On The Media: Munchausen

Physical: Taryn Harper Wright tries to stop people from raising money for people with fake illnesses and fake tragedies. She contacts these people, and confronts them about the issues. Some of the people, she even became friends with. Munchausen syndrome is when somebody makes themselves physically sick in order to get attention from doctors, or loved ones. Munchausen by proxy is when someone tries to get attention by making a loved one sick.

Psychological: Sometimes people start these campaign’s for the money, some for attention. People see these campaign’s online, and unlike Wright, don’t do the research before they donate. People with Munchausen syndrome often times look to the internet for support. The internet is such an anonymous place, and so it’s really easy for these people to join support groups, and seek support from people that they don’t know, and that don’t know what is really going on with them.

Temporal: As they said in the broadcast, this is a psychiatric condition that was understood before the age of the internet, in the mid nineteenth century. Though this syndrome was not created by the internet, it has become another tool for people with Munchausen Syndrome to use.

Cultural: It seems to me like a lot of people would think that these people are lying, and see them as dishonest, untrustworthy people. But as Wright suggests, these people are not terrible people, and we’ll never fully understand what they’re going through. From what Wright explains of the syndrome, it seems like a serious psychological disorder, and more than often, professional help is needed to sort through those problems.

I’ve actually watched a few documentaries about this Syndrome, and an episode of Dr. Phil (don’t judge me) where he basically interrogates a woman with Munchausen Syndrome. To me, it saddens me that people feel the need to resort to lying about their physical state, and in extreme cases actually harm themselves in order to get attention. It really sounds like all of these people just need a friend. Someone to listen. I don’t think that it’s right when they raise money for fake illnesses. That, to me, qualifies as stealing. I think this topic brings to light the fact that people should do their research before donating money toward any cause or charity.

Well Informed 2.0: Democracy 2.0

 Discussion:
In this video, Mancini makes the argument that politics is solving today's problems with yesterday's tools. She then goes on to say that we should be able to solve today's problems with the tools that we use every day, such as the internet as a whole, and social media.  She states that citizen engagement is the first step to getting elected officials to truly listen. Politics is something that is widely discussed through social media, but are we saying the right things, and are we saying them to the right people? Through social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and even E-mail, we should have the opportunity to contact our elected officials, and inform them on what decisions we want them to make.

 Position:
Technology really should be something that we can use to create a bridge between citizens and their elected representatives. I definitely think that opinions aren't heard. This is one reason why I'm not a fan of the electoral college system that we have in place to elect our officials. That's a story for another day... We have this great opportunity to better connect with the people running our country, through technology, but technology itself isn't going to do it for us. We have to use it, and become involved in the process. I know so many people who have no faith in the governmental system, because they feel like they aren't heard. I think that elected officials should make it a priority to listen to the opinions of everyone who they represent, and social media is a great way to do that. We just have to utilize it.

*Insert Lightbulb Emoji Here*

One of my most recent "A-Ha" moments happened over the summer. I bought this really cool car... only problem was, it was a manual. My dad reassured me that learning to drive stick would prove to be easy... but if you were to go back in time and ask brand-new-car-owner, Nicole... I would definitely disagree. The first day was really, really terrible. I killed that thing more times than I should have, and I about had a mental breakdown. Seriously. I had this rad car, and I couldn't even drive it. So I decided to turn to YouTube for some additional guidance on how to drive my car. I watched probably a good three hours worth of instructional videos about how to drive a stick. The videos really told me basically the same things that my dad was telling me the day before, but the next day when I got in the car, something clicked, and I just figured it out. I'm not sure if it was the extra time spent, or something that one of the guys in the videos said, or maybe a combination of the two... but something happened, and the next day I was a heck of a lot better than I was on the first day.

On The Media: Exxon's History of Climate Change Research

Physical: Science has proven that the use of fossil fuels has a negative effect on the world’s environment. Temperatures are rising, ice is melting, and science has deduced that the burning of fossil fuels is a factor in why this is all happening.

