Just a thought

I believe that a true sign of a successful liberal arts education is that when you graduate you get way more references in Woody Allen movies than when you matriculated.

On McLuhan

So I've just read Chapter 1 of McLuhan, twice. I'm going to gather my thoughts, but they may be convoluted, as its my first attempt at externalizing everything I've just read. Consider what I'm writing more like notes/summarization I would take for a class.

1. McLuhan says that any medium is an extension of ourselves. Is this because we created each medium, and the medium's origins is rooted in a rationalized idea that could only come from a human brain? Does it have to do with utility?

2. An actual medium is just a medium. The content inside that medium is its own medium.

3. The message is not what is being said (i.e. "BARACK OBAMA IS A MUSLIM" being flashed on the television screen), that would be the content. Rather, the message is the effects of what the medium does for humanity (i.e. telephone speeding up the time it takes to converse with someone.) Quote: "It is the medium that shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action."

Mutualization

With 2014 approaching, the old media is still looking for the new model so that this admittedly improbable prediction does not come true. This is where 'mutualization' comes in. "Our readers have become a part of what we do", writes Rusbridger. This makes me think that old media is exploiting user's selfishness. By reeling them in and allowing them to participate now more than ever, they are keeping readers hooked by letting them see their work reflected in the news organization.

Behind

Hey Colin,

Just a quick update to let you know I'm behind in my blogging, and I probably won't be able to do a good post in time for class tonight. I'll get to everything very soon though.

Final Thoughts on Twitter

So I've been using Twitter for about a week now. Its fun, its easy, its uncomplicated. I understand how many call Twitter pointless, as its just a simple 140 character sounding board. Its an invitation for inane, dead-end thoughts.

If I had gone the whole week completely unchanged or unimpressed by Twitter, then I would be echoing the Twitter haters. But I think it has concretely improved my connectedness with the world. News organizations Tweet interesting articles I would have missed, bands post concert dates, etc. And I would have missed comedian Mo Rocca's HILARIOUS set of Tweets impersonating Oprah Twittering in real time as she moves from Chicago to Los Angeles. I have to post it here just for laughs. Its comedic genius in "140 characters or less":

1. Gayle, it's Oprah, please pick up. Whitney came over to help me move. Bitch drove off w/ the UHaul. I need you, Gayle!5:37 PM Nov 20th from UberTwitter
   • Reply
   • Retweet
2. Hi, Gayle. Just wanted u to know that Maya Angelou just threw her back out lifting my armoire. Hope ur havin a GREAT dayToo bad you're not there, Gayle. Sasha & Malia wanted to say hi. They just finished unhooking my entertainment center.11:42 AM Nov 20th from web
3. 11:31 AM Nov 20th from web
4. "Gayle, I will hunt you down, have Rachael Ray boil you in a stock pot and Dr. Phil eat you! Now pick up the damn PHONE!"11:20 AM Nov 20th from web
5. Gayle, pick up the damn phone. Tom & Katie are helping. Even Suri's lifting boxes. Gayle, get your black ass over here!11:15 AM Nov 20th from web
6. Gayle? It's Oprah. Pick up the phone, Gayle. Ashton Demi Dr. Oz & James Frey are all helping me move. Don't disappoint me, Gayle.11:11 AM Nov 20th from web
7. Oprah moving Chi-LA is logistical nightmare. 1000s of boxes. This is when it sucks to be Oprah's best friend Gayle

Anyway, if used comprehensively, Twitter is quite the helpful aggregate.

Twitter Revelation

So I think I'm having my revelation as to why I've enjoyed using Twitter so much these past few days.

Whenever I use Facebook to update my status, its always a back and forth as to whether to do it or not. I never want to be that guy - the one who is notorious for way too many pointless, boring status updates. So I filter them and only occasionally give an update.

But with Twitter, theres nothing else to do BUT let people know what you are doing/thinking. You're encouraged to share those thoughts. Now whether or not this is the stupidest or smartest scheme ever thought up can be saved for another day. As for right now, I'm just embracing the basics of it without questioning its greater place in society.

On Twitter

So a little over halfway into my Twitter experiment, I have to admit I really like it. I now constantly have the need to share every random thought that comes into my head. Its a bit addicting. I find myself having to screen my thoughts by saying "Is this Twitter worthy?" And even though I have many more Facebook friends, its much easier to Tweet than it is to update my status on Facebook on my cell phone.

Its an easy two-step process. For example, yesterday I Tweeted atop Talcott Mountain and at an early "late night" concert at The Mill, an arts house on campus. All I did was whip out my phone, find the Tweed application, Tweet my thought, and submit.

A few things I've discovered I can do with Twitter:

1. Establish a sense of place. There is a feature where I can press a 'locate me' button and my phone finds my latitude and longitude. When I submit my tweet, it displays a link that goes to my location on Google Maps. I feel like establishing a sense of place is a very authentic experience.

2. Keep up with things I would have missed. I follow 'Bantam Sports', and I just found out that Trinity hockey won against Hamilton.

3. Get a quick, accurate look into peoples thoughts. Trending topics are really interesting to me. Tracking what thousands of people are thinking helps me feel more connected to society, as cheesy as that sounds.

I'll keep updating this list as I use Twitter more.