Individual Reflection

In class we have discussed how social media plays a huge role in the life of our generation. Today teenagers spend over two hours on social media everyday so we are pretty savvy when it comes to using social networking sites. With that being said we can use social media in education. In class we talked about the benefits of networking through twitter and Facebook so it wouldn’t be hard transition to use twitter in school. Teachers can use Twitter to reach out to students and keep them updated on school assignments, extra credit opportunities, and just overall feel connected with the teacher. I also incorporated Facebook in my tutorial. Facebook groups can be used to bring students together in a more relaxed environment. Lastly I included Blogger. Blogger is a great way to allow students to express their personality when they post homework assignments on a customized blog. I used Prezi to create the tutorial and I used this website before for projects so I didn’t have any difficulties.

Bibliography

"How Social Media Is Being Used In Education." Edudemic. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. <http://www.edudemic.com/social-media-in-education/>.

Digital Divide

A group impacted by the digital divde are the people of Chennakeshavapura because they live in a region where farming is more important than education or being literate. Because they are so out of touch when it comes to technology and the internet they have to develop methods for them to understand text messages and apps on iphones. 

The Impact of Remix Culture

Today almost nothing is original. The average movie, book, and piece of artwork is inspired or combined with something that already exist. The concept of "remix culture" prevents my work or any author's content from being innovative. If everything is just a "remix" of something then its hard for my work or anyone's work to stand out. The "remix culture" impacts my and today's content because it takes away creativity and individuality.

Digital Media Lit Questions

1.     What are three important distinctions about new media? 


Media today is very different from how it was in the past. Today everyday people can have an impact of media and advertisement. For example, people don’t have to rely on the TV to see how popular an apple product is; they can simply walk outside and see almost everyone walking around with an iPhone and MacBook. New Media today also really involves the consumer. If consumers don’t buy into media then whatever the media is trying to “sell” fails. Lastly new media is relatable. When one sees an advertisement on TV they can actually in vision themselves using the product that’s advertised.

2.     Why are these important today?

It is important that media today is relatable and dependent on the consumer because it’s easier for advertisements to “sell” or be successful. If someone can relate to a commercial or magazine article they’re more likely to be an advocate for the product or advertisement.

3.     What makes new media new? How is it related to networks?

New media is new because it’s full of innovation. Networks can be created through Facebook friends, twitter, and instagram followers. Media can be passed along faster and better these days. It is considered new because its not only passed along through newspaper articles.

4.     
How have these concepts changed the way we learn, communicate and create culture?

These concepts have created a culture that relies on social media and social networking to pass on information.

5. 
Opinion: Do you think Epic 2014 offers a true vision of media in the near future? What is your vision of media in the near future?

Yes. I think media will continue to grow and expand through social networking sites and indivduals. 

Hello My Name is...

My full name is Robyn Nia Angel Merrett and I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana. I have a younger brother named Ashton and two dogs. Before Howard I attended an all girls school called Louise S. McGehee. I went to McGehee for thirteen years (crazy I know!). In my free time I enjoy reading, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. My favorite artist is Kid Cudi and I am obsessed with dogs (I love puppies!!). I love socializing and making new friends. I hope to one day become an editor of a fashion magazine preferably Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, or Essence (and I know I can accomplish that through Howard). 

Love Thyself or Hate Thyself

Every monday at 8 pm I tune into the infamous reality TV show "Love & Hip Hop". Like almost every viewer, I was drawn to the show because of its drama and humor, but little did I know I was contributing to the defamation and hatred of my race...

Love & Hip Hop Cast

"Love & Hip Hop" exploits the dysfunctional relationships and lives of six black women. The six women are all involved with hip hop entertainers, who only bring them pain wether its leaving them to be single mothers or failing to be faithful. The drama of this show intrigues many Americans who like myself often make fun or ridicule them all. However my eyes were opened to my own disfunction after reading Brainwashed by Tom Burrell. Tom Burrell's novel encouraged me to question why I found "Love & Hip Hop" so intriguing? Why was I entertained by the chaotic lives of suffering black women? Why was I blindly accepting the stereotype that "Blacks Can't Form Strong Families" (argued in Brainwashed Chapter 2). And lastly how can I disengage from this self loathing behavior and learn to up lift my race.

