today and even the older generations have become addicted to online using and to the ways of the Internet. Other sources of entertainment and knowledge have faded into the background thanks to an easier access. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. This program that Ms. Orenstein mentions could change all that. Overall, I believe this article was an eye opener for me and for many others like me.
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