Week 16: Favorite Reading

A Virtual Death and a Real Dilemma

Week 16 Question 2: Learned, Favorite, Least Favorite, Improvements

In this class I learned exactly what the name of this course is New/You media. We read about and discussed new media (as well as getting a background history of old) and were always able to use and relate the information to our everyday lives in one way or another. This class truly held up to its name.

My favorite part of this class was Professor Perez's involvement. I have taken other online classes before where the instructor just assigns readings, quizzes, and tests and never gives feedback. But she went above and beyond with her reading summaries, and blogging to make sure we understand and are clear on things. I appreciated that part the most.

I think my least favorite part was vlogging. Probably because I am not that good at it and I see a lot of people using cool effects while mine is just plain and boring lol.

The one thing I didn't like is when sometimes papers and weekly posts were due in the same week. I like to focus solely on major assignment, so adding on the weekly posts was kind of stressful. Other than that I really enjoyed the class!

Week 16 Queston 1: Interesting/Fascinating Concepts

There were so many different interesting concepts in this class but for the conservation of space, I will narrow it down to the most fascinating one to me: the history of computers. We learned about very basic forms of the computer and how big they were. We also learned that they were first used for children to help them learn to read. Then we learned about the program Eliza which was like a computer program to serve as a pyschotherapist.

Anyway, I am very interested to see the growth in the use of computers (or similar items: phones, ipads, etc) from beginning until now. It is fascinating to me that computers were not widely used and needed at one point of time because nowadays the majority of the world is dependent on them. They are becoming more and more accessible and convenient in their many different forms, which makes me wonder how they are going to look in like 20 years from now.

Week 12 Question 2: World Wide Web

I definitely enjoyed this article because in a way I felt like I was going back in to time. At first I tried to read it as if I had no previous knowledge of the Internet, but because of all the things I know I just could not do it. But I learned that it was created to basically exchange humans ideas and knowledge to one another at a larger scale. I thought it was funny when they talked about the "w3" for "www." because that just sounds like an ancient term that I would hear my grandparents use to put in a URL. In fact, most people do not even use "www." when typing in website; for example if we want to go to google we just type in "google.com" versus "http://www.google.com".

This article really made me reflect on my beginning uses of the Internet and how it has drastically changed over a decade or so. As I digress a little bit, I remember I used to like Jelly Belly beans and so on the bottom of a bag it told me to "visit their website". I had no idea what that meant I thought I was actually going to visit a place. When I found out what it was, I was still amazed at the things I was able to do (purchase products, locate stores, etc). Lastly I enjoyed reading the future section of the article. They were able to predict how much the Internet would advance but I actually think we surpassed their predictions and expectations. I cannot help but to think about how the Internet will be used in another decade from now.

Week 12 Question 1: Discourses of Attention

This article was all about our attention spans and how the media effects it. Because TV, games, and other video forms move very fast getting to the points, it programs people to have short attention spans. One example they used was Sesame Street and how it was made to be fast paced in order to help children to learn at a quicker rate. But it was later studied and found to have had negative effects on how children processed information because of their short attention spans. "TV babies" are effected by this the most because they were/are raised in a media filled society where everyone is moving at a fast pace. I do not find it ironic that as the media is becoming more increasingly popular in our generations, so is ADD and ADHD. Another interesting fact from this article is that even though many people are aware of the detriments caused by TV and other related forms of media, they are still continuing to expand in several different ways. I feel like this is dumbing people down and causing people not to think as in depth. Hopefully this will be further studied and discussed so that it will raise awareness to ours' and the upcoming generations.

Week 12 Question 3: Effects of Video Games on Children

When reading this article, I noticed it was broken up into two sections of positive and negative effects of gaming. I also noticed that the negative effects sections was a lot longer than the positive, meaning there were more effects in the negative section. Some of the effects (both negative and positive) were already stated in the previous articles I have researched and read but some were not.

For example the positives were ones I had not previously seen or thought about. Some positive effects included a sense of achievement, and the development of: perceptual, cognitive, and motor skills/ability.

As far as the negatives most I had already read about but some were not. The ones that stood out to me the most were the possibility of leading to: obesity, carpal tunnel syndrome and high blood pressure. Obesity makes sense because a lot of people sit around all day playing games (not getting exercise) and then eating junk food. Carpal tunnel can come from being in a stiff or bad position causing your nerves in your shoulders and neck to not function properly. High blood pressure can be from increased heart rate when playing very action packed or violent games.

