Sunday, October 31, 2010
Video games from entertainment to art
The gaming world has changed so much from the late 80's and 90's. From the simplest of games like Pong and Pac-man. To games of our time period like Halo and Madden. Games are in just about every home now and the audience goes from 5 years old to the elderly everyone plays games. In todays society we are all about expression in everything we do, everyone is trying to display there talents and artistic ability everywhere. With the help of HD televisions and high powered gaming devices that creativity and talent has found its way to the gaming world. Creating lovable characters and worlds that we disappear in as we play. Some play these games almost all day, the deep story lines that designers create totally absorb all of ones free time just to see what lies next around the corner. Some give up there personal relationships because they are so addicted by some games. The skill it takes for those programers to create some of the details they put on there characters and there environments. just like any painter or artist each stroke of a pencil or color from a brush has to be perfect. Just like with video game creators they have to convert there story and images to there digital canvas. they have to breath life into there characters, and warmth and environments from breath taking visuals to excellent sounds tracks. Video games to day not only do they make us smile and laugh, They are the works of our Leonardo Da Vinci of our time! An example i would like to use to show some of the power of art in video games is Super Mario Bros. Wii the reason I'm choosing this game is for the fact that its not on one of the HD gaming machines. Super Mario Wii take the usual characters found in the Mario franchise you play as Mario, Luigi, and a yellow and blue toadstool guy. This game takes the same side scrolling approach it did when it made its debut on the original Nintendo. Same characters just about and same story rescue Princes Peach. The characters were so well created that this game has been so close to so many of us for over 20 years now. There are very few things in the world today that is created by man and 20 years later create the same joy it did when it was first created. Art is why the video game industry has grown into what it is today!
Teen's & Digital Media.
I tell you what, the teenager's now-a-days have it made. Between the cell phones, computers, games, and even the television they hardly ever have to become creative to know what to do to keep them occupied. Sometimes this can be good but sometimes it can all be a thorn in your side and make you wished they would've never been invented. As a mother of 5 teenagers I can say that with full honesty. Take cell phones for example, as a kid growing up I remember seeing people with cell phones but they were huge and carried in what looked like a suitcase and it was unusual to see a teenager with one. Now, it's unusual to see a teenager without one. I love the fact that I can keep in touch with my kids at all times but I hate the fact that I have to worry about them getting into an accident because their talking or texting on the phone.
Then there's computer's. This is an invention that I love but, at times, wished would've never been invented. As my kids were growing up I made sure they always had a computer so they could keep up with their school work and to use the different learning programs that I bought for them. It wasn't until my kids turned into teenagers that I started dreading this wonderful invention. I went from making sure they were learning and getting the most out of the computer, to making sure they're not learning things they're not suppose to be learning and that there's not some pervert trying to make them his next victim.
And games? Wow, between the computer games, such as World of Warcraft, and the X-Box games, such as Halo Reach, I've really had a fight on my hands. My kids laugh at me all the time because I'll watch them play some of these games and all I can say is "whatever happened to Frogger?" My youngest son made me feel really old when he asked me what Frogger was. It wasn't until they became teenagers that I actually realized how much games have changed, especially the violence. The most violent game I can remember growing up was Astroids. But then again the most violent cartoon I remember growing up was Popeye and now they have cartoons like Courage the Cowardly Dog and Southpark.
It really amazes me how much digital media has evolved just in the past few years, and although I get disappointed at times with some of the ways it's all used, overall I think we should still move forward and look outside the box when it comes to digital media but along with that I really hope that parents do the research on these advancements before they are introduced to their children. That will be the only way that parents can keep a good thing from turning bad.
Digital media and the movies
When you think about movies today, what are some of the most visually inspiring, greates movies you can think of? Some people will give me answer of maybe comedies or chick flicks, but I bet most of you will answer more along the lines of these movies. Transformers, Avatar, and the like.
And what do all these movies have in common? Digital effects and animation. They either use special effects to enhance the movie, the integrate computer animation into the live action of the res of the movei, or even the movie is entirely animated. More and more the movie industry is relying on digital techiniques to supplement and enhance their movies, or even replacing traditional filming all together.
Who wasn’t amazed when they first saw Transformers, and these large robotic creatures roaming around in seemingly the real world? When you first saw the amazing world of avatar, and integration of the human’s into the environment? Even such classics such as the Titanic used digital animation for the sinking of the ship, and and the dinosaurs of Jurassic park?
Many movies now a days would have been impossible without digital touching up, effect, and animation, or at least they wouldn’t have had nearly the quality and visual impact they do now. These special effects allow for an almost realistic escape into the fantastic and unimagined.
