Who I hope to be.

Dear Beth,

After this course is ended I hope you go into the world with a greater appreciation for the differences that make us all unique. I hope that you never look at another person with anything but compassion and understanding, and that you have learned to not judge a person until you have walked a mile in their moccasins. I hope that you are able to see the reasons people are who they are and understand that it is a complex balance that creates the person before you.

I also hope that you become an ally to those who would call upon you. That you stand up for your beliefs and do not let others tread upon those around you who are unable to speak for themselves. I hope that you celebrate the differences of those around you and cherish those differences for they are what make the colorful world that you love. I hope that you never hesitate to tell someone to let go of their prejudices and stand up against discrimination at every turn.

I hope that you become a role model for the younger girls that you know now and will come to know. That you tell them it is possible to be a strong, sensitive and intelligent woman all at the same time. Help them to know they don’t have to put those around them down to keep themselves afloat. And, when you hopefully become a mother, tell your children about equality. Help them to grow in an environment where differences are wonderful and every person deserves just as much as the next. Give them the same open eyes to view the world that your parents gave you.

This may seem like a heavy bill but I know it is one that you can fill if you so choose. So, go into the world and fill it with understanding and love, never hate.

~Beth

Just tell me already!

Walter Lippmann has a strong opinion on who should be deciding the opinions of the masses. He feels that a small group of intellectuals should be able to make the decisions for the whole. This may be beneficial because the busy public is not able to keep up with all current events and topics. It is just not possible to have enough time to acquire all of he necessary information to make responsible decisions. Also, the general public may not be educated enough to make a conscientious choice. These are legitimate concerns and so he feels that this appointed group of intelligentsia would take it upon themselves to know the appropriate information and be educated enough to make the important decisions that the public are simply ill equipped to sort out.

I think that this agrees with the idea of propaganda presented by Bernays. He felt that propaganda, or attempting to sway the opinion of the masses, was a necessary component of the world. He also agreed that the general public is not intelligent enough to make conscious decisions. In this way propaganda could be used in an attempt to make a clearer path for the public. So that they are not lost in the confusing world but make appropriate and worthwhile decisions. He does not go so far as to say public opinion should be replaced by a small group of intelligentsia, but he does agree that the public is not educated enough to be responsible.

I think that there is some validity in saying that the people do not have enough time to get a firm grasp on the issues that they vote about each election. I also think that this information is often hidden from the public and tactics like emotional displays are instead used to attempt to sway the public. While this may work for some people, it hardly gives the public the opportunity to make the informed decisions that Lipmann and Bernays are hoping will happen. That is the fault of the government. They often skew and blur the lines so that issues are no longer about the facts but more about feeling. I think that the people should still have the opportunity to give their opinion, but I also feel that the government should be required to give the appropriate information so that they can be educated. The public should know a political candidate’s stance on a subject, not what their home life is like. Also, all of the points of legislation should be available, not hidden. This would prevent something like an environmental act to also give money to oil refineries. I think if information was freer flowing and not so obscured the public would be in a position where an informed, competent decision could be possible. In today’s world that simply isn’t possible.

Discrimination in the Ranks

OK so it may have been mere coincidence that we saw the documentary on police brutality this week and now this is one of the top stories on CNN but I don't think so. A new study found that if you are black or Hispanic you are more likely to be searched and arrested when stopped for traffic violations. That's very interesting news the police department didn't want you to hear! Even better this was released by the Justice department who also admit that there are racial issues at hand. Looks like Billy Jackson's not the only one noticing!

CNN Article on Minorities Faring Worse in Traffic Violations

COME SEE OUR DOCUMENTARY!!!!!

We are showing "The Voice of Abuse", featuring abuse survivor Vanessa Ford Taylor, on Tuesday May 8th. This will be at 12:30 p.m. in Muller Theater on the Westminster College Campus. Hopefully this documentary will help to break the stereotypes and social causes of abuse in today's society. Please come and see it!!!

