7/21-8/5 Post 3: Burkitt Conclusion

What a great wrap up for this book! I like the way Burkitt concluded this book. It definitely gave me food for thought and further interest in this subject matter and an interest in researching it some more. All in all this book along with the other articles, has opened my eyes to the study of communication in terms of social media and new media. In my field of study, public relations, I have a better sense of what I need to do and should be looking for when working, writing/posting blogs and so on. This book also worked out perfectly ending right when the research project was due because it helped me write it. Not only that is helped me better prepare myself for it. All in all, Burkitt used great metaphors and examples to convey these important messages that can help society move forward.

7/30-8/5 Post 2: Discourse of Attention

How I love this article. My thoughts written down perfectly. I am so thankful that I grew up not watching television too much. I was outside mostly, taking trips with my parents, on play dates or at practice. Granted I wasn't reading, I was actively doing stuff that required a good portion of my attention. Gymnastics for instance, required 4 1/2 hours of my attention everyday. After that was homework which also had my attention for quite some time so there was never really time for television. But I didn't really read either. That did not increase my vocabulary which gave me problems later on. But especially with this class, I have been reading much more whether its web browsing or reading these blogs and it's helping me tremendously. Though it's in small segments, everything I read gets me thinking. I feel like television is a trend, and what is seen on TV can be the "hot topic" of the day and if you don't know what it is you're not cool. But now I believe that has transferred over to the Internet and multimedia. People have to keep up on much more than just shows to fit in. All in all, I think this article has truly helped me want to actually pick up a book, a good book.

7/30-8/5 Post 1: The World Wide Web

Another great flashback article of how something was created and the thought process behind it. It made me appreciate the Internet much more. This was written the year I was born and it's amazing to see how the Internet/world wide web has evolved. I remember in grade school having computer class and it had nothing to do with the Internet until 7th and 8th grades. I do believe that we all, especially the younger generations, take it all for granted. It's fascinating to see their predictions of the world wide web for the future. It is also a great article that shows detailed step by step explanation of how it works from a technical perspective of the backside of it all. When the article first spoke about URIs I thought they misspelled it because all I know is URLs. So I researched it and found they are a bit different but URL is also used to talk about URIs. The last thing I would like to mention is this quote, ""For example, the common URI syntax reserves the '/' as a way of representing a hierarchical space, and '?' as a separator between the address of an object and a query operation applied to it," (793). I finally know what they mean when I click or type in a link or web address!

7/23-7/29 Post 3: Virtual Death

I was blown away with the first paragraph when realizing that Kaycee wasn't real. I definitely thought this article was food for the soul. For someone to play a "game" like that in my opinion is crazy. Jordan describes the Internet as a way for people, "to reconstruct a tetherless online persona," (203). I find this extremely true. I remember earlier on in the year with a previous reading that spoke about the findings of using the Internet that actually boasted social relationships. This story proves this to be true with an online community blog. It also shows how people can become whoever they want. If I were one of the people a part of the community I would definitely feel betrayed and hurt. That's because I put a lot of my time, support and effort into allowing this person into my life and me into hers. I also like the concepts of rhetoric and authority that Jordan explains. It is ironic to think of it in the perspective of the virtual and online world.

7/23-7/29 Post 2: Burkitt Text

Out of all the Burkitt chapter's, I believe this one was my favorite chapter out of them all thus far. A lot of the ideas proposed and challenges faced from these ideas are things I have thought about completely agree with. I even found joy in disagreeing with a couple things as well. Since I can only point out a few concepts I will talk about the ones I found most interesting and relevant to life. The first is how society is moving away from "I" and moving toward "we". It is hard to imagine and see this concept in reality when everyone is wound up in themselves. But as I thought about it more, it makes more sense because "I" is created through the "we". Self identity is changing from what a person know to who a person knows. The other concept that I would like to highlight which relates to this last one is the concept of writing and rewriting one's self. Personally, I don't think self identity can be rewritten or even erased. A person's future is based off his or her past when trying to change oneself. That life had an impact was a reason as to why the new life will be different. The "old self" will always be a part of a person. The past will always haunt.

