Kentucky Fried College

According to this article, KFC launched a Twitter contest that will grant $20,000 for college to the high school senior who sends the best and shortest tweet. KFC is using Twitter to reach out to the younger population. For the contest, applicants have to explain why they deserve the scholarship money in 140 characters or less. The deadline to enter the contest in November 26, and the winner will be announced December 1 and will receive up to $5000 for four years to pay for tuition.

Overstock.com Sued for Overstating Prices

According to this article, Overstock.com is being sued by a group of district attorneys in California for $15 million for overstating its deals and misleading customers. This case was initiated after Overstock advertised a patio set for $449.99 and said that its listing price was $999, but when a consumer received the patio set, there was a Wal-Mart sticker on it reading the price $247. Lawyers are attacking Overstock for making up list prices in order to make their price appear better, though really it is ripping off customers. Overstock says that they have been singled out for standard industry practices and plans on explaining that in court.
The interesting thing about this is that online shopping has become extremely common in the US, but costumers can never really tell what's going on behind the scenes. Consumers usually trust online stores with credit card numbers, their addresses, and hope that the prices are legitimate, but this case proves that there is not always someone monitoring the internet and customers are paying for it.

Final Prompt: New Models for Journalism

I think it's more likely to sustain journalism online versus on print. I think print journalism will become obsolete relatively soon, but I don't think that newspaper companies will completely go out of business. People right now get most of their news online, so if newspapers were no longer printed, I think people would just gravitate to the newspaper's website. I think people will still want a newspaper, just via the Internet. I also do not think that minor newspapers will withstand on the Internet; Internet newspapers I think would be made up of larger companies that cover a large area. Then, the only smaller town papers will make it online is if they can use the local blog idea because if a larger newspaper has an issue with costs, there's no way a smaller newspaper will be able to afford anything but a free blog with volunteer writers. However, if no volunteers want to write for local online newspapers, companies will rely heavily on donations and grants, which with an economy like this, is unlikely to produce any positive results. In that case, if both larger and smaller papers cannot succeed online, it would not surprise me if companies like CNN, which are TV based, become more popular. I believe only the people truly passionate about journalism will dedicate themselves to non profit blog journalism, because if people can't get paid, they won't bother, and the public can always watch TV news if all else falls through.

Blog Prompt 4: Microcinema

     After viewing a few of Jack Daniel Stanley's short Internet films, I can see how the style of his films may transcend into the future of moving making, but I do not think that short films will become a norm in theaters around the U.S. The Internet is the perfect medium for short films like this because people have a very limited attention span, especially when surfing the web, so a six minute film is about all a viewer will want to spend time on viewing. Anything longer than that, I think, will remain on a DVD or in a theater.
     If anything, I think these videos represent Internet filmmakers aspiring to be feature length film filmmakers. These videos remind me of the videos my friends in film school have to create for school projects, in hopes of one day getting the opportunity to make larger scale films. They're impressive, but nowadays, that doesn't make just anyone famous.
     Though some of these filmmakers may be able to show screenings of their films, that does not necessarily designate them as renown filmmakers. I have a friend who created a movie, and with the help of donations from her family, was able to show a screening of her film in a theatre she rented out, but that's all it was. She's still a college graduate with no job.
     Overall, though I think it is possible for these filmmakers to become prevalent in the future, they won't be known by these works, but by longer and more established films that will be seen in theaters and cost money to see. These films are perfect to broadcast via the Internet, but for it to mesh into the future of film, creators will have to create films meant for theater consumption, not the Internet.

Mobile Phones to Diagnose STDs

According to this article, a research project in Europe aims to allow people to self diagnose STDs like HIV and syphilis by using their cell phone. This project received a $6.5 million grant to develop small chips that can be used to used to test saliva, urine or blood for sexually transmitted diseases. And in some cases, one would need to urinate on the chip to get a diagnosis. This project expanded due to the rise of STDs, many of which are not being taken care of. The chip still needs to go through more development, but could be seen on phones within the next 7-10 years. 
The chips would be made available in public places like vending machines and night clubs. The chips would be used once and thrown away and would connect to phones through a basic cable.

