My Dinner Date Day/Night Dream

My dinner date day/night dream

We were having such a great time getting to know each other! My Family even liked her! I finally introduced her to them after a while, but only in small increments. Didn't want to freak her out and scare her away, well because it's family; especially my family!!


There was so much about her that I liked. She was beautiful, and she had this inner warmth, this inner beauty that was hard to describe. She was smart and we talked about a variety of topics. She also had a humorous side to her and we laughed together too. But she had this beautiful compassion and vulnerability that made her very special. And her eyes, something about her eyes: so sweet, alluring, mysterious, incredible sparkling blue eyes.


She had her share of heart aches and life challenges and we entrusted each other with that info and helped each other; learned from each other. And in such a short time, we grew together too, which was nice.


We took road trips together. She loved to travel. We would take off to Santa Barbara on our weekend get-aways, and  revel in long, warm, beautiful, sunny days; some times we wouldn't talk for stretches of time. Some times I wondered where her sad eyes transported her as she starred out of the car window at the natural beauty that engulfed us. Occasionally I would also swim in old memories--melancholy types of memories. But those sad memories faded in the midst of the magnificent, sparkling, pacific ocean close by, and soft hills of sand and ivy, natures scenic gateway to our ocean view. There were also resilient healthy, dark, luscious green trees still standing after all of this time. It was peaceful, almost perfect.


And at times we would stop just because and check out a very cool spot that looked out over this ocean wonderment and the spectacular view of rocks, cliffs, and nature. Out here there was no rushing to the next stop light. Things were slow, I guess, as nature intended.


So I wrapped her in my arms and evaporated in her warmth, beauty, and softness as we enjoyed what was in front of us. Her hair slightly, gently falling over her eyes as the cool breeze coming from the west soothed her face. She smelled so wonderfully and her smile and incredible ocean blue eyes soothed me; both of us relaxed, digesting this moment of utter beautiful stillness and peace...


...next thing I know the server asks if I want to pack my food up and I was some what startled and realized I was, oh yes, yet, on another first date. My day dreaming or night dreaming carried me forward to a place that needed time to develop: a place that is earned through mutual respect, mutual interests, connections and chemistry (physical, intellectual, and emotional) that lead to that incredibly special place in my dinner date day dream. And it will come one day, I know it, I just know it.

