8th Reader's Blog

Summary: In Charpentier’s writing about “Why Television is Better Than the Movies”, he outlines the reason for this title by saying that television allows for a longer story line of events that tell a story better. This longer period of time also allows for greater depth in complex character development and innovative story lines over time. In Moore’s writing about how video games should be played with friends next to you, he hits on the point that the best memories are made with friends experiencing and seeing the same thing as you. Therefore, he pushes for a more local-based type of game structure instead of random people online.

Comment: Both of these articles talk about the idea’s human connection and development. While one writes about character development being more meaningful and in depth with the increased time television that allows for character development, a similar idea can be applied to video games with friends. When playing with friends, it allows for more diversity in experiences as you are surrounded by people you enjoy. With this, television gives this same diversity, allowing for different situations to be conveyed to the audience. The theme of more detail in television and personal contact with video games allows for an amplified experience overall in the various types of media.

Question: With the idea of a better experience when playing video games with friends, is the experience still lessened if friends were to play with each other online instead of strangers? Or is the idea of having friends on the couch next to you the overarching argument?

7th Reader's Blog

Summary:

In Atik’s writing titled “Public Displays of Transaction”, she addresses the new norms of dating and relationships with others through the app “Venmo”. This app allows for easy transactions between people that are public and made with comments each time. Each time someone makes a transaction, it is possible to analyze the interpersonal relationship through the payment and accompanying reason. Meanwhile, in Bleyer’s writing about the online relationship with dating apps, it can be seen how technology is affecting human connection. She writes about namely “Tinder” and similar apps that have changed things to a more casual, easy-access type of interactions. Bleyer hits on the point these aren’t inherently bad, but only if meeting in person happens as quick as possible, instead of dating/getting to know each other over media.

Comment:

With both readings hitting different points of the new age of technology, they both portray its effects on human interactions with one another. The publicity of transactions in relationships can be tracked and seen as the true way people act and treat each other. With this, the ease of access and analyzing of partners based solely on attractiveness also truly shows how some people interact with others, and their goals of those interactions. These two forms of media show the changing forms of communication that technology is instilling on humans, due to the exponential increase of technology, namely smartphones.

Question:

Why do you believe apps such as Tinder have exploded so much, instead of more personalized, long term dating apps? Does this increase mirror the rising generations values/tendencies?

6th Reader's Blog: Compare and Contrast Pt. 2

Text messaging vs Snapchat

1.
- Text messaging is sending phrases/sentences/emojis to another person or group over mobile phones.
- Snapchat is a form of social media that is used heavily for communication over pictures/videos sent to other people or groups. Provides news articles, journals, and general threads of what is going on throughout the world. People have "stories" which convey what they do on a daily basis and the snaps disappear immediately or within 24 hours.

2.
Similarities
- ways to contact/have conversations with others
- can send pictures/videos
- use of emojis
- group chats
- fulfills main purposes of having mobile devices (instant notifications from friends/family)
Differences

- snapchat is more of a social media (with Stories, news articles, current events)

- snapchat based off of pictures/videos

- texting you can send gifs/memes

- texting is more direct/noticeable (with noise and how its portrayed on phones)

- snapchat blends in more with notifications b/c of its style

- texts stay forever on screen

- snapchat disappears after short period

- texting usually used for more instant/direct conversations while snapchat is usually used for a more laid back way of communicating/portraying yourself

3.

- Text messaging is significant because it is one of the main and most direct ways of communicating other than phone calls. Calling on phones has decreased significantly as most of the population now primarily uses texting.

- Snapchat is significant especially among middle aged people and below who use it more frequently than texting. Since you can have conversations over pictures/media and send things to as many people as you would like at once. Also there is a chat option that generally replaces texting. The media page of Snapchat also makes it used for intellectual purposes such as news and current events.

4. These are important because they have taken the shape of how most of us communicate with each other in either way. It allows us to customize the way in which we speak to each other and convey ourselves in new ways. These are more direct ways of communicating but with other additions such as pictures and emojis. Allows for increased ease and use of communication between people.

