Thursday, December 16, 2010

The extinction of magazines?


With all of the new technologies invented in this generation people are finding less and less use for the old- fashioned printed magazines. Magazines have been in existence since the 1700s and they do not seem to be going anywhere.

Magazines have several new audiences every day. Magazines like "Seventeen" and "Teen Vogue" draw younger audiences as "W" and "The New Yorker" draw older audiences.

Magazine companies make more than ninety three million dollars each week on subscriptions alone and that does not include the occasional "pick-up" at the grocery store or pharmacy.

Magazines will remain because they know exactly how to evolve along with the rest of the world. They go from family magazines to romance and fashion magazines. It's not the excessive use of technology that's hurting magazines, it's the amount of sponsors and advertisers that are constantly declining.

The "Michael" controversy.

I can’t believe that it’s only been about a year in a half since Michael Jackson has pasted, time really flies by. Since his death people have made tons of money off of items with his name on it. From the movie This is it to the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour show by Cirque du Soleil. And now Sony has released a posthumous album called Michael. When Sony released the first single off the new album called “Breaking News” back in November, some of Jackson’s fans, and family members questioned whether the vocals three on the tracks are really Jackson’s. Jackson’s estate released a statement about the tracks that are questioned claiming that they have “conduct an investigation regarding the authenticity of the lead vocals.” While the estate says the vocals are really Jackson’s, some family members haven’t changed their mind on the subject. Other artists have also questioned whether the Michael Jackson would have wanted this album to be released at all. Quincy Jones, who worked on Jackson’s biggest albums, said that Jackson was a perfectionist and wouldn’t have wanted it to be out without his final touches on it. In my option I love the album, even if it is unclear whether those three tracks are full Jackson vocals. So what do you guys think, are they real MJ vocals ?

Get Out of My Facebook!


It's amazing to me that the creator of the world's most popular and successful social network can be such a socially awkward imbecile. Of course, he's probably the most intellectual idiot in the history of America, so who am I to bash someone who's making more bank than the rapper Lloyd has in his last name? Well, he may be the one racking in the trillions of dollars, but I'll be dissing him anyway.

It was just recently brought to my attention that the man I am referring to, Mark Zuckerberg, father of Facebook, was deemed Time Magazine's 2010 Man of the Year...uh...cricket, cricket. Is anyone else as speechless and mogadored by this as I am? What the fligga has he done in 2010 that was so incredible? Changed Facebook to the hideous layout that it currently is right now? My dog is more deserving of the title "Man of the Year," and my dog is a female.

I could maybe understand if this was awarded to him when Facebook was first introduced to the world, but why now? About three-quarters of my Facebook friends stalk people via computer all the time like he did, so if they created a social network for the sake of stalking, maybe they'd receive the title "Man/Woman of the Year." I never knew it was that simple to make it seem like you're a great person. If it was an award that required a speech after receiving it, then I guarantee it would be ripped out of Zuckerberg's hands because the dude just gives everyone the heebie-jeebies. He reminds me of Keanu Reeves-you don't really mind them until they open their mouths and start talking. By the way that Zuckerberg, or Suckerberg, converses, you would never guess that the kid is rolling in the dough like Pillsbury.

Maybe I'm being too biased because I'm not exactly on the best terms with Facebook right now. I mean they allow me to change my name to "CGal NotSeagull" and "Caroline Galeotachocolatemilk," yet my real name gets rejected by the automated approval system, and I'm told that it does not exist. Excuse me, but I think I know my own name, and I'm pretty sure I'm here, and I do exist, so listen up, Suckerberg, your website is seriously mistaken. Honestly speaking, though, I can think of an endless list of people who would be more worthy of "Man of the Year" than Mark Zuckerberg. I'd even put Kanye West above him, and I know Taylor Swift would undoubtedly agree with that one.

I just don't understand why Time Magazine would do such a thing. He is the youngest chosen Man of the Year since Charles Lindburgh in 1927, but back then, the guy actually deserved it. Zuckerberg, please do me a favor and get yourself out of Time Magazine, refuse to take the title of Man of the Year, and get your socially awkward self out of my face...book. Oh, and by the way, thanks for Frontierville. That's just about the only thing I appreciate from you.

They Don't Make 'em Like They Used to

Isn’t it a shame? They really don’t make movies like they used to, they being, the directors, editors, and actors of the world today. It is hard to argue that movies weren’t better 10, even 20, years ago. Hits like Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Goodfellas, Scarface, The Shining, Pulp Fiction, Silence of the Lambs, The departed, just to name a few. These movies are all hits, movies that wont just be something thrown by the way side and forgotten about. These movies people will always remember for Tom Hanks’ award winning performance, or Jack Nicholson’s break through performance as a good husband and father gone deranged due to a haunted hotel. These movies will live on through people, these movies will remain on people shelves. Movies today are just not the same as they used to be for so many reasons it would be near impossible to go down the whole list, but here are few to really think about.

1) Most adults over 40 don't seem to be able to understand or relate to a lot of movies that are coming out now. The humor in movies today is too much for them to handle, they are too dry, and too dirty. Also, special effects are out of control, they are very unrealistic, and to most adults it is ridiculous. 2) Less and less people are going to the movies. the economy is doing poorly which im sure has a lot to do with it but couldn't it also maybe have to do with the quality of movies today? Plus the convenience of watching them at home, people decide that the movie is not worth going to the theater for and thus never get around to even seeing it. 3) I see more and more people walking out of movie theaters. Coincidence? I think not. 4) More and more movies are coming out in 3D and IMAX. This is of course to try and draw in more people. IMAX has been around for a while but it has never had so much emphasis put on it until now. Why would the movie industry want people to see their movies clearer and larger these days i'm not quite sure. 5) Directors are becoming seemingly lazy and less creative. Movies that have recently come out such as Machete are terrible in every aspect of the word. The acting is terrible, the storyline is weak, need I go on? 6) Movies (like machete) are being cheapened by too much blood, guts, and sex. 7) Peoples expectations are higher then ever given all the technology we have today, we are literally spoiled. 8) With that, The world is changing and directors audience's are changing making it harder and harder to pin down what the people want. However, this is no excuse for the garbage that is being pumped out of Hollywood these days. I hope that this changes, but who really knows. I predict that they will keep making hits it will just be very few and far between.

