Re-visiting the posts from my last semester in college have somewhat invigorated me. Not only do they recall my past passions but this small collection serves as a reminder that the path I am on right now, and have been on for the past year, is not the one for me. I have lost all sense of what it was to be fiercely devoted to my beliefs.
What still remains is my lack of direction and my lust for social events. Lovely.
I went from one pointless job to another. And took a pay cut. Super.
I've been in and out of a relationship. I've lived in three different Chicago apartments. Great.
None of this is adding up to much. No self-betterment (what ever happened to learning Spanish? Getting a certificate in non-profit management?). No activism (what ever happened to Americorps? Volunteering?). Basically a whole lot of "nothing" for the past three years. Fine.
So what's next? That's a challenge. Seems to be the ultimate challenge for me. As someone who lacks the willpower to get motivated and move on, as someone who would rather just live with the pleasantries and not take a gamble. No, I'm not much of a gambler. Never was.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
let the reading begin ... (or more appropriate - continue)
Paid the local library a visit ... none of the fiction on my list was on the shelf so here I was, back to to non-fiction (old habits die hard... or can you not teach an old dog new tricks? I think both apply).
I left with the following...
The Bush Dyslexicon : Observations of a National Disorder (Mark Crispin Miller)
Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream (A. Duany, E. Plater-Zyberk, & J. Speck)
Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity (L. Lessig)
I finished Suburban Nation in what amounted to several hours -- it was a quick read and incredibly interesting. Not to mention a reminder why I want to go into urban planning and policy (that area of study possesses the capacity to combine most, if not all, of my academic interests into something tangible and more importantly useful).
I don't know if I will finish the other two before I leave Urbana, only because I think these last two days will be filled with seeing friends and packing up.
I have also received quite a few recommendations that I will look into upon returning to the north suburbs.
Reaction to suburban nation to follow shortly, in the meantime ... I must tend to a few things, away from the computer.
I left with the following...
The Bush Dyslexicon : Observations of a National Disorder (Mark Crispin Miller)
Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream (A. Duany, E. Plater-Zyberk, & J. Speck)
Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity (L. Lessig)
I finished Suburban Nation in what amounted to several hours -- it was a quick read and incredibly interesting. Not to mention a reminder why I want to go into urban planning and policy (that area of study possesses the capacity to combine most, if not all, of my academic interests into something tangible and more importantly useful).
I don't know if I will finish the other two before I leave Urbana, only because I think these last two days will be filled with seeing friends and packing up.
I have also received quite a few recommendations that I will look into upon returning to the north suburbs.
Reaction to suburban nation to follow shortly, in the meantime ... I must tend to a few things, away from the computer.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
the FCC has surprised me with this one...
cheers.
FCC COMMISSIONER DECRIES 'COMMERCIALIZATION OF MEDIA'
Rails Against 'Fake News' and 'Relentless Marketing'
May 25, 2005
By Ira Teinowitz
WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- A member of the Federal Communications Commission, Jonathan S. Adelstein, today warned about the "increasing commercialization of American media" and called on his agency to toughen its requirements and expand its investigations into the practice of product placement.
FCC commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein called for stricter product placement disclosure rules.
"People out there are frustrated by what they see as fake news and relentless marketing," Mr. Adelstein told the Media Institute, a nonprofit agency specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment. "The use of covert commercial pitches is penetrating deeper and deeper into our media."
Product-placement disclosure
Mr. Adelstein said he would like the FCC to mandate a clearer placement format that assures increased screen time at the end of TV shows to list product placements. He drew an analogy to political ads, which the FCC require carry sponsorship information on-screen for at least four seconds. He also said the FCC should step up its investigations into failures to disclose placements.
Normally, the FCC requirements covering product integration and placement are handled during a show's closing credits, for instance, when producers acknowledge that a host's clothing or a car has been furnished by a retailer or marketer. But those disclosures can flash by in fractions of a second, and local stations can cut into the credits, splitting the screen in half and rendering the type all but unreadable. Mr. Adelstein called for greater prominence of the disclosures and that the disclosures are being made.
