Twilight Hating Gets a Little Bit More Fun...

So I was pretending to do my Great Books assignment last night and my friend Mami linked me to this AWESOME BLOG. Funniest thing I've read in a long time, especially if you dislike Twilight. I think even people who like Twilight will find it amusing! It's basically a side-along reading of the book from "Dan's" perspective. Pure awesomeness. It's called SparkLife>>Blogging Twilight.

The Emmys 2009 - changing technologies! Is TV safe?

Rather predictably, I am an awards show fan. So naturally, my friend Bay and I had a date with The Emmys live this morning. We were all geared up at 10am for the Red Carpet Show and then BAM. Straight into the actual ceremony. "WHAT?" I hear you all gasp. NO RED CARPET SHOW! Outrage right?

But then I thought: "hey I can just watch all the interviews/view all the photos on the internet later".

And then I had ANOTHER thought: "WHAT IF THE INTERNET IS THE REASON WHY THERE IS NO RED CARPET SHOW?" Are things like red carpet shows and even the awards ceremonies themselves now being phased out because people would rather read the quick list of winners and view the celeb dresses/suits online at their own leisure? I just sat and watched red carpet interviews on YouTube and checked out the fashion in photo galleries on various websites and it was a very tedious experience, waiting for things to load. It's sort of static too. When you watch the awards, it's all planned out for you, you just sit and watch the interviews, the celebs lining up in front of the cameras on the red carpet. On the internet you are constantly stopping and starting, pressing play, pressing next. It's quite annoying.

Part of the fun of awards shows is sitting and watching the red carpet with friends or family, mocking the heinous outfits, celebrating when your favourites win or hating when they don't! It's an interactive thing to do and enjoy with your fellow human beings! It should be relaxing! It shouldn't be a solitary activity on the internet. That is that. I'm sure other people feel this way about types of shows that they like too.

I'm thinking this topic might be something I should consider for my essay, as it's something I feel pretty passionate about. Hmmm...

There was some more food for thought during the Emmys too! Who'd have thought The Emmys would be such an intellectually stimulating experience, right? One of the writers from Mad Men commented in his acceptance speech that he isn't afraid of the internet taking over, because it just means having more choice in things to write/create. Which I suppose makes sense, I think everything just needs to have their place, you know, TV shows remaining on TV etc. If that makes sense... I think what I mean is that some technologies should NOT converge. Like we shouldn't eventually watch TV shows on our mobiles. TV should be a shared experience.

I dunno, maybe I'm just stuck in the past. One day I plan on writing for a TV show and I'd like the medium to still be alive when I get there!

Anyway, here are my favourite dresses of the awards!

P.s. YAY for 30 Rock winning a trillion awards. That show is awesome.

All images courtesy of JustJared.com

Lecture Week 8

Communication in Government and Politics:



Golden thread in democracy: capability of individuals in society to communicate and have crucial role in free speech.



Connection of Entertainment(Gaming, Shooting Games etc.) with Military/US Army skills, source of recruitment.



Argument: as nature of democracy is changing (shift from nation states + centralised media used to build political support) as shift moves to global media apparatus/stage, creating the next level of political institutions. How do national citizens intervene in these processes and participate in these discussions?
ie. Street demonstrations becoming "obsolete" taking street attitude into streets of global communication ie. via computer networks, internet. These are the tools that are going to allow us to enter into politics on the global level.

Cyber Politics: politics of the internet

E-Democracy: intervention and contribute to real world politics that exists predominantly off the internet. We use the net to affect politics OFF the net.

Will politics move onto the net?

DEMOCRACY:

Liberal Democracy: developed in 19th Century

Institutions of representative governments (participatory i.e. Ancient Greece) have relatively short history and change will come - citizens need to ensure change is good.

Good of Society vs. Good of Individuals
-Contribution that people can make is dependent on their ability to engage in free speech in representative government.
-Mass media dominant vehicle of debate
-How do WE get into the debate?
-Mass media isn't THAT monolithic, has cracks in facade, gaps that cunning people can push ideas into, gains publicity for position you are interested in, way to get messages through.
(Letters to editor, talk-back radio, opinion pieces)
One gap=Thinking visually.

Free Speech= Crucial to functioning of Democracy. People need to feel a sense of equal contribution.
Danger to Free Speech is CENSORSHIP.
-Moral panics around dangers of internet, Paedophiles, Hackers etc. used as an excuse to extend censorship on the internet.

CYBERPUNK- (comes from connecting cyber+punk= style anarchist political philosophy) artistic genre, rehearses issues with regard to political responsibilities of the hacker. (William Gibson).


