How Obama Won The Election (Extra)

      Barack Obama ran one of the best campaigns in recent memory. Many people will say Obama won the election because people did not want a Republican in office after having George W. Bush for eight years. People do not realize that Barack Obama and his administrators did an excellent job in connecting to young people. In class we watched video's of Howard Dean and how he became an internet sensation. Even though he failed when it came to actual debates because of his lack of public speaking, Obama administration used Dean's internet idea as a way to connect to young people. Obama knew that getting the young adult vote from ages eighteen to twenty-five would be crucial if he wanted to win the election. His administration knew that young people are very big on social networking, so Obama's administration decided to use social networking as a way to attract young voters. The 2008 election had the biggest turnout from young voters in recent memory. Instead, of using the typical ways to campaign Obama decided to connect and try and become "cool" with the young adults. His plan worked to perfection because young voters felt they had a connection with this president because he did the same things that they did when it came to social networking. No president before Obama used social networking as a way to attract voters. Now, all candidates have Twitter and Facebook accounts because they know if they win the young adult vote they are most likely to win the election. Obama's staff ran a brilliant campaign and they were the first to use social networking as an advantage. Barack Obama won the election because he used Howard Dean's strategy to connect to young voters. Unlike Howard Dean, Barack Obama has an extraordinary talent when it comes to giving speeches. Barack Obama administration ran a perfect campaign, which lead him to winning the 2008 election.

Words Do Hurt (Extra)

     What an individual says to somebody can change an individual's life forever. Many people use their fist as a way to harm an individual, but for most the words an individual says hurts them the most. Recently, in our society we have had a lot of issues occur when it comes to cyber-bullying. This is when individuals bully somebody through social networking sites. Now, many would say, if the individual does not like what they are hearing then they should sign off and ignore them. The problem is that is a lot easier said than done. If an individual ignores them online then they have to see them at school and get picked on there. There is no easy solution out of cyber- bullying and people need to realize the effects it has on people. Personally, if an individual has to make fun of a person through a computer and cannot do it to their face, then that individual is a coward. If an individual really believes something about a person, then they should be willing to say it to the person's face. For the most part cyber-bullying occurs with children and young adults. When we had to read a story about a Mother pretending to be a cute boy to get back at one of her daughter's ex-friends, it made me sick to my stomach. When a Mother stoops to this level and harms a teenager, then she has serious issues. The fact that a mom pretended to be a cute guy to a girl who had serious self-esteem problems is very disturbing. Clearly, this mom knew the girl had issues because her daughter use to be her friend. As the girl began to trust this guy, the mother then decided to insult her and turn her back on the girl. This devastated the girl and eventually led her to committing suicide. Mother's are suppose to be role models to children and this mother was a big factor in why this girl decided to end her life. People need to be careful on what they say about others on the internet because you never know who else may read them and how somebody will take them. Nobody wants to be at fault for an individual ending their life. The words a person says to an individual can be a very powerful thing. More powerful at times than a person getting physically beaten up. Harsh words can make a person's life go to a downward spiral. Nobody wants to the be the reason why an individual ended his life so be careful on what you say on social networking sites.

The Power of YouTube (Extra)

     YouTube has become a hit sensation around the world. It allows individuals the ability to become a star. YouTube gives individuals the opportunity to post videos about themselves and let the entire world see it. When YouTube was first established the creators never thought that this site was going to become this popular. People have the ability to make music mixes, create funny videos, and replay sports clips. Now, YouTube is more than those features it allows individuals to display their talents and become professionals.YouTube gives an individual the chance to follow their dreams. Rather than going to meet with a professional across the country a person can showcase their talents on YouTube and let viewers be the judges. For example, a basketball player that I played against last year is now world-wide famous for his dunking ability. This kid is named Jacob Tucker and he is only 5'10 and has a 50' vertical. This kid came from a small division three school and now he is playing for the Harlem Globetrotters, one of the most historic franchises around the world. Without YouTube nobody would be able to find out this kids amazing talent. The crazy thing about this entire story was that the only reason why Jacob Tucker made a video so he could get invited to the NCAA slam dunk contest. He would have never imagined in a million years that he would be getting asked to participate in slam dunk contest across the country and now is a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. YouTube gives an average Joe the chance to become famous. YouTube is not just about posting funny videos or posting sports clips. It allows an individual the opportunity to follow and pursue their dreams that they thought was never possible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEgcml1Wx1w

Google the Best Invention of My Time Period? (Extra)