July 23-29 Post 1: The End of Books

In the article, "The End of Books," I have it extremely challenging to read and comprehend. For me it was the dry style of writing that kept my mind wandering and not fully knowing what Coover was discussing in terms of hypertext and the technicalities that go along with it. For one I did not find his metaphors and references to other pop cultures things to be helpful at all. I was a bit offended (if that is the right word) with his comment about God. As I kept reading, it made me think about the end of the concept of books. We are moving into an age, if we haven't already, that has to do with blogging and getting a point across. People's attention span has shortened and they like to browse and skim not really indulge in a novel anymore. It is fascinating however that this was written in 1992 and changes were already being foreseen and made. One concept I found interesting is that at that time the "multidirectional" linkages were the most radical new element of hypertext according to Coover on page 3. We take that for granted today.

7/16-7/22 Post 3: Research Topic

After doing some research and some thinking, I have decided to base my project off of Children and Media. I chose this topic for a couple of reasons. The first reason is out of curiosity. I have heard discussions that this may be an epidemic cause of obesity, lack of social skills and education. Children spend a lot of time on video games, computers and the television which deter them from other experiences. I also had a fear of this but with all the readings thus far, new media and children may not be as bad as everyone thinks. This world is moving toward everything being related to new media and fast. One day I will have children and I would like to know where children and media are headed. I have a niece and nephew, ages 4 and 8, who are heavily involved with media. At one point, I was scared that their childhood was lost. But I think that this research topic and project can help me find out more information that can perhaps help me teach them a few things about it. All in all I am very excited about this topic for the research project.

7/16-7/22 Post 2: Personal Dynamic Media

Where to even begin? This article is definitely food for the soul. The introduction to the article is breath taking. There is just so much information and history. I am astonished with what Kay and Goldberg discovered. While reading this article I felt like I was taking a flashback in time and there when this was happening. It is so amazing to read about the invention of the notebook computer and that they did not know what would come of them. One could only dream, and their dream became more than just a reality, it changed the world. And to think that they invented this from imagination and creation?! Today, no one thinks about the click of a mouse button and how it actually works or how/why it was invented. This article tells us all about that. I have a niece and nephew, ages 4 and 8, who will probably never think that the laptop is cool because they are growing up with it already existing in their lifetime. To think a 4-year-old has an iPod touch? It leaves me speechless that my niece does. Today, I still find the multiple-window display to be amazing and would love to get on the “other side” of a computer just to see how it works. And a little girl programmed a painting and drawing system, WOW. How she came up with the ideas of a menu and different options for brushes and what not, I wish I can have a great idea to change the world.

7/16-7/22 Post 1: Navigating Technomedia

I found this article to be very interesting and educational. It took information I already knew and taught me something more about it. There are a couple of ideas I would like to touch base on. The first is, "New media technologies became an integral part of not only the discourse of modernization, but of global justice," (2). I find this completely true. Things like medicine can be produced and provided throughout the world faster, safer and more efficient because of technology. The next thing is the definition of "technomedia". I now know that what Hulu does and the Xbox with Netflix for instance fall under the category of technomedia. The last thing that I found interesting and would like to point out is a quote from Richard Dienst, "The dreams of television were already global…televisaulity was immediately imagined as an all-encompassing putting-into-view of the world," (9-10). Now people can view the world from their own homes without having to move (Though it is not the same as being in the place, people now get a visual of what Japan or Spain look like). The television has also gone from making everything transparent in the world to very complex and virtual with all these sci-fi and fantasy shows.