The Status of Our Documentary

So...we have a rough cut!!! And, we have moved our files onto the portable hard drive so now we can work on it in the regular labs!!!! So, things are definetly moving in the right direction. We still need to film some of our transition stuff, like couples holding hands or their feet as they walk, etc. This is just so that its not person to person through the film. With those elements in place, the documentary should be starting to shape up. Hopefully it is going to come across as we hoped and allow for the viewers to see the fundamental problems that are in place within our society and the relationships within to create these power struggles that need not happen at all. I think the hardest part for us has been the editing. With so little experience on the software it has been a real battle. Fortunately, it seems like the bulk of those issues should be taken care of by now. Hopefully, soon our documentary "The Voice of Abuse" will be finished!!!

I hope I don't get kidnapped...

Sunday April 8^th I sat down to watch an evening of T.V. with my family, all happily groggy from our Easter meal. Although primetime television does not begin until 8 pm, my evening started at 7 with America’s Funniest Home videos. This parades the silliest of silly home videos that show some average Americans, but primarily far below average Americans in their every day follies. Then, we continued our support of the discovery channel special, Planet Earth. This ran for two hours and looked at oceans and grasslands. Both contained spectacular views and lots of interesting information. We then switched to Without a Trace. This drama, where a police team searches for a missing person, looked at race relations and the treatment of the lower class. After all of this high quality entertainment I stumbled off to bed.

America’s Funniest Home Videos did not bring any new situations into my life. Yes, I was able to experience other people’s most humiliating moments, but I experience my own most humiliating moments every day. I also think that lower class people tend to be over represented and where I live I am surrounded by people in the lower middle to upper lower class. It really only served to perpetuate many of the stereotypes about Americans. The Discovery Channel special did help me to experience things that I most likely will never experience. While I would like to say one day I will see the caribou migrate or a killer whale feed, its unlikely that even as an environmental scientist I ever will. So, seeing them on T.V. is a chance for me to experience the wilderness in its full glory. Also, I learned many interesting things that I have never heard even in a biology class. (Do you know which biome supports the most number of organisms?) Finally, I watched a group of police search for a lost child. I have never known a missing person but this situation was all too familiar to me. I felt as though I have been through this about a million times.

The type of program may have a big part in whether television is creating a hyper reality or bringing a part of the world in that would otherwise be missing. For instance, I felt as though I had been somewhat involved in a kidnapping even though I’ve never known someone who was kidnapped. And, by the shows that are on every night, it seems like kidnappings are more commonplace than children making it home safe. However, the discovery channel special is bringing places from all over the world that I will never see into my living room. I’m seeing sights that I will probably never get the chance to see in person or may not be able to see. For example, they slowed down a shark attack so it could be seen in detail. That is the only chance I’ll ever have to see that. America’s Funniest Home Videos is a blend between these scenarios. Yes, I am getting to see lives that I would otherwise not see. However, it is only adding to the stupid American stereotype.

Of all shows, I think that the dramas and reality shows create a feeling of hyper-reality. They showcase the world in a way that is not realistic. They create a frenzy feeling like that’s how life is when really, it isn’t. Crime scene analysis isn’t like that in real life. Real people don’t sit around in mansions all day drinking champagne. This is the reality that these shows portray and it only adds to the confusion in the world about what life should be like. Does a mansion mean success? Is money what its all about? Should we all be packing guns to protect ourselves? Is there a good chance that by next week I’ll be kidnapped? Watch primetime television and this may be the feeling you leave with. Choose good programming and you’ll get to see a new side of the world.

How my favorite shows stack up.

I now know that my favorite show is not going anywhere. NUMB3RS, a CBS drama at 10:00 on Fridays had a rating of 7.1/13 shares. This was the highest rated show on the networks for Friday night. To be honest, this sort of suprised me. I watch TV late at night on Friday but I didn't realize so many other people were doing the same thing. I am thankful that I will still have the dynamo mathematician Charlie Epps to adore for a few more years to come. The other show that I watch during the week is Grey's Anatomy which last week had a rating of 14.3/22. This gave it an overall rating of third. So, needless to say, Grey's Anatomy will not be going anywhere for awhile. I also like to watch HGTV, but I was unable to find their ratings. I think that must mean that they're low, but it isn't surprising for such a niche channel. On their site they claim to average about 1. I don't know what my favorite show, house hunters, gets. But, since they show it very often I think that it must be getting pretty good ratings. Hopefully the nielsen ratings will allow my favorite shows to stay on the air for long into the future!

Ever get the feeling you're being played?