The Rise of Online Social Networks: New Ways to Connect and Communicate

The Rise of Online Social Networks: New Ways to Connect and Communicate by Adrian
According to an article published by USA Today, on March, 9, 2009, “Social networks more popular than email” social networks and blogs have become more popular than emails among global internet users, and two thirds of the world’s online users report visitng social networking sites, such as Facebook. In addition, time spent on these sites is triple the rate than overall internet growth.We can’t get away from computers in our current society, they are a part of our culture, and are here to stay. Di Gennaro and Dutton (2007) noted that the growing popularity of online multi-player gaming, or the expansion of online social networking, such as Facebook and YouTube, which allows for users to contact each other, is likely to continue to reinforce internet usage patterns and the development of social networks.
As previously noted, USA Today reports that this has already occurred, as it noted that 67% of internet users in the U.S. visit social sites. The most popular social network site is Facebook, which is visited by three in ten people across world markets. With the growth of these social network sites, and the fast paced life style that is integrated into our culture through internet technology, some critics think this is not always a positive.
McKibben warned that we live in a vast information age, and that media technology, especially in contemporary society as it ties into CMC, is detrimental to our society in terms of information overload and interpersonal apathy. Gitlin (2002) further added that with more exposure to media images, television, and other media stimuli we are becoming more isolated and more likely to live in solitude.
Our world is complex, fast paced, information driven and perhaps, for many, social networking sites are the best alternative for people to feel more connected socially because of lack of time and its accessibility. Gitlin (2002) noted that Karl Marx wrote about the perils of capitalism and the constant ebb and flow of man in a consumer age stuck in mindless pursuits of goods. Gitlin (2002) added that this consumer age has fed into an endless stream of noise and chatter to appease the masses in our consumer society. Some may argue that the cell phone, internet, IM, social network sites, etc. are an extension of our consumer age and feed in into our frenzied world of constant noise and chatter, intrusively graphic visual imagery, and distractions that ultimately don’t benefit us.
Thurlow, Lengel, and Tomic (2004) noted that the internet is a fairly new, complex technology, but is being used for something very basic: communication. Some may argue that interacting on line is not as effective as meeting people in person, and forming traditional connections FtF. Thurlow et al. (2004) added that critics of Communication Mediated Technology (CMC) argued that the Reduced Social Cues (RSC) Model showed that without social cues, such as facial expressions and body language, CMC is more difficult and lacks flow and cohesion.
In addition, Thurlow et al. (2004) noted that some critics of CMC have expressed that the greater the use of the internet leads to declines in communication with family, decreases in social outlets or social circles, and leads to increases in depression and loneliness. If this is the case, as USA Today reports, why are more than two thirds of the world’s internet users accessing online social networking sites?
I will examine how and why people us internet technology as a way of staying socially connected and/or forming new social circles. In addition, this paper compares new forms of communication, (CMC) to traditional face to face (FtF) interaction and people’s preferred method, and investigates CMC’s overall effectiveness in communication.
Thurlow et al. (2004) argued that people don’t need FtF to feel a part of a group, and that it’s sometimes better for people not to engage physically/FtF because people will be less distracted by physical barriers, such as appearance; and many participants in online social groups feel a sense of belonging to social groups that are similar in interest, a support group, so to speak. Thurlow et al. (2004) added that more recent studies as it relates to CMC have shown that people do form deep, interconnected, online relationships, as many online relationships lead to FtF interaction and long lasting relationships.
One can find social network sites that integrate FtF communication time, such as Meetup.com or Yelp.com. Both of these sites include a message board, email options, review of restaurant option (as Yelp does) and other technical features that help people feel like a part of an online community. In addition, each site plans FtF group social activities, such as karaoke, workouts, or dinner outings.
Haythornthwaite (2005) conducted a study of online learners and traditional (in class) learners in a graduate program (School of Library and Information Science at the Univiersity of Illinois) over a four year period in randomly selected courses. She found in interviews with the distance learners that they felt very much connected to other students; some made friends, and reported having meaningful associations and working relationships even though they had limited FtF contact. In addition, many long distance learners felt a sense of belonging and affinity to the group as whole, as being part of a cohort of new incoming students in the program.
