Week 7: Operation networking

Long gone are the days when just a university degree was enough to get a decent job. In today’s society however, no network, no job. Simple as that. If you have not established a good network around you, you’re degree is not as valuable, unfortunately. Especially within New Media.

Megan Hauslers sure gave me a reality check. The New Media world is without a doubt a competitive workplace. The claws need to come out in order to survive and networking is incredibly important in order to climb high in the media world. Suddenly your degree is only the skeleton of your ability to be successful, but your social skills becomes essential in order to build a strong network around you that will enhance your career. Who wouldn’t hire you if you knew Mark Zuckerberg, had done a project with Steve Jobs or if your previous job was with Google. You might even have gotten the job without a degree in media. Hard facts, but it is true.

This makes me realise I have to start building a network for future jobs and opportunities. As Gill (2007, 6) states, networking is as a way of distributing work opportunities. University is a part of your career path, but it is who you are acquainted with within your field of expertise that will take you far. That is why “operation networking” starts now.



Nextgenwoman, 2010. 

References:

All about Steve Jobs.com. N.d. Accessed April 28, 2011. http://www.allaboutstevejobs.com/

Google. N.d. Accessed April 28, 2011. www.google.com.au

Gill, R. (2007). Informality is the New Black. In Technobohemians or the new Cybertariat? New Media work in Amsterdam a decade after the web. Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures: 24-30 & 38-43.

Grossman, L. “Person of the year 2010. Mark Zuckerberg.” Accessed April 28, 2011. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2036683_2037183_  203718 5,00.html

Hausler, M 2011. "Lifes a pitch, then you die." http://kcb206meganhausler.blogspot.com/ Retrieved April 28, 2011.

Nextgenwoman. 2010. “On Getting a Career Coach”. Image. Accessed April 28, 2011. http://nextgenwomen.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/your-career.jpg

Week 6: I feel sick; To Google, or not to Google...

As any other child, I used to come crying to my parents with deep cuts, wounds or bruises after an active day in the park. But with my dads´ phobia related to anything with blood, he used to look at me and say: “you might have to amputate, Janicke.” With this, I naturally adopted his phobia for blood, stitches or anything related to a hospital. However, when it comes to our health, serious illnesses, diseases or symptoms we may have, we should definitely not solely turn to Google search and trust the information we find there. Even though the smell of the waiting rooms makes me feel nauseas, I’ve always gone to a doctor when I’ve suspected something being wrong with me.  However, with the rise of the web 2.0 and our opportunity to contribute with any information possible, it has become the “ultimate tool for individual self-management in relation to health” (Lewis 2006, 525). This has again led to “cyberchondria,  (t)he risks of online self-diagnosis” (Blake, 2010), which should be taken very seriously. 

On the other hand, I believe the Internet is an excellent source when it comes to gathering information about fitness exercises, nutrition or simple health questions.  Obviously we shouldn’t trust forums where people can be anonymous, but in today’s online society, there are a lot of educated people within the health and wellbeing sector that offer reliable information online. You just have to be critical and choose your sources carefully. 

Nevertheless, don’t assume Dr. Google can replace Dr. John´s knowledge under any circumstances. 

References: 

Blake, Spencer. "Cyberchondria: The Risks of Online Self-Diagnosis." Last modified    November 1, 2010. http://www.newschannel6now.com/Global/story.asp?S=13521183.

Dr. Google. http://fffff.at/dr-google/. 


Fackeldey, Jaqueline. "Dokter Google en de zorgconsument: Wie licht wie voor?". Image. Accessed April, 11. 2011. http://www.fackeldeyfinds.com/dokter-google-en-de-zorgconsument-wie-licht-wie-voor/. 

Lewis, T. (2006). Seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondria? In Media, Culture & Society, volume 28, issue 4: 521-539.

Week 5: Our precious media life..

