It was hard to choose just one concept that I liked best from the dozens that we have read about this semester. One that I particularly liked was in chapter eight and it was focused on developing organizational cultures. Most people have experienced some kind of cultural change in their lives. Whether it was a move to a different place or a change in jobs, we all can say we've experienced things like this before. In chapter eight the author describes how we fit into organizational cultures and how we react when we are forced to fit into a different culture.
As a culture we share a lot of things with the strangers around us. We hold similar identities even if we are very different. "If you have ever lived or traveled abroad for an extended period of time, you may have experienced culture shock, a sense of disorientation that occurs when the rules you're used to playing by no longer work" (230). Before reading about culture shock I had heard the term used in various different ways. I think people use it a lot to describe something that does not actually fall into the category of culture shock. It was very interesting to read about the real definition. Culture shock is actually a very real thing that can sometimes manifest in physical illness.
Also in this section the author discusses the experience of surprise, "an emotional reaction to differences between life in the organizations life outside it" (230). For example when I changed jobs I was honestly surprised by the differences that I had to adjust to. I had a emotional reaction that resembled stress and anxiety. It took me a few weeks to get familiar with to new job but over time the surprise aspect faded away.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
May 10-13 Question #1
I think that the most interesting research method listed in table 13.3 is the ethnography method. An ethnographer works under cover and does not get involved with his/her objects. In this method it is important not to impose one's ideas or opinions on the situations that are being studied. I like this method because I think it is the most accurate. I think it's important that we study things in a very non-invasive way.
If I were to study an aspect of deception I would ask the question: how do some groups and clubs deceive members into joining even if the membership is harmful to the joiner? To answer this question I would use the ethnography method and would go undercover to find out how things worked. I think that the results from an ethnographer's research would be very interesting and very insightful in this situation. I have read many books where the author uses this method to research a certain situation. I love finding out about their under cover discoveries because the participants in the study have no idea that they're being studied. The results are always pretty revealing when people are unaware that they'll be found out.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
April 29 - May 2 Question #3
One of the concepts that I liked in this section was the one about media agendas. I love this section because I think it is very important that we all know that the media often has agendas and they give us the news they want us to know.
"According to this view, media gatekeepers select the issues they feel are most worthy of coverage and give those issues wide attention" (304). I think that this kind of gatekeeping has been running rampant in our media lately. I think that every media outlet has to compete for their audience and so whoever has the most outrageous story often wins. The internet has become the source of news for many people. TV has to work a lot harder to compete. A good example of this is all the recent coverage of the swine flu.
The media has blown up the story way out of proportion. It's true that the flu is considered a pandemic, but it isn't even as bad of a sickness as the normal flu. So why are we all afraid of it? Because the media makes us feel like we should fear it. As viewers we need to make sure we filter what we take in to ensure that we get our facts straight. It's important that we understand that the media is typically manipulative and that if we want to get untouched information we need to go straight to the source of an issue.
"According to this view, media gatekeepers select the issues they feel are most worthy of coverage and give those issues wide attention" (304). I think that this kind of gatekeeping has been running rampant in our media lately. I think that every media outlet has to compete for their audience and so whoever has the most outrageous story often wins. The internet has become the source of news for many people. TV has to work a lot harder to compete. A good example of this is all the recent coverage of the swine flu.
The media has blown up the story way out of proportion. It's true that the flu is considered a pandemic, but it isn't even as bad of a sickness as the normal flu. So why are we all afraid of it? Because the media makes us feel like we should fear it. As viewers we need to make sure we filter what we take in to ensure that we get our facts straight. It's important that we understand that the media is typically manipulative and that if we want to get untouched information we need to go straight to the source of an issue.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
April 29 - May 2 Question #2
I agree with Marshall McLuhan that the medium is the message. I think we determine how we receive a message based on what medium we're receiving it through. We expect different messages from different mediums and McLuhan goes into detail about what makes a TV message different then a radio message.
"According to McLuhan's theory, each medium has its own internal logic, and each affects how we experience the world" (307). McLuhan describes TV as a "cool medium" which means that because there are so many senses involved, we have to fill in the details on our own. He says that TV follows a mosaic logic because there is not always a clear and precise message layed out for us. TV does not follow a linear logic like radio messages. TV is a lot more complex and the producers assume that we will put the information together correctly and receive the message they intended for us.
I agree with Robert P. Snow that we are all very TV literate and we expect that newspapers, books, magazines etc. should keep us intrigued just like TV programs do. Our text says that we all "think in the language of TV" and I couldn't agree more.
"According to McLuhan's theory, each medium has its own internal logic, and each affects how we experience the world" (307). McLuhan describes TV as a "cool medium" which means that because there are so many senses involved, we have to fill in the details on our own. He says that TV follows a mosaic logic because there is not always a clear and precise message layed out for us. TV does not follow a linear logic like radio messages. TV is a lot more complex and the producers assume that we will put the information together correctly and receive the message they intended for us.
I agree with Robert P. Snow that we are all very TV literate and we expect that newspapers, books, magazines etc. should keep us intrigued just like TV programs do. Our text says that we all "think in the language of TV" and I couldn't agree more.
Monday, April 27, 2009
April 29 - May 2 Question #1
I have never made a friendship that exists exclusively in cyberspace. I can't imagine calling anyone a friend without ever meeting them in person. I've talked to strangers online, like in this class for example. But I wouldn't consider anyone a friend until I actually met them.
