The best part of Phase 1 was definitely started when we began to look at how the media affects us. That was so interesting! I really enjoyed searching for videos to us, because I watched each clip with a new take. I was realizing how persuasive our media really is. I also got a lot out of the three "Special Guests" that we were able to question and learn about. All of them were doing such amazing things with their lives and that was inspiring.
I think the most challenging part of DOTCOM Phase 1 was getting my blogs in on time! In Phase to I vow to try even harder to post blogs on time!
One specific suggestion might be another, optional prompt between Modules. They could be as simple as "Music" or "Film", one word subjects. They would be optional in no way a requirement, but I think it would be a good way to jump start posts that were a little more personal. I think that would be helpful as we got to know each other based on the only information we have: these blogs.
Here is a song from the musical geniuses Flight of the Conchords. I personally find this video HILARIOUS, like almost everything these two do. Why do I think this particular video is funny? First, the two guitar/boom boxes/I don't know what. They just make me laugh. Second, Bret ( the one not singing) coming out of that one door for the chorus is random and wonderful. Third there are great lines in the song that are clever. All in all, a Flight of the Conchords classic.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Beliefs Pt. 1
Yesterday, four of the Vermont DOTCOM students met in the Burlington Ben and Jerry's ( a perfect spot, even if it was a little cloudy out) to discuss the summer program ligistics, our blogs, and the new phase of DOTCOM. Simultaneously, we learned about each other's endeavors and opinions, which was an experience in of itself. It would be really great to work with you guys some more!
The majority of the meeting was spent discussing our personal beliefs/issues that we think are important. And that got me thinking about what I believe in. It's a big question to ponder, but it's an important one. Reading and listening to some source of news everday, we are all exposed to the world's issues- the genocide in Darfur, climate change, the complicated Israel-Palestine conflict, a failing economy, crimes against women in the Middle East and elsewhere, Zimbabwe's political situation and more. Bombarded by these stories, it can be overwhelming. But I always feel saved from being swamped by the media by grabbing on to and focusing on to a news report that explores things that I feel strongly about.
One of these things that I have always been drawn in by is our environment and most specifically that ever present threat of global warming. Though this is definitely not a unique topic to feel strongly about, I personally am moved by the fact that this is a huge, GLOBAL problem. It is an issue that does not discriminate, and involves us all- from those that have in a sense created this mess, to those that in no way have contributed. And that thought is a scary one. There is no rationalizing or summit meetings with climate change, it can only be reversed with direct action. Just today in school one of our teachers informed us about a huge ice bridge in Antartica that collapsed, and urged us to realize that everyday the warming temperatures effect the world, in small to large ways. I have been invested in actions such as recylcing, carpooling, composting, eating locally, switching off appliances, like many others, but it is always shocking to step back and look at the global effects of this climate change we are all trying so hard to combat. It makes me want to work harder in my efforts, for sure.
An interesting media piece about the ice bridge story: my teacher, being British, always checks the BBC news website for news first. It was here that he saw the story, right on the front page. (not on the front page, today, of course!) He then went to CNN.com to check out that home page and couldn't find the ice bridge story. He would of had to type it into the search box, but why would he know to do that if it was breaking news that had occured just that day?
Just something to think about.
The majority of the meeting was spent discussing our personal beliefs/issues that we think are important. And that got me thinking about what I believe in. It's a big question to ponder, but it's an important one. Reading and listening to some source of news everday, we are all exposed to the world's issues- the genocide in Darfur, climate change, the complicated Israel-Palestine conflict, a failing economy, crimes against women in the Middle East and elsewhere, Zimbabwe's political situation and more. Bombarded by these stories, it can be overwhelming. But I always feel saved from being swamped by the media by grabbing on to and focusing on to a news report that explores things that I feel strongly about.
One of these things that I have always been drawn in by is our environment and most specifically that ever present threat of global warming. Though this is definitely not a unique topic to feel strongly about, I personally am moved by the fact that this is a huge, GLOBAL problem. It is an issue that does not discriminate, and involves us all- from those that have in a sense created this mess, to those that in no way have contributed. And that thought is a scary one. There is no rationalizing or summit meetings with climate change, it can only be reversed with direct action. Just today in school one of our teachers informed us about a huge ice bridge in Antartica that collapsed, and urged us to realize that everyday the warming temperatures effect the world, in small to large ways. I have been invested in actions such as recylcing, carpooling, composting, eating locally, switching off appliances, like many others, but it is always shocking to step back and look at the global effects of this climate change we are all trying so hard to combat. It makes me want to work harder in my efforts, for sure.
An interesting media piece about the ice bridge story: my teacher, being British, always checks the BBC news website for news first. It was here that he saw the story, right on the front page. (not on the front page, today, of course!) He then went to CNN.com to check out that home page and couldn't find the ice bridge story. He would of had to type it into the search box, but why would he know to do that if it was breaking news that had occured just that day?
Just something to think about.
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