Laziness or Overloaded?

A student tells a 60-year-old professor that he can not do an assignment. His argument is that there is too much information out there. Back in the professor’s day…there were less resources, but now there is so much that it is nearly impossible to track down the right information.  Is that laziness or are students really bombarded with information?

Well, I feel that the argument can go both ways. Although I lean toward laziness on the students part, I do see his point. Research takes a long time sometimes because you are searching for specific facts. You go from a general category to specific details, which is hard half the time when there are a lot of bozo sites on the internet. Anyone now can post up a web site and claim it to be fact when truth be told, it was actually created and written by a 14-year-old. Teachers also expect quotes and facts that are specific. They don’t want some source to be so vague it can apply to any subject.

But if you think about it, wouldn’t that make us less lazy if we are constantly searching for truth? Isn’t it another skill to figure out the truth from the false information? Plus it helps us be skeptical of what people claim is truthful. I have had to do this kind of research since the 9th grade high school. So the student had a good point, but then again, I think he was just covering his ass! lol  Being in college, research should not be a shocker.

Technology Impacting Youth

I went to my Mass Media and Society class today and we had some interesting discussions. Brief though because we went over the class syllabus, but still attractive.

My teacher said some research shows that technology is affecting our brain development. The research poses the idea that our attention spans decreases through generations. True or no?

Well, I think it might be. I mean, ADHD and ADD are increasing in diagnoses for one thing. I see more people my age and younger multitasking like no ones business. I know this one kid, 11 years old (about to be 12 in Feb), he can have the tv on, listen to music on his iphone, and play World Of Warcraft (WOW) on his computer. Crazy. Another kid, senior in high school, I saw play a game on this computer with music and play tetris on his phone. It is like they are not entertained enough so they pull a bunch of technology together. You see less kids playing outside and more obesity. Through the years, cells are getting into the hands of younger and younger kids. I mean there’s a toy phone for babies even!

Technology is really forming society these days. Our older generation is trying to keep up but it is still sad to see an old lady trying to figure out how to rent a dvd from redbox or fill out a check at a cash register during a long line. So you have to always keep up to survive, or be left behind now that technology is getting more advanced.

So is this true? And if it is…is having a short attention span a bad thing in these days? I mean will the skill of being able to do more than one thing help us move forward in our future jobs and/or family? Or will it hurt us in that it will hinder our ability to be entertained and not focus on family and other things that require more attention and focus? Heck, It might be good and bad.

Soap Operas

My mother is into Spanish, hysterical, soap operas. Every night of the week from 8 to 10 or just 8 to 9 pm (depending if it is good enough) She devotes her time to following the lives of these fake characters. Even when the soap is starting to really suck, she nods away the suggestions to not watch them and instead, sits down with her cup of cereal to wait out for a big event where a secret is revealed, someone has died off, or whatever. Watching these soap operas are a part of the Hispanic culture. The same with sexy outfits…but that’s on another note.

I am not trying to kick soap watchers in the shins when I talk about the faults of soap operas because as it turns out, I like watching them too. If I had the channel where I live, I’d watch them (well, the “good ones” anyways).  I look forward to the passionate or exaggerated acting in which people yell in anger, blubber through their tears, or ooze in cheesy happiness. There is a sort of satisfaction that comes with sitting down and having your heart melt when the hot male lead is being sexy by twirling his stubborn love into his arms and tells her sweet nothings so close to her face that she can taste, smell, and feel his breath (Like in the soap, Cuidado Con el Angel). Grrrr. lol

I know, I know! I could be way more productive by writing in my room during this vacation that will end way too soon. But I love the gooey feelings I get when the two main characters encounter and have a soft or feisty moment.Even as little girls we think of prince charming and play house as a wife. So it is almost engraved in our brains of a fantasy that doesn’t really exist. At least that is how it was for me. As a little girl I was Nala searching for my Simba in the prairies, or as Jasmine for my Aladan as I played with my toys. In high school I kept searching for my high school sweetheart but I ended up with…to put it softly… buttheads. I die when my current boyfriend does something romantic. I get crazy butterflies which is soooo addicting for a girl. Feeling special and being treated like so just makes our toes curl at the thought. Maybe I’m just a huge sensitive person, but I cant help it….I liiiiike it. lol Anyhow, the craving for romance, difficult or strong, never dies within a woman. sigh…..

Writing Distractions

So my new years resolution is to continuously blog and write everyday. Kind of had a shaky start considering January 1st was several days ago… but here we go! I noticed that I am really easily distracted. My iphone, shopping, and watching television have grabbed my attention instead of sitting down with this cute Dell laptop and writing this Christmas Break. This Christmas, I got to spend a month in Florida. Boutiques, malls, department stores with crashing new sales, my iphone and spending time with family have distracted me tremendously. I am not blaming the cool technology nor the location, but lets just say it doesn’t help.

Last Christmas was spent in Nashville, TN. There wasn’t much to do and not enough cash in our pockets, so my mother and I sat and read most of our days at home. Read, Read, Read…Which I loved. I thought this vacation I would be about the same even though our wallets have stretched and  still on budget; but I was wrong. Everyday, my mother and I have visited tons of stores  and my rents have taken me to Orlando and to the beach on the weekends. We still have not fully covered our territory here in Tampa. We have vowed to not go out anymore until I leave Saturday to North Carolina. So I should be able to start the habit of writing that will help me complete my resolution.

What is it about technology that attracts us. Is it the invincible feeling of being able to do more than you thought you could with a phone?  Phones are only getting more and more advanced. Every time I visit my family, they are hooked on the newest gadget which leads me to getting caught up in the technology frenzy. Away from them, I am able to resist because I would have convinced myself that I didn’t need it and didn’t want to become another goof that craved the latest gadget that can make me fly or see through walls. lol

The iphone specifically has mesmerized me. Being able to touch the screen and be on facebook is awesome! I love it. Just feeling the soft flat screen as I command it to my will is intriguing in of itself. lol My older phone was a Blackjack one that I have had since Senior Year of high school. I love that phone but the Iphone is my new toy. But dont worry blackjack, you’ll always be my baby! lol