The Times They Are E-changin'

The end of 2009 is rapidly approaching and as we enter the new decade, social media will continue to alter the way we network, communicate and get informed. It seems as though most of the world is “logged on” nowadays. Businesses, organizations, even government officials have utilized what many of the 2.0 applications offer to our society; a faster way of connecting to one another. Whether we use the internet to read the latest news headlines, send and receive emails from all the various branches of our life or to “tweet” about what’s new in our lives, the future of social media will continue to affect each and every one of us.

Here are some highlights to what’s in my brain when I think of the future of social media and how it may affect our lives:

1.) “P.R.I.V.A.C.Y. is Priceless to Me”: When I look into my social media crystal ball, I see many changes facing the privacy issues on the internet. This issue has already been explored in many ways, however, due to the Facebook and Twitter boom, individuals may want to SERIOUSLY consider what they put out onto the web. Once it’s out there, it’s out there.

2.) Reliable Sources: The term most people use lately when they talk to someone who may not be informed on an issue is “Google it.” With an insane amount of information that can be found on virtually any topic on the net, I think society is going to have to be careful when gathering information. Anyone can post anything about anything. While I can see more collective informational sites, like Wikipedia continuing to thrive and connect people, I also think it’s important to continue to spread awareness about internet scams, hoaxes, and reliable news sources.

3.) Adaptation: Some people fear change. The one thing about the future in regards to society being online, all the time, that disturbs me is that there is always someone, somewhere who could be tracking your every move. This idea just doesn’t set right with me. I want to have a voice when it comes to survey participation or case studies and focus groups. If having a GPS application on my phone means that someone will always know exactly where I am, I’m not sure if I want to jump on that bandwagon. While societal behaviors are an important subject to research, I think when it comes to analyzing the masses through internet activity and social media applications; we need to proceed with caution, especially if it means that an individual could lose control of their identity.

Anything could be possible in the future. I thought by now we’d all be driving a car similar to that of the Jetson family. Guess I dropped the ball on that one. The advancement of technology in society can be used for so many fascinating things to help better our world. I hope that if laws are created in the future regarding internet issues they will not put too many limits on the very expression that makes social media as rewarding as it is.

Here's a link to a social networking site that displays much about what I spoke of in #3 regarding location:Whrrl

The Ladies Throne Journal

I've always had an obsession with reading the writing on the wall...literally. Maybe it’s because I love words and the way different people put them together. Maybe it’s because I admire unique handwriting, and the angles and directions the words seem to travel when given an empty space to invade. Or maybe it’s just because I find it much more interesting to read what the poets in women’s bathrooms all over the nation have to say, instead of listening to a crying jag outside the stall, brought on by an ex-boyfriend’s comments and some whiskey.

The women’s bathroom is almost always an experience, especially when it’s located in a place with alcohol, live music and men. These three factors alone can be a woman’s best friend one minute and her worst nightmare the next. It’s a place where women escape to gossip, bitch, cry, laugh, puke, reapply dull makeup, smoke up, criticize, caution, console and last but not least, pour their hearts out to strangers. This leads to the importance of reading what’s written on the wall.

What’s written on the stall walls around you can be quite enlightening if you take a moment to soak it all in. I will say that I always find it helpful to carry various colors of Sharpie markers, just in case you feel inspired to leave some type of insignia or words of wisdom to the stall walls around you. There’s always a constant stream of communication happening, and I’m not referring to “breaking the seal” after you’ve had 5 rum and cokes (feels like eternity!) or the toilet paper train you’ve got going on as you exit the stall sanctuary.

I’ve began to snap photos of the words I find in various bathrooms all over the place. Incredibly strange? Probably. I look at it as a fun way to document candid thoughts. It’s always interesting how the women by the sinks or in the other stalls, who continuously chitchat between the barriers, become very quiet after I take a picture inside my stall with my flash on. I chose to include the photo above to share in this post. I took it without the flash on, because I felt it would better describe what is said…

”I’m going to do it again tonight.”

Who hasn’t been there, right in that moment? The words could have been written with an entirely different meaning, but just like the lyrics in a song, connections can be drawn from a thousand different avenues. So next time you’re in an interesting looking stall, take a few minutes to read the writing on the wall…unless there’s a long line, in which your lingering could have very scary, confrontational consequences with very scary, confrontational , drunk women.

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Who doesn't love a good, old-fashioned ghost story? Story-telling is something we are all accustomed to and is a primary source of the way human beings communicate. Whether it’s our grandparents telling us an old, “back in the day” story or a 10 year old child sharing a tale straight from the imagination that many of us lose as we grow older, story-telling captures our attention...especially when it's about the unexplainable!

Ghost stories generate in many places throughout the world and exist in many different cultures. I’ve always had an interest in myths, legends and folklore, all of which are tagged with interesting ghost stories. Almost every person we come across could probably tell us about a time when they were spooked by something they couldn’t explain or understand. Others have a more science-based approach as to why people may feel as they do in places, or see things that appear abnormal. In recent years, “ghost hunting” has become more and more popular for both believers and skeptics. There are some areas around Western New York that are said to be “ghost magnets” and are home to very strange phenomena.