The Phone Powered By Coke


Have you ever had your cell phone die during the middle of the day? It's a catastrophe not being able to text your favorite people, use the facebook application, or even browse the internet. Finding a way to charge your phone while your out and about is also a problem that cell phone users are faced with. Car chargers are effective, but not everyone spends their entire day in their car. Wall chargers are also effective, but not everyone carries their wall chargers around with them on a daily basis.
This problem that cell phone users are faced with is being taken into consideration by Chinese designer, Daizi Zheng, who is bringing new ideas to the table. Zheng proposes the use of a "Bio Battery" which will be powered by sugary drinks. The phone is said to run on a battery that uses enzymes to create electricity using carbohydrates.
This project is being overseen by Nokia, which has first dibs on releasing this new concept. Phone batteries these days are expensive to manufacture, and pose a problem for eco-friendly disposal. Theidea is to use a bio batter which will create a pollutant free environment. Simply unscrew the top of the phone, as shown, and power your phone as you drink your coke with lunch.















The Bio Battery has a potential to operate for 3 to 4 times longer on a single charge than most lithium batteries today. The battery also produces oxygen and water as a bi product, unlike regular batteries which just get thrown into land fills. This picture shows the phone with a full charge, just after being filled up. Will this new technology catch on in the US? It's doubtful, seeing as the phone doesn't have a touch screen, GPS, BBM, Internet Browser, Facebook, a camera, or many other features that people have grown accustomed to having on their phones.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Magic Talking Computer


With technology advancing, it can have its advantages and disadvantages. The magic talking computer is one of the newest inventions that although can be very helpful to those with special needs can also become a major negative. It is a multi purpose application that helps people to communicate with their software in ways that has not been done before. For example, it consists of voice commands, mouse movement and control, short cut key command control and automatic reading and text. Although this might sound like such a great invention and can really help those who aren't capable of working computers, it can also be a negative because those who do not have a disability can take major advantage of this. Advancements in technology have also greatly affected certain sectors of the industry and have even forced certain businesses to shut down for good because there is no more demand for that type of work.
As a result, people are becoming more lazy, and they don't feel the dire need to step outside of their home to find entertainment and fun in things that used to be.

Miley Cyrus...How far will she go for attention?

I'm sure everyone knows Disney Channel superstar, Miley Cyrus. She's been catching the attention of the media with every little thing she does that has an affect on the little kids that look up to her. In the begining, she seemed quite harmless...look at who she has become now. First it started with the green bra picture, then the cover of Vanity Fair, dating guys that are older than her..at some point she seemed to stop having issues with the media..then her music video for "Can't be Tamed" caused quite the controversy...and now she was recently seen smoking Salvia out of a bong..on camera. Salvia is a natural herb that has an affect of hallucination. The "drug" is legal in a few states including the star's home state of California. A video was taken by a "friend" at a party during the week of the star's eighteenth birthday.



What will the media say about this? When will Miley ever learn that she is supposed to be a role model for young kids? This doesn't sound like a role model to me. I know that she is trying to break away from Disney, but honestly there are other ways out. Putting herself out there in the media only causes more attention. It's obvious that she likes attention and will do anything to get it.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Internet is Switching on TV Revolution

     It seems as though every day there is something that comes out to advance the ever changing media and internet revolution.  First is was the introduction of home desktops and the internet, then the cell phone revolution caught on, next the internet based smartphone, following Facebook etc.  Now the news trend in internet technology comes from a TV.  Google recently introduced their internet based TV.  Their TV offers quick and easy access to Netflix, Facebook, the weather, and ever Android applications to download.
     Because of this trend, millions of mainstream consumers, spurred by advances in technology and falling prices for high-tech televisions, are switching off cable and turning to the Internet to watch their favorite programs and films.  The trend is expected to accelerate in the next few years, profoundly altering everything from the TVs we buy to the entertainment industry itself.
   Not only is Google jumping into the TV revolution but now Amazon, Apple, and Netflix and driving in for a piece of the pie.  From a business standpoint this could be the end of standard cable as we know it.  Consumers would save hundreds of dollars a year on high cable costs by switching to internet based TV, plus they will have access to tons of online resources.  Not to mention most internet TV's come with standard 3-D technology.  Move over Cable theres a new TV revolution waiting to boom!


URL: TV Revolution

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Snapstick Revolution

     Viewing Internet content on HDTV is a painfully tricky affair these days but Snapstickthinks they can succeed where others have crashed and burned. Forget Google TV, Boxee Box, and Apple TV for a moment. Snapstick’s whole philosophy seems different and that’s where it might have a chance.
Rather than relying on a box connected to the TV (Note: there’s still a box connected to the TV) for navigation and discovery either through a painful onscreen keyboard or a clumsy full size keyboard, content for Snapstick is found either via a computer or iOS device running the Snapstick app. Once you find the video, you physically snap the phone and *bam*, it starts playing on the TV.
The creators say that this method drops any barriers that others like Google TV and Boxee Box must deal with. If you can find the content on your phone or computer, Snapstick will get it onto your TV. Or so they say.



     All in all Snapstick media is making it a whole lot easier for older generations and the like to get connect to their internet based TV more easily then ever before.  The more complex the internet gets the more difficult it will become to use, lucky companies like Snapstick are making things a whole lot easier for people to get connected.
URL: CNET Snapstick

Thursday, December 9, 2010


For years the telephone has been the main source of communication. the main problem has always been white noise or what is known as interference. Sometimes important messages don't get relayed because the lost of translation. Another problem that people face is loss of hearing. The older we get the harder it is to hear messages on the phone. For the elderly it can be really difficult for them to hear phone conversations. Recently there has been an invention that fixes all these common problems. CapTel is a revolutionary way of having phone conversations. while in loud areas it can be very difficult to hear what is being said but with CapTel all that is fixed. While one person is talking the person at home or the office that has CapTel is comfortably listening to the conversation and reading it as well. Trying to listen to someone and not being able to hear them can be very frustrating but with CapTel all those problems are solved.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Movie Theatres Going Green?



