Liar!

I loved our little chat on Monday about facebook and relationships via the interwebs. I'm a little more than embarrassed to admit that I am no stranger to online dating. I first started when I was 18 because I only had 1 college class, still lived at home, and worked at a place with few opportunities to meet people. I haven't done it in a very long time.

I think the biggest lesson I learned through it all that people are liars. Most people who tend to build online relationships do not tell the truth about themselves somehow thinking the person on the other end wont ever find out.

Of course there will always be success stories, but I know because of the experiences I've had I will do the best I can to monitor my children and teach them to be literate in all things social media. As awesome as things have worked out for me in meeting someone randomly online (we didn't meet through any online dating site or anything)it's important to be cautious of all the creepers out there.

Blogging equals Love

The most interesting part of this week for me was Vegor's presentation on Web 2.0. Growing up I never ever thought I was be so involved in all things social media as I now am. Although I've been slacking a little on this blog, I do love it. I find it therapeutic in some ways just to write my thoughts and opinions and have responses, good or bad.

I know there has been some argument as far as globalization and what it's doing us. What I mean is the fear that we are losing human interaction to the point where we won't talk to each other anymore. Although it is a valid point, I think quite the opposite. I think more incredibly valuable relationships are being formed thanks to all things Twitter, Blog, Facebook, etc.

And maybe I'm a little bit bias being that I met my favorite boyfriend in the world through blogging...and ironically enough this assignment (to blog) pushed us towards meeting. So....I'm all for the Web 2.0 experience :)

Big, small, short, tall, black, white, etc.

I can't believe I've been really dropping the ball on this blog lately. Life is so busy for me as I'm sure it is for all of you!

Well, the highlight for me this week in our classes was the presentation on Friday of how different cultures view beauty. To be honest, I really think a presentation like that would do wonderful things for girls in high school to show them that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there are so many definitions of beauty! With so many girls struggling with eating disorders and being consumed by their cosmetic appearance, it's nice to see that there is a place in the world for everyone.

I was sad to see that different cultures base the worth of the women by their looks alone. It makes me even more sad to know that our own society does that as well. I hope that we are really paying attention and taking the things we are learning in our class to heart and use them to educate people because I really think with our new found knowledge we can make small, but substantial difference in our world and society.

Google It

So in talking this week about corporations and what we are being shown versus not being shown, I think we have made great strides in underground music and art thanks to the Internet.

I've been able to find some really great bands thanks to Myspace music and sites like Pandora radio. I do realize that most of these things will never become main stream, but I think when you get down to the bottom of the music food chain you can find people who are making music because they love it, and not for the money. Of course I'm sure they would prefer not to be broke- but I genuinely believe they do it for the love of the art and expression and not necessarily for aspirations of having a billion tweens sell out your concerts while you gyrate in your pasties (Britney).

If people really want to get away from the main stream pop cotton candy sugar coated music (which I must confess I do love) just do a little research online. The beauty of a non-censored Internet is epitomized in undiscovered talent.

I could really use a Starburst....

I know that we can all talk about how much we hate the big bad marketers and advertisers, but in some ways I think what they do is admirable. Their innovation in getting consumers to look their way is nothing short of amazing.

Pretend we aren't treated as lab rats in a brainwashing world and think about how fun it would be to control the masses and tell them how important it is to have your product and why. Not to mention make sweet awesome commercials that make people think, "Wow, I really do need that snuggie. Having a snuggie will complete my entire existence and my life will be worth living."




I think as long as we know that the sugar coated message behind the spoon fed adverts given to us on a day to day basis are simply ploys for us to buy and buy and buy, we can sit back and just laugh about the best commercial ever:

If I were black...

I remember having so many thoughts and responses to the discussion in class yesterday regarding race and representation. Ultimately I think it boils down to feeling like some of us are missing the point of having these discussions and doing the reading in the first place.

I don't think we are reading these books to develop defenses and justify the way things are. I don't think we are reading them to become bitter towards the ideals and thoughts of the authors. I think the whole point is just to step outside of our own little box and try to gain some insight into the minds of these people. Not to necessarily agree with them, but to wonder how we would have dealt with situations of race if we were black, or what our views would be towards feminism had we grown up in the baby boomer generation.

We just need to be a little more open minded! I'm as conservative politically and morally as they come, but that doesn't mean I can't be subjected to diversity in all aspects or that it demeans my current value system in any way. We can learn to appreciate the views and opinions of others. We absolutely do not have to agree with them, but if we can learn to understand why they are the way they are, we can begin to work towards a more progressive outcome with full knowledge. This really is the only way to get anything accomplished successfully. I wish more people would understand that- not just our classmates :)

I'm not saying it's easy- I just think we should chill out a little and try to look through different eyes.

If you touch me, I'll punch you in the face.

Talking in class today and watching the Hip Hop video Monday- the ultimate feeling I have is complete amazement- and not the good kind. I'm the kind of person that will stand up for what I believe in and won't apologize for it. I've been at parties or dances where guys just felt like they could come up and start grinding on me and I'd turn around and yell at them (probably not very lady like, but seriously...get away!)

So when I was watching those women be completely nonchalant about the way these men were objectifying them, it just blew my mind. Maybe I take things too personally, but when I hear guys talk about "Utah County" girls, I don't shrug it off. I tell them exactly the kind of person I am and try to get them to see that maybe their view is a little narrow minded. I don't think it's fair to judge me based on an opinion of someone else. I wish the women in that video felt the same.

I think it does come back to being educated. Maybe they truly think the music videos with naked chicks running around with dudes throwing money at them is not in any way harming them. But it does. It absolutely does. Not only does it stereotype them, but it also teaches men that women are only there for one reason and they should expect that of women.

It's a lot to think about. I hope somehow, even though it's an enormous task, we can in someway begin to help people become more media literate.