I work at the Muddy Cup in Albany, NY, which has become the lost and found for the city. Customers stop in, grab a coffee, and go. However, the regulars sit and stay all day, whether they bought something or not. A fair few things get left here each day, such as wallets, glasses, and phones.
Today I had a customer, one of my regulars; return a phone he found in the seat of one of our sofas. Quite often what happens when a phone is left behind, is one of our customers, or random hobos who use our bathroom, take it. They either sell it or use if for themselves. But today, this fine gentleman decided to return it.
I took the phone, which happened to be a very nice one at that, and started looking through for some numbers that would help in locating the owner, such as Mom, Dad, or Home. Unfortunately, the owner of the phone does not refer to his or her parents as Mom or Dad, rather Steve and Libby, but to the untrained eye, I was lost.
I started looking through her text messages for someone that seemed as if she stayed in contact with regularly. I found someone, texted them, but then kept reading. I know, very naughty, but there is something seriously gratifying about looking into someone else’s life.
I found that the owner was in fact a she, as she is having boyfriend problems. I found that she just lost a dear friend, which was very unfortunate. I even found that she enjoys watching the program LOST, just as much as I do!
Creepily enough, I even had a quick glance through her photos. Yes, shame on me. But for some reason I was intrigued. I felt like I was doing something naughty but couldn’t get caught. I had the power of returning the phone. If she didn’t like the fact I was snooping, I didn’t have to return it.
I eventually got a response from Sally. She told me to call Steve and told me this was her father.
Called Steve. He didn’t seem as grateful as I had hoped. After reading Clay Shirky’s story about the lost/stolen phone, I thought this person may even offer a cash reward!
Steve simply replied with, “what time you open ‘til?”
Not the words of someone who is thankful.
So I wait now, to meet the face of the lost phone.
Or should I pass it on to my housemate Dana who is in desperate need for a phone? If Steve had sounded more pleased, I think I would have felt more gratified by returning the phone and issuing a good deed. However, now I feel spiteful.
What would you do?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Facebook: Friends or Family?
In the past week, I’ve had a lot of trouble with Facebook. What seemed like a fun way of sharing photos and communicative exchange between friends, has become a war with my family.
As a college student, I attend parties. Shocking right? I always take photos of the night. The next day, I am bombarded by text messages begging me to upload the photos. In one simple task, I am able to upload all of those photos of the night, simultaneously sharing the night with every one of my “friends.”
My mother called me last week to enlighten me on the dangers of sharing photos on the Internet. I laughed. I figured I knew much more about the Internet than she did herself.
Her main concern was that pictures of drinking and partying were being made public for future employers. This I understand, however where do I draw the line? Can I upload silly photos of my housemates and myself? Am I allowed to make humorous remarks on friends’ walls?
After I thought I had fixed the problem (unfriending my mother on Facebook) I got a second call. My mother had just spent some time with her brothers, who all had their own comments regarding my profile.
My question is, should I have three separate selves? One Facebook for friends, one for family, and one for professional life? Or do I have to keep my entire life private, in the hope of presenting a positive image to not just friends who I believe are viewing my page, but the entire Web?
As a college student, I attend parties. Shocking right? I always take photos of the night. The next day, I am bombarded by text messages begging me to upload the photos. In one simple task, I am able to upload all of those photos of the night, simultaneously sharing the night with every one of my “friends.”
My mother called me last week to enlighten me on the dangers of sharing photos on the Internet. I laughed. I figured I knew much more about the Internet than she did herself.
Her main concern was that pictures of drinking and partying were being made public for future employers. This I understand, however where do I draw the line? Can I upload silly photos of my housemates and myself? Am I allowed to make humorous remarks on friends’ walls?
After I thought I had fixed the problem (unfriending my mother on Facebook) I got a second call. My mother had just spent some time with her brothers, who all had their own comments regarding my profile.
