Rossin Wood, The Icon. (SPE-370)

Today, my professor asked us all to decide on an icon or image that would best describe ourselves, and at first I thought,

"Pft. Piece of cake!"

But let's face it. This is difficult... Least to say, after a long search through Google's infinite database of images, I decided on this.

Production still from "Big Combo" (1955).

As the caption states, it's a still frame from the famous 1955 motion picture titled, "Big Combo" starring Cornel Wilde, Ricard Conte, and Brian Donlevy. It's a good movie, if you're interested, but that's a story for another time. I now have to rationalize why I choose this picture.

Film noir lighting at its best.

First off, the image let's everyone know how much motion pictures mean to me. Ever since I was a child I loved going to the movies, where a daring car chase and a thrilling shoot-out are always possible. It was a world that kept me on the edge of my seat and hanging on the characters every word. One day I hope I can pay it forward, and make movies of the same caliber that enchanted me as I grew up. What made me choose this movie still, instead of any other, is the fact that it presents my favorite cinematic style -- film noir. Those artsy black-and-white movies where every thing is in shadows and contrasted by islands of beautifully lit actors and actresses. Detectives languishing in their offices wearing iconic 40's threads and illuminated only by long bars of light casting through Venetian blinds. "Big Combo" is the film people think of when someone mentions film noir, and it's all thanks to legendary cinematographer, John Alton. He's a genius, and I can only hope to aspire to his level of skill.

Besides me being an avid film connoisseur, I love this image because it's moody -- kind of like me. It's mysterious and leaves the viewer wondering,

"What's beyond the fog? Are they in danger, or safe?"

Basically it's iconic, and reminds me everyday why I love cinematography so much.

SPE210: Blog #1

What is persuasion? It can seem like a daunting question, but in the end, can be very useful to know because we use it so often in everyday communication. Now, I'll give you my opinion, but truth be told, it can mean different things to different people. For me, persuasion is the act to convince an audience, with evidence and support, that your option is the best choice. Now this can describe many scenarios, from you trying to convince your friends to order out pizza instead of cooking dinner, to speeches from candidates running a presidential campaign. All of them have a common goal: to influence the audience to agree with their view.

Now, I can tell what you're going to say,

"Rossin, then what makes an argument persuasive rather than just an opinion?" 

To me, it deals with evidence and support. No argument can "persuade" an audience without some foundation that convinces the audience to even listen. Why should the audience even play with the notion of agreeing if you have no reasoning for your argument?

Though, certain evidence or reasoning can be more compelling than others. To convey a compelling argument, a speaker will need credibility. Some reason that convinces the audience that, yes, what I'm telling is true and confirmed by people other than just me. And not only other people, but people that have some stake and experience in the field you're discussing. For example, it's much easier to agree with someone who wants to go to war with another nation, when they have a large amount of military experience and can point out other similar instances when war was necessary and successful afterward.

Personal connection is another way to make an argument more compelling. It brings the issue "home," and makes the audience feel as though the issue is urgent because it will affect them personally. I know that there are many times, for me at least, when I ignore politics because politicians try to speak to the broadest audience as possible, but when they start mentioning "college students" I'll instantly start listening because it affects me. You'll find that there are people who have little compassion for strangers, but when it hurts them personally in some way -- they'll have your complete and undivided attention.

However, take this with a grain of salt. After all, this is all just my opinion.

Indoor Snow Angels!

Perhaps you happened to see it go down, but on December 1st, 2011 around 11:15 AM, I took part in a flash mob, and it was glourious.

The general theme was snow angels, so for around 2 minutes we all simultaneously dropped to the floor (indoors, mind you), and made snow angels to the music of "Let it Snow!" And despite the fact that there was no snow to make angels in, we all became one -- putting the unique values of performance into action.

First of all, no one ever expected that during their trip through the Student Union Building that they would see an entire room full of people making snow angels, but we gave them something unique to remember and brighten their day.