These digital effects allow for enhancement of back grounds in subtle ways, such as in Moulin rouge. It allows for changing the appearance of a character, from the changing of age, such as in The Curious Tale Of Benjamin Button, To a comlete revamp of an actors appearnce, such as that of Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean, and Gollum in the lord of the rings. It allows for more Gore in horror movies, and many other ways than you can count. The fantastical creatures of a fantasy film, the space fight of a sci fi film, explosions in an action film, even to to just mess with lighting, filters, and monir things in every genres of film imaginable.
Digital animation and effects is also much easier and cost effective than many effects would have been to prodiuce in real life. They allow for retakes, and reworking of effects not possible in a real life creation of them, allow for much more control over the effects, and allow for a much more fantastic and wide srpead range of effects.
Argueably one of the greatest example of the Integration of live action filming with special effects would be James Cameron’s avatar. The movies combines the actual movement and such of the human actors, as a frmaeworks under the digital animation of the characters. The end product ended up being about 40 percent live actiona dn about 60 percent digital. It would have been nearly impossible to recreate without the use of digital effects and animation.
The digital effects industry has become intertwined with the film industry the two are virtually inseperable. In the future, expect to seen bigger, greater intergration of the two techologies, creating new and greater worlds for us to explore.
And what do all these movies have in common? Digital effects and animation. They either use special effects to enhance the movie, the integrate computer animation into the live action of the res of the movei, or even the movie is entirely animated. More and more the movie industry is relying on digital techiniques to supplement and enhance their movies, or even replacing traditional filming all together.
Who wasn’t amazed when they first saw Transformers, and these large robotic creatures roaming around in seemingly the real world? When you first saw the amazing world of avatar, and integration of the human’s into the environment? Even such classics such as the Titanic used digital animation for the sinking of the ship, and and the dinosaurs of Jurassic park?
Many movies now a days would have been impossible without digital touching up, effect, and animation, or at least they wouldn’t have had nearly the quality and visual impact they do now. These special effects allow for an almost realistic escape into the fantastic and unimagined.
These digital effects allow for enhancement of back grounds in subtle ways, such as in Moulin rouge. It allows for changing the appearance of a character, from the changing of age, such as in The Curious Tale Of Benjamin Button, To a comlete revamp of an actors appearnce, such as that of Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean, and Gollum in the lord of the rings. It allows for more Gore in horror movies, and many other ways than you can count. The fantastical creatures of a fantasy film, the space fight of a sci fi film, explosions in an action film, even to to just mess with lighting, filters, and monir things in every genres of film imaginable.
Digital animation and effects is also much easier and cost effective than many effects would have been to prodiuce in real life. They allow for retakes, and reworking of effects not possible in a real life creation of them, allow for much more control over the effects, and allow for a much more fantastic and wide srpead range of effects.
Argueably one of the greatest example of the Integration of live action filming with special effects would be James Cameron’s avatar. The movies combines the actual movement and such of the human actors, as a frmaeworks under the digital animation of the characters. The end product ended up being about 40 percent live actiona dn about 60 percent digital. It would have been nearly impossible to recreate without the use of digital effects and animation.
The digital effects industry has become intertwined with the film industry the two are virtually inseperable. In the future, expect to seen bigger, greater intergration of the two techologies, creating new and greater worlds for us to explore.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Election Time or Bashing Time?
Have you noticed the newspaper, television, internet and radio political advertisements lately? Each candidate is bashing the other, there is so much mud slinging going around and negative talk about each person that Im turned off to voting for anyone. This Nation was on the brink of another "Great Depression" 12 months ago that we are still trying to recover from. These polititians want our votes but when they have the chance to say something encouraging or meaningful they use the opportunity to degrade their opponent.
How about using a 30 second commercial to let us know how your going to make improvements if elected, or how your going to lower taxes and mortgage rates, lower the crime and poverty rate, increase scholarships, lower gas prices, stabilize social security and retirement funds, and increase stimulus rebates.
These are some of the items that should be addressed instead of the political name game thats being advertised. In case you haven't heard heres a few of the adjectives most commonly used:
"lie", "cheat", "steal", "rob", "rude" "uncivil", "angry", "sneaky","thief", "dishonest" and my favorite, "I am not a witch," insists Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell. These guburnotorial candidates claim to be well educated, literate stand up citizens politicing for votes. I don't think showing meaness is a good way to achieve this.
I talked with some elders who say "this campaign is more nasty and negative than ever". For a change, I'd like to see an eloquent man/woman, with some class and knowledge about reform and the economics of America to benefit our great Nation by making the necessary changes voiced by the people.