My question is, should I have three separate selves? One Facebook for friends, one for family, and one for professional life? Or do I have to keep my entire life private, in the hope of presenting a positive image to not just friends who I believe are viewing my page, but the entire Web?
Thank you Mr. President!
As of two nights ago, a dumbbell has been lifted from my back.
I will have health insurance after I graduate!
As a senior at the University at Albany, I constantly am faced with the question, “what are your plans for next year?” My whimsical answer usually consists of traveling or something about how the economy is horrible. After that, I pray that the answer was enough to appease the interviewer; however there is always the odd few who ask follow up questions. The main one I hear from family members, professors, and friends, is what about health insurance?
Sometimes I laugh at the question and say I will pretend to be my sister, but really, what would I do? I tend to be a bit over reactive. My most reason traumatic experience was when I assumed I had Lyme disease. I self diagnosed myself on WebMD, which is always a no no, and rang my mother in hysterics. Apparently Lyme disease can spread to a person’s heart, which I was positive was happening at that exact time I was on the phone.
After getting blood work done and finding that the “tick bite” was a pimple, I left the doctor a healthy, with a lack of pride and an appreciation for my parent’s health care coverage.
Now, with the news that I will be insurance under my parent’s until I am 27, so long as I am living under their roof, I have a calm about me. I no longer stress at the idea of a job.
Hmm, I forgot about paying back those student loans…
I will have health insurance after I graduate!
As a senior at the University at Albany, I constantly am faced with the question, “what are your plans for next year?” My whimsical answer usually consists of traveling or something about how the economy is horrible. After that, I pray that the answer was enough to appease the interviewer; however there is always the odd few who ask follow up questions. The main one I hear from family members, professors, and friends, is what about health insurance?
Sometimes I laugh at the question and say I will pretend to be my sister, but really, what would I do? I tend to be a bit over reactive. My most reason traumatic experience was when I assumed I had Lyme disease. I self diagnosed myself on WebMD, which is always a no no, and rang my mother in hysterics. Apparently Lyme disease can spread to a person’s heart, which I was positive was happening at that exact time I was on the phone.
After getting blood work done and finding that the “tick bite” was a pimple, I left the doctor a healthy, with a lack of pride and an appreciation for my parent’s health care coverage.
Now, with the news that I will be insurance under my parent’s until I am 27, so long as I am living under their roof, I have a calm about me. I no longer stress at the idea of a job.
Hmm, I forgot about paying back those student loans…
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Lindsay Ain't No Madonna
There is something funny about a baby speaking with an adult voice. My dad could not control his laughter when the newest comercial hit the television. If you haven't seen it, check it out.
Made ya laugh right?
Well it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. In this case, the person who was defamed is Lindsey Lohan, or so she says.
The New York Post states, "Lindsay Lohan is suing the financial company E-Trade, insisting that a boyfriend-stealing, "milkaholic" baby in its latest commercial -- who happens to be named Lindsay -- was modeled after her. And she wants $100 million for her pain and suffering, The Post has learned."
Apparently, Lohan feels her name is so recognizable, that it stands alone, much like Oprah, Cher, and Madonna.
To me, this is just another way of earning some extra cash. Lohan has been out of work for sometime and the only publicity she receives is for being coked out or breaking up with her girlfriend. Jumping into the lime light for another 15 minutes, she hopes to recirculate her name to the media.
Good luck Lindsey, you "milkaholic!"
Made ya laugh right?
Well it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. In this case, the person who was defamed is Lindsey Lohan, or so she says.
The New York Post states, "Lindsay Lohan is suing the financial company E-Trade, insisting that a boyfriend-stealing, "milkaholic" baby in its latest commercial -- who happens to be named Lindsay -- was modeled after her. And she wants $100 million for her pain and suffering, The Post has learned."
Apparently, Lohan feels her name is so recognizable, that it stands alone, much like Oprah, Cher, and Madonna.