There is no doubt that as of 2011, we are obsessed with the media. If we’re not on our phones, we’re online. If we’re not online, we’re watching TV. If we’re not watching TV, we’re shuffling music on our Ipods. Deuze (2011) puts this all in perspective by stating how “our life is lived in, rather than with, media – we are living a media life.” Hannah states how “People don’t live in the moment, they live online” which is a great reflection.  I’m definitely living a media life, spending hours a day consuming and using media in every possible way, and I love it. However, I am cautious about my online behavior and what I leave of information, as we all know we’re leaving traces behind in everything we do online, which Amy reflects on further. This could potentially harm us later, especially considering how common it is to be “Googled” for a potential job.

Isn’t it interesting how we react at those who don’t have a profile on Facebook? Those who never updates their status, posts a photo or writes on their friend´s walls? They have become the antisocial people, as it is more accepted to announce every single move, thoughts and actions on Facebook, rather than not. 

Is this how you want´t your tombstone to look like? Get offline! 

I’ll actually rather be a bit more antisocial online, leave fewer traces behind and concentrate on my life offline. My real life. Confirm?



References: 


Deuze, M. 2011. “Media Life”. Media, Culture & Society 33 (1): 137-148.

Hannah. 2011. "Week 5, " Platform nine and three quarters. Accessed April 4, 2011. 
http://iamtheswanqueen.blogspot.com/2011/04/week-5.html

Mahoney, Brian. (2010). "How To: Prepare For Your Online Afterlife". Image. Accessed April 4, 2011. http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_prepare_your_online_afterlife


Maynard, A. 2011. "A Personal Brand Audit for Dummies, " New media, a blog by Amy Maynard. Accessed April 4, 2011. 
http://amyonnewmedia.blogspot.com/2011/04/personal-brand-audit-for-dummies.html

Week 4: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the biggest bully of all?

Doesn’t it seem strange how internet etichs seems to be valued less important than real world ethics? Even though it is in fact easier to get away with bad behaviour online, It should be taken seriously however. Very seriously.

Over the last decades, escpecially with the rise of social networking sites, bullying has reached a new level. Long gone are the days where bullying only happened face to face. Now, with the relative anonymity of social media, “it makes it possible to commit immoral acts so fast that one hardly notices” (Hamelink, 2006,  p. 118). Things you would never say to someone in person, has become easy to say with a click of a button.

Voe, a 15 year old top blogger from Norway, recently shut down her blog due to months of cyber bullying. She earned thousands of dollars every day on her blog, but gave that up as she couldn’t handle the bullying anymore. That say’s a lot about how much cyber bullying affects people. Rosie’s great headline describes this perfectly; “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but online taunts will haunt you.”

I personally can’t stand some people’s online behavior. It seems too easy to justify bad online behaviour simply because they’re hiding behind a nickname or a fake profile.  Grow up!

And stop sending me “I hate…“ groups on Facebook. Ignore.

 

References:

Emilie Nereng, 2011. Voe's blog. Accessed March 28, 2011. http://voe.blogg.no/

Facebook. 2011. “I HATE JULIA GILLARD”. Accessed March 28, 2011. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-HATE-JULIA-GILLARD/113650705351539

Hamelink, C. (2006). The Ethics of the Internet: Can we cope with Lies and Deceit on the Net? In Ideologies of the Internet, K. Sarikakis & Daya Thussu, pp. 115-130. New Jersey: Hampton Press. 

Rosie’s New Media Reflections.  2011. “Sticks and stones may break your bones... but online taunts will haunt you” Rosie's New Media Reflections, March 27. Accessed March 28, 2011. http://rosiesnewmediareflections.blogspot.com/2011/03/sticks-and-stones-may-break-your-bones.htmlbreak-your-bones.html

Sheen. 2010. "The Harsh Effects of Cyber Bullying: A Call to Action Now!". Image. Accessed March 28, 2011. http://thedelanoobserver.blogspot.com/2010/07/harsh-effects-of-cyber-bullying-call-to.html#axzz1HsSdvIFL

Week 3: Are you what you listen to?