Haythornthwaite (2005) added that there wasn’t much of a difference in terms of group dynamics in either cohort. Perhaps those who seek to make connections would do so and seek social support in either of these environments. Those who are more independent, or even shy, may be more likely to not seek social connections in either environment (CMC or FtF) as well. Thurlow et al. (2004) had noted that prior research has cast CMC in a negative light, which has focused more on the technology and less on the process of communication in our everyday lives. Haythornthwaite (2005) also explained that the power of the internet, and its ability to help create connections between people where none existed, can’t be over looked.
Di Gennaro and Dutton (2007) explained that recent observations and research on the internet has examined the role of the internet in assisting people to build new relationships, both online and offline. Di Gennaro and Dutton (2007) added that this newer argument highlights the possibilities of the internet and its powerful use to reconfigure people’s social connections that improve the quality of one’s life in forming new friendships, otherwise not possible, without the internet.
A study conducted by Di Gennarro and Dutton (2007) interviewed over 2,000 online users in Britain age 14 and above. This study showed that roughly one-fifth of these respondents reported using the Internet to make new friends and change the dynamics of their social network. In addition, the study showed that half of those who made friends online also carried these relationships to off-line status and met in person.
This study reinforced that the internet is a powerful networking tool on and off-line, that change how and who we choose to forge social networks with (Di Gennarro and Dutton, 2007). In addition, Di Gennarro and Dutton (2007) noted that the internet is an influential mechanism to make new friends, expand one’s social network, and connect with people in many cases, one would never have the opportunity to communicate with, otherwise.
This is especially true with the recent popularity of Twitter. There are millions of people on this site, which is really mostly text messaging, with some features as posting blog pages and pics/videos. There are people from all over the world visiting Twitter, including celebrities who you might never get to interact with. In addition, Twitter allows for the opportunity to meet and interact with people for social and/or business networking.
Anecdotally, I have made some very good friends that were initiated via online social networking sites. In addition, I’ve met people for social activities, such as workout/exercise groups that have added value to my social network and improved my overall health. Furthermore, I’ve met people online and later offline for business networking purposes.
An additional criticism of CMC is that it’s not the same as FtF communication, and online relationships aren’t not comparable in that connections and relationships forged online are not real, rich, and as tangible as FtF interaction. Additionally, Thurlow et al. (2004) noted that critics of CMC also argued that the Reduced Social Cues (RSC) Model showed that without social cues, such as facial expressions and body language, CMC is more difficult and lacks flow and cohesion. In addition, Thurlow et al. (2004) added that because of the lack of these visual cues in communication, people are more likely to misread plain text communication, which causes confusion and miscommunication in this format.
This is becoming less of an issue in recent years because of advances in CMC technology that make it much more like FtF than ever before, allowing for more richness and depth, such as cam phones, video computer cameras, and advances in web/text technology such as Twitter or Facebook.
Most of us have evolved in this new technology age, and have adapted our responses and learned to interpret messages and information through CMC. And we may need fewer visual cues to communicate effectively, especially with the improvements in technology that have helped us become more three dimensional when we communicate online. In addition, again, with more advances in internet technology, which has made us more “organic” we are more and more becoming the Internet personality more true to us and who we are.
Kindred and Roper (2004) conducted focus group interviews of third year communication students at a small northeastern college about their use of CMC in their everyday lives. The study found that students were using Instant Messaging (IM) in their everyday lives to stay connected with family and friends, and that “sent messages” features, such as song lyrics or quotes were used to express their individuality and identity.
In addition, the study found that students used features, such as emoticons and emotext into their conversations to bring more richness and depth to their conversations. Furthermore, the study noted that students preferred IM to traditional methods of communication, such as telephone or FtF because IM is readily available and easily accessible. Kindred and Roper (2004) concluded that students seemed to rely on IM in their informal interactions with friends, and added this to be a positive as students use CMC to maintain and reinforce relationships.
I find this study very interesting, and I can see how college students would use IM to keep in touch with friends and family as college students lead busy lives. There may be various reasons why people want to connect online, some for information, some for dialogue and identifying with affinity groups, some for romance, some for business networking, some for entertainment and social reasons, etc. Again, as previously noted, in the last few years, technological advances are making, IMing, texting, chatting, posting, even faster and more intimate.
