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.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
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.
Friday, April 24, 2009
April 19-25 Question #1
Organizations are tied to the environment because they depend on what's around them for resources and energy. An organization can't survive on it's own, it would be literally impossible. Of course an organizations effect on an environment is not always positive. "An obvious example occurs when a manufacturing company depletes local resources" (214). I remember watching a documentary about the effects of a General Electric Plant in Mexico. It was cheaper for GE to set up shop down there, but it was completely destroying the environment and the lives of the people that lived nearby. It's also harmful when a large organization moves away from a specific environment. That move can be just as damaging. Organizations have a large impact on the environments they call home. It is their responsibility to make sure they work well in an environment and can adjust to changing conditions.
San Jose State is an organization that highly effects the environment around it. It's not just the effect of the buildings and the space, it's also the effects of the people that attend the school and where they fit in in the community. I think a college is ethically required to positively effect the community around it. I think SJSU has had a positive effect on the community because students have moved to the area to receive a good education and most of the time these students are responsible people who eventually become active participants in the community. I think most colleges are good for their environment. It's usually the fault of other organizations for bringing a good community down.
San Jose State is an organization that highly effects the environment around it. It's not just the effect of the buildings and the space, it's also the effects of the people that attend the school and where they fit in in the community. I think a college is ethically required to positively effect the community around it. I think SJSU has had a positive effect on the community because students have moved to the area to receive a good education and most of the time these students are responsible people who eventually become active participants in the community. I think most colleges are good for their environment. It's usually the fault of other organizations for bringing a good community down.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
April 12-18 Question #3
One concept in chapter six that I found interesting was the one about mediated relationships. This section discusses the complexities of relationships that were formed online. I think internet relationships are a fairly recent phenomenon and I think we're still learning about the affects of these relationships on the people involved.
According to our text, "Clearly, communicating electronically has unique characteristics that make it quite different from communicating face to face" (169). It has been made clear, time and time again that not everyone online is who they actually are in real life. There are so many cases of fraudulent behavior that it's really hard to trust anyone. I think people who are involved in online relationships get so caught up in the perfection of it that they sometimes forget to think logically. Sometimes things are too perfect to be real. But sometimes people prefer to live that way.
"Another significant characterisitc of text-based electronic channels is visual anonymity. When we communicate over e-mail no one needs to know who we are" (169). Many would argue that looks don't matter and we shouldn't judge people based on their appearance, but in this case a person that says they are an attractive 25 year old woman may in actually be a 45 year old criminal. These are the characteristics that one should want to know before talking to anyone online.
According to our text, "Clearly, communicating electronically has unique characteristics that make it quite different from communicating face to face" (169). It has been made clear, time and time again that not everyone online is who they actually are in real life. There are so many cases of fraudulent behavior that it's really hard to trust anyone. I think people who are involved in online relationships get so caught up in the perfection of it that they sometimes forget to think logically. Sometimes things are too perfect to be real. But sometimes people prefer to live that way.
"Another significant characterisitc of text-based electronic channels is visual anonymity. When we communicate over e-mail no one needs to know who we are" (169). Many would argue that looks don't matter and we shouldn't judge people based on their appearance, but in this case a person that says they are an attractive 25 year old woman may in actually be a 45 year old criminal. These are the characteristics that one should want to know before talking to anyone online.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)