Discussion:

So this lecture of Stephen's packed a LOT of information into a very short space of time. Still at least I was able to take notes unlike in Jason's lectures which are very distracting. I must admit I found this topic quite difficult to comprehend-particularly at 8am.

I think the most important point that Stephen made though, or the thing he intended us to take away from the lecture was that as the nature of democracy moves to a more global stage, we need to find more ways to participate and have a voice and that the internet is one avenue of doing this. And I suppose it's the easiest way to discuss world issues on a global stage. I ashamedly admit that I know very little about politics and world issues aside from what I learn at uni, or from my parents or from the media. Engaging in a forum with people from around the world to learn about issues and discuss them would be far less intimidating than attempting to read about them by myself.

And as far as censorship goes, I dunno...does the government reserve the right to decide what we should and shouldn't see? I mean, surely as adults we can discern what is good and bad, or at least we deserve to have that choice. The internet is about sharing and while a few do abuse this privilege this shouldn't create restrictions for the rest. I guess I just don't really understand it all...

Rage at Sketchcast - a true story.

So, most of the things Jason got us to do/look up were quite fun. Sketchcast however is ridiculous. This is the third and final video that I will make on this website. The first two did not even publish. It has take about two weeks to get ONE video to publish. Why, you ask? I have no idea. Possibly because Sketchcast is crap. I recall Jason saying that hardly anyone uses Sketchcast, and I can totally see why. It tests your patience and fails more often than it works!

I made this video short and sweet in the hope that it would ACTUALLY publish and it did after about 3 hours. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. (Not at all.)

Lecture Catch Up : Week 5, 6, 7! (Sorry, it's been a while!)

Lecture Week 5

Okay, so it is IMPOSSIBLE to take notes in Jason Nelson's lectures. I swear. It is not my fault that this is all I have written:

"Huge peaks to huge drops.

Visually interesting, robust, dynamic, useful!

So many tools - so few people know how to use them.

GOOGLE MAP."

Yes, that is all I wrote. So those are the main points that I took from his lecture.

The first part about peaks and drops refers to social networking sites, i.e. MySpace going from hero to zero in a very short space of time. The only thing I personally use MySpace for these days is to follow certain blogs (Jenna Fischer, Zachary Quinto). Otherwise all the ads on it drive me INSANE.

Jason predicted the popularity of Twitter wouldn't last long, and I must admit I agree with him. Although, I think the longevity of Twitter relies solely on celebrities/artists/actuallyinterestingpeople keeping their accounts. I use Twitter to find out what funny thing Rove or Rainn Wilson has to say, or even to find out news from the New York Times or to find out what comedian has what show when. I don't use it to communicate with friends.

The next part about about being visually interesting, robust, dynamic and useful! refers to websites! I learnt this last semester in writing for the web, although as a frequent internet user I kind of had an idea about these things anyway. There is nothing worse than a website that is TOO busy (i.e. MySpace and its BILLIONS of ads like I mentioned before) and full, or that doesn't really serve a purpose. Here is a link to GOOP, Gwyneth Paltrow's website. I think this is one of the best websites I have come across. It's simple, serves its purpose and is easy to navigate!

That's a small screenshot of the homepage, although you can't really see it that well. It's really cool, you should definitely check it.

Anyway, the last thing I wrote about so many tools, but so few people know how to use them is about the CRAZY amount of useful things that you can do with the internet. But either we are too lazy to figure out all these things, or we just have no idea how to go about discovering them! I am both. Bad combo. It's terrible but all I need the internet for is reading blogs, looking at fashion and procrastinating uni work. Am I a bad internet user?

Lecture Week 6

History of Production and Consumption

CONSUMPTION:

Big Screen: Cinema (Shared), TV (Shared/Private), PC (Private/Shared-we can consume and produce). We are consumers of media.

I must admit, I'm still old fashioned and enjoy watching movies and TV with out human beings. It's fun to watch things with people! See their reactions, discuss who's cute etc.

Small Screen: Personal Media Player, iPod (on the go consumption, but must be preloaded); Mobile Phones, Smart Phones (on the go); 3G (don't have to preload, can access almost anywhere). Good for providing info>news, websites, scores. Good for information but not so much entertainment because data transfer rates are bad.

Soooo I pretty much fail at this small screen thing. I have had the same phone since my 16th birthday (I'm 19 now, almost 20). But all I need it for is to call or text people. Even texting is freaking annoying. I mean really, what is THAT important that I have to find out in the car on my phone on the way home, that I can't find out when I open the newspaper or turn on the TV when I actually get home? If it's that dangerous or life-threatening my Mum will call and warn me.

