From Pencils to Pixals

The computer is the new gateway to literacy. Writing like any tool in technology takes practice and time to learn how to use and perfect. Yes the pencil is a technology because it is a new tool that allowed people to write to convey their messages and ideas with each other. Plato thought that with the ability to write that our memories would weaken. With Thoreau using the pencil to connect his ideas when he was in the woods led him to wright some of the nation’s most famous books. Thoreau used the pencil to engage others in his type of thinking through his writing. The telephone drastically improved communication. People were able to communicate over long distances in very little time. However one cannot really compare the phone to the pencil because they could be used for completely opposite tasks. Through writing on the computer it has been easier to commit fraud, causing another dilemma in today’s society. Baron says that eventually anyone can learn how to use the computer, it just may not be the smartest way.  Literacy is defined as people needing to change and advance with literacy and new technologies.

Gin, TV, and cognitive surplus

The main argument is that if people did not watch as much TV or waste their time then those people would be able to do much more productive and educational things.

Literacy is being able to comprehend and develop another work of art

Cognitive surplus is the ideas wasted when we are watching TV or on social media

To point out all of the time we waste in a day and what could be accomplished with that time

Shirly constantly points out how we want to be on the computer or internet. This part is important because it is a form of wasting time that most of us can relate to.

 

21st Century Writing

Advantages of writing in the 21 century:

Graded tests are fairer now that the teacher can review the answers many times as opposed to when the student would recite the answers.

Disadvantages:

Writing as it was back in the 20th century has drastically changed to what it is today. Instead of primarily writing on paper people are using computers more. Instead of composing a written essay, students are typing a prompt or using their email.

As the needs for writing change so do the styles of writing.

Writing was limited to very few people until this movement swept across the nation. There were laws against women learning to write, laws against blacks to learn to write, at young ages kids were told they were too young to learn to write.

As technology advances we are learning new ways to use technology and have to become literate in those new ways.

Reading is seen as being a friendly character. If one is reading they are not being confrontational in any way. Writing was viewed as rebellious, writing could be used to organize the masses that aren't happy and cause an uproar. Writing was viewed in a very negative connotation.

Facebook is very much like self-sponsored writing. Most of us do this very often.

The age of composition: where every person is some how linked to writing. Whether it be through a blog or social media most of the world expresses themselves through writing.

Introducing Yourself in Person: "Hi, I'm @soccerdog19, Nice to meet you"

Social media keeps us connected with more people, creates the feeling that we have more friends, and makes us feel more loved.

 

Zuckerberg introduced the News Feed so that people would be able to see what was going on in their friend’s life without having to open all of their profiles, making the feel more connected with half of the work. The news feed shows that our attention span has dropped and that we want information as soon as possible. We are willing to receive less information at a quicker rate than to receive more information and take a longer time. In the terms of literacy as to use the information, the News feed is very helpful. Defining literacy as reading and developing your own idea with what is given, the News Feed is a terrible creation.

 

Ambient awareness is the feeling of being with friends or your partner even when you are miles away. The constant update of Facebook and social media makes us feel like we are always with our friends, and that someone is always there for us.

 

The negative to Ambient awareness is feeling like you really know the person from what they tweet or post on Facebook, when in reality they are complete strangers.  Ambient awareness allows friends to dive right into a conversation, they already know how each other is doing because of posts on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Ambient update examples: Watching Scary Movie 5, Just had a great dinner, I hate School.

 

With the news feed you can skim over and pick and choose which posts you want to read. Relating to our class discussion this is hurting our ability to be literate.

 

This article defines literacy as being able to stay connected with friends and family, even if through a short post. This article brings a new definition of literacy that I have not yet seen.

Just Google it!

Carr's article "Is Google making us Stupid" summed up how people are today. We look for the quickest way to get information without having to do all of the work. I even felt myself doing what he is criticizing while I was reading this article. Many times I would find myself skimming over the material. A lot of the material in the article seemed unnecessary and empty of important information, which leads to the reader just skimming through the paper and missing some crucial information that would have us develop other ideas.

