Today’s Video Ebay. Mark Harper

Today in class we watched a movie. It was Ted (Technology Entertainment, and design). One of the inventors of EBay was talking. He talked about some of his past experiences, as well as some of his future plans. He was no longer working with EBay, he was now working as a director for movies. He had made his ca-zillion dollar’s already and was looking for more still. There was something that he said that kind of stuck with me. It was “Bet on good people doing good things.” I really didn’t give it that much thought in the beginning, but now that I think about it… It makes me wonder how many good people are still left out there. This concept might have worked for the EBay guy, perhaps he got lucky. But can we really bet on anyone doing what’s right? I mean there are a given few out there that try to do what is right… but I personally would not take a bet on any random person to do what is considered “right.” You find a suitcase full of money…what is considered the “good” thing? I mean what might be good for one, might not be good for another. It just made me think for a second. That’s all.

Waiting to have sex could be a problem By Mark Harper

OK, so I am out reading news on a bunch of different websites (Fox, CNN, and a few blogs) when I come to an article topic “Waiting Too Long to Have Sex Linked to Sexual Dysfunction Later in Life, Study Says.” I bet you can’t guess what site it comes from?!?! FOX!! Wow, such evangelical Christan news stations reporting on having sex at a younger age. This is strange. I feel that this news station (Fox) swings back and forth on their Laural’s. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,314104,00.html. If you read the article, Fox almost looks as if they had to publish this article (sex sells) but at the same-time they look as if they added a little bit at the end to try and disprove it. I have gotten to the point of not reading their news that often (I have never been a fan of them, they are just funny to watch). Fox news looks like a little kid with its head stuck in a fence. Crying for help because of their horrible mistakes.

6:00 news guy is scary Mark Harper

The guy in today’s and Mondays movie is scary as hell. I think that this guy is s wondering hippie/ psycho.  This guy would leave his family for some what long periods at a time to report his autobiographical news. Weird! This guy has a kid at home who he should help raising….. not reporting and filming other peoples kids. Which brings me to the point…. What is up with this guy filming and following kids around. His personal filming …. tells alittle about him. what he focuses on/what he likes. This guy parades around like he is part of a news caravan. He wants to be a camera man for a news station… yet… he is WAY too creepy to be anyone where a live new station. Independent film=weird. I don’t mind the idea.. just he people who end up being the ones who do the actual filming. It also brings me to the question… who ends up selling these movies?  AND THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR!?!?! WOW! need I say more? I like the film overall.. much better than some of the earlier films we have watched earlier this semester.

6:00 news Movie Mark Harper

I think today’s movie was interesting. It brings about a new question…. how often do news stations retake the news until they get what they want? How often do we edit things…small things…. small things that add up to create large things? Just watching they news station retake the opening scene until they got what they think would work best for the news? There is nothing really new about shots that are being filmed over and over until it is right. I also agree with the film about how bad the world has gotten. It seems that the headline to almost all 6:00 o’clock news has something to do with a murder or kidnapping. I just think that our society has gone to hell in a hand bag. The killing and murdering and killing… Not to mention the fact that this is the first thing we hear about when we turn on the news. I think it is time that we rethink our morals and beliefs…not just for us… but for the future of all mankind.

Aqua Dots Mark Harper

Just recently, a toy was released on the market. This toy was called “Aqua Dots.” There has been a few tests just released to reveal that “Aqua Dots” if ingested, is the same as taking GHB a date rape drugs. What are we giving our kids? The amount of recalls on Toys is ridiculous. First, we allow lead in our toys, then toys that can become easily flammable, NOW WE ARE GIVING THEM DATE RAPE! Some type of government organization has go to into testing our children’s toys for harmful chemicals before they are being sold. What is going on with this world? Why are we so capitalist focused. We would rather make a dollar than care about another human being? Is this some sort of population control? I think as human beings, we need to step back and recognize what we are doing.