     Google is one of the most powerful tools accessible for an individual. Literally, an individual has the ability to find anything they are searching for on this website. Google has expanded over the years. Originally, we were only able to find information through text, now we have the ability to look at maps and actual locations on Google Earth. If I needed to find a building where my interview for a job was located, I would type the address into Google Maps and they can zoom in on how the building looks. Also, if I wanted to show an individual my house I could type in my house and they have the ability to show exactly how my house looks from the outside. Many people argue that Google has gone too far and there is no privacy anymore. In Siva Vaidhynathan's "Googlization of Us" he talks about how some people dislike that if something bad occurred to an individual anybody has the ability to find it on Google. Nothing can be hidden now because Google finds all information possible on a certain category. Also, Siva Vaidhynathan talked about how Google now remembers all the things you have searched so when you type in the first letter it pops up for you. People dislike this because they find it weird that Google remembers every possible thing you have searched. The only negative about Google is the lack of privacy that an individual has now.People need to realize that we live in a society where privacy does not exist especially if an individual uses social networking sites. Personally, I am an optimistic guy who likes to see the positives and Google has way more positives than negatives. Being able to find a location online visually is something that is incredibly useful and helpful. Also, if you ever need to search for a topic all you have to do is type your subject and thousands and even millions of websites will pop up about your information. The role that Google plays on individuals is enormous. I have grown up with Google my whole life and I feel I could not live without this website. Even though there have been many great inventions in my time period, it is impossible to think that there is one greater than Google. People around the world would have a very hard time going through life without having this incredible resource. Google continues to grow and it has yet to reach its full potential. I look forward to seeing how Google works in twenty years and by the time I grow old we may be saying Google is the greatest invention ever and not just during my time period.

Facebook Privacy or Is There? (Extra)

     Every individual is different when it comes to setting up their privacy on Facebook. All my settings are public on Facebook. The only setting I have is that I need to accept the friend request. Many people ask me why I do not set any privacy settings and that is because I have nothing to hide. I believe this kind of shows who I am as a person and that I am a very outgoing person who likes to meet people. In Danah Boyd's article "Facebook Privacy Settings: Who Cares?" She talks about how people need to be more alert and protective on what they show to certain people. Another point, which I found very interesting that she mentioned was that all the changes Facebook does, people forget to reset their privacy settings. This was something that really stunned me that when Facebook does its updates the original privacy settings do not always automatically update. People just assume that their privacy settings are the same when the new updates occur, but that is not always the case. Personally, I feel privacy does not really exist on the web. There are always going to be people who have the ability to find ways to hack into your information. Obviously, if you keep your settings private there is going to be a better chance your information in private, but there is no guarantee. If you are the type who likes to keep their Facebook's private then make sure you do. I am willing to accept the potential risk of being public because I know I will make good judgment on what to have on Facebook. People can make their Facebook's private,but unfortunately there is no complete privacy when it comes to social networking. Facebook and all social networking sites are great things except people need to remember nothing is completely private in the social networking world!

The Benefits of Music Sharing (Extra)

     There have been a lot of artist today who take original work and create their music based off it. There is nothing wrong with an artist doing this. All great people have learned from others or copied their works. In order to be the best you need to learn from the best. These artists are taking work from the best and making it their own. In a way the artist is honoring the original artist. This benefits the original artist more than anything. Anytime an artist decides to play somebody's work they need to pay them for using their work. In Ian Janis "Online Music Sharing May Benefit Artists" he talks about how these original artists are in a great situation and have many benefits for being willing to share their work. People pay them to use their work, while they do not need to do any of the work. Also, whenever the song is played on the radio they get a percentage of that. Allowing your music to be used by the new generations is a great honor and a great way to make easy money. It is one thing if an artist does not ask permission first and tries to make it their own. That is unacceptable, but if a person is willing to do all the work and all you have to do is give permission, why would you not accept? Original artists should be honored if an artist wants to use his or her work. That means that it is still good and popular after multiple decades. Being an original artist and having others use your work is one of the easiest ways to make money.

The Disturbance of Hackers (Extra)

     Hackers in today's society are a lot different compared to the original hackers in the 60's. In the 1960's when hackers began to change computers, they did things in a more positive way. They would find ways to get information to be free for individuals. In today's society hackers bring a lot of harm to individuals with computers or laptops. Hackers are brilliant people who have a special gift when it comes to being able to change how computers work. Rather than improving technology with their gifts, hackers now would rather cause harm to people by putting in viruses. Ever since the 1990's when punk rock got popular, people have always felt the need to rebel against their parents or higher authorities. These people who hack computers do this because either they want to get back at people or because they are just bored and they find this fun. What hackers do not realize is how much they can ruin people's lives with the viruses they spread. Last year I experienced a virus because I thought that what I was clicking on was a professional site. I realized right away that I was wrong when my computer completely shut down and it took 3 weeks for Information Technology Services to get rid of the virus. Hackers are intelligent people and they have the ability to make a virus website and a professional website look identical. Hackers bother me greatly because they have such incredible minds and their way of taking advantage of their gifts is to ruin others lives and bring harm. There is nothing worse than a person wasting his or her potential.