Some advertising critics have called for even bolder measures, requiring some kind of on-screen alert whenever a product appears in programming, instead of a listing at the end of the show.
Paid 'experts'
Mr. Adelstein was especially critical of video news releases and so-called experts, from chefs to celebrities, who appear on news shows to endorse particular products without disclosing they are being paid by marketers for their efforts.
Mr. Adelstein referred to recent examples of government video news releases running without disclosure and to two April Wall Street Journal reports. In one, a former Child magazine technology editor, James Oppenheim, appeared on local stations to review educational toys and electronics without any disclosure he was being paid to tout a particular toy. In the second, the paper raised questions as to whether chefs on cooking shows adequately disclosed their sponsorships.
He called for the FCC to launch investigations into the practice of undisclosed paid endorsers.
Interactive marketing to children
He also called for a ban on "t-commerce," or television-commerce, aimed at children. He said the term refers to interactive electronic links that allow children to jump from TV shows to purchasing products.
"Given that children do not always understand a division between advertising and programming -- let alone product placement that seamless weaves the two together -- I believe that now is the time to stop the development of t-commerce directed to children dead in its tracks. Digital TV ... should not provide wealth to advertisers at the expense of children and their parents."
Adonis Hoffman, senior vice president and general counsel for the Association of American Advertising Agencies, said the group supports reasonable disclosure of product placement but only in instances where shows feature product claims and said there needs to be "a healthy discussion" about t-commerce and children. He said he believed older children understand the difference between advertising and programming.
FCC COMMISSIONER DECRIES 'COMMERCIALIZATION OF MEDIA'
Rails Against 'Fake News' and 'Relentless Marketing'
May 25, 2005
By Ira Teinowitz
WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- A member of the Federal Communications Commission, Jonathan S. Adelstein, today warned about the "increasing commercialization of American media" and called on his agency to toughen its requirements and expand its investigations into the practice of product placement.
FCC commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein called for stricter product placement disclosure rules.
"People out there are frustrated by what they see as fake news and relentless marketing," Mr. Adelstein told the Media Institute, a nonprofit agency specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment. "The use of covert commercial pitches is penetrating deeper and deeper into our media."
Product-placement disclosure
Mr. Adelstein said he would like the FCC to mandate a clearer placement format that assures increased screen time at the end of TV shows to list product placements. He drew an analogy to political ads, which the FCC require carry sponsorship information on-screen for at least four seconds. He also said the FCC should step up its investigations into failures to disclose placements.
Normally, the FCC requirements covering product integration and placement are handled during a show's closing credits, for instance, when producers acknowledge that a host's clothing or a car has been furnished by a retailer or marketer. But those disclosures can flash by in fractions of a second, and local stations can cut into the credits, splitting the screen in half and rendering the type all but unreadable. Mr. Adelstein called for greater prominence of the disclosures and that the disclosures are being made.
Some advertising critics have called for even bolder measures, requiring some kind of on-screen alert whenever a product appears in programming, instead of a listing at the end of the show.
Paid 'experts'
Mr. Adelstein was especially critical of video news releases and so-called experts, from chefs to celebrities, who appear on news shows to endorse particular products without disclosing they are being paid by marketers for their efforts.
Mr. Adelstein referred to recent examples of government video news releases running without disclosure and to two April Wall Street Journal reports. In one, a former Child magazine technology editor, James Oppenheim, appeared on local stations to review educational toys and electronics without any disclosure he was being paid to tout a particular toy. In the second, the paper raised questions as to whether chefs on cooking shows adequately disclosed their sponsorships.
He called for the FCC to launch investigations into the practice of undisclosed paid endorsers.
Interactive marketing to children
He also called for a ban on "t-commerce," or television-commerce, aimed at children. He said the term refers to interactive electronic links that allow children to jump from TV shows to purchasing products.
"Given that children do not always understand a division between advertising and programming -- let alone product placement that seamless weaves the two together -- I believe that now is the time to stop the development of t-commerce directed to children dead in its tracks. Digital TV ... should not provide wealth to advertisers at the expense of children and their parents."