Websites such as Skype.com and other social networking websites have quick one on one chat speeds, which are pretty amazing. I think almost all chat services, such as Yahoo are capable of attaching a picture or even video, to the chat discussion, which makes chatting even more like FtF.
Utz (2007) conducted a study to measure communication choice (email or phone) in long distance friendships among Dutch and German adults. Utz (2007) found that email was the preferred method in long-distance friendships, followed by FtF, phone, and chat/IM. Email was only slightly higher than FtF, 31% to 27%, respectively, as the preferred method of communication. Utz (2007) was surprised that the immediate feedback and richness of FtF was not a factor in people choosing email to communicate in this study, and that this is most likely because of convenience and a more flexible time schedule for the recipient to respond to an email when given time.
As I have previously mentioned, the convenience of the internet allows for people to communicate at an appropriate time, and perhaps gives people time to formulate appropriate responses (as was the case in this study where people favored email over phone calls in long distance friendships).
Boucher, Hancock, and Dunham (2008) conducted a study among undergraduate college students to measure their ability to gauge emotionality and sensitivity in CMC and FtF formats/situations in regards to dominant and subordinate roles. Boucher et al. (2006) found that there was no difference in either group’s ability to decipher accurately interpersonal perceptions during CMC and FtF interaction. Boucher et al. (2006) added that this may be due to the set up of the experiment in terms of the roles played, and that recent studies have shown that people can accurately interpret emotional tone in CMC formats.
These results are not surprising, especially when conducting experiments testing college student’s abilities to interpret interpersonal perceptions using CMC. Today’s college students have gown up using CMC, and have probably adapted skill levels that would enable them to accurately interpret interpersonal perceptions on the same level as someone who is FtF in these situations.
As USA Today reported, the world’s internet users are accessing online social network sites, like never before. Some critics of CMC believe that it is not the most ideal form of communication, and can lead to our becoming more isolated, less social. And these critics also point to the lack of depth and human realism in CMC, as opposed to FtF. Perhaps, these critics do have some valid points here, and in some cases, people may tend to be less social if they spend all of their time online, and by doing so, don’t develop social skills necessary to effectively communicate, if all they do is communicate via CMC.
The other side of this argument, and one that may provide more balance, points to CMC as an additional outlet for people to connect and form social networks for various reasons and interests. Some studies discussed in this paper showed that people did use CMC to establish friendships, maintain friendships, and in many cases, eventually met people off-line. Furthermore, because of the convenience of CMC technology, many people preferred using these methods, such as IM or email, to phone calls, to stay connected with friends or family.
In addition, the studies noted in this paper also showed that people are adapting to using CMC in their everyday lives, and are able to use it to accurately interpret interpersonal perceptions, and reported that they felt deep, meaningful connections to people who they have only communicated with online—and were just as effective in their interaction as FtF.
Perhaps the right way to frame this argument is not so much how CMC can harm our society, or how wonderfully, limitless it is, but how we can use it to enhance our lives, not completely replace normal everyday FtF contact with friends and loved one’s. Even though the world has become faster, more complicated, and many of us suffer from sensory overload, people around the world, as USA Today reported, are accessing social network sites like never before.
It’s worth repeating what Thurlow et al. (2004) noted about technology and communication—the internet is a fairly new, complex technology, but is being used for something very basic: communication.
References
Baig, E. (2009). Social networks more popular than email. USA Today. Retrieved May
3, 2009, from http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2009/03/social-networks.html
Boucher, E. M., Hancock, J. T., & Dunham, J. P. (2008). Interpersonal sensitivity in
computer-mediated and face-to-face conversations. Media Psychology, Vol.
11, pp. 235-258.
Di Gennaro, C & Dutton, H. (2007). Reconfiguring friendships: social relationships
and the internet. Information, Communication, & Society, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 591-618.
Gitlin, T. (2002). Media unlimited: how the torrent of images and sounds overwhelms
our lives. Henry Holt and Company, LLC: NY.
Haythornthwaite, C. (2005). Social networks and internet connectivity effects.
Information, Communication, & Society, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 125-147.
Kindred, J. & Roper, S.L. (2004). Making connections via instant messenger (IM):
student use of IM to maintain personal relationships. Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, Vol. V, pp. 48-54.
McKibben, B. The age of missing information.
Thurlow, C., Lengel, L. & Tomic, A. (2004). computer mediated communication:
social interaction and the internet. London: Sage.
Utz, S. (2007). Media use in long-distance friendships. Information, Communication, &
Society, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 694-713.