I think cyberspace relationships and f2f relationships are drastically different even though sometimes they may feel one in the same. I have not formed cyberspace relationships because I don't think people are completely honest online. I think people tend to embellish about themselves and make themselves look a lot more accomplished and attractive then they actually are.
Our textbook says that "the fear that has most captured the public's attention is the fear that individuals who use computers will become isolated, abandoning face-to-face interaction in favor of life lived in cyberspace" (328). I have definitely fallen victim to trends like facebook and myspace (no yet a twitter freak though) and I have to say that it is very easy to get wrapped up in online communication. I have many friends that I only talk to online and that in itself is sad. I often feel like I need to ban myself from facebook in order to make sure I actually go out and hangout with these people. I think it's a socially dangerous thing and it's hard to find a happy medium and a health balance.
I think cyberspace relationships and f2f relationships are drastically different even though sometimes they may feel one in the same. I have not formed cyberspace relationships because I don't think people are completely honest online. I think people tend to embellish about themselves and make themselves look a lot more accomplished and attractive then they actually are.
Our textbook says that "the fear that has most captured the public's attention is the fear that individuals who use computers will become isolated, abandoning face-to-face interaction in favor of life lived in cyberspace" (328). I have definitely fallen victim to trends like facebook and myspace (no yet a twitter freak though) and I have to say that it is very easy to get wrapped up in online communication. I have many friends that I only talk to online and that in itself is sad. I often feel like I need to ban myself from facebook in order to make sure I actually go out and hangout with these people. I think it's a socially dangerous thing and it's hard to find a happy medium and a health balance.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
April 19-25 Question #3
One concept that I really like in this chapter was the one about interviewing skills. This section is very important for people who are trying to nab a job in their field of choice. Knowing how to communicate yourself successfully to future employers is an extremely important and valuable lesson.
Our text says, "Interviews are serious business. Talking off the cuff may be fine in everyday conversation, but it is not acceptable in a job interview. Preparation is a must" (234). I think many people go into interviews hoping that they can just wing it, and they may be able to do just that. But I think most interviewers know exactly how to read a person because they've probably interviewed dozens of people in the past.
This section of the chapter focuses primarily on the fact that you need to be very well organized and you need to know how to communicate clearly and efficiently in an interview. You need to be well informed about the job you are applying for and you need to have an impeccable resume and cover letter. You need to be prepared to answer any question that is thrown at you and you need to know what are the right questions for you to ask.
Our text says, "Interviews are serious business. Talking off the cuff may be fine in everyday conversation, but it is not acceptable in a job interview. Preparation is a must" (234). I think many people go into interviews hoping that they can just wing it, and they may be able to do just that. But I think most interviewers know exactly how to read a person because they've probably interviewed dozens of people in the past.
This section of the chapter focuses primarily on the fact that you need to be very well organized and you need to know how to communicate clearly and efficiently in an interview. You need to be well informed about the job you are applying for and you need to have an impeccable resume and cover letter. You need to be prepared to answer any question that is thrown at you and you need to know what are the right questions for you to ask.
April 19-25 Question #2
I'm not sure if I agree with all of the etiquette rules in this chapter and I have definitely seen people not abiding by them and I too have not always followed these basic rules of etiquette.
The cell phone rules make perfect sense and I am completely happy to abide by them. But every situation calls for a different response to these rules. If I am in a fancy restaurant I will not answer my cell phone, but if I am in a taco bell at lunchtime, I have no problem with answering my phone and I don't care if other people do. With cell phone etiquette it all really depends on the situation and the time and place. I think call waiting is great, if you're on the phone with a potential employer than obviously you won't put them on hold to answer a call coming in from your friend. Once again, I think most people are capable of sound judgment and can determine when it would be rude to put someone on hold and when it would be perfectly fine.
I agree with our text about answering machine etiquette. I think, unless you're in high school, your recorded answering message should be succinct and professional. Imagine how a future employer would view you after having to leave a message if your recording was in joke form. I used to have a goofy recorded message when people called my phone, but that changed quickly when I started looking for a job.
I think the advice about conference calls was very useful because I have never participated in a conference call before and it's good to know how I should act in order to come off as professional and respectful.
I have definitely had to change my screen name once or twice just make sure it was appropriate and professional. My old screen name used to be fun and focused on my hobbies. But now, I have a simple screen name that is just my full name. It's easier for people to remember and it's also easier for people to know who wrote an email before they open it. There's no second guessing about who I am.
The cell phone rules make perfect sense and I am completely happy to abide by them. But every situation calls for a different response to these rules. If I am in a fancy restaurant I will not answer my cell phone, but if I am in a taco bell at lunchtime, I have no problem with answering my phone and I don't care if other people do. With cell phone etiquette it all really depends on the situation and the time and place. I think call waiting is great, if you're on the phone with a potential employer than obviously you won't put them on hold to answer a call coming in from your friend. Once again, I think most people are capable of sound judgment and can determine when it would be rude to put someone on hold and when it would be perfectly fine.
I agree with our text about answering machine etiquette. I think, unless you're in high school, your recorded answering message should be succinct and professional. Imagine how a future employer would view you after having to leave a message if your recording was in joke form. I used to have a goofy recorded message when people called my phone, but that changed quickly when I started looking for a job.
I think the advice about conference calls was very useful because I have never participated in a conference call before and it's good to know how I should act in order to come off as professional and respectful.
I have definitely had to change my screen name once or twice just make sure it was appropriate and professional. My old screen name used to be fun and focused on my hobbies. But now, I have a simple screen name that is just my full name. It's easier for people to remember and it's also easier for people to know who wrote an email before they open it. There's no second guessing about who I am.
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