Electric Lib

Where is the News?

In my short break today, while I was eating lunch, I figured I'd might as well get caught up with the news. In particular, I wanted to read more about the partial birth abortion ban, as that is a huge Supreme Court case. So, I went to my bookmarks bar and chose a news source. I searched around on the main page, and found nothing to do with this monumental case. Instead, I saw stories and videos glorifying the horrible VA Tech massacre. Of course I am mourning the deaths that resulted from the largest shooting in U.S. history, and of course I am interested in what the motive was and how it could be prevented. However, I think it is important to consider the implications that this kind of media attention could have on the event. It happens with all major events (Columbine, 9/11). The media flocks to get the newest information, and the following year, it's a TV movie. Big businesses actually find ways to profit from these life ruining events. That's capitalism for you. (By the way, the news site I was getting this information was CNN.com, big surprise. I think I'll try The Washington Post instead...)

I was reading the LA Times and stumbled across an article about Will Ferrell and the "buzz" he's creating by posting short videos he's made on his website funnyordie.com (which will not load for me, probably because everyone is trying to get on it). So, I went to youtube.com to look up the only short video he's released so far, and it's very funny. Go watch it, I promise you will laugh.

Update: I added the new link to funnyordie.com, which has much better quality than youtube.

So Intellectual

Yes, I know, my recent entries have been about Tyra and Facebook. How "smart" of me, huh? But whatever, my real essays belong in the hands of my professors, these are simply my reflections on the non-academic factors influencing, or present in my life. They are applications of things I have learned, and they're fun to write. So I will keep writing about whatever I feel like, and if you ever seriously doubt my interests, you can ask for a real essay. Now, it is time for bed!

Creepbook

I'm sure that most adults won't be surprised when I say this, but I am becoming increasingly disenchanted with Facebook. I've had it for about a year now and it has certainly increased the level of communication between me and my peers, although it is probably very superficial communication. While there are benefits such as getting photos from your friends, "friending" people you just met as a way of acknowledging them and keeping in touch with friends who are far away, I think the negative aspects are starting to outweigh the positive. With the creation of specific "groups," gossip and excess, I wonder if it's worth it (I know the answer is no, but I'm addicted...)

First of all, I have been, and today in particular, am disgusted with the kinds of groups that kids make and join on Facebook. There are of course, the obscene groups that perpetuate sexism, undesirable and offensive behavior, but what I find almost more concerning is the marginalization of important issues and events. Today, over 30 college students were shot at Virginia Tech, and already they have been reduced to Facebook groups. I understand that Facebook can be viewed as a forum for discussion, but for some reason it bothers me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I guess I just get a sense that people are using their membership in groups to create a certain image of theirself (in this case as being aware and caring). Maddison did say that everyone's self interested though, so who can I blame for trying to build an image? I just feel that it's superficial enough as to demean the seriousness of this particular situation. Also, it seems to me that if students really felt affected to this they might take the time to write about it, get together and talk about it. Instead they join a Facebook group and their conscience is clean. I don't consider that to be real self expression. Some may argue otherwise though.

Secondly, I believe that Facebook increases the possibility of gossip by unmeasurable amounts. With the options of posting pictures, relationship statuses, public wall postings, etc. everything becomes way too public. Even if you keep your own profile very private, it's hard to avoid the very public actions of others on Facebook. It presents many very passive aggressive ways to attack people, such as unkind wall posts, comments on pictures, and various other things. If you are unconvinced, ask any Facebook user how many times Facebook has "ruined their life" or how many times they have wanted to "kill Facebook" and they will most likely answer "at least once." And yet we all still use it?

The thing is, internet is used just like everything else in the U.S., in excess. There are too many photos, so they lose their individual value and meaning There is too much information, so you lose your privacy. It is too simplified, your entire self is reduced to "interests, activities, favorite music, status, blablabla." Not that Facebook is meant to be entirely representative, it certainly isn't. The important factor that makes Facebook a negative, insincere thing is the investment that people put into it. However, it is unlikely it is going anywhere, we can't kick our obsession with celebrities and fastfood, why should we get rid of this?

In the end, Facebook is a good idea, good investment (for the creators) and a good system of communication that fits neatly into the information techonology of the day. However, it is also frustrating in its downfalls, that rely heavily on the people that use it (who also feed into the advancement of it). I will probably keep Facebook around for a while, but not for more than a year or two. It's stupid.

Oh Tyra...

Last night, I went over to join some girlfriends in their weekly viewing of America's Next Top Model and we were, as usual, entertained by the petty fights, the ridiculous challenges and the ever disappearing presence of "high fashion" (they did an add for Payless last night, and I like Payless, but I don't know if it qualifies as high fashion). Anyways, in the absence of any real work to do this morning, I began thinking about America's Next Top Model, especially in relation to The Tyra Show. During the Tyra show, Ms. Tyra Banks addresses many issues ranging from racism, to poverty, to make up, fashion and, her biggest issue--body image.

Although Tyra assures women everywhere (herself included) that you can still be gorgeous and... well, healthy, I have to say that I am not convinced she really believes it. She pounds the message into women's heads everday on the Tyra Show, and then once a week on ANTM she coaches a bunch of ten foot tall, 90 pound women (along with the one "plus-sized" model) on how to look sexy.

Well thank you Tyra, how ambitious of you to go out there and really change the perception of beauty. It seems to me that if she was really cared about the body image of young girls, she would not have a whole show dedicated to perpetuating the negative images. Perhaps she would have a show that was dedicated to aggresively changing the modeling industry to represent a diversity of healthy bodies. Then again, I think Tyra has shown us many times that she does not have a real understanding of many of the social ills she is so determined to "fix," as demonstrated during last week's episode of ANTM where the girls posed as victims of violence. Classy Tyra. If someone is going to put themselves out there as a voice for an issue, they should, at least, understand it.

In other news, school ends in less than a month! Crazy.

World Mapper

Upon telling my dear father about the geography class that I'm taking, he pointed me to this very cool world mapper website. Go look!

Neeewww Yorker Again

I just love the New Yorker cartoons. Here are two particularly funny ones from the latest issue:

Numero Uno

Numero Dos

In other news, I have been offered a position as Resident Advisor next year and I'm going to take it! Hooray!