Internet has trained us to look for the easy answer and get it the quickest way possible.

Literacy is now just being able to use the internet to search for an answer. Someone may seem smart, when in fact they have just found a little information on the internet.

Internet has made people more like each other and robots, where everyone has the same answers and nothing is left to be determined by the reader.

Curr uses the printing press, assembly line, and computers as examples.

The evidence provided was not effective, all of the things he mentioned bettered society and improved the way we lived.

Curr says that his worrisome opinion may be wrong, but he is saying that the internet is taking away the individual thought process and turning us in to robots.

Media Tattoo

     I feel that on social media I represent myself as a well behaved, Christian, athletic, and conservative person.
     One of my videos is of the Auburn football team running up to the student section after the game. This shows my love of sports and love of my school. A photo of me wakeboarding gives an example of my athleticism. I have many pictures from Passion 2012 that shows my faith. Then a few political post that might seem a little irrational.
     I believe I represent myself well on social media, except for some of the political messages that I have "Liked" or "shared".
     Now that I am in AFROTC I have to remain censored on any political dispute that could be see as disagreeing with the President or not being loyal to our government.
     If I were to be handed printouts, there is no doubt in my mind I would still get the job. While I was not as careful about political agendas I was very careful of other public appearances. For the most part my "Media Tattoo" fits me well.

"'Like' Me Baby One More Time"

     I am doing my unit 3 assignment on Britney Spears. Through Britney's controversial pictures and past drug abuse, even up to her kids, her Facebook is full of how she feels and what she is doing. Britney's Facebook page shows what her whole life is about and can give an accurate portrayal of who she is.
     Britney has pictures of her kids and friends on her wall. this shows the family side of her. She also has her music posted, which she spends most of her time doing. Then, there are also pictures of Britney modeling. All of theses aspects makes Britney Spears a prime account to analyze.

I don't like any exercise, Much less LEAPING

“I’ve been trying to do it right, I’ve been living a lonely life”- He has always done what he thinks is the right thing to do, but is not able have a girlfriend.

“I’ve been sleeping in my bed”- Another line showing that he has not been with another girl

“So show me a family, All the blood that I would bleed”-He wants to have a good relationship and family with this woman, but she does not feel the same.

“I don’t know where I went wrong, but I can write a song”-He’s not sure why she left him. The last line is more than just a rhyme, it shows that he is trying his hardest to impress her

“I don’t think you’re right for him. Look at what we might have been…” she has left the singer for another man, the singer is feeling remorse at what they could have been together.

“Love – we need it now, Let's hope for some, So, we're bleeding out”- the singer is longing for that loving and compassionate feeling. In the last line, the singer may not be physically dying, it may stand for the suffering he has gone through with trying to keep this girl, and now he is killing all of those thoughts and moving on.

“I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart, I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet” this chorus played throughout the sing is the constant reminder to the girl (that left him) that he still thinks they should still be together.

Great Debate of "The Great Gatsby"

     Since the 1970s mainstream music style has changed drastically. More of the younger people have faded away from pop and rock and are now starting to listen to a more variety of up-beat hip-hop. With first Great Gatsby movie coming out in 1973, the producers were able to use the older jazz music and their sales would not go down. For the re-make if The Great Gatsby the producers thought a new version of music, that would draw a bigger audience, was needed. Jay-Z was signed as one of the producers to help with this aspect of the movie. Jay-Z used some of his own songs and brought many other famous Hip-Hop artists in: Andre 3000, Beyoncé, Lana Del Ray, and many more modern artists.

     The use of the up-beat Hip-Hop music adds a more excited feeling to the movie. Where as the Jazz was more relaxing. The use of the Hip-Hop music flows with the scenes better. The fast paced fun music played at Gatsby' party connects the viewer, with music that they have played at parties, to the scene in the movie with Gatsby having a big party. Being able to relate to the movie greatly enhances the experience and the thrill of actually living a “Gatsby” life.