As more and more mondays went by I found it harder to watch "Love & Hip Hop" because of what I learned on the black inferiority complex and how my race especially black women, were brainwashed to believe that they couldn't achieve marital and family bliss. I was disgusted that I naively agreed to this condition and I wanted to change the stereotype that blacks "...accept and share these perceptions without question or qualm" (Burrell 33). So what I could I do to change? I started informing my friends that "Love & Hip Hop" was bad for our state of mind and in order to not accept the black inferiority complex we must not watch the show. I realized that by watching the show I not only accepted black dysfunction as normal I was contributing to the strong self-hatred present in the black community. So instead of tuning into "Love & Hip Hop" I watched "Black Girls Rock" and intensely read Brainwashed to become more aware of the burden my people faced and how to overcome it. Watching shows like "Love & and Hip Hop" not only encourages Americans to continue to accept black inferiority, but also allows African Americans to expect our race to be dysfunctional. I don't want to accept or expect these negatives stereotypes of my race so since I have realized the problem, I will now encourage my race to not associate themselves with this kinda of entertainment.

Sushi? The New American Cuisine?

As I sat eating my spicy tuna roll in "Maui Fish and Pasta",  I looked around to observe that almost everyone around me was also ordering sushi. The craze for these little rice squares was obvious. This  brought me to an even deeper realization... Back home in New Orleans sushi restaurants were popping up left and right! This strong craving for sushi wasn't just in Hawaii, it was all over. So I thought to myself, why do Americans love sushi so much? Is the sushi we eat "real" sushi? Or is it Americanized just like every foreign cuisine brought to America? In America we've changed almost every foreign food to meet our liking. So I wonder are we doing the same for sushi? I asked my mom and some friends why they loved sushi so much; and they proceeded to tell me that they loved the clean and delicate flavor. Sushi has also appealed to Americans because of its fashionable look and "good for the soul"("Why We love Sushi").

As I ordered my second roll I began to examine how different the sushi in Hawaii tasted compared to the sushi back home at my favorite restaurant, Sake Cafe. Don't get me wrong, the sushi in New Orleans is great, but the way the tuna melted in my mouth in Maui was something I haven't experienced in Louisiana. The sushi in Maui was so fresh, so clean, and so desirable. Was this sushi in Maui more authentic than the sushi at Sake? Could it be? Filled with disbelief I asked the waitress why the sushi here (in Maui) was so good. She informed me, that Hawaii has a large population of Japanese residents so most Sushi Chefs duplicate the Japanese style of preparing sushi (from the quality of the fish to the texture of the rice). She also stated that in Hawaii the fish available is the same seafood available in Japan.

Spicy Tuna Roll (Taken by me at Maui Fish and Pasta) 

After listening to waitress, I realized that favorite rolls among my mom and friends were the crawfish roll, soft-shell crab roll, and shrimp roll which are staple foods of Louisiana. So its not that the sushi in New Orleans is less authentic it's that the chefs have adjusted to the taste of that region.

      Crawfish Roll http://sidedish.wpengine.com

In Hawaii chefs can maintain traditional tastes because of its proximity to Japan. So as for Chef Kaz Okochi, who according to the Washington Post article "Sushi Standards and The American Way"..."worries about the state of genuine Japanese sushi, the kind that requires years of training, an almost obsessive attention to detail and a passion for fresh, clean flavors" ("Sushi Standards and the American way"), he need not worry, sushi is not lost, it in fact has evolved to adapt to its new home which; therefore enables it to live forever.


Carman, Tim. "Sushi Standards and The American Way." Washington Post. N.p., 24 Jan. 2012. Web.
        24 July 2013.