Do all criminal minds think alike? Not according to this film. In the 2004 drama Criminal, with humor interspersed, director Gregory Jacobs makes the audience sit on the edge of their seat and pay attention. Through twists and turns the plot thickens and as the movies tagline promises, you get played.

In the beginning we meet Rodrigo, played by Diego Luna, a small time con artist stealing a few bucks from waitresses in a casino. He attracts the attention of the bigger crook Richard Gaddis, played by John C. Reilly, who happens to be looking for a new partner. Rodrigo happens to look like a nice guy and Gaddis decides to try him out for a day, no strings attached. Rodrigo appears to be happy to oblige since he is stealing money to help pay for his father’s surgery.

Suddenly we meet Gaddis’ sister and brother who only muddle our view of him further. What appears to be a con artist with a good heart is now a brother attempting to dupe his own family. Through it all Rodrigo holds on, apparently to keep hold of his chance a getting a big score on the coattails of the larger crook. Then a man who collects rare money comes into town and the pair has a chance at passing a counterfeit bill and getting their big score.

While it may seem like you know the humble Rodrigo the family man, you know nothing at all. Take the plunge and get played, it’s a ride that will never be forgotten.

No Crash and Burn Here

Crash, brought to life by director Paul Haggis, is an enlightening view of stereotypes and prejudice in today’s world. For those who think that discrimination is gone it will rattle their cage. For those who know see discrimination around them it will show a more in depth view of the inner workings of relationships.

A set of people who appear to have no common ground interact in modern day L.A. It is through “crashing” into each other that they see inside of themselves to the person within. The main focus of the film is exposing characters back-story. To see the why behind their actions that it may be better understood why they make certain choices. After viewing the film I began to question, what was that man’s back-story who was working at the counter who I snapped at? The movie strives to remove racial barriers and does a good job of it. It also helps to show the barriers that still hold people of color back in the world. The interaction of the characters, which are a rainbow of races, shows the true nature of interracial relationships. This includes policeman to citizens, politicians to policeman, upper-class to maids, and many other variations. While these day to day interactions may not seem significant they help to define the world which is L.A.

The film also utilizes dramatic circumstances to enhance the meaning of the film. At times it is so gripping that I felt myself clutching the seat, hoping for the scene to resolve and pass. And, the title does not disappoint, there are literal crashes throughout the film that help add to the dramatic impact.

The only drawback to the film is that snap stereotypes are used over and over. While it may be necessary because of how many characters are presented, it still diminishes the film at times. It seems like you are being hit in the head with stereotypical character after character. While they unfolded to a deeper person eventually at times, it put a damper on trying to minimize racial stereotypes.

Overall the movie was a true gem. It opened my eyes to the fact that while we may all be players on a stage, there is a backstage where people choose their mask. I highly recommend it to every moviegoer.

The Farnsworth Story

The story of Philo T. Farnsworth is a sad chronicle of how big business pushes out the little man in American history. He was a fairly uneducated man who taught himself electronics using magazines in his family’s attic. When he was only in high school Philo began to draw sketches of electron tubes. This fascination continued and he eventually decided to try his hand at making an electronic television. He convinced a few investors to back him and set up a small lab in California. This became like a family, with even his investors working by his side to create the first electronic television. Eventually, after much work, he accomplished his goal and was able to transmit an image.

At the same time, RCA was working towards the same goal. Their researcher, Vladimir Zworykin, visited Farnsworth’s lab in 1930 and essentially stole much of his work sending back to RCA a 400 word telegraph. Realizing that they would need to buy Farnsworth out because he had documentation for his discovery, they offered him a lump sum for his design. Farnsworth saw the need for his invention and joined the company Philco in an attempt to protect himself within a large company.

RCA would not stop and began to pull Farnsworth through a long legal battle. Eventually Farnsworth left Philco for personal reasons. He then had his own company which broadcast television regularly. Unfortunately, he was drug through the courts over and over again, eventually giving up and selling out to RCA. This caused him to have severe psychological damage and was an alcoholic for a large part of his life. The television was revealed at the World’s Fair in 1939 as though it was brand new, with no mention of Farnsworth.

This story, though sad, is just another example of a little person being pushed out by big business. Farnsworth was a genius and had amazing ideas. What he didn’t have was enough money to be able to withstand a long legal battle with one of the biggest corporations in the nation. RCA did not want to pay Farnsworth for using the parts he had patents on and instead tried to force him into submission. They used their power, which was money, to force a small businessman into selling out his idea.