People have become very opinionated about others musical interest. Yes, your musical interest does to an extent tell us something about you. However, it’s amazing how many people seem to use this as a measure of people’s personalities. As Levy (2006, 23) argues, the Ipod is a “potential broadcaster of one’s taste”. However, this does not mean that it defines you to the bone.

Personally, my musical interest and taste is very diverse. My Ipod is filled with everything from beautiful film compositions by Thomas Newman, Hip Hop beats by Missy Elliott, 90’s tracks from Spice Girls (believe it or not) and as I am writing this, I am listening to my favourite electro track  by Deadmau5 & Kaskade. You might state an opinion about me based on my taste in music, but it does not define who I am.  

As soon as Justin Biebers “Baby”  is played in public, people hesitate to sing along, although they know the lyrics by heart. God forbid if anyone thought you were a Bieber fan with a passion for bubblegum pop.  

Levy (2006, 23) argues how “playlist is character.” Does that mean heavy metal fans are angry, depressed and high on cocaine just because that might be your association to that genre? Are we attention seekers and irresponsible if we listen to Miley Cyrus?  There are  few people that can be pegged into a genre based on what they listen to of music, as today’s vast access to music and downloading has enabled people to listen to artists from A to Z.

And yes, I know Bieber’s “Baby” by heart and you might as well admit that you do too.



Taste in music



References:

BestSoundTracker. 2010. “American Beauty Sondtrack (American Beauty).” YouTube video, posted January 19, 2010. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al21Vtlsg4A

Emi. 2009. “Spice Girl – Wannabe.” YouTube video, posted March 6, 2009. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLIiF15wjQ

JustinBieberVEVO. 2010. “Justin Bieber – Baby ft. Ludacris.” YouTube video, posted February 19,2010. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4

Levy, S. 2006. The perfect thing: how the iPod shuffles commerce, culture and coolness. Simon & Schuster: New York. pp. 21-41.

MYNCFYLM. 2009. “Deadmau5 FT. Kaskade – I Remember.” YouTube video, posted February 15, 2009. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xo8At6XEqE&feature=related

nataliedee. n.d "taste-in-music". Image. Accessed March 21, 2011. http://www.nataliedee.com/072205/taste-in-music.jpg

Week 2: Value your privacy, don´t expose it all...

In today’s society and the online culture, people chose to share and post thoughts and actions that would have been considered far too private only a couple of years ago.

Particularly Facebook has become an arena for people to display themselves for the better and expose private and revealing details and content that should not be online, public for everyone. With the growth and development of social media, comes a myriad of discussions about the privacy of social networking sites.

Pearson (2009) argues how people are using social networking sites as a stage for online socialising and performance, and relates this to the metaphor of the glass bedroom. What should be private and exclusive of everyone has become visible for all to observe through photos and conversations. Everyone can view each other’s life and self-presentations. Why are most social networkers willing to share, express and communicate details and information through their glass bedroom, when in person we often reveal private thoughts and feelings only with our closest friends and family?

In today’s society, access to information is a key element of status power (Donath & Boyd, 2004). It seems like the more you expose yourself and your privacy, the more interesting you become for other people online. There is always a risk with online exposition. Privacy and self-presentation online should be just like when we try on clothes in a fitting room. Would you leave the door open, so everyone could see you?

Donath, J. and Boyd, D. (2004). Public Displays of Connection. BT Technology Journal,Volume 22 (4): 71-82.

Pearson, E. (2009). All the World Wide Web's a Stage: The Performance of Identity in Online Social Networks. First Monday, 14(3),

 

Photo Agency. 2009.  “Cassie Sumner Shopping In London”. Image. Accessed March 14, 2011. http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/TypnfZ1QtUE/Cassie+Sumner+Shopping+London/3vJ9cWIrAd0/Cassie+Sumner