I want to do go a lot further in my research so that I can get more in-depth information regarding the positive and negative effects of gaming. This article still helped me nonetheless.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/effects-of-video-games-on-children.html

Week 11 Question 2: A Virtual Death and a Real Dilemma

Okay, first let me start off saying that I am close to feeling as betrayed, upset about the Kaycee blog as the rest of her blog supporters/followers. When I first started reading the article I was thinking of how great Kaycee was to have the courage to blog about her life as she was suffering from Leukemia and was happy to see all of the supporters. When I read that she died I was kind of sad. But when I read that "she never even existed" my initial thought was "are you serious?!" Even though I only got a brief excerpt of her life I felt betrayed as well.

I learned a lot of different things in this article but the signals were interesting to me. In regards to assessment and conventional signals, I had never really thought about how they give different types of authenticity to the viewers. For example assessment signals are usually types of evidence such as photos supporting their statements. Conventional signals on-the-other-hand are more like simple quotes or sayings; nothing is really proven. I was sickened to know that Debbie, (Kaycee's "mother") went as far as posting pictures of a teenager and even having a conversation with New York Times, which both would be considered conventional signals.

I am not sure if the article ever really stated if it was true or not that Debbie is/was mentally in-stable but all signs point to yes in my opinion. She lied, betrayed, so many people and I am not even clear as to what her motives really were for doing this. I agree with one of the bloggers comments saying that this should be a lesson to many people who are involved in online relationships that the person they are talking to may in fact be deceptive. This article will make me start being more cautious and inquisitive toward the validity of things I read/see online.

Week 11 Question 3: Top 10 Negative Effects of Video Games on Children

For my final paper I am choosing the research the effects of gaming on children. The reason why I chose this topic is because I noticed the younger generation spends a lot more time in the house playing games online, on a system, or on a computer rather than going outside or spending time more productively. I have a little brother who falls into this category and I noticed his childhood is a lot different than mine and the rest of my siblings. So I chose this article to help get information on my paper.

This information from this article was from different psychiatrists, pediatricians and psychologists. Basically the most prominent problems in children who overuse video games are emotional and school related. Studies have shown kids who regularly play games have behavioral disorder symptoms, ADD/ADHD, and family interaction problems. I have not noticed these problems in my little brother but I do notice that he has a tendency to want to stay home and do things inside rather than being out and/or socializing. I am hoping to continue my research in this topic and find a lot more information and effects.

http://addictionblog.org/top-10/top-10-negative-effects-of-video-games-on-children/

Week 10 Question 1: The End of Books

It was very clear while reading this article that the author has a strong opinion about books and hypertext. I cannot say that I agree that hypertext is a bad idea because to me it is very convenient. While I do believe more people will begin to use hypertext as a main source, I do not believe that books will ever become outdated or extinct. People always like to have a physical copy of things because the same document from hypertext may not be available several years later. Whereas books are published and there at your possession as long as you keep them.

It was really interesting to me that the author had written this article in 1992. On one hand I do believe some of his predictions about books and hypertexts were practical, but on the other, I do not think he really took into consideration how much of an advantage the technology would bring. It kind of seemed to me that the author shot down the idea of hypertext without being able to even give it a try.

Week 10 Question 3: Is Facebook Unveiling a Mobile Platform Next Week?

I chose to use All Facebook and review/discuss an article entitled, “Is Facebook Unveiling A Mobile Platform Next Week?” This article discusses the infamous topic of Facebook. Apparently Facebook has sent out an event invite to the press notifying them of a mobile event taking place next week. People are speculating that there is going to be a new "Facebook phone" solely dedicated to enhance the way Facebook is used and viewed on the device. It's kind of crazy to think that a phone is going to served and dedicated to Facebook alone in my opinion.

The news is streaming and surfacing face to speculators. It's believed to be the Android phone, or one similar to it, that will have the luxury of becoming the new "Facebook phone". It's quickly becoming a huge deal in the press, but why wouldn't it be? It's Facebook after all! When I really stop and think about it, it's really not that important, but society today has become so overwhelmed and indulged in social networks that it's the talk of the town.

