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Posts: 5 (archived below)
Comments: 4

Cyber-bullying

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

With the good there’s always bad.I mention this because, social networks are intended to bring numerous social networks and communities together to share commonalities; however, most of the time these sites are misused.In this article, two teens created a false Facebook account and used it against a fellow classmate.

The victim’s father felt it was best for the teens to attend pretrial diversion programs.This program assists teens understand the harm and consequences of their actions, and punishment is assigned to them.

The girls said they targeted the victim because “nobody liked her.”Which is often times the main reason to be targeted.In addition to boost the opponents self esteem.

In this article teens are warned of websites that may affect them, mentally.It mentions a site called Formspring, which gives users the opportunity to ask fellow users questions, anonymously.According to parenting expert Michele Borba,

“Formspring is one of the new kinds of websites that looks like a social network that is popping up online for our daughters. It looks tame enough…but once they log on, what it actually encourages instead is to send vicious notes toward one another in an anonymous nature,” said Borba.

However, as I learned in another sociology course, as we use the streets of any city we cannot blame the street for misuse.We can blame the individuals who use it incorrectly.I feel this is the same for users of the internet.After Borba’s statement I feel she is trying to blame the website for the content which is visible to users.However, we must keep in mind these comments written by users can be positive, not only negative.

In addition to cyber-bullying, teens are bombarded with other types of information while using the web.For example,other sites that promote unhealthy lifestyles.The article gives it opinion on what should be done.Read below.

So how do parents keep their teens off these websites? Our experts offer this advice:

First, invest in parental control software; monitor your teen’s online history; do Google searches on their full names to see if anything comes up; and limit their time online.

“You need to step up to the plate. You need to monitor because we’re raising our children in a tough world,” said Borba.

Since we are adapting to technology and educational institutions use the internet in classroom settings and for take home assignments(for any subjects)would this be the solution to cyber-bullying for teen girls?Or is it important to know the factors behind the situation from both parties?

 

 

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Josh Harris.

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

After watching Josh Harris’s documentary in class I learned how his childhood days(exposure to the television) affect his later years of life. Harris was forced to watch television to keep his mind of mischievous acts.This resulted in his, what I feel, obsession with Gilligan’s Island.Since he focused on numerous characters on television,he developed into these characters, as mentioned.Do you think an individual can become addicted to the web/or any form of social media in a short period of time, or does it occur over years.

The documentary puts great emphasis on the mother/son relationship Harris endured.I am a big believer in the importance of having a strong, supportive parent or guidance in ones life for success to be possible.However, he seemed very distant from his family especially his mother.As his family members stated,she had the least bit of time during his years of development.This resulted in his relationship with the television.I mention this because I felt Harris had no remorse to his mother’s death, in later years.The fact that he sent her a video with his last words before she passed was memorable.It was in a way an exchanged gift.

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Raymond Williams “Originality”

Posted on April 22, 2011 by

After reading the numerous entries by Raymond Williams, I better understood the meaning of words, which I believed had one meaning.However, the origin of these words were quite interesting.From my understanding, the excerpt gives historical information on the origin of the word “originality.”As we spoke about originality I made a connection between popular songs and its origin as well as the quality of it.According to dictionary.reference.com, Music “is an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony,etc.So if I dare, it is relevant to Williams definition analysis.

As the article states in C18, “An original”  is “the sense of something singular or rare but also in a sense related to a new theory of act….’no performance can be valuable which is not an Original.” I also feel Young’s definition can relate to this finding.

As we are all familiar with the late Michael Jackson, I used his song Human Nature.This song was written by Josh Bettis &Steve Porcaro and released in July 1992. As we may all know this is the “original” version to this song and may have more meaning to later recordings of the same melody.Later recorded in 1993, Sisters with Voices recorded Right Here (Human Nature Remix feat Michael Jackson). As the transition was made from Michael’s original you can hear the difference.However, the similarity still exist throughout the song.Young states, an “Original grows but is not made”;this is very true after listening to both songs.

Lastly, TMZ’s favorite celebrity of recent days, Chris Brown recorded She Aint You on his latest album title, F.A.M.E.The message of the song differs from the two records mentioned.This 2011 hit focuses on a bad romance he encountered and how its affecting him.I mention this because the quality of the song has changed, drastically.For example in the first two songs, actual voices were used with echo like sound effects.However, in this day and age auto-tune is very important in pop culture.Brown uses auto-tune throughout the track.This also shows us as technology we adapt to it.In the media we use/say everything that would sell to the desperate eye.

Originality has its representation in each song.However, one feeds off the other.It is all cycle as William explains in the text.Original originates from an origin.

Often times in class discussions the concern of music, media in general is brought up and how it influences individuals.At times when we are bombarded with new tunes, and we find a way to compare it to older songs.We have a keen understanding of these songs but do we consider it original( in the sense of something we never heard before) or do we think its just a remake of the older version of the song?As a society who replicates almost everything have the right to call a new piece of music “original?”

 

 

 

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Benefits of Facebook.

Posted on March 18, 2011 by

We are all familiar with the Facebook slogan, “Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them.” As I read numerous blog posts for the class, I noticed the ongoing pattern of how social networking can affect every individuals live, negatively.However, I will  explain a situation, where Facebook was used under dangerous but a life-saving circumstance.It proved to not only myself, but others that social networking can be used in a good/bad, negative/positive manner.

