Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: hashtags, Jon Stewart, Kanye West, Scholarship, Twitter
I’ve had Twitter for all of 2 years. I’ve laid claim on 74 tweets. Now, I’m finally getting into it. I’d say, it’s about time.
I will admit I did get Twitter before it was trending – so perhaps that makes me ahead of the curve. However, I did not really buy into it. I found it interesting to follow celebrities but for the most part my friends were not on it and frankly I didn’t find it all that alluring. There was a time where Jon Stewart even shook his fist at Twitter. More celebrities and news media were on this Twitter bandwagon – all assuming that the young generations were just tweeting away. In all reality that wasn’t true. And to be frank, it’s not entirely true even after a few years. Yes, everyone knows what Twitter is and yes, more and more younger people have a Twitter account. But, these accounts are probably far less active than you think – case in point, me circa one month ago.
I initially activated my Twitter account over Thanksgiving break 2008. My first tweet appeared in March 2009 and 24 tweets later and my activity ceased in September 2009. Flash-forward to October 2010. This is where the action really begins. And as avid as I had been about how tweeting was nothing more than another Facebook status I didn’t want to read, something happened and suddenly I didn’t see it that way anymore. Now I sit here and my phone has sounded 3 text messages – all of which were Twitter updates. And, I am happy. The functionality of Twitter allows you to follow some friends closer than others. Those I want to see, come straight to me. I update from my phone just like most users do. As I push more and more friends to use Twitter, I find it remarkably helpful to stay up-to-date with close friends. Keeping up with the details is easy with Twitter and not to mention convenient. Coincidentally, as I typed that sentence, I received another text… from Twitter.
Twitter serves not only as a challenge to me to be clever with my hashtags but it also serves to remind to me of the little details I skim over. To me, Twitter holds an unofficial log that jogs my memory of what I had been doing, how I was feeling or what I had seen during that day. In all honesty, it’s pretty helpful for my go-go-go mind.
Lately, I find myself thinking about how I can take 140 characters and mold them into something incredibly witty. You know, that’s a lot harder than I had thought. It’s fascinating to follow those who can really pull that off. Way more impressive than whatever Kanye can say #understatement.
There have been even more opportunities to challenge your wordplay on Twitter. Scholarship money is available for those who use Twitter. Talk about getting concise. These contests exist nowadays to push the Twitter trend further, urging more and more youngsters to use Twitter and leverage this medium in the new media world. Not a bad idea.
Filed under: Uncategorized
You’d be hard pressed to find someone who appreciates Justin Timberlake more than I do.
However, when watching David Fincher’s The Social Network I must admit it was difficult for me to be impartial about the movie. However, Timberlake aside, the movie was phenomenal. Heck, he wasn’t even in the first part of the film and I fell in love.
It took less than seven years and suddenly our culture changed. This film was timely for our generation. It captured the truth of what social media has become for our culture. As we grow more dependent on technology, social media incorporates itself into that dependency. Cut someone between the age of 18 – 35 off from Facebook for a week and you know what I’m talking about.
As a society, we have developed cultural norms from these social networks and this movie captured that. In particular, the scene that sold me on this message happened to be the relationship scene with Christy (Brenda Song). Once she marched into Eduardo’s (Andrew Garfield) room and set fire to his stuff – this was something I could relate to. I couldn’t relate necessarily to the pyrotechnics but what I could relate to was the importance of a little something called a Facebook relationship status. This is what Facebook has done to us – it has become a key element to defining real-life relationships. If it’s Facebook Official (FBO) then, yes you’re dating. And, much like Christy demonstrated, for her the online forum served to reflect what was happening in real life. When Edwardo left his relationship status posted as ‘Single’ it dissolved what they had and gave Christy a warped clarity in her decision to more or less end things with him with a spark.