PRODUCTION:

-Fan Film: Produsage (Both production and consumption at the same time), Creates Consume>Produce>Consume chain i.e. with Troops the Star Wars fan film, made by an existing Star Wars fan for Star Wars fans.
-Fan Edits
-Recuts
-Producing content with mobile phone and putting it on the net (on information, news events, works well online/on phones, consumed on phones/net.


Lecture Week 7

Open Source Software:

PROBLEMS:
-We don't care how software is made/works. Yes, we take software for granted. I don't really have further comment on this, because it's true. If it does what I want, then I am happy. I don't need to waste further time thinking about it do I?

-Viruses . Uhhhhhh, know NOTHING about viruses. Probably tuned out during this part of the lecture and starting thinking about the hash browns I was going to eat after class finished.

-Manual updates. No automatic updates like on Microsoft or Windows or whatever. I certainly don't possess the knowledge or skill to manually update software and I don't need it either. I want to be a writer. It would be completely useless.

-No money involved in making/maintaining this software.

-Can't be bothered searching for open-source software. This is true. I usually just get frustrated when things don't work on the computer and I just give up altogether. But after this lecture I will endeavour to search more. Maybe. I suck at searching/having patience so probably not.

-Software packages don't have AS many features as Microsoft or MacOs. Often geared towards one purpose.


Can you tell this was another Jason Nelson lecture? i.e my notes are vague and minimal.

BAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA: My lyrical debut...and other awesome things from Jason's list of websites...

JUST FOUND THE GREATEST THING EVER! So I went to one of the websites Jason included in his lecture notes, The Generator Blog. From there I was most intrigued by this generator: The Alanis Morrissette Random Lyric Generator. Anyway, THIS is what it generated when I answered the questions it asked...

"I Think"







I Think Vampires are really a huge problem





I Think Uglies are too much on my mind




I Think Edward Cullens have got a lot to do with why the world sucks





But what can you do?







Like a Red rain, beating down on me





Like a Keats line, which won't let go of my brain




Like Michelle's ass, it is in my head





Blame it on Twilight





Blame it on Twilight





Blame it on Twilight


I Think Wigs are gonna drive us all crazy





And Werewolves make me feel like a child





I Think Trees will eventually be the downfall of civilization





But what can you do?  I said what can you do?









Like a Red rain, beating down on me





Like a Keats line, which won't let go of my brain




Like Michelle's ass, it is in my head





Blame it on Twilight





Blame it on Twilight




Blame it on Twilight









Like a Red rain, beating down on me




Like Michelle's smile, cruel and cold





Like Keats's ass, it is in my head





Blame it on Twilight





Blame it on Twilight





Blame it on Twilight

Excuse the crudeness in some places. I merely answered the Generator's questions truly and this is what it came up with!

(http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2009/1/7/633669467621077793-twilightseries.jpg)

Just thought I'd throw that hilarious image I just found in. That really does about sum it up.

The Generator Blog is pretty awesome just to play around and have fun. Perfect for when you are stuck in a marketing lecture and need something to stay awake.

SO, my next favourite thing from Jason's list of websites is Polyvore. How am I supposed to get any schoolwork done now you have shown me this? I already read many celebrity blogs and other websites like WhoWhatWear to stalk fashion trends. I do not need to be able to create ACTUAL outfits on my own!

This website is pretty awesome for planning shopping trips and stuff though. You know when you don't know if certain colours/styles of clothing you want to buy will match things that you already have? PROBLEM SOLVED. I think it kind of shows how lazy we've all become though... we could just get a little exercise and try clothes on... I mean, with this you could plan the next weeks outfits! Although, I guess that'd be pretty good for busy people...Hmmm. Either way this website is way too fun for its own good. And practical.

Google Maps are the best, true that, DOUBLE TRUE!

"Let's hit up yahoo maps to find the dopest route. I prefer MapQuest, that's a good one too! Google Maps is the BEST, true that, DOUBLE TRUE!" If Google Maps is good enough for Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell then it's good enough for MOI.




Seriously, Lazy Sunday is one of my favourite things OF ALL TIME. WATCH IT.



View The Miller East Coast Occupation in a larger map

Anyway this is my Google Map! It shows my family's domination of the East Coast of Aus! Awesomeeeeee... I never realised how cool Google Maps is! However, it doesn't have the latest info, as my estate wasn't on there and I've lived here for over two years now!

My Persona!

OKAY. Lesson learnt. The website we need to go to is not Persona.com. If you want to avoid embarrassment in class do not type in this URL and have people thinking that you use an online dating service. Not that it's bad if you do...

Here is my REAL Persona. This was pretty cool. However there are a billion Laura Millers in the world and it only pulled up stuff about the Mayor of Dallas, Texas. Well the stuff you could read about anyway. Hmm...