News sources should be informative. They should report facts and happenings of things that are going around. Of course they can throw in opinion from different people, but it specifically has to be quoted as to who said what in a factual manner. Newspapers are meant to spread the word of what major events happen and situations of things in the larger world.
Print media, along with all other media, seems to fall under bias a lot of the time. They are in the market to be sold. It is for this reason that I believe newspapers are one form of news that, though different from online journalism, is in the same catagory as the rest. It will have bias, it will also have fact, but it will also have influence from outside forces that support it.
Because the newspaper industry is limping along, in a lot of ways, it is getting to be the most dependent on a lot of different things that provide profit, such as advertisements, sponsors, etc. I feel that the economy will improve sooner or later and help the newspapers get back into business. Also, those newspapers which fall under will give up their customers to others, helping the others stay afloat. In that way, it's sort of a Darwinist progression, but it seems none-the-less like it will be the case.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Where does my news come from?
If ever I am prone to reading news, I usually go online. I don't care to pay for a newspaper because I rarely will read all the way through it for both time reasons and because i usually don't have the patience. I think it's important to keep up with world / national issues, but for the most part I don't usually have the time to sit down and read a full newspaper. For that reason, when I need to go get news, I usually go for cnn.com and stick to that.
I try to focus on larger issues rather than more current issues because I want to know more about the world around me and how things are going. It is for this reason I don't usually go for newspapers generally close to home (ie national, not local papers).
I try to focus on larger issues rather than more current issues because I want to know more about the world around me and how things are going. It is for this reason I don't usually go for newspapers generally close to home (ie national, not local papers).
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Importance of a Video Gaming Museum
Video Games have not had an extensive history, but they are definitely a look to future changes in our modern world. Already there've been so many effects on pop culture, internet culture, and even our day to day experiences that people are concerned whether video games are truly good for us or not.
There are many aspects to be explored in the world of video gaming, from their effects on us to their monumental achievements. For starters, some video games as of recently have been quite successful profit-wise. Some have even been more successful than movies.
In addition, it has inspired many one-liner jokes and phrases for use on the internet, from "All your base are belong to us" from the classic Zero Wing video game to the numerous characters that appear in everyday society, video games has been the cause of a lot of new ideas and elements in our daily lives.
Music, too, has been changed somewhat for video games because it involves writing music for a changing situation based on what the player does. It has also provided a lot of music during story sequences, as well as very famous tunes that even those who don't play the games know. Many people know music from the classic mario and zelda games, but haven't ever played the games themselves.
There's also controversy over the legitimacy of video games, content deemed inappropriate for younger players, and other things that make video games a heated debate in some ways. Overall, there's a lot of material for making a museum to showcase this clever pastime.
There are many aspects to be explored in the world of video gaming, from their effects on us to their monumental achievements. For starters, some video games as of recently have been quite successful profit-wise. Some have even been more successful than movies.
In addition, it has inspired many one-liner jokes and phrases for use on the internet, from "All your base are belong to us" from the classic Zero Wing video game to the numerous characters that appear in everyday society, video games has been the cause of a lot of new ideas and elements in our daily lives.
Music, too, has been changed somewhat for video games because it involves writing music for a changing situation based on what the player does. It has also provided a lot of music during story sequences, as well as very famous tunes that even those who don't play the games know. Many people know music from the classic mario and zelda games, but haven't ever played the games themselves.
There's also controversy over the legitimacy of video games, content deemed inappropriate for younger players, and other things that make video games a heated debate in some ways. Overall, there's a lot of material for making a museum to showcase this clever pastime.
Museum Visit
The Museum I visited, Ripley's Believe it or Not in Hollywood, was quite interesting. It is full of artifacts that are interesting to look at, which easily kept people interested. I find that museums with only lots of things to read aren't all that interesting because, like poorly written hooks in essays, it fails to grab the attention of most people.
Also, there were many items that were not exhibits per se, but rather an interesting form of decoration. This could be a fountain that sends a bridge of water over the entrance to the museum, a one way mirror that people can experiment with facial expressions with, and a room with mirrors and rotating walls that suspends reality for some people. It's difficult to explain, but basically it looks like you're in a room that is spinning except for the "bridge" that you walk along to get to the other door of the room.
The colors were vibrant, but the museum was also informative as to interesting things that have happened, with full placards in some places to explain the event, as well as models of things/people that the stories are about. It was a very nice experience, and I hope to go again someday.
Also, there were many items that were not exhibits per se, but rather an interesting form of decoration. This could be a fountain that sends a bridge of water over the entrance to the museum, a one way mirror that people can experiment with facial expressions with, and a room with mirrors and rotating walls that suspends reality for some people. It's difficult to explain, but basically it looks like you're in a room that is spinning except for the "bridge" that you walk along to get to the other door of the room.
The colors were vibrant, but the museum was also informative as to interesting things that have happened, with full placards in some places to explain the event, as well as models of things/people that the stories are about. It was a very nice experience, and I hope to go again someday.