The Power of Words

The Power of Words By Adrian
Fox News may never interview her, but she is one of the faceless Americans who made her voice heard loud and clear this past United States Presidential election. She’s Latina, 19 years old; her parents are immigrants from Guatemala, barely scraping by on what one can make with no formal education in a large urban city. She wants to obtain a higher education degree, and have a long, happy, healthy life, in a career that her parents will never have.She, along with millions of other young, Latino/a voters is the reason why Obama is the new President of U.S. Wikepedia.org noted that 68 percent of Latinos/Hispanics, and 67 percent of younger voters, 18 – 25, voted for Obama this past November.
I recently tuned into a Fox News telecast where an anchor was interviewing a gentleman who had written a book about how Obama won the election. He noted three things: younger voters, minority voters, and the well educated voted Democrat. And I agree with all of these points, and suspected the same. But the power of words; what scrolled across the bottom of the screen during this interview said: “Is Obama the Right Person at the Right Time?” As if Obama and his campaign had nothing to do with turning out younger, minority voters.
The anchor didn't discuss Obama's policies, ideas, philosophies, temperament, speaking ability, intelligence, etc. as a huge factor in why Obama won. In fact, the author noted that any Democrat would have won this past election. The Fox News anchor could have challenged him, but he chose not to. Postman (2002) noted that in the wrong hands, new technology can be dangerous, as only a small number of powerful elites may have a majority of access to these new technologies. In addition (Postman, 2002) added that the powerful, well connected elites control much of our modern technology and that media manipulates the masses with propaganda by damaging memory, history, and disseminates false information.
According to the movie, “Outfoxed” Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Media Enterprise reaches nearly five billion people, world wide. In addition, Gitlin (2002) explained that around the world, people spend significant amount of time watching T.V. and noted that in the United States, more people are watching more T.V. than in past decades, up to 40% in some studies. Gitlin (2002) further noted that media and the many forms of it in the 21 century, such as the Internet, have become the center piece and focal point in our culture and society. It would seem that now more than ever before in our information, technological driven society, we should be even more skeptical of the information we receive.
Postman (1992) added that when new technologies arise, and only a few elite control them, such as global news cable media outlets Fox News, these powerful news agencies can therefore control those who don’t have the resources or knowledge to benefit from it (new technology). It could be that Fox News knows the power of words and the power of new technologies to manipulate public thought.
Ong and Methuen (1982) explained that more than any other invention, writing, has transformed human consciousness, and that the written word can't be directly or immediately questioned, as oral speech because of its detachment from the author. The power of words, "Is Obama the right person at the right time?" Ong and Methuen (1982) added that an author can be challenged only if he or she can be reached, and there is no direct way to refute text." Herman and Chomsky (1988) might argue that a textual comment on a scroll screen during a news channel that has political overtones is a cheap ploy at media manipulation and political agenda setting.
The movie “Outfoxed” noted how Fox News uses fancy technological computer graphics, and other media technology to shock their audience into paying attention to what they deem as serious news stories, such as the recent “tea parties” supposedly put on by random citizens who were fed up with “taxes” and what not. Fox News even redefined the main message of these events several times. I still don’t think anyone really knew what the main point of these protests was, especially when 95% of Americans are receiving a tax cut this year. Through the magic of technology, Fox News broadcasted these “tea parties” live from multiple locations around the country.
This kind of coverage and promotion by Fox News made these tea parties seem news worthy where millions of people participated. This was not the case. The USA Today reported that thousands participated in these events, hardly worthy of the kind of coverage that Fox News gave it. Especially when you consider that there are over 300 Million people who live in the United States. Even if it was the estimated one million people who attended, as has been reported by its organizers, that would still be less than one percent of the population. It seemed that the other news outlets did not cover this story because it was not newsworthy.
As previously noted, Fox News and other main stream media outlets don’t report on stories about the faceless and nameless, such as the heroic efforts of the many volunteers who feed the homeless in Philadelphia, as the video “Table for Six” showed. In many cases, as noted by Postman, media and its new technological advances are controlled by a small number who use this technology to redefine realities, promote agendas, generate profits and ignore stories that don’t fit these criteria.
References
Busby, L., Gilliam, J., McArdle, K., & Smith, D. (Producer) & Greenwald, R.A.
(Director). (2004). Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on
Journalism. [Motion picture]. United States: The Disinformation Company.
Gitlin, T. (2002). Media Unlimited: How the Torrent of Images and Sounds Overwhelms
Our Lives. Henry Holt and Company, LLC: NY.
Herman & Chomsky (1988). Manufacturing Consent. NY: Panthean.
Ong & Methuen (1982). Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word.
Oren, D. (2009). Thousand Rally at Tax Day Tea Parties. USA Today. Retrieved April
25, 2009, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-04-15-tea-parties_N.htm.
Postman, N. (1992). Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology. Vintage
Books: NY.
The United States Presidential Election, 2008. Wikepia.org. Retrieved April 25, 2009,
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008.