Obamajuana Mark Harper

This past week Barack Obama was out making his usual speeches about why we should elect/ love him. The topic of Marijuana was discussed. Obama is quoted saying, “The point was to inhale. That was the point.” referring to use drugs use. The media portrays this comment almost like it was an attack on Bill Clinton. It’s almost like the media is trying to make something out of nothing. Although there is concerns with drugs use by presidents (Bush’s cocaine stash). I feel that by reporting little comments like those is only going to make up bad media. It is almost sounds like Obama is taking shots at Hilary Clinton through her husband former president Bill Clinton. Whether these shots are on purpose or not, I think that these kind of comments are unprofessional and not too president like.

The talking parrot Mark Harper

I guess the real question to ask is, “does the media drive consumerism?” I was watching the news the other day, they were reporting on the shopping on black Friday. The News station was not commenting on the traffic or the amount of money that is going to be made that day…. they were talking about the new products that are suppose to be hot on the market. This type of publicity is un-paid… but its got to be amazing for business. I sometimes feel that news stations are encouraging my purchasing decisions. I know we live in a capitalist country. I really don’t see why we should be reporting on the most popular toy on the market. I think that news stations and media promotes objects to be more important than they really are.

DELTA UNITED UNITED Mark Harper :)

Did you catch that title? In case you live under a rock or perhaps you have been ignorant for the past 6 years.. the airline industry has been hit hard. Now every news station in Atlanta/southeast is blaring amazing news. Delta and United Airlines are talking about a Merger which would involve Delta leaving the Atlanta airport. Not that I am worries about Delta leaving. I am more worries about the jobs that would be leaving Atlanta. The news left and right is blowing up all the negatives about the possible jobs that will be leaving Atlanta. On top of that…. The number 2 (united) and number 3 (delta) will be merging. Competition is fleeting. I will make it. But will Atlanta? I can’t be sure if these are real talks or not… the news is not even sure… that is just annoying.. How can you tell people… “this might not be true… but … this might be going on”…. WOW I could say anything I want…. “this might not be true… but…. I have a nuclear bomb and I am about to use it”… that’s just dumb. When are news stations going to check their facts before just rambling off bullshit? 

Today in class Mark Harper

Today in class we worked on a group assignment where we read statistics and analysis on political views (conservative, liberal, and moderate). I had found most of the statistics interesting… yet… wasteful.  Political affiliations based on what video games were played seemed kind of pointless. Self help books… why? what was the point in that statistic? I am not saying they were not interesting, I am just having trouble in validating the reason for most of them. I mean really… who plays Donkey Kong? really???!?!? That game is old.. if you are still playing that game… the least of your worries is politics. HAHA! I don’t vote. I will not take part in a circus event such as that. If I vote… It will not matter…  the electoral college is a shit hole of a system.. I am not voting.. I constrained to the amount of votes a state is allowed. F that. If I were president… I would make shit fair. F lobbyist. Popular vote is what’s important. I guess that is enough ranting.  

Media Impact on society Mark Harper

Last Friday we had watched a movie that talked about media’s impact on society. It was interesting. I was particularly interested how persuasive media is on the subconscious. Being a marketing major, I think it is funny. I am able to recognize advertisement. Whenever I watch TV, I look for effective advertisements. I look for product placements.  I try to make a game of it. I especially like it when media tries to persuade me to have a particular view.  In a way.. I am immune. I have this feeling of not caring. I have become so insensitive that I laugh almost immediately when someone is trying to persuade me. I am not saying that I am 100% immune to all types of persuasion… I am easily able to pick up on it when someone is doing it though.  That movie pretty much reassured me that we are not alright.  We never will be. The weak is always influenced. The strong are the influence’ers. 

off topic Mark Harper

I just read something that blew me away.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/10/05/hfh.alcohol.breast.cancer/index.html I am amazed….  It seems everything these days can cause cancer. I bet me typing this article will increase my chances of developing prostate cancer by .000001%. The fact that drinking 3 glasses of wine a night can increase ones chances of getting breast cancer to 30% is crazy.  Is it the preservative… the way it is created cheap and fast? Perhaps it is time for us all to sit back and evaluate what we are doing to our bodies. Is this just a stunt for media to put alcohol in the bad light? On a more personal note… ladies …. watch your alcohol.