While browsing through the AOL news I came across an interesting article that I thought fit well with our past class discussions. There seems to be a mobile movie theatre circulating around England and is known as Sol Cinema. This movie theatre is actually set up in a tiny trailer and runs completely on solar energy. The article explains that although the U.K. is not famous for sunny days, it still manages to get enough sun to run the entire trailer and all its necessary appliances. The company never has a utility bill to pay and basically has the ability to perform anywhere and at anytime.

Picture


Although the theatre is not very large due to its housing it has played 400 films since its debut this year. It uses an LED projector, powered by solar energy. The theatre shows a wide variety of genres and tends to show more independent films rather than "Hollywood" films as they call them. They also do not show anything too mainstream or anything that encourages violence. It unfortunately only has seating for eight, but it has already won awards. One of the advantages of being housed in a trailer, they have the ability to move around and go to different places. With that said, the founders have planned a tour schedule throughout Europe and may be coming nearby to Los Angeles in the upcoming year.

Being that we have been discussing movies for the last few classes I saw this to be fit for a blog discussion. I think the idea is great, it just goes to show you that you can go green and keep the environment healthy without having to give up things you enjoy doing on a daily basis. It seems to be not only environmentally friendly but also economically friendly. Who doesn't love to save some money every now and then? With the expenses that movie theatres put into showing films based on electric and things of that sort it seems obvious why movie tickets have risen to such high prices, well besides the greedy factor in many people today. But, it makes me wonder, if all movie theatres found a way to go green, I am sure they would be able to lower the prices of their tickets. With all the money they would be saving without having to pay an electric bill every month it would be simple for them to lower their prices a few bucks. I think this would result in happier customers as well as owners.

With this small trailer becoming more and more popular and word reaching us here in the U.S. maybe it is possible we will see some more of these popping up. I think it is an interesting idea for major movie theatres to consider and I think it would result in positive outcomes all around!




Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Army Recruitment Via Video Games?

Taking a step back to the PBS video we watched in class, I found the new recruitment technique that the army has began to use very interesting. They have recently opened an army experience center where people are able to come and experiment with the war-like simulator as well as play video games, such as Call of Duty. Through this center the army hopes to encourage young people to sign up.

However, a problem has arose from this new center. Some parents have expressed concern with this action that the army has taken and personally I can not help but agree. It almost seems as though these young children, mostly boys, are being somewhat tricked. Sure these children love to play these video games and are certainly not being forced to attend these centers and play these games but is it ethical? These children enjoy these games mostly for the challenge of fighting off the enemy, but can an eight or ten year old boy or girl really tell the difference between a video game and reality? In a video game if you are shot and killed you have other lives or you can restart the game, however, this is clearly not the case when it comes to war and the army. Once you are shot and killed at war there are no do-overs or extra lives and certainly no restart button. This seems like a very important aspect that these young children may not fully be aware of. I am almost certain to say that no one at these centers are making the attempt to even try and explain the difference between these video games and actual war.

These centers have recruiters which are constantly walking around telling these children how well they are playing and that they are the "best" player they have seen yet. From here they may be encouraged to try the simulator to see how good they might be in an actual war-like situation. After trying this, they may be told the same thing as before, that they were very good at it and would make an excellent candidate for the army. If they are not told again, they may just start to believe it on there own with all the encouragement they have been getting up to this point. It is only natural for one to want to continue doing something they are good at and especially when you have someone watching and cheering you on. How can these young children be expected to know the difference between these innocent video games and the danger and reality of actual war?

I can not help but agree with these parents that have expressed concern. If I were a mother, I would not want my young child going to these centers and being told every day how great of a soldier they would make. Of course we need soldiers to fight for our country and defend us and we always will, but I think it is best to let those people decide on their own. The experience of war and killing another human being is not something that someone should be pressured or manipulated into. I do not think it would work out well for anyone mentally or even physically.

Don't get me wrong, I think this center is a great place for people to attend to learn more about the army. However, I think it is a great place for those who are already interested in joining or have questions about it. The simulator seems like a great idea for people who may be entertaining the idea of signing up for the army. It provides a better idea of what you will be likely to experience and maybe figure out if it is something that is really right for you. This is just another example of the many technological advances our world is experiencing today.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

FAME

Her meat dress was pretty disgusting and her justification a little far-fetched, but nothing less is expected from the Media Queen that is Lady Gaga.

Some people call her crazy, weird, insane, "out there," and just simply living on another planet, but there is something that screams "genius" about her. She manages to keep herself in the media at all times and by whatever means necessary. She absolutely uses the media to her advantage and clearly has no shame. She's been in every form of media one way or another: newspapers, magazines, television, radio, movies, and yes, even books (biographies). She is able to stay in the public eye by doing, saying, and wearing bizarre things.

Lady Gaga has a huge following consisting of her "Little Monsters," she being the "Mother Monster," who would do just about anything for her. In South Carolina, a 48 year old man claims to be of her millions of "Little Monsters." He has traveled the world to see her perform more than 28 times; he met her 5 times; and he owns 300 copies of her record on vinyl. He also runs a Lady Gaga fan site. But what is even more baffling is that this man is a professor at the University of South Carolina at Columbia and he has created an entire course devoted to Lady Gaga and her fame. The class is titled: "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame." He hopes that she will pay his class a visit...I wouldn't be surprised if she did.