How about using a 30 second commercial to let us know how your going to make improvements if elected, or how your going to lower taxes and mortgage rates, lower the crime and poverty rate, increase scholarships, lower gas prices, stabilize social security and retirement funds, and increase stimulus rebates.
These are some of the items that should be addressed instead of the political name game thats being advertised. In case you haven't heard heres a few of the adjectives most commonly used:
"lie", "cheat", "steal", "rob", "rude" "uncivil", "angry", "sneaky","thief", "dishonest" and my favorite, "I am not a witch," insists Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell. These guburnotorial candidates claim to be well educated, literate stand up citizens politicing for votes. I don't think showing meaness is a good way to achieve this.
I talked with some elders who say "this campaign is more nasty and negative than ever". For a change, I'd like to see an eloquent man/woman, with some class and knowledge about reform and the economics of America to benefit our great Nation by making the necessary changes voiced by the people.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Mark Lawrence, Digital Artist
I’m not a big church goer. In fact now that I think about it I haven’t been to any church in at least four years (except for my step-grandmother’s funeral). That’s why I was very unexpectedly surprised to find myself receiving a sermon this morning at Frank Brown Park watching my son practice ball. I’ll try to spare you all my unreasonable reasoning or should I say confusion and doubt on religion or more so religious leaders. My blog is really about artist named Mark Lawrence. I have been a fan of his artwork for quite some time but up until now have not researched.
Mark Lawrence as a child was more interested in doodling than doing his school work. Many times we hear of artists that have had so much training and just grew up submerged in art. Mark Lawrence is not one of those artists. He basically forgot art in high school. He went through all the usual stuff growing up in America…college, marriage, kids and started a small business in Atlanta. In the mid 90’s he found himself in financial disaster. He returned to his childhood love of art to ease stress and became a born-again Christian, finding the two to hold hands. He draws his artistic inspirations from bible scriptures. He stays motivated by hearing from different people he inspires. He hopes to do God’s will and spread his news by inspiring people with his artwork.
That is how I found myself sitting in a church pew at football practice in the park. Listening intently and believing, questioning or denying each and every phrase uttered just as I did for so many years when I was little. I come into these perspective self discovery journeys or interventions hopeful yet doubtful and always disappointed. I leave confused at whether it was a constructive experience or a further confusion. Maybe I should have a little faith that “when God sends a message to us through scripture it is never by accident. It always achieves the special purpose for which it was sent.”
Mark Lawrence work is really awesome. I love everything about his art…the textures… the color combinations. He uses digital sources to create or enhance his contemporary Christian abstract paintings. You can check out his ImageKind.com profile and paintings at http://www.imagekind.com/GalleryProfile.aspx?gid=48ecf2ca-8d14-46fa-bc84-7beb931d1874. You can check out 54 of his creations at his Art.com gallery at http://www.art.com/gallery/id--a28601/mark-lawrence-posters.htm?ui=BCF728CA5382420E92FD5DAAC7071001. You can access his exclusive website at http://www.marklawrencegallery.com.
Mark Lawrence as a child was more interested in doodling than doing his school work. Many times we hear of artists that have had so much training and just grew up submerged in art. Mark Lawrence is not one of those artists. He basically forgot art in high school. He went through all the usual stuff growing up in America…college, marriage, kids and started a small business in Atlanta. In the mid 90’s he found himself in financial disaster. He returned to his childhood love of art to ease stress and became a born-again Christian, finding the two to hold hands. He draws his artistic inspirations from bible scriptures. He stays motivated by hearing from different people he inspires. He hopes to do God’s will and spread his news by inspiring people with his artwork.
That is how I found myself sitting in a church pew at football practice in the park. Listening intently and believing, questioning or denying each and every phrase uttered just as I did for so many years when I was little. I come into these perspective self discovery journeys or interventions hopeful yet doubtful and always disappointed. I leave confused at whether it was a constructive experience or a further confusion. Maybe I should have a little faith that “when God sends a message to us through scripture it is never by accident. It always achieves the special purpose for which it was sent.”
Mark Lawrence work is really awesome. I love everything about his art…the textures… the color combinations. He uses digital sources to create or enhance his contemporary Christian abstract paintings. You can check out his ImageKind.com profile and paintings at http://www.imagekind.com/GalleryProfile.aspx?gid=48ecf2ca-8d14-46fa-bc84-7beb931d1874. You can check out 54 of his creations at his Art.com gallery at http://www.art.com/gallery/id--a28601/mark-lawrence-posters.htm?ui=BCF728CA5382420E92FD5DAAC7071001. You can access his exclusive website at http://www.marklawrencegallery.com.
These are some of my favorites.
