After our discussion about rights and pornography yesterday, I felt I should write how I feel about the industry. To start, I think that pornography should be looked at from both points of view like Pamela Paul wanted to explore in her book, but I also think that porn is better kept and viewed by a specific age group of people rather than letting it be exposed to the general population. I have heard of so many stories about people searching something (famous one: the white house search which turned out to be a porn site rather than The White House) and then naked pictures or a porn site will show up. Honestly, whenever I think of porn getting into kid's hands, I think of the movies where the little boys are secretly watching porn and their mom walks in on them and they scramble to turn it off. Then jimmy's mom has to call donald's mom to explain to her that her son has watched porn. Haha that's definitely what I think when it gets into kid's hands. Anyways, back to the point, pornography IS different from other forms of sexual expression because it involves real people exploiting themselves in ways that are degrading to women and men and how to treat one another on a sexual level. I am not a feminist, but I do think there is definitely a line that can be crossed when it comes to privacy and what it is that we or children can be learning or taking in about how to treat one another from the internet, television and technology as a whole. The video that we watched about Sasha Grey shows that there are many issues that are colliding with one another when it comes to pornography and they are still unresolved. There is definitely a right to freedom of speech, however, there should be a limit as to who is watching it.
The last slide in the powerpoint in class on Monday described the Cultural impact of pornography on people. Children are now being exposed to pornography at an earlier age and I think that this leads to negative understanding and learning about sex with another human being. I think that right now, there is still bad education to teenagers about sex and porn can be another way in which teenagers or children are misinformed about sex and how to treat one another. Not to mention with technology, this idea of "sexting" one another has become viral and has lead to many consequences. And with technology, porn can be found everywhere without any restrictions and whatever is placed on the internet, is permanent. Another thing I find unsettling about pornography is the health concern about the people involved in the industry. It seems that porn advertises that sex with multiple partners is fine, but it doesn't promote safe sex or give much educational information compared to informative materials and art. In the powerpoint, it said that pornography does not promote "sexual correctness" or healthy behavior. And I agree with that, but it could also explore the possibilities of sex. So, maybe there doesn't need to be a limit on porn because it is argued that it is simply there just as entertainment. However, I do think that there need to be something placed on where it is seen and who sees it. I think it is fair to not have children be allowed to see it, but it seems like you can get any information you want on anything on the internet these days. I think that porn, like the remix culture is still something that will be a topic of discussion with the government and laws and people and free speech as technology advances.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Free Internet access in airports
So I have been sitting in the Portland airport for about 2 hours now and have about 5 more hours to go. My topic of discussion for this blog is free internet at the airports and on airplanes. When I went up to the front desk to check into my flight, I asked if they had free internet access in the airport and the lady said yes and also mentioned that they are now offering free public wifi on their longer flights. So, now instead of having the two or five hours of no internet access on the airplane, I have internet access 24/7 to log onto facebook and waste away that many more hours of my life. That's pretty dramatic, but now we can literally access the internet up in the air. So now, I am able to access my email, facebook, Stumbleupon (my new procrastination site), Hulu, and anything else I need from the internet. But now that I am able to access the internet basically everywhere I go, I am afraid I am turning into a zombie-like human being who is constantly glued to my computer; for school, work, social networking and now traveling.