Hyper-texting Leading to Increase of Smoking, Drinking, Sexual Activity Amongst Teens

According to this article, a study by the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine links poor health behaviors like drinking, smoking and sexual activity to hyper-texting and hyper-networking amongst teens. Hyper-texting is defined as sending more than 120 messages a day and hyper-networking is defined as spending more than 3 hours a day on social network sites. 

According to the study, those teens who hyper-text are

-- two times more likely to have tried alcohol

-- nearly three-and-a-half times more likely to have had sex

-- 40 percent more likely to have tried cigarettes

-- 41 percent more likely to have used illicit drugs

-- 43 percent more likely to be binge drinkers

-- 55 percent more likely to have been in a physical fight

-- 90 percent more likely to report four or more sexual partners

Those teens who hyper-network are 

-- 60 percent more likely to report four or more sexual partners

-- 62 percent more likely to have tried cigarettes

-- 69 percent more likely to be binge drinkers

-- 69 percent more likely to have had sex

-- 79 percent more likely to have tried alcohol

-- 84 percent more likely to have used illicit drugs

-- 94 percent more likely to have been in a physical fight

Turkey Lifts YouTube Ban

According this article, Turkey has lifted its two year ban on YouTube caused by videos portraying the country's founder in a negative light. The man in charge of Internet issues within the country, Mr. Yildirim, said there was no more need for the ban because the insulting videos have been removed. Insulting the founder of Turkey or anything Turkey related is illegal in that country. Many Turks criticized to ban of YouTube, including the president of Turkey who asked officials to find a solution. Speaking on television, Mr. Yildirim said the ban was lifted after "common sense prevailed,"and he hopes people have learned from this experience so it will never happen again.

Jon Stewart Auto-tuned

After his rally this past week, The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, YouTubers got hold of Jon Stewart's speech a he gave at the really and created an auto-tuned version of it. The Gregory Brothers, who created the "Sanity Song," have a channel on YouTube called Auto-Tune the news, which is dedicated to exactly that--Auto-tuning the news. The video was released yesterday and already has 117,456 views. This video is another example of convergent media, using TV broadcasted footage and turning that into something new on the Internet.

Smartphonne Doubling as Cash Register

According to this CNN article, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has created an application called Square, which uses a free download and plastic card reader to let users accept credit card payments. The app charges users 2.75 percent of the transaction cost plus a 15-cent fee, which is similar to fees stores have to pay for accepting credit cards. Dorsey says that because no one carries around cash anymore, just plastic, this app will help create more money and more volume. The app is available for several phones including Google's Android system, Droid, Droid X, HTC Evo, Samsung Galaxy S, the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Dorsey said that this app will help small independent merchants as well as fundraisers. The app is no available for download at Square's website. 

Blog Prompt 3: Revolution, Facebook style

I believe social networking sites have become so popular amongst authoritarian states because it is the only medium in which risk for getting caught criticizing the government is at its lowest. Social networks are not physical, like sidewalks, which people use (at least in the U.S.) to protest happenings in their nation; unlike on a sidewalk where you can get picked up by the police, there is no online police to silence you. It is also much more difficult to silence those using social networks as outlets to speak out. In order to silence people, governments would have to block entire websites from its citizens or individual pages, which calls for time and money; on top of that, the government would have to use technology to trace whoever is posting these comments. Whereas these actions take much effort by the government, silencing people outside making their comments known in public is easy as arresting someone and taking them to jail.

I think social networking sites are being used for politics here in the U.S., but I don't believe they're being used for the same reasons as those in authoritarian states. In the U.S., people can demonstrate free speech physically almost anywhere, so citizens using the Internet to do the same is really no different. The government is not oppressive to its citizens; it does not silence them. Instead, if anything, social networks are being used to increase participation in politics. Politicians running for office may use different sites as part of their campaign in hopes of reaching a larger audience, which is completely opposite to authoritarian countries.

