Ava Ryan is a Vine sensation and she's only 4 years old. She has more than 100,000 followers and has been written about in the Huffington Poster. Her mom, Vine user Katie Ryan, started taking the videos to share Ava's witty, hilarious moments with the family and Ava's fame quickly grew. And no wonder. She's such a ham, and can entertain for hours (trust me I've been sitting in the same spot watching her vines longer than I'd like to admit.)
People on Vine are becoming the new internet sensations (what we used to see coming from YouTube.) They're appearing on the Voice, in social media commercials, at signing events, and on talk shows. Ava hasn't reached this level of fame yet, though there is talk of her being featured on Ellen.
So why should you watch her?
She has quite a few characters (a 16 year old and a southern belle to name a couple) that she impersonates with perfection.
Like any four year old, she's unfiltered and says whats on her mind.
She could all teach us a lesson on how to handle embarrassing moments.
She's got great lifestyle tips.
And she's got the best career ideas.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
The Bullied Fights Back
Lizzie Velasquez was bullied online for her appearance and was dubbed the "world's ugliest woman." But instead of letting this crush her spirit she turned it around and has fought back by being successful. When she discovered the post she was 17. Since then she has graduated from college, written 3 self-help books, been interviewed by Barbara Walters, and gave a TED-talk.
She's now hoping to create a document called The Lizzie Project which will talk about the negative effects of bullying and how she rose above the hateful things people said. She is fighting against these bullies with success and has turned into a role model for people who have bullied. She has the support of so many people, including famous people like Hilary Duff and Kristen Bell.
Cyber bullying has extremely negative effects and usually results in the victim being ostracized, depressed, and in extreme cases may result in suicide. No matter what people said about Lizzie, she didn't let it destroy her. She even asks that people stop bullying the bullies. If more people had this approach to life, cyber-bullying may not be as popular- its hard to continuously bully someone when it doesn't phase them. I'm sure Lizzie still has critics and bullies saying awful things about her. But what is important is that she isn't a victim. She's thriving.
For the video, follow this link:
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/news/lizzie-velasquez-documentary?src=spr_TWITTER&spr_id=1440_61625226
Thursday, May 29, 2014
#YesAllWomen
The hashtag #YesAllWomen was hiding from me. I didn't know it existed, but now that I know it does I can't stop reading tweets with the hashtag. It provides an opportunity for awareness and hopefully a catalyst for change. I'm sure some are not worth reading into, but most of them are interesting and bold. And I love that. They're true and they're honest. Here's a glimpse:
“If more men said “don’t be that guy” to each other instead of “not all men” to women… what a wonderful world this could be.” #YesAllWomen
I shouldn't have to hold my car keys in hand like a weapon & check over my shoulder every few seconds when I walk at night #YesAllWomen
Zamurai Jack @ZAmmi
#YesAllWomen because "I have a boyfriend" is more likely to get a guy to back off than "no," because they respect other men more than women.
Adelaide Kane @AdelaideKane
Not ALL men harras women. But ALL women have, at some point, been harassed by men. Food for thought. #YesAllWomen
nita belegu @nitabelegu
#YesAllWomen because apparently the clothes I wear is a more valid form of consent than the words I say
Addie Wagenknecht @wheresaddie
Because men don't text each other that they got home safe. #YesAllWomen
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Cyber-bullying
Online bullying, and bullying in general really, are hard topics to discuss. We seem to believe if there are no tolerances, no excuses, and full punishment, we can take down the big bad monster called cyber-bullying. However, not one solution to this problem can encompass all scenarios and solve the problem. Each case of bullying should be treated individually, as each case is highly unique. Having an all encompassing rule/procedure for bullying will not be as effective as analyzing a customized solution for each case. After all, not bullies and victims are the same, so how can you justify using the same rules?