To me, this is just another way of earning some extra cash. Lohan has been out of work for sometime and the only publicity she receives is for being coked out or breaking up with her girlfriend. Jumping into the lime light for another 15 minutes, she hopes to recirculate her name to the media.
Good luck Lindsey, you "milkaholic!"
With New Technology, Comes New Pick-Up Lines
I've had the misfortune of working in my share of bars, restaurants, and coffee houses. Although the money is great, the customers are not. The amount of times I've asked, "what do you want?" and received a perverted reply, are countless. I am not trying to boast about my looks, I am simply commenting on the quality of men living in the Albany area; they will hit on anyone.
The other day, a man came into the coffee shop I work at, and I asked, as I always do, "what do you need?" He replied, "your number." I giggled uncomfortably, then asked him again, this time with a seriously annoyed tone, "no seriously, what do you need." After I gave him his caramel latte, a seriously feminine drink, I thought to myself, who asks for numbers, in this day in age?
Although I use my phone quite a bit, I do the majority of my communication through Facebook, Twitter, email, and instant messaging. So to ask for my number, seems a bit outdated? Surely, with the amount of technology at our disposal, doesn't it make more sense to say, what's your email? What's your screen name? Or even, what's your first and last name?
I guess there is some privacy in a phone number. If the person texts you, you don't have to text back. If he calls, don't answer. But in giving out a name, that provides the person in pursuit with a lot of information, which may not be ideal for the party giving out the name.
I also believe that phone numbers are becoming dated, also for the fact that everything someone can do on the web, can now be done on a phone, making actual phone calls almost nonexistent.
And finally, by texting or calling someone, we use the old fashion check list for dating. We get to know the person, asks them on a date, get to know them more over dinner, and see where things go. By adding a person on Facebook, we instantly know who their friends are, what their interests are, where they have traveled, if they are in a "complicated" relationship with anyone, and so on.
Which way do you prefer? Do you see dating advancing in the proposed direction?
The other day, a man came into the coffee shop I work at, and I asked, as I always do, "what do you need?" He replied, "your number." I giggled uncomfortably, then asked him again, this time with a seriously annoyed tone, "no seriously, what do you need." After I gave him his caramel latte, a seriously feminine drink, I thought to myself, who asks for numbers, in this day in age?
Although I use my phone quite a bit, I do the majority of my communication through Facebook, Twitter, email, and instant messaging. So to ask for my number, seems a bit outdated? Surely, with the amount of technology at our disposal, doesn't it make more sense to say, what's your email? What's your screen name? Or even, what's your first and last name?
I guess there is some privacy in a phone number. If the person texts you, you don't have to text back. If he calls, don't answer. But in giving out a name, that provides the person in pursuit with a lot of information, which may not be ideal for the party giving out the name.
I also believe that phone numbers are becoming dated, also for the fact that everything someone can do on the web, can now be done on a phone, making actual phone calls almost nonexistent.
And finally, by texting or calling someone, we use the old fashion check list for dating. We get to know the person, asks them on a date, get to know them more over dinner, and see where things go. By adding a person on Facebook, we instantly know who their friends are, what their interests are, where they have traveled, if they are in a "complicated" relationship with anyone, and so on.
Which way do you prefer? Do you see dating advancing in the proposed direction?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Media 2010: Too Polite
Early tonight, I attended the blogging conference Media 2010: How blogs shape the new conversation. I was most interested in seeing the reactions of the bloggers when they met, face to face, however, the anticipated sparks did not fly. In fact, it further instated the idea of blogging as a shield to hide behind while bashing others.
I think everyone had hoped that the anger and frustration between bloggers would transcend to the conference and result in face to face altercations, but that was simply not the case. Instead, everyone was seemingly nice to one another. Everyone sat in harmony and the conference went off without a hitch. Well, one hitch. Ironically, at the media convention, the sound on the video was not working. Go figure.
As for the idea of hiding behind a computer, it became clear the reason people are able to talk with such words of hate on the Internet.
