FINAL BLOG POST

This class was by far the most energetic, fun class I have taken at UT. I had so much fun doing the group project's with my partners and I was able to get to know them better. I enjoyed doing the map of UT on campus as well as going downtown with my group to do the Vine project. We watched some great movies in this class that taught me a lot about the Internet. Technology keeps advancing everyday and society will advance along with it. I would definitely recommend this class! The course was fun and Professor Cox-Brown is amazing!

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Takeaways

I found this book to be a very hard read and I do not continue to finish it. Unfortunately, I lost interest in the book after just a few pages. The way Hitchens writes was difficult for me to understand and the layout of the book seemed to be confusing.

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Chapter 9

All of Chapter 9, Hitchens shares his religious views. He has tried to understand religious views but cannot understand their moral standards. Nothing in this section particularly stood out to me because of my own personal views.

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Chapter 8

Chapter 8 is quite short but all very important. Hitchens shares how he keeps himself in mental check. He shares his issue with the New York Times as well as his frustrations.

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Chapter 7

A part that stood out to me in Chapter 7 was, "We are an adaptable species and this adaptability has enabled us to survive. However, adaptability also constitute a threat; we may become habituated to certain dangers and fail to recognize them until it's too late." This statement is important because it describes us as a society as a whole. We do get comfortable too quick and that can lead to a problem. We should all be more aware of everything going on around us instead to adapting to things to quickly.

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Chapter 6

At the end of chapter 6, Hitchens writes,"You may not always have the energy to combat each of them every time; you may find that you want your husband and conserve your resources for a better cause or a more propitious day." This stood out in the chapter because it holds truth to the fact you can't always win every argument. In life you need to decide which battles are worth fighting for and which are not.

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Chapter 5

In this chapter, Hitchens writes, "In an average day, you may well be confronted with some species of bullying or bigotry, or some ill-phrased appeal to the general will, or some pretty abuse of authority. If you have a political loyalty, you may be offered a shady reason for agreeing to a lie or a half-truth that serves some short-term purpose. Everybody devises tactics for getting through such moments; try behaving "as if" they need not to be tolerates are are not inevitable". This stands out as good advice because excuses will be made for reasoning. You should keep true and stick to your beliefs.

Project #4 Overview

Project #4 was really fun!!! My job for the project was editing. This was clearly my biggest challenge. I was able to work on my editing skills and I was able to get more familiar with the updated iMovie. My group made an awesome cake and I had fun with the project overall!

Other Project #4 Pictures

Project #4 Final Blog Entry

My part of this project was mainly editing the video. After Alex and Erica baked they sent me the clips to my computer so I was able to make a movie out of it using iMovie. It was difficult to crop and do other editing to the video but after a few hours I was able to get it done. The baking took about an hour and a half and editing took several hours. It is not the best editing work I have done but it was the best I could do since the clips were shot from a phone. The final product looks delicious and I can't wait to try it in class tomorrow with the rest of the class!!! Here is the link to our FINAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STbujW-SAgY

Project #4 Week 2 Blog Entry

The hardest part of this project thus far is figuring out timing and a good time to meet and work on the project. Because we are doing baking we can't physically make the product of the project until this weekend so we are able to bring it into class. This past Friday Erica and Alex were able to do most of the baking. They then sent me the clips to edit.

Project #4 Week One Blog Entry

My partners and I, Alex and Erica, came up with the idea of baking a bunch of exciting, colorful, fun desserts that we will be able to bring into the class. So far, we have just been brainstorming about the project and what kind of desserts we would like to make. We were thinking a tie dye cake or cupcakes. We have decided we will be doing baking for the project one or two nights before it is due so we can bring them in fresh for the class! I have been looking on Pinterest for tie dying ideas and it looks like it will be really fun to make. Personally, I love making Oreo truffles but I have not yet mentioned it to my group but I will on Wednesday during class.

Terms and Conditions May Apply Reflection

After watching the documentary, Terms and Conditions May Apply, I have become more aware to what I am actually agreeing to when I press that Accept button. It is a little concerning that Google does not have their original user agreement archived online. Even though this is potentially a problem, I still think that every Terms and Conditions basically say the same thing. They all basically state that the website/company has full rights to all of the information you supply them with. When it comes down to "Is it worth your "immortal soul"",I think the statement is a bit excessive. I honestly don't necessarily have a problem with them knowing my information. We should already know as a society that once something is on the Internet, it is there forever and is accessible to everyone. When it come's to the federal government, I don't think we should be overly concerned. Yes, the government can see what we are doing, but I know they honestly don't care what I am specifically doing. I am glad the government is able to monitor what goes on, on the web because it is for the safety of our country. I don't have anything to hide that would potentially harm our country, so why should I care? On the other hand I think the government should make it clearly known what they are looking at and when. People should know what the government is capable of.

Project #3

Project #3 was extremely fun. My group and I went downtown and bought some peeps (which were 50 cents). We filmed in a water fountain and had fun with it. A challenge we faced as a group was a lot of weird looks by people walking around downtown, especially families. We just ignored everyone which was funny. By doing this project I was able to learn how to use Vine better. I am in fact, a big Vine fan but I never make my own. Maybe now that I have the skills I will.