Week 10 Question 2: Surveillance and Capture

This article was very interesting to say the least. I never really thought about how much information a person freely gives away just through using the computer. When I read how easy it is for someone to track another person just by scanning through the websites they visit, it was a real eye opener. People get hacked all the time, and most people, like me, use computers more than any other form of technology (online banking, purchases, etc.). I never really thought about just how much privacy is being exposed by a few clicks on a keyboard.

It was also a bit disturbing to see how much privacy is taken away from employees in certain work places. For example, learning all about how badges work and what they are really used for was kind of eerie. It is true, in one sense or another, that these types of devices can actually benefit a lot of businesses; but it is also true that there a plenty of disadvantages to being able to see just about anything you want to see, whenever you want to see it. This reminds me of an article I just read about Facebook spammers setting up links that end up obtaining personal information from us without us even intending on or wanting to give it to them. It is so scary to see the value of privacy diminishing nowadays.

Week 9 Question 2: Just Like Me Only Better

When reading this article, I was surprised to see how similar avatar bodies and human bodies are in one way or another. According to the “Just Like Me Only Better” article, an avatar is what the gods were called whenever they came down to earth. The Second Life avatar bodies desire perfection in figure, features, and even hair textures, just as many human beings do today. The avatar and human life values are extremely close and almost exactly identical.

It was very amusing to me to see that people from all over the world and different cultures have the ability to choose their avatar fitting perfectly for them. For example, someone in the African culture is most likely to choose an avatar representing their heritage, and the same for someone in the Western culture or Chinese culture and so on.

It’s amazing how girls will choose avatars to represent their femininity and men will choose avatars to represent their masculinity. Not only that, people will select avatars to show and reflect their personality as well and not just their looks. Many details go into this process of creating the perfect avatar to reflect the beauty of a person, or the lack there of.

Week 9 Question 1: Mythinformation

As I studied this article, the author, Langdon Winner, made good points that really captured my attention. I fully agree with him when he says that knowledge is power, information is knowledge, and knowledge in turn enhances democracy and equalizes social power. This is true in today’s society because of the internet. People have the opportunity and chance in the click of a button to gain unlimited amounts of information and knowledge on anything they may choose.

I agree with the author when he states that the world has the ability and opportunity to become a better place because of all the things the internet and computers have to offer. However, I’m not sure that the idea of the internet helps improve the democratic process completely. I believe that in some ways, the internet definitely does help create a more equal and better democracy, but in other ways, it completely demolishes it. Many scandals occur in democracy in terms of elections and candidates because of all the internet’s powers and infinite possibilities.

As Winner states, the internet is something like a “people’s revolution”. Everyone so heavily depends on it that it’s almost impossible for people to not resort to the internet to gain access or information on various topics. At the time this article was written, he suggested that the internet was going to be a huge way for people to believe they’d find employment with amazing pay. But, in reality, Winner explains that the internet actually is a resource to find low paying jobs that don’t really allow employees to advance in the work force. But overall, Langdon Winner believes that this “computer revolution” is the perfect creation that is going to shape our society as we know it.

Week 9 Question 3: Facebook Sues Spammers

For this weeks media article of choice, I chose to use the AllFacebook website. I have never used this one in the past so I thought I would try it out and find something relevant to the things we learn and/or discuss in this class. Since we just completed our group of journals I decided I would look at Facebook this week to add on to the things we may not have already talked about regarding Facebook.

I then stumbled upon an article entitled Facebook Sues Spammers. I am glad to have read this article and found out the facts about spam on this website because I thought that this was something that the producers of Facebook allowed/were responsible for. But after reading this article I saw that Facebook is suing users who are putting false ads on Facebook that are spamming people into thinking they can attain something that they really cannot.

I also read that Facebook is in the Guinness Book of World Records for it's spam-fighting efforts. So after reading this I am glad to know that Facebook is fighting to stop these ads from appearing on our pages because they are annoying and fraudulent.


http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-sues-spammers-2010-10

Week 7 Question 2: Cyborg Manifesto

This article was very in depth though I agree with most of my peers that her thoughts could have been summed up in a few pages if she stopped talking or wasting her thoughts on negativity. She seemed to be very bitter/angry towards the traditional ways of dualism and the "natural ways", and was hoping to use propaganda to change the status quo. The three things that stood out to me most were:

1) Ideas of the Cyborg

2) Rejections of real or Natural Things

3) Myth and Tool

Cyborg (from what I understood) was a combination of nature and technology, man and machine that moves beyond limitations of gender, traditions, and etc. She is against the belief of chemistry and forces and believes we can move about in a better unrestricted way individually first, and then together as a whole.