Celebrating the Courage of Baby Eliot - 99 Baloons Vid

The you tube link below is a video made by the parents of Baby Eliot, who was born with Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome). About.com notes that this disease is most likely fatal, and attacks every part of a child's body, from the nervous system to the heart, lungs, muscles and that 95% of fetuses with this disease die before birth. About.com added that only 5% of baby's with Trisomy 18 live to see their first Birthday. If you want more informtion about this terrible disease please click on link: http://rarediseases.about.com/cs/chromosome18/a/050104.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0

For anyone who has a child, this Video about Baby Eliot's courageous fight to live is especially inspiring. This video reminds me of how blessed I am to have a healthy 5-year old boy, and what a privilege it is to be a parent. I have always loved watching my son grow, learn, explore, laugh and become such a happy, healthy child right before my eyes.

I'm sorry that I ever became upset on those sleepless nights when my son was an infant. And when I was exhausted after work and was with him, and he was cranky and tired too, well those were challenging times, and still can be--especially when he's not listening.

It's my son's birthday soon, and I can't wait to see him! I will hug him a little tighter, and love him a little more--if that's possible. I have always celebrated our moments together, but I need to continue to do so, and never forget that I am blessed to be a parent and a Dad.

Some aren't so fortunate as this inspiring video shows. Life really is precious.

The parents in the video will never see their little boy: take his first steps, laugh, say "Daddy or Mommy" for the first time, ask for a hug when he's upset or tired, read a book to him, watch him ride a bike, kick a ball, do homework with him, watch a movie with him and eat popcorn, draw with him, play ball with him, watch TV with him, watch the wonderment on his face at Disneyland, have him cry on their shoulder if he's upset and wipe the tears off his face, encourage him and tell him how special he is, enjoy a meal with him, watch him eat a cookie and laugh at a cartoon, push him on a swing, play hide and go seek with him, watch him play with other kids, hold hands with him when crossing the street, and celebrate his 1st Birthday.

But this couple found a way to honor their son and celebrate all the little moments they had with him.

I want to thank them for showing us how to cherish and celebrate Living, through their son's triumphs and struggles and will to Live, right to the end.

Thank you Baby Eliot.

You made your parents proud, and it's why they posted this video about you, to Celebrate Your Life.

