Winter break seemed to be the longest break since Summer. However I did not do as much as i did during the summer. Most of my break I stayed home and watched television. Sometimes I felt as if I was wasting an enormous amount of time doing nothing at all. The only days I actually went out and did something was on New Years eve but even staying home on Christmas eve was a much happier experience for me.
On Christmas eve; I was awakened by the annoying sound of my cat and dog chasing each other around the room. I heard every step. As I tiredly tried to get my eyes to open and actually get off my bed, my friend Sidney, who always seems to be in a hyper active and jolly mood jumps on me. Her knees puncture my thigh. "Good morning! It's already 10:30 am!" As much as I enjoy Sidney's company I was not in the mood for a human alarm clock. I reached over to my nightstand and on the left side to look for my phone, which I could not seem to find. I decided to get off my bed and I felt as if I was glued to the silky purple sheets. I headed out of my room and made a left into the living room to the bathroom. From the small creak at the bottom of the bathroom door, I hear something drop. A glass object hit the tile flooring in the kitchen. I didn't seem to think of it as anything but Sidney accidentally dropping a plastic cup. As I slowly opened the door, I hear Sidney screech. She ran towards me pleading and pleading, "I'm so sorry!" I was completely caught by surprise at what she had showed me. My phone's screen was cracked into pieces and I did not know how to react. A lot of mixed feelings rushed into me. I only knew to say it was OK and walked into my room. I hear Sidney's footsteps trail behind me. I can tell by the way she was dragging her feet she must have felt very bad for what had happened. I later apologized to Sidney and told her that I should have not reacted that way and had just assured her that it can be fixed.
This occurrence during my winter break may not seemed as a big deal but it made me realized how difficult I can be on her sometimes. She is a very friendly girl who is very generous and genuine. She always has a big smile on her face showing off her crystal-like teeth. For quite a long time Sidney was staying at my house where she was welcome and loved by me and my family. Until this happened I did not realize how much I learned from her and how much of a better person I have became with her in my life.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Final
For many students of this generation, social websites are places where they can socialize privately and never expect to be observed by those of authority. According to, "What You Say Online Could Haunt You, Schools , Employers Scrutinize Social Websites such as MySpace and Facebook." By Janet Kornblum and Mary Beth Marklein, these students do not realize that to adults these communities are brought together by kids who are ignorant to the fact that they put their reputations, future, and safety at risk. Living in a virtual world creates a sense of equality, free from prejudice, and physical limitations for these students because it is a community filled with the same type of people with similar needs. They support each other and the activities they do and post about. Many may just pretend to be "under the influence", but this is only because of their community, the online world, where such things are accepted and considered "cool".
"College student Michael Guinn thought the photos of himself dresses in drag would be seen only by friends. However, he made a big mistake. And when someone showed the photos on Facebook to administators at John Brown University, a christian college in Siloam Springs, Ark., It was "the last straw" for them" says Guinn, who was 22 and gay. In this situation Michael Guinn believed that his actions online in his virtual and personal life would not affect his future or reputation in other christian schools but he was incorrect. Guinn knew that his school conduct codes clearly state, "Affirm and honor scripture" but he would have never thought this would get outside his online page. His online page gave him a sense of equality and provided a a place where he can be confident in stating that he is gay without any limitations as the ones in the university he attended.
In " What You Say Online Could Haunt You, Schools , Employers Scrutinize Social Websites such as MySpace and Facebook.", Hudson says that students receive a "broad freedom" to express themselves on the internet. This is completely agreeable and it is the exact reason to why students feel free to post things without thinking of the consequences. It is surprising that many students do not realize that as a minor the online world has the same consequences as the real world. There are stronger boundaries by authority on these websites. Younger generations are surprised to know that authorities check up on these websites and these young people claim that the authorities do not have the right to do so.
In "Who Am We" by Sherry Turkle she tells that people don't understand the true intentions of technology and take advantage of it. Technology should be used as a tool for creating greater products. Now, in this time, it is used for social popularity, and risks one's own future and reputation. The community that internet now creates is very selfish and ignorant environment. Many are focused on how many friends they have or the answers to the test. Instead of looking up answers or worrying about how many likes you have, technology should be a tool for research, just as books are and other reliable sources. Sherry Turkle states that these days it is easy for people to mistakenly mix their real and virtual lives. These people should be advised that the internet and books are essential just as pen and paper is when writing a paper.
In order to help people become aware of this we shouldn't make social websites such a big deal. It is a great way to communicate and meet people, but people spend most of their time there. It is a normal human characteristic to desire companionship. New Yorker magazine cartoon says, " I cant wait to see what you're like online. In the cartoon it shows a man and a woman walking on the beach holding hands and the caption reads, " I cant wait to see what you're like online". This tells a lot about our generation and is there to make a "joke" and be sarcastic about online lives, and real life. People are different in person then they are online. They may be their "ideal" self on the internet and it doesn’t match up at all with their real selves, But it may. However, many misunderstand that not only can you create the same online life in real life. The thing about this generation is that it is run by technology and social media. As time goes by more and more people have been caught into this world of technology. There are advertisements encouraging young people to introduce the internet to their grandparents. In the advertisements it states that grandparents feel out of place and as if they have lost communication with their family who run on technology. It is a horrible thing that our world has come to this. The technology is some what taken advantage of. People should have goals aimed for real world accomplishments. This will make people satisfied physically, emotionally, and mentally.
People believe most things that are on the internet if they are not smart about it. You here " Oh, I read about this on the internet" very frequently but if you question someone about it and ask for evidence about what they are saying they get stuck because they did not make enough research before they went out and told everyone something new they thought they had learned. People who are online both are being benefited and are being taken from the real world. All the time that people spend online maybe productive and they are expanding their minds by searching the web but they are also being taken away from real life companionship they would receive outside the computer. How much is too much? When should you put a limit to children's technology and online use? What is the limit that you do not dare pass when posting things online?
Parents forget that staring at the screen can dumb you down and especially young children. Many take it as the easy way out to keep their children quiet and calm. Children should be playing sports or instruments, and spending time outside not downloading video game apps and music apps. As children get older and are now required to write research papers and do more advanced work it is now almost a mandatory thing to do. Many teachers demand printed out and typed essays. They usually do not encourage going to the library to do research through books. We have entered a new generation. This generated has created a social norm of running on technology. It is normal for this in our world but what should be controlled is the time spent and the freedom of social media. It is okay for people to speak their mind online and post as they wish but should they be reminded that at some point they might humiliate themselves. Especially younger children on social websites who are not very smart about things they do and make very impulsive decisions. Spreading the word out about this may make a change but maybe our world is already too brainwashed by all this media that they don't even think about it anymore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)