So, just in time for Halloween, I’ve created this light-hearted video to get us all in the Halloween spirit. It includes a few familiar faces and ends with a good, old-fashioned ghost story. I’ve also included a link below to a segment of a video that I watched a few years back regarding the haunted history and folklore surrounding our area. Mason Winfield, an author, folklorist, researcher and "supernatural historian,” is the host and creator and the video is called “The Phantom Tour.” Enjoy!



Link: The Phantom Tour

My video can also be found:
YouTube link
Vimeo link

Following the "Wiki-Way"

So here’s the deal: I never used Wikipedia, contributed to Wikipedia nor took the time to familiarize myself with the application…until these past few weeks. Instead of viewing it as a more of a collaborative process, I had this stereotype in my head telling me that all the information included on these sites were inaccurate and fabricated. After really diving into the whole process, trying to figure out exactly how it all worked, I have a better understanding of how altruistic these applications can be.

Faye and I decided we wanted to create a Wiki site for The Great Pumpkin Farm and thought it would be best to create this on BufWiki due to its small, community-type atmosphere and specific ties to our city. Plus, it was just in time for October, so we also hoped this would benefit those interested in heading out to Clarence to participate in all the festive activities The Great Pumpkin Farm has going on. When I first began the process of familiarizing myself with the site, I got really frustrated. It wasn’t easy for me to navigate and I had trouble trying to upload my photos in the correct format. Faye figured this out a lot faster than I did, and so she created the skeleton for the site and tossed in a few pictures to make it pretty.

Our main way of communicating to one another about the status of our Wiki was via email. If one of us added something to the site, we would drop a line to one another asking for some feedback, suggestions, etc. We decided early on to divide the information up and do research about certain aspects of The Great Pumpkin Farm, so we would have a diverse and very informative presentation for viewers to explore. Communicating this way seemed to work effectively for us, as our schedules were completely different.

Most of the information we chose to include on our site was directly from the official website for The Great Pumpkin Farm. The variety of activities displayed, as well as admission prices and hours were key factors to include, giving readers just a slice of what they can expect headed to this place. Our collaborative research and additions to our Wiki made me realize that this form of communication in society really can be altruistic.

These new forms of social communication using a Web 2.0 application such as Wikipedia can be beneficial to those who utilize and contribute information on the sites. According to the Royal and Kapila article, Wikipedia “is more a socially produced document than a value-free information source. It reflects the viewpoints, interests, and emphasis of the people who use it.” That statement is the meat and potatoes of what sites like Wikipedia are generating for our society. It’s open, and people are free to make additions if they so please. Will it be filled with inaccuracies and fabrications? Maybe. However, there are so many eyes viewing these pages all the time that the false information that may exist in a certain entry will in time be corrected by someone.

The studies in the Royal and Kapila article also show that more information is provided and collaborated on when it comes to more modern-day topics. This is because the majority of the people using and viewing Wikipedia are younger and/or more internet-savvy. They also wrote about a study finding the majority of the content included on the site was directed towards pop-culture and science fiction, instead of history. This is another example that sheds light on who is contributing.

Anyone can submit information to a Wiki site. They remain anonymous, receive no pat on the back, and don’t get paid for any of their contributions. There are existing arguments that ask whether users are being selfish or collaborating for the good of mankind, passing knowledge on to those who can benefit from it. After reading the Prasarnphanich and Wagner article, studies show that the Wiki process is dominated by those with altruistic motives.

I think this quote by a Wikipedian captured what this article was all about: “The articles I help edit are immediately available to seekers of information. These benefits are immediate and they benefit the entire community. As time goes by, this worth will only increase as other people come across Wikipedia for the first time.”

So why follow the “Wiki way” and what makes it so unique? The Prasarnphanich and Wagner article mentioned several characteristics that Wikipedia has, making it dynamic. I also wanted to connect my experience collaborating on our Wiki on The Great Pumpkin Farm under some of these features.

* Collective Authorship: The web documents and content within them are owned by all who contribute to them as well as edit the existing information. Faye and I both contributed to our Wiki, adding information we knew about the place by conducting research. In time, I’m sure more users will add or edit some of the information, as The Great Pumpkin Farm is sure to change as well.

* Instant Publication: Once a Wikipedian hits “save” the information is accessible to all. This notion is as simple as it gets.

* Versioning: This feature enables users to view prior versions of whatever document they are researching, in case of “accidental content destruction or vandalism.”

* Simplicity of Authorship: You don’t have to be a computer whiz to figure out how to publish anything on a Wiki site. If there is any confusion as to what you want to add, there are always links to go to that offer explanation and examples.

The “Wiki-way” was something that I was not familiar with before this assignment. After creating a Wiki site, and learning some of the terminology and ideology about the Wikipedia world, I think it’s a great application that exists in our society. With more and more information being accessed solely online, the benefits of this application can be great, as long as we continue to filter and edit the information that may be added inaccurately. All of the features that are included within a Wiki document show signs of this being a truly altruistic learning and collaborative process.