Time!
During the conference, Kristi Gustafson was asked a question about accepting gifts from companies, in order to write about them on her blog. She answered by stating that instead of taking the gifts for herself, she auctions them off to her readers.
Another blogger on the panel, who was not as loud as the others, therefore I cannot remember his name, responded by asking Gustafson if she would consider getting more readers through the products as a benefit for herself.
Instead of the heated argument which I, and many others, hoped would begin, Gustafson simply explained she had never looked at it in that way.
Online, things would have been different.
If this had occurred on a blog, the readers would jump in at once. People would choose sides and defend them at all costs. But in this setting, everyone watched in silence.
Then, instead of offering a heated rebuttal, Gustafson agreed with him!
That's not supposed to happen!
When it comes to the Internet, there is time to sit down and think about the next move. In face to face interaction, people are not that quick thinking. In fact, we often walk away from an argument, finding a comeback ten minutes later, wishing we could still add to the conversation, even after it is over. But on the web, the individual can wait days.
Is this the difference between online interaction and face to face interaction? That we have more time to be wittier and meaner? Or is it that we aren't scared of anyone when we have the shield of a computer? I personally do not know the answer, but feel that conferences such as this, which bring the hidden online world to the actual reality of old fashion face to face chat, we will discover more.
I think everyone had hoped that the anger and frustration between bloggers would transcend to the conference and result in face to face altercations, but that was simply not the case. Instead, everyone was seemingly nice to one another. Everyone sat in harmony and the conference went off without a hitch. Well, one hitch. Ironically, at the media convention, the sound on the video was not working. Go figure.
As for the idea of hiding behind a computer, it became clear the reason people are able to talk with such words of hate on the Internet.
Time!
During the conference, Kristi Gustafson was asked a question about accepting gifts from companies, in order to write about them on her blog. She answered by stating that instead of taking the gifts for herself, she auctions them off to her readers.
Another blogger on the panel, who was not as loud as the others, therefore I cannot remember his name, responded by asking Gustafson if she would consider getting more readers through the products as a benefit for herself.
Instead of the heated argument which I, and many others, hoped would begin, Gustafson simply explained she had never looked at it in that way.
Online, things would have been different.
If this had occurred on a blog, the readers would jump in at once. People would choose sides and defend them at all costs. But in this setting, everyone watched in silence.
Then, instead of offering a heated rebuttal, Gustafson agreed with him!
That's not supposed to happen!
When it comes to the Internet, there is time to sit down and think about the next move. In face to face interaction, people are not that quick thinking. In fact, we often walk away from an argument, finding a comeback ten minutes later, wishing we could still add to the conversation, even after it is over. But on the web, the individual can wait days.
Is this the difference between online interaction and face to face interaction? That we have more time to be wittier and meaner? Or is it that we aren't scared of anyone when we have the shield of a computer? I personally do not know the answer, but feel that conferences such as this, which bring the hidden online world to the actual reality of old fashion face to face chat, we will discover more.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Are You Too Cool For Twitter?
Recently, I have gotten into Twitter, big time. I love it! I think the main reason I love it, is due to my lack of interest in Facebook, which I like to think is my maturity level shining through, but also because I understand how to use Twitter now.
Some of you may be laughing thinking, how to use Twitter? Well you just create a password and then write mini blog posts of 140 characters. Sounds easy, right?
Not so much.
The actual space of Twitter can be intimidating and quite daunting. The thought of your minuscule post being swallowed up in cyber space for no one to ever see or read is quite frightening. It may even discourage you from publishing all together. But once you understand Twitter, it is actually quite amazing.
I started using Twitter for a few things. One, I use it as a tool to keep in touch with some friends. The ones who use it, use it often, which makes it easier to keep up with their day to day lives.
Two, I follow people in the field of journalism. This makes it easier to follow the news as well as new ideas that I will need to understand and know when entering the journalismfield.