She seemed to reject natural or things that were "so-called" real because she does not believe in it. For example she talked about how cyborgs wold not recognize The Garden of Eden "it is not made of mud and cannot dream of returning to dust". She goes against nature and history and thinks we have to power to change the status quo.

As far as myth and tool is concerned she explains them by saying things we imagine or predict in the future are myths and things we have in the present are tools. When talking about not being able to communicate across the world face-to-face, I don't think she was saying it was not going to be a possibility I just think she was against it and more for literally face-to-face communication.

I tried to understand her points as best as possible and overall this article had me thinking about how the world would be if things were the way she perceived or believed they could be.

Week 7 Question 3: 'I like it On' Facebook Status Update Goes Viral: What It Means

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/05/i-like-it-on-facebook-sta_n_751756.html

Week 7 Question 1: A Cyborg Manifesto [outside research]

As I searched the web to find more information about the article A Cyborg Manifesto, I went through Wikipedia and other websites until I found a review from college professor Josh Jones of University of Texas. He gave a brief summary of what he thought Haraway's main points were and in addition added his opinions or things that interested him the most.

Jones was very interested in the fact that Haraway added more to the typical definition of a cyborg being just a combination of human and machine. As stated in the original article, a cyborg "is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction." (Haraway p. 516)

He mentioned that cyborgs are not interested in history or looking backward, but rather looking ahead and being innovative. He concludes his review with the importance of and effect that language has on impacts cyborgs. "Bodies are maps of power and identity" (Haraway p. 534) and language plays an important role on how power and identity is enacted.

http://complexrhetoric.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-haraway-cyborg-manifesto-1985.html

Week 6 Question 2: Personal Dynamic Media

This article really surprised me with how advanced things were back in the 60s and 70s. I mean I always assumed that there was someone out there that thought about creating something like that computer or laptop, but I never knew just how much was already created/invented back in those days. The Dynabook which was created in 1968, is what we know as the laptop today. It was originally created for children, though adults could use it too. It is pretty cool that word processing was on there and other programs that are similar to ones we use today.

This article reminded me of typewriters. When I was in Kindergarden, my mom was in college. She used to use a typewriter to do her coursework. I remember she would get angry often because the typewriter did not have a tool where you could delete or edit errors, so when you typed it had to be perfect. I also remember using one of those and being frustrated because I would like to type fast but I couldn't because of the mistake risk. There were similar problems with these early computer machines, but the idea and programs were definitely on the right track to an integrative future!

Week 6 Question 1: Disclosing the Ethongraphic Self

The article on disclosing information of the ethnographic self was very informative. It made me think about the things I disclose on Facebook or any other social networking websites whether it is intentional or not. The ethnographic self is basically the cultural and social make of yourself. This article really applied to me because it is relatable in my social networking experiences. The things I say or post online such as photos of where I am at, things that I like, or things I say can help viewers to know information about me that I did not even plan on having them know. It is also easy for people to draw assumptions about me based upon the things that I "like" or groups/people that I befriend. This article also made me think about the journal assignments we have been having because we are learning how we are shaping ourselves to others, whether we are intentionally doing it, or subconsciously doing it.

Week 6 Question 3: A Simple Swipe on a Phone, and You're Paid

This article entitled "State of the Art-- A Simple Swipe on a Phone, and You're Paid" was from CNET.com. I was really interested in this article when I read the title and saw the photo because it is for iphone, ipod touch, our ipad users. I have an iphone and I have always thought of a product like this being invented but was not sure if it would ever come to pass. But it is 2010 and it finally has. Basically this product called the "square" is a device that lets you pay for things on your phone, or have others who owe you money for something just swipe their card on your phone. It is the same process as it would be if you were to buy something at a store or any other credit card merchant. Plus, there is still a paper trail so if anything is done unauthorized you are able to contact your bank or credit card company. The company who invented the square collects 2.75 percent plus 15 cents of the total purchase which is actually not much at all. I foresee myself purchasing something like this in the future because it is very convenient and much safer than putting your information online or giving it to someone else. This article relates to our class because we are learning about how much media and technology is changing and advancing.