Reporters and sources Mark Harper

I had made a previous argument that reporters too worried about revealing their sources.. That is true. But.. more importantly,  reporters are not investigating their facts. Too many cases are not being researched. Reporters should act like detectives. Like paparazzi. Reporters should be in just about every-ones business. I think that there is just too much to risk without pushing every “important” story to the fullest. It is almost like reporters just want to skim the surface/look for a few seconds and then call it quits and settle with what they have. The goverment and other news stations are getting away with too much. Challenge everything that comes out of everyones mouth. Make the world one big debate. I am tired of settling on 2nd rate news. I want clean facts. I guess that is just too much to ask.

Curve Ball Mark Harper

Last night I was watching 60 Minutes on TV. I saw the a special on the reasons for Iraqi war. They were talking about how the war was brought about due to incorrect information given by a former Iraqi being interrogated by the German government. The Iraqi goes by the name “Curve Ball,” he was a former employee for a seed germination factory which he was saying a factory for weapons of  mass destruction. Curve ball was a chemical engineer who maintained failing grades. He spoke out against his country for money and recognition. He lied. One man caused thousands to die. One man brought a country thousands of miles away to another. I think that this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. How? How could the media not look more in-dept into the facts presented? The media is just as much to blame as the government. It makes me ashamed.

Reporters revealing sources Mark Harper

We have been watching a movie that talked about reporters going to jail instead of revealing their sources. I think that this is crazy. I guess I can understand why the government would want to know what is going on if the matters deal with national security… But… where can we draw the line on what classifies with national security. Reports take some assumption of risk when they are reporting about information that might be sensitive to the protect of others. If reporters feel that they must use sources that do not want to be revealed… then they must deal with the consequences of the possible jail time… They are not stupid. Reporters know what they are doing.

execution Mark Harper

I was looking around CNN for an article when I found one involving the death penalties lethal injection policy. Supreme court decided to halt the execution of a Mississippi inmate until the lethal injection chemicals can be sorted out. The inmate was charged with kidnapping a woman and beating her to death. This inmate is worried about getting treated with cruel and unusual punishment… funny…. how this is the same person who BEAT a woman to death…. She was given no medicine to numb the beating… I bet if we could ask her… she would have preferred the lethal injection instead of the beating. CRAZY! The supreme court is being stupid about this… Prison numbers are rising, pollution increasing, and taxes and gas prices sky rocketing… MY GOD! Lets clean house… An eye for an eye… You kill… you will be killed… Lets take punishment to the next degree… torture does not sound like a bad idea. Educating is not bringing down the crime rate. Lets put some of that money towards the “clean house act.”  CNN almost tries to make it sound as if this man has been dealt an injustice. Inmates have no rights.  Let make sure they know that.

Movie today Mark Harper

I guess what really sets me off is the Iraq war. The movie we watched today was insinuating that the Iraqi war was brought about false facts by the media (aka news stations and reporters). I guess that can be true. When facts are not being released to the public…media will run with false leaders or information. This false information can lead to protests…. and support for wars that are wrong. Just because we hear one or two people think that there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq does not mean there are. Challenge all facts. I guess it is just getting old. People will support anything they hear…. Why??? Because we have to trust them… Who else is going to feed us the information? OH well.. lets go back to the days when there was just radio… I am tired of watch false information….. at least with radio….. I can “tune” it out

Colbert for president Mark Harper

SOOOOOO its out. Stephen Colbert is running for president. He is running in the South Carolina primary under “South Carolina’s favorite son.”  Its funny how media makes elections look stupid. When I turn to any kind of debates, I see a bunch of guys arguing over how horrible the other is. I think these presidential debates are pointless.. It has become a popularity contest (esp with the media).  Media is making our candidates look stupid on TV. Media is making our country look stupid. I think it is time to allow people to vote for the party members… Then the presidential should be switched popular vote instead of electoral…. But not to get too far off topic. Stephen Colbert is making a mockery of the presidential race. I like it. I think as long as Media is portraying our country to be idiots… Might as well make a joke of it.