Psychological: By denying that the burning of fossil fuels effects the environment, Exxon is playing a part in the misinformation that the public is receiving. Questioning and denying the scientific research that has been done on global climate change, will no doubt, have adverse effects on our environment’s future. The way I see it, it’s like going to the doctor and getting a diagnosis of cancer and choosing to deny it, and not work to get it fixed. The consequences would no doubt be fatal.
Social: Exxon Mobile directed millions of dollars to dozens of front groups that worked to seed public doubt on the atmospheric impact of burning fossil fuels. They wanted to make it seem like the environment is okay. They have taken the approach that there is not enough evidence, and the scientific research is not solid enough to make such potentially costly economic changes in their business.

Temporal: 1970’s to current day. In the early stages of the conversation, Exxon’s scientists were at the forefront of doing research, and they were sounding alarms. Something changed, and Exxon saw this happening, and knew that eventually laws and limitations would be put in place on how fossil fuels were used, and they wanted to have a say in what was going to happen.

Cultural: I think that sometimes our society is pretty gullible, and many people don’t like to put the time in to do the research themselves, so they just listen to whatever they’re told. Like we often say, no matter if it’s right or wrong, the loudest voice is the one that gets heard. It’s really important to let the facts be known, and from this broadcast, it seems like Exxon is trying to prevent that from happening.

As I listened to this broadcast, I couldn't help but wonder if the heads of Exxon have children. I get trying to keep a business successful. That's how businesses usually work... but even if you're the richest man on the world, it doesn't matter if the world is an unlivable place. I wonder if they've considered the ramifications of their actions. I think that the state of our environment should be taken more seriously, especially by companies that have influence like this one does.

Well Informed 2.0: Learning 2.0

 Discussion:
Seemingly, our whole lives take place on the internet in today's world, so it seems only fitting that a large part of our learning would happen online as well. Tutors are available to students from just about anywhere around the world, and they can connect via online social networks. Networks such as Skype allow teachers and students to connect no matter where they are. Learning with the assistance of a social network can make it easy to apply visual learning aids, and immediate assistance from a tutor or teacher. Websites such as Khan Academy, can be used virtually as a replacement for a whole course. Through Khan Academy, a student is able to watch videos, read text, and participate in discussion with other "classmates" who are also enrolled in the online course.

There is an article on Gigaom about 5 tutoring startups.
The article can be found here: https://gigaom.com/2013/03/19/tutoring-2-0-5-startups-bringing-one-on-one-instruction-to-the-web/
It basically just talks about the growing want for online tutors, and some of the companies that are providing to those consumers. These social networks make learning more accessible to those who might not have the means, transportation, or other opportunity to take part in learning.

On a non-formal educational note, social media sites such as Youtube and Pinterest provide Do-It-Yourself videos or tutorials for just about any topic. These DIY websites are a way that people from around the world can connect, share creative ideas, and teach each other how to do things.

Position:
I think that the ability to utilize online resources for learning is one of the greatest benefits of the internet as a whole.We literally have just about all of the world's knowledge at our fingertips. I think that it's definitely something we take for granted. If I could go back in time and tell my grandfather that I have a device in which I can plug in any question, and receive immediate answers, he would be shocked. He would be even more shocked to see that I use this magical piece of technology to play angry birds, take photos of my breakfast, and watch stupid 6-second Vines. One critique that I have of learning online is that literally ANYONE can write basically whatever they want, and present it as fact. I remember back in middle school, I had a class in a computer lab, and the boy next to me would hop onto Wikipedia when the teacher wasn't looking and edit the information on various pages. I think that it's really important to check and validate sources when attempting to learn something online, because there is so much inaccurate information out there. I think we see huge problems with this especially when people use websites such as WebMD to self diagnose illnesses, or research other fragile things on the internet like at-home medical care. In certain situations, this is completely okay, but in others, harm can occur if we're not careful. As a whole, I think that learning over the internet, and especially through social media has the potential to help society grow, and gain knowledge. It's all in how we use it.

On The Media: Museumification of 9/11

Physical - The 9/11 Museum lays in the area that the Twin Towers Fell. The Museum opened on September 11, 2011, 10 years after the even occurred. This broadcast depicts a visit to the museum, taking a look back 14 years later.