Her Monster Ball continues into next year, making at stop at Nassau Coliseum on April 23rd...who's going?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Black Eye Friday


Everyone knows that the day after Thanksgiving is notorious for being... a little more than hectic for those who wish to participate in the festivities of bargain hunting. Whether you ate turkey at 5pm and have been napping ever since, or you had to deal with your crazy family and didn't finish eating till midnight, there's a good chance you'll be standing outside the mall at 4am waiting for the doors to open.
In hopes of changing things up a bit his year, I spent my Black Friday swimming with sea turtles, far away from home. Some might say that nothing is worth missing the amazing deals you find only on that one day of the year, but I'd have to disagree. I have to say that I'd rather be followed by a 5 foot barracuda for thirty minutes again, than be kicked and shoved into an isle by a 4 foot tall, 80 year old woman, with her eyes set on that last box of moth balls that are marked down 60%.
Major corporations, from clothing to electronics, film commercials, post ads in papers and
hang up poster ads all in hopes of getting the most people in their stores on the biggest shopping
day of the year. Some commercials, such as the one below, exaggerate (hopefully) what people act
do in preparation for this big day.


So what's the big deal? Is it really worth it to leave your family on Thanksgiving to stand in front of a shopping mall in the freezing cold to spend 50 dollars less on an Xbox? That's obviously a personal preference, but I'd like to point out that saving 50 dollars on anything isn't something to sneeze at in these hard economic times. Would I trample an employee opening store doors? No. Would I stay up all night standing outside a store to be the first in line? No. Would I shove a small child through a clothing rack, attempting to take MY 50% off shoes? Well.. maybe.
Some people's reasoning is that it's a tradition, and if it's not a tradition, some like to be caught up in the moment, viewing it as a social gathering. Whether it's tradition, a night of shopping, a time to get your family's Christmas list over and done with, or your own unique way of relieving stress by running old ladies over with your shopping cart, there's something here for everyone. Although I must say I can't be upset that I spent my Black Friday in the Caribbean, I am a little... curious as to what my Black Friday experience would have been like if I were home. Maybe next year I'll actually wait outside Westfield Mall at 12pm to get a fresh pair of Nike's for half price, but who knows, maybe I wont.
Tradition? Fun? Stress relief? A night out? I want to know what your reason is, if any, to participate, or not to participate every year on Black Friday.

Celebrities Boycott Social Networks

Celebrity Alicia Keys is at it once again. Hoping to raise funds for her charity, "Keep A Child Alive", Misses Keys has started a new campaign she calls Digital Life Sacrifice. The idea is to have celebrities join together and sign off of their favored social network starting tomorrow, December 1. Celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Usher, and Justin Timberlake have agreed not to sign back onto their social network accounts until 1 million dollars has been raised for the Keep A Child Alive charity.
This call to arms has grown quite popular and has spread throughout the celebrity community. Other public figures such as Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Hudson, Kim Kardashian, Elijah Wood, and Key's husband, Swizz Beatz have all filmed videos, known as "last tweet and
testament".
These videos will be shown in ads which depict each celebrity laying in a coffin, signifying their "digital death".
As you can see, Kim Kardashian is shown on the left, on her campaign add.
The Foundation, started in 2003, is accepting donations via text messages and bar-code scanning, which is featured in the charities "Buying Life" campaign. Alicia states that "it's really important and super-cool to use mediums that we naturally are on". Seeing as almost everyone I know and their mother... and grandmother has a facebook or twitter, I'd have to say that she's taking strides in the right direction.
President and co-founder of the Keep A Child Alive foundation, Leigh Blake reports that "We're trying to sort of make the remark: Why do we care so much about the death of once celebrity opposed to millions and millions of people dying in the place that we're all from". All raised efforts are being used to support families effected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. She goes on the say "It's about love and respect and human dignity".
With popular backing, and enough media coverage, I hope that this campaign will easily raise not only 1 million, but much much more. Will you be one to help?

Is The Verizon iPhone Finally Here!?

     The rivarly between iPhone(AT&T) users and Android(Verizon) users seems to have been carrying on longer then the Isreali-Palestine rivarly in the middle east.  Only until recently has fustrated Verizon users seen the light, this is because several news sources have official proof that the long awaited Verizon iPhone 5 is coming soon and here to stay.  Fortune magazine has issued perhaps the strongest-worded statement to date on the Verizon iPhone, confirming that the device does exist, and that it will ship in early 2011. In a lengthy cover article published online on Oct. 29, Fortune contributor Sarah Ellison says that the Verizon iPhone is a "fait accompli," and notes that the device has been configured to work on Verizon's CDMA network.

     But what does this mean for AT&T?  According to several financial sources it won't put too much of a dent into AT&T's sales of the current iPhone 4, and they predict they won't loose many users to the new Verizon iPhone.  Primarly because current AT&T users don't won't to pay a termination fee if they choose to reactive their contract with Verizon Wireless.
     As a current iPhone user, what fustrates me is that the new Verizon iPhone 5 is rumored to have better performance upgrades, bug fixes, better network, and a slightly bigger screen.  While the current iPhone 4 will remain unchanged.  In my own personal opinion if AT&T doesn't want to loose valuable customers they should either come out with the same updated iPhone 5 as Verizon is getting at the same time.  Or if they don't get the updated phone they should offer current customers cheaper rate plans, because I would't want to pay extra money for a inferior service provider that has a reputation for dropped calls and high premiums.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Blog #4: Warner's Edgy ' Harry Potter' Campaign Pays Off, by Brooks Barnes

The new movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 generated 125.1 million in its first weekend. This was the second biggest opening for the Harry Potter franchise. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire grossed 127.4 million in the first 3 days in November 2005 of its release. Harry Potter is very popular amoung people of all ages. Publicity for the movie was widespread. They used initals HP7 and put fake blood on billboards to advertise the movie. According to Barnes, 25% of the audience in North America was in the age range of 18 to 34 years olds. In contrast 10% of the audienice for the first Harry Potter came from that age braket.