Out foxed again Mark Harper

We watched the movie again today. We didn’t watch the movie… more like the behind the scenes… which is fine.. I just find that the Fox video was really repetitive. I think that if a movie such as that really wants to get a heads up, they should show the flaws in other stations that are perhaps too liberals. The movie was very informative, but it could of been better. I almost felt like I was watching Fox news for an hour. I guess the thing I did not like about the movie… They addressed the views as if they could not make judgements for themselves.. I don’t need some movie to tell me to hate Fox news. In a way, they themselves are acting like Fox. PUT THE FACTS ON THE TABLE… LET THE VIEWERS DECIDE…. THE END

Liberal Media Exposed Mark Harper

I guess we can all agree to disagree. The special report given about “Liberal Media Exposed” is stupid. You can obviously tell that a flaming conservative was getting tired of hearing about Fox news being bias and now wants to go after the liberals. I mean has this “special report” gone to EVERY reporter and asked them their political views? Last time I checked…. votes were private…. and people lie. There is a good reason that former President Clinton got so many votes. He was more moderate than anything else…. Conservatives were voting for him…. FORGET the reporters anyway… they are not saying what goes on the air…. its the owners of those stations.  Oh well.

Out Foxed Mark Harper

I must say…. We all knew that Fox was Conservative….. but now we all know…. Out Foxed was way to Liberal. I liked that the movie portrayed Fox as a an evil network (they are). I like how they showed all the contradictions that Fox had made on the air. I did not like how they kept saying the same-things over and over. We all know that Rupert Murdoc is a Evil man with too much money for his own good. I think that it is funny how both of these sources of media lean on two different spectrum’s of politics.

It is only a matter of time before people get bored with the same spin type of news. You must take Fox with a grain of salt. They have almost made Fox the laughing stock of News.  I know Fox is bad… but please don’t make us watch Out Foxed clips again… this is the 5th time I have seen it… I swear.

Semiotics Mark Harper

After reviewing the Vermont semiotics lecture/PowerPoint I began to think… I thought that the lecture was cool, and its play on advertising subconscious and conscious was pretty relevant in today’s society. I would hope that all advertisers use semiotics. I mean… people are becoming more and more resistant to advertising techniques. I am not saying that advertisement is good….. nor am I saying it is bad. However, like most things in life we can go without advertisement will never cease to be there. I must be honest, I thought the opening “this is not a pipe” was pretty dumb… I mean unless you see the pipe in person that pipe is only a pipe so long as you look at it… referring back to the pipe is no longer a pipe it is just words.. recalling the pipe is nothing more than mental images. I mean…… you could make that argument on just about everything. Depending on how you look at things and how you define them; everything is on the basis of argument.

Music Downloads Mark Harper

Federal courts just prosecuted and found a single mother of two guilty of music downloads. The total fines come out to $220,000. Not that this is a not a large and ever going crime. I think that our legal system can find other things to do than to send music down-loaders to jail and fine them outrageous sums of money. Wallstreet journal also found no pity in this woman’s case. It seemed to me they would of been happy with the death penalty. I just think that my tax dollars could go to better use than to bring a family to welfare over 2 downloaded songs.

Current news is crap Mark Harper

Why is that when I watch a news stations (fox or CNN) there is nothing important in the headlines. I and having to search through many different links just to find something worthy of a headline.  I really could careless about a a violent burglar that bites a mans ear off or a missing car found in a river. I care more about wars and issues that will affect masses. I guess it is about what the people want.

Hillary Clinton coverage Mark Harper

After watching most of the canidate debates it is now safe to say…… everyone is scared of Hillary Clinton. It seems to me…. there is some sort of unity in protest against her. News stations have flashed neg publictiy against her. Other canidates have almost used her as a punch line. I think most of this is due to the fact that she has the best chance of winning for the democratic party. I am just tired of everyone picking on Hillary.

Princess Diana Mark Harper

After searching the net the other day I came upon a very very very old article. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/10/07/diana.inquest.ap/index.html It deals with the suspicions surronding Princess Diana’s death. I think that it is offical. We are writing about stuff that is really not that relavent. France and Britian have nothing to do than to hype up media about a crash that occured over a decade ago. I think that it is time that we all move on.