Week 5 Question 3: Emergency Bra

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-20017344-247.html?tag=topTechContentWrap;mostPopular (the article)

http://ebbra.com/ (where to purchase them at)



**I made a mistake the sizes actually range from 32B-40C (sorry!)

Week 5 Question 1: Computer Power and Human Reason

There seems to be a theme in all of the articles we have been reading as far as the connection between humans and computers (technology). Weizenbaum talks about how the people who criticize "new media" only do so because of there lack of knowledge on it. He seems a bit of an extremist regarding technology and new media as his main point and debate was "computers, can should, and will do everything." (This sounds a bit like Licklicker's Man-Computer Symbiosis) Going back to ELIZA, this program was created to replace psychotherapists. Although computers have no human thought or emotion, this program was used widespread as its responses were very much like those of a psychotherapist. It was very shocking to Weizenbaum at how quickly this program was talked about, used and accepted. But with this, he believes that technology will continue to advance so much over time that it really will do everything.

Although it is evident that computers are do practically everything nowadays, I do not agree that they should do everything. But who knows, they may one day at the rate we're going. I discussed similar concepts in Man-Computer Symbiosis week 2 article. I still feel that computers should be used to aid us in our daily (want/needs) however it should not handicap us to the point where we should, need, and have to rely on it for everything.

Week 5 Question 2: Uses and Gratifications

Concerning the article, "Uses and Gratifications", discuss 3 interesting things about this article you did not know before. Can you relate to this article? Why/Why Not?

Uses and gratifications was an interesting article because it made me think about the psychological reasoning behind Social Networking Sites (SNS) in a whole different way. According to Katz and Gurevitch uses and gratification is focusing on "the social and psychological origins of needs, which generate expectation of the mass media or other sources, which lead to different patterns of media exposure resulting in need gratifications and other consequences." (as cited in Rubin, 1994, p. 419)

The media sites are used for cognitive and affective needs such as personal and entertainment. These three concepts interested me the most.

1. Personal Identity

2. Escape

3. Self-Presentation

As far as personal identity goes, this article showed through research that many people use SNS to be seen. In other words they like the popularity they get out of having a lot friends and having people view their page. Also people like to escape their problems and also face-to-face communication and SNS is an easy route out. Lastly is self-presentation. Self-presentation is all about how you want others to view you, based on your pictures and online posts. It could also be from who you are associated with online. But overall I believe this article really helped me to see that SNS users really are seeking personal gain, usefulness, and gratification. After reading this I started to realize how selfish we really can be without even noticing.

Week 4 Question 2: The Technology and the Society

Williams covers three sections in this article about technology and the society and that includes:

1. Cause and Effect in Technology and Society

2. The Social History of Television as Technology

3. The Social History of the Uses of Television Technology

Of each three sections he discussed, I thought the cause and effect in technology section (the first section) was the most interesting. He talks about technological determinism which basically means society's technology is what shapes social and cultural values. Basically technology is very predictable and pattern based. As technology changes, the society changes. It is much more in depth than that but that is the basic overview of it.

This interested me a lot because I never thought about the cause and effect technology had on the society. Although it has been clear to me that we change overtime, I never really associated it with the significance of technology. But this made it very clear to me as I started to apply it to my personal life. For example when I was in Elementary school, Internet was very limited so most people hung out and talked in person. Now it is so easy to connect with people online that our society has shapes itself around that and is slowly replacing face-to-face communication with the Internet. This is just one example but there are several more that can be seen from this article. It was very eye-opening and a great read!

Week 4 Question 3: Justin.tv App

From the New York Times articles, I chose to read about a Justin.tv new app for iphone/ipod touch users. The reason why I decided to read this one is because I used to always go to Justin.tv online when I was at a place that didn't have television and I wanted to watch a show. Also I would sometimes watch people randomly posting what they were doing. But in this article it is explaining how we can now watch television and do online stream with this app from the touch a few buttons from your iphone/ipod touch. This made me think about vlogging in this class. We will be vlogging pretty soon and because I just downloaded this app to my phone, I am thinking about trying this out. If not I still have my webcam to use but regardless, I think it is very amazing that the company is offering TV and live streaming access to iphone/ipod touch users for free!