This Movie Alice In Wonderland to be the opeining movie in history of IMAX. 12.4 million in the box offfic sales accorced for the IMAX showing. IMAX international showings accounted for 16.6. By compariosn Alice In Wonderland only took in 12.1 million in the u.s in IMAX showing at 15.3 in international IMAX showing Mr. Fellman, Warner's preisdent of domestic distribution of films says that no other franchise has been able to expand through the age groups. Extensive advertising has help the sals greatly

Please remove your shoes, and your outfit while you're at it

If you traveled in the air recently, I'm sure you've come across these full body scanners they're using now. This is an extremely controversial topic, as the country is basically split 50/50 for and against this new form of security. It's either get felt up by a Transportation Security Agent or have your naked body visible to a monitor in a remote location. Some have protested the heightened security precautions, but that's up to them. The issue here is trust. Recently, a Florida courthouse leaked 100 body scans onto the internet taken by U.S. Marshall's that were very revealing. Similar body scans are taken at airport security checkpoints, which raises concern for some travelers. The TSA says it does not save images taken by the body scanner, in fact they're deleted shortly after you're finished, even if they find something suspicious.

So far, no news stories have come up that would jeopardize this statement. With that being said, some people are still skeptical and simply do not trust our government. They probably think that the government always lies to us, so why wouldn't they now? Or they believe that if U.S. Marshall's in Florida can do it, why can't the TSA? It's the travelers judgment call I suppose, but I would probably choose whichever security method is quicker, as the airport is no place to delay. Hopefully those 100 are the only and last ones that will ever end up online because no one deserves to have their civil rights violated to such a degree where their naked body ends up on the internet. Another equally controversial sub-story is the exemption of children to this new security. Some people don't want their children to be scanned or felt up because they're too young. I feel children should not be exempt because the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are animals and will not hesitate to strap a bomb to a kid in order to take a plane out of the sky. To ensure continued security in the air, I'm for these new "close" and "thorough" security upgrades.


NFL tackling rules, should the rules be changed?

The National Football League announced Tuesday it will immediately begin suspending players for “egregious and elevated hits” that violate rules, particularly those involving helmets.

In the past, players were either fined or ejected for illegal hits. But after the series of recent flagrant tackles last Sunday, several of which resulted in concussions, the NFL ramped up the punishment.

Among the hits getting attention last weekend:
—The Eagles' DeSean Jackson and the Falcons' Dunta Robinson were knocked out of their game after a frightening collision in which Robinson launched himself head first to make a tackle. Both sustained concussions.

—Ravens tight end Todd Heap took a vicious hit from Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather that Heap called "one of those hits that shouldn't happen."

—The Steelers' James Harrison sidelined two Browns players with head injuries after jarring hits. (FOX news)

Now, it seems to me like everyone is concerned about NFL players there is no doubt about that, but mostly they are concerned about the next generation of football players, the kids. Over time it has been proven that Athletes, more precisely, professional football players, have a shorter life expectancy mostly because they are prone to problems with memory, focus and concentration, and early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Due to hard hits to the head, neck, and spine football players endure many concussions in their careers, as well as joint and muscle problems. This is a risk that all football players take when they decide to play the game. Football is a contact sport, a collision sport. In fact, it would appear that the popularity of this sport is mainly because of the brutality of it. A “real mans sport” so to speak. Having said this, It has been made apparent to some (why it has only hit them now I’m not too sure, pun intended) that the game is too brutal. Now it is all over ESPN that the NFL wants to go ahead and change the tackling rules to thus avoid more unnecessary injuries. There are so many things wrong with this I don’t even know where to start, but I’m going to try. First of all, we are more than half way through the season (several concussions in), this would have been a good thing to discuss after the first NFL player was paralyzed for the rest of his life not several there after. Second of all the rules are fine just the way they are, the problem is with in the way that they are being enforced (hardly at all). If the supposed illegal contacts/hits were taken more seriously by implementing punishment such as fines and suspension of players without pay, I believe the players would tread a little more lightly. Not to mention the fact that most if not all players would be relieved that they were a little safer on the field knowing what was at stake for all players. Third of all changing the rules at this point in history may change the entire game and the way that people know it today. Many may feel as though they are taking away from the sport by changing it. Not to mention the money the NFL may lose due to the fines the players and corporation will receive as well as the amount of time these players may see off the field. Is this changing of the rules a good thing intended to better protect our athletes, or just a way for the NFL to try and make themselves feel better about being one of the most brutal and sometimes maybe even fatal sport around?

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/10/20/nfl-tackling-rules-step-right-direction/

Maybe Jay Z had a point when he made his recent hit “Death of Auto-tune”, These days the pitch corrector seems to be the death of all real music artists, or is it?

Auto-tune, is a voice/pitch corrector made to help singers get that perfect sound they are looking for (that is, what you hear on every music station today). Made by Andy Hildebrand in late 1996, this Instrument was first used for the, oh so irritating, “Believe” By Cher in 1998. This was not the way that Hildebrand had intended it to be used, "I never figured anyone in their right mind would want to do that," he said. Like most of the trends brought about by Cher this “abuse” of auto-tune soon died out, until another artist by the name of t-pain, figured out a way to use auto-tune to jump start his career in 2003. "It just worked for my voice," says T-Pain. "And there wasn't anyone else doing it." (Time magazine)

The point is, that this device, this “auto-tune” is making it so that now, not only do you not have to be able to dance and sing to your own music, but you can make it appear as though you can, to the untrained eye. I know what you’re probably thinking, Well that would mean that damn near anyone could do this whole entertainment thing. Has it really come to this? I would like to think not but the evidence is in the pudding. You probably couldn’t find one single artist today that could tell you that they didn’t use it, and if they did, chances are, they are lying. So is this sudden obsession with auto-tune a good thing or a bad thing? And most of all, Is this something that is now permanently part of the music industry or just another passing fad?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui86peQZ74s&feature=related

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

WIZARD OF REMAKE

Why, oh why is the movie industry obsessed with remaking things? Do we honestly need another Wizard of Oz? Really? Is the first one not creepy enough?

