do not disturb

In William Deresiewicz's essay "The end of solitude", the author describes how my generation has come to a point were we are never alone. The constant communication through text, Facebook, Twitter etc. has made us so use to being in touch with people that we are afraid to be alone. Instead of focusing on our tangible self, we are more concerned about our online self.

I agree with Deresiewicz that our generation is use to being constantly connected, yet, I do believe that this is because the technology is so new we haven't been taught or know how to remove ourselves from it. One thing is for sure, the new update of the iPhone has a "Do not disturb button" that needs to be used.

Settings > Do not disturb > On

All you need to do so your notifications, texts and calls hold off. Bianca Bosker, the Senior Tech Editor of the Huffington Post, explained:

The Do Not Disturb tool marks a refreshing admission by a tech company that we actually have a life beyond our gadgets, and for all the good it does to be wedded to our devices, every now and again we need to trade FaceTime for face-to-face time.

It's Apple's way of saying, "Hey, there's a life out there you need to pay attention to!" The simple change of the iOS 6 software might also be the stepping stone to regain solitude.

Picture this: it's a saturday afternoon, you go outside, turn on the Do not disturb on your iPhone and read a book with no interruptions. Well, it sounds good to me.

Google/Gmail blocked in Iran

News Article from BBC

Imagine receiving a text message saying that your Gmail is blocked. That is what happened to Iranians. 

The link above is an article from BBC news informing that Google's search engine and Gmail has been blocked in Iran. According to the government Gmail does not satisfy Islamic Law and they "filtered it until further notice". The government claims that the people have asked for this ban because of a anti-Islamic movie "Innocence of Muslims" which was posted in Google videos. 


Yet, many citizens told BBC that they were outraged. Here are some tweets that BBC posted against the ban:

"This is a pre-determined scenario to block Google in Iran, they wanted to do this since long time ago." 

"Now they have found the best alibi to do it."

"Students and businesses use Google services the most. This self-proclaimed superpower is afraid of satellites, internet and people's consciousness."

However, it seems like other Iranians agree with the ban: 

"Google has removed the name of Persian Gulf from its map and has banned users inside Iran to access many of its services because of sanctions," Faramarz, from Qazvin, wrote. 

"Banning the service will bring some losses to Google, although not substantial. I agree with banning it." 

YouTube has also been censored in Iran since 2009.

There are two things that come to mind when I read this article. First, it is scary for me to see how a government can easily control what their people can and cannot see. The Web seems very easy to use, but it is also very easy to control. In the United States we often talk about how the censorship that happens in other countries and never wonder what happens here.

Yet, other communication platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs etc. let the opinions of people within the country be known. I'm amazed how easy it is to get reactions from the public. Iran might have shut down Google and Gmail but the voices con or pro it are not being silenced. When no voices from within are being heard, that's when we need to worry.

my digital media consumption

"Oh my, starry eyed surprised.

Sun down to sunrise

Dance all night

We gonna dance all night

Dance all night to this DJ..."

Wake up. Slide my Iphone to shut off Paul Oakenfold's "Starry Eyed Surprise". Random alarm music? Why yes, it's my specialty. 

I open my computer and put a nice "Good Morning!" playlist on 8tracks.com. I get ready for my day and as I go to class I get a text from my boyfriend. We go to different schools, but we're always talking. 

I remove myself from technology and go to class. As soon as I get out I check my e-mail. I get a notification saying someone favorited my tweet so I check twitter, all 3 of my accounts. 

Go to the gym. No internet usage but there's tv's in front of the treadmills. I like to watch soccer games because I don't need to actually hear it. 

As I walk home after the gym I notice I haven't checked my Facebook all day. My best friend from home sent me a message! Oh how I miss them...

When I get home I listen to Pandora as I shower. Nothing like a good concert for myself. 

I check my e-mail again. This time mysju account and thehawknews gmail account too. I upload recent sports scores in The Hawk's website. 

I call my mom. She tells me she likes how the shirt she bought me looks on me. (She saw it on Facebook). 

