How to Survive Communications Ethics

I have learned that you must be very open to group work. I like group work and I think that it teaches you a lot about yourself and how you work with and relate to others. You must keep an open mind. A lot of issues and new technologies may be out of the norm. It is important not to write things off or typecast something before you explore it and fully understand it. This class was really an enjoyable one and I am so happy that I decided to minor in Communications. I think that the Project Report assignment was great because it exposed me to so many different organizations and issues in our surrounding community. This should definitely be continued. I think there should be more assignments such as a semester long project (in small groups) that examines a social justice issue. I think student should also become more involved in the world of Social Media possibly through following a blog or trending topic on the subject.

Civic Action

Saint Joe's primary goal as an educator is to encourage us to be "people with and for others". I have a real sense of civic action and firmly believe that each person is here to help one another and advance society as a whole. Humans by nature are communal. So why does this sense of justice and duty to others not really apply as well? I believe that we must step outside of the little bumps and bruises of our own lives and dedicate some of our time and effort into improving the lives of the oppressed and less fortunate. We have become too consumed in our blackberrys, facebooks, youtube videos, and twitters that we lose sight of reality. Little do many of us realize that these objects of our dearest affection could be the key to advancing justice. Our generation has the world at our fingertips. We should therefore put our resources to good use.

I have a challenge for myself and our generation. Instead of using our blackberrys to gossip via meaningless texts, let's use them to network in order to advance a cause. Let's text to donate to victims in Haiti. Rather than facebook stalking old boyfriends, let's unite people around a common cause. Become a fan of COde Pink: Women for Peace http://www.codepink4peace.org/ instead of The Hangover. Before you go to tweet that you're hitting up Main St tonight, tweet about the dangers of domestic violence. We have all the tools, the only peace our generation has yet to prove is if we have the heart.

Here is a link to Amnesty International and one of their causes of violence against women. Check it out. See what change you can make with the tools at your disposal.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/campaigns/stop-violence-against-women

My take on TED talks

I was so impressed with how one assignment can be taken in different directions. All of the talks were so unique and at the same time equally brilliant. The talks really let the class see what each person is passionate about. Topics varied from factory farming, to cyber bullying, to ethical issues with ad campaigns, to up and coming projects like Loveland. Every speaker took a different approach to their talks and I think that is what really made them all so interesting. I'm sure we were all equally nervous, but all the speakers were very captivating and really managed to maintain my interest (for a whole 5 minutes!). The assignment pushed everyone out of their comfort zone which allowed real growth for us as individuals, and as a class.

I think TED talks were a very positive experience for the class. I wish we could do more of them actually. If people got to sit in on those classes I'm sure everyone would be a Communications minor or at least take a class in it. Long live the TED talk!!

TED Talk

Friends on Prezi

Christina Morelli relives the City of Brotherly Love's past

One may walk the streets of Philadelphia and never question the history of that red brick building on a quaint colonial street. Christina Morelli, seeks to shed some light on the city's liberal past in an intimate glimpse into the lives of its early inhabitants, the Quakers.

TED Talk

I have always been really interested in why things are the way they are today and the people and events that shaped the world we now live in. I have lived near Philadelphia my entire life and have always been taken by the beauty of the city. The simplicity of the buildings and the tiny colonial streets are not common in today's society. But who made it that way? For my TED talk, I plan on looking into the history of the Quakers, or Society of Friends, and seeing how their story has affected our city so greatly in ways we may not outwardly recognize.

Quakers have truly done remarkable things for this city. Check out some of them: http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/85.htm

The never ending debate

What was better the book or the movie? In the book's favor, it allows out imaginations to run free. How can Hollywood top our wildest dreams? But movie's bring the words to life in a way that is more tangible and real to us? I think this scale really is subjective to the individual. In The Surrogates, there are several outstanding plot differences that completely change the meaning of the story line. The original purpose of surrogates in the book was to help those with disabilities lead a seemingly normal life. However, in the movie, the operators were normal looking people. Their only tragic flaw was that they were all wearing bathrobes. In the movie, the main character lost a child which is huge in shaping his character. This aspect isn't even addressed in the graphic novel. At the end of the novel, the lead characters wife commits suicide because she sees no meaning in a life without surrogates. At the end of the movie, all of humanity seems a little confused but that it will be okay. There is no tragedy which gave more meaning to the novel.

Facebook is for lovers

This video from CBS's Big Bang Theory really depicts how consumed we all are by social media sites, such as facebook. Our Facebook page is an extension of ourselves and we grow very attached to it. It can even dictate things in our lives.

What does it mean to be human?

To be human means that you are aware of your limitations and cogniscent of the fact that you are a part of something greater than yourself. For humans, life isn't about simply surviving as it is for other species. We are capable of much more than this primitive lifestyle. This is both a blessing and a curse. We are able to have a much greater variety of emotions and experiences. With this comes great responsibility. It also comes with the ups and the downs. After all we would never appreciate how great life can be if it weren't for the moments that force us to question and examine every facet of our existence. Being human is all about overcoming. We are a species who continually perseveres and that is what we are designed to do. Being human is about chasing your dreams, finding true love, and hoping to do all that you can to be remembered after you're gone.