Exodus 16:4
Acts 2:17
The Gate of Heaven Genesis 28:17
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Future of Digital Media
The Future of Digital Media
The world of Digital Media is a constantly changing environment. We live in the time frame where PC’s have become man’s best friend, where digital editing and graphic design is practically a trait learned while growing up, and where entertainment rules the generation. Computers have seen more improvement in the past 5 years than ever before. Now instead of only having a PC at home; most of today’s generation can also be caught sporting around the latest cell phones that have the ability of a complete computer crammed into tiny pocket-sized containers and Ipods that have full access to the internet or view YouTube videos at the owners slightest whim. Just one look at the world around you now can show you where the Digital Media future is going.
With PC’s capabilities growing everyday it has now allowed the general public the ability to begin learning skills in digital editing and similar subjects. I know this fact personally because about 3 years ago I was in the same position learning the video effects program Adobe After Effects. Having grown up playing around with Adobe Photoshop and other programs it allowed me to have great success just jumping in and learning a completely new program. Thru online forums and video tutorials I quickly began to achieve the skills necessary to start experimenting and combining several effects or techniques to create CG seen on TV or in movies. Within no time I was creating things I never imagined I would ever be able to before. This by no means is a complete education in certain programs but it shows how the general public can access and teach themselves all the vital programs to create the next blockbuster film or dynamic video game.
The world of how things are viewed is also evolving as time goes by; the creation of sites that allow users to display their works has drastically increased individual recognition. With sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Flickr users can upload photos and film of their work for the world to view. This is allowing amateurs to break into the field of Digital Media at an alarming rate. Users such as 18 year old English student Nick Haley, whose amateur iPod Touch commercial was picked up from YouTube and turned in to a high definition television ad, have found out that simple user created material can change your life as you know it. Users are finding them contacted by production agencies to aid in the help of professional advertisement. Advertisement agencies are also using YouTube to get a wide variety of reviews to products, ads, and more. With users able to log on worldwide and view videos at any possible time they can get a range of opinions from every different age, race, gender, and ethnicity without having to spend a dime.
This is just the tip of the icegerg of the ever evolving world of Digital Media and how it is improving itself. Things are rarely created the are perfect but companies take an idea and enhance it till it is. As Steve Yelvington pointed out in an article," Google did not invent search. They perfected it. The did not invent pay-per-click text ads. The perfected them. YouTube did not invent online video. The perfected it. Facebook did not invent online social networking. They perfected it." I believe you will see a lot more of this in the near future as new technology is perfected and further built upon into the unknown.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Internet: The Good, The Bad, & Kids Stuck in The Middle.
Internet is a major part of all our lives. Whether you need it for professional, educational, or recreational purposes there is a website devoted to your needs. It has been estimated that there is over 2.25 million websites. A lot of these websites are lifesavers. However with the good comes the bad. Between 75% and 90% of teenagers from 13-19 use the internet in the united states. most of these kids use it on a daily basis, spending an hour or more "surfing" the internet. What exactly are your kids "surfing through?
Well parents, there is good news and there is bad news. Good news is the internet is not evil. There are many websites that are extremely positive. People use the internet for research and studing purposes. Before interent a research paper could take weeks to finish, considering the library time and labor hours spent to research your topic. Now with the internet it could be done in days, most of that spent sorting through the vast amount of information at your fingertips.
Another great thing about internet is the social connection available. "Online interactions provide essential socail support for otherwise isolated adolescents." Being able to stay in touch with friends has never been easier. With the internet people can have an assortment of friends. Also it helps shy teenagers make friends. with the internet they are not rushed into speaking and without the face to face contact there is less to be nervous about.
For adults the internet provides entertainment and news that is controlled by what you want from it. With the internet it is simple to hear and see what is going on across the world. Now people with busy schedules can have services done right from home. You can shop, work, get a degree and almost anything without leaving the house.
Now for the bad news. People do have the tendency to be evil which makes things people create have negative impacts even if it was create to better society. The worse things that parents deal with is protecting their kids from the harms in this world. The internet, unfortunately, can provide some of these harms.
Online bullying is a growing epidemic. Mentioned earlier, shy kids do open up more online, well some bold children open up as well. Kids think that what they say on the internet cant be harmful. Also it is not censored or protected by teachers and parents. Normal bullying at school or in a neighborhood is horrible and humiliating. Imagine a child's humiliation being broadcasted through the world wide web.
With the vast amount of information at ones disposal one might think the more available the better. Kids are able to look through this online widow and see things they might not need to see. The internet is practically unrestricted and children can easily find porn or violence. Someone can find a little too much information without even really searching.