I have dinner. One of my roommates baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and we eat them at our living room while watching TV. This is my favorite moment of the day. When my roommates (all 7 of them) and I just relax at the living room. Sometimes we watch TV, and sometimes it serves as background noise for our conversation. Granted, many of us have our Iphones glued to our hands, but we show each other funny tweets and instagrams that we find. 

Digital media definitely is a big part of my life. Since I was a growing up, I always found technology fascinating. I would play in Microsoft's paint and make graphs in Excel about nothing in particular. 

Now, I like to embrace digital media but above all understand it. In my opinion it is very hard to avoid using it because it is how the world communicates. For example, to talk to my mom in Puerto Rico or my best friend in DC it's important to have these technologies. 

Yet, I think it's important to reflect how often we use digital media and in what ways it affects us. We need to understand how it limits us and how it empowers us. Most importantly, we need to understand that digital media is always changing so it's something we need to think about often. 

the history of the web/ some random thoughts

Web History Graphic

Click on the link above and let your mind be blown by the history of the Web. It's amazing how fast the development of the Web has gone and even more so how the speed of the development is accelerating. 

I think the study of the Web is something that should be talked about more. In fact, it should even be a part of history classes. I know about it because I'm a Communications minor, yet, the Web affects all of us. It re-wires our brains and makes us act different. 

Right now we are at a phase of transition where many people might reject the reality that we are changing drastically because of this. Yet, if we deny it we will completely lose ourselves. We need to embrace the positive things that the Web provides us with and challenge the negative ones. Why is it wrong to text at dinner? Is there a new code of manners that needs to be written about when technology is appropriate? Certainly, professors and teachers have made that code clear in their syllabus. 

Yet the reality is that because we have changed as humans, we need to educate the new generation differently. Remember when your mom said, "Stand up straight and don't put your elbows on the table!" Now we have to say even to our friends, "Can you not text while we're having lunch?"

Yet, technology unites us. We can share videos, photographs and thoughts together as well. You and your friends can listen to music together from a playlist created by someone in Chile. You and your dad can see the funny video cousin John posted in your wall. 

Be where you are. That is the key. Before texting, tweeting, changing your status or instagraming, see your surroundings and think if you are including or excluding people with technology. 

When Guttenberg invented the printing press, literacy rose so that the elite, upper class wasn't the only one to understand the world and develop intellectual ideas. Now the Web has allowed us to create and share our ideas. Yet, it is important to remember that if we lose touch of the reality outside of the Web, we will never enjoy the world that we learn and undertand about within it. 

you, me and our followers

[Adam walks in Jill's dorm. They are both juniors in college and have been close friends since freshman year.]

Hey Jill, how was your day?

[Jill is sitting at her desk and has her headphones on. She doesn't answer.]

What are you doing there?

[He walks closer to her]

Oh, checking your Facebook and listening to Pandora, that's cool. Third Eye Blind station? That's a good one.

[Still no answer]

I came here because I wanted to tell you something in person. Can you please disconnect and pay attention to me?

No? Oh, I see how it is. I guess Facebook stalking Leah is more important. She has a new boyfriend I see, what else is new. I can never keep up with her love life.

Well back to what I wanted to say...

[Adam takes a deep breath]

I love you.

Well, this is awkward. I don't even know why I tried.

Maybe I should tweet at you, huh?

I can picture it now I can say, "@Jillybean I @heyad12 love you. #bemine" and you can answer, "@heyad12  I love you too! #friendsforever"

That's not what I mean tho... I. Love. You.

I love the human side of you, not your profile picture or your LinkedIn profile. I love that girl that always participates in class and use to stay up late talking with me in the common room.

You don't understand that when you articulate your thoughts and ideas, it's magical...

Yet, this girl? The one who ignores me. The one who thinks is so connected but in reality is so alone.

I'm here pouring my heart out and you're ignoring me. How did this happen Jill? Talk to me! Look at me in the eye and tell me if you feel the same way because quite frankly I'm crazy for you!

You always use to tell me how you wanted a guy to sweep you off your feet and I want to do that to you but, you don't let me.

[Jill turns around] I don't let you do what?

[Adam's heart raises]

You don't let me tell you that I love you.