To a degree, we define relationships based upon Facebook. Words like ‘defriend‘ and “Facebook creep‘ have become a part of our society and honestly, can be reflective of our person-to-person relationships away from the computer screen. ‘Facebook creeps’ are witnesses to everything – updates, pictures, conversations, friendships. Facebook’s visibility invites people to know more information about each other without even asking – and mostly it’s too much information for those you are mildly affiliated with. However, Facebook makes you closer, more intimate. But ‘Defriend’ someone, then ‘refriend’ them. Trust me, I’d be surprised if you didn’t see some sort of a difference. All in all it depends on the person but this has been powerful but moreover noticeable with ex-best friends, ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends. Cutting someone out digitally often times becomes more complicated than simply clicking of a button. So I guess it’s true, you really don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies. Thank you Mark Zuckerberg for that one. Also thank you for providing me with a way to procrastinate. It’s been very helpful.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AIDS, Buy Life, Harry Potter, HIV, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Twitter, World Aids Day
I was studying when I received a text message via Twitter that read: Justin Timberlake is digitally dead. My heart stopped. The word “digitally” was absent the first read through. When my heart started to beat again, I realized what it had really said but, I must admit it captured my attention.
December 1st was World AIDS Day and I knew this because of a tweet. A tweet. An effective tweet at that because I did something. I donated to the cause. From there I learned more about the AIDS epidemic and looked at facts on how many people are affected today. This day. Every day. I learned more from a Justin Timberlake tweet than I thought I could. Sad, but true – meshing the world with celebrity and real world issues may be the saving grace for the this entirely connected, selectively attentive, Hollywood focused, technology age.
Buy Life Campaign is trying to make a statement - and, that they did. Celebrities like Elijah Wood, Alicia Keys, Jay Sean, Jennifer Hudson, the Kardashians and my own Justin Timberlake have sacrificed their digital lives to save real lives affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. Nineteen of the most popular celebrity Twitter and Facebook accounts are ‘dead’ along with other every day users who have opted to ‘sacrifice’ themselves. A jaw dropping social media campaign if I do say so myself. The goal behind this campaign is to raise $1 million to Keep a Child Alive. The accounts will be dead until this goal is met.
There is no denying the impact the pace of pop culture and the spark of celebrity news have on American’s world view. Our American society can tell you more about the release date of the next Harry Potter movie or Taylor Swift’s new beau or a recent tweet from Kayne West than anything important on newsworthy issues. However, using the techniques of entertainment media to inform the public of meaningful issues in our world is entirely the route that will connect Americans.
I hope this Buy Life Campaign sparks a fire in a media revolution. What a simple concept with a great message.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Band of Brothers, Casualty Assistance, HBO, Jim Sheeler, Marines
When I finished this 12 part story, I couldn’t help but envision an HBO mini-series. This story was no Band of Brothers. But, what it was was a modern reality to the coming home for some military men. A story I found compelling without the glam and bam of a Hollywood visual effects. His words spoke to the missions without weapons. This piece had quality and heart and told a story most would never think about when they think about fallen soldiers. Jim Sheeler’s behind-the-scenes take on casualty assistance speaks measures about the men in uniform both on and off the field.
Sheeler’s retroactive story telling was a hit in my book. Weaving the initial scene with Katherine into the individual scenes and stories of other fallen soldiers, he truly painted a full picture and showed Beck’s talent and gift of service. He layered each scene carefully and compassionately with a choice of phrasing that resonated with the audience. This intimate, holistic look at bringing a fallen Marine home speaks to how Sheeler fused this story together incorporating all aspects – from the flight back to the funeral. I appreciated his use of quotes and his overall flow of the article. He stayed at a consistent pace yet punctuated what was important throughout his changing sentence structures.
Within his writing Sheeler paid particular attention to three symbols: the importance of the white glove, tears and darkness and the casket. As if to build contrast with the perceptions of Marines, Sheeler emphasizes the different meanings associated with these symbols throughout the article.
The white glove was a visual clue to the reader of the picture of these Marines. The Marines were both hard, strong men and soft, compassionate individuals – just like the rough hands hidden behind soft, white gloves. Sheeler builds a contrast between the life of a Marine and the demands it takes on all of those involved. He speaks about the sacrifice each Marine makes and the duties entrusted upon their families. This “hard” exterior contrasts with the importance of the purity of their loyalty as denoted by the white glove. Sheeler showed this “soft” side to these Marines with compassion – particularly though Beck. He demonstrates this hard/soft contrast through his actions and through the element of understanding Sheeler builds. As he elaborates on the duties Beck performs, he provides the reader with background on him personally and indicates a level of understanding. He uses Beck as the face of the Marines – told to not touch the families when they knock on the door and stick to the script. Yet, Beck does the duty of his mission with compassion and sensibility. The reader can then see how Beck can be this stoic figure yet empathic at the same time.
