love all, trust few

How will emerging technology (ie: blogs, videos, e-readers,e-books) affect literacy? 

How is Web 2.0 challenging us to "rethink ourselves" (ie: friendships, work, education, community, family etc...)?

1.Emerging technology has already affected today's literacy. People always want a quicker, easier way to do things, and something that people do is shorten already short words like 'you' into something SUPER simple, like 'u'. Many people of all ages type or write like that and it is because of technology. I mean, who wants to type it out fully rather than typing it out in fewer and shorter phrases? Because of technology, people get used 2 d shrtr n ez-er way 2 type. As a result, literacy is affected. People get used to the short, easier way, but do not think about the fact that as they adapt to it, it will soon become a normality in people's lives. Afterwards, there won't be any proper spelling, grammar or punctuation because of technology. I must say that while technology is a huge progress and improvement in our lives, it is also a terrible, awful thing.

2.Web 2.0 is challenging us to rethink ourselves by looking at how we use and get used to technology. We must challenge ourselves not to let the computer use us, but instead that we use the computer. As we get older, technology will, for certain, become more advanced and advanced, meaning that humans will rely on highly intelligent computers. But what happens if something happens to those computers? Who will fix it if nobody can outsmart it? Web 2.0 challenges us to be the superior to computers- because if we don't, robots will take over the world. Seriously.

here it goes again

The video i chose to do is Ok Go's "Here It Goes Again."

My immediate thought whilst watching this video was "Wow...who thinks of this?" This video was definitely something I have never seen before and it really did amuse me. Then I looked further, and tried to see the meaning behind all of this. What I found was, this song is basically about how when something gets good, something else just has to come by and make everything bad again. The musicians chose treadmills because no matter how many times you try to run from a treadmill, you really can't...so there it goes again, you're in the same situation. The main theme of this video is basically history repeats itself and while this video is very entertaining, it does not have any religious values. Some events that may have influenced the musicians to do this video is the rapid progression of viral videos. The band stated that they "wanted something that would serve them well in the digital world." (Lewis 1) The whole video is basically the band dancing on treadmills, and this works because as I previously mentioned, you can't run from treadmills, and that symbolizes how history repeats itself. The visuals of this video are very entertaining and it just looks so much fun to do! I could watch this video over and over because it is so interesting and it makes me want to buy 8 treadmills and dance on them! This music video makes the song seem a little more fun than the lyrics make it seem, so it makes me think that this song is very happy-even if it does not intend to be.

you can't spell beauty without photoshop

1.Why do you think people are portrayed this way in the media?

2.How are you affected by the images you see?  

3.What can be done to reduce the amount of young men and women that are negatively affected by these images?

4.What would your reaction be to a magazine cover where the subject isn’t all glammed up? Is this a possible route that society should take? Why or why not?

1. People are portrayed this way in the media because they want us to think that this is the 'ideal' or 'perfect' body. While distorting our perception of beauty, they are also using the images of 'beautiful' people as a marketing technique. If you didn't feel that you weren't pretty, then you wouldn't have bought 5 boxes of makeup just so you can look as pretty as the people pictures in the magazines.It is true that their marketing technique works, but while they are earning tons of money through this, millions of young people are having health issues. You would think that these companies keep the well being of people in mind, but all they care about is the money. If the media didn't put up all the photos and videos of people who were 'beautiful', less people would feel bad about themselves and wouldn't have the urge to buy their products. The media should not be portraying people like this because it is somewhat monstrous for them to do so.

2. As a teenage girl, i am VERY affected by these images. I feel like I am never pretty enough or never good enough compared to the pictures I see around me. I say pictures instead of people, because with all the Photoshop that has been done to a person, I feel like there's more 'Photoshop' to it than the actual photo of the person. Anyways, I am negatively affected by these because it is mostly women who are revealing themselves and not necessarily men. As you can see, men are fully dressed in suits and looking all dapper, but women are almost naked... What message does this send to young girls? Sorry, I've gotten a little off topic but basically, the Photoshopped images affect me in a terrible way because they send the message that women should be a certain body type and body weight in order to be considered 'beautiful' in today's society. 