And finally, I use it as a tool for a guilty pleasure. I follow celebrities, cooking sites, travel sites, and more.
But how do you do that? Isn't everything jumbled together?
LISTS my friend! Try it. It honestly makes everything so much easier.
Okay, who cares?
The point I'm trying to make is that Twitter isn't just a self obsessed website for people to add to their ego. It is a tool that can help you on so many levels!
What really erks me, is when I hear people put down Twitter, right away.
I was sitting in class the other day, when my teacher asked if anyone was currently "microblogging?" Myself and one other student raised their hand.
It was a lecture center of 600 students.
When the teacher explained what microblogging was, a girl in front of me looked at her friend and said, "I don't use Twitter and I never will."
With ideas like that, she might as well toss her cell phone and her laptop out the window of a fast moving car.
The second thing that turned me on to blogging about this was this Facebook conversation between two college aged girls:
Girl #1: can we get twitter? i am rather intrigued and would like to know what you are doing all day since facebook doessn't give me the best stalking abilities when it comes to ur everyday life. xoxo
Girl #2: i just want to say, you've written on my wall seven times since the last time i wrote on yours...WHY YOU SO OBSESSED WITHMEHHH. =] oh and you wanna tweet me huh? redicccc. i'll neva do dat sheeet.
This conversation proves to be an example of the sad, simple minded college students who are not using Twitter to the full capabilitiy.
My conclusion and solution? Those who do decide to use Twitter will increase their contacts, benefits, and existence in the cyber world. Those who don't, will live on in the dated, Facebook stalking world, where pictures and posts dictate the the lives of the simple.
Some of you may be laughing thinking, how to use Twitter? Well you just create a password and then write mini blog posts of 140 characters. Sounds easy, right?
Not so much.
The actual space of Twitter can be intimidating and quite daunting. The thought of your minuscule post being swallowed up in cyber space for no one to ever see or read is quite frightening. It may even discourage you from publishing all together. But once you understand Twitter, it is actually quite amazing.
I started using Twitter for a few things. One, I use it as a tool to keep in touch with some friends. The ones who use it, use it often, which makes it easier to keep up with their day to day lives.
Two, I follow people in the field of journalism. This makes it easier to follow the news as well as new ideas that I will need to understand and know when entering the journalismfield.
And finally, I use it as a tool for a guilty pleasure. I follow celebrities, cooking sites, travel sites, and more.
But how do you do that? Isn't everything jumbled together?
LISTS my friend! Try it. It honestly makes everything so much easier.
Okay, who cares?
The point I'm trying to make is that Twitter isn't just a self obsessed website for people to add to their ego. It is a tool that can help you on so many levels!
What really erks me, is when I hear people put down Twitter, right away.
I was sitting in class the other day, when my teacher asked if anyone was currently "microblogging?" Myself and one other student raised their hand.
It was a lecture center of 600 students.
When the teacher explained what microblogging was, a girl in front of me looked at her friend and said, "I don't use Twitter and I never will."
With ideas like that, she might as well toss her cell phone and her laptop out the window of a fast moving car.
The second thing that turned me on to blogging about this was this Facebook conversation between two college aged girls:
Girl #1: can we get twitter? i am rather intrigued and would like to know what you are doing all day since facebook doessn't give me the best stalking abilities when it comes to ur everyday life. xoxo
Girl #2: i just want to say, you've written on my wall seven times since the last time i wrote on yours...WHY YOU SO OBSESSED WITHMEHHH. =] oh and you wanna tweet me huh? redicccc. i'll neva do dat sheeet.
This conversation proves to be an example of the sad, simple minded college students who are not using Twitter to the full capabilitiy.
My conclusion and solution? Those who do decide to use Twitter will increase their contacts, benefits, and existence in the cyber world. Those who don't, will live on in the dated, Facebook stalking world, where pictures and posts dictate the the lives of the simple.