Monday, March 9, 2009
You think you've had a long flight?
Passengers aboard three flights scheduled to leave New York in February of 2008 were stranded onboard their planes for nearly 10 hours. Due to adverse weather conditions, planes were denied permission for takeoff, and waited for what they thought was a coming window to depart. However, the window never arrived, and JetBlue did not call for a bus to return the passengers back to the terminal.
Jetblue later issued an apology for the delays. It is still viewable on their website. They also decided to push for what they called a "Passenger Bill Of Rights." It would entitle passengers to vouchers in amounts variable depending on the length of their delays of their travel.
I am currently researching the response to the apology itself, but seeing as it was a heartfelt apology, as well as a nice gesture in penance for their fault, it seems like their apology was well-thought out and -given.
Jetblue later issued an apology for the delays. It is still viewable on their website. They also decided to push for what they called a "Passenger Bill Of Rights." It would entitle passengers to vouchers in amounts variable depending on the length of their delays of their travel.
I am currently researching the response to the apology itself, but seeing as it was a heartfelt apology, as well as a nice gesture in penance for their fault, it seems like their apology was well-thought out and -given.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Critical Thinking in the Music Industry
Critical thinking is needed in a lot of ways in the music industry.
Before delving into the facts, I will list my definition of Critical Thinking:
"Critical thinking can be defined as the ability to take all aspects in a scenario or problem into account and analyze the evidence gathered in order to come to a logical conclusion or solution. In order to do so, one needs to find relevant issues related to the main topic, have methods of evidence gathering, and be able to judge the information’s relevance and/or validity. However, they must also be mature enough to take into account the aspects which do not support their original idea and perpetually update their position based on the evidence, whether they personally agree with it or not. In other words, one should not exclude evidence which does not support their original position, but rather use it to form a more solid conclusion." - My paper
For starters, interpretation of music is a task in itself. In order to interpret music, one must be open to ideas and explore various aspects about the music. There are many ways of looking at the music and many alleys of thought up for use, much like there are several ways of analysis for literature. For example, a very infrastructure-oriented view would ask the player to look at the way the music is written and what is actually on the page of music. Those with critical thinking, however would probably explore other areas of study.
For example, asking questions like "What did the composer want by writing it this way?" Or going the step further to say, "What was going on in the composer's life to make him write this?" All of these things give way to figuring out more about the depth of the piece, and thus influence the understanding of the player.
In addition, problem solving is key in the music world, especially with things that happen on and off the job. Be they personal problems, colleague conflicts, things are easier to figure out when you think and explore other aspects of the situation, such as other peoples' feelings and perspectives.
Maturity is an aspect, however, because people have to accept what is told to them. Sometimes, players decide to do it their own way just because they want to, rather than use the evidence in front of them just because they want to stick with what they originally wanted to do / and/or feel.
Before delving into the facts, I will list my definition of Critical Thinking:
"Critical thinking can be defined as the ability to take all aspects in a scenario or problem into account and analyze the evidence gathered in order to come to a logical conclusion or solution. In order to do so, one needs to find relevant issues related to the main topic, have methods of evidence gathering, and be able to judge the information’s relevance and/or validity. However, they must also be mature enough to take into account the aspects which do not support their original idea and perpetually update their position based on the evidence, whether they personally agree with it or not. In other words, one should not exclude evidence which does not support their original position, but rather use it to form a more solid conclusion." - My paper
For starters, interpretation of music is a task in itself. In order to interpret music, one must be open to ideas and explore various aspects about the music. There are many ways of looking at the music and many alleys of thought up for use, much like there are several ways of analysis for literature. For example, a very infrastructure-oriented view would ask the player to look at the way the music is written and what is actually on the page of music. Those with critical thinking, however would probably explore other areas of study.
For example, asking questions like "What did the composer want by writing it this way?" Or going the step further to say, "What was going on in the composer's life to make him write this?" All of these things give way to figuring out more about the depth of the piece, and thus influence the understanding of the player.
In addition, problem solving is key in the music world, especially with things that happen on and off the job. Be they personal problems, colleague conflicts, things are easier to figure out when you think and explore other aspects of the situation, such as other peoples' feelings and perspectives.
Maturity is an aspect, however, because people have to accept what is told to them. Sometimes, players decide to do it their own way just because they want to, rather than use the evidence in front of them just because they want to stick with what they originally wanted to do / and/or feel.
The Pope and Germany
Goldhagen makes the analogy between the pope and Germany before World War II to emphasize the severity of the situation. In a way, it is a parallel because he shows how people have specific ways of viewing situations which are somewhat closed-minded or at the very least unaccepting of new ideas.
It makes me wonder what the pope would say in response considering how strong the implications made here really are.