Psychological - This monument and museum is to memorialize all of the lives lost on 9/11/2001. The museum is not only there to capture the history of that moment, but also to help people of the present and future remember what happened that day. I would think that this museum would effect people who lost family members, friends, co-workers, and other people in the incident. I'm sure that it has helped people find a way to cope with the tragedy.

Social - 9/11 was a huge tragedy, and it effected the nation as a whole. It seems to me that everyone knows, or has met someone who was directly involved with the event. So many lives were lost, and as a nation, we have really had to band together to get through the tragedy.

Temporal - This museum was opened 10 years after the event, but the wounds were still fresh. I think they're still fresh today. This event was a part of history. A part of our history as a country. To me, the 9/11 seems surreal. I can hardly believe that something so tragic, and so historical happened while I was alive.

Cultural - We love to remember. We need to remember. Our culture as a nation has a need to memorialize, and honor heroes, and people lost in tragic events. This museum is one one of the ways that we are able to do this.

I was in first grade. I remember waking up, and my mother was on the phone with my aunt. I watched her grab the remote control and turn the television on. I saw a picture of, what I assumed to be New York, and it looked like a building was on fire. I didn't understand the magnitude of what was happening until I went to school, and the administration sat us down and explained to us what was going on. All I could think to do as a little first grader was pray. At the time, I don't think that I had even met anyone who had been to New York, let alone lived there. But it's what I felt that I could do to help.

Several years later, as a junior in high school, I had the opportunity to hear from a fireman who was on the scene that day. Hearing him depict the tragic, terrible things that he saw made the event seem so much more real. Meeting someone who had been there, seen everything made it so much more real for me. I think that's what this museum has the potential to do for others.

I remember when talk was happening about what to do with Ground Zero after it had been "cleaned up." I think that a memorial like this was completely necessary. It's events like this, events that sting, that we can learn from. These are the things we need to remember. We need to remember them, so that we can prevent them from every happening again. To me, 9/11 represents how the country comes together in time of tragedy. I think that it's beautiful to display photographs, and even portions of the building, that seem like art in the museum. Artifacts make an event real for some people. Through seeing these things, even people who weren't there can somehow connect with the event.

Facebook Campaign Proposal: NSW Photography

Page Name: NSW Photography

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/NSW-Photography/308121304889

Mission: Our mission is to provide the public with great photography. We want to relate to the clients, develop an understanding of what they are looking for in a photographer, and deliver that to the client.

Communication Objectives: We want to create an inviting environment between potential client and photographer, and welcome communication between the two. We will help the audience get to know the photographer through various "get-to-know-me" posts and videos. By communicating this, the audience will feel like they know the photographer, thus making them more comfortable with the idea of shooting with her.

Theme: Objective of the page is to advertise for NSW Photography. The objective is to create an awareness of the business, in a way that relates to the customer.


Audience/Market Persona's:
Aimee - Aimee is a mother who puts an emphasis on creating memories with her children. She will see this page and business as an affordable opportunity to create long lasting memories through photography. She will be most attracted to family photo examples.

Emily -  Emily is a High School Senior, and is about to graduate. She will be looking for images to send to friends and family, notifying them of her achievement. Emily will be most attracted to artistic modeling photographs, head shots, and single portraiture.

Meghan - Meghan is looking for a fun, and creative wedding photographer. She's looking for a photographer to take her engagement, bridal, and Wedding day photographs. Meghan will be attracted to detailed wedding shots and bridal photos as well as some of the engagement examples.

Tactics: Create a series of consistent posts. Maybe do a post every other day. Possibly have "macro monday" Where a more artistic, macro photos is consistently posted every week. Possibly do a how-to video on improving i-phone photos, and a video introducing the photographer, maybe showing a sped-up example of how the average shoot is formatted. Cross promotion with other pages such as hands of silver. Shooting products for other businesses and posting them as portfolio pieces while mentioning their name, and have them do the same for the photography page. "Shout out" type stuff, or Photo Credits linking the text to the photography page.

On The Media: Aylan Kurdi

Physical - The photograph depicts this deceased baby boy in a red shirt on a Turkish Beach. His face is face down in the sand as the waves push up against his tiny lifeless body.