While it is comforting to think that this doesn’t happen anymore, that there are enough laws to protect small businesses, it would be a naïve view of the world at best. Wal-mart is tearing through communities and sentencing the small business to death. My parents own a small business and they cannot raise their prices because there is a Wal-mart down the street. So, they are forced to make significantly less than what they should be making because they have to compete with a corporation with an endless supply of money. In America that is what it comes down to in business, those with money on top and those without on the bottom.

Source:

Philo T. Farnsworth. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_Farnsworth

Bluest Eye Doesn't Always Lead to Blue Skies!

The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, is a poignant look at the life of a black girl growing up in a society that does not value her existence. This tale follows the life of Pecola, a young black girl who is in the eyes of those around her ugly. She absorbs this opinion making it part of her own personality and also adopting the idea that blue eyed, blonde people are a true vision of beauty. The story is not only seen through the eyes of Pecola, but also through the eyes of her best friend Claudia. Claudia resists the opinion that blonde hair and blue eyes are necessary components of beauty. She sees a light in Pecola that no other person is able to find.

Pecola is not only burdened with the thought that she is ugly, but also with a family that borders on psychotic. Her mother and father have an unstable marriage fraught with abuse and turmoil. Sammy, Pecola’s older brother, is not a force in her life and also suffers from his parents’ relationship. Throughout the book there are people telling Pecola that black is not beautiful and that Shirley Temple is who she should model herself after. Even the dolls that the girls are given to play with are not black like them, but fair skinned with big blue eyes. Pecola’s mother shows her this by preferring the fair daughter of her employers over her own daughter. Eventually, Pecola believes and drives herself to madness. Claudia sees the beauty within her but is unable to help Pecola to see it in herself.

It is clear that Pecola is driven to hate herself by the actions of others upon her. She also adapts a vision of beauty that is unattainable and simply untrue. The actions of society on Pecola drive her to a point that even if she was the cutest child to ever walk on the earth she would not see it in herself. She only sees herself as not good enough because she does not fit the mold of beauty that society has laid out for her.

Toni Morrison wrote this novel to help black women deal with the pressures society forces upon them. However, I think it is a powerful read for any person willing to be open to the experience. At times it is difficult to keep reading because the imagery is vivid as Pecola deals with oppression, abuse, and sexual harassment. However, it opened up my eyes to some of the issues black women may have to deal with. I have always felt pressure from society to be thin but because I am the norm, white, I have never had the urge to completely change who I am. Toni Morrison addresses this issue and helps to empower black women to see the beauty in their own skin and reject the opinion that only fair skinned, blue eyed is beautiful. I would highly recommend this novel to all people, especially all women.

Documentary Definition

In contemplating the meaning of the word documentary my first instinct was to consult my ever ready source, Wikipedia. There I am exposed to the definitions given by those who helped to define the genre in the 1930’s. John Grierson was the first person to apply the term to films and he described a documentary as “taken from the raw” and “creative treatment of actuality”. Dziga Vertov, a Russian born pioneer director of documentaries, described it as “life as it is” or “life caught unawares”.

In the spirit of their definitions I began to look at the development of documentaries. I found that they were first short films made by the French that were of everyday activities, like people boarding a boat. Then in the early 1900’s they developed into stories such as travel films or scenics (re-enactments of historic events). Thus the concept of a representation of real life was introduced. In the 1920’s newsreels began to be a big part of the documentary industry as well as films which were, once again, interpretations of history. An example of one of these films is Nanook of the North, the poster for which is shown below. In the 30’s and 40’s documentaries became in large war propaganda. An example of this is Triumph of the Will a documentary shot in Germany as war propaganda for Hitler. A screenshot of this is shown below. In the 60’s and 70’s documentaries became “cinema truth” meaning that they were often of important events or personal reactions and did not have many sit down interviews. They were simply shot with a handheld camera and it was placed in the face of the participants as needed. Today documentaries are often full length films that convey a message. They often contain re-enactments. A spin off of this is reality T.V. which is similar but often clearly staged.