7/9-7/15 Post 3: Second Life

This article, "Second Life," was interesting to say the least. I found numerous things though provoking and intriguing but I will touch upon a few. The first being the introduction to the article. I though it was great. It gave the readers an explanation and some examples about Second Life. It also gave readers a good tidbit about gender roles and avatars. A quote that struck out to me was, "As virtual spaces have been popularized, they have been both celebrated as an opportunity for liberation from conventional gender roles and criticized as white–male shaped spaces, filled with pornography, sexualization, and increased commodification," (6-7). This quote makes perfect sense though it is contradicting itself. This brings up another concept that people who participated in Second Life were "feeling pressure to fit in," (11). The virtual space was designed not to feel pressure and escape judgment, criticism, ridicule, etc. Virtual spaces were meant as an escape from real life yet people created it to be just that. The next thing I found interesting was the concept about autoenthrography. An interesting concept because it's about a connection between the individual and society through personal connection projected in Second Life. The last thing that I'd like to mention is what disturbed me about this. That is, female body parts were being sold in the virtual space. This is shown on page 14 in Figure 2. To me this is definitely stereotyping.

7/9-7/15 Post 2: From Computer Power and Human Reason

I found this article to not be so difficult to read. It definitely caught my attention. The fact that it was done and written in the 1960s has yet to cease to impress me. It's amazing the concept behind the conversation between the computer and person. I am always astonished how people come up with thoughts and inventions that later change the world. I can barely think straight. The project ELIZA/Doctor was able to hold a conversation for quite some time given the circumstances of input/output and the computer not knowing what it meant.  In the article, when the words "new media" were used, I could not help smiling and laughing thinking about what it means today compared to what it meant back then. It is also crazy how during this study, people expressed their inner most thoughts and feelings to the computer. Emotional bonds were made only after a short period of time. I still think this is true in today's world. I know I freak out if I misplace my computer or phone and lots of people revolve their lives around their cars and technology. Lastly, ELIZA being only a simple small step in research has had  so much impact and significance on technology and computer to humans today.

7/9-7/15 Post 1: The Technology and the Society

Like most of the articles I have read this semester, "The Technology and The Society," was another challenging article to read yet an interesting one. In the first page alone, there was so much information given. Cause and effect of everything, between everything is so complex. I have never thought of connecting television and psychology and technology and society for instance. He goes on in detail later on to discuss these versions of technology and the causes. Another interesting aspect is that of technological determinism. "The steam engine, the automobile, television, the atomic bomb, have made modern man and the modern condition," (pg 3). What an interesting concept. I thought man made all those things. But to look at it from this viewpoint, we are capable of doing more and are almost restricted as well. Technology is a gift and a curse to humans. And the last interesting concept I found intriguing was the change in the meaning of the word "mass". It went from meaning "the mob" in the 19th century to 'large numbers" in the 20th century.

6/25-7/1 Post 3: Community Media

In the article, Community Media,” the author goes into detail about what community media is, and where it is headed. I found this article to be very interesting once I had a better concept of what it was about. I had to come back to this article because I had no clue what it was about at first. There were a couple of points that struck me. The first is the quote, “Don’t hate the media, make the media,” (3). I wish that society believed this and followed through with this motto. People could stop caring about what others think of them and their views and focus on furthering their selves as individuals and politically. The second thing that intrigued me was the quote, ”It is not about having a gripe with the establishment necessarily, but it is about asserting difference – either from other aspects of the media or just in general.” If people knew how to debate or take constructive criticism, society would be able to have open discussions about anything and everything. Unfortunately people are afraid to disagree. Lastly, the quote, “Whatever I say, whatever I do, I can’t influence the government,” (8) definitely tugged at me. What most of society doesn’t realize, which makes me sad, is that they don’t realize they run this country and that the government simply is just there to represent them. Meaning, they have much more power than they allow themselves to have.

6/25-7/1 Post 2: Just Like Me Only Better

While reading, "Just Like Me Only Better" I found myself drifting off because of the stale language used to write it. The topic is extremely interesting and intriguing though. There was definitely a lot of material that was covered and I had to reread some parts to make sure I understood it. The concept of this Second Life just amazes me. It is so funny that people focus more on the appearance of their avatar than actual communication. Today, social media is all about how people look so it makes sense that people would focus on that rather than communication. Not only the appearance of their avatar, but its genitalia to be specific. And stereotyping the avatars, Caucasians to have straight hair for instance if female also amazes me. I would have never thought to research or study this subject at all but it definitely helps us get a better understanding of humans and social media.