I don’t understand how any classic, such as The Wizard of Oz, can be remade…it’s called a classic for a reason! There is no more Judy Garland and honestly there is no actress that could ever replace her, but I am curious to see who they cast as Dorothy. And what are they going to do for the Munchkins? Animation, maybe? I’m thinking Tim Burton’s Oompa Loompas' in Charlie and the Chocloate Factory. Imagine: Tim Burton directing the new Wizard of Oz, wouldn’t that be a sight to see! And it is rumored that the remake of the The Wizard of Oz is going to be using the same exact original script! Now that’s just asking for trouble. Are they just going to change the clothes or something? What exactly are they going to “remake?”

And this just in: The Great Gatsby is also being redone! Surprise, surprise. Let’s take a classic book and completely ruin it on screen (all of the movie attempts have failed miserably). The book is fabulous, the movie not so much…but a new rendition staring Leonardo Dicaprio as Jay Gatsby, Toby Maguire as Nick Carraway, and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan? That’s kind of scary.

I don’t know why but something about this whole “remake” business bothers me. Once I see a movie, I’m good. I don’t need to see a sequel, or a new version, or a remake. Just leave it alone, I say. And I’d like to know why there are less and less original and new ideas coming to screen. There is a slew of comic books coming to screen and book adaptations, but where are all the completely made from scratch movies? Is originality that scarce in Hollywood? As a lover of movies, I’d much rather go see an independent film shown only in select theatres than a huge blockbuster hit that is most likely derived from some type of already published media.

So Hollywood, please, please, please start adopting creativity and originality into your future movies!

Smile for the camera

This woman must have been listening in on our recent lectures. While the issue at hand here wasn't catching a violent act on video, it was still illegal. She didn't catch the actual exposure on film, but she got the suspects face at least. The story can be found here. And if this video is going to be used as evidence, judging by the woman's reaction, I'm sure the actual act probably didn't need to be caught on video.


This story just came out yesterday when a woman was flashed in a New York City subway car and someone else caught the results on video. In a situation like this, I wouldn't necessarily intervene but if it escalated for whatever reason, the camera probably should've been put away to help mediate the situation. Also, they say that she shouldn't have reacted the way she did if the subway car was empty. Maybe she flipped out because she knew she was being filmed? Who knows. An indecent person like that is unpredictable, so maybe it was a good thing that she called his bluff in a packed subway car instead of an empty one.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Even the New York Times had come to the dark side!

Fairley recently newspapers have taken a different path. It seems that printing the actual paper is making them loose money and customers. With the iPad there is now a chance for newspapers to be players in a completely different field! The iPad generally attracts younger people and with the New York Times app now it allows the younger generation to read the newspaper in a way that there more accustom too. With the New York Times app the consumer will be able to find the top stories on business, sports etc…. and be able to choose from roughly 8 to 10 articles. Lance Whitney; a writer for CNET News wrote and article entitled New York Times prominent among media iPad apps states with the application “the app is free and supported by advertisers, but the Times said it’s planning a paid app that would offer more content”. (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20001661-37.html). The article also says that USA today and The Wall Street journal are two other newspapers hopping on board. And magazines too such as Men’s Health and GQ have also learned that having an app is a great decision and can provide them with the tools to cater to a different age group. It’s a scary thought to me personally that everything is going to be online its hard cause we all mostly grew up watching others on the train or our parents at the kitchen table with there glasses, coffee and newspaper. Now we simply see and iPad..I mean hey! Newspapers and magazines know they have to conform to the “new hottest technology” or die. At least they don’t have electronic glasses or coffees so we can all hold on to that. But…than again you never know what the future is going to bring!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Is Reality T.V. Fake? Well, It's Already Gone Silicone





















I hate to break it to you like a Kit Kat bar, but more often than not, reality television is either scripted or filmed in a particular way to make things seem differently than they are in actuality. It's kind of like professional wrestling. It may appear to the viewer that there are two oponents working against each other, but on the contrary, they are actually in cahoots! When it comes to reality television, many people find themselves pondering the idea of whether or not what they are witnessing is authentic. Hakuna matata because the answer has finally arrived! Is it fake? Well, from now on, just refer to reality television as Pamela Anderson because it's already gone silicone.

After a long day, all I want to do is kick back in my Lay-Z Boy recliner and wind down like a broken clock. My fidgeting fingers navigate their way across the numbers of the remote (except for the 3's and 8's because those numbers freak me out). I stumble upon Dr. 90210, which showcases a countless number of cosmetic surgeries on a neverceasing list of people who don't even need it. At the sight of the first tummy tuck, I gag and decide it's channel changing time. I find an episode of Bridezilla, and the only vow I will ever make is to never be like one of those monsters. Godzilla has nothing on them. Bridezillas are a species that would have all of Korea screaming longer than their mouths are actually moving. Just imagine if these two shows were to ever join forces. Oh, wait! You don't need to imagine because they've already collided.

Let's play a guessing game. I'll start you off with an easy one. What do you get when you cross a chicken with a bell? An alarm cluck. Now, for a tougher one: What do you get when you combine a boob job with an engagement? I have faith that you'll think of the answer. Dr. 902zilla? As a Grinch-like Jim Carrey would say, "Wrong-O!" You'd end up with a wonderful and completely sane new series known as Bridalplasty. A kind of name that really does say it all.

When I saw the commercial for this show, I couldn't help but think "Holy pickles. This is not really happening." As if it wasn't bad enough that Danielle Staub is having a spin off show, the reality television industry decides they also need to round up a bunch of psychotic brides-to-be and have them battle each other. Oh! Even more exciting and totally rational: the winner gets to be cut! Irony at its finest or no? It's official: E! executives may need to be institutionalized. I know there's that exclamation point after the E to let you know that it's a wild and rowdy channel (yes, some grammatical devices can talk to you), but have they completely gone Ty Pennington and loosened some screws?! I can see this whole thing going over really well with the public. [Insert Sarcasm Here]

Already, there has been tremendous back fat...oops! I mean backlash...about the upcoming series, and I must say, I strongly stand on that side of the opinion line as well. What is this show really going to unveil upon viewers? As we all are perfectly aware, the media loves to make women-young, old, and in between-unable to happily look at themselves in the mirror. This show is obviously a step in the right direction towards solving that problem. [More Sarcasm] I am more than concerned about how this is going to further affect women. I know there are plenty of shows out there that are just as terrible in that sense, but this one cuts right to the chase and augments its message to say "You cannot be fully loved until you are nipped and tucked to the point of virtual physical perfection."