After looking at the development of the documentary, it is, in my eyes, a film that shows true, unscripted events. I feel that it can push an agenda but cannot be pre-conceived. For example, a show which puts a character into a unique event or situation can be a documentary. 30 Days, the Fox series by Morgan Spurlock, is a small documentary in that it looks at a unique situation but is not crafted or scripted. However, reality T.V. shows, like The Real World, due to their scripted nature do not qualify as a documentary. Also, game shows, due to their scripted nature, do not qualify in my mind as a documentary. If the hosts had no idea what was to take place or what was happening it would be a different story.

I also think that documentaries should be entirely factual in nature; none of the subject matter that is ultimately displayed has been crafted in some way by the people involved in making the film. That means that at the end of shooting there is what there is and though it can be edited it cannot be manipulated in a way that takes the true content of the original film and twists it. There should be no piecing together clips to create the desired shot. A documentary is, in essence, life unscripted.

Source:

Documentary. 2007. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documentary_film

30 Days Immigration Episode- The Turning Point

Rigoberto is quiet through most of the episode but towards the end he challenges Frank to go to Mexico and see the plight of the people that they sought to escape. Frank takes this offer and goes to stay with Rigoberto’s brother for several days. He sees several houses and also visits where the family used to live. It is only one room and there are no modern amenities. There is a corner where they had a fire pit to cook and over the hill a watering hole. Frank is appalled by the conditions that the family lived in and begins to understand why their immigration had been so pressing.

At the conclusion of the episode Frank emerges with a new point of view. “What I’ve learned most here is to see and understand your perspective straight from you,” he tells the family. He also states, “There comes a time when you love people for who they are, all politics aside.” The show cleverly allows Frank to arrive at this point on his own using circumstances that had a predictable outcome. Though, the show does have merit for showing that people often need to see the other perspective to understand and to help the intricacies of illegal immigration to emerge. So, while the outcome may be contrived and predictable, watching Frank on his journey to understanding and ultimately observing his change in thinking is a rewarding process in itself.

The show is very entertaining while presenting the message, but raises the question as to how much of the actual experience is being represented in the episode. 30 days worth of material has been compressed into about 50 minutes of show at most. Often the cuts seem to be almost systematic in carefully building the change of mind from Frank Minuteman to Frank the Concerned Citizen. While the transition is an important message to give it appears, in the case, to be carefully constructed.

Overall the show is a valuable learning tool. It shows how frame of mind can change based on the amount of knowledge and involvement of the person. While it is a very contrived situation, this setup is somewhat necessary for the situation to work. It would be far less effective if Frank himself had not gone through the immigration process and was unable to communicate to the family. Therefore, this show is worth a watch at least once. It gets 1.5 thumbs up out of 2.

30 Days Immigration Episode- The Setup

The television reality series 30 days created by Morgan Spurlock (of the documentary Supersize Me) provides a unique perspective on the issue of illegal aliens. The show uses a format fond to people who may not normally get the news, such as college students. Since this topic has recently been under serious debate the show allows people who do not like the news to receive the information in a way which is palatable for them. The protagonist of the show, Frank or Francisco, a Cuban immigrant who came to America with his parents when he was young, is a legal immigrant. It is convenient but necessary to the plot of the show that he himself has gone through the immigration process from a Spanish speaking country so he can relate to and communicate with the family. He joined the minutemen after 9/11 to help guard America against illegal aliens from Mexico which he feels are going to stage a revolution within the country. He states, “It will bring about the dissolution of this country and tear it apart completely.”

Frank is going to stay with a family of illegal aliens namely who have come to America from Mexico in pursuit of a better life. Before meeting the family Frank has a strong opinion on illegal aliens and states, “The only right they have (illegal aliens) is to be deported back to the country they came from.”

Frank assumes their life by working by day with the father, Rigoberto. He is a laborer and does odd jobs around the neighborhood. By night, he lives with the family in their one bedroom apartment which wife Paty, and children Armida, Alba, Karina, and Ricardo share together. He also leaves behind any way of identification to fully appreciate their situation.

Frank works with Rigoberto and this gives him an appreciation for the type of work he is doing for little reward. The family is making under $15,000 per year and Rigoberto is working as a laborer doing jobs that most Americans would refuse. In order to keep their apartment, which is clearly not large enough for their family, Rigoberto also is a handyman for the apartment building. Through this work he begins to develop respect for Rigoberto in that he is a very dedicated worker and is making an honest effort to support his family.