I think a big issue with cyber-bullying is that it is bullying brought to the surface. Everything is out in the open, on records which people cannot hide from. Bullying has always existed, and these issues have existed for some time - bullying hasn't gotten worse and kids haven't gotten meaner. They've just taken advantage of social media. Now, instead of kids in a school hearing rumors the bullying isn't contained. EVERYONE can see bullying happening and it can spread online like a virus. Too many people have liked videos posted on youtube of a victim being bullied, beaten up, or worse. Because of this, teens may feel even more helpless than before. The bullying will follow them - as it did Amanda Todd, even though she changed schools.
A huge part of the solution needs to be addressing the bully's issues as well as the victims. The victim is a victim, and should not be underestimated as anything less. However, a big reason they have become a victim most likely stems from the bully's insecurities and issues. Bullies should receive counseling - as a bigger problems could be the source of their actions. Needless to say, some form of punishment should still be executed as this is a serious issue in which actions need to be met with consequences. I don't think action being taken against bullying adds to the drama, but is rather a necessity to solve the problem. Parental involvement and teacher involvement doesn't seem to me like it could be harmful. If the right actions are taken to stop the bullying right away and make sure both the victim and bully receive help, I don't see how adult involvement could harm the situation.
I think a big issue with cyber-bullying is that it is bullying brought to the surface. Everything is out in the open, on records which people cannot hide from. Bullying has always existed, and these issues have existed for some time - bullying hasn't gotten worse and kids haven't gotten meaner. They've just taken advantage of social media. Now, instead of kids in a school hearing rumors the bullying isn't contained. EVERYONE can see bullying happening and it can spread online like a virus. Too many people have liked videos posted on youtube of a victim being bullied, beaten up, or worse. Because of this, teens may feel even more helpless than before. The bullying will follow them - as it did Amanda Todd, even though she changed schools.
A huge part of the solution needs to be addressing the bully's issues as well as the victims. The victim is a victim, and should not be underestimated as anything less. However, a big reason they have become a victim most likely stems from the bully's insecurities and issues. Bullies should receive counseling - as a bigger problems could be the source of their actions. Needless to say, some form of punishment should still be executed as this is a serious issue in which actions need to be met with consequences. I don't think action being taken against bullying adds to the drama, but is rather a necessity to solve the problem. Parental involvement and teacher involvement doesn't seem to me like it could be harmful. If the right actions are taken to stop the bullying right away and make sure both the victim and bully receive help, I don't see how adult involvement could harm the situation.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
How Social Media has changed the Red Carpet
For the better or worse? That's the real question. It's apparent that social media has changed the red carpet. But like most things social media, there are pros and cons to this change.
My reactions are to this article from Cosmo:
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/fashion/social-media-killed-red-carpets?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1440_56899268
"By the time anyone showed up to the ball and actually walked the red carpet, they felt like old news." Yes. This is a bit of a downer. Dresses and styles are no longer a surprise on the red carpet once celebrities actually get to the red carpet. However, my only argument would be that it is different seeing things in person and on film than through pictures on social media. So yes, you can see what they're wearing before they arrive, but usually not in a comprehensive picture.
"As stars get smarter about owning their images on Instagram and Twitter, their appearances and even interviews become considerably less meaningful as vehicles for self-promotion and image-molding." I see this as a positive thing, even though Cosmo has marked as something negative. It's like a job interview. The 45 minutes someone sees you for a job interview doesn't encompass your whole being and show off every aspect of your human being. But with social media, now we can get more information, pictures, and stay more up to date with our favorite celebrities than we could before. Whether thats positive or negative image building for the celebrity is up to them - what they post will affect how people see them and there is less privacy in the life of a celebrity.
"In this age, a single photo of an outfit or moment — even of something as mundane as Rihanna going to the grocery store — is an entire story." Everything is sensationalized. This is probably mostly a bad thing. Although its hard to say. It's good for the die-hard fans. But. They are being blown way out of proportion. Frankly, I'm more concerned with real life stories and issues than what Kim Kardashian wore today. It's annoying.
Which leads us too…."photos of them walking down a red carpet feel a lot less authentic and, frankly, boring." When we see our favorite celebrities in scandalous photos, yes red carpet pics may seem boring to some people. They definitely aren't as authentic as unfiltered photos. However, I think what celebrities wear is still exciting to see - then again I'm usually more focused on the actual dress/outfit than who's who and who's wearing what, another aspect probably "killed" by social media.