Harboring the terriorist Mark Harper

I guess I can’t say it enough…WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DOING WITH A PRIVATE CORPORATE ARMY?!?! THAT IS NOT ANSWERABLE TO ANYONE??!?!? What is going on? So the United States is now harboring a gun crazy “security” force? That is bullshit! what the hell is a security force that fires first 84% of the time. This is ridiculous! I am ashamed to be apart of a country that does not stand behind what they preach. So now…. we distort figures (deaths of soldiers and civilians). Lets get rid of these mercenaries… Let’s fight a war with an Army and not a corporation

Role of Media in the time of war Mark Harper

I personally feel that the media should criticize ever fact being thrown at us. I know there are things being covered up. We are being lied to… I am not saying that we ever little bit of information… I am not saying that I could do a better job at running an army. I do feel that honesty will get you further than a lies will. Let’s not get a Vietnam repeat. I am also personally tired of seeing news anchors playing around and wearing body armor overseas. OH well.

Media Movie Mark Harper

Today’s movie was entertaining. I thought the movie made a lot of interesting points. Media is controlled by few corporations (self censorship). Media really does influence individuals. However, we are at a dilemma. If we increase regulation… we will only increase government control… which can only violate our rights (in the long run). If we don’t do anything about what is being said… Those who are uneducated or weak minded fall victims to corporate propaganda (they will believe anything). I am really torn between two worlds. The rich are only getting richer. The poor getting poorer. United we win. separate we fall.

Todays Movie Mark Harper

I really enjoyed today’s movie. It is interesting how they talked about baby boomers and possible markets. I also heard about an interesting fact. In 2001 Teenagers were the top purchasing power? Over 100 billion dollars and influencing over 50 billion of their parents. That is just sick. Advertiser are farming teens from the beginning. Commercials are starting to be directed more toward 20 something. This influence will direct others with trend setters. It is only a matter of time. Advertising is not longer advertising. Just by watching today’s movie I was able to recognize how much different advertising is today than it was in the past. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for advertising.

Terrorism Mark Harper

I’m tired. I am tired of hearing about terrorism… I am tired of hearing about countries that are either hosting terrorism or being accused of being a terrorist. Iran’s State-Run Terrorists?? thanks for that insight Fox. Lets start off by defining terrorism-the systematic use of terrorespecially as a means of coercion. OK now, lets put this definition in the context of another country…lets say…. Iraq.. We bomb their country, we have killed thousands of innocent citizens of Iraq, we had their president executed and we currently use brute force as a means of coercion to American Ideal. It is time to stop pointing fingers. If we are going to blame people of bullying other countries and cultures around… lets start with ourselves. I mean… if it is oil we want, lets just say we want their oil. Harboring terrorist excuse is getting old. Lets expand our empire more.. I mean who cares. All I know… Iran better watch out. They will be next in line for WMDs/hiding terrorist.

RIP Castro Mark Harper

When is Castro finally going to die? I mean… seriously… I am almost getting tired of hear all these rumors of his death, then two weeks later he is out running a 5 minute mile and giving an 8 hour speech. In case most individuals don’t watch the news, Fidel Castro released a taped interview on Cuban state television this past Friday. Most of the interview was his own thoughts on the current events going on this past week. (Greenspans new book, oil prices, and talking about his brothers current rule in Cuba).  I think Castro should just pull his own cord. This guy can’t be happy. Castro dies… trade embargo lifted… country celebrates… and we don’t have to see this half dead old guy on TV. EVERYONE WINS!

Senate kicks out funding cut for war Mark Harper

Today, the U.S. Senate threw out a Bill that would decrease funding of Iraqi troops. 28-70 was the vote (It did not pass). Congress was upset with failure of the vote, however, we can almost be sure that is will not be the last time this vote is proposed. I personally think that this is a stupid bill. It would only harm us more to decrease funding than to actually pull out. I think I would prefer a bill that would pull us out of Iraq than a bill to end the funding. We have no business in Iraq, I feel that is will only be a matter of time before we fully remove ourselves from there. I must agree, I would rather spend money on the United States that on another country. forget the oil wells. Lets cut our losses and get out… Iraq is no longer a threat… or a country for that matter. I just think that there are too many problems at hand to be worrying about another country over a thousand miles away.