With the easy way to stay in touch with friends and family comes an easy way for stalkers to find people. Online stalking is as easy as having a Facebook. most people don't think about who reads their posts when they announce where they are going to be and exactly what they are doing. The internet made a lot of things easier; stalking included.
People who use the internet just need to be wary. the internet is an amazing tool for society and can bring people together. With great power comes great responsibility. Watch your kids, keep the computer in a public area of the house, check history and make sure everyone knows about the dangers of scams, viruses, and spam along with the other far worse things.
Well parents, there is good news and there is bad news. Good news is the internet is not evil. There are many websites that are extremely positive. People use the internet for research and studing purposes. Before interent a research paper could take weeks to finish, considering the library time and labor hours spent to research your topic. Now with the internet it could be done in days, most of that spent sorting through the vast amount of information at your fingertips.
Another great thing about internet is the social connection available. "Online interactions provide essential socail support for otherwise isolated adolescents." Being able to stay in touch with friends has never been easier. With the internet people can have an assortment of friends. Also it helps shy teenagers make friends. with the internet they are not rushed into speaking and without the face to face contact there is less to be nervous about.
For adults the internet provides entertainment and news that is controlled by what you want from it. With the internet it is simple to hear and see what is going on across the world. Now people with busy schedules can have services done right from home. You can shop, work, get a degree and almost anything without leaving the house.
Now for the bad news. People do have the tendency to be evil which makes things people create have negative impacts even if it was create to better society. The worse things that parents deal with is protecting their kids from the harms in this world. The internet, unfortunately, can provide some of these harms.
Online bullying is a growing epidemic. Mentioned earlier, shy kids do open up more online, well some bold children open up as well. Kids think that what they say on the internet cant be harmful. Also it is not censored or protected by teachers and parents. Normal bullying at school or in a neighborhood is horrible and humiliating. Imagine a child's humiliation being broadcasted through the world wide web.
With the vast amount of information at ones disposal one might think the more available the better. Kids are able to look through this online widow and see things they might not need to see. The internet is practically unrestricted and children can easily find porn or violence. Someone can find a little too much information without even really searching.
With the easy way to stay in touch with friends and family comes an easy way for stalkers to find people. Online stalking is as easy as having a Facebook. most people don't think about who reads their posts when they announce where they are going to be and exactly what they are doing. The internet made a lot of things easier; stalking included.
People who use the internet just need to be wary. the internet is an amazing tool for society and can bring people together. With great power comes great responsibility. Watch your kids, keep the computer in a public area of the house, check history and make sure everyone knows about the dangers of scams, viruses, and spam along with the other far worse things.
Quitting Technology... Cold Turkey.
Technology has come a long way over the past few decades. I've been sitting here trying to imagine what life would be like without any modern technology and I've come to the conclusion that it would be kind of boring. Granted, if I had been born into a world without technology, I would be used to it and probably wouldn't be able to imagine the world as it is today. However, the point is... having been born into today's technologically dependent world, I think everyone would go into panic mode if we were suddenly stripped of internet access, cell phones, radio, television, etc.
Think about it. How many of you have left the house, realized you left your cell phone behind and turned around to go get it? I know I'm guilty of it. And why? I'm sure that I could survive without my cell phone for a few hours, but it drives me crazy not having it. I feel naked without it and it's just a cell phone. How would you react to quitting technology cold turkey?
This idea certainly has it's pros and cons. I feel that it would build stronger bonds between friends and family as the only interaction you would have with each other would be in person. People would probably be more fit than they are in today's society as most jobs would require harder labor and people would be outdoors more instead of staying in and watching tv or sitting on the computer. But if today, in 2010, there was suddenly a technology blackout, I personally feel that there would be a spike in the crime rate everywhere. We rely on technology for audio/video surveillance, metal detectors, and even telephones to call for help and without these things, criminals might take full advantage of it.
Those a just a few random thoughts, but what do you think? How do you think it would affect us? There is no doubt that technology has taken over today's world. From waking up to your alarm clock, turning your tv on to find out the local weather forcast, going through the drive through at a fast food restaraunt, paying with your debit card, banking online.... the list could go on and on! That being said... It would take some serious adjusting to be comfortable in a technolgy-free world.
Think about it. How many of you have left the house, realized you left your cell phone behind and turned around to go get it? I know I'm guilty of it. And why? I'm sure that I could survive without my cell phone for a few hours, but it drives me crazy not having it. I feel naked without it and it's just a cell phone. How would you react to quitting technology cold turkey?