What are your reactions to the article? Do you agree or disagree?
Sunday, May 4, 2014
“This media we call social is anything but, when we open our computers and it’s our doors we shut”…
Check out this Video!
A few of my thoughts:
1. Overall a good point. I see it when I'm going to new places: my brothers are sometimes so wrapped up in their devices they don't look around.
2. I want to "look up" when I study abroad. Not because data costs a lot abroad or because I'm sightseeing, but just general day to day things. To get lost and find my own way rather than rely on my phone 24/7.
3. At family events I do see people sometimes so caught up on social media they don't converse - same goes to his point about commutes on the bus or running into some one on the street.
4. However, I think our arguments correlating children's curfews and the tighter constraints on them set by parents, afraid of stranger danger, is a great point, one he seems to overlook when he talks about less kids at the park or outside. On the other hand, I think the amount of young children who know how to use a smartphone or tablet and prefer it to outside games is getting a little ridiculous.
5. I don't agree that we are completely "unsocial," and that social media does the opposite of connect us and socialize us to other people. I can connect to other people I otherwise wouldn't be able to without current technology such as smartphones and Facebook. I do think that we need to step away from these devices when we are with friends or family, and use them only when we are alone or at home with free time.
What do you guys think?
Cybervetting
Cybervetting is increasing in popularity and causing increasing concerns. Lori Andrews, author of "I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy," argues that we should adopt a Social Network Constitution, to protect us from being judged by employers online.
According to Andrews, "it should say that social networks are private spaces and that employers, schools and other institutions are prohibited from accessing social network pages or taking adverse actions against a person based on anything they post on a social network." I think some people would fully support this proposal, because they would be given the freedom to post anything without any consequences in their career world.
However, I think this is a bit extreme. Social media sites do reflect who a person is, or who they want to be. Sometimes, posts and images can be interpreted out of context or taken the wrong way, or even be an extreme side of the person that isn't always true - such as partying. Employers should keep this in mind when viewing social media pages, but shouldn't solely judge the person based on it. At the same time, a social media network is a public place online - that's what is intended for and that's part of its use. If you don't want people to see a post or picture, make it private or don't put it up - it's as simple as that. Potential employers cannot see posts/pictures that are set to private, at all that takes is a change of a setting - not a constitution. If you aren't responsible enough to filter what the public sees or to hit a button that says private, I think employers have good reason not to hire you, as harsh as that sounds.
According to Andrews, "it should say that social networks are private spaces and that employers, schools and other institutions are prohibited from accessing social network pages or taking adverse actions against a person based on anything they post on a social network." I think some people would fully support this proposal, because they would be given the freedom to post anything without any consequences in their career world.
However, I think this is a bit extreme. Social media sites do reflect who a person is, or who they want to be. Sometimes, posts and images can be interpreted out of context or taken the wrong way, or even be an extreme side of the person that isn't always true - such as partying. Employers should keep this in mind when viewing social media pages, but shouldn't solely judge the person based on it. At the same time, a social media network is a public place online - that's what is intended for and that's part of its use. If you don't want people to see a post or picture, make it private or don't put it up - it's as simple as that. Potential employers cannot see posts/pictures that are set to private, at all that takes is a change of a setting - not a constitution. If you aren't responsible enough to filter what the public sees or to hit a button that says private, I think employers have good reason not to hire you, as harsh as that sounds.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
The Internet: Curse or Blessing?
A lot of what we have talked about in class so far has been about the negative and positive aspects in using the internet. Many people are nostalgic and adamant about "the good old days" before the internet being better, and our generation being flawed. In Boyd's Chapter "Researching Cybercultures" she brings up a very valid point: the internet has become overwhelming and searching through it has become a task in itself. Although I agree - searching for articles for research isn't easy and search engines don't always discriminate well - I also think this allows us to explore. We have huge access to amounts of information that wasn't always found at libraries. Sure, librarians can catalog and probably help you find something more specific to a topic than Google might be able to. But there are certain things you can't research so easily.