Fed Cut’s interest rate Mark Harper

So recently…. If everyone has not already heard, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, plans to cut the interest rate from 5.25% by atleaset one quarter of a percentage point.  WHAT A MINIUTE! WHY!?!? If I am not mistaken… isn’t the marketplace operated by an invisible hand that controls the supply and demand, price, and interest rate. I guess Adam Smith had no idea what he was talking about in his book the Wealth of nations… I thought we were in a free market? I guess not. This whole interest rate adjustment was brought on due to the very present housing/restate industry. The whole run down…. people are not spending their money… atleast not enough of it. I think that the goverment should not mess with the interest rate… sooner or later they will be telling us what we must spend our money on. great.

Mark Harper Iraq War

The other day in class I had made a comment about censorship and war (referring back to Vietnam). The problem with war…. no one will read the numbers…. and when someone does read the numbers they are not always true. For instance…. when I looked for a total of death in Iraq… from Iraq citizens I find this mess below the numbers, “Note: Iraqi deaths based on news reports. This is not a definitive count. Actual totals for Iraqi deaths are higher than the numbers recorded on this site. “(http://icasualties.org/oif/). Wow, that is interesting. Thus far, it is predicted that 4081 Troops (all counties 3783 from the US) have been killed (just in Iraq). However, it is also very important to realize that this number does not include outside contract soldiers (Mercenaries).  So far, 72,596-79,187(http://www.iraqbodycount.org/) (these are not old people dying from disease… these are people who have died from direct contract with violence) Iraqis have died since 2003… Mind you that this number does not include Iraqis security forces. I am not against the war; I feel that there were more facts being announced about the war. I don’t agree with war unless it is a last case scenario. I think in the case of Iraq, war could have been avoided until more of the facts had come forth.

Mark Harper Freedom of press

Watching today’s video was very informative. I had already known about Libel, but I had not known about the Alabama racism case. I find that kind of ruling astonishing. It is funny how freedom of press works. As much as I am all for freedom of speech. It is ignorance that makes me wish there were limitations on this right. There is nothing wrong with speaking out, but there is something wrong about speaking out about something in which the speaker knows nothing about. We will be coming to a point that the uneducated mass will have to be protected against false information. How do you protect poeple who don’t know any better (kids/uneducated). We are so caught up with the right to freedom of speech…. that we seldom think about what we are saying.

Mark Harper Freedom of speech in media

Today in class, we discussed issues pertaining to the freedom of speech within media. After thinking, I have come to the conclusion that individuals are not really writing for the sake of “freedom of speech.” Journalists are being paid by corporations…. who are telling these journalists what to write about. It is not the government who is keeping individuals from expression, but corporations that control all news sources. Freedom of speech is a myth. I am not limited to what I want to say….but there are consequences for all my action. The world that we live in is changing. Regulations and laws are be altered and manipulated to better fit larger organizations. We are so tied down that we are unable to speak want we want in fear of losing jobs (or worse). Changes must occur before we can advance as a society. Let’s avoid 1984.

Mark Harper Liberal Media does not exist

In today’s video  Rich Media, Poor Democracy. Some very important topics were discussed. For starters, there is no Liberal media. I find this comment true on many levels. Large corporations (Viacom) buy all these media sources (Print, Television/radio stations) and subject watchers to the same sided views over and over. It is no longer the facts anymore… It is about what one side thinks about a certain topic…. Using phrases like “Some say,” ”they say,” or “It is said” does not validate as sufficient evidence for anything…. (You can’t send a person to jail with opinions… you need evidence). I think that our country is being “educated” by the media. I really liked one of the ending quote used in video watched in class today, “Real Journalism takes what political powers say, and subject it to rigorous criticisms.” Let’s use facts instead of opinions… I don’t want my news “churched up.” I want the cut dry facts… I will then base my opinions off of those facts. I do not need anyone to tell me how to think on an issue.