Frank also gets to know Paty, the mother in the family, and her way of contribution. He spends a day with her where they collect recyclables and Paty is able to make about $5 which that goes toward the money she is saving for Christmas. Frank is shocked at how little money will have to provide presents for all four of the children.

Frank’s closest tie is with the oldest daughter, Armida. She is in high school and attempting to go to college. Armida is a good student and also an avid golfer who would give anything to just be a typical American student. Through many discussions Frank comes to truly enjoy Armida’s company and even offers to sponsor her if she decides to go through the process of becoming a citizen.

While Frank is living with the family there is a rally to legalize immigration. Frank attends this rally with the family but is just appalled. He insists that the rally is just a fake and that the immigrants are attempting to have us allow them to come into the country so that they can stage their revolution and take over. He states, “It’s a prop for their cause…if this isn’t the beginning of a revolution I don’t know what is.” He even refuses to take a vigil candle.

Stereotypes

After considering all of the information about stereotypes that I have been receiving lately this is the best definition that I can make. A stereotype is a group of people which are classified together and have a set of characteristics that are thought to be known of all of them. However, I am coming to realize that although stereotypes are often used and are not necessarily negative, they can lead to confusion if applied the wrong circumstance. In the words of Walter Lippmann,

“If we cannot fully understand the acts of other people, until we know what they think they know, then in order to do justice we have to appraise no only the information which has been at their disposal, the minds through which they have filtered it.”

I think this is dead on in that stereotypes can be misleading when applied to a people because although their acts may seem strange there may be a perfectly logical explanation behind it. Also, until you understand the culture and the reasoning of that culture, it is difficult to see why they are taking the actions that they do. Also, when stereotypes are applied they may be too broad and general for a specific people. For instance, often people have pre-conceived notions of immigrants. However, immigrants come from many different backgrounds and are not necessarily similar at all. The only necessary commonality is that they moved to this country from another. There are still stereotypes associated with this group. So, I do not think that stereotypes are necessarily a bad think, but I feel they must be constantly re-evaluated so that they may be accurate or in some cases be flexible enough in one’s mind that they may be cast aside.

Cingular Wireless

My cell phone is my favorite type of media. Without it I would be stranded. The cell phone company I use is Cingular Wireless. Initially, Cingular wireless was created by Bell South and SBC Communications (formerly AT&T). They consolidated 11 regional telephone companies to make Cingular. This is a great example of how large companies will concentrate ownership when created companies. This is illustrated even further by AT&T’s recent buyout of Bell South. Now, I am part of 63 million people who have service provided by AT&T. To be honest, I’m not sure I need to be able to call 63 people at the drop of a hat. However, Cingular is the largest cell phone provider in the United States and ranks high in the world. Another recent story regarding Cingular is that soon I will receive all of my information via phone or so they hope. Cingular is to become the exclusive phone company for the new iphone from Apple. This will most likely make them a greater force worldwide than even now. When reading the business synopsis of Cingular it was very difficult to understand. They have bought out and consolidated so many companies over the years that their history is hard to wade through. It is essentially a list of all of the companies they have bought and combined together to make what I know as Cingular today. While I have never had any trouble with my cell phone, it would be nice to know that I have other options and right now I still have a few. However, there are not as many choices for phones as there used to be and, if this consolidation trend continues, there may not be in the future.

Source: Wikipedia. "Cingular Wireless" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cingular

The Media I Absorb

I am coming to see through examining what I take in an as media that I am being influenced at times without my knowledge. That is a scary realization. I enjoy watching the news and never realized that the anchors were skewing it until I looked for evidence of that. Likewise, I would never watch the news channel that doesn’t support my own opinion. So, I am just having my thoughts reinforced by watching the news instead of having the facts presented. When I watch more television I tend to watch shows that reinforce my own opinions and just ignore those that don’t. This past week I was watching the president’s address and then afterwards I put on the news that I normally watch. There was a noticed lack of standing on the democratic side, especially when he spoke of war and really didn’t think much of it until I watched the news. I tend to not like our president and often I won’t even think into what he is saying. The news channel had the democratic rebuttal and I was eating of his every word. I mean, fully engaged, nodding my head, buying into it completely. It was just as slanted as the president’s speech was, but because I agreed with him I let this get into my head. I think that is a large weakness of mine and that I need to consider the lens that I’m viewing the world through and maybe try to expand that so I’m not just being reassured of my own thoughts. I should try to make myself see both sides of the coin even when I don’t want to.