Smartphone or a car? Or both?

According to this article, many auto and electronic companies are working towards a touch screen system inside cars that allows drivers to talk, text, use Facebook and surf the web right through the dashboard. A large percentage of cars in the future will allow for drivers to update their Facebook statuses by voice and even surf the web from the driver's seat. The main purpose that drives these new systems are for drivers to be able to use their smart phone capabilities in a safer setting while driving. 
The car company Ford plans on presenting "App Link," which is "a voice-control system that links apps from the user's smartphone to the car in some models." This technology could be available in 80 percent of Ford vehicles within the next five years. Other companies are too follow this suit. General Motors is incorporating smart phone capabilities into the On-Star feature, and Kia Motors and Microsoft teamed up to launch UVO, "a touchscreen and voice-enabled system that lets drivers make calls, send text messages, change radio stations and scroll their music playlists."
Though the production of these system is to make driving safer for those already using such applications on their phones while driving, distracted driving is still distracted driving whether or not the distraction is in your hand or built into your car. 

Google TV

     According to this article, Sony is releasing their newest line of TVs, which use the Google TV software. The Internet HDTVs come with four USB ports, four HDMI inputs and Wi-Fi. The smallest the model, the 24", costs $599 whereas the largest, the 46" costs $1,399.
    
     The Internet TV software carries Hulu, Twitter, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, search capabilities and some Android apps. Web browsing on the TV is powered by Google Chrome and the apps are powered by Android OS.

    
     The main intent of the new TV is to integrate the web with existing cable or satellite TV in order to make it easier to search for favorite TV shows and websites at the same time. Google seems to spreading its success past the Internet world and into living rooms. The TVs are for sale on SonyStyle.com starting this Saturday and in Best Buy stores Sunday.


If the TV itself doesn't seem complex enough, take a look at the remote needed to operate it.

Jimmy Fallon Hip Hop History

I was listening to a talk show the radio the other morning while driving to school when the host started talking about last night's episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Apparently, Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake performed a duet of a history of hip hop music, which obviously made a buzz. After explaining what happened on last night's show, the radio station played the entire three minute sound bite of the show on the radio.

Though I heard the entire clip, I wanted to see it too. So, after having listened to the radio while listening to a TV clip, I found the clip on YouTube so I could both see and hear it. And, if I really wanted to, I could have found the entire Jimmy Fallon episode on my TV because I have DVR and record the show every night anyway. But instead, I'm choosing to blog about it.

It's interesting how one 3 three minute clip can travel in so many mediums in so little time. But it's also not surprising how little videos like this create such a buzz within hours of them airing.

Blog Prompt 2:Googled?

Though Google is extremely prevalent in modern media, I do not think we are too dependent on Google, but dependent nonetheless. I feel like for society to be too dependent on Google there would have to be no other place to go but Google where we could search for information, news, blogs, e-mail and watch videos, but that is not true--there are still other outlets whether or not they are used as much.


I think for us to be considered "too" dependent, Google would have to be some sort of monopoly, which it is not, yet. There are still several other search engines, places to watch videos, places to blog and e-mail. Some people, like myself, have had the same email address for 10 years or more, using e-mail distributors like AOL before G-mail was ever created. Until other companies are forced to call it quits, Google is still not the end all be all. 


I think that if Google ever got in the wrong hands or their intentions became biased or destructive,  I would definitely be concerned about their intent to "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible." If that ever happened, because Google is so popular, consumers could easily be coerced into anything Google publishes as untampered information, whether that be true or not. However, right now I don't think Google has negative intentions, and I think their main object is quite useful to the public, which is obvious through their tremendous popularity. 

Facebook and Skype Partnership?

According to this New York Times Article, Facebook and Skype are in the process of a partnership that includes the integration of the two services through Facebook Connect. Facebook Connect, according to Facebook, is "the next iteration of Facebook Platform that allows users to "connect" their Facebook identity, friends and privacy to any site."