Viral Video

I found this video funny because of the way it was shown on TV. Because this was shown on a news station it made the video seem "important". There is an element of sarcasm because it is hard to take the man seriously while he was explaining the situation. The video definitely contains the element of laughter and ethnic and minority presence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNhaLUT520

The Internship Blog Post 3

If I was shrunk to the size of a nickel and was in a blender with the blades about to start moving I would do exactly what Google is telling me to do. After GOOGLING this, apparently my density would be the same and I would still have the same muscle power as being regular size, so I would still be able to jump out.

The Internship Blog Post 2

The work ethic in the movie, The Internship, seems like it is very effective. Google's core values are why they are some efficient in what they do. They have a more laid-back work ethic. With that employees are more comfortable in their work setting leading them to be more creative, and work harder. I think Google would be an amazing place to work. Creativity would be all around developing great ideas.Below I listed the "Ten things we know to be true" by Google. Focus on the user and all else will follow. It’s best to do one thing really, really well. Fast is better than slow. Democracy on the web works. You don’t need to be at your desk to need an answer. You can make money without doing evil. There’s always more information out there. The need for information crosses all borders. You can be serious without a suit. Great just isn’t good enough.

The Internship Blog Post 1

After seeing the movie the Internship, Google, seems like a great place to work. Google seems like a very open ended, creative place to work. The way Google is run with its employees is a reflection on the feedback they get from their product, the search engine. There are endless opportunities through using Google on the web as well as working for Google.

GPS Art

My group and I decided to make a "U" and a "T" to show some Spartan pride for our GPS art project. This project was really fun especially because of the people I was able to work with. The project was difficult at times while trying to make it most accurate. Our group had to climb through bushes, climb over fences and much more. This was definitely a fun project that got us out on our feet and was a great experience.

Meme Analysis

I made this meme because I thought it was completely relevant to everyone in the class. I think that someone spitting out food completely describes the University of Tampa dining. The meme is relevant and humorous.

Food Critic Tampa Podcast

Internet Art: Chapter 1

The internet is a great place where everyone has access to view world news and other important updates. A section of this chapter, tells how easy it has become to view images and text. In 1995, one of the earliest projects became public on the Internet, The Hiroshima Project. The author of this installation, Akke Wagenaar, used the web to make an interactive installation to show the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Wagenaar was able to display this project at Arts Electronica which showed many different views about the event. His work was later taken off the web in ’96. In ’97, a similar project was launched. Many other authors began to use this technology to display their work.

Another part of this chapter talks about Cyberfeminism. Cyberfeminism was a field of practice talking about gender, class and race, which informed society via the web. Feminist, Faith Wilding, noted the transformation of Feminism onto the web. The web became a place of freedom, where anyone can portray self image.

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Chapter 3

In this chapter, Hitchens talks about how life is always inconsistent, changes and there is always question of what happens next. “Wherever life exists, there also is inconsistency, division, strife.” Hitchens is saying that no matter what there is always uncertainty. In the chapter, Hitchens gives several examples to prove his point. “One admires the Greek style for its quite emphasis on symmetry and balance, but then what is the balance is tipped and the time disjointed?” Hitchens is proving the inconsistency with different beliefs. A quote from the Dalai Lama is in this passage. “I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.” Note that in his quote he uses the term “I think”. Hitchens goes on to talk about the contradiction of this statement, he states, “The odd thing is that in the last sentence the words “I think” are inserted, as if in compliment to the old-fashioned and materialistic notion that the human brain might have a say.”

Podcast Response

Because podcasts have not been advertised much, I have not been exposed to them. I never hear people talking about podcasts or see them advertised anywhere. After watching the video in class about the popularity of podcasts, I was able to see how popular they actually are. I learned that most podcasts have a target audience. I dont think there are many out there that would relate to my age, gender and interests. After doing some research in class, I found some local podcasts that are aired on the local radio stations. I think if podcasts were advertised more on social networks targeted to my age group, I would be able to find interests in them. According to the video in class, podcasting has a future in the community.

Internet Art: Introduction

The Introduction to this book gives a lot of information on the individuals that first developed ideas for computers and other technologies. Charles Babbage, a mathematician from the nineteenth-century, developed programs. Later on, John Stuart Mill and Karl Marx further developed this idea. Technology would not be where is is today without the invention of programs. Because of Babbage, others were able to write instructions for engines to use. Augusta Ada King was able to construct instructions that were later used by the United States Department of Defense. Babbage is known to be the father of the first mechanical computer.

A big leap in technology was when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozinak developed the Macintosh in 1984. Once the Macintosh was developed they were able to compete with PC by IBM. The Macintosh was the first computer to have clickable icons, instead of having to type out instruction to the computer. This development led to the inventions of the mouse and many word processors for computers. The Macintosh changed technology into what it is today. We have become so advanced in just 20 years because of the Work of Jobs and Wozinak.

