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Digital City

Posted on May 18, 2011 by gee.elle

It’s no secret that technology has become an important part in nearly everyone’s live, whether directly or indirectly. In class, we’ve discussed how it affects our social lives, interactions, and relationships. An while technology has been used by both the private and public sector, it seems that the two have now combined.

In an annoucement made on Monday, May 16th, Mayor Bloomberg has pledged to make New York City the “No. 1 Digitial City”. Using the popular social networking sites of Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and FourSquare, the goal is to make the City of New York more Internet accessible.  It is also to redefine the presence of New York online, redesigning its website and plans to “to acquire a .nyc suffix for Web pages”.  The city has also hired it’s first ever Chief Digital Officer.

After reading several articles, the point of all this is still unclear to me.  The only explanation I could find was a quote from Mayor Bloomberg: “We want New York City to be the nation’s premier digital city – in how local government interacts with New Yorkers, in how New Yorkers have access to and capitalize on new technologies, and in how our tech and digital media sectors evolve, grow businesses and create jobs”.  This, to me, seems pretty vague.  The city appears to just be expanding on the general purpose of the Internet: to connect people more quickly and efficiently.

With all the budget cuts (including education cuts which have forced Baruch students to visit Albany and lobby to keep our Pell Grants and block outrageous CUNY tuition hikes), Bloomberg’s goal just seems pointless. He even flat out states that the city does not have the money to complete this task on its own and will look to companies for aid.

Don’t you think that the money can be better put to use? What about restructuring the MTA so we have fewer corrupt officials and more service? This may seem cynical but at the end of the day, the city is constantly trying to bring in tourists and improve the things that RESIDENTS have no concern over.

Posted in Assignment 5 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Social Media Jobs

Posted on May 11, 2011 by laww

Since my previous post for assignment number four was about the positives of social media websites, instead of the negatives, I will continue with this trend.  It is important to note that there are an immense amount of good things that social media websites can do for people, and since more and more continue to be created, it is important that people know about the benefits of them.

The obvious benefit is that it helps one another keep in touch.  Whether it be someone with a disease who needs contact with the outside world, or someone who just wants to interact with their cousin who lives far away, social media websites are a necessity.  Why?  Let me ask you a question, when is the last time you picked up the telephone to call someone?  This generation is focused on email & text messaging, and making a phone call has almost become a thing of the past.

I remember when I received my first cell phone.  It had no color and the only game on it was snake.  It was big and ugly, but it got the job done; making phone calls. Text messaging and social media websites, were not prevalent until the time I entered high school.

Another tremendous positive for social media websites is that there are more job opportunities, and since the economic decline, this is something everyone can be grateful for.  By typing into google search : “Social Media Jobs,” this website popped up : http://www.socialmediajobs.com/ , with the headline “Social Media Jobs: Turn Your Passion into a Profession.”  With such an engaging title, it was intriguing to me and it reminded me of why social media is a good thing.  Many people enjoy writing their opinions, thoughts, etc. onto social media websites, and if it is something you love, why not turn it into a career?  There have been many people who have visited Baruch for panel discussions in the library who have done this very thing.  It may be difficult to ascertain, but almost nothing in life is easy.

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Harsh Reality or Overkill?

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Anna Soboleva

In Old Saybrook Connecticut, a high school ran an internet safety assembly. 

Yet many students felt violated and that the school had infringed on their privacy. The school used photos, tweets and status updates from freshman that were required to attend the assembly.

The school found these items because students had no idea how to protect their privacy, which is something that we have spoken about in class often. Debating the idea of protecting our Internet privacy and younger generations living in a world where everything is sharable.

The principle of the school insists “say the purpose of the assembly was to make students aware of how public their “tweets,” photos and profiles are online if their privacy settings aren’t strict enough”. The school used photos and other items that were publically accessible.

I think the students that are outraged should be learning a lesson and understanding that it is not only their friends who can access their internet personas but parents, teachers, etc. I believe the school taught its lesson on privacy in a really effective way, by showing the lack of it that so many students have.

Posted in Assignment 4 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment