Why we should pay attention to World News

Interest in international news seems to be seemingly low in most of my friends. I'm embarrassed almost to say this, but one time we were going to pray. It was opened for requests, and I mentioned the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. A few knew what I was talking about, but more than a few, were like, "What's happening there." How are we going to be able to pray for the world if we don't even know what to pray for?

I believe that a fair knowledge of world events helps us become better citizens. Knowing what U.S. interests are in foreign countries can help us evaluate the news. Understanding the deep trading ties between China and the U.S. alleviates a lot of misunderstandings or fears that China will attempt to go to war with us. Understanding other cultures is an enlightening experience that I feel everyone should experience at one time in their lives. It helps us to appreciate the freedom that we can experience every day in America. It helps us to appreciate our beautiful middle class jobs, homes, and cars.

Looking world situations such as refugee/starvation/genocide problem in Sudan can help us pray that God would intervene on their behalf. We can call Congressmen to take action to help these people. Human rights violations such as slavery and child labor are happening around the globe.

To be more aware of stuff like this pay attention to these mediums - documentaries on television that address these issues, international section of any newspaper (you can still read the gossip section on hollywood), magazines, internet news is an excellent source.
And lastly - read or listen in surveillance mode...........it WILL enrich your life.

Fan Cultures

I have come to the conclusion that those "treckies" that we watched in class aren't really that different from us. However, the reason we define them as weird is because of the norms that we, those of us from middle-class America, hold and expect them to follow. Because they look at the world differently than us, we perceive them as weird. So, the groups that we engage in and are a part of define our culture and how we see the world.

The interesting thing about groups - fan groups, religious groups, terrorist groups, or any body of people that band together for a common cause - is that these groups help bring special meanings to these people's lives. These groups also help fill a need of belonging. Most people take pride in their group. Examples - Ohio State fans, Al Quaeda, Christians, Muslims, Americans, Irish, Star War's Fans, Humane Society, Pro-life Activists, etc.....

I like to find something in common with people. I have never been that extreme of a Brown's fan. However, I like to pay a little attention to what's going on with the Browns because it seems like every male 20 years old or older in northeast Ohio seems to have some kind of feelings about the Browns. Therefore, I usually have at least the Browns to talk about with them if I don't have anything else. When I start talking to someone I don't know well, I discovered I ask questions until I discover an affinity group that we are both a part of. The rest is easy.

Mass Media is a excellent way for us to become members of groups either through TV shows, movies, the news, or sports. It brings our large world together and brings meaning to our lives that we can all identify with.

Media Conglomerates: Are they good for us?

One of my biggest pet peeves with media conglomeration is the way that it smothers innovation. As long as there is some sort of competition out there, it seems as if company's innovate and come up with bright ideas. Once a company has achieved a pinnacle and receives little competition it would seem as if they would start to go into a cyclical mode that produces only what is good for them. However, I'm going to argue that this may not all be true given all the different trends that keep propping up in America. True, I still don't like GIGANTIC companies and probably never will, BUT I don't think that they are out of reach yet.
Look at what the internet is doing to the media...For example Google, I believe that the media conglomerates are starting to feel threatened by the upstart company. Viacom's lawsuit against Google's sister company YouTube is a prime example. Google is in its own mode of buying up key internet sites and becoming one of the most innovative companies our country has ever seen.
Also, I would like to mention that to those worried that news reporting will be hurting if the media conglomerates all band together..... Not to worry, too much independent news reporting on the internet and too much competition between reporters hired by the SAME company to affect that too much.
The United States instituted checks and balances to attempt to keep its country on the right track. One of those checks and balances was laws against companies buying out all the competition. Have they stayed true to that? Well, they forced AT&T to break up. They held an anti-trust lawsuit against Microsoft over something in their operating system. Unfortunately, money seems to be the over-powering decision maker in Washington these days.
But is the consumer really that affected?
It is important for us to realize that the consumer tells these companies what to produce... and that, my friends, is what they produce.

What is a good society?

I believe that a good society is one that encompasses Christian principles. Note here that I do not necessarily mean that everyone has to be a Christian although I'm sure that is what God would want. However, the term that I used encapsulates the diverse objectives that seem to make the world safer, richer, and more unified.
The principles of right and wrong as defined by the Ten Commandments provide excellent morals that a society can live by. Do not kill, do not steal - these are principles that non-Christians can live by as well. Honesty is an integral part of a good society. It provides a secure business world built on trustworthiness on one's word. Kindness shown to others makes a society a nice place to live.
Some may argue that the government should provide for the homeless and the needy. Most Christians believe that we should help each other out and provide food for the hungry. The principle of sharing with those in needs is an excellent way for a society to work together in unity.