Both of these inventors contributed greatly to what we have today. The world and technology would be completely different without them and their inventions.

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Chapter 2

In chapter 2, Hitchens writes about Rilke, a fellow writer. He tells about advice Rilke has given which really speaks to me. "For under the influence of serious Things it will either fall away from you (if it is something accidental), or else, (if is is really innate and belonged to you) it will grow strong, and become a serious tool and take its place among the instruments which you can form your art with." This advice is true. He is saying that if something is meant to be it will happen. When a writer has a creative block, its not the end of the world, but rather will serve as inspiration later on.

Project #1 Reflection

The biggest challenge I faced with Project #1 was fulfilling the 40 ideas that I originally had come up with. I did manage to cover almost half and was able to explain myself pretty well through those photos. I learned that I am able to reflect who I am and how I feel by not taking a selfie.

Project #1 Photographs

Letters to a Young Contrarian: Preface, Introduction, and Chapter One response

In Letters of a Young Contrarian, Christopher Hitchens talks about how society reacts when people share there opinions about something that can be considered not a part of the social norm. In Chapter One he writes, "It could be understood from them that society, like a benign family, tolerates and even admires eccentricity". In my opinion this means that society's attention is caught when something debatable is brought forward, something that grabs attention. In another part of the chapter, Hitchens makes a relevant point. Referring to the term "free thinker", "they thought that they were defending an organic, harmonious and ordered society against nihilism, and they deployed this contemptuous word against those they regarded as the diseased, the introspective the disloyal and the unsound. The word hasn't completely lost this association and even now, though it is less frequently used as an insult". He makes a great point with this statement. It is true that people today are still criticized for their opinion's. Although you are not considered "diseased" or "disloyal" by society for stating your opinion, people are still patronized. In the last paragraph of Chapter One, Hitchens makes a valid point that you can't control what your opinion is, its just a part of who you are.

Project Update

As of now I have over 20 posts on my Instagram account for the project, but I have not fulfilled all of the categories that I hope I can before the end of the project. So far I have work, school, nature, food, health, fitness, landscape, music, photography, involvement, decoration, design, artwork and water. I noticed that I have many pictures that have to do with landscape, nature and food.

Brainstorming

After doing a little research I have come up with many general ideas that I would like to incorporate into my Instagram project. Here are 40 of them; work, school, nature, adventure, food, health, fitness, clean eating, landscape, friends, music, fashion, photography, crafting, black and white, family, love, skills, technology, architecture, transportation, relaxation, involvement, decoration, design, weather, something beautiful, a need, a luxury, daily tasks, something that I am grateful for, an outing, events, something I can't live without, artwork, a memory, a high angle, a low angle,water, something peaceful

Generation Like

After watching Generation Like, I do believe that you are what you "like". You like videos/posts/etc according to what you are interested in. When others see what you like they are able to see what you like to do and what you are interested in. Based on that, others are exposed to new posts and videos as well. Honestly, I don't mind the fact that others are able to make money off of what I "like" or my interests. I do think everyone does get a sense of empowerment from the power of the like. It gives you a sense of popularity and that people actually care what you are interested in and doing on social media.

Thoughts on Buzzfeed

Buzzfeed is a website and an app many college students use. Often there are articles from their website posted onto FaceBook that are relevant to the current entertainment gossip. The website also has fun quizzes that I know a lot of my Facebook friends use and then share with one another. In the past, I have shared quizzes and articles to my Facebook page and have gotten feedback on them from friends.. I always proceed to read/watch something that someone else believed was worthy of posting.

Google Response

Monitoring what you post on social media is extremely important. Even if you have an account private, there is always a way to find a way in. Employers today constantly check employees social media to ensure their professionalism. Before hiring people, many companies will check social media for anything that would be considered inappropriate. After googling myself, there is one picture on Google Images of myself. There is nothing on my social media that would refrain me from receiving a job. Making sure your social media is clean is very important.

Week One Assignment

Hi! I'm Sarah Kaplan and I am a Sophomore here at the University of Tampa. I'm from Long Island, New York and I chose to come to Tampa because of the warm weather and for the great Education program that is offered here (even though I am no longer an Education major).  I love vacationing, snowboarding, and boxing. I am a member of Alpha Chi Omega here on campus, where I hold several positions. In the past I have worked at a day camp and a party place for children. On campus, I am the current social chair for our chapter, part of the recruitment team, and a facilitator for monthly meetings. I also work at the front desk of my building here at school. I am currently a Communications major with a concentration in Communication studies and a double minor in Advertising and Criminal Investigation. I am not quite sure what direction I want to take this as of now. I love working with children and I have a great interest in Criminology. I want to get to know the communications and advertising world better throughout my college experience. I am taking several communications and advertising classes right now to give me a better idea of what I am interested in. This class seems exciting and I believe it will help me learn more skills. I am excited to blog and learn more skills such as distribution and manipulation. I'm hoping this class will give me some direction on what career path I want to go down.