AIM

AOL instant messanger. Along with millions of Americans, AIM is my secret obsession. I can't get enough of it. It is instinct to log on to AIM everytime I get on the computer. I love being able to talk with 4 or 5 friends at once and still listen to music, check facebook, and do my homework. In class today, we had a conversation about the effects of technology on our youth today and it made me think about how much AIM restricts personal conversation, emotion, and comunication skills. It kinda scares me how much I am sounding like my mother, but seriouslsy, think about it, so you actually laugh out loud when you lol? Do you use emotion or think about the tone of your voice when you type on the keyboard? Not really.... Kids in the next generation are going to be less and less able to communicate well with others and are going to show lack of skills that we have today, such as grammer, real emotion, and the ability to hold a conversation.

I found a really interesting youtube video that I included below, where someone interviewed a bunch of English kids and aked them some questions about what they thought about the internet, and what they believed their lives would be like without computers. The answers may shock you.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anOqGXEOEDw&eurl=http://digital-lifestyles.info/2007/06/29/children-risk-becoming-social-outcasts-with-internet-access-report/

Oscars and Politics

"And the Oscar goes to......" these are words I look forward to hearing on the same night every year. The Academy Awards are a prestigious award ceremony for the top actors, actresses and directors in the world. Everyone who is anyone comes to his great event in LA, dressed to perfection, with millions of viewers watching their every step. What I always have wondered, is what makes these people so incredibly interesting, that their actions influence our culture and society? Some people may beg to differ with me, but Hollywood has one of the biggest influences on people's dress, actions, and decisions today. Magazines tell us to worship celebs, and strive to be like them, and have their bodies and their boobs and noses. But what really gets me, is what effect they have on politics. What happens if someone, lets say Johnny Depp, accepts an Oscar, and during his speech says, Vote for Obama! What will be the impact of the viewers that love him (like I do). Would It change opinions on who to vote for? Could movie stars actually have an impact on who becomes president in 2008?

Womens role in today's society

Lets face it, women are viewed very today differently than they were 30, or even 10 years ago. I think that is a wonderful thing and I am very proud of the fact that in today's society, women and men are considered equal and are given equal oppertunities in jobs, education, and rights. Yet, I still hesitate to agree that women are treated as equals today. Think about it, when was the last time a woman coached a major NFL team? Don't lie, everyone sniggers when they hear that idea. Its a mans sport, right? Or how about a coorperate CPO job? In an article I read on CNN about the top 10 highest paying jobs (which were all awarded to men) a woman commented, "Women are not only less likely to work continuously during their lives, but responsibilities at home also influence their choice of job and type of employer". What responcibilites at home? Don't men have responcibilites at home? When are we going to get away from the idea that only women should work at home, cook, and take care of the kids? And although we are told that women today are not directed to be the "femine" and "delicate" women of, lets say, 1930, I believe that society has managed to make a cookie cutter female, that makes females believe they have to follow. If you go to any magazine in a news stand, what do you see? Usually (there will always be excptions) a beautiful, long haired white girl poses in a tight, low cutting dress with captions all around saying "how to get a better figure", "Make him fall in love with", "Clothes that every girl should have in their closet". And these magazines are the bible for thousands and thousands of women in America. So whats so wrong with that?? I read those magazines all the time, I love them. Yet, it makes me wonder if there is a standard for todays women. And what happens when they don't meet the mark?