Taking this course as an online class has really helped me to take control of the class. It has allowed me full control of how and when I studied and got online. I enjoyed the freedom and added responsibility of this online course.
The blogs we posted throughout the course were helpful as well, not only by allowing me to share my work with others and get valuble feedback, but by allowing me to read what others have done as well.
There was a few things that were challeing for me, mostly the "word art" of activity 2. I had really no idea all that you can do with words and placement with microsoft word. I must have edited 15 different songs and quotes before I was finally happy with what I completed.
The visual advocacy project was my favorite. I really learned a lot about advocating something that I necessarily did not agree with one hundred percent. I learned to argue that point while keeping my personal beliefs out of it.
I valued the feedback I recieved from Prof. Yerks and appreciated that nothing was held back. I feel that her comments were what was most valuble in this course!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Question 1
1. Why do you think Coupland's characters speak in computer jargon, and use technical expressions to describe their lives and environment? How does this compare to your experiences of the workplace and home? What effect does this way of speaking have on others?
When a person makes their career count for so much in their life it is difficult not to “take it home.” The characters in Coupland’s “Microserfs” make this fact evident. To the characters in this novel, computers and technology are all they know. It is not only their job, but their way of life. I think they do this because it is what makes sense to them. It adds a sense of familiarity to their day to day and it helps them to put their lives in a perspective that they can easily identify with. I myself can relate to this as I often catch myself using terms and phrases that really only apply in my work place. I would say it is for the same reasons. So much of our time is spent at work that it becomes ingrained in you and really becomes a part of who you are. This type of speaking can definitely leave people out. It makes it difficult for others to join a conversation and can really close circles to meeting new people, which in Microserfs, the characters rarely did.
Question 2
1. Karla says, "computers will continue to be developed . . . an 'entity is going to be created that has its own intelligence." What is Karla saying about artificial intelligence (AI)? What are your perspectives on AI?
I think Karla is simply stating that computers and technology are becoming so far advanced that the only place they have left to go is to become a sort of species of their own. Those computers are only what the people who build them put into them. She is meaning that artificial intelligence exists through the creators. Computer programmers and “coders” are essentially creating that intelligence. She even goes so far as to categorizing Mac as female and PC as male. She states “Windows is non-intuitive…counter-intuitive sometimes…WOMEN crave efficiency, elegance…” (Microserfs 120). Karla has an unusual, extremely analytical way of thinking. She also goes on to say “we cannot de-invent computers” (Coupland 35). Computers are what we made them, they will get as advanced as we will allow them to be.
Question 3
1. Daniel Underwood has been described as an "anti-hero" who is a "dull nobody." In what ways is this statement true? Why has Coupland used this form of an anti-hero?
Dan does not really do anything to qualify himself a hero. He rescues no one. He’s not much of a leader. He leads a rather unexciting life and he really does not seem to have any inclination to spice it up. He seems fairly happy with his meager existence, but you can sense that he wants more. I think Coupland chose to portray Dan in this light to illustrate that you don’t have to be a hero to desire more in life. The author wanted to show the growth than Dan goes through and that you can come from tragedy, (referring to his brother Jed) be “geeky” and still come out ahead. The turning point for Dan was when he confronted his father about his relationship with Michael. “Michael’s not Jed, Dad. He just isn’t. And neither am I. And I just can’t keep trying to keep up with him. Because no matter how hard I run. I’m never going to catch up.”(Microserfs 221) It was nice to see him grow as a person throughout this book, to finally open up about his brother and allow him-self to be vulnerable, not just the geek.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. MIcroserfs. New York, NY: Reagan books, 2005.
1. Why do you think Coupland's characters speak in computer jargon, and use technical expressions to describe their lives and environment? How does this compare to your experiences of the workplace and home? What effect does this way of speaking have on others?