Also, the flash mob is interactive -- causing our entire class and their friends to join in for a mindless activity, and perhaps pointing out the monotony in our everyday life. I also noticed people walking by who thought it was so cool that they joined in! When people are confused it seems that they look to see what others are doing and copy it!

Looking back on the experience, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would love to do more! People make videos on YouTube and post things to Twitter, but we did something in the real world! We didn't just complain about our problems on our blog, and it was refreshing. We embodied a message as a group, and no one else can replicate what we did. Ever!

Also if you missed it, here's the video of it!

Turn off my cellphone?! But...

...how will I check the nearly endless amount of notifications ranging from pointless texts from friends to an update on how my high score is doing in Family Feud & Friends, a smartphone app that I'm addicted to?

I'll be the first to admit it. I'm addicted to my smartphone, but to be honest -- should I be blamed? I first got a cell phone when I was in middle school, and at first I didn't really care much for it. To me, it was only another way for my parents to keep tabs on me, but when I reached high school my family upgraded to iPhones... this was only the beginning.

If only life were like this.

Suddenly my phone was much more than just a clunky brick that could call mom and dad. It could surf the web, send e-mails, stream video, and play thousands of games! My parents also decided to purchase unlimited texting, which they said would allow the family to communicate better. Little did they know, that I would add every friend I knew who had texting, and spend hours sending my friends pointless texts every day. It's basically changed the way I go about socializing, and even to this day, has a huge impact on my day-to-day tasks.

So, when I heard that professor wanted me to put the phone down I kind of freaked. It made me remember the one day that the power went out at my house, and, without any way to charge my phone, my iPhone died. It was like I was suddenly blind -- how would anyone be able to get a hold of me? What if my friends wanted to hang out, and they thought I was ignoring their texts? How in the world was I to watch funny YouTube videos where someone auto-tuned "Charlie Bit Me?" Despite being wary of putting my phone down, I obliged -- in the name of Science.

Usually when I go to eat at the Cub Café on campus I go to a specific cashier to check out. It sounds lame, but it's like having the same waitress you're used to wait on you at a restaurant. You come to know them, or at least get to read their name tag. You have a name to a face, and suddenly it's like they're a friend of yours. So anyway, I digress. I decided to shut off my iPhone today and actually learn something about this cashier.

As usual, I got a breakfast sandwich from the Burger Studio, and walked over to the register. I smiled and she smiled back as I set down my tray to pull out my wallet.

"Hello, how are you?" I asked.

I think she was a little surprised that I asked her a question this time, and took a moment to think of something to say in response,

"Good, the break's almost here! So I can't complain," she replied -- taking my student ID card to swipe.

"I know, I got one last test to take before I can enjoy the vacation though," I said jokingly rolling my eyes.

She laughed and swiped my card through the register and asked,

"Meal and flex?"

"Bear bucks, please."

She pressed a button, and smiled before handing back my card,

"Good luck on that test!"

I grinned and stuffed the card back into my wallet,

"Thanks, take care!"

That was it. However it was a start to kicking my addiction, and who knows? Perhaps I'll start shutting off the phone more often!

I'm no follower.

You've all heard about it -- that's right. All of you. Especially, you... And when I say you, I mean the general audience of this blog. You know who you are. What am I talking about? Am I talking about hip-hop music? No. Trendy fashion trends? No. Political analysis of developing third world countries? Absolutely... NOT.

What I am talking about, of course, is Twitter.

How many tweets does it take to make a fail whale

?

I made an account today, and at first, I got mixed feelings. Let's start off with what I didn't like, because seriously I didn't like much about it. I know a ton of people who have accounts on Twitter, but honestly, I don't want to read their every 140-character thought when I log on. When I log on to Twitter, I log out of being interested in anything. What I want to see if something. Something witty, clever, and worthwhile. Now, I know what you're gonna' say.

"Rossin, why don't you subscribe to CNN. Or Johnny Depp? They have witty, clever, worthwhile tweets everyday!"