     The choice to use the new up-beat music was a major success with the younger viewers. Many young people felt connected to the music and enjoyed the new style. A mixture of being forced to read The Great Gatsby in high school and enjoying the music brought a lot of younger people to see the movie and greatly increased the revenue for The Great Gatsby remake.

     On the other hand, many older people despised the new style of music in the film. Peoples’ comments from “From Flappers to Rappers” said that they would not be seeing the movie because of the music choice. Clearly, the decision on whether the music helped sells or lost money, relies on which age group one is stating the question to. The younger viewers will agree that it greatly increased sells. While the older viewers will disagree and stay out of the movie theatres because of it.

Part of the Process

Once getting the Unit 1 topic in class, I immediately began thinking of what I should do my ad about. Throughout the day, I kept thinking of how I could start my paper, how many paragraphs could there be, and how on Earth I am going to write three full pages. When I got to my room I was able to go through the ads very quickly and pick the ad that I had in mind. I began the first rough draft by free-writing, this is my most preferable style of drafting. I expanded the writing over the next couple of days. This allowed me to develop my thoughts better and come up with more ideas and techniques. Honestly, the mandatory drafts played a huge role in my paper being well thought out and developed. I am one who procrastinates a lot (and I'm trying to break that). If the mandatory drafts were not due, I may just now me starting on the paper and would ultimately receive a lower grade. The workshop groups really helped, I was able to see areas I needed to improve, while also boosting my confidence in writing. At the same time, I was able to help others in both confidence and their writing. Both, the mandatory draft and the workshop, were main components of having my paper complete, developed, and well written.

So What?: "Crossfire"

     "So what?", a very challenging or most commonly used as a sarcastic remark, is the very foundation of the "Notice and Focus + Ranking" technique.  Noticing many different things is the main key. 

     First things that come to mind while watching "Crossfire" are: The many different comparisons in the beginning of the show,how very comical the show is, how all of the characters seem emotional (Some stronger than others), John Stewart is challenged on asking "Fake" questions to John Kerry, the democrat is wearing an American flag lapel, and the republican is wearing a bow tie.

     In the opening scenes of the show, many complete opposites are named "Black and white, Left versus Right, Sox versus Yankees..." these comparisons give a foresight of what is to come between the hosts and guests of the show. All of the characters are dressed a very specific way. The republican is wearing a bow tie, as John Stewart points out, that makes him look very young; this could make him seem young and vibrant, but also naive and inexperienced.  John Stewart, dressed in a sweater, seems non-chalant and laid back, also very comical. The democrat, wearing a suit and tie with an American Flag lapel, takes the appearance of a sophisticated, knowledgeable, and a mature patriot. Through out "Crossfire" John Stewart is repeatedly nagged about why he didn't ask John Kerry harder questions when Stewart had the chance. John Stewart constantly shrugs off the questions with comedy and then strikes back at "Crossfire" or the hosts. The comical side of John Stewart keeps the show from becoming too violent and hostile.

     The Method: 

Throughout the show John Stewart repeatedly asks the hosts "why cant we get along," or demands "stop hurting America, and constantly expresses how "Crossfire" is bad- bad for America, but good for the politicians. This statement by John Stewart strikes me, Crossfire is hurting the American people but is very helpful to the politicians, this is so striking because the television shows are more worried about the politics and TV ratings more than the American people.

