I didnt see any reading assignments for this week, but I did see this article on the list from a week ago and will use it for one of this week's assigned blog entries. - kind of ironic given the stories contents.
The more and more I find out about blogging the more I realize that what the author is saying is so true. We journalism (NMC) majors must be more versed with blogging.
The job hunt will be on in less than a year and I hope that blogging becomes a topic of conversation at that time. By then, I will have by own blog up and running and will be used to keeping it up to date and working. There is no doubt that blogging has become the stuff of writing amateur. However, it doesnt necessarily have to stay that way, does it?
In my mind, blog is not a four-letter word, it's a nine-letter word: necessary.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Election story update
My ideas for the election have changed a bit. Robert Sahr is now going to be interviewed by Tim or Terry and I am going to focus in on Bill Lunch. I havent contacted him at this point, but I plan to this week, since this story is not election day sensitive (it doesnt have to be completed pre-election). I will be doing my profile on Bill Lunch as well. Below are the questions I plan to ask him as part of both stories:
For the Story: - Comment on how historic this election really is for our nation and globally.
- How long ago was it absurd to think that either a black man or a woman (of any type) would be fighting for a spot in the White House?
- Post 2008 election: does history continue to be made, or will it be back to the same type elections again (white man vs. white man)?
- Is there a particular person in Washington, or nationwide, that you see continuing to make this type of history (I.e. is there another black man/woman or another woman - other than Hillary - that could continue this into the next decade)?
- What are the chances that we will see a black woman in the White House in our lifetime?
For the Profile: - Why did you pick politics/what interested you in politics to begin with?
- You attended Cal-Berkeley at a very interesting time (late 60s/early 70s). Talk about that experience and how it help shaped who you are and who you have been since.
- What do you enjoy most about being in the university atmosphere, especially being around college students in an election year?
- Have you ever had any students in your classes that you thought would have made great politicians? Ever had any that went on into politics?
- Basic family questions: Wife, kids? How long married/How old? Does your family have the same love for politics as you/same views as you?
- Have you ever predicted an election dead-on? Any predictions that suddenly went south in a hurry due to some unexpected occurrence?
***** - I would also like to find a couple of students (1 male, 1 female) in his class that could comment on his teaching style and how his analysis has helped them in their studies and stuff.
Comments? Please let me know........
For the Story: - Comment on how historic this election really is for our nation and globally.
- How long ago was it absurd to think that either a black man or a woman (of any type) would be fighting for a spot in the White House?
- Post 2008 election: does history continue to be made, or will it be back to the same type elections again (white man vs. white man)?
- Is there a particular person in Washington, or nationwide, that you see continuing to make this type of history (I.e. is there another black man/woman or another woman - other than Hillary - that could continue this into the next decade)?
- What are the chances that we will see a black woman in the White House in our lifetime?
For the Profile: - Why did you pick politics/what interested you in politics to begin with?
- You attended Cal-Berkeley at a very interesting time (late 60s/early 70s). Talk about that experience and how it help shaped who you are and who you have been since.
- What do you enjoy most about being in the university atmosphere, especially being around college students in an election year?
- Have you ever had any students in your classes that you thought would have made great politicians? Ever had any that went on into politics?
- Basic family questions: Wife, kids? How long married/How old? Does your family have the same love for politics as you/same views as you?
- Have you ever predicted an election dead-on? Any predictions that suddenly went south in a hurry due to some unexpected occurrence?
***** - I would also like to find a couple of students (1 male, 1 female) in his class that could comment on his teaching style and how his analysis has helped them in their studies and stuff.
Comments? Please let me know........
Monday, October 20, 2008
New Media in Schools React
Heck yeah there should be new media taught in schools! I think it is just ridiculous of anyone to think that teaching kids new media, at any age after about 5, is wrong. The skills they learn when dealing all new media are going to be required for them. For all you 20-year old students out there....imagine if you had shown up to OSU without the knowledge of how to use a computer, or the internet, or even a cell phone????? That's crazy.
It is absolutely necessary to teach new media to everyone at this stage in technology. I am learning this stuff at a university, but I have to teach my wife some of this stuff all the time, just to keep her up to date.
"New Media Communications" as a major may have sounded weird to most of us when we started. By the time the decade has run its course though, it should be the norm at all major universities.
It is absolutely necessary to teach new media to everyone at this stage in technology. I am learning this stuff at a university, but I have to teach my wife some of this stuff all the time, just to keep her up to date.
"New Media Communications" as a major may have sounded weird to most of us when we started. By the time the decade has run its course though, it should be the norm at all major universities.
Families and their cell phone usage
There is no doubt that families such as mine, that have both parents and minor children (of which we have two), use more electronic media than some other families do. We both have the need in the present and the need to teach our kids how to use these media outlets for their future as well.