Sheeler also sheds light on the darkness. In his references to tears and crying, most are made with the undertone of darkness. Whether the tears are made with a literal reference like, “cry in the dark” or describing how the passengers of the plane “couldn’t hear the screams” or how “sobbing lifted into silence,” there is an absence represented through Sheeler’s words. He also shows how at Jim’s funeral Sheeler describes the Marine men holding on to the casket and performing the ceremony all the while blinking continuously avoiding tears. This scene further builds the tension between what can be done in the “light” or openness of day, while still being a heroic. He creates the picture of hollow tears and illustrates the emptiness that all those affected experienced.
The casket represents a very telling aspect to Sheeler’s story. The casket symbolized the brotherhood found within the Marines. From comparing the ways in which the casket is handled and prepared with to the Army, Sheeler shows how important this experience truly is for all involved. From the arrival of the body – which Beck promptly corrects to “his name is Jim” – the emphasis of brotherhood is apparent. So much so that Beck reflects on how he had not even seen Jim until he lifted the casket and adjusted his uniform. He was faithful to his fellow Marine. Sheeler also denotes this loyalty by never leaving the casket unattended. The fallen were never alone. As the Marines stood with the casket they represented more than simply watchmen. They had a vigor and duty to the Marine’s family, and ultimately his fellow solider, his friend.
Sheeler ended strong. His “let them in” reverberates the message of brotherhood of the Marines and leaves the reader with something resolved. The reader is put at ease in knowing how the Marines fulfill their duties for every member both on and off the field.
Filed under: Uncategorized
This article speaks more to simply a world-renounced violinist getting the shaft on his share of attention. Gene Weingarten imbedded readers into a scenario and challenged them to cut out of their run-of-the-mill mentality.
Weingarten integrated the reader into that subway station from the first few sentences. He questions readers to see themselves walking through this station and positions them to feel uncomfortable. He sets a scene too close too home for most readers of the Washington Post – caught up in the daily routine. As much as the reader wants to claim that he or she is different and would have noticed Joshua Bell, most wouldn’t. Weingarten starts from here and weaves into the American mindset and personalizes the experiment.
His readers were initially conscious of both time and date, Friday, January 12. Weingarten constantly maintained this ticking clock throughout the article. This detail had the most impact. Although, minute and could be seen as purely a reminder to the reader of when the Bell was in the subway, it spoke more to remind the reader that they are more similar to those passing by that Friday. This was a subtle indicator to the reader that they too are always concerned with time and perhaps are missing out on the background, perhaps looking past the beauty of the article or even their ability to appreciate life.
Weingarten’s take on this human realization was insightful. However, I appreciated how he complimented his opinions with reporting both of the actual events of that morning as well as his factual reporting. His use of Kant, “Timeless Beauty: In the Arts and Everyday Life” and “Koyaanisqatsi” showed that he could integrate classical thought with contemporary examples to his reporting.
Consulting experts and incorporating ‘context’ seemed to be the saving grace for the average passerby that Friday, at least from what Weingarten seemed to report. Context matters; framing Bell in a different context brought home the message of this article. Layering contradictions throughout the article drew great contrast in this context. With phrases like “thunderous silence” when referring to Bell’s lagging applause, visually it was hard to not imagine the atmosphere regardless of its contradicting context.
Weingarten mastered irony in this article. He reported the story where the irony almost bled through the pages, entirely enhancing his message. When he introduced Calvin Myint and his listening to “Just Like Heaven” seemed too good to be true considering the message of the song. This example articulated quite visually as well as ironically the message of Weingarten’s article.