Now, if you weren't going to say that, I apologize for assuming. It will never happen again. Unless it does happen again -- I can't assume that it will or not (see what I did there?).

But, if I wanted to know what CNN was reporting about, or what Johnny Depp was thinking -- I'd look it up somewhere else! There is literally MORE than Twitter. Lots more. The internet is vast.

P.S. I liked the color scheme. Kudos Twitter.

I'm a hypocrite.

"Should we have privacy on the Internet?"

It seems like a simple question, right? A common response would be: "Yes! For God's sake, I don't want everyone to know what I'm searching!" However there's much more to this argument than what meets the eye--perhaps I should elaborate...

Even LOLCats need a little privacy.

A lot of people have a Facebook account (according to Zuckerberg over 800 million people have one), but it seems that there's a lot of buzz around privacy these days. Now people have to worry that whatever they choose to post on Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot, could be viewed and shared by potential employers and even family for that matter. Not only that, but Facebook can now sell your information that you choose to share like your age, relationship status, and interests in movies & music. However, this brings me to my first point.

Mark Zuckerberg has all the right to sell this information. He's offering a free service, which you've chosen to use! Advertising brings in some revenue, but the real prize is in selling demographic information that businesses can use to hone in and reach their market. Truthfully, I don't mind that his company does this, but then again there's always a line.

Danah Boyd, an expert on new media, coined the acronym PEI (Personal Embarrassing Information), which is play on the well-known acronym PII (Personal Identifiable Information). It points out that maybe there's a difference between personal information that identifies us and personal information that is just plain embarrassing and private. Perhaps Facebook should be able to sell PII, but not PEI. Though it makes you wonder, where's the line?! Honestly, I don't think there is a line so I just follow a simple practice -- don't upload/post anything you don't want being used! It's easy, and saves you a possible headache down the road.

No one will ever understand it.

And I know that some of you are going to say, "Hey, Ross -- what if my friends upload something that I have no control over and it's about me?" I think a better question is: "Do you really want a Facebook then?" You're accepting all of the baggage that social networking carries when you have an account, and trust me -- Facebook's got a lot of baggage.

And I thought one life was enough!

So, get this. A few nights ago I downloaded the online MUD (multi-user domain) game, called "Second Life." Let's just say, it was quite the experience.

First off, I should let you know that, believe it or not, I'm a nerd. There's nothing more that I love than to jump on an online gaming platform like Xbox Live and take down some noobs (Colloquial term in nerd-speak: noob: (n.) shortened version of newbie; someone who is a novice or inexperienced). I'm also a heavy player of Minecraft, which if you've never heard of it please watch this video...

You would think that all of this would lead to me loving Second Life, but it was actually quite the opposite. Let's break down my impression to three easy to digest points:

1. What first irked me was that fact that it killed my bandwidth. It slowed my computer down to a snail's pace and simple tasks like opening my internet browser were now made cumbersome. And let's just point out that even though it hogged up all of my processing power, it delivered less than impressive graphics.
2. Glitchy! All that I wanted to do was customize my avatar to at least resemble myself, and that was impossible. I eventually gave up my futile attempts and picked a pre-made avatar that was already avaliable.
3. The whole format of the HUD (heads-up display) was confusing and complex. I'm believer in clean lines and minimalism when it comes to displaying information while I'm playing a game, and Second Life was quite the opposite. Clunky and littered with hundreds of buttons that would overwhelm any new user like myself!

*Shutters*

Though it would seem that there's a point to take home about my experience. It was interesting to see how people interacted online versus face-to-face! Truth be told, if I hadn't met most of the people I saw on Second Life before in class, I would have very different image of them. Avatars allow users to idealize their image and explore fashion that they wouldn't try out in the real world. Those funky boots that they've always wanted to try wearing are now OK online!

It's fascinating to ponder where technology will take us, and how it'll change the way we view the social experience. Perhaps one day the term, "real world" will mean something quite different than it does now!