cOmMuNiCaTiOn 101

OH MY ONLINE COMMUNICATION!

2009-03-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

MSN, Skype, Facebook, Myspace, Yahoo! These are just some of the ways people now communicate online. But why? We have land lines and handphones to call one another, but yet we use the internet to communicate. What's so special about the internet?

By using the internet, we have techonological diffusion. The internet is a cheap and fast way to communicate. Also, we're substituting the phone with MSN or e-mails, etc... We enhance both products of the technology (computer AND the internet).

By using MSN, Skype, or Yahoo!, you're using convergence. We learned in class that convergence is "the movement of communication technology toward common digital formats that aloow for interoperability between distinct services and applications." In other words, we use voice, video, and data for communication on the internet.

One of the main reasons I use MSN and Facebook is so I can keep in touch with my friends around the world. This is called, Computer Mediated Communication - (CMC) any form of commuication using computers.

An influence of CMC is the way we perceive the other person we speak with online. For example, you have a new friend and you're just getting to know each other. You're shy in real life, but you want to be perceived as cool to your new friend, so you make yourself sound like the coolest person on earth when you're chatting online. But when you see each other, you're back to your shy ways. This happens a lot on the internet. People feel more comfortable telling things to others on the net, rather than in real life. It might be because they don't see the person they're telling things to, so they have the courage to speak their minds, or maybe it's their alter ego. Everyone has one, and it has to come out someway right?

So what do you say about this???

2009-03-07T20:59:00.000-08:00

We all know these products. Where are they from? USA! All these products are known WORLDWIDE. This shows how US products are dominant in the world we live in today. We watch shows like "The Hills" or "Made" because they are on MTV and we find it interesting. These shows are from the US. It seems like, most tv shows or movies we watch today are from the US. The clothes we wear, the things we use ... EVERYTHING IS FROM THE US! Why why why??!!!

Is the US so damn dominating? Well .... truthfully .... YES! I mean, look at the stock market. US stock market crashed and everywhere else is going down.

The US has used the three methods of globalization: horizontal, complementary, and vertical expansion.

They have complementary expansion because whenever their price goes up (for example, ipod) it's not as high in demand ... however, people still buy it!

They also have horizontal expansion because they use international trade. US products being sold all around the world = horizontal expansion.

Another expansion the US has is vertical. One business may own like ten different chains. For example, look at Disney. Disney owns Pixar and Nickelodean.

Why are we so addicted to US products? Are they REALLY that worth buying? Or is it because we see the commercials and we think, "OMG! I NEED TO HAVE THIS!"

A big factor in the success of US products is the media aspect of it. Without advertisements, the products would not be a success at all. The US has the two contributing factors for Media Globalization. They expand to all over the world and they have fast development of communication technologies.

So so so .... what you say??

Feminine Gays

2009-03-01T00:45:00.000-08:00

There's this stereotype that all gay men are feminine. But how true is it? People usually think this way because of the media. The media potrays gays as girly and wimpy. It's also thought that gay men want to be like women.

feminine gay

For those of us who watch America's Next Top Model, we know that Mr Jay, and Miss Jay, are well .... gay. They are both quite feminine and they both work in the modeling industry. That is another stereotype that occurs. Men who work in the modeling/designing industry are gay. You see the way they're posed in the picture, you can immediately tell they are gay. That's why the media plays an influence on the stereotypes.

Masculine Gay

Masculine gays are quite unheard of in the media world. As I've mentioned above, you usually see the media potray gays as feminine. But what happened to the masculine ones? I can only think of ONE masculine gay, but I'm not sure if I can even count that because it's only a rumor. Vin Diesel. If he's gay, then he's a masculine gay. If he's not gay, I appologize to you Vin.

So what you think? Agree? Disagree?

Just want to leave a comment?

Anything?

Geylang vs Geisha

2009-02-21T22:45:00.000-08:00

This week in COM 101, we learned about high context and low context cultures. This was a hard topic for me to think of any subject to write about. But I think I came up with something ... hopefully my interpretation is correct.

Geylang

Geisha

OHHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT A TOPIC TO CHOOSE! You might be thinking ... what's the difference? They are both prostitutes and therefore they are low context ...... BUT geisha's have to SHUT UP around their customers whereas the Geylang prostitutes NEVER shut up!