If you don't agree with this theory........ I encourage you to visit a third world country that has a corrupt government. I am thankful, that for the most part, America is founded on principles that define right and wrong and honesty.....

Viacom vs. YouTube/Google

Did you notice in the news that media conglomerate Viacom is suing YouTube/Google for a billion dollars over copyright infringement issues on YouTube. Viacoms claims that copyrighted content posted by YouTube users violates copyright laws and wants YouTube to take more effective action against it. Right now - the way it works - is ........ a user posts a copyrighted video clip of some show. Hundreds of people view the video, sometimes millions, than Viacom is required by law to contact YouTube that the video is copyrighted. Only than, according to law, does YouTube have to take action to take the posted video off of their site. The problem is that users post videos faster than Viacom and YouTube can play their cat and mouse game. Viacom is fed up with it. This lawsuit is possibly a foundational lawsuit in the way that the law is to be interpreted in the future. I am not sure why Viacom does not like the exposure of their content on YouTube. Most media sources like the exposure to their material because it's free advertising. I suspect their's more than meets the eye. For instance, Viacom is one of the largest media conglomerates at this time, and it may feel threatned by Google's increasing size and position in the technology world. Google continues to buy more and more businesses and increase in size. However, Google's advances are in a different nature than most other media conglomerates. It's possible that they will be the next giant to deal with.
I cannot see how Viacom could have lost any money by having their copyrighted content show up in short video clips on YouTube. They make billions of dollars.... surely that's enough money.... or do they think they can make even more by getting YouTube to pay them for their copyrighted content... Quite possibly, the greedier get greedier. They may be able to squeeze out more revenue....hummmm...... If Viacom wins this lawsuit.... I suggest you buy stocks the instant they do because..... their stock is about to go up...... But if they lose.... it really shouldn't go down.

Maybe if they lose, they should give every college student in America a hundred bucks for disturbing the peace.. yeh,, I think that's a great idea.

Hollywood for an Hour

Hello I'm Brad Bucks and I'm hot. (not really, but i'm supposed to be). Wednesday in class, we had a simulation of what takes place in Hollywood. I played the role of an actor called Brad Bucks. The objective for me was to sign with a studio and make some money. I was assigned this cool agent who worked out some great details for me. Because of my big name profile, it wasn't hard for me to attract attention from the other people in Hollywood. I'm not sure how it always works, but these two amazing play writers came to my agent and I and wanted us to hook up with them to become more attractive to the studios. It sounded like a good idea so we went for it. They also scored on some actress for their movie idea and we went to see Big Time Studios. (They had an amazingly large budget) After a little haggling, we agreed on a deal, and I signed for 17.5 million for the movie which is by far the largest deal I had ever gotten. wow.......Because this actress and I were casting together in this movie, we attracted the attention of another studio called Midvale Studios. They were talking to another actor about my role, but I told my agent to take it regardless how little they pay just to squash the competition. They signed me for 10.5 million. Not bad.. not bad at all. So that was a rough day. I'm gonna have to take it easy for the next week cuz of all that stress. I'm leaving for Florida on Saturday (Honest bout this one) Yippee! So, I don't know if I'll post while i'm down there or not..Got a lot of money to spend.. Oh, and get this - my agent - he thinks he should get more than his normal 10% cut. I mean like what is he thinking. He's already making way more than ever before because of my HUGE deals.....He just made 2.85 million dollars!!!! Greedy, that's what he is.... I mean like I got a family to support and all. I can't just give all my money to my agent...

later

Country Music Genre

Haven't you ever wondered how some of the songs you here today can still be considered country music? Because I know a lot of old country songs, I notice how the style has changed through the years. Most of the old country songs were slow and usually related some sort of common life story. The country songs of today have changed so dramatically that sometimes you're not sure if it still even sounds like country. Slippage occurs when the rules change. Artists like Diamond Rio and Shania Twain can arguably be introducing a new sort of country music. Their styles contrast greatly from your typical Alan Jackson or Alabama styles. I wonder how country music will sound twenty years from now.