As I listened to 98.7 Kiss F.M at work today, I heard a very interesting case that occurred in Atlanta, Georgia.According to AJC, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution online, due to interactions amongst Facebook, a robbery attempt was ceased with future arrest to be made.Nitesh Bhatka, along with his grandma and sister  faced a house robbery which could have been fatal.However, the teen thought of the fastest way to “connect with family, friends, and others who work,” in order to save his family. Once aware of the robbery, he made it his duty to stop the wrong doings.In other words, he found a safe and secure place in the house to get the attention of the outside world.Which we all know can be Facebook, at many times.He risked being attacked by the three suspects.However, he managed to update his status which was beneficial in the discovery of the robbery, he posted, “HELP, ROBBERS, NO PHONE.” According to the the reactions of his Facebook networks, it reminded me of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”He states, “A lot of People thought it was a joke,.” I’m unaware if Bhatka has characteristics similar to the boy who cried wolf, but the situation reminded me of the danger he faced and how his surroundings reacted.

He also  states, “I don’t think [Facebook] is really meant as a lifesaving tool, but it’s the only way I could think of contacting someone immediately to call for help,” he said.I agree with his logic, Facebook is not a lifesaving tool;However, his mindful thinking influenced the consequence of the robbery.In addition, the architecture of his attic helped to keep him from being seen.Lastly, the actions, of his best friend determined the outcome, which some may say its “best friend instinct.” Bhatka used Facebook to post “What is on his mind” at the present time, which frightened the three suspects, this reduced the intensity of the robbery.

This article exemplified the social interaction we have amongst our “technology family.” If a phone was present during the time of the robbery, Bhatka would have been heard by the robbers.However, Facebook interactions helped save the day.So I ask myself, does this situation, along with many others predict what the future will consist of, the ongoing usage of technology?Many of us bash social networking sites (Let me mention due to the different personas we have amongst ourselves)but after this post, do you reconsider the impact they have on our everyday lives?

Although, we are in denial, just know there is at least one individual paying close attention to the importance of our lives, on social networking sites, whether or not your aware of it.The question is: How comfortable are you knowing that attentiveness from any individual listed as your “friend,”can save your life?Are we really living in public, minus the surveillance devices?

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SOCIAL NOT FATAL!

Posted on February 25, 2011 by

“Amanda ******** is a B&%$#”

http://www.collegeacb.com/

As we discussed in class,Facebook users have a tendency of dehumanizing other users in order to gain self-confidence.Cyberbullying has become an ongoing issue in society.It has affected many individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally. Due to cyberbullying,many deaths have occurred.  For the most part, cyberbullying occurs from the actions of others on numerous social networking sites. I will focus on CollegeACB, formely known as Juicycampus.For those who are unaware of the site; it is a social site and peers are instructed to:

  1. Encourage users to post more positive and productive content.
  2. Allow users to highlight content they like.
  3. Give users the power to remove content they don’t like.
  4. Push the culture of the site in a more positive and productive direction.

Instead the opposite is portrayed on the website.

There are some differences between Facebook and CollegeACB.Facebook gives users the opportunity to create a profile and communicate with family, friends and potential friends. However CollegeACB, gives users the ability to post information about their fellow colleagues, whether negative or positive. After scrolling through the subtitles, negative/bashing occurs more often than positive thoughts. Websites like CollegeACB gives users the chance to “cyberbully” with no face to the comment, unless the post gets out of hand and is reported to the website’s owner.

Below I have copied a post from the website to demonstrate the cruelty of one user who accepts the negativity from other users:

“STOP POSTING ‘KIND’ THREADS! IT WILL BACKFIRE!

Posted 03/30/2010 02:38 AM | Last Reply 03/30/2010 02:38 AM

“Do you think that by trying to change the tone of this site it will be a good thing? No! If you write about anyone on this site, someone will guaranteed shit on them afterwards. Yes a girl committed suicide, but still by making these ‘favorite, nicest’ threads, you are going to have innocent good people being caught in the cross fire…”

This goes to show that social networking sites not only serve as a trigger to commit suicide, if not used in the right manner. However, the many users on these websites feel it’s best to bash as many individuals as possible. As he/she states, “STOP POSTING “KIND” THREADS IT WILL BACKFIRE”…In other words, why use a website, like CollegeACB in a pleasant manner, eventually negativity will occur from your post. Unfortunately, one female committed suicide after being cyberbullied and it will continue to happen if websites like CollegeACB exist. In this day and age we are so caught up in technology that face to face conversations, whether a regular conversation or disagreement can be resolved. Instead, anonymity plays key role in pointing out the bad and leaves the ugly with the control/power of words. The website should provide users with profile information to approach or report their aggressive opponents.

From my perspective, the loyalty of friendships and networking amongst humans weaken day by day. I often wonder what happen to the well valued friendships, formal meetings where individuals discuss commonalities and differences face to face. As oppose to, being bashed online which can have a psychological affect on the individual. (Remember all the members on specific sites are anonymous, it can be your best friend who has hatred towards your lifestyle.)

The advancement of technology leads to an increase of cyberbullying. Due to the actions of others, an individual can be affected, which may result in death.Change must occur in order for these websites to be a much safer environment.Unfortunately, some see otherwise.

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