When a person makes their career count for so much in their life it is difficult not to “take it home.” The characters in Coupland’s “Microserfs” make this fact evident. To the characters in this novel, computers and technology are all they know. It is not only their job, but their way of life. I think they do this because it is what makes sense to them. It adds a sense of familiarity to their day to day and it helps them to put their lives in a perspective that they can easily identify with. I myself can relate to this as I often catch myself using terms and phrases that really only apply in my work place. I would say it is for the same reasons. So much of our time is spent at work that it becomes ingrained in you and really becomes a part of who you are. This type of speaking can definitely leave people out. It makes it difficult for others to join a conversation and can really close circles to meeting new people, which in Microserfs, the characters rarely did.
Question 2
1. Karla says, "computers will continue to be developed . . . an 'entity is going to be created that has its own intelligence." What is Karla saying about artificial intelligence (AI)? What are your perspectives on AI?
I think Karla is simply stating that computers and technology are becoming so far advanced that the only place they have left to go is to become a sort of species of their own. Those computers are only what the people who build them put into them. She is meaning that artificial intelligence exists through the creators. Computer programmers and “coders” are essentially creating that intelligence. She even goes so far as to categorizing Mac as female and PC as male. She states “Windows is non-intuitive…counter-intuitive sometimes…WOMEN crave efficiency, elegance…” (Microserfs 120). Karla has an unusual, extremely analytical way of thinking. She also goes on to say “we cannot de-invent computers” (Coupland 35). Computers are what we made them, they will get as advanced as we will allow them to be.
Question 3
1. Daniel Underwood has been described as an "anti-hero" who is a "dull nobody." In what ways is this statement true? Why has Coupland used this form of an anti-hero?
Dan does not really do anything to qualify himself a hero. He rescues no one. He’s not much of a leader. He leads a rather unexciting life and he really does not seem to have any inclination to spice it up. He seems fairly happy with his meager existence, but you can sense that he wants more. I think Coupland chose to portray Dan in this light to illustrate that you don’t have to be a hero to desire more in life. The author wanted to show the growth than Dan goes through and that you can come from tragedy, (referring to his brother Jed) be “geeky” and still come out ahead. The turning point for Dan was when he confronted his father about his relationship with Michael. “Michael’s not Jed, Dad. He just isn’t. And neither am I. And I just can’t keep trying to keep up with him. Because no matter how hard I run. I’m never going to catch up.”(Microserfs 221) It was nice to see him grow as a person throughout this book, to finally open up about his brother and allow him-self to be vulnerable, not just the geek.
Works Cited
Coupland, Douglas. MIcroserfs. New York, NY: Reagan books, 2005.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Word Art
I chose this quote by Dr. Seuss because I feel he is wise beyond many of us. His quirkiness and originality is relayed in his works and all his personal quotes. Most of us became familiar with his work as children, and I even now pass his work on to my child.
With this particular quote I feel he is attempting to wake up the imagination. Imagination is something Seuss is very well known for. That life without fantasy and creative thoughts would be rather boring. The human mind is an amazing machine and when used to its full potential the possibilities are limitless.
When editing the quote I wanted to make it as “Seussian” as possible. I chose bold colors with wispy fonts to try and mimic some of the styles of his writing. I alternated words between these few colors to simulate the innovative rhyming style he is so well known for. I also altered between sizes to enhance the importance of the words “fantasy” and “reality.” Those two words I feel are what the whole quote is centered around. The font for fantasy was kept very whimsical while for reality the font was meant to be more grounded. I feel these changes enhance his message without losing his simplistic manner.
With this particular quote I feel he is attempting to wake up the imagination. Imagination is something Seuss is very well known for. That life without fantasy and creative thoughts would be rather boring. The human mind is an amazing machine and when used to its full potential the possibilities are limitless.