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/justin-tv-releases-iphone-streaming-app/?ref=technology

Week 4 Question 1: Requiem for the Media

From the article Requiem for the Media (The New Media Reader p. 278) the three concepts that I will be discussing are: Enzenberger: A "Socialist" Strategy, Speech Without Response and The Theoretical Model of Communication.

1) Jean Baudrillard basically helped me to look at Enzenberger's articles and concepts in another point-of -view. Baudrillard basically critiqued the article and talked about its many contradictions. She quoted from him in his theory that "in the present order the media are purely and simply means of distribution". She helped me to see that is wrong because of the many different uses of the media: phones, social networking, etc. Other than this, she broke down how she disagreed with a lot of what Enzenberger had to say on his "socialist" strategy article.

2) Baudrillard explains the mass media as fabricators of non-communication and "speakers in such a way as to exclude any response from anywhere". (Baudrillard, 1972, p. 281) She says that they have the power since they make it in a way where no one can respond. But she also agrees with Enznenberger with the fact that mass media for the first time made it possible for mass participation in a social process.

3) The formula of the communication process (formulated by Roman Jakobsen) is as follows:

TRANSMITTER-- MESSAGE-- RECEIVER

(ENCODER-- MESSAGE-- DECODER)

This formula shows the process of how the message is transmitted, its content, and its audience. We decode the message based upon how it is set-up to us. When dealing with the media, it is very easy for them to relay a message to us and have us believe whatever they intend for us to believe.

Week 3 Question 3: Facebook Users are Narcissistic/Low Self-Esteem

This article had results on a study of a group of college students' Facebook usage. The goal was to determine what type of people use Facebook. They claimed that the majority of Facebook users who update constantly are narcissistic and attention-seekers. While others who check Facebook frequently suffer from low self-esteem. Also they noted that women post profile pictures to show off, while men update their statuses to show off.

I agree with some things but disagree with others. For example, even though a lot of people post things that seem narcissistic, I don't think they really are that way. Many people will post things that don't pertain to themselves, or just to get attention. I do agree that people who post multiple pictures a day requesting for comments, have low self-esteem. As far as men and women differing in showing off, i disagree. I have found that both women and men who show off, do it through their photos and status updates. I haven't found a difference between the two.

But these are just my opinions and views, I am interested in seeing others' thoughts on the article.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/study-facebook-users-are-narcissistic-suffer-from-low-self-esteem/17860?tag=mantle_skin;content

Week 3 Question 1: Constituents of a Theory of the Media

Enzensberger did not have too many positive things to say in regards to his view of the media. Although this article was a bit of a tough read, I believe his overall purpose was to show that technology is taking over everything we do. He is very critical of how the media is basically doing our thinking for us. For example he talked about how he disliked the fact that media forms such as books, radios, articles are only transmitting information to us, without allowing any interaction. So I do not think that Enzensberger is totally against the idea of media, I just think he feels strongly about self-thinkers or "go-getters". He hates the fact that we all rely on media's to relay information to us, or get us from point a to point b. In a sense, I can agree with him on that. But I think he fails to realize that in moderation, the media can and has been very effective to our every day lives.

Week 3 Question 2: Be Who You Want To Be (Facebook)

Katie's statement "Facebook participates in the dynamic, ongoing social process of personal and social identity as a communicative creation", summarizes what Facebook really is. (Ellis, p.41) She also explained how people represent themselves as they want to be represented. Generally, nobody posts things that they do not want others to know about or think about themselves. We consciously or subconsciously are creating our social identity every time we post something on Facebook.

I agree with this article because I see how it really applies to my own experiences with Facebook. For example, I really love music so often times I will put a quote on my page of a song I was listening to. Some times the quote relates to my own life and other times it doesn't. However one quote I used before was from the Eminem ft Rihanna song "Love the Way You Lie". That song is about a dysfunctional relationship so when I put a quote from there, several people messaged me wondering if I was okay. When in fact, I only put the quote up because the song was catchy to me and stuck in my head.