The placement of the characters fused together to create a message of hope to relieve us from the fog. The breakthrough characters who noticed something outside of their subconscious speaks to the direction we, as the busy society, can look toward. Stacy Furukawa of all the characters is the reason for continuing the experience through the fog. Acknowledging not only the greatness of Bell’s talent but that he was truly a great musician was an enlightening character to end on. This gave the reader a perspective when the article drew to a close. The where-are-they-now touch really stung the reader and begged for a call to action to shine a light into the fog.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, John McCain, Marketing 101
No, I’m not going to talk about Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman – being a “youngster” probably prevents me from fully understanding the message to his work. Aside from vaguely remembering Dustin Hoffman in the VHS played in high school English, my generation would probably only understand the sales. Because, you know, that’s how ‘we’ think.
Apparently, my Youth voter generation is not too keen on understanding most things about America – politics being the emphasis in this Rolling Stone article. And really, as much as I tried to fight the urge to rip David Foster Wallace to shreds for insulting my Youth – he really couldn’t be more right.
As I read, I felt borderline ridiculed and partially belittled but subtly that phased and I began to understand his message. He emerged me in exactly what he wanted his readers to do – challenge their thought, say what’s unspoken and essentially, be called out on ‘our’ understanding of this candidate.
I was impressed with how out-right he was with his audience. He understands the exact market for RS readership and knew who’d skim this article. What a risk to position your audience with negativity and make stark assumptions – especially something as stirring as lackluster political intellect. But I must say, what a hook.
His strategy was real. I’d imagine I couldn’t describe his in-your-face tone more than in this way. He was blunt and particular. He formed a sense of accountability and shoved it in ‘our’ face with examples of how little ‘we’ know and the snap judgments ‘we’ make based on the culture of marketing ploys we’ve grown up in.
His decision to provide an extensive list of campaign vocabulary words enlivened the article and provided a “brain breather” to the intensity of the article. I appreciated his attempts to further integrate the reader into the world of politics – obviously, ‘we’ needed it.
I admired how he portrayed McCain. He took the assumption of politicians and showed the humanity of this man without the bells and whistles of marketing. He addressed the issues with marketing and sincerity and nailed it right on the head by creating tension for the reader. He made cracks in ‘our’ wall-of-disbelief and our foundation of cynicism. Wallace made ‘us’ think about the man and not the angle, not the sales pitch.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: death, Grey's Anatomy, heartbreak, McDreamy, pain, play-by-play
I wanted to feel more when she died. I didn’t. Don’t think I’m heartless.
Maybe it was the medical jargon that drove away my interest but come on, I even like Grey’s Anatomy. Perhaps Franklin didn’t hit the mark hard enough when describing Dr. Ducker as McDreamy. Either way, there was something left unsaid about this article and well, I frankly needed it to be spoken loud and clear.
I wanted to feel more emotions. I was anticipating Franklin to build on the characters and create an emotional draw to Mrs. Kelly. However, what he provided me with was a detailed play-by-play of the double aneurysms and pain created by this Monster. I will credit him with the nice touch of paralleling Dr. Ducker and his wife with the heartbreaking farewell between the Kellys. That created the emotional draw but I was waiting for him to elaborate. Impressive beginning yet from there I feel it fell flat. He had all the elements and descriptive details, however I found it to be a little much. I wanted more about his shaky hands. I wanted more about his focus. I wanted more.
I appreciated the rhythmic emphasis – “pop-pop-pop” and “damn, damn, damn” – provided throughout the story, especially the end. The pace in the last few pages dictated more about the person Dr. Ducker than what was said about him operating and his brown bagged lunch.
I had the pain. I wanted more anguish. I wanted more tension.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Greedy for Grace, Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street, Shoes off, Tear-Jerker
To be honest, I loved Mr. Rogers. As a child, there was nothing more important on PBS – considering my overzealous love for Sesame Street, this is the strongest statement I could make about my childhood.
This article is beyond words. Junod grabbed the essence of the man we all thought we knew as a child. He brought a man frozen-in-television time into real life. In this piece, Mr. Rogers not only became Fred but he embodied everything Mr. Rogers stood for. He depicted Mr. Rogers as the lived reality to himself as a human being and not merely as a television character. He was the same person on camera as off. He lived in simplistic fashion mastering the basic art of compassion. His sentiments – whether it was a song or a catchy phrase – were true to form.