Adonis Hoffman, senior vice president and general counsel for the Association of American Advertising Agencies, said the group supports reasonable disclosure of product placement but only in instances where shows feature product claims and said there needs to be "a healthy discussion" about t-commerce and children. He said he believed older children understand the difference between advertising and programming.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
College has it goin' on let me tell you.
Within the next 6 days I must write 50+ pages. Five classes have writing assignments. And here I sit, twiddling my thumbs and wasting away online.
Crap I should get to work, shouldn't I?
topics
my thesis in a nutshell: digital divide's adverse effects on the citizenship duties (and rights) of the underclasses of America.
basically the media has failed. It has failed to inform the public. It has failed to provide an appropriate (free and accessible) forum for the public. And we as a society are suffering. We as citizens of a democracy are being shorted. What is left? Alternative media. Media by the people, for the people. But even independent and DIY media faces issues with access. There are many populations that cannot gain access -- one reason being the "digital divide".
It is my opinion that the lack of technological connectivity in communities across the country only perpetuates the cycle of ignorance and alienation -- because voices are still not being heard. Whose voices? The voices of minorities. The marginalized groups in society that find no place in the white man's media. And without the technological "know how," without computers or the internet for starters, how are these populations supposed to involve themselves and keep up with the technological revolution? And what's more: the vast amounts of information to be found online, free of charge, could help people of all ages educate themselves.
The internet, with its blogs and news sources, is fast becoming the best way to stay informed. We can no longer depend on the mainstream media to tell us what is really going on, we are on our own. But not until all members of society have access to information, will we be able to take back the presses.
-----------------------
okay i just rambled for a bit. hope that made sense!
time to get down to business.
Crap I should get to work, shouldn't I?
topics
my thesis in a nutshell: digital divide's adverse effects on the citizenship duties (and rights) of the underclasses of America.
basically the media has failed. It has failed to inform the public. It has failed to provide an appropriate (free and accessible) forum for the public. And we as a society are suffering. We as citizens of a democracy are being shorted. What is left? Alternative media. Media by the people, for the people. But even independent and DIY media faces issues with access. There are many populations that cannot gain access -- one reason being the "digital divide".
It is my opinion that the lack of technological connectivity in communities across the country only perpetuates the cycle of ignorance and alienation -- because voices are still not being heard. Whose voices? The voices of minorities. The marginalized groups in society that find no place in the white man's media. And without the technological "know how," without computers or the internet for starters, how are these populations supposed to involve themselves and keep up with the technological revolution? And what's more: the vast amounts of information to be found online, free of charge, could help people of all ages educate themselves.
The internet, with its blogs and news sources, is fast becoming the best way to stay informed. We can no longer depend on the mainstream media to tell us what is really going on, we are on our own. But not until all members of society have access to information, will we be able to take back the presses.
-----------------------
okay i just rambled for a bit. hope that made sense!
time to get down to business.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
It's about that time, isn't it?
The following is due by midnight (I'm assuming, he only said Tuesday)
2. As for instance Scott Sherman (2004) points out, Americans hold many different views on the role of American power and the new wars including the Iraq war. Such perspectives include neorealism, neoconservatism, conservatism, neoliberalism, liberalism (including hawks and critics) and neo-Marxism. Discuss which of these views you regard as most important (regardless of whether you agree or disagree with them).
3. A major discussion concerns whether the wars of the GW Bush administration represent American imperialism. Some argue that the U.S. has been imperial all along; some argue that it has been intermittently imperial; some think that globalization means a turn away from imperialism but that the present administration breaks with this trend. Some view post-9/11 politics as contingent and driven by circumstances. Yet others view it in light of a fundamental clash with Islam. Discuss your position.
5. The United States spends approximately 40% of global military spending. With a large military industrial complex, the professional military and intelligence establishment plays a large role in American politics, and also in society and culture. What in your view is the role of security professionals in implementing and shaping American foreign policies? Are there significant gaps or frictions between the views of policy makers and security professionals?
6 questions I narrowed down to these three. Now I have to choose two and write 4-6 responses to each. I've done all the readings and I already have opinions on which to base to my theses, but still. I hope I can pull this off.