Psychological - More than 2,600 people have died trying to migrate to Europe this year, so why has this one little boy made such an impact? Some say that it is because he is so young, so small. Some say that it is because he appears to be alone in the world: that society has failed this tiny spirit. Either way that you look at it, this single photograph has stirred up awareness, comassion and discussion about the Syrian War Refugees.

Socially- This young boy is now a recognized face as a refugee. He represents all of the loss that has happened in this region of the world. He is not the only child lost, but because of this photograph, he is representing them all.

Temporal - This photo was taken on September 2nd, but refugees have been fleeing Syria for much longer than that. Because of this photograph, and the influence that it has had on people around the world, the U.K. has already agreed to change it's policy and accept thousands more refugees, and I believe that this is just the beginning.

Cultural - Most cultures view children to be innocent, and worthy of adult protection. I think that this photograph has had an extremely emotional effect on many different people around the world. This photograph is the epitome of unprotected, lost innocence.

 It is interesting to me that social media has such an effect on everything in our lives. Political events, emotions, international affairs, literally everything. This photograph has spread over social media like wildfire, creating awareness throughout the world. Social media has helped create an awareness about this event that I think could not have been created any other way. It's so immediate, unlike newspapers, or even televised news events.

This photograph is so poignant. It makes me so sad, and so sympathetic for everyone who is in his situation. So many lives have been lost, and it's a shame that it took an image like this to enrage the world about this event going on. This photograph makes people feel for and connect with these refugees.

As a photography major, I've had countless discussions on the ethics of photography. Many of the photographs that we have discussed deal with deceased children in natural disasters, or situations like this. I think that photographs like this communicate to the world that these people need our help. It's just such a shame that it takes the death of a child to create such action.

This photo makes my heart hurt.

Well Informed 2.0: Racism 2.0

 Discussion:
Social media and the topic of Racism are definitely connected in today's society. With the development of the internet, and websites such as Twitter, Tumbler, Facebook, and other social media outlets that allow people to anonymously state their opinions and start campaigns, we see an increase in what I understand to be Cyber Racism. I just read an article that states that over 10,000 racist tweets are sent every single day. This number includes tweets that include racial slurs, violence or hatred toward any one racial group. Social media gives people the opportunity to state their opinion without having to answer for, or justify what they've said. Social media is also used to make the public aware of racist acts by celebrities or public figures. For example, the photograph of Paula Deen and her son pretending to be Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Her son was dressed with heavy dark makeup to make him look more "cuban." This event occurred solely on Social Media, and the employee of Deen who tweeted the photograph was fired.
Much like social media, racism can be seen in the world of citizen journalism. For example, in 2012 ESPN ran a headline that read "Chink in the Armour" after the Knicks/Hornets game. Jeremy Lin, an Asian-American athlete was an MVP for the Knicks, and this headline seemingly directed at him was quite uncalled for. The editor who ran the headline was fired, and the network apologized, but the damage was done. We see this in mainstream media all the time. People are identified for their skin color, or their geographical background rather than who they are as a person. Another example that I've recognized on a more local setting is that the amount of criminals that I see on the news that identify with a Hispanic background outnumber those that I see with a Caucasian background. I'm sure that there is a more equal percentage of each, but it seems like the minority groups in this area are publicized more for the crimes that they commit.


Position:
I definitely think that racism in any form, whether social media, journalism, or expressed verbally from person to person is uncalled for and wrong. Like I stated earlier, too often people are judged for the color of their skin and their geographical or ancestral background, rather than what they have accomplished in their life, or who they have become. I think that social media gives people a platform in which they can hide behind. Posting a racial comment anonymously is much less intimidating than actually taking ownership of it. Because people can cower behind anonymous names and IP addresses, they feel as though they have the right, to say whatever they want. Ultimately, I think that this has to do with the people behind the words. It's a beautiful desire to want and wish for change in society when it comes to racism, and I do wish for that, but in the end people have their beliefs, and people don't want to put the effort into changing. Much of this has to do with pride, and social media enables that.