6th Reader's Blog: Compare and Contrast

List:
- Snapchat
     - leaning more towards social media way of communication/focus on pictures and videos
- Text messaging
     - more of a base of conversation, more noticeable/direct, focus on words
- Video games (focused on building types of games)
     - improves spatial skills and how things are created/formed/built, how they go together
- Video games (focused on shooter/action games)
     - improves hand-eye coordination, quick reactions

Text messaging vs Snapchat

> Similarities:
- ways to contact/have conversations with others
- can send pictures/videos
- use of emojis
- group chats
- fulfills main purposes of having mobile devices (instant notifications from friends/family)

> Differences:
- snapchat is more of a social media (with Stories, news articles, current events)
- snapchat based off of pictures/videos
- texting you can send gifs/memes
- texting is more direct/noticeable (with noise and how its portrayed on phones)
- snapchat blends in more with notifications b/c of its style
- texts stay forever on screen
- snapchat disappears after short period
- texting usually used for more instant/direct conversations while snapchat is usually used for a more laid back way of communicating/portraying yourself

5th Reader's Blog

Summary:

In Osterweil’s essay about the idea of governmental surveillance and the recurring films that show such a strong watchful eye, he writes about the ability of some of these movies to describe the surveillance state. He connects these pieces to the given purpose of the surveillance system (security), but then disproves their purpose of common good in themselves when aligning them with our reality. Hitting another idea of governmental control is highlighted in Vasquez’s essay dealing with immigration. She portrays the cultural significance of these bands, but also sheds light on the behind-the-scenes. Where these people are afraid of anti-immigration and being deemed illegal, she challenges the government’s interpretation of these people searching for better lives.

Comment:

While both readings hit on two seemingly different points, they are both connected back to the ideas of the government. Whether it be over surveillance or tightened immigration, they highlight the idea that the government is dealing with these problems in the wrong ways. Obviously, there must be surveillance for national security and there must be restrictions on immigration for the same reason, but the size and scope it is being taken to is being challenged by both authors. They are making the argument that by the government trying to deal with these problems, they are also diminishing American values simultaneously.

Question:

Do you believe these authors are pushing for the elimination of governmental restrictions and abilities such as immigration restrictions and internal surveillance? Or are they simply saying it is being taken to extremes that are unneeded? Which author seems to believe what?

Individual Reflection 10-8

In past experiences where I've worked with others on projects or on activities with a shared goal, I have seen some downsides and also some high points. Sometimes if a member or two of a group decides to sit back and only do what they're told, it doesn't truly help the group be as filtered and put together as someone who is actively engaged. When everyone in the group forms their own thoughts and discusses them with the rest of the group, the group will have a more thorough and detailed response/outcome. This is to me the most effective reason to work in groups, as you get multiple points of view and schools of thought. When people are passive and don't truly participate, it ends up putting more work on less people, generally degrading the quality. A way to combat this would be for everyone to form their own thoughts and then share with the group, that way everyone has a say and ownership in the subject.

4th Reader's Blog

Summary:

In Cantor’s essay on “The Apocalyptic Strain in Popular Culture”, he examines the changing ideas of the American dream as society has progressed.  He mentions how the idea of the American dream in the mid twentieth-century was based predominantly on the material items. Objects such as large houses, cars, and money were the goal that was supported by the institutions, essentially making people into “Zombies” that lose their individuality and freedom of will. This idea then quickly grew into dissatisfaction as people lost confidence in these institutions (i.e. corporation, government). This is where popular culture has stepped in, providing Americans the opportunity to see life without all these institutions and allow us to enjoy a sense of self fulfillment and self-respect.

Comment:

With the ever changing idea of the American dream comes viewpoints that might not be as universal as it seems. It is true that material things were generally the goal of early twentieth century families, although this may not be the same view for everyone at that time. Similarly, the dissatisfaction that is described may also be true, although the significance may not be as major as expressed. The idea that Americans have turned to pop culture as a means of forming that new American dream, I believe this may also be a stretch and not as significant as described. It is difficult to generalize an idea such as this with such a massive population. With this being said, I do believe the dissatisfaction has led to the higher success of these apocalyptic shows, but I also believe it is important to realize that it may not be as simple as expressed.

Questions:

Where did these findings originate from? Are these conclusions coming from general consensus or ratings/data?

Essay 1 Personal Reflection

Writing the first formal essay of the class helped me refresh my writing skills. What I believe I did well was the time management and preparation for the essay. I started soon after we were given the prompt with creating an outline of my essay and writing down points I wanted to focus on in each paragraph. This helped me hit all the requirements of the essay and gave me time to compose the full essay to allow for time to review it. For the next writing assignment, something I would do differently is to visit the writing center to make sure my writing was decisive enough, because when we met for the meetings, it helped me realize where I could be more specific. I would also start writing the essay itself a bit sooner, as this always helps to provide a less stressful writing environment and more time to revise.