They are very interesting topics -- I have just been feeling so braindead lately -- incapible of original thoughts and feelings.
I'm so mentally drained.
I've been procrastinating all night. Lordy Lordy.
2. As for instance Scott Sherman (2004) points out, Americans hold many different views on the role of American power and the new wars including the Iraq war. Such perspectives include neorealism, neoconservatism, conservatism, neoliberalism, liberalism (including hawks and critics) and neo-Marxism. Discuss which of these views you regard as most important (regardless of whether you agree or disagree with them).
3. A major discussion concerns whether the wars of the GW Bush administration represent American imperialism. Some argue that the U.S. has been imperial all along; some argue that it has been intermittently imperial; some think that globalization means a turn away from imperialism but that the present administration breaks with this trend. Some view post-9/11 politics as contingent and driven by circumstances. Yet others view it in light of a fundamental clash with Islam. Discuss your position.
5. The United States spends approximately 40% of global military spending. With a large military industrial complex, the professional military and intelligence establishment plays a large role in American politics, and also in society and culture. What in your view is the role of security professionals in implementing and shaping American foreign policies? Are there significant gaps or frictions between the views of policy makers and security professionals?
6 questions I narrowed down to these three. Now I have to choose two and write 4-6 responses to each. I've done all the readings and I already have opinions on which to base to my theses, but still. I hope I can pull this off.
They are very interesting topics -- I have just been feeling so braindead lately -- incapible of original thoughts and feelings.
I'm so mentally drained.
I've been procrastinating all night. Lordy Lordy.
Monday, May 02, 2005
May Day
The only two countries that do not recognize International Worker's Day are Canada and the U.S.A. Interesting considering the holiday has its roots in the US labor movement, more specifically Chicago. Haymarket Riot. The fight for an 8-hour workday. 1886. May 1st was the first day of the activities that ended in the Riot (May 4th).
Why do we not celebrate this holiday here? Workers rights need to be recognized here in the States as much as it does in emerging nations around the world.
Random train of thoughts begins now...
There's this Hyundai ad I saw yesterday. It shows happy assembly line workers. Happy, WHITE AMERICAN line workers. The ad tells us that Hyundai opened a plant in Alabama, providing thousands of jobs, etc etc etc. (their 1st U.S. manufacturing plant). The voiceover sounded like the guy that used to the Country Time Lemonade ads -- something so wholesome and midwestern.
Well Hyundai, thats wonderful and awesome that you are giving U.S. workers jobs but what about the quality? Are the workers unionized? What about benefits? Are you just another company feeding off the corporation-friendly environment of the South?
What has been accomplished since 1886? Tons, I'm sure. But practices are still pro-business and anti-worker (anti-human, anti-family, anti-life).
This is why I need to escape this country. If just for long enough where I can see for myself that the rest of the world does not operate under American capitalism. (I'm talking basics -- there are many different kinds of capitalism. We could sit forever and a day discussing the state of american hegemony, etc).
Time for me to study for tomorrow's test. *sigh*
Why do we not celebrate this holiday here? Workers rights need to be recognized here in the States as much as it does in emerging nations around the world.
Random train of thoughts begins now...
There's this Hyundai ad I saw yesterday. It shows happy assembly line workers. Happy, WHITE AMERICAN line workers. The ad tells us that Hyundai opened a plant in Alabama, providing thousands of jobs, etc etc etc. (their 1st U.S. manufacturing plant). The voiceover sounded like the guy that used to the Country Time Lemonade ads -- something so wholesome and midwestern.
Well Hyundai, thats wonderful and awesome that you are giving U.S. workers jobs but what about the quality? Are the workers unionized? What about benefits? Are you just another company feeding off the corporation-friendly environment of the South?
What has been accomplished since 1886? Tons, I'm sure. But practices are still pro-business and anti-worker (anti-human, anti-family, anti-life).
This is why I need to escape this country. If just for long enough where I can see for myself that the rest of the world does not operate under American capitalism. (I'm talking basics -- there are many different kinds of capitalism. We could sit forever and a day discussing the state of american hegemony, etc).
Time for me to study for tomorrow's test. *sigh*
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