The Great Pumpkin Farm Wiki

An interesting Wikipedia blog

One Cool Cat

This is Morris, my tabby cat. He may have a regular name, but he is one of the most eccentric pets I've ever had. Have you ever looked your animal in the eyes and swear that they know what your thinking? I don't want to sound like a crazy cat lady, but I really do think that animals are in tune to what emotion their owner is going through at any given moment.

So his story began in a box with all of his brothers and sisters, that were abandoned on the side of a road somewhere far away. When the SPCA took him in at 8 weeks old, weighing only a pound, he had an upper respiratory infection, his paws were all infected and he had a large umbilical hernia...he wasn’t in the greatest shape.

Time went by, he was good as new and then he met Craig and I. We wanted a friend for our cat Ellie, who was 4 at the time, and needed a playmate when we weren’t home. She loves when there’s company. When we walked into the SPCA, we immediately saw Morris (who was named Chip at the time) and fell in love with him. As we approached the cage, his little paw poked through the metal bars to give us a swat. It was very apparent at that moment that he loved to play. After taking him out and holding him for a bit, we also found he loved to cuddle. Craig and I didn’t even bother to look at the other adorable kittens...we knew he belonged with us.

The rest is history. Morris is now 2 years old, and he serves not only as a friend for Ellie, but is our source of entertainment most nights. He loves to watch Sabres games (or should I say follows the puck as it slides across the ice) and is our alarm clock everyday, persistently licking our faces at 6:30 every morning because he is ready for breakfast. I guess we never have to worry about waking up late!

When you have pets in your life there’s always funny stories to share with others. Morris makes me smile everyday. He greets me when I come home with a meow, as he rolls back and forth on his back against the carpet, glaring up at me. Much like a version of a favorite stuffed animal a child clings to when they’re upset, Morris does that for me as an adult. He’s a good listener, and loves us unconditionally. Whether that has to do with us feeding him and petting him everyday or not, loyalty like that is hard to come by.

Social Media at Your Fingertips

I”ll be the first to admit that I am still learning the ins and outs of computer technology. I have a MySpace and a Facebook site. I have never tweeted on Twitter, but I’m sure that’s bound to happen at some point. When I need a laugh, I know I can instantly log on to YouTube and watch an old Seinfeld episode, without having to wait until later that night to catch a rerun on cable. For the past few years, I’ve been reading the news headlines online and throwing a hard-copy of the newspaper in a collective stack in a basket on my floor. I get to them eventually because no matter how modern our society is becoming, there’s nothing like the smell of ink and newsprint as you sit in your most comfortable chair, absorbing words.

The articles I have read the past few days on Web 2.0 were foreign to me. I actually had to read them twice. Once I got the terminology down, I thought I had a pretty good grasp as to what I was absorbing. Hopefully.

So here’s my take on Web 2.0 and how it effects us personally as well as a society:

1.) Blog your little heart out. Have a crazy neighbor like so many of us do? Share it in your blog, sit back and watch how many other users will comment on how they also share your pain. You may even get tips on how to handle them! Hosting a dinner party for the first time and freaking out about it? Vent on your blog, and watch how fast the hostess-with-the-mostess eases your tension. Chances are she’ll give you a great recipe. My point is, Web 2.0 applications make it possible for us to read one another’s blogs and let us reach out to people from all over for tips on surviving dinner parties.

2.) Information sensation! How many times a day do we use Google? Exactly. This application and all of its branches allow us to search for anything our hearts desire. It highly maximizes the content search aspect of Web 2.0 and makes everything very accessible to users. Just Google it!

3.) Collaboration and Convergence in the media. Backpack Journalists are on the rise and newspapers are cutting costs and employees. Society is participating in news and information more than ever because of Web 2.0 applications. Feedback on articles on newpaper sites are generating a voice and sometimes full out debates. Journalism and the way we get information is changing. Although there’s a debate as to whether we’re all Journalists now, one thing is for sure: Web 2.0 is having a major impact on the media industry.

4.) Isolation. This is the one aspect of Web 2.0 applications and computer technology in general that frightens me the most. There are many people out there who do nothing but sit on their computers night and day and do whatever it is they do. I’m not referring to those who make a living working with computers. It’s the constant need to be connected that sets these people apart from the real world. Social interaction and the skill set you learn just by having a face-to face conversation could be in danger due to internet addiction. While it’s important to embrace change and how far we’ve come to utilize the latest computer technology, it’s also imperative that we instill real-world, social interaction among the younger generations of users.

Overall, Web 2.0 has generated an entirely new approach to social media, using applications such as MySpace, Facebook and Google. Information is more accessible and social networking is rapidly expanding. These applications, as well as the change in societal communication has forced the media to take on new platforms to keep their heads above water. We’re living in a time where we and our communities can greatly benefit from the instant gratification of getting the information we want within seconds. However, we can’t allow ourselves to become zombies and become numb to the very real world that’s around us.