The partnership is supposed to be announced within a few weeks. Under this partnership, people who use their Facebook information to log into Skype will see their Facebook friends on Skype. They also will be able to view their newsfeed, send text messages and call their friends' landline numbers all using Skype. 


This partnership is though to potentially help both companies grow, especially internationally.   This is another perfect example of the convergence of two medias, a online social network and an online phone/webcam service.

Being a huge fan of Conan O'Brien, when news hit earlier this year of Jay Leno bumping his show up and Conan consequently calling it quits, devastation quickly settled in mine and the hearts of many fans. However, though everyone hoped things would work out and Conan would still hold his spot at The Tonight Show and that Jay Leno would curiously fall off a bridge, Conan still never left his fans hanging. 

Not only did Conan create a hilarious Twitter account to keep his friends updated during his short lived unemployment, he starred in a nationwide comedy tour over the summer. Now, finally, we'll see him back on TV in weeks time. November 8 at 10pm on TBS, Conan will be back hosting his show Conan. Until that day comes, he's helped create some hilarious commercials that will entertain us until all our voids are filled.

"Jersey Shore"-Why not take her out to dinner first? We know you have the money...

I, like many teens and twenty-somethings, am guilty of tuning into MTV's classy reality show "Jersey Shore" on a weekly basis. Though the heavy drinking, constant partying, cat fights and one night stands don't exactly portray this bunch as an admirable group, it sure is entertaining,  and apparently they're using their shocking and instant fame to their advantage...while it lasts.

According to this article, the cast of "Jersey Shore" are each asking for $30,000 per episode for their third season . And guess what, they're getting something pretty close to exactly that. A lot of college students are paying that much in year to do the same thing the cast does and gets paid to do--nothing and party. The first season, everyone made about $5,000 per episode and is currently getting $10,000 per episode for the second season. For mankind's sake, I almost hope there isn't a fourth season.

On top of the money they make on the show, a few of the cast members are making bank for showing up at parties, DJ-ing, and dancing with a bunch of other talentless "stars." Snooki makes about $20,000 for walking a red carpet event, Pauly D makes the same in a night DJ-ing at an event, and "The Situation" is not only going to be on "Dancing with the Stars" this year, but is also expected to make millions with his several endorsement deals.

Fall is Finally in the Air--Well, kinda

     Don't get me wrong, I love living in the Chicagoland area, but Chicago sure does have a way a getting our hopes up when new seasons arrive. This year, the autumnal equinox is supposed to occur September 23, so in preparation, I've created a short Autumn To-Do list--a list of fall activities everyone should do to get into the spirit of sweaters, pumpkins and apple cider.

1. Consume anything and everything with pumpkin it. 

     Pumpkin scones, muffins, doughnuts, pie, coffee, bread, etc. While your at it, visit a pumpkin patch.

2. Take a stroll at the Morton Arboretum. 

     It doesn't cost too much, and who doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous colors at every turn.     

3.  Scream your head off at Fright Fest or any Haunted House.

     Autumn and Halloween go hand in hand so check out Six Flags or some haunted places closer by. 

4.  Pick some apples.

     There are so many apples to pick and carmel to dip them in.

5.  Don't forget about Thanksgiving.

     We all love the holidays, but don't forget to gorge yourself with food and enjoy your family, because like it or not, Christmas starts at 12:00am November 26th. 

Bloggers on Blogging: Megan Reardon

     I found the article about the crafty Megan Reardon interesting because it really does showcase her as a normal person keeping a blog for her own records, which became extremely popular amongst craft makers alike.
     I too think that there is a sense of control in blogging; there's no one to report to, no guidelines to follow, but rather it' an outlet--sharing yourself with others freely, as you wish. I work at a pottery painting studio, so the idea of craft blogs is especially intriguing. 
    Lastly, my favorite quote from Reardon on blogging is: "It's also made me aware that people are much kinder and weirder than we allow ourselves to be in public. It's such a relief." So true. 

First Blog Post

This is my first blog post ever. It should be an interesting learning experiencing. Hopefully I spread some information and gain some in return!