Computer Mediated Communication Technology Advances

Computer Mediated Communication Technology Advances by Adrian
Technology is as much a part of us as we are part of it. Thurlow, Lengel, and Tomic (2004) noted that technology is all around us in many forms. This is very true, and it seems like we can’t go through a day without engaging in some form of man made technology, whether it’s using a fork to eat with, or the modern convenience of a car that parks its self.As I type this Internet blog, my digital flat screen television is on, I have http://www.yahoo.com/ open for emails and Instant Messaging, my cell phone sits close by, and the cable modem lights blink to remind me that I’m connected electronically to anyone with a computer or even a television set. This is because I can type and send an instant message to a CNN anchor, such as Rick Sanchez on http://www.twitter.com/ about a particular topic or issue of interest, which may be posted on the television screen scroll feature almost instantaneously. This message can be read by anyone in the world who has a television or a computer and can view CNN; so really, we are all interconnected in so many ways. This instant interconnectedness has made our world much smaller and made our information driven world even faster. Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) technology has increased our ability to connect with people from so many different backgrounds and in many different forums, such as http://www.facebook.com/.
Some critics of CMC note that this form of communication is ineffective because of the lack of Face to Face (FtF) interaction. Thurlow et al. (2004) noted that these critics argued that the Reduced Social Cues (RSC) Model showed that without social cues, such as facial expressions and body language, CMC is more difficult and lacks flow and cohesion. In addition, Thurlow et al. (2004) added that because of the lack of these visual cues in communication, people are more likely to misread plain text communication (RSC Model), which may lead to more confused or misinterpreted responses while participating in CMC (miss communication).
This may be true if one just reads a plain text e-mail message, and I’ve seen this happen. Although, in today’s technological innovative CMC environment, there are multiple ways to communicate which more closely resembles FtF interaction, and allows for one to view visual cues such as facial expressions. These CMC technology improvements include such advancements as http://www.skype.com/ which is a web/text/camera technology communication website. In addition, there have been advances in video computer cameras and other social networking websites that allow for instantaneous access via picture posts and video clips, such as http://www.twitter.com/.
As we have evolved in this new technology age, most of us have adapted our responses and learned to interpret messages and information through CMC. We may need fewer visual cues to communicate effectively and correctly interpret Internet messages, such as e-mail, especially with the improvements in technology that have helped us become more three dimensional when we communicate on-line.
Again, most of us have adapted to all of the technology around us whether we agree with it or not. In addition, younger people are growing up in this very advanced CMC technology era, which in many cases, closely mimics FtF communication or a form of it. Children quickly learn to navigate this fast changing technological CMC environment as the following Microsoft "I'm a PC" commercial on Youtube shows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mz06mylMJY
As we move forward in this communication age, we will continue to advance and improve our ability to instantaneously connect in our fast growing CMC society. In the last five years consumer demand for more intimate forms of CMC may have driven the technological advances we have seen in CMC. Thurlow, et al. (2004) explained that such inventions like the telephone and text messaging originated as experiments or technologies designed for military uses/communication (email and the Internet), and business communication (texting). Thurlow et al. (2004) added that consumers wanted to use these technological tools to further enhance communication.
Consumers possibly instinctively drove researchers to connect people in a manner more closely related to FtF communication because of a possible human instinct to connect FtF. Thurlow et al. (2004) noted that media richness of computer technology includes the ability to transmit multiple cues, immediate feedback capabilities, its ability to support natural language, and the websites level of personal focus. All of these advances in CMC are important, and as previously noted are tools we use to communicate and connect with one another to exchange ideas and information, share common experiences and interests, participate in business communication and networking, etc. In addition, these technological advances in CMC has made us more organic, three dimensional, and more human during online communication.
With that said, the computer will never completely replace the human experience, and the joy of being around the people you love FtF. Striking a balancing between FtF and CMC is important and probably the healthiest approach in this era of enhanced CMC technology.
Here is a comedic short video that speaks to this, sent out by Tony Robbins to his Twitter followers, like me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN2HAroA12w
Thurlow, Lengel, Tomic (2004). Computer Mediated Communication: Social Interaction
and the Internet. Los Angeles: Sage

Hey Duke, don't mess with the Pres!

Last week, an ESPN college sports guy (Andy Katz) did a human interest piece in which Obama picked who would win the NCAA Basketball National Championship Tourney. It was a fun thing, a chance to see that the president still does normal stuff, like doing the "brackets" just like millions of Americans. And he's into basketball, so nobody should be surprised.

And here comes coach K, as they call him, the Duke basketball coach. He got a little snooty when one of the reporters mentioned to him that his squad did not make it far into the finals on the President's completed brackets. Here's Coach K's response:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXWkLdJAqig

Coach K was the one who made this political by becoming defensive that our President would actually pick against his team, and implying that the President should focus on his job. This is code for: "I didn't vote for you Mr. Obama because I make over $250K and you're going to tax my A-off"..."so go away and fix the economy, be useful!"