Even though only a few people messaged me regarding this post of mine, I am sure many more of my Facebook friends assumed that I was having relationship problems. So I am continuing to be aware and careful of the things I say because I do not want anything taken out of context in regard to my own life. But at the end of the day I did not create my Facebook page to inform people about my life. So if people are foolish enough to think they really "know" how someone is doing or who they are based upon their profile updates, they have got a lot to learn in life. Because as Katie mentioned, online, you can Be Who You Want to Be.

Week 2 Question 3: Stephen Hawking Picks Physics Over God for Big Bang

This article from foxnews.com entitled "Stephen Hawking Picks Physics Over God for Big Bang", automatically caught my attention since I am a firm believer in creation and not evolution or (big bang). What caught my attention the most is that, Professor Hawkins, although a scientist, was once a believer in God as the creator as well. So I looked at this article to try and see what new information he may have found, that would have him change his theory of beliefs.

As I read his article, he did not seem to have any "new found" information. His only reasoning for his changing in belief or theory was, "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing." Now Hawkins could not have just learned about gravity recently, so when he believed in creation, he had to already have taken gravity into consideration.

I then kept reading and noticed that he is working with a couple atheists in his studies on how the world has come into existence. So I therefore concluded that he must be influenced by the ones he is studying and/or working with. This made me think of the article, "The Medium is the Message" because the people Hawkins is around, influenced the way he perceived the idea of the Big Bang Theory.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/09/02/stephen-hawking-picks-physics-god-big-bang/

Week 2 Question 2: The Medium is the Message

In Marshall McLuhan's article, "The Medium is the Message" he used very complex examples and explanations to basically say that the medium influences how the message is perceived. I agree with him in his point in which; the way the medium portrays the content they are trying to display, shapes the way the audience understands or views the message. This was a big change in how Communication was viewed in the 60's, and since then many scholars and philosophers have built upon this concept.

However I do believe some of his examples were a bit confusing and complex. For example he stated that, "a light bulb creates an environment by its mere presence". At first it took me a second to apply that to "The Medium is the Message" since a light bulb is a medium without any content. But I then quickly applied it to how we interpret messages or content based upon who or what is presenting it. For example, if a celebrity were selling perfume, we would want to buy it from them, more than we would a complete stranger's perfume. It's all about the way the medium is portraying the information, and how we receive it.

So I did actually enjoy reading the article even though I do see how it was a bit complex and a little off base at times. I think his overall purpose of the message was legitimate.

Week 2 Question 1: Man-Computer Symbiosis Response

Lidlicker's article on Man-Computer Symbiosis, was interesting to say the least. It is clear that the author has a great value and interest in technology and technological advances, that will help humans. I agree that machines (specifically computers) are very helpful and beneficial to our every day lives. However based on his specific example regarding the insect's and fig tree's interdependence on each other, I cannot agree that this is something that we should be striving for.

Although I am guilty of relying on technology on most of my every day duties, it is not something that I am proud of. Currently we are in a recession and many of the jobs that used to be attainable to humans, are now being utilized by machines. If we keep up at this rate, I believe that in a decade or so, there will be twice as many lay-offs due to the dependency of machinery and lack of care for humans.

I don't know if it's just me but I sometimes long for the old days where people had personal relationships face-to-face. But as the years go by and technology continues to progress, there is little need or expectance for face-to-face interactions. I am against the idea that we should have a "cooperative interaction between men and computers" (p.72) because I feel that we are ultimately giving machines too much power. Instead, we should use computers to our advantage and maintain a balance or limit on how much we depend on or utilize them.

Introduction

Greetings Everyone

I am excited to take yet another class with Professor Perez online as she always makes it interesting and you are guaranteed to learn something. I am a senior here at SJSU as of this semester, and I am a Communication Studies Major and Business Minor. I plan to go to either business or law school upon completion of my undergrad. I have many interests such as reading, writing, singing, and play sports. But with school and work, I don't really have time to do those things as much as I'd like to.

Since the media is very prevalent in our everyday lives, I think this class is going to be very helpful and relatable to us all. I have taken classes related to the media and read books on it so I sort of have an idea of what to expect out of this class (i think :) )

I really liked the old system better (Blackboard) but that's probably because I just haven't gotten used to this desiretolearn stuff yet. Well good luck to you all and I would just suggest everyone to look at Prof. Perez's blogpage frequently so that you are on top of what is assigned, due dates, and etc. I am sure we will all enjoy this class. Look forward to reading your intro's soon.

-Goldie