We do use cell phones to keep in touch when we are not together. Our 12-year old son and 10-year old daughter each have cell phones, not given to them for fun. They are used for things such as bike rides (they serve as walkie talkies almost in this capacity) and to let us know if something has changed in their daily schedules, if necessary. These are just a couple of reasons why we even allow children of their ages to have cell phones.
As far as the internet goes, we encourage them to use it as much as possible (with our consent and approval of course). As much as the internet is used now, imagine when they are young adults, 10 years from now. They had better be very, very proficient with the internet or they are going to be seriously behind everybody in their age group.
We do use cell phones to keep in touch when we are not together. Our 12-year old son and 10-year old daughter each have cell phones, not given to them for fun. They are used for things such as bike rides (they serve as walkie talkies almost in this capacity) and to let us know if something has changed in their daily schedules, if necessary. These are just a couple of reasons why we even allow children of their ages to have cell phones.
As far as the internet goes, we encourage them to use it as much as possible (with our consent and approval of course). As much as the internet is used now, imagine when they are young adults, 10 years from now. They had better be very, very proficient with the internet or they are going to be seriously behind everybody in their age group.
Obama's multimedia tactics
I have to say, I dont necessarily agree with Obama's tactics of placing ads in video games such as Madden '09. I mean, if I am getting ready to play some football, do I really want to watch an ad from a candidate that I dont even like. Can I fast forward or skip the ad? Probably not, that would piss me off if the situation ever presented itself.
But, the idea that any newsroom should follow his blueprint to get their word out there via any multi-media is legit. The blueprint certainly can be used to show how any press agency or online media outlet can reach even more people than they already do by using the same tactics.
But, the idea that any newsroom should follow his blueprint to get their word out there via any multi-media is legit. The blueprint certainly can be used to show how any press agency or online media outlet can reach even more people than they already do by using the same tactics.
Thoughts on Maurice Possley's visit
There were plenty of interesting comments and ideas put forth by Maurice Possley last Wednesday night during his visit with our class. Truthfully there are too many to list, but some did hit a nerve with me. Those are the things I will focus on.
Early on he mentioned that at some point he had a revelation that DNA not only can help convict a felon, but it can help acquit one as well. I found that to be quite profound. I am not sure at what point it was that he realized this. In the CSI day and age that we are in now, most of us realize that DNA is a huge point of fact in any case that involves murder. Obviously at some point this was not as obvious to everyone as it is to us now.
He talked about a case (David Crowe) that brought a couple of his topics front and center. Not only was it DNA that eventually proved Mr. Crowe’s innocence and saved his life, it was the laws (or lack thereof) of the interrogation room that put Crowe on death row to start with.
Crowe’s interrogation room sessions were on tape and it was clear to see, when Possley got the chance to, that Crowe wasn’t admitting guilt when he supposedly admitted to killing his sister. He was asking the question, “I killed my sister?” instead. Why? Because the interrogators’ method was to break Crowe down so hard that he actually began to believe he had committed the crime he was being held for.
Seeing that session made Possley ask the question, “Why would anyone admit to committing a crime that they didn’t commit?” He easily concluded that the power of the interrogation room yielded the interrogator’s desired results. He stated it apparently is legal for police to lie in the interrogation room.
Seeing these things as clear as he does and being a man who wanted to see change that mattered, Possley obviously used his journalistic abilities to do something others routinely never ever come close to. He decided he wanted to influence change in a good way and knew that, if done right, journalism could do a lot more than just report the news.
His desire was to report on what was happening in courtrooms because that’s where news that matters happened. He likened reporting on courtrooms to going to a play – it’s a different story every day. The little bit I know of the man tells me that he succeeded in his plans and used his journalism to reach far above and beyond what the average journalist can ever reach.
Another interesting topic he discussed was the frailty of our criminal justice system. He showed how when Justices retire and votes are changed that peoples lives can be changed and saved. The Rolando Cruz case was the perfect case in point.
From what I understood, a 4-3 Justice vote had Cruz in line to die. However, when one of those Justices retired, his replacement voted differently and the new 4-3 vote saved Cruz’ life, he was acquitted.
He was an interesting man to listen to. Reading about his work and hearing him speak makes me realize that my direction in the journalism field will certainly not be as noble as his. However, his statement that we are in the “greatest learning time in our country” is most likely true, and I look forward to continuing to learn throughout the rest of my time at OSU and in my future journalism career.
Early on he mentioned that at some point he had a revelation that DNA not only can help convict a felon, but it can help acquit one as well. I found that to be quite profound. I am not sure at what point it was that he realized this. In the CSI day and age that we are in now, most of us realize that DNA is a huge point of fact in any case that involves murder. Obviously at some point this was not as obvious to everyone as it is to us now.
He talked about a case (David Crowe) that brought a couple of his topics front and center. Not only was it DNA that eventually proved Mr. Crowe’s innocence and saved his life, it was the laws (or lack thereof) of the interrogation room that put Crowe on death row to start with.