And Obama's response to coach's hyper sensitivity? Our Pres basically said, "I hope his team proves me wrong." That's it. Good answer. No reason to make a bigger deal than this has to be, I mean, it's just for fun right Coach K?

Millions of people watch college basketball, do the brackets, even our President who is promoting your sport Coach K, which might raise interest and ad/attendance revenues. So what's the big deal right Coach K? Why pick a fight with the President right Coach K?

Thursday night's college basketball final score: Villanova 77 - Duke 54.

Game over!

Now the "Obama question" from reporters will keep coming and coming, and Coach K only has himself to blame. Now what was that coach K? That President Obama should focus on what, our economy? And by the way, the (DOW) has gained over 1,000 pts in the last month.

Come again Coach K?

Obama Fails We All Fail

Make no mistake, Reps want our country to fail when they state that "they want Obama to fail" but I have news for them: because of Bush/Reps we are failing now! Our policies have been failing and Reps have been in charge the last eight years! Obama has been in office for two months!

Change is difficult. It will take time to get the economy back on track (the DOW has roughly gained 1000 points in the last three weeks), and Obama is taking an aggressive approach to fix some very difficult problems, but do people really want Obama's policies to fail?

Here are some quotes in the last few day from some noted Reps, and let's not forget that Rush Limbaugh started all of this by emphatically shouting to anyone and everyone who would listen, "Yes, I want Obama to fail!"

Former Rep Presidential candidate Fred Thompson this morning on CNN, "I WANT HIS POLICIES THAT I BELIEVE TAKE US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION TO FAIL."

Rep Bobby Jindal Louisiana Governor reacted to the issue of Reps wanting our President, and our country to fail like this... "My answer to the question is very simple: 'Do you want the president to fail?' It depends on what he is trying to do."

I don't ever remember any public figure of merit saying they wanted Bush to fail, many, many Americans disagreed yes and many times vigorously, and did not like Bush's policies, but to outright want our country to fail? No, and Republicans should know better that they will be attacked and questioned when they make these stupid, silly statements.

There was an election and Obama won. Now it's up to our legislators who represent us, to negotiate with the new administration on the many important and serious issues that face our country, and how to approach them.

But is anyone surprised that Obama is approaching these issues in a different manner, a new approach, I mean he's taking on "the Teacher's Union" and he wants to reform health care, implement new energy technologies, and approach tax policies differently. But so Reps really want this administration or its policies to fail? Shame on Republicans for taking this tone. But let's not forget that many Reps were calling everyday Americans anti-American for exercising their civil right to protest when Bush was in office. How hypocritical and anti-American is that?

Obama Reponds to CNN Dude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDRpcC4Vfzw

Ha, ha, what's the big deal? This Ed Henry dude from CNN asked in a sarcastic, accusatory manner, "...why did it take you two days to respond to the AIG bonus payouts?"

Obama, "It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.”

He responded to that question very directly and firmly. Why all of the sudden do some media people read to much into a firm response? Now this is a story? Wow, very silly. Henry needs to grow up, and be ready to deal with answers to the corporate media's "ratings obsessed questions."

It's amazing to me that the media which has been really tough on this man, asks this question, over and over again, obsesses for over one week with 24-7 non stop coverage and updates and more updates, and more commentary, more "experts" that pound this story to the ground,...he addressed it over and over again. No wonder why he pretty much told that Henry guy to "sit down and ask me something legitimate."

Meanwhile, per the USA today (2002) 18,000 Americans die every year because of lack of health care coverage, and there are people/families sleeping in tents. It seems like the news media has it's priorities so mixed-up. There must be a way to get the media back on the side of real people, real problems, and issues that matter.