3.The number one most effective way to reduce the amount of men and women that are negatively affected by this is for them to ignore it and accept the fact that they are beautiful OR the media can stop pushing these images in our faces. However, in today's society, ignoring the media is more realistic. Although it is easier said than done, we should just ignore it. Actually, we choose to NOT ignore it. We are capable of ignoring these things and being happy with ourselves. We can also not surround ourselves with these images. Staying away from these images help with not having any negative feelings. Just imagine the media as that one person that just annoys the crap out of you and ignoring and staying away from it is going to be easy.

4. If a person on a magazine cover wasn't all glammed up I would actually not mind very much. The media should promote the realness and the ingenuity of people instead of an unrealistic photo. If the media showed 'real' people, i think that the world will be a much better place. This is a possible route that society can take because I think that we are able to overcome the corrupt media.  

for future cats reading this...

i am from the planet of meow, year 2013. i have survived the destruction of earth and now i rule planet meow. my name is rhys, you will bow down to my name. im related to castro and smell like dirt, and meow. i enjoy long walks on the litterbox and this post is dumb. bye

career mashing !

I looked throughout the website and i came across this career: digital forensics analyst. Interested by the name, i clicked on it and read about the job. A digital forensic analyst is required to have investigative skills in policing, law, the military or business. Wherever you find data digital forensics analysts use it to put criminals, terrorists, hackers and corporate crooks in their rightful place. To pursue this career, you can get a bachelor of science degree specializing in digital forensics and forensic investigations. Or, focus first on the technical expertise needed for digital forensics with a degree in software engineering or computer engineering. Then add courses in forensics tools and techniques such as password cracking and cryptology.

John Bradley, a Canadian digital forensics analyst, was one of the people who worked on the Casey Anothony case. Before his current job, his was a police officer and became interested in digital forensics when he managed the electronic crimes unit at Durham Regional Police. After that Bradley developed an Internet forensic software called CacheBack, which he used in the Anthony case. He also uses his talent for translating technical issues into understandable testimonies as an expert witness at homicide trials like Casey Anthony’s.

is sharing caring?

1. What is your personal opinion towards file sharing? Is it right or wrong?
Please explain.
2. If you produced your own piece of art/song/movie, would you hold the
same opinion?
3. Do you feel it is morally acceptable to download copyrighted material if it is
only intended for personal use?

1. My opinion on file sharing is quite 'iffy'. Although there are risks in doing it,i just think that it is so useful!I admit it, i have shared files before and to be honest, i do feel that it is convenient and quick. For example,I no longer download music illegally, because i think it is important to support the artists. But i do understand if some people do not buy from iTunes or whatever, because some people do not have the money, and frankly, downloading them illegally has just about the same quality as buying them. I also think the same for movies. Some people think 'why would i pay $10-$15 on a movie i can download online for free, watch it over and over, and have the equal quality of watching a movie on the big screen?'and i completely understand that- because i have done it myself. I think that file sharing is wrong, but i do not blame those who share files, because, after all, they are convenient.

2. If I had produced my own pieces of music, films etc., obviously, I would want profit. I would not want people downloading my work for free. I would think that file sharing/downloading music is wrong, and people should support the artists they love- but again, not everybody can afford these luxuries.

3. I do not think it is morally acceptable to download copyrighted material. Even if it was only intended for personal use. You would think that downloading is free, but is it really? If you get caught, the costs are unbelievably high (as said in article: http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1055631--hurt-locker-file-sharing-lawsuits-put-the-hurt-on-everyone). Downloading copyrighted material is basically stealing. You wouldn't steal a painting in the museum, or a dvd from a video store, or anything- so why steal by downloading illegally?