Compostion Homework 1: High School Writing

Once assigned a topic, many different thoughts begin running through my mind. I start thinking of what I am going to write about the exact moment I hear the subject.  The easiest part of a writing assignment is figuring out what I am going to write about. I like to brainstorm throughout the day and evaluate all of the possible things and ways to begin and end a paper. I think about many different topics and layouts as I walk between my classes. After putting much thought into a paper, I usually procrastinate, a habit that I am trying to break while in college. Many times I organize my paper in a five paragraph format. This layout has been drilled into me since I first learned to write essays. According to Writing Analytically the five paragraph format is completely destructive to all characteristic of writing, except for the organization aspect. Once I return home from school and I have laid out the format of the paper I start to develop my ideas. To begin my paper and thesis, I begin to freewrite to create a foundation of thoughts that I mold into my essay. Establishing a well-developed thesis is very difficult for me to do without another’s opinion. Many times I will create a thesis and think that it has too many flaws and then restart. Transferring my thoughts to the paper and thoroughly developing the concepts are more difficult. Many topics that I write about I assume people view the topic the same way that I do. Something that makes complete since to me may look like a whole new language to another person. Creating a lengthy piece of literature has always been a problem for me. I am very easily distracted, as writing is not my most favorite activity. Many times I will become sidetracked by other noises or people around me, but complete silence is even more difficult to work through. Eventually, I come back to the paper to finish. The conclusion is the easiest, and most enjoyable, part of any paper. To me, the conclusion says “You’re almost done”! The conclusion is wrapping up what you’re whole essay has said. Therefore, completing a conclusion that summarizes the paper, and adds a few finishing touches to some thoughts, is a very accomplishing feeling. Proof-reading my own paper is one of my biggest flaws. When I proof-read my own paper, I completely understand what it is that I wrote. Then, I have to take my paper to a peer to ask for help. Only after then can I go and make final corrections to make my essay more clear and understandable. I will have many drafts of a paper. After printing and proof-reading then correcting, I have created at least three different papers. Up until the point that I turn in my paper to my teacher, I was always nervous. I knew after I left home that there was nothing I could do to better my paper any more. The accomplished feeling of turning in that paper is amazing! Then the cycle of anticipation and nervousness restarts and only ends when I see the final grade.

 

Once assigned a topic, many different thoughts begin running through my mind. I start thinking of what I am going to write about the exact moment I hear the subject.  The easiest part of a writing assignment is figuring out what I am going to write about. I like to brainstorm throughout the day and evaluate all of the possible things and ways to begin and end a paper. I think about many different topics and layouts as I walk between my classes. After putting much thought into a paper, I usually procrastinate, a habit that I am trying to break while in college. Many times I organize my paper in a five paragraph format. This layout has been drilled into me since I first learned to write essays. According to Writing Analytically the five paragraph format is completely destructive to all characteristic of writing, except for the organization aspect. Once I return home from school and I have laid out the format of the paper I start to develop my ideas. To begin my paper and thesis, I begin to freewrite to create a foundation of thoughts that I mold into my essay. Establishing a well-developed thesis is very difficult for me to do without another’s opinion. Many times I will create a thesis and think that it has too many flaws and then restart. Transferring my thoughts to the paper and thoroughly developing the concepts are more difficult. Many topics that I write about I assume people view the topic the same way that I do. Something that makes complete since to me may look like a whole new language to another person. Creating a lengthy piece of literature has always been a problem for me. I am very easily distracted, as writing is not my most favorite activity. Many times I will become sidetracked by other noises or people around me, but complete silence is even more difficult to work through. Eventually, I come back to the paper to finish. The conclusion is the easiest, and most enjoyable, part of any paper. To me, the conclusion says “You’re almost done”! The conclusion is wrapping up what you’re whole essay has said. Therefore, completing a conclusion that summarizes the paper, and adds a few finishing touches to some thoughts, is a very accomplishing feeling. Proof-reading my own paper is one of my biggest flaws. When I proof-read my own paper, I completely understand what it is that I wrote. Then, I have to take my paper to a peer to ask for help. Only after then can I go and make final corrections to make my essay more clear and understandable. I will have many drafts of a paper. After printing and proof-reading then correcting, I have created at least three different papers. Up until the point that I turn in my paper to my teacher, I was always nervous. I knew after I left home that there was nothing I could do to better my paper any more. The accomplished feeling of turning in that paper is amazing! Then the cycle of anticipation and nervousness restarts and only ends when I see the final grade.