Take some examples:
Say there is a boy in small town Alabama, who is struggling with his sexuality and has no information on what this may mean in a larger context, or no examples to follow. The Internet has many articles about gay rights, other people to relate to who are gay, or could probably even answer some of his questions. But he wouldn't have been able to find those answers circa 1950 in a library.
Say someone is doing a project on human trafficking in the US. There are SO many more articles, news stories, hotlines, organizations, and tips online than in a library. There is some information a library can't provide you with (say a hotline to NHTRC - national human trafficking resource center - which by the way is 888-373-7888 & if you are interested in this topic I am passionate about it and would love to talk about it for DAYS.)
So yes, there is a lot of clutter. There are projects for school where utilizing librarians would probably be a better idea than consulting Google. The internet is full of crap. Yes. But it is also filled with research, information, and guidance for those issues and questions we have that we can't find in a library. Today, part of librarians job now includes helping students navigate through the clutter. But is it THAT big of a deal, that we'd want to sacrifice all the other information we have gained and go back to having only libraries at our disposal? I think it's worth the time and energy to search through the clutter than to give up a whole world of knowledge.
Take some examples:
Say there is a boy in small town Alabama, who is struggling with his sexuality and has no information on what this may mean in a larger context, or no examples to follow. The Internet has many articles about gay rights, other people to relate to who are gay, or could probably even answer some of his questions. But he wouldn't have been able to find those answers circa 1950 in a library.
Say someone is doing a project on human trafficking in the US. There are SO many more articles, news stories, hotlines, organizations, and tips online than in a library. There is some information a library can't provide you with (say a hotline to NHTRC - national human trafficking resource center - which by the way is 888-373-7888 & if you are interested in this topic I am passionate about it and would love to talk about it for DAYS.)
So yes, there is a lot of clutter. There are projects for school where utilizing librarians would probably be a better idea than consulting Google. The internet is full of crap. Yes. But it is also filled with research, information, and guidance for those issues and questions we have that we can't find in a library. Today, part of librarians job now includes helping students navigate through the clutter. But is it THAT big of a deal, that we'd want to sacrifice all the other information we have gained and go back to having only libraries at our disposal? I think it's worth the time and energy to search through the clutter than to give up a whole world of knowledge.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Google: A Negative or Positive Power?
Google is not just a search engine now. It has snuck its way into our multiple uses of the internet (mail, calendar, videos, blogging, and many more.) It does have a lot of power in our lives - I think I'd have a meltdown if Google stopped working for a week. As an office assistant, my entire job heavily relies on it and as a freelancer I wouldn't be able to function without my Google calendar keeping track of work hours and keeping in touch with clients. But does that mean it is a negative thing? No, not necessarily.
I'd like to think that this is one of those innovations that past generations fuss about but that ultimately, has a positive effect on people. Like when the typewriter came out and people thought that this type of technology would ruin writing and our "literacy" or "intelligence" or whatever their relatively silly argument was. And how the printing press by Gutenburg was challenged by multiple critics. And although they were right about some things - like the protestant reformation - but it also revolutionized our world. Ordinary people wouldn't have had access to the knowledge they did and we wouldn't have grown in the way we have without it.
I wouldn't feel as comfortable to wander the streets of Rome aimlessly and get lost during study abroad if I didn't have google maps on my phone to find my way home. People wouldn't be able to have meetings across the country through Google Hangout. And group papers may not be as easy if we didn't have Google Docs to share files and edit group projects. Google does have a lot of power in our lives, but it isn't GOOGLE we are reliable on, its the services they provide. If Google didn't exist, we'd probably be "addicted" to another site providing these services.
I think there are some concerns with privacy, and I've heard skeptics say that Google searches through your email. However, Google and other people on the internet cannot search out what you don't provide. So if you don't want people knowing where you live, don't provide that information. Also, I think there is a rightful concern for the Google Streetviews. It is one of the apps that I'm not sure is necessary. It would make sense to establish a street view for businesses and what surrounds them, so that people who are visual can place where the business is in a particular location, but there isn't a point to having residential views.