Publish, Then Filter
In his book, Here Comes Everybody, Clay Shirky presents the presents the idea of “publish, then filter.” To many in the writing industry, this may sound a bit absurd, as the standard is to always filter, or edit, before publishing, to ensure a perfectly put together piece of work. But today, many of the people publishing are not professionals; therefore do not abide by the standard rules of journalism or publishing. And not everything on the web has educational or intellectual value, but isn’t that what we love about it?
In reading his work, I understand where Shirky is coming from and think his point makes excellent sense, however I would like to span from the theory in my own direction. The beauty of the Internet is that the blogging world has emerged. With this, anyone who is anyone can publish their thoughts and ideas. Grandma Sue can blog about her cat while her nephew Bill blogs about the Mets. It allows every average Joe to become a mini celebrity. I honestly felt celebrity status when I got my first Twitter follower. Granted, it was my boyfriend, since then I have gained followers consistently and it makes me feel like someone is listening; like my writing isn’t a total waste.
When Shirky discusses the amateur writing and how the emergence of “publish, then filter” has come about, he explains that not everything on the web is for us. Many of what is being written has been written for other people, but this is where I disagree.
In my own experience, the phone is still a useful tool for conveying and sharing information. The Internet has proved a tool for sharing this information even further. An example of a communication transaction that occurred this weekend works perfectly for this situation. My friends and I went to a local bar on Friday night, which was filled with familiar faces. Beers were drank, stories were told, laughs were had. The next day, my friend Eileen and I were texting back and forth, rehashing the previous night, as we always do. While in the process of texting her, I realize that a comment has been left on my Facebook wall. It’s from Eileen! Surely whatever she is about to say online, would have had the same effect through a text message?
The point was, Eileen had something to say that was directed at me, but intended for others to read. If she had simply intended it for me, and me alone, she could have continued the thread of text messaging. However, she made a conscious decision to upload it to the Internet, allowing everyone of my “friends” to read her hilarious moment from the night before.
In this sense, I think Shirky has exaggerated his theory. Yes, many conversations that occur on the Internet are meant for certain people’s eyes only. However, there are many cases in which the information is uploaded for an ounce of fame, hoping others will read it.
In reading his work, I understand where Shirky is coming from and think his point makes excellent sense, however I would like to span from the theory in my own direction. The beauty of the Internet is that the blogging world has emerged. With this, anyone who is anyone can publish their thoughts and ideas. Grandma Sue can blog about her cat while her nephew Bill blogs about the Mets. It allows every average Joe to become a mini celebrity. I honestly felt celebrity status when I got my first Twitter follower. Granted, it was my boyfriend, since then I have gained followers consistently and it makes me feel like someone is listening; like my writing isn’t a total waste.
When Shirky discusses the amateur writing and how the emergence of “publish, then filter” has come about, he explains that not everything on the web is for us. Many of what is being written has been written for other people, but this is where I disagree.
In my own experience, the phone is still a useful tool for conveying and sharing information. The Internet has proved a tool for sharing this information even further. An example of a communication transaction that occurred this weekend works perfectly for this situation. My friends and I went to a local bar on Friday night, which was filled with familiar faces. Beers were drank, stories were told, laughs were had. The next day, my friend Eileen and I were texting back and forth, rehashing the previous night, as we always do. While in the process of texting her, I realize that a comment has been left on my Facebook wall. It’s from Eileen! Surely whatever she is about to say online, would have had the same effect through a text message?
The point was, Eileen had something to say that was directed at me, but intended for others to read. If she had simply intended it for me, and me alone, she could have continued the thread of text messaging. However, she made a conscious decision to upload it to the Internet, allowing everyone of my “friends” to read her hilarious moment from the night before.
In this sense, I think Shirky has exaggerated his theory. Yes, many conversations that occur on the Internet are meant for certain people’s eyes only. However, there are many cases in which the information is uploaded for an ounce of fame, hoping others will read it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