When can I get a break from technology? Don't get me wrong, I love how I can easily get access to the computer, internet and any other technological device I "need" in my life. But now, it's like when I need to rest from my life, I am constantly going to the internet as my escape. I'm thinking it should be the other way around. I already have so much of the internet in my daily routine, that I should be going outside and doing something, or actually hanging out with friends, going for a hike, taking a nap etc. But I find myself completely dependent on technology that I feel I should completely get away from it. In fact, I think when finals are over, I am going to try and delete my facebook for awhile and see how that goes. One step to hopefully a greater one. Wish me luck though, I am not sure how that will happen at this point, but I am going to generate a lot of will power to do it. So now that we have internet access in the air, I guess I will enjoy it and watch a movie or something while I am flying. Might just have to give in and use my computer :/
When can I get a break from technology? Don't get me wrong, I love how I can easily get access to the computer, internet and any other technological device I "need" in my life. But now, it's like when I need to rest from my life, I am constantly going to the internet as my escape. I'm thinking it should be the other way around. I already have so much of the internet in my daily routine, that I should be going outside and doing something, or actually hanging out with friends, going for a hike, taking a nap etc. But I find myself completely dependent on technology that I feel I should completely get away from it. In fact, I think when finals are over, I am going to try and delete my facebook for awhile and see how that goes. One step to hopefully a greater one. Wish me luck though, I am not sure how that will happen at this point, but I am going to generate a lot of will power to do it. So now that we have internet access in the air, I guess I will enjoy it and watch a movie or something while I am flying. Might just have to give in and use my computer :/
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
3. Technology and Social Interaction
3. Technology and Social Interaction
Your task for this assignment is to describe your thoughts on how technology influences social interaction. Do you think the spread of technology has had a positive or negative impact on your everyday face to face interaction? What about for people more generally? What do you think about using the Internet to meet other people (via online dating sites, Craigslist, message boards, fan sites, online gaming, or virtual worlds)? Is connecting to others via online communities a viable way of creating meaningful relationships, or are we neglecting our everyday relationships in favor of these "virtual" relationships? Do we, as a society, need to focus on creating more "real" spaces/public spheres for people to connect, interact, and discuss meaningful political and social issues?
I think technology is making us lazy when it comes to social interaction. I have recently heard about my parent's experiences (not all of them) in college and I have come to realize how much effort they put into keeping the friends they made in college and how they managed to find a way to hang out with them. For example, my mother would make sure to take out some time in her busy week to go out to dinner with her friends or to attend her sorority events. I just think that it is important to do activities, socialize and interact with others in person. Personally, I find myself like many others being sucked into the internet and because of the accessibility, I get lazy and don't want to get up and walk less than a mile to see someone. I think the spread of technology is both harmful and helpful to reaching out to people. But there most certainly needs to be a balance. The face to face interaction is a must because it's how people get to know one another on a greater level then if you were to talk to each other via fb chat, twitter and skype. There's this whole other part of being able to actually hug someone or laughing with them and having to support your weight on your friend's shoulder because you are laughing so incredibly hard. Or even a simple high five or a handshake really does tell you something about someone. I've been applying to jobs recently and I have learned the how to's of having a good handshake vs. a bad handshake, because it really reveals someone's character in those few seconds. So when it comes to that time when you are interviewing for a job via skype or some sort of video connection, that personal contact and deeper connection is lost.
When it comes to meeting other people online, I think that it is a good tool to find people like yourself who share your interests and want to collaborate with you to defeat the evil wizard. But, I personally just don't see there being the incredible connection I feel with my friends and the relationships I have made in person. I think that if one were to find a significant other online, it is a great start, but there needs to be the effort to see each other one on one in person to understand one another better. The virtual worlds, yes, let people get to know one another regardless of their physical appearance. But I truly believe that there needs to be the face to face interaction with people to make relationships last. I find it really upsetting to think that places and activities that were once praised as a place to gather and connect as a community, with friends and to create an interactive society, are dwindling down. Now people, I think are too afraid to go to these places because of the fears that have been placed on people that others are bad and will hurt you in these public spaces. So, instead we retreat to the internet which, if we are more detached from our society, the less we have to fear about being judged, threatened, and feel more comfortable. I just feel this is wrong. And I feel that our trust in others in our society is what has caused us to use the internet as a safe-haven outlet and alternative to face to face interaction. I cannot stress how much I believe that face to face interaction is key to the world's understanding of one another. If we rely too much on the internet, that greater bond and understanding of someone will be lost. I hope my kids don't lose the personal connections I have made by hanging out, watching a movie, eating with, and just having fun with through face to face time. There should be a time with the internet and there should be a time without it.
Your task for this assignment is to describe your thoughts on how technology influences social interaction. Do you think the spread of technology has had a positive or negative impact on your everyday face to face interaction? What about for people more generally? What do you think about using the Internet to meet other people (via online dating sites, Craigslist, message boards, fan sites, online gaming, or virtual worlds)? Is connecting to others via online communities a viable way of creating meaningful relationships, or are we neglecting our everyday relationships in favor of these "virtual" relationships? Do we, as a society, need to focus on creating more "real" spaces/public spheres for people to connect, interact, and discuss meaningful political and social issues?