Individual Reflection 9-24

As I make my way through readings, I typically take more time to process the information just because of the way I read. Because of this, as I go through the readings I usually rely on underlining main points and terms for me to come back to and re-read. I then write side notes or items I notice and form my own thoughts about off to the side of the paper. I also form guiding questions for me to answer with these ideas. This is the angle I come at with a lot of my history readings that are primary documents, because it takes a moment and sometimes multiple reviews to fully understand the point being presented. These tools allow me to come back to the readings at a later time to cover the main ideas on multiple occasions.

3rd Reader's Blog

Summary:

In these readings, the idea of racial identity is focused on while each author takes different approaches towards the meanings of this subject. Cepeda attributes the rising use of the “N-word” (in hip-hop and Latino communities) to the fact that these communities still feel oppressed and that words like this are products of this inequality, especially among Latino communities themselves. Also pointing out that every expression has potential for ulterior meanings. On the other hand, Gladwell focuses on the idea of racial differences in athletics. He hits the point that generalizing one race into being “better” is simply not possible, there are too many variations and people are too complex to be generalized. He finds that often it is the personal desire and environment in which these athletes come from that influence them the most.

Comment:

The authors of both readings are writing of various firsthand accounts of what they’ve experienced in their lives. Cepeda mentions just walking through her neighborhood that the “N-word” can be heard thrown around multiple times. What I found very interesting was the fact they use it “with no meaning” but also use it against those of darker Latino origins. While both focus on the racial taboos, Gladwell attacks the widely viewed racial differences in sports. I found it interesting he starts off with the genetical variables but continues onto the fact of the environment in which these athletes originate from, with each geographic location instilling different qualities – mentally and physically – in their ways of life.

Questions:

Why does Gladwell include so many possible variables in his answer to the taboos of athletic racial differences? Is it to confuse the reader in a way to make us think, or is it an attempt to break the racial biases people are viewing within this anomaly?

For what reason does Gladwell say in the end of his writing “in some sense, its not a terribly interesting question” about the question of whether blacks are better than whites at sports? Does it discredit everything he wrote about, or does it expand on it that much more?

Individual Writing Activity 9-7

Interacting with others online often requires people to convey themselves and their ideas in ways that they know those who will see it will view it in the intended context. This is similar to writing a piece of literature, as the writer must think about how the reader will view the information being presented. It requires the writer to detach themselves and become their own reader. Similarly to a person presenting themselves online, they must think of how those who will come from different viewpoints and ideas will view the information and form their own thoughts and conclusions about what they read.

2nd Reader's Blog

Summary:

In both readings by Armstrong and Boyd, the main idea of finding a young person’s identity is presented. Armstrong focuses on how teenagers should be a “poser” in order to find out who you truly are. She points out that people are complex, and therefore should try everything, while stressing that you don’t have to belong to just one group. Boyd offers the treacherous struggles of how teenagers conduct themselves in situations, while pointing out the struggles of online networking. The current teenage culture is found to be filled with those who are struggling with self-presentation, and that their information being put forth is often taken out of context, leaving young people to navigate the social world with these added challenges (i.e. school scholarship, girl tagged with beer on social media).

Comment:

Although both readings deal with the idea of identity, they approach this subject with different ideas. Armstrong uses her own personal journal and experiences, along with the use of the second person pronoun, to connect with the readers. Her idea is much more aggressive, saying teenagers should try everything and be uncomfortable to find out who they truly are. Boyd takes a defensive position on the idea of self-presentation online, saying the collapsing of contexts obstructs a young person from presenting themselves in their preferred manner and how they articulate their intended impression (similar to “poser”).

Questions:

Why does Boyd bring to the forefront the idea that young people should not be held to the same standards as adults? In other words, for what reason does she feel so strongly that adults shouldn’t define the context with adult values? Should young people not be held to the same standards just because they are teenagers navigating a complex network?

Personal Writing Reflection

Throughout my years of high school, I was emerged in various types of classes requiring diverse writing styles and analytical skills. By being in two AP English courses and an AP History class, I've been exposed to many writing tools for different goals. Along with assignments, I’ve read multiple books for pleasure, mainly pertaining to historical events and ideals. This has lead me to think critically about topics and points of view, allowing for conclusions to be made and for carefully thought out points of interest. Although I’ve had experience in various systems of reading and writing, I am not an English major, nor is it my exact area of interest. With this, I realize critical thinking and writing is a very important building block to our lives, and therefore am always looking for ways to improve my writings. In order to grow as a writer, I must set goals to achieve and practice methods to success. Personally, I will slow down my writing process and have a more structured thought process. By this I mean I will start my assignments early, and write rough drafts and individual ideas down even when not required. This will allow me to fine tune and build on my ideas. Furthermore, I will seek help in the writing center even when I believe I may have mastered certain writing skills.