Mark Harper President Bush response to Bin Ladens video

So I am trying to read up on this Bin Laden video… and I stumble across this on MSN news where George bush is quoted saying“I found it interesting that on the tape, Iraq was mentioned, which is a reminder that Iraq is a part of this war against extremists,” Bush said. “If al-Qaida bothers to mention Iraq, it’s because they want to achieve their objectives in Iraq, which is to drive us out and to develop a safe haven. And the reason they want a safe haven is to launch attacks against America or any other ally.” Why is it that everyone has to be against America? Creating a safe haven to launch attacks from is not a good idea… I am pretty sure that terrorism is best when it is spread out across the world.. with no centralized location.  If they did have a centralized location… they would not really be that good against attacks made against them. Is this another one of George Bush’s attempts to justify his reasons for going to war with “terrorism/Iraq?”  I wouldn’t normally talk about Bush if the Bin Laden tape was not discussed in class. I just find this whole situation to be a mess…. This is an idea… let’s pull out of these terrorist safe havens. Let us allow them to be centralized and out in the open. If they then pose a threat…. then we attack. Otherwise… let’s stop spending BILLIONS of dollars on OTHER COUNTIRES and start spending them on our own!!!!  I am tired of spending money on a country…. and nothing being accomplished.

Mark Harper Social responsibility

I had just seen an article the other day (Wallstreet Journal, Carlton, J. “Citigroup Tries Banking On The Natural Kind of Green.” Page number B1 and B8.  09/05/2007) about a bank (Citigroup) that was trying to change business to “green bank.” Green banking is a type of banking that uses  recycled paper, uses more natural lighting (Sun), power saving measure (turning off escalators certain hours and using less heat/AC). When I read this article at first I was like, “Wow, that is great for the enviorment.” Then I got really thinking about it. Citigroup is doing no more than trying to cut back cost to save a dollar or two. If it was cheaper for Citigroup to not help the enviorment…. they wouldn’t. I am not saying what they are doing is bad… it’s not bad… I just think they should not try to play off their cost cuts as just trying to save our planet

Teacher Report Cards

Today, I was reading through my normal news sites and stumbled on an interesting article. The article I am referring to was about teacher report cards. Florida has instated a new program that has a history report on all teachers’ previous crimes and mishaps.  I think that this is an amazing idea! With the amount of incidents involving sexual harassment… I think that this could a great stepping stone to greater education. The only thing left to do now….. Make sure that all other states should follow in Florida’s steps. Teachers should be monitored on their conducts outside the school as much as they are watched within it.

Print Media

I really liked today’s video in class about the history of Print. This video really did bring about a lot of questions with the future of print media. I personally feel like print media will not be replaced entirely. I think for historical purposes it will be around. However, I do feel that print (paper media) will be used less and less. With today’s technological advances, it is only a period of time before everyone will be using tablet pc, blackberry’s, and cell phones as a replacement for print. There are already “read friendly screens” that allow individuals to read off their computer without any harm. I don’t think that paper will be completely phased out, but I do think there will be a decrease in its use.

Blog Post 2 The culture killer

The other day I was watching TV (The Colbert Report). I was not so much interested in the show, as I was in the author who had been giving an interview. The Authors name was Andrew Keen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Keen I was intrigued by his argument and promotion of his book, “The Cult of the Amateur.” Keen is convinced that the internet is destroying culture. Music, art, videos, and books are all becoming free and easily accessible (destroying the artists “way of life”… due to copyright and piracy). He also argues that the world is losing its identity to the internet with the large melting pot it is creating (The internet is inventing/creating its own culture). I just want to say….. The world will always be changing. Culture changes…. values and beliefs are changed as they go from generation to the next generation. If anything, I say…. forget culture. Humans will evolve to the situations given. I say that this culture/melting pot will only bring everyone closer, and perhaps more productive.

1st Blog

Media and reality

 

                 Today in class, the topic “Media and reality” was mentioned.  It was also brought to attention that these were sometimes indistinguishable… I agree with this comment. America is very much a media driven culture; in fact, our media influences our decision on a subconscious and conscious level…so much so that people are turning away from the traditional news stations (IE CNN Fox). It has become so ridiculous about political parties (and bias opinions) that our daily news is nothing more than a political support rally. When a select few individuals (Rupert Murdoc) own the majority of the media stations, it makes watching news comical (RED ALERT! URGENT NEWS.) I am tired watching these stations convey “news” they think is important.  War=important, presidential elections=important, natural disasters/warnings=important. What Paris Hilton ate for dinner her first night in prison=STUPID! I would rather watch a comedy news station asking real questions (WHERE THE HELL ARE THE WMD’S IN IRAQ?!?!) than to watch a “Fair and balanced” news station supposedly reporting honest news.

 

Mark Harper