I'd like to think that this is one of those innovations that past generations fuss about but that ultimately, has a positive effect on people. Like when the typewriter came out and people thought that this type of technology would ruin writing and our "literacy" or "intelligence" or whatever their relatively silly argument was. And how the printing press by Gutenburg was challenged by multiple critics. And although they were right about some things - like the protestant reformation - but it also revolutionized our world. Ordinary people wouldn't have had access to the knowledge they did and we wouldn't have grown in the way we have without it.
I wouldn't feel as comfortable to wander the streets of Rome aimlessly and get lost during study abroad if I didn't have google maps on my phone to find my way home. People wouldn't be able to have meetings across the country through Google Hangout. And group papers may not be as easy if we didn't have Google Docs to share files and edit group projects. Google does have a lot of power in our lives, but it isn't GOOGLE we are reliable on, its the services they provide. If Google didn't exist, we'd probably be "addicted" to another site providing these services.
I think there are some concerns with privacy, and I've heard skeptics say that Google searches through your email. However, Google and other people on the internet cannot search out what you don't provide. So if you don't want people knowing where you live, don't provide that information. Also, I think there is a rightful concern for the Google Streetviews. It is one of the apps that I'm not sure is necessary. It would make sense to establish a street view for businesses and what surrounds them, so that people who are visual can place where the business is in a particular location, but there isn't a point to having residential views.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Bloggers on Blogging
I searched through many of the bloggers listed as available to us. Click after click after click. Nothing was catching my eye. When I stumbled across Heather Armstrong's page I finally found something that interested me. Here was a blogger that got me: a designer that wanted to write. Who understood the frustrations of clients and the need to stray away from Photoshop now and again. Although her life has changed since she started her blog, and she now writes a lot about raising a family, I found the beginning of her blogging story relatable, as I'm sure other parents find her story about raising a family relatable now.
Her reason for writing seems to be a reason most people start: for herself, for her family. She says she wants tell a story in a way that her family can feel as though they've witnessed an event as well - especially when it comes to her daughter. She wants to provide her perspective from small things and little occurrences in her everyday life - not big ideas such as political debates and grand gestures. Those are the things I enjoy reading about though. There is another blog called "Enjoying the Small Things" that I LOVE reading (and by love I mean I have become so enthralled by this story, I crawl into bed with my laptop and admire her pictures and story, and reading late into the night. It's like a giant, bestselling novel I can't put down.) The everyday life is relatable and doesn't require a background of knowledge in a specific topic. It's real.
I think the reason both of those blogs (Heather's and "Enjoying the Little Things") are successful is because they are honest. As Heather notes "I say things people are afraid to say." I think the interview helps unravel this idea, and shows the reasoning behind the blogger's writing. Even though we may see it and be able to identify it, hearing it first hand from the blogger hits the nail right on the hand and helps us new bloggers to understand it. And, hopefully, to find inspiration and reason from it.
Her reason for writing seems to be a reason most people start: for herself, for her family. She says she wants tell a story in a way that her family can feel as though they've witnessed an event as well - especially when it comes to her daughter. She wants to provide her perspective from small things and little occurrences in her everyday life - not big ideas such as political debates and grand gestures. Those are the things I enjoy reading about though. There is another blog called "Enjoying the Small Things" that I LOVE reading (and by love I mean I have become so enthralled by this story, I crawl into bed with my laptop and admire her pictures and story, and reading late into the night. It's like a giant, bestselling novel I can't put down.) The everyday life is relatable and doesn't require a background of knowledge in a specific topic. It's real.
I think the reason both of those blogs (Heather's and "Enjoying the Little Things") are successful is because they are honest. As Heather notes "I say things people are afraid to say." I think the interview helps unravel this idea, and shows the reasoning behind the blogger's writing. Even though we may see it and be able to identify it, hearing it first hand from the blogger hits the nail right on the hand and helps us new bloggers to understand it. And, hopefully, to find inspiration and reason from it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)