I think technology is making us lazy when it comes to social interaction. I have recently heard about my parent's experiences (not all of them) in college and I have come to realize how much effort they put into keeping the friends they made in college and how they managed to find a way to hang out with them. For example, my mother would make sure to take out some time in her busy week to go out to dinner with her friends or to attend her sorority events. I just think that it is important to do activities, socialize and interact with others in person. Personally, I find myself like many others being sucked into the internet and because of the accessibility, I get lazy and don't want to get up and walk less than a mile to see someone. I think the spread of technology is both harmful and helpful to reaching out to people. But there most certainly needs to be a balance. The face to face interaction is a must because it's how people get to know one another on a greater level then if you were to talk to each other via fb chat, twitter and skype. There's this whole other part of being able to actually hug someone or laughing with them and having to support your weight on your friend's shoulder because you are laughing so incredibly hard. Or even a simple high five or a handshake really does tell you something about someone. I've been applying to jobs recently and I have learned the how to's of having a good handshake vs. a bad handshake, because it really reveals someone's character in those few seconds. So when it comes to that time when you are interviewing for a job via skype or some sort of video connection, that personal contact and deeper connection is lost.
When it comes to meeting other people online, I think that it is a good tool to find people like yourself who share your interests and want to collaborate with you to defeat the evil wizard. But, I personally just don't see there being the incredible connection I feel with my friends and the relationships I have made in person. I think that if one were to find a significant other online, it is a great start, but there needs to be the effort to see each other one on one in person to understand one another better. The virtual worlds, yes, let people get to know one another regardless of their physical appearance. But I truly believe that there needs to be the face to face interaction with people to make relationships last. I find it really upsetting to think that places and activities that were once praised as a place to gather and connect as a community, with friends and to create an interactive society, are dwindling down. Now people, I think are too afraid to go to these places because of the fears that have been placed on people that others are bad and will hurt you in these public spaces. So, instead we retreat to the internet which, if we are more detached from our society, the less we have to fear about being judged, threatened, and feel more comfortable. I just feel this is wrong. And I feel that our trust in others in our society is what has caused us to use the internet as a safe-haven outlet and alternative to face to face interaction. I cannot stress how much I believe that face to face interaction is key to the world's understanding of one another. If we rely too much on the internet, that greater bond and understanding of someone will be lost. I hope my kids don't lose the personal connections I have made by hanging out, watching a movie, eating with, and just having fun with through face to face time. There should be a time with the internet and there should be a time without it.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
"See Friendship"
I am conflicted with the newest addition to Facebook, "See Friendship." When I first clicked on it between my best friend and I, I thought it was fun to look back on our wall posts, our old photos and the events we both attended. Then I went and searched (guilty) my ex-boyfriend's and I's friendship and it was fun to see the pictures we took, the things we wrote to each other and other information we shared. BUT, I think this could lead to more suspicions and most definitely privacy violations with people. Because, say a girlfriend of this guy "Average Joe" is looking at "Average Joe's" friendships and she comes across his friendship with this other girl. We'll call her "Sexy Sally." Anyways, so the girlfriend is looking at their friendships and sees the flirtatious wall posts, the personal space boundaries crossed in pictures, etc. then the girlfriend is bound to think things and accuse "Average Joe" of cheating on her. Now "Average Joe" is going to have to explain to her that it was a thing in the past and they are just really close still as friends. Nevertheless, this leads to my main point, that this is another example of how our privacy, on the internet is going down the drain.
To add to my point on privacy, on the side bar there was my best friend's name and 5 of my other friend's names with hers to see "their friendships." As I decided to investigate further, I would look at more see friendships and not between me and my friends, but between my friends and my other friends. Going back to what we have discussed numerous times before in class, I realize really how creepy it is that all the information we post on people's walls, all the photos we thought that were erased or disappeared in the depths of the internet, are still there. Again, EVERYTHING IS PERMANENT.