It makes me wonder what the pope would say in response considering how strong the implications made here really are.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Opinion Change
Overall, I don't believe my opinion of my song really changed. I don't think that it changed based on the idea of a California Dream, but I do think it changed by way of what the song itself is about. A lot of the opinions out there call "Hotel California" as being about either drugs or the music industry.
In terms of interpretation, this really just made it harder to apply to the idea of a California dream in some ways, but in others it made it easier. The idea of the music industry also parallels my ideas that California presents the idea of opportunity but really is a lot harder to break into and "make it big" with.
This has given me some good ideas for the paper that I hope to incorporate.
In terms of interpretation, this really just made it harder to apply to the idea of a California dream in some ways, but in others it made it easier. The idea of the music industry also parallels my ideas that California presents the idea of opportunity but really is a lot harder to break into and "make it big" with.
This has given me some good ideas for the paper that I hope to incorporate.
Monday, January 26, 2009
California Dream - Update
So, as an update to my earlier post, I have since changed songs that I will be using. I'll now be analyzing Hotel California by the Eagles.
Why the change? Mostly I figured that I don't love LA quite as much as Mr. Newman does, and have since decided I would rather negate the idea of a possible California dream. I don't believe in it, and neither, I believe, do the Eagles if that is indeed the topic of their song.
The entire song is some kind of satire, but for what reason I have always wondered. Interpreting it this way seems to show that there's a resentment for California. It's almost described as a paradise that's beautiful until you're there. I liken this to mean, in other words, it's a trap.
I'll discuss this further in my next post.
Here is a link to the song. Lyrics are below.
Hotel California - Lyrics:
Why the change? Mostly I figured that I don't love LA quite as much as Mr. Newman does, and have since decided I would rather negate the idea of a possible California dream. I don't believe in it, and neither, I believe, do the Eagles if that is indeed the topic of their song.
The entire song is some kind of satire, but for what reason I have always wondered. Interpreting it this way seems to show that there's a resentment for California. It's almost described as a paradise that's beautiful until you're there. I liken this to mean, in other words, it's a trap.
I'll discuss this further in my next post.
Here is a link to the song. Lyrics are below.
Hotel California - Lyrics:
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
this could be heaven or this could be hell
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...
Welcome to the hotel california
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the hotel california
Any time of year, you can find it here
Her mind is tiffany-twisted, she got the mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the captain,
please bring me my wine
He said, we havent had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...
Welcome to the hotel california
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
They livin it up at the hotel california
What a nice surprise, bring your alibis
Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said we are all just prisoners here, of our own device
And in the masters chambers,
They gathered for the feast
The stab it with their steely knives,
But they just cant kill the beast
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
relax, said the night man,
We are programmed to receive.
You can checkout any time you like,
But you can never leave!
California Dreem
(Note: Sorry everyone! I accidentally posted these on the wrong blog somehow. I signed in with my Gmail account, which last i checked didn't have a blog, so... here's what I wrote. I'm copying it directly from what i posted last week)
If I were to pick a song to represent the California Dream, it would probably be "I love LA" by Randy Newman. I feel like a lot of the song brags about, or at least praises, California, for all that it has.
It seems like a lot of lines are geared not towards a dream per se, but more of the promoting that LA is amazing. "Everybody's very happy, cuz the sun is shining all the time, It's like another perfect day..." It promotes that the city is very much his preference and that he would really want to be there. The idea of "perfection" is brought up, and is much the stereotypical idea of good.
I'm not sure what to think of a california dream, though, because although most of the "high profile" girls (At least, a lot of the popular ones) from back home always praised california, saying they wanted to live there; that or they were jealous of those who got to live there or were born there. Maybe it's because they dislike seattle, or maybe it's because they want LA. It's sunny, it's hot, there are movie stars everywhere... I can sort of see the appeal, but I know that it's definitely not a dream I share, so from that perspective I have a hard time understanding it.
If I were to pick a song to represent the California Dream, it would probably be "I love LA" by Randy Newman. I feel like a lot of the song brags about, or at least praises, California, for all that it has.
It seems like a lot of lines are geared not towards a dream per se, but more of the promoting that LA is amazing. "Everybody's very happy, cuz the sun is shining all the time, It's like another perfect day..." It promotes that the city is very much his preference and that he would really want to be there. The idea of "perfection" is brought up, and is much the stereotypical idea of good.
I'm not sure what to think of a california dream, though, because although most of the "high profile" girls (At least, a lot of the popular ones) from back home always praised california, saying they wanted to live there; that or they were jealous of those who got to live there or were born there. Maybe it's because they dislike seattle, or maybe it's because they want LA. It's sunny, it's hot, there are movie stars everywhere... I can sort of see the appeal, but I know that it's definitely not a dream I share, so from that perspective I have a hard time understanding it.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Dummy
Have a body catch a body fallin' through the rye?
??????
CAN a body catch a body?
...or fall through the rye?
*catch*
??????
CAN a body catch a body?
...or fall through the rye?
*catch*
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