Olympic Divide

As I was watching the U.S. ski team compete in the olympics, they interrupted the race to go into a prerecorded story about one of the ski team members. During the 3 minute segment which included pictures and videos of the skier's life, I began wondering if other countries did the same thing with their own sports team members as much as America did. Thinking about our discussion about the digital divide in class, and what has been said in another media class about America's "turn with-in" when it comes to movies and television, I realized that it is very possible that our country has managed to focus on the individual in one of the most united world events. In other countries I'm sure that they show more footage of competitors from different countries, instead of coating it over with dramatic profiles of their own team members. Although we may be a very technologically advanced country, I feel we have not used many parts of it to our intellectual advantage. In a way it is like we are creating our own digital divide between us and cultures around the world.

Stumble Upon College In America

As I was using the amazing website that is StumbleUpon, I stumbled upon something that reminded me of a discussion we had in class about the Youtube video we viewed in class. Entitled College In America, it is a page dedicated to scary, and even funny college statistics. For example, the website states stupid classes that are offered in some universities such as one entitled, "The Art of Walking"

http://www.copytaste.com/oj774ayp

The student made video which we viewed in class, that showed scary statistics regarding American colleges and universities quite frankly freaked me out and inspired me to spend less time on useless websites like Facebook. I personally believe that every college student should view that video because they can all relate to it and maybe be inspired to change there habits along with me.

Social Networking Outfit?

As I was watching the Grammy's pre-show on E Sunday night, one celebrity's outfit became my inspiration for this post. No it wasn't Lady Gaga's future-esque Tinkerbell costume, or Snooki's revealing tube top dress. Instead it was an electronic outfit worn by the singer/songwriter Imogen Heap, that literally had a live Twitter feed. In an apparent effort to honor her fans while on the Red Carpet, Imogen wore a digital necklace attached to a small television in the shape of a purse, that displayed videos posted by fans. Going wireless on the Red Carpet with the tag being #twitdress, Imogen wore what people are now calling the "Twitter Dress".

Although I am not on Twitter, I very much understand the idea and good intention of the Social Networking ensemble. Walking the Red Carpet is a form of social networking regardless and why not simultaneously give credit to those fans that put you there? Ashton Kutcher, during the MTV Video Music Awards did a live Tweet while on stage presenting and even posted a video of himself while on-air. Celebrities are catching on to how powerful these social networking sites are, even to there, already, successful careers.

Being a girl that unfortunately follows Celebrity culture, I am learning that social networking sites aren't just for the weirdo's that I've been warned of on the news. Joining Facebook only two years ago, I am relatively inexperienced when it comes to these social sites. But realizing that almost every celebrity and politician are now involved in some sort of online community, and have outwardly expressed how beneficial they can be to them, makes me think that I should expand my networks online as well...