6/25-7/1 Post 1: Uses and Gratification

I found this article, "Explaining Why Young Adults Use MySpace and Facebook Through Uses and Gratifications Theory," by Mark A. Urista, Qingwen Dong, and Kenneth D. Day to be interesting, informative and a refresher. At times I found myself having to reread some parts because I would lose my train of thought since already knew that information. First off, when they talk about needs and wants are satisfied instantaneously and constantly through the internet that made me think that is the reason why younger generations are impatient. Since the internet is instant, they think that everything else should be as well. I found the two categories that media gratification were sorted by to be intriguing: process and content. Process gratifications arise from the performance of the activity where as content is chosen according to his or her needs and synthesizes that content to satisfy those needs. I also found that the selection and usage of media being a goal-directed, purposive and motivated action to be an interesting concept. The desires for internet are said to be "relaxation, fun, encouragement, and status" according to Burkitt. Today, I feel like school and work has also taken over the function of the internet. Finally, I would like to know what the results would be of all these studies and researches if they were done today.

6/18-6/24 Post 3: Textbook Chapter 2 (Dialogue and the Social Self)

Chapter 2 of Burkitt's text, "Dialogue and the Social Self" I found to be extremely interesting just like chapter one. Again there was a lot to digest and I found some parts rather challenging. There are a couple of points I would like to touch base on that I furthered my thoughts upon and found thought provoking. The first is that I think that consciousness can be a second look at something we are about to do. For instance, it helps us rethink our temptations, wants and desires which would fall under morality. To further this thought, it is creative in the sense that we branch out from the typical right/wrong notion and "survival of the fittest." I really liked Darwin's take that it, "evolved in activity as a means for humans to better adapt to the environment," (33). I can definitely see how this is true because as a human race we keep advancing and having to restructure our society. For instance, cameras are video recorders are not allowed in court rooms. But what are they to say about smart phones that have both? Later in the chapter, Burkitt talks about choice to act, which made me think that our consciousness makes us think twice about what others will think of us when we want to say or do something (on Facebook or Twitter for example). A lot to think about in this chapter!

6/18-6/24 Post 2 - Medium is the Message

The article, "The Medium is the Message" by Marshall McLuhan was interesting and difficult to comprehend at times. I can see how people may misinterpret or disagree with his reasoning's. Surprisingly I have found myself agreeing with the basis of what McLuhan explains as the medium is the message. McLuhan says, "Positively, automation creates roles for people, which is to say depth of involvement in their work and human association that our preceding mechanical technology had destroyed." I find that in result of this, automation has isolated humans from face-to-face interaction with other humans. I also like how he used the electric light as a constant example throughout the article. The electric light is something that we all take for granted I think and don't realize how important it really is. Just like the verse he chose from Romeo and Juliet. Another idea that caught my attention was the idea that more and more medium, technology and things are created as an escape. I can agree with this to an extent. I think some things are made to hide from a problem. But I think that many things were made for solution and to be helpful for society. A question I thought of from this was, when will it ever be enough? The answer is never, because this is how we advance and evolve. The last intriguing aspect of this article is that it seems like a lot of these "messages" that McLuhan talks about get buried over with new messages and may be the reason why we don't see them as message anymore.

6/18-6/24 Post 1: Consequences of Online Social Networking

In the article, "Antecedents and Consequences of Online Social Networking Behavior: The Case of Facebook" Adam Acar discusses the impact social networking has on people and their relationships. I found it very interesting that Acar chose to focus on self-esteem, anxiety and body and compare online social networks with face-to-face networks. As I was reading this article I found myself think a bit differently with his hypotheses. For some reason I have always had the notion that people who have low self-esteem and/or are introverts would have bigger social networks because it is something they can (1) hide behind or (2) make themselves to be whoever they'd like. I also noticed that in Acar's article he states that women are likely to have more networks. I think that is very true. When looking at my list of friends on Facebook, I have a ton. And I only really communicated with about 2% of them. From time to time I will sift through my list just to see if I even know that person or really need to be connected with them.

