VALs Survey

The VALs survey must be the easiest survey that I have ever taken. My results were Experiencer and Achiever. I mostly agree with them, because I do believe I like to experience things in life to the fullest and I want to achieve all my goals and dreams. I am very enthusiastic and I do consume a lot, probably more than I should. I do participate in a lot of social activities, in fact I work on a board that handles them and I'm throwing a party this weekend, which I have to go shopping for (Consumerism). I value appearance. I’m a tad obsessed with clothes and Bath&Body Works (my wallet doesn't like it though). They only thing I did not agree with, is the part under Achiever where it said their lives are more conventional and politically they are conservative, which is absolutely not me. I didn't really learn anything new, but my buying habits do make more sense. Since I am working so hard to achieve all my goals, and I’m constantly busy I do tend to buy something that will save me time. This appeals to me as a consumer, because if they know that my time and appearance is important then they will try to sell me the latest fashions and some tool that would make getting ready for my day take less time. I know by experience that has happened more than once. If anything, this survey taught me I need to limit my spending...oh look shoes.

Digital Storytelling Video

COMM203 Digital Storytelling Project

Annoying Technology

Technology is most of the time very useful, but other times I hate it. There are days where I just want to throw computers and my phone out the window. I then realize that would be really bad, so I decide against it. However, that still doesn't take away from the fact that some technology is just annoying.

For example, I absolutely despise  voice recognition software. Mostly because it never works and its really useless. It makes people more lazy in my opinion. When I was younger, I was the girl who had to have to voice recognition journal. You would unlock it by speaking your password and it would only open at the sound of your voice. Needless to say, it did not work. I never got to write anything in that journal, and it also would open even if it wasn't my voice. Looking back on it now, it was a stupid toy, and technology has improved since then, but I know for a fact even Siri makes mistakes. Not too mention to software companies use when you call in. I've been hung up on thousands of times because that machine couldn't understand what I wanted. Other annoying piece of technology is the Captcha. It's great that you want to stop the robots and block spam, but its SO annoying. Is it just me or does anyone else have to click through a 100 times to find one they can read?

I don't really have any other tech issues. I like the idea of car alarms, most days. I think automated hand dyers in bathrooms are nice, clean, and better for the environment. My snooze button is a god sent on days when I don't want to get out of bed (everyday). My personal opinion is technology is only good for people if they know how to use it. 

Impact of Media

Media has impacted in so many ways, just in the aspect of providing me with my major. In my personal life I think its help me make more connections with people I now call friends, but it’s definitely had negative effects as well. In my job or any job really it’s help with advertising and engaging the consumer. I’d say over all it’s had a positive impact on my life, but it is not without its flaws. For instance, there have been times when chatting on Facebook for example it was the medium that became more important than the message, which caused many problems, because the message was not becoming clear between myself and the other person. Other times I will be so connected to phone or ipod that it’s an extension of my body, and I will what’s going on around me. I also found myself trapped in the “global village” like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. The desire to know at all times what people are doing is exhausting, which can be an agreement for technology determinism, because just a few years ago society wasn’t concerned with knowing who was doing what and how with, and where. If they did, they simply asked now we stalk people. This is way I think smartphones are more structuralism, because they are the response to the social “need” and change, that we are all creepers now. This is why I can’t really pick one of the other, because I don’t think there is a definite one.

Hey, so did you guys know that this past week was the 60^th anniversary of the Floppy disk? No, well good I had no idea either. Honestly I don’t remember the last time I thought about a floppy disk or last used one. I'm pretty sure I only used them once before I got a thumb drive. I was like mom, what is this? I think that is when she knew how old she really was. It’s crazy to think how far we have in terms of technology and how fast we keep moving. It scares me to think about what technology will look like in just 20 years, because we are constantly creating new gadgets. I really want an iPhone but I think to myself why get one now, because as soon as you buy it the iPhone 10 will be out and it will be a little chip that you stick in your ear and you communicate telepathically. I’m going to feel so old when I have kids and they ask me about ipods, and books where you actually have to flip the page yourself. 

 It’s still cool to think back to that time when floppy disks were the hot new thing on the market. It helps me appreciate the technology we have now. I look forward to what new technology is on the horizon. Except movie players; can we just agree to stop at Blu-ray, because I really don’t want to have to start my Disney collection over again? I can't, I just can't.

Creative Commons

When the discussion of copyright is presented, it’s always hard for me to take a stance on that subject, because I don’t see it as a black/white answer. I feel there is an area of gray. The beauty of the internet is that is gives us access to everything all at once, and we should have that right, but I understand that if you create something and put your blood, sweat, and tears into it that you should get the credit for it. At the same time if you post something on the internet, you are without a doubt giving someone else the right to use it in some shape or form, that may not be your intention, but it happens. I believe that if someone takes a picture they find funny and shares it with a friend is harmless. Now, if someone stole a company logo then that is a different story, and I would understand legal action taking place. But looking at someone’s work and using that as inspiration I feel is okay, just as long as you didn’t steal their expression of idea. I definitely feel that sites like Creative Commons are a good tool that way there is less dispute over who is using what, where they got it, what are they using it for, etc. The access to different things has become a lot easier too, sites like Pinterest have made it easier to find images, videos, blogs, and different things that people know aren't theirs, but if they aren’t causing harm or taking profit for whenever they are pinning then it shouldn't matter, in any circumstance.  

Social Media Bandwagon

Media has always fascinated me; my family has always been bug movie and TV buffs, so they raised me to love media. Fast forward to now where internet media has become the great new advent of this day and age. I love it as well because I love talking and getting to know new people and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are great ways to branch out to old friends while also making new ones.      

Social media has changed our world by making it more interactive. It is a great tool for businesses, schools, and other organizations to advertise their mission and purpose. They can also keep them update on events. This way their followers do not have to wait, but can find all the information on their computer screen. I’m able to keep in touch with family that I normally wouldn’t talk to for months. People make connections and engage with people they normally wouldn’t outside of work and school. 

However, I do believe that people are relying on their social media a little too much. I know personally that I spend way too much time on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter; and I don’t even know why. We have now morphed into this world where we need to know what’s going on all the time, which isn’t always a good thing. There are studies they believe Facebook causes depression and the incidents of cyber bullying. I do believe social media has many advantages, but there are people out there that abuse it.