So long to all things ephemeral...

Welcome to the information age. We find ourselves at a unique time in history. We are at a great crossroads. We are the generation that decides how we will put this boom in technology to use. It is easy to look back on others mistakes and point the finger. We can pass off global warming and pollution problems on them. But what will generations to come blame on us?

Nick Bostrom takes a more positive approach on this issue. He singles out humanity's three biggest problems as: death, existential risk, and that life isn't always as wonderful as it could be. He calls for us to change human nature in order to improve our lives and solve these problems. With these technological improvements, we could live forever. But is that such a good thing? Love could never fade and we would never forget. Nick forces us to examine what it really means to be human. He encourages us to develop and explore the realms of possibilities with careful consideration. Bruce Schneier assumes a more pessimistic role about the dawn of the information age. He sees it more as something uncontrollable and says "We're not going to stop the march of technology, just as we cannot uninvent the automobile". He believes that society only works because of its ephemeral nature. But what happens when nothing is temporary or fleeting?

There is no doubt that we are living in a time of change. It just depends how we channel the resources available to us. We are writing history right now. Let's make it a great story.

Eliminating the Stigma (Part II)

Our video submitted to Project: Report unfortunately didn't make it to the semi-final round, but that was not the end of the road for us. It was merely the start of our revision process. I thought it was important to have a title slide, which was added. Melissa's story was so compelling and I felt as if 3 minutes didn't quite do it justice. So we added in more footage of her speaking about her OCD and experiences with the disorder. I was really struck by how she speaks of the OCD as something separate from herself. I feel like it added another level to her and shows how much she does struggle. Her overwhelming positivity was something I really noticed so we also highlighted that. Now in the video she speaks of her coping mechanisms. More stills and a song were added to break up the "talking head" aspect of our previous video. I hope you all enjoy the new video.

If you are interested in the cause of mental illness, look to some organizations that Melissa is affiliated with. At Minding Your Mind, I met some amazing people that really made this experience a joy.

http://www.mindingyourmind.org
http://www.melissahopely.com/

Final Cut Software is Oscar Worthy

Final Cut Pro is now replacing million dollar editing systems as the top software for documentaries. Nine out of ten nominees in the top documentary category used Final Cut Pro. Matthew O'Neil, director of "China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province" uses the program. He spoke very highly of it saying,

"You can do it all with Final Cut Studio and we can make it look close to finished all in-house".

I found it very interesting that leading editors and filmmakers use the same kind of software as I do. It really furthers the point that anyone can report their news and that we no longer rely on the professionals to do so. Anyone can be a movie maker and have their visions become reality. The world of communications is really becoming more open and accessible to the common man.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10465202-37.html

Diversity

Wade Davis sheds light into the world's indigenous cultures which are steadily declining. He took up the cause to change this decline. He is a very effective speaker and advocate. He takes exceptional photographs and captivating stories. I think it is very important to maintain the origins of specific cultures. In losing our history, we lose a piece of the story and a piece of who we are. I really admire Wade Davis for his work. I appreciate the diversity in America and that is one of the things I love about it here. There is so much to learn from other people and that is a great thing.

VIVA LAS VEGAS :)

I will be in Vegas for Spring Break. We are staying at The Venetian which will be amazing. I'm sure I will have a lot of picture and stories to come when I get back :)

Eliminating the Stigma

Our group was so lucky to get in touch with Melissa Ann HOPEly. She is a girl who is my age and is making a huge difference in her community and looking forward to make this impact on a larger level. She was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She had her struggles, but grew to be a stronger person. She has used her experience to change the lives of others. She tells her story to teens and speaks about her own experience with suicidal tendencies. Her story really moved me. I hope by doing our documentary on her will help expand her efforts to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and decrease the suicide rate.

Here is the 3 minute video for Project: Report. The extended version is to come...

Empire of Illusion

I recently read Empire of Illusion by Chris Hedges. The book really was a rude awakening to our disillusioned society. He explains that American society become so consumed in pop culture that we have lost sight of reality. This contorted perception is so deep that we, as a whole, do not even realize that it is not in fact reality. I was most struck my his chapter on The Illusion of Love which largely addresses the porn industry. It is not just filed sexual acts, but in fact repetitive enslaved torture. Women are tortured and dehumanized beyond belief. The book tells of a woman who was forced to have sex over 60 times in a row. These women sustain injuries that are shoddily addressed and cared for just enough so they can partake in the next movie. It says that the largest group of porn viewers are from the ages of 12-17. This statistic is frightening and speaks greatly on adolescents in our society. I was really taken by this true illusion of love in our society. This is what young men see as sexual encounters. They are told this is okay. Hence, the vicious cycle begins again...

I found an interview of the author about his book. It's really interesting to hear his take on it.(It comes in two parts)

Mashable

I stumbled upon a really interesting Social Media site. It is actually the world's largest blog focused on Social Media and news in that field. The site has more than 15 million monthly hits. I am going to visit this site a lot now that I found it. It is updated multiple times daily on varying aspects of the social media spectrum. You guys should check it out. It's really interesting.

www.mashable.com

Teamwork

Giving up the individual good to achieve the great