We live in an era of instant gratification where people can access whatever information they seek within a few clicks. They can get a meal within minutes at a fast food joint, and they can even lose up to 30 pounds in a month if they're willing to pop pills.
With so many possibilities, what does that mean for us? The answer is impatience.
I think about how many times a teenager will shake his/her head at me because I remember looking up books in a card catalog. Hell, I went to a library! But more importantly, I recall the days before the Internet. Days where I had to rely on gaining knowledge from a book or from an educated person.
When I tie this rational to social movements, I become a bit apprehensive. Occupy has succeeded in generating dialogue that hasn't existed since the 1920's. Yet, so many people consider them a failure because they have not changed government the way that the Tea Party has. Perhaps we should consider the idea that good things come to those who wait. Those who work hard for their cause and realize that things do not happen over night. Blood, sweat, and tears are often involved.
In the state of our world today, we should measure success on how long something lasts, not how quickly the outcome arises.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
The Role of News
When I want to watch the news, I have a few options. I can wait until broadcast airs the news during its scheduled time slots, or I can turn to a 24-hour cable station like CNN. If I'm not near a TV, I can even surf the web for the latest headlines/videos.
Earlier, I went the conventional route and watched a program on CNN named Cruise to Disaster. This special report focused on the Costa Concordia disaster that claimed 32 lives.
We learned this week that the function of the news is to simply report what happened. It shouldn't tell us how we should feel or how we should react.
Within a few minutes, this program broke that rule. It was apparent that CNN has its own view on the situation and wanted to inflict that slant onto viewers. Specifically, a mixture of images and aggressive language from people who were interviewed aired over and over again. I suppose that CNN wanted me to be angry with what had happened, but I admit that I almost felt numb.
As a person with her own beliefs and feelings, I should be able to make my own conclusions. However, let's be real. That will never happen as long as the media continues to influence what we see and hear.
The only way to make the news' original vision a reality is to have robots report the news. Even in that instance, humans would be the ones to program them. Keeping these ideas in mind, I'm not sure that there will ever be a day where news will be impartial.
Earlier, I went the conventional route and watched a program on CNN named Cruise to Disaster. This special report focused on the Costa Concordia disaster that claimed 32 lives.
We learned this week that the function of the news is to simply report what happened. It shouldn't tell us how we should feel or how we should react.
Within a few minutes, this program broke that rule. It was apparent that CNN has its own view on the situation and wanted to inflict that slant onto viewers. Specifically, a mixture of images and aggressive language from people who were interviewed aired over and over again. I suppose that CNN wanted me to be angry with what had happened, but I admit that I almost felt numb.
As a person with her own beliefs and feelings, I should be able to make my own conclusions. However, let's be real. That will never happen as long as the media continues to influence what we see and hear.
The only way to make the news' original vision a reality is to have robots report the news. Even in that instance, humans would be the ones to program them. Keeping these ideas in mind, I'm not sure that there will ever be a day where news will be impartial.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Arab Spring Uprisings
In today's age of technology, many views differ on its effectiveness. Some people think these advancements help us evolve, and some believe they actually set us back.
In the case of "Arab Spring," social media outlets like Facebook played a key role. Upon research, I found that some reporters tried to downplay its involvement even though statistics showed that protestors turned to Facebook for vital information during that time. In fact, the number of users jumped by 30 percent, compared with 18 percent growth during the same period in 2010 (Huang).
While I recognize that protesting has been around for a very long time, I cannot deny the fact that technology can help streamline efforts, opening the door for better communication. As Nathan Singer mentioned during class, much of Martin Luther King Jr.'s success derived from his ability to channel television for his cause. He garnered support from all over the country utilizing that innovative (at the time) media.
The same can be said here. Facebook is a newer media that can reach people throughout the world.
I stand with those who believe technology keeps us moving forward. It enhances classic methods. And in the case of "Arab Spring," this outlet allowed more people to get involved.
*Source: Huang, Carol. "Facebook and Twitter Key to Arab Spring Uprisings: Report." The National. N.p., 06 June 2011. Web. 09 Sept. 2012. <http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/facebook-and-twitter-key-to-arab-spring-uprisings-report>.
In the case of "Arab Spring," social media outlets like Facebook played a key role. Upon research, I found that some reporters tried to downplay its involvement even though statistics showed that protestors turned to Facebook for vital information during that time. In fact, the number of users jumped by 30 percent, compared with 18 percent growth during the same period in 2010 (Huang).
While I recognize that protesting has been around for a very long time, I cannot deny the fact that technology can help streamline efforts, opening the door for better communication. As Nathan Singer mentioned during class, much of Martin Luther King Jr.'s success derived from his ability to channel television for his cause. He garnered support from all over the country utilizing that innovative (at the time) media.
The same can be said here. Facebook is a newer media that can reach people throughout the world.
I stand with those who believe technology keeps us moving forward. It enhances classic methods. And in the case of "Arab Spring," this outlet allowed more people to get involved.
*Source: Huang, Carol. "Facebook and Twitter Key to Arab Spring Uprisings: Report." The National. N.p., 06 June 2011. Web. 09 Sept. 2012. <http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/facebook-and-twitter-key-to-arab-spring-uprisings-report>.
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