The future brides have to savagely run wild like a pack of wildebeests hoping to acquire a new set of wildebreasts while the husbands are probably sitting back and clapping their hands in giddy excitement hoping for a cat fight. That was really stereotypical of me, right? Well, that's exactly what the show is, so I tried to get into the same mindset. The more important question I have is this: Are they fruit loops?! Who is going to honestly sit down to watch brides-to-be fighting like a herd of rhinos to win some free rhinoplasty? The apocolypse really must be approaching because I believed that the day I'd witness this kind of nonsense on my television screen would mark the end of the world. Hopefully, they at least show the wedding of the winning bride, just to see if she pops an implant at the alter. If I were her, I'd make sure the first dance is to "Thriller," so if her nose falls off, she can just say she was channeling the spirit of Michael Jackson.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Facebook Takes Over Communication,Once Again.

To get in contact with a potential client you wish you recruit, to speak to your boss about a problem you had at the office that day, to correspond with your professors about work you didn't understand in class or to speak with relatives who live over seas or who are states away, what do we use? Email. Different email accounts for different types of organizations you are assosciated with. For example a school email account which pertains to a more formal means of communication or a regular G-Mail account or Yahoo account which you can use as a more personal type of communication where you can use with your friends or give to stores for special promotions. But what if you want to email someone and you don't know there email? What if you want an email account that does not email you spam? Because who loves spam emails, right? Well, Facebook wins again. Facebook will be comming out with a new means of communication. Email.Facebook will make it easier for you to keep track of all threads and soon be combining text, phone calls, and emails all in one place. Facebook email = finding the person you which to contact alot more easily by having there email listed for you, and all of there information if they wish to give it out. Facebook email also makes sure you recieve no spam mail and makes sure you get no junk mail. It makes means of communicating alot more easier and straightforward.

Man Down, Let's Tweet!

A person faints as they’re walking directly in front of you: what do you do?

Do you stop what you’re doing and rush over to help them? Or do you stand idle only to take out your cell phone and tweet the present incident? That’s right, I said tweet. And that is exactly what students at the University of Southern California did when Bill Nye was approaching the podium to give a presentation.

Our favorite childhood scientist and TV personality, Bill Nye, (as I sing “Bill Nye the Science Guy” in my head) collapsed and fainted mid-sentence as he was walking up to the podium. Hundreds of students saw him go down but not one of them rushed over to his aid. Instead, they “pulled out their mobile devices to post information about Nye's loss of consciousness. …… Really? Really?! An entire sea of people with phones out, TWEETING...never mind calling oh, say I don't know...911?! If I was an audience member, the last thing on my mind would be a virtual update; I literally would have gotten off my bum and ran over to him. It’s kind of despicable otherwise.

People like these students are allowing technology to run their lives and that’s not okay! Instead of living in the present moment of reality, they live in a virtual world where basically something has not happened or does not have proper credibility unless it is written about somewhere on the internet.

I personally see no point in twitter, unless it’s being utilized as a promotion tool (i.e. Lady Gaga). Just like the Facebook status, I simply do not care what people are doing every minute of their day. I have my own things to worry about and I don’t need to be reading about someone’s bad day because they got a bad hair cut or they have to sit next to some stinky person on the train, so please stop cluttering up my news feed.

It really is sad and disappointing that nobody helped Mr. Nye. How a twitter update is more important that a real person’s life, is just beyond me.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

ITunes Now Has The Beatles! FINALLY

We have all at some point asked ourselves where is the music? Though there are a ton of new artists emerging on iTunes every day there are a million songs they don’t have. I have never really understood why some artists don’t even show up on iTunes or even curtain songs like the song “Im a Bitch” by Alanis Morissette. This sucks cause when your “lame” like me and only download your music legally from iTunes not being able to find a song pretty much means you might have to turn to the dark side and go to LimeWire for the record (I have not). Some artists don’t want to have their music on the sight god knows why!? But there is the face that money is floating around. It brakes down to a good chunk of money having to go to iTunes and a smaller portion going to the actual artist. But that’s how the music business works! Unfortunately to make it you need to be represented by others and if you (the artist) are talented those “others” end up doing pretty well on the work and talent you put in. and what’s even worse is that your on a contract so your hands are pretty tied most of the time. That’s why people such as JZ and other BIG names have started their own label to cut out the middleman and keep the revenue for themselves. Legal wrangles at Apple prevented the official issue of previously unreleased Beatle material for over two decades (although much of it was frequently bootlegged). In an article is read “Beatles label EMI and Apple Corps Ltd., which manages the affairs of the legendary group, announced the change Tuesday in a joint news release with Apple Inc” Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/11/16/itunes-apple.html#ixzz15aYt5jis But now after much waited time the legacy and apple have joined together and this can only bring good things. Once you crack the Beatles your pretty much in…so I will be here iTunes…waiting for my Alanis Morissette song…patiently I might add.

Lost in Translation

Sometimes I find myself wanting to be that "annoying" friend, you know, the one that corrects everyone's grammar. To know the difference between "you're" and "your" is actually not difficult. I happen to be very good at English and grammar, but as I can see on Facebook, not everyone is... or are they? I have to be honest, it does make me slightly uneasy seeing awful spelling on Facebook and SMS messages. I'm not a teacher, so I can't see if any one of my friends are actually good writers, or if it's just shorthand used specifically for digital communication. With that being said, I don't feel that it's my place to correct people because I'm simply not qualified to, so I don't.



I found an article on this, published just about two years ago (which is a long time when it comes to mass communication) but I do feel it's still relevant. It can be found here.