When editing the quote I wanted to make it as “Seussian” as possible. I chose bold colors with wispy fonts to try and mimic some of the styles of his writing. I alternated words between these few colors to simulate the innovative rhyming style he is so well known for. I also altered between sizes to enhance the importance of the words “fantasy” and “reality.” Those two words I feel are what the whole quote is centered around. The font for fantasy was kept very whimsical while for reality the font was meant to be more grounded. I feel these changes enhance his message without losing his simplistic manner.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Changes to Rough Draft
My rough draft to module 3 was just that. Rough. I like to start with a general outline and just pour all my thoughts into the draft. It may not be cohesive or structurally sound by any means, but it is just an effective way for me to stream my thoughts. I try to get the tough part situated first. That being the works cited, I included that in my rought draft. Basically from that point I marry my thoughts into something that makes sense and flows nicely from one point to the next, eliminating what I like to call "fluff". I find that when I dont do some kind of outline I end up missing points that I felt were important to include. Elimination of what does not support the thesis is an important part of tieing it all together and another part of the transformation from the outline to the actual finished piece.
Module3 Final
Consumer purchases are at times second nature. When making a purchase it is not usual for a buyer to think why they chose an item or what utility it offers to them. As simple a task as that may seem, there is a sort of science behind how consumers purchase and the steps taken that affects their decisions. It is the field of marketing that put this into perspective. You could say that marketing is the science of validating, altering and confirming consumer’s purchasing decisions. Three articles I’ve found support the idea that marketing has a great impact on buyer’s decision making.
In her article “Missed College Market: They Have Millions in Spending Power, but Businesses Might be Missing an Opportunity by not Marketing to College Students” (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, 2008), Jane Brisset explores the opportunities many business miss out on by not targeting the college market. She supports her view with many facts and statistics that put the loss of potential into monetary figures. She goes on to say, “Nationwide, college students and their parents will spend $36.6 billion returning to campus this year.” The impact of not marketing to this age group is evident with this fact. The reality is, college enrollment is increasing year over year, and this group could easily drive an economy to be successful. According to Brisset, it is unclear why businesses are missing the mark when it comes to college students spending power. She writes, “I think it's ignored because these people are easily overlooked.” When businesses fail to notice this group, they are overlooking billions of dollars.
On the other hand, there does seem to be one business in particular that does not neglect the opportunity to profit from the college age market. The alcohol industry spends millions of dollars a year making their products available to that market. Another article explores this premise. The article, entitled “The marketing of alcohol to college students: The role of low prices and special promotions.” The author of this article, Meichun Kuo, investigates the use of marketing to introduce alcohol to college age students. It is no secret that many college students suffer from binge drinking and many die from
Chavez2
this epidemic. According to studies conducted by the author, “Among the 830 on-premise locations surrounding college campuses, the prices for a single drink, pitcher, or the largest volume were significantly correlated with college binge-drinking rates: The lower average alcohol sale price among on-premise establishments surrounding the college campus, the higher the college binge drinking rate.” These businesses are effectively marketing to the group resulting in high profits for the business but it leaves them with an ethical dilemma. Although businesses are operating to make a profit, they also have a social responsibility to know where to draw the line. Prices and promotions show a direct correlation with college students and binge drinking. The author goes on to discuss the efforts to reduce binge drinking and how they have mainly been centered on education and changing the behavior of college students. Ultimately the author supports reform of marketing regulation and practices to alleviate the problems marketing alcohol to college students creates.
Demonstrated in an editorial by Jane Workman, the article “Promotional Product Marketing, College Students and Social Identity” explores ways companies market their product with the use of promotional items. According to Workman, "Promotional products marketing is an umbrella term for imprinted merchandise such as T-shirts, writing instruments, baseball caps, and coffee mugs" (Workman 1). Often these items are distributed throughout college campuses to raise awareness of their products and services. These can include alcohol and credit card companies promoting their products. Workman conducted an on campus study to determine the amount of exposure college students have with this type of merchandise. Among students at one university, more than 45% owned alcohol promotional items, with T-shirts and hats the most common items (Workman, 2004). While this practice seems to be popular among companies, Workman does discuss the effectiveness of this type of marketing as well. The conclusion she draws from her study supports the idea that “many promotional items are effective
Chavez3
in promoting a company's product; some may be too effective in promoting products that are harmful to the financial, physical, or mental health of consumers” (Workman 2004). The fact that businesses spend enormous amounts of money on this type of marketing proves that is a very effective way to raise brand awareness.