Geisha

"I think I want a smoke." says the customer.

Then the geisha will light his cigar withought even saying a word.

Geisha's are very silent when at work.

The way they act and entertain is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than their words.

Therefore, they are high context.

Geylang Prostitute

"I think I want a smoke." says the customer.

"YA ... ME TOO. LIGHT FOR ME, CAN?" says the prostitute

Geylang prostitutes are more outspoken with their thoughts and they are more loud.

They think they are sexier when they speak.

They are NOT ambiguous at all ... in appearance and in their communication.

Therefore, they are low context.

So! Agree? Disagree? Inputs? Outputs? LOL

comment laaaaaaa

thanks ppl

love u

iDa

Relationship 101

2009-02-13T17:12:00.000-08:00

This week in com class, I seriously felt like I was in Relationship 101. We talked about what attracts us to the opposite sex, what is realistic and unrealistic in a relationship, and the stages of the relationship.

Physical appearance: "General perceptions of physical attractiveness exert a consistent positive impact on relational formation" <-- this means ... we look at how the people look before we will start any conversation or any relationship.

Natalie Imbruglia

I asked one of my GUY friends to pick someone they think is attractive and he chose Natalie Imbruglia. I asked why, and he said, "eyes?" It might also help that she's in shape and she's a singer ... but we'll just go along with his answer, her eyes.

Adrian Grenier

I asked one of my GIRL friends the same question and she picked Adrian Grenier. I asked why and she said, "cos he's HOT! and he's a "smart" actor. " His physical appearance is charming, yet scruffy. I can see why he's attractive to her.

This week, we also learned about the stages of a relationship.

Chuck and Blair

This, I consider as stage 3. This part was when they first figured out they had feelings for each other. It has always been a game, until now ... but nobody can find out ... yet.

Dan and Serena

I consider this stage 9. You see Serena looking away from Dan, so she is withdrawing herself emotionally. Quite sad, but it happens.

So .... do you think my thinking is accurate? Anymore examples you want to share? SHARE SHARE SHARE =)

"All I Ever Wanted Was To Be A Mother"

2009-02-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29050752#29050752

About a week ago, a woman in the US gave birth to octuplets. Before giving birth to her eight kids, she gave birth to six. She was criticized for this as she is still schooling and UNMARRIED. During her interview, she was asked a lot of questions that I know I wouldn't be able to handle. But yet, she sat there, poised, relaxed, and answered every single question like she's been doing this all her life. This is an example of nonverbal communication. It shows that she's confident and knows what she is facing. The way she spoke, her verbal communication, was also quite strong. She didn't stammer or had "uh's" or "umm's". This comes across as another sign of confidence.

She said that she can provide for her kids without any help from the government (e.g. welfare, government funding, etc ...). Now the question I am asking is ... Can she do it as she has no job?

Virginia Tech Leads to Death?

2009-01-24T01:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_329805.html

On Wednesday, a girl was beheaded at Virginia Tech University. For those of you who have never heard of Virginia Tech, it is a university that was named one of the worst school shootings in the United States history. This shooting happened back in 2007.

It was said that around 7pm (US time), Miss Xin Yang, a Chinese graduate student, was beheaded by fellow student, Haiyang Zhu. It was said that they knew each other as they were both from China. The police reported that she was attacked with a knife.

SO, two unfortunate incidents have happened at Virginia Tech; both leading to death. My question is, should students just stay away from Virginia Tech?

My thinking is YES YES YES! Two death related incidents happened! I wouldn't feel safe at all if I were to go that uni. I'm not saying that incidents like this wouldn't happen at other universities, BUT Virginia Tech already has TWO incidents under their belt. So for me, I would feel safer if I were to be as far away from Virginia Tech as possible.

So some of you are thinking, "How is this related to COM 101?" Well think about it. In Unit 2, we learned about perception. With this two incidents, MY perception of Virginia Tech is that it's UNSAFE! With all the mishaps happening at this school, I can interpret it as Virginia Tech having bad luck and students who choose to go there will DEFINITELY be unsafe.