I kind of wish I was an English teacher at times, just to see if today's students can actually distinguish between what they text and what they write structurally for school. You'll see in the article that it's actually a bunch of short paragraphs written by different people. Some of them say that texting will ruin grammar skills in young individuals, some say it will not and others say it has already. Someone named Evan Sawyer said that the more people text, the more their grammar skills will deteriorate. Supposedly this is true because more and more teachers are seeing digital shorthand like "lol" and "u" spill over onto school assignments. Do students really know the difference, or is it just laziness?

The Beatles on iTunes!



If anyone noticed that iTunes had clocks on the iTunes store telling you to come back on Nov. 17 for a surprise. Well if you went back to check it out and you’re a Beatles fan then you were probably a really happy person. For a while I had been wondering went The Beatles will be available on iTunes and the day has come. Now you can buy 13 premastered Beatles albums and three post–breakup compilations. And for those die heart Beatles fans you can now get a $149 box set that includes all the albums and videos on the band’s 1964 concert at the Washington Coliseum. You can’t get these downloads on Amazon’s MP3 store so Apples will be the only place to get them people! I only wonder if there are people out there who don't all ready have these albums?

Monday, November 15, 2010

Social Networking or the Destruction of Human Communication?





Sights such as MySpace, facebook and twitter rare supposed to be helping people communicate with others right?
Wrong
Though they enable us to stay in touch they take the real element of human communication out. Sights such as facebook especially make it easy to talk to anyone at any time but people also use it as a crutch. Would you rather go on a date and meet a stranger and face the awkwardness or meet someone on facebook where you feel secure because you not face to face but behind a screen? it happens to be the easier way and its less scary because your behind a computer screen. Social networking can be an easy to escape reality by portraying yourself as something you would “like” to be rather than what you are. You can make yourself hot and desirable with an outgoing personality, but what about when you actually have to face humans in the real world you choke.
Some people get so lost being someone that there not that they cant face the real world and are unable to communicate with others. The ability to talk and be able to hold a normal conversation is vital, without actual social skills the possibility of being able to go far in life and succeed is a distant dream.
Technology is supposed to make humans smarter but there is a possibility that it is making us “socially retarded” for lack of a better phrase. It’s a scary thought that the world of communication is evolving so rapidly and people are becoming dependent on the Internet to communicate with other humans. There is a huge difference between talking to someone online or texting vs. having a real talk in person. The two don’t compare.
We as this generation are saved because relatively speaking we haven’t exactly grown up with these social networking sights our whole lives but the younger population are exposed to these sites every day and use them for everything.
We need to stop this epidemic and teach ourselves and others to communicate because human-to-human contact is the most important skill t have in life.



Lime Unwired


Limewire the leading program used to download mp3 has finally been sued and isn't allowed to supply music anymore. For as long as i can remember people would use Limewire as a means of obtaining new and old music. But now the government has put a band on downloading and sharing music. it leads us to wonder Limewire definitely got in trouble but are we in trouble as well???
Now what, is a question that a lot of people are asking when it comes to obtaining music. The average person is not willing to pay for music when they can simply download it and listen for free. This goes to show that people of our generation have gotten spoiled and used to piracy. In the earlier days when music first became available to the public people had to buy single records to listen to them.
Life without Limewire isn't hard to imagine at all. We all just have to be "honest" and actually buy the songs we like. OR...... find another way to steal music!!!!!!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Danielle Staub: The Real Psycho of New Jersey


















Everyone has their guilty pleasures when it comes to television shows. They're like the Twix bar that we know we shouldn't eat, but it's so delicious that we do anyway. For half of America, their guilty pleasure series is Jersey Shore; for closet dorks like me, it's Ghosthunters; for the rest of the world, it's The Real Housewives of... whichever place sparks their interest. Anyone who has ever seen the series would probably agree with me that the housewives of New Jersey, New York, and Orange County have been the most entertaining to watch. They seem to have been the supreme masters at overtaking the tabloids, whether it be by flipping tables, "singing" about being a Countess, or toilet papering a former housewife's house.

At this moment, on my desk, there is an issue of In Touch magazine with New Jersey housewife, Teresa Giudice (the ultimate table-flipper), on the front cover with her four little girls. There are six pages dedicated to a cover story on how her husband did not cheat on her. Honestly, who cares? For reasons that I cannot seem to comprehend, a lot of people apparently do. In the cover story, Teresa speaks of how Danielle Staub, the Devil of the New Jersey housewives, has tried to bombard her life with rumors and make it crumble like a burnt cookie. Danielle seems to have that effect on people. After reading the issue of the magazine, I went to Internet Explorer to check my e-mail, and on the aol.com homepage was a story about this horror show of a housewife. Consequently, I found out two things that I could not even begin to fathom: 1. She believes that she's the "Susan Lucci of reality t.v." and 2. It's actually legal for her to get a spin off show.


I am completely flabbergasted at how this could be possible. In the article, she is quoted saying, "It's gonna be all about me, my family, and the real Danielle Staub that my fans and loved ones have been dying to see." Firstly, fans?! Plural?! With an 's' at the end and everything?! Wow, she really must be delusional if she thinks she has more than one. Secondly, any fan that she does have will be gone faster than you can say "psychotic" if she shows them "the real Danielle." I'm not sure if Jenna Jameson herself could swallow a pill that big. She goes on to vow that she will be 100 percent real for the entire time on the new show. Uhh.. is she missing something? She was already part of a series called The REAL Housewives, and she couldn't even be authentic on that.


Whichever television channel is willing to air this spin off show is seriously mistaken. That would be like pressing the self-destruct button or summoning its own death sentence. There are television stars that people hate to love, love to love, and love to hate. Well, Danielle is one of the rare "stars" that people just plain hate. She's the kind of person who can irritate to no avail and even make a Care Bear fall into her web of insanity. I'm merely just making an estimated guess, but my spidey senses are telling me that this show isn't going to blow up anytime soon; it'll simply just blow... And so, I say 'boo' to the spin off. Danielle, do us all a favor, and please replace "spin" with another four letter word that comes to mind.