This idea certainly has it's pros and cons. I feel that it would build stronger bonds between friends and family as the only interaction you would have with each other would be in person. People would probably be more fit than they are in today's society as most jobs would require harder labor and people would be outdoors more instead of staying in and watching tv or sitting on the computer. But if today, in 2010, there was suddenly a technology blackout, I personally feel that there would be a spike in the crime rate everywhere. We rely on technology for audio/video surveillance, metal detectors, and even telephones to call for help and without these things, criminals might take full advantage of it.
Those a just a few random thoughts, but what do you think? How do you think it would affect us? There is no doubt that technology has taken over today's world. From waking up to your alarm clock, turning your tv on to find out the local weather forcast, going through the drive through at a fast food restaraunt, paying with your debit card, banking online.... the list could go on and on! That being said... It would take some serious adjusting to be comfortable in a technolgy-free world.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Digital Media and the Education System
Before digital media, the idea of using technology to enhance the school experience was not available. Now, every school I know of utilizes some type of technology or digital media to further engage the students into learning. Even before children enter school, the world of digital media affects them. From all the cartoon shows that have started to teach children, such as Dora the Explorer, and from the fun computer games that companies make to help enhance their learning ability before parents enter them in school, children today start learning certain things earlier than generations before.
When I was growing up, my elementary school used a computer program called Accelerated Reader to take quizzes on books we had read. We were able to get points when completing the quizzes, and it caused many students to get more interested in reading. Since this program was on the computer, it was an efficient and simple way to test students on their knowledge of certain books. Today, this program is still used, but it is not the only way elementary schools use digital media to help students learn. Some schools get the privilege of having a certain number of iPads in their classroom so they can install applications that help kids with what they are learning. This type of help really helps children engage in learning.
As I grew older and entered middle school and high school, digital media became more and more apparent. Not only did it help with research for certain subjects, it was a way for everyone to be informed. By the morning news, which I was a part of throughout my years of middle school and high school, students and teachers got information on whatever they needed to know about the day or upcoming events. Entering my junior and senior year of high school, applying to college was easier because of digital media. Everything I needed to know was available to me through a couple clicks of the mouse, and everything could be sent electronically so there would be no hassle for lost transcripts or applications.
As a student in college, I know now more than ever digital media is essential. Before 2004, students did not have the internet to sign up for classes, or get information for their classes. When professors decided to design websites for their students, it changed everything. Research is more easily found. If a student is unable to attend the class, the student can get the power points from the lecture online if needed. If changes are made, professors are able to let their students know prior. Students are now able to take online courses, which provide more flexible schedules for someone who has a full-time job, or have children. The list can go on and on for examples of how digital media has helped schools and students learn. Without digital media, I cannot imagine what the education system would be like. Digital media has made the system just much more efficient.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Time and Again
Time after time I find myself observing the comings and goings of the various people in and out of my place of work. Given my job, I meet a lot of different people; tourists, locals, children and adults. I work at a CVS pharmacy where I manage the store while the manager is off, a shift supervisor in title. My job is to hold down the fort and keep the store running while maintaining a professional and efficient work schedule. This leads me to observe the people coming into the store since I have to make myself readily available to assist them when they require help finding an item. As of late I have noticed a definite increase in cell phone users, most notably in the younger persuasion. And it is during these times that a sense or feeling of grief temporarily comes across me. See every time I see a young adult with a cell phone strapped to their face as they open the door I am reminded of the day I almost lost a second mother. It always keeps me wondering if technology is out distancing the ability of today’s youth to handle such responsibilities.
The story of my second mother takes place 2 years ago when she was driving across state to visit one of the stores belonging to the local gas station; she is a Subway district manager for the gas stations that have them. Her job is to visit the stores and make sure they are adhering to the Subway code of conduct. She has several under her jurisdiction and as such she is on the road a lot. I have always liked her and even if she was not my biological mother, she IS my “other mother” regardless. One day she was headed to the next state up and was about a mile away from her store when suddenly a car from the next lane crossed over and hit her dead on at 60 mph. For those of you who don’t understand; when you have one car going 60 mph and another car going 60 mph and one hits the other head on, the force of the impact registers at 120 mph. That like taking a race car and going at max speed into a wall. Both the car and my other mother’s minivan came to a dead stop. The surrounding cars all stopped and no one else was involved. As everything was getting sorted out, my second mother was passing out and to this day she thinks she was about to die, but a motorist had run up and put his hand on her arm and asked her if she was alright. Aside from the motor of the minivan resting on her legs, a broken thigh bone, and head trauma, she was still alive and able to speak that she was still with the living. The other driver wasn’t so lucky. The young girl died on the impact.
