Response to Article: New media, young audiences and discourses of attention:from Sesame Street to 'snack culture'

What I learned in Class.

     I've accumulated a large pile of readings. Picking out the readings that I enjoyed was a bit fuzzy at first since it is difficult to remember all of them. I've picked out five readings that I enjoyed the most. Most of them dealt with popular social media web sites that we use today. I found these to be the most interesting since I could relate to them.

     I've learned quite a lot actually in regards to the class. Privacy issues and how people can be so shifty by portraying themselves as some person other than they are. I also enjoyed my research project. The final project. I learned a lot more than I assumed in terms of propaganda for terrorists. Both sides of the conflict are involved and control the media as best as they can. My favorite thing about the class though is the fact that these online courses are convenient. Convenient since I don't have to leave Santa Cruz. I have to say that my least favorite aspects of the class is that there is no human contact with this course. I like human contact. Also, the fact that some of the readings were a bit technical put me to sleep. They reminded me of hardware tech manuals. I think this class can be immensely improved if it were a "hybrid" class. Human contact and ideas that are bounced off each other is key. There is no substitute for it!

     My favorite concept in this course was in an earlier reading. George Herbert Mead's "Me" and "I" theory. The "Me" theory refers to the social self while the "I" theory is the response "me".  For example, the reading explains that the "I" would maintain a social network site. Your "me" would be how you would project yourself to others. I have chosen this concept since I had a difficult time grasping it prior to this class. It is clear to me at this point.

Response to:Collective Behavior in You Tube: A Case Study of "Bus Uncle" Online Videos

     I have never viewed or even heard of the "Bus Uncle" video prior to the reading of "Bus Uncle". The results of the research showed that it was quite popular for a time.
    The aspect that I thought was interesting about the article was how it had been mashed up. I've never heard this term before but I believe I've come across some of the videos that have been mashed up. The videos that come to mind were in regards to "Pirates of the Carribean". I had done a search for Captain Jack Sparrow. I had intended on locating original footage. Unfortunately, all the videos that I came across were choped up. They had music that was not in the film interjected into them or the scenes were inconsitant. I thought it was really annoying.
     Youtube is a "broadcast" yourself medium. I've never uploaded any videos before. However, lots of people put up goofy stuff. I'm not sure if they want to get noticed or if they have way to much time on their hands.