Crowe’s interrogation room sessions were on tape and it was clear to see, when Possley got the chance to, that Crowe wasn’t admitting guilt when he supposedly admitted to killing his sister. He was asking the question, “I killed my sister?” instead. Why? Because the interrogators’ method was to break Crowe down so hard that he actually began to believe he had committed the crime he was being held for.
Seeing that session made Possley ask the question, “Why would anyone admit to committing a crime that they didn’t commit?” He easily concluded that the power of the interrogation room yielded the interrogator’s desired results. He stated it apparently is legal for police to lie in the interrogation room.
Seeing these things as clear as he does and being a man who wanted to see change that mattered, Possley obviously used his journalistic abilities to do something others routinely never ever come close to. He decided he wanted to influence change in a good way and knew that, if done right, journalism could do a lot more than just report the news.
His desire was to report on what was happening in courtrooms because that’s where news that matters happened. He likened reporting on courtrooms to going to a play – it’s a different story every day. The little bit I know of the man tells me that he succeeded in his plans and used his journalism to reach far above and beyond what the average journalist can ever reach.
Another interesting topic he discussed was the frailty of our criminal justice system. He showed how when Justices retire and votes are changed that peoples lives can be changed and saved. The Rolando Cruz case was the perfect case in point.
From what I understood, a 4-3 Justice vote had Cruz in line to die. However, when one of those Justices retired, his replacement voted differently and the new 4-3 vote saved Cruz’ life, he was acquitted.
He was an interesting man to listen to. Reading about his work and hearing him speak makes me realize that my direction in the journalism field will certainly not be as noble as his. However, his statement that we are in the “greatest learning time in our country” is most likely true, and I look forward to continuing to learn throughout the rest of my time at OSU and in my future journalism career.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Creator of Facebook React
The article about Mark Zuckerberg (the creator of Facebook) was interesting. I was kind of surprised to know that users weren't aware that their information was being sent to millions of people as soon as they post it. That's the reason I don't have an account there (or any of those type sites), not because I am old. I don't need millions of people in my biz.
The opt-out option was an absolute must for this type of website. The fact that it wasn't an option to begin is beyond me, but at least he got smart (like he wasn't smart enough) and made sure that people could opt to not have ALL of their personal stuff sent to everyone who knows them in an instant.
What is funny about this is the fact that a lot of people, once they got over their initial "freak out" session, decided to keep the News Feed option on their page. I don't understand that at all. But, if people are using Facebook as a way to meet and find people, they are asking for this kind of stuff. Just my opinion......
The opt-out option was an absolute must for this type of website. The fact that it wasn't an option to begin is beyond me, but at least he got smart (like he wasn't smart enough) and made sure that people could opt to not have ALL of their personal stuff sent to everyone who knows them in an instant.
What is funny about this is the fact that a lot of people, once they got over their initial "freak out" session, decided to keep the News Feed option on their page. I don't understand that at all. But, if people are using Facebook as a way to meet and find people, they are asking for this kind of stuff. Just my opinion......
Reaction to ESPN Technology
I have watched NFL Gameday on ESPN and seen this technology in action - it's incredible. I agree that it is helping to keep ESPN "relevant", as their executive said in the article. However, I don't think it is going to be a huge ratings pusher. In other words, the technology is cool and it helps the fans understand some of the schemes and occurrences on the field better. But, I don't think that this is going to draw new viewers in any way, it will just make the ones they already have more interested.
Election Story Stuff
Blog #1 is underway.......here are my plans for the election story I pitched on Wednesday night.
I plan to try and contact Professor Robert Sahr to see what his thoughts are regarding the possibility of us seeing a black woman in the White House (in light of our current candidates). I will also ask him if he knows any of his students that are so consumed with history, or elections in general, that may have an interesting angle.
I understand that I will also be working with Tim and Terry on this story, so I will get in contact with them sometime in the near future to see if they have other ideas.
Also, there is a professor named Bill Lunge (sp?) that I should talk to. I cant find him in the directory and I am sure that I am misspelling his name. Any ideas who this guy is out there?
The other ideas I have at this time are to possibly watch the election at a retirement home with some "mature" men and women. They may have an interesting perspective on the likelihood of both a black woman in the White House, as well as the history that will certainly occur on Nov. 4.
I plan to try and contact Professor Robert Sahr to see what his thoughts are regarding the possibility of us seeing a black woman in the White House (in light of our current candidates). I will also ask him if he knows any of his students that are so consumed with history, or elections in general, that may have an interesting angle.
I understand that I will also be working with Tim and Terry on this story, so I will get in contact with them sometime in the near future to see if they have other ideas.
Also, there is a professor named Bill Lunge (sp?) that I should talk to. I cant find him in the directory and I am sure that I am misspelling his name. Any ideas who this guy is out there?
The other ideas I have at this time are to possibly watch the election at a retirement home with some "mature" men and women. They may have an interesting perspective on the likelihood of both a black woman in the White House, as well as the history that will certainly occur on Nov. 4.
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