Why did this happen? What would possess a person to suddenly swerve into oncoming traffic? The answer sadly came from a friend of the girl whom she was texting with; at the moment of the accident. The friend had been carrying on a text conversation with the girl, and at some point the girl must have forgotten to watch her driving and had veered into the other lane. It will be a mistake their family and friends have to live with for the rest of their lives, and a sad reminder for my other mother for the rest of hers. It’s hard for her these days getting around; she had broken her thigh bone very close to her knee joint, the doctors didn’t think they could put a pin into what was left of the bone in that leg but they managed. Every time it gets cold or her arthritis kicks up she has to lie down and double her medication. Every time she has to feel that pain, she feels the pain of the loss of that young girl. And every time she remembers all of that, she realizes that a young girl died by crashing into her. Maybe it was because my other mother is such a gentle soul, maybe it’s because of the shock of finding out that she alone had survived when one younger had not, but regardless she holds herself to blame for the loss of that life.
So each day I see a person walk to my store with their head in a phone, or so wrapped up on texting whomever they are texting to the point they wait for someone else to open the door, I just want to run up there and scream at them to come back to the here and now, or they might just look up one day and see a minivan they’re about to crash into. I don’t think they realize just how much they affect others around them when they turn off the world and turn on their cell phones.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
"Talk?, Face-to-Face?" OMG, NO WAY!!!!!
HOW DIGITAL MEDIA CHANGED THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE.
Before digital media came along, people used to have to communicate by what I like to call the "OLD-FASHIONED" way. I grew up in a time when people had to actually "TALK" to each other unless they were going to write a letter and send it through the mail. How it worked was people would use something called a "TELEPHONE". These machines were a lot like the "CELLPHONES" you see today only they were much bigger and attached to a cord that kept the user stationary. Some people would have a cord so long they could almost go out and check the mail but could still only go as far as the cord would stretch. A different type of "TELEPHONE" was a "CORDLESS" phone. It wasn't actually "CORDLESS" as you still had to have a cord connenting the base of the unit to an outlet in the wall, but the "HANDSET" could be carried without having a cord attached to it. Of course it could only receive a signal for so much distance from the base but it was a nice luxury over its "CORDED" counterparts. With these devices, people could communicate by picking up the receiver and dialing a phone number to the person they were trying to contact. Now, in the event that the person could not be reached, what was known as an "ANSWERING MACHINE" would be used to capture a message. These were devices that originally used "TAPE" to record messages but that is another topic of its own. A lot of things came and went from the time of the "TELEPHONE" to the age we are in today such as "PAGERS" or "BEEPERS" (also another topic on its own) and the arrival of the first "CELLPHONE" which looked to be the size of a brick. Technology quickly advanced and we were soon faced with a whole new way to communicate. People no longer have to actually "TALK" to each other anymore. They can "EMAIL", "INSTANT MESSAGE", or even use their "CELLPHONE" to "TEXT" messages to each other. Using something called the "INTERNET", people don't even have to TRY TO TALK "FACE-TO-FACE" the first time they meet. Through dating "SITES" on the "INTERNET", people can get to know who someone is before they even hear their voice for the first time. There are "SITES" like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace that people can use to build completely virtual worlds in which they live and broadcast their entire lives for everyone to see. I do feel that new technology has destroyed or at least crippled the "Art of Communicating". Well, maybe it has just changed the "Art" itself. Either way, it has become a VERY IMPERSONAL WORLD where someone can simply "DELETE" you from their "FRIEND" list and you can be out of their lives forever. Maybe I am just "OLD-SCHOOL" but I still prefer "FACE-TO-FACE" communication over the "OTHER WAY" most of the time. The only question I have is this, if we can know each other's LIFE HISTORY in an INSTANT, without EVER meeting in person, what are we going to be able to do in say, 20 years? Sometimes its a little scary to think about.