The truth is marketing is a powerful and effective tool. Corporations are wise to the successes that marketing has brought to them and will continue to use this tool to their advantage. Ethical or not, it is an important part of consumerism and doing business.
Chavez4
Works Cited
Harvard School of Public Health. "Binge Drinking Tied To Conditions In The College Environment." ScienceDaily 14 July 2008. 14 November 2008.
" Knight Ridder Tribune Business News 28 August 2006 1. ABI/INFORM Dateline. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008
Jane E Workman, Beth Winfrey Freeburg. "Promotional Product Marketing, College Students, and Social Identity. " Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 100.1 (2008): 43-49. Research Library. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 16 Nov. 2008
In her article “Missed College Market: They Have Millions in Spending Power, but Businesses Might be Missing an Opportunity by not Marketing to College Students” (Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, 2008), Jane Brisset explores the opportunities many business miss out on by not targeting the college market. She supports her view with many facts and statistics that put the loss of potential into monetary figures. She goes on to say, “Nationwide, college students and their parents will spend $36.6 billion returning to campus this year.” The impact of not marketing to this age group is evident with this fact. The reality is, college enrollment is increasing year over year, and this group could easily drive an economy to be successful. According to Brisset, it is unclear why businesses are missing the mark when it comes to college students spending power. She writes, “I think it's ignored because these people are easily overlooked.” When businesses fail to notice this group, they are overlooking billions of dollars.
On the other hand, there does seem to be one business in particular that does not neglect the opportunity to profit from the college age market. The alcohol industry spends millions of dollars a year making their products available to that market. Another article explores this premise. The article, entitled “The marketing of alcohol to college students: The role of low prices and special promotions.” The author of this article, Meichun Kuo, investigates the use of marketing to introduce alcohol to college age students. It is no secret that many college students suffer from binge drinking and many die from
Chavez2
this epidemic. According to studies conducted by the author, “Among the 830 on-premise locations surrounding college campuses, the prices for a single drink, pitcher, or the largest volume were significantly correlated with college binge-drinking rates: The lower average alcohol sale price among on-premise establishments surrounding the college campus, the higher the college binge drinking rate.” These businesses are effectively marketing to the group resulting in high profits for the business but it leaves them with an ethical dilemma. Although businesses are operating to make a profit, they also have a social responsibility to know where to draw the line. Prices and promotions show a direct correlation with college students and binge drinking. The author goes on to discuss the efforts to reduce binge drinking and how they have mainly been centered on education and changing the behavior of college students. Ultimately the author supports reform of marketing regulation and practices to alleviate the problems marketing alcohol to college students creates.
Demonstrated in an editorial by Jane Workman, the article “Promotional Product Marketing, College Students and Social Identity” explores ways companies market their product with the use of promotional items. According to Workman, "Promotional products marketing is an umbrella term for imprinted merchandise such as T-shirts, writing instruments, baseball caps, and coffee mugs" (Workman 1). Often these items are distributed throughout college campuses to raise awareness of their products and services. These can include alcohol and credit card companies promoting their products. Workman conducted an on campus study to determine the amount of exposure college students have with this type of merchandise. Among students at one university, more than 45% owned alcohol promotional items, with T-shirts and hats the most common items (Workman, 2004). While this practice seems to be popular among companies, Workman does discuss the effectiveness of this type of marketing as well. The conclusion she draws from her study supports the idea that “many promotional items are effective
Chavez3
in promoting a company's product; some may be too effective in promoting products that are harmful to the financial, physical, or mental health of consumers” (Workman 2004). The fact that businesses spend enormous amounts of money on this type of marketing proves that is a very effective way to raise brand awareness.
The truth is marketing is a powerful and effective tool. Corporations are wise to the successes that marketing has brought to them and will continue to use this tool to their advantage. Ethical or not, it is an important part of consumerism and doing business.
