last question of the semester

I'm not entirely sold on the idea of television being a cool medium whereas the radio is a hot medium, as discussed in chapter 11. The text did not adequately address this idea and I found it wasn't articulated in way that fostered a great deal of credibility to the concept; I really don't like when textbooks do that. I also don't listen to any radio so it's a bit abstract to think about radio being hotter and more direct than the medium of television. The author used it as an illustration on mcluhan's theory of the medium is the message but the reader was left hanging on the hot/cool medium tie-in.

this class has been a blast. i'm off to write a history paper. have a great summer everyone!

chapter 13 question 2

One of the concepts I found quite interesting was the concept on the grapevine, an informal channel of communication. In a work context the grapevine can be an important means by which to keep abreast of what is actually going on at one's company. the nature of formal channels of communication makes it such that only the “official word” is given on a particular matter. Through the grapevine one may be able to discover information such as who has been reprimanded and why or whether there will be any layoffs. Many people take this activity as mere gossip, but chapter 8 advances the idea that the grapevine arises out of personal need because of the inadequacy of formal channels; that the grapevine can be an important and useful means of acquiring information and that grapevine information can be quite accurate. (trenholm, 224) Because the grapevine or gossip is frequently attributed to women, it's oftentimes undervalued when in actuality there's a lot of important information to be found in the grapevine.

Another concept of interest was that of withdrawal. Everyone has different ways of managing interpersonal conflict. I feel as though my style is a combination of engaging and withdrawal. Withdrawal was a pattern of behavior I learned growing up with a naughty brother whose actions I was to be accountable for as the oldest. Whenever I was about to do something wrong my immediate response was “I'm not getting involved.” I didn't was to get into a huge conflict with him over his bad behavior and preferred to discuss it with my mother. As an adult I've used withdrawal as a means of avoiding painful topics or as a means of stopping a conversation I don't want to have. I think understanding why people withdraw in interpersonal situations can help mediate conflict.

chapter 13 question 1

The most interesting research methodology seems lilke it would be ethnography where one observes behavior in its natural setting. I think it provides the most stimulating and interesting research possibilities. For example, ethnographers like Zora Neale Hurston was able to study the population of African Americans in Florida around the time of the Depression. While she's mostly known as an author, she was also an ethnographer. Other ethnographers have gone overseas to study primitive cultures which is also interesting. If I wanted to study some aspect of deception I might try and and use a survey with close ended questions and pose the following question: why do you think people commit identity theft? The group of people I would focus on would be individuals convicted of identity theft.

chapter11 question 3

I find mcluhans' idea that the medium is the message to have some merit. While the text sites the use of the media by american presidents dating back to roosevelt, I find that in the most recent presidential election, the power and use of the internet as a medium was unprecedented and irrevocably altered the way in which presidential races will be covered. The internet allows media outlet the means by which to continuously loop particular sound bits or news clips in a way television doesn't allow. The internet also allows more in depth coverage for certain news events that cannot be covered in a similar manner on television.

I'm not entirely sold on the idea of television being a cool medium whereas the radio is a hot medium. The text spends 3 sentences on this concept and I found it wasn't articulated in way that fostered by buying into the concept. I also don't listen to any radio so it's a bit abstract to think about radio being hotter and more direct than the medium of television. i'm interested to read what others think about this concept.

chapter11 question1

i enjoy cyberspace interactions but ain't nothing like the real thing.i have found it awkward to acquire "new friends" online. in the absence of f2f interaction it is virtually impossible to determine if people are being genuine about who they are. one of the good things about f2f interactions is that it gives one the tools to evaluate the whole person and not just words on a screen. body language and eye contact provide important contexts for understanding how someone feels and there's no way to replace that. and in light of the many murders that have occurred as a result of meeting on craigslist, i think my caution is warranted.

i also don't belief online "relationships" are real. as an adult, i think they fall more in the realm of make believe. people create an online persona in order to portray themselves in a given way. when i meet people online i keep in mind that whatever biographical information they give is most likely based in fantasy not reality. i think that there are people who get so caught up in their online community they lose the ability to connect with people in the real world.

chapter11 question3

one concept i found extremely interesting was that of the influence of television, which was covered in the beginning of the chapter. i've always had a love-hate relationship with television. as a woman of color whose worldview doesn't always coincide with the dominant culture, there are times i find television to be EXTREMELY troubling. i suppose i'm believer in the powerful effects model which theorizes that receivers of television are relatively passive, accepting the many messages tv is feeding them which in turn informs how one thinks. i think it important to remain vigilant and maintain an awareness of the biases involved in the production of television programs which is a for profit endeavor. i think the powerful effects model is ESPECIALLY true for children and young people, many of whom have yet to develop the critical thinking skills needed to negotiate the powerful messages television bombards them with.

i think it important to also mention the media in light of the u.s.public health emergency over the swine flu. the initial television reports i've seen are contributing to community panic. i've seen several reports suggesting that the best protection is to take tamiflu, a pharmacutical antiviral whereas the cdc website is offering measures such as washing one's hands, the use of hand sanitizer and the avoidance of public spaces where exposure might be high.

chapter8 question2

Cellular phones: My pet peeve is having to listen to overly loud and sometimes inappropriate cell phone conversations while commuting. It seems as though far too many people seems to forget the public is not their private home and maybe, just maybe other people are not interested in their private life. I also detest the number of people who attempt to drive and talk on their cellphones (HELLO HANDSFREE BECAME THE LAW LAST JULY) and act offended when you politely remind them not to run you over.
Answering machines: I have less of a problem with. As long as the message isn't more than 30 seconds I'm fine.
Conference Calls: I use them infrequently but through the use of Eluminate I generally remember to identify myself before speaking.
Faxes: I rarely fax.
Timing Communications: I detest telemarketers who conveniently call during the dinner hour. Very lame.
Screen names and ring tones: I think it's a good idea to have have multiple email accounts in order maintain one's individuality. I think there's a way to balance one's creativity with a more polished and mature image.
Call waiting doesn't bother me provided the person on the other end gives a heads up that they need to take another call and provided the conversation doesn't last more than a few minutes. If it does I simply hang up. Unless I'm talking to someone out of state, I don't place a real premium on lengthy phone conversations.