My favorite media.

I think that I may have a tie for my favorite type of media. I would really really miss my phone if I didn't have it. I date someone who is not close to me and I have lots of friends who have moved far far away and so to keep in touch with them I use my phone. I take for granted at times that I am able to call and have conversations with people who do not live near me frequently because of my cell phone plan. For a brief several weeks last year I was switching phone plans and I was without it. I felt stranded to be totally honest and I remember telling my mom I was deserted on an island. Did I have a land line? Yes. Did I have the internet and email? Yes. Do I have a phone card to use in case of emergencies? Yes. I still felt very disconnected from the rest of the world.

I do have to also mention that without books I would be lost. I don't get as edgy without them, but they are my main source of entertainment. I do long for a good read when I have been too busy reading required texts to do reading on my own. So, I think they are two different kinds of needs. However, those two top my list.

How I use media.

I am a student taking a mass communication class and in order to experience being an active part of mass communication I am now writing a blog for all to see. The first step in looking at mass communication is to really think about how I use media in my everyday life. In order to do this below I have answered a series of questions about media and how I use it.

1. How often do you use a telephone? Who do you call the most?

I use a telephone everyday, typically 3 or 4 times. I call my boyfriend and my mom the most.

2. When is the last time you listened to speech or public speaker where you were physically in the audience(not required for class)? What was it and why?

The last time I listened to a speech was last semester in November. I went to listen to a talk about Chemistry equipment and the business of creating a chemistry company that an alumni gave to science majors.

3. How often do you IM? Name two people on your buddy list or people you frequently chat with.

I use AIM about once a week or so typically depending on how much work I have. I talk mostly with a friend at another school, Tony, and a few friends here Ashley, Sarah and Carrie.

4. How often do you use email?

When at school I use email more than once a day. At home I use email about 3 times a week.

5. When is the last time you paid for music to listen to? What was it?

I bought a song from itunes on world AIDS day because I like the band and the proceeds when to AIDS research.

6. What's the most recent thing you've watched on TV? Why?

I watched Martha Stewart yesterday morning before class because I got up early and had some extra time before I needed to leave for class.

7. When is the last time you recorded a movie or television program? What was it?

Last December I taped NUMB3RS, a television show, because I typically watch it and was unable to watch that week.

8. Name the most recent movie you watched for fun at the theater and DVD.

The last movie I saw at the theater was The Good Shepard. The last movie that I watched on DVD was Little Miss Sunshine.

9. Name the type of radio station you listen to and why?

At school I listen to the school radio station because it doesn't have commercials and the music is usually an ok mix. At home I listen to a station that plays rock and pop from the 80's, 90's and now because it also has a good mix or a local country station because they play songs that people in the area like and talk about area events as they program their own station.

10. Name the most recent book you read for you and why?

I just finished the last book in the Obsidian trilogy called When Darkness Falls (it is a fantasy trilogy). Right now I am reading a mage winds series book while trying to find a cheap copy of Why do all the black kids sit together in the cafeteria? to read because it looks interesting.

11. When was the last time you read a newspaper? Name it. Why?

I read USA today about 30 minutes ago because I like to know what's going on and I enjoy reading the newspaper.

12. When was the last time you read a magazine? Name it. Why?

I read a Good Housekeeping two days ago because I enjoy it and was waiting for AAA to come and unlock my car doors as my keys were locked inside of it.

13. When the last time you wrote a letter and sent it?

I sent postcards from vacation over break about 2 weeks ago and before that I sent a letter to my friend in Florida before Christmas.

14. Name a web site you frequent or have bookmarked on your browser? When is the last time you visited? Why?

I visit Myspace often because many of my friends have moved to other places and it provides an easy way for us to keep in touch. I checked there this morning.

15. Do you have a Myspace or Facebook blog? Why?

I have accounts at both places that I use regularly to message people and keep in touch but I do not blog at either of them. I am a private person and blogging about my life doesn't appeal to me. If I wanted someone to know about my life I would send them a letter or email.