Chavez4
Works Cited
Harvard School of Public Health. "Binge Drinking Tied To Conditions In The College Environment." ScienceDaily 14 July 2008. 14 November 2008
" Knight Ridder Tribune Business News 28 August 2006 1. ABI/INFORM Dateline. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008
Jane E Workman, Beth Winfrey Freeburg. "Promotional Product Marketing, College Students, and Social Identity. " Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 100.1 (2008): 43-49. Research Library. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 16 Nov. 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Extremely Rough Draft..Module 3
Started as an outline.
Citations included within each article
Rough Draft Module 3
Article 1.
Topic: Businesses miss the mark by not marketing to college students
Thesis: Business in college towns are losing out of a lot of potential money by not marketing to college students.
Audience: For this article the audience would be everyone really, Consumers and businesses alike.
Information Relay (how): The author uses a lot of facts and statistics to support the thesis.
Jane Brissett. "Missed college market?: They have millions in spending power, but businesses might be missing an opportunity by not marketing to college students. " Knight Ridder Tribune Business News 28 August 2006 1. ABI/INFORM Dateline. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008
Article 2
Topic: Marketing alcohol to college students
Thesis: Many deaths of college students from binge drinking can be partly blamed to the companies that market their products to students
Audience: Institutions and students and also parents
Information Relay (how): The author conducted a study within a college campus to gather information
Article 3
Topic: Promotional product marketing, College students, and social identity
Thesis: How students in an identity exploration phase are often marketed to by businesses and the nature of the marketing
Audience: Students and universities and marketing departments
Information relay (how): With facts and studies Jane E Workman, Beth Winfrey Freeburg. "Promotional Product Marketing, College Students, and Social Identity. " Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 100.1 (2008): 43-49. Research Library. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008 http://www.proquest.com/
Citations included within each article
Rough Draft Module 3
Article 1.
Topic: Businesses miss the mark by not marketing to college students
Thesis: Business in college towns are losing out of a lot of potential money by not marketing to college students.
Audience: For this article the audience would be everyone really, Consumers and businesses alike.
Information Relay (how): The author uses a lot of facts and statistics to support the thesis.
Jane Brissett. "Missed college market?: They have millions in spending power, but businesses might be missing an opportunity by not marketing to college students. " Knight Ridder Tribune Business News 28 August 2006 1. ABI/INFORM Dateline. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008
Article 2
Topic: Marketing alcohol to college students
Thesis: Many deaths of college students from binge drinking can be partly blamed to the companies that market their products to students
Audience: Institutions and students and also parents
Information Relay (how): The author conducted a study within a college campus to gather information
Article 3
Topic: Promotional product marketing, College students, and social identity
Thesis: How students in an identity exploration phase are often marketed to by businesses and the nature of the marketing
Audience: Students and universities and marketing departments
Information relay (how): With facts and studies Jane E Workman, Beth Winfrey Freeburg. "Promotional Product Marketing, College Students, and Social Identity. " Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 100.1 (2008): 43-49. Research Library. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008 http://www.proquest.com/
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Response-Gender Differences in "Social Portraits"
As a female with a long since closed Myspace account I can agree with the author of this article. I just find the whole thing silly to be quite honest. While I enjoyed the interaction and keeping in touch with friends that I did not get to often see, it seemed as if the premise of many users was to try to prove something. With their outlandish profile pictures and about me sections that seemed to just be there to how happy and how pretty they are. Browsing other profiles gave me hours of amusement, and maybe a few "are you kidding me right now" moments.
If you consider men and women in general outside of the cyber world, men are still generally less apt to reveal personal information about relationships and such. Why would that be any different on the web? It seems like females, for the most part, lose a lot of individuality and try to make it into some type of competition in most social networking sites.
If you consider men and women in general outside of the cyber world, men are still generally less apt to reveal personal information about relationships and such. Why would that be any different on the web? It seems like females, for the most part, lose a lot of individuality and try to make it into some type of competition in most social networking sites.
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