6/11-6/17 Post 3 - Textbook: Ch. 1

I can definitely say this is going to be a challenge for me to read, but a good one. I am not a fan of reading because I think that I can use my time more efficiently. I have definitely been wanting to pick up on reading though. And what better way than a book that will make me think, exactly what I need to grow. Defining who a person is can be one of the most difficult things to do. Today people are seen by what kind of car they drive, the piece of paper called a degree, their job, and what is on their Facebook or Twitter. This is how Durkheim explained it, "modern individuals are selves characterized by their place in the division of labor: by their skills, interest, specialism's, talents, functions, knowledge, jobs, professions and social status. It is these things that create a sense of self-identity..." (pg 19). My mom and dad used to tell me back in their day that people became successful through hard work, and self-thinking. Now it seems that the most successful people are those who are the best at bullshitting (excuse my French). I believe this to an extent. I grew up in a European household where old-fashion norms were practiced. I am conflicted between what I am trying to become, what my parents think I should do and what society thinks. Social media is becoming so heavily used that it may as well be a part of our blood. It can be portrayed as a blessing or as a curse. The challenge for us all, is to find a balance that works for us that creates our self-identity.

6/11-6/17 Post 2: Man-Computer Symbiosis

In the article, “Man-Computer Symbiosis,” J. C. R. Licklider has a good idea and hypothesis about intertwining humankind and computers. Seeing when this article was written, explains the language of the article and its dryness. As I was reading it, my mind often went astray trying to come up with something to say about the material. The first thing I thought of was about the timing of computer to problem solving and Licklider’s example of a battle. Today I think that scientists, engineers and technicians have overcome this obstacle because things can be performed instantly now. The second thing that triggered my interest was that of the computer’s memory and books. Computer’s can now hold ten times more memory and come in all different shapes and sizes. Licklider said, “Books…They will continue to be functionally important within the context of man-computer symbiosis." Books are rapidly decreasing in significance as all the information is on the internet and people are moving to the digital age. The last thing that came across my mind as I was reading this was that I seem to have a fairly negative connotation about all of this. I think that a lot of people do because of what the media has portrayed this topic to be. Movies and T.V. shows corrupt this wonderful idea turning the computer into a killing machine. Perhaps this is the media/government shying us away from the idea of this actually being able to work.

6/11-6/17 Post 1 - Quality of Online Relationships

In, “Quality of Online Social Relationships,” the author’s talk about the significance of Internet use to a work place and to relationships compared with other communicating tools such as face-to-face and the phone. An interesting thing I thought about was how much has changed since the studies done in this article. Studies were conducted in 1991 and 1998 on bankers and college students. In 1991, “eighty-one percent of them used electronic mail in their jobs, sending an average of 15 messages per week.” And in 1998, “students used electronic mail extensively, estimating a mean of 11 messages per day.” Today both of these numbers are blown way out of proportion with both bankers and college students sending above 20 emails a day. I also think that online relationships have increased as technology advances. There are now religious dating sites such as christianmingle.com and jdate.com among the hundreds of regular dating sites. Groups seem to be more popular than single one-on-one interaction and I think that even today, social online interaction is the most popular.

A bit about me :)

Hello everyone!

I am ending my third year here at San Jose State with the intention of graduating next spring. I am a Public Relations major with a focus in Event Planning. I am currently a full time student, work and have an internship. With such a busy schedule I somehow find time to relax, and spend time with family and friends. My favorite colors are green and purple and I love dancing. Dirty Dancing is my all time favorite movie and I love gymnastics. My passion for this sport has allowed me to become a coach and get to where I am today in my life. It has helped me become motivated, determined, manage my time well and be a leader.

The only experience I have with Communication Studies is taking COMM 144F. I am relatively new to this academic subject and am eager to learn. I have been taking online classes since my 1st year here so I am extremely acquainted with the way it works and its routine. If anyone needs help don't hesitate to ask! I am very outgoing, always have a lot to say and am excited for this class! I hope that this tells you a little something about myself and I can't wait to read your stories!