Before digital media came along, people used to have to communicate by what I like to call the "OLD-FASHIONED" way. I grew up in a time when people had to actually "TALK" to each other unless they were going to write a letter and send it through the mail. How it worked was people would use something called a "TELEPHONE". These machines were a lot like the "CELLPHONES" you see today only they were much bigger and attached to a cord that kept the user stationary. Some people would have a cord so long they could almost go out and check the mail but could still only go as far as the cord would stretch. A different type of "TELEPHONE" was a "CORDLESS" phone. It wasn't actually "CORDLESS" as you still had to have a cord connenting the base of the unit to an outlet in the wall, but the "HANDSET" could be carried without having a cord attached to it. Of course it could only receive a signal for so much distance from the base but it was a nice luxury over its "CORDED" counterparts. With these devices, people could communicate by picking up the receiver and dialing a phone number to the person they were trying to contact. Now, in the event that the person could not be reached, what was known as an "ANSWERING MACHINE" would be used to capture a message. These were devices that originally used "TAPE" to record messages but that is another topic of its own. A lot of things came and went from the time of the "TELEPHONE" to the age we are in today such as "PAGERS" or "BEEPERS" (also another topic on its own) and the arrival of the first "CELLPHONE" which looked to be the size of a brick. Technology quickly advanced and we were soon faced with a whole new way to communicate. People no longer have to actually "TALK" to each other anymore. They can "EMAIL", "INSTANT MESSAGE", or even use their "CELLPHONE" to "TEXT" messages to each other. Using something called the "INTERNET", people don't even have to TRY TO TALK "FACE-TO-FACE" the first time they meet. Through dating "SITES" on the "INTERNET", people can get to know who someone is before they even hear their voice for the first time. There are "SITES" like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace that people can use to build completely virtual worlds in which they live and broadcast their entire lives for everyone to see. I do feel that new technology has destroyed or at least crippled the "Art of Communicating". Well, maybe it has just changed the "Art" itself. Either way, it has become a VERY IMPERSONAL WORLD where someone can simply "DELETE" you from their "FRIEND" list and you can be out of their lives forever. Maybe I am just "OLD-SCHOOL" but I still prefer "FACE-TO-FACE" communication over the "OTHER WAY" most of the time. The only question I have is this, if we can know each other's LIFE HISTORY in an INSTANT, without EVER meeting in person, what are we going to be able to do in say, 20 years? Sometimes its a little scary to think about.
Cyberbullying
In today's world, social networking is a major part of people's daily lives. While there are many advantages to using websites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Myspace like finding old friends or for promotion, they also have their disadvantages as well. One topic in particular--cyberbullying--has become more than a mere disadvantage.
Children in middle school and high school are at the highest risk of being "cyberbullied." Statistics show that 20% of students have admitted to being bullied online, with girls being more likely to experience it than boys. There have been a few widely publicized tragedies stemming from cyberbullying via Myspace. You may be familiar with the 2008 story involving a group of high school cheerleaders who posted negative comments about a girl on Myspace, then lured her to a house where she was beaten into unconsciousness. Following the attack, they posted the video on YouTube for everyone to see. The effects of these online attacks can be long-term physically, mentally and emotionally not only for the victim, but for their family and friends as well.
Another story you may be familiar with is the suicide of 13 year-old Megan Meier which was a result of being harassed online by a supposed 16 year old boy. In the end, the 16 year old boy actually turned out to be the mother of Megan's friend next door. This just goes to show that cyberbullies are not limited to children and young adults. They can be just about anyone.
So, how can we prevent and respond to cyberbullying? Being aware of it is key. Listen and always take it seriously. Be aware of your child's emotional state. If you notice any dramatic changes, talk to them. Be involved with their teachers. Know how they are doing in school socially, not just academically. Parents must do all they can to provide their children with the tools and knowledge to be safe on and offline. Should any online harassment occur, take the necessary steps to resolve it. It is imperative to step in. Whether it be getting both parties together to discuss the issue and resolve it face to face, or by getting parents and school faculty involved. Never stand idly by if your child makes a harassment claim. You never know. You might just save a life.
Children in middle school and high school are at the highest risk of being "cyberbullied." Statistics show that 20% of students have admitted to being bullied online, with girls being more likely to experience it than boys. There have been a few widely publicized tragedies stemming from cyberbullying via Myspace. You may be familiar with the 2008 story involving a group of high school cheerleaders who posted negative comments about a girl on Myspace, then lured her to a house where she was beaten into unconsciousness. Following the attack, they posted the video on YouTube for everyone to see. The effects of these online attacks can be long-term physically, mentally and emotionally not only for the victim, but for their family and friends as well.
Another story you may be familiar with is the suicide of 13 year-old Megan Meier which was a result of being harassed online by a supposed 16 year old boy. In the end, the 16 year old boy actually turned out to be the mother of Megan's friend next door. This just goes to show that cyberbullies are not limited to children and young adults. They can be just about anyone.
So, how can we prevent and respond to cyberbullying? Being aware of it is key. Listen and always take it seriously. Be aware of your child's emotional state. If you notice any dramatic changes, talk to them. Be involved with their teachers. Know how they are doing in school socially, not just academically. Parents must do all they can to provide their children with the tools and knowledge to be safe on and offline. Should any online harassment occur, take the necessary steps to resolve it. It is imperative to step in. Whether it be getting both parties together to discuss the issue and resolve it face to face, or by getting parents and school faculty involved. Never stand idly by if your child makes a harassment claim. You never know. You might just save a life.
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