So even after I write this blog, people can search my name and find this blog as well as pictures, information, my friends, my family, my phone number and soon, probably my social security number, my birth certificate, my license AND my fingerprints... Privacy rights are dwindling down, and quite frankly that scares the hell out of me. I think that after realizing how much information I have put down already on the internet since I created my first screen name on AOL aim (remember that!) could almost entirely explain my life to a complete stranger. Now the stalker, creeper or hacker on the internet can not only know about what information I provide, but by pressing "see friendship" on facebook, they can see the relationships I have formed with other people. Gives me the Heebie Jeebies. And I will let you know, after writing this blog, I will be changing my facebook privacy settings to be even more limited to people who want to see my profile and "get to know me" through the internet.
So, what do you think, do you like the "See Friendship" button? Or is it providing too much information to people or your 536 "friends" about yourself and your friends?
To add to my point on privacy, on the side bar there was my best friend's name and 5 of my other friend's names with hers to see "their friendships." As I decided to investigate further, I would look at more see friendships and not between me and my friends, but between my friends and my other friends. Going back to what we have discussed numerous times before in class, I realize really how creepy it is that all the information we post on people's walls, all the photos we thought that were erased or disappeared in the depths of the internet, are still there. Again, EVERYTHING IS PERMANENT.
So even after I write this blog, people can search my name and find this blog as well as pictures, information, my friends, my family, my phone number and soon, probably my social security number, my birth certificate, my license AND my fingerprints... Privacy rights are dwindling down, and quite frankly that scares the hell out of me. I think that after realizing how much information I have put down already on the internet since I created my first screen name on AOL aim (remember that!) could almost entirely explain my life to a complete stranger. Now the stalker, creeper or hacker on the internet can not only know about what information I provide, but by pressing "see friendship" on facebook, they can see the relationships I have formed with other people. Gives me the Heebie Jeebies. And I will let you know, after writing this blog, I will be changing my facebook privacy settings to be even more limited to people who want to see my profile and "get to know me" through the internet.
So, what do you think, do you like the "See Friendship" button? Or is it providing too much information to people or your 536 "friends" about yourself and your friends?
Sunday, November 7, 2010
1. Your Media Diet
1. Your Media Diet
Your task for this assignment is to record your media consumption for 5-7 days straight. Take note of how many hours you spend reading, watching television, using the Internet, or engaging with any other forms of media. While you do not have to give an exhaustive account of every TV show you watch or website you visit, do note what types of books, TV, websites, etc. that you consume. You can also describe which particular shows you watch or sites you visit daily/on a regular basis. After listing your media diet for each day of the week (length of time, types of media), you should provide a brief analysis. Questions you might address in your analysis include: What does your media diet say about you? How do you think it might compare to the media diets of other people your age? What might your media diet suggest about American society more broadly? Are there changes you'd like to make regarding your media consumption? How might your social location influence your media intake?
Monday: I woke up at 6 am this morning because of stuff for my 8 am class. Checked facebook and then my email.
Around 12 pm I checked Fb on my phone because although I turn on silent, I have been having fb notifications sent to my iphone.
While walking to work, I also check my phone around 2.
Then, after lacrosse practice from 5-7 or 7-9, before I am about get homework started, I check it then too.
I text and use my phone to make phone calls and write emails to people like my boss all day.
Tuesday: Woke up at 8 am and go to work at 9 am. So I am check fb on my iphone too.
Around 11 I leave work and check then too. Also I call my dad to see how he is.
Check facebook and get on the internet at about 5 pm after classes before practice.
Wednesday: The same thing as Monday.
Thursday: Don't check my facebook until around 2 pm because I have way too much to do before then.
Friday: Have to get onto gmail to talk to my boss and figure out a project. So in the morning I am trying go figure that out on the internet
Also check my facebook before I get to practice at 5:00 pm on my phone.
That's just my weekdays. On the weekends, I catch up with some of my television shows via Hulu. I also write an email novel every other week to my sisters to keep up with their lives and mine. My job is based ON the internet and technology, so after looking at this little schedule, I am definitely incredibly dependent on technology and especially the internet.