Junod wrote a phenomenal piece. I say this because he wrote like I was watching an episode of Mr. Rogers. He utilized simplistic explanations after everything – very similar to Mr. Rogers and his step-by-step way of analysing the world around you. I appreciated Junod’s explanations of “honorific” and an “architect” but even his most honest explanations of the function of a clock. As a man what time it is and he’ll tell you how to build a clock – well, Junod told you what a clock was and that was what I loved about this piece.
Junod sold me on Mr. Rogers’ compassion simply through word choice. He infiltrated so much of Mr. Rogers as as a legend and iconic figure in the minds and hearts of so many by the descriptors he chose. Mr. Rogers as “Greedy for Grace” and as a”simplifying force of definition.” I loved how he incorporated himself into the article – at first, I was confused as to the direction of Old Rabbit – but Junod integrated this story so fully that the article was entirely cohesive, heartwarming and I will admit, tear-jerking.
Hats off – well, may be just shoes off – to you, Mr. Junod.
Filed under: Uncategorized
“The American Male at Age Ten”
Although I was more of an American Girl kind of girl, I could still relate with the world Orlean created. This story could resonate with a multitude of audiences – regardless of whether they were as blunt as Colin.
I was thoroughly impressed with this first reading for our blogging experience. Orlean’s voice sold it for me. We mentioned anecdotal introductions and for this specific piece setting the tone with how she would marry this 10-year-old boy captured me right away. I was engulfed with everything – she placed the reader right where she wanted them.
There was something about this story that made it feel real and honest. The over-exhausted information and details of everything from the explict instructions on the classroom chalkboard to the details as to why Street Fighter II Championship Edition was so imperative to the youth of this generation, the attention Orlean paid to details, even the most minute, attributed to articulating her message and the mentality of her subject.
I appreciated his commentary and worldview. I think this aspect to Orlean’s story is evident of her research into the character of her subject. He is a depiction of a slice-in-time and the detail of his cultural likes, dislikes and overall opinions are relevant and transcend beyond a simple boy in New Jersey aspiring to attend Oklahoma City State College University.
Overall, I most enjoyed how she portrayed the boy and sold his story - there was an essence to this person and she captured it through a good anaylsis. I would think her approach must have been attributed to observation and solid reporting on this imaginative boy. This interesting approach to selling a feature story inspires me to get creative and concentrate on the subject at hand by placing the reader right in the middle of the story.
Filed under: Uncategorized
When I actually stop and think about it, the writing process is pretty interesting – well, perhaps just my writing process anyway.
Almost immediately, my mind skips back to second grade. The ever-creative “spider web” of ideas very well could have been the origin of my current brainstorming strategy. I’d like to say over the years I’ve expanded beyond this simple technique making intricate and sophisticated additions but I’d be lying to you. As I’ve lost the skill to drawing the perfect circle in the middle of the page, I usually can make the paper look like something a second grader could produce, perhaps even an advanced kindergartner – a bunch of random scribbles on pages upon pages of computer paper scattered across the room. Ask my roommates – they’d be thrilled to talk to you about the mess our living room takes anytime my fingers are about to hit the keys for a good, old written assignment.
Aside from the organized chaos that is my outlining process, the writing itself seems to go slow and steady. They say that wins the race, right? Well, every time I sit down to write I pray that that is the case.
Transitions, condensing my work and crafting my ideas creatively are somethings I seek to improve with my writing. I would like to find a balance between a professional voice and an engaging voice. And, to be honest, I struggle with the reporting process. I need to improve upon developing clear and resonating questions – ask the tough questions kind of like Jon Stewart. I would have said Anderson Cooper but I’ll need to take strides before I can report from a whopping 36o perspective.
Overall, the only qualm I have with writing may be the one thing that makes it so liberating – the freedom. To me, the “freeing” element to writing allows for me to ramble and lose focus. If the subject I am writing about is tailored but borderline ambiguous – I’m on board. If I can find a direction and run with it, even better.
When it comes to reading, I tend to pick up a hodgepodge of items. Stacks of Cosmo and Vogue are constantly accessible thanks to my roommate, but I typically stick to reading a good quality book from time to time. However, lately I have been straying away from my recent pseudo-trend of “hipster” Chuck Klosterman books and reading more about life post-graduation. Scary but heck, I read a series of books about college life before I even got to Creighton – so, I don’t really think of this as that much of a stretch.