I am currently loathing mac computers though, because I have been having to come to the library for two weeks now to use a computer due to software, password and hardware problems with my 1-year old mac computer! If you get anything from this blog, it's to back everything up on a back-up drive and as soon as possible!
I think what I have realized about myself is that I probably spend more than half my day on the internet and that I have become so dependent on technology that I thought it was the end of the world when my computer initially freaked out on me. I think that I DO find it hard to not have the security of having internet access all the time. Because, for me, it's a way of staying in touch with people when I really don't have the time to see them face to face. But then I lose that face to face interaction with my friends and I think that is more valuable than the relationships I've made and the "time" I have spent talking with my friends on fb chat. I get scared to think that our society will become too involved in the internet. And social networking and relationships we make, will be through technology and not through personal face to face interaction. I think that we (especially my generation that has grown up with the internet) are lazy. Lazy and demanding and that leads us to not set our priorities straight and stray away from what is really important. Therefore, I hope, that everyone can spend time away from technology to just appreciate what's in front of them. It's incredibly hard, but I hope that people will want to preserve parts of life and social interaction before the internet was invented.
Your task for this assignment is to record your media consumption for 5-7 days straight. Take note of how many hours you spend reading, watching television, using the Internet, or engaging with any other forms of media. While you do not have to give an exhaustive account of every TV show you watch or website you visit, do note what types of books, TV, websites, etc. that you consume. You can also describe which particular shows you watch or sites you visit daily/on a regular basis. After listing your media diet for each day of the week (length of time, types of media), you should provide a brief analysis. Questions you might address in your analysis include: What does your media diet say about you? How do you think it might compare to the media diets of other people your age? What might your media diet suggest about American society more broadly? Are there changes you'd like to make regarding your media consumption? How might your social location influence your media intake?
Monday: I woke up at 6 am this morning because of stuff for my 8 am class. Checked facebook and then my email.
Around 12 pm I checked Fb on my phone because although I turn on silent, I have been having fb notifications sent to my iphone.
While walking to work, I also check my phone around 2.
Then, after lacrosse practice from 5-7 or 7-9, before I am about get homework started, I check it then too.
I text and use my phone to make phone calls and write emails to people like my boss all day.
Tuesday: Woke up at 8 am and go to work at 9 am. So I am check fb on my iphone too.
Around 11 I leave work and check then too. Also I call my dad to see how he is.
Check facebook and get on the internet at about 5 pm after classes before practice.
Wednesday: The same thing as Monday.
Thursday: Don't check my facebook until around 2 pm because I have way too much to do before then.
Friday: Have to get onto gmail to talk to my boss and figure out a project. So in the morning I am trying go figure that out on the internet
Also check my facebook before I get to practice at 5:00 pm on my phone.
That's just my weekdays. On the weekends, I catch up with some of my television shows via Hulu. I also write an email novel every other week to my sisters to keep up with their lives and mine. My job is based ON the internet and technology, so after looking at this little schedule, I am definitely incredibly dependent on technology and especially the internet.
I am currently loathing mac computers though, because I have been having to come to the library for two weeks now to use a computer due to software, password and hardware problems with my 1-year old mac computer! If you get anything from this blog, it's to back everything up on a back-up drive and as soon as possible!
I think what I have realized about myself is that I probably spend more than half my day on the internet and that I have become so dependent on technology that I thought it was the end of the world when my computer initially freaked out on me. I think that I DO find it hard to not have the security of having internet access all the time. Because, for me, it's a way of staying in touch with people when I really don't have the time to see them face to face. But then I lose that face to face interaction with my friends and I think that is more valuable than the relationships I've made and the "time" I have spent talking with my friends on fb chat. I get scared to think that our society will become too involved in the internet. And social networking and relationships we make, will be through technology and not through personal face to face interaction. I think that we (especially my generation that has grown up with the internet) are lazy. Lazy and demanding and that leads us to not set our priorities straight and stray away from what is really important. Therefore, I hope, that everyone can spend time away from technology to just appreciate what's in front of them. It's incredibly hard, but I hope that people will want to preserve parts of life and social interaction before the internet was invented.
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