Hip Hop 2.0

Summary: In this chapter of Learning Race & Ethnicity, the author describes many things about hip hop. She first explains about a website guerillafunk.com. This is a music label site used for listening to music, getting more music, and something else unexpected. This unexpected link goes to a page about global politics, hip hop culture, and learning. There are many more of these sites. People use them all the time to talk about what is going on in the world and how it relates to hip hip. Artists like Kanye West and Mos Def  even include this events in their songs; they are considered the “politically conscious artists”. Basically, the chapter goes on to explain how hip hop culture is changing to relate to political events, turning controversial.

Observation 4

Last week, Facebook changed it’s format once again. And as usual, people freaked out about it. They were saying how it’s too similar to Twitter now, which I have no idea because I have never been on Twitter. They complained that Facebook is confusing now, even though it still requires common sense to navigate it as usual. Basically what has changed on Facebook is there is a little bar on the right side of the screen that says what people are doing right at the minute. To update your status now there is a button that says “Update Status.” The photos page is different because the pictures are bigger and not four across. And the main news feed page has changed by new posts not being put up immediately.

I honestly don’t think the changes are a big deal at all. Facebook always changes, you need to get used to it; adapt. It takes like 10 minutes to get used to the new format. I don’t know why everyone freaked out like it’s the end of the world because Facebook changed again. Basically, it changed, oh well, it’ll change again probably in a month.

Observations 3

Today when I woke up I immediately went on the computer. My home page is set to bgsu.edu and I wanted to check my email because I am expecting a message from my future employer. But since I am using wifi at BGSU, we have to sign in to use it before we’re allowed on. To sign in we have to go to a different web page, and which did I choose? Facebook of course. So I signed on to wifi then had to go onto Facebook since the page was already up. I checked my notifications immediately and I received a message from my cousin about a trip to Chicago over Fall Break and a friend request from some person I have no who they are. So, I responded to my cousin saying I can’t go to Chicago anymore for various reasons and denied the stranger from being my friend. Finally, after all that, I went back to bgsu.edu to check my email, which was my purpose for getting on in the first place.

Facebook is so distracting sometimes, as shown above. I went on the computer for one purpose and ended up on Facebook before I even knew it. I need to figure out a better way so I am not drawn to Facebook every time I have to sign on to BGSU’s wifi.

Social Life

The definition of social life to me may be different than other peoples. I believe social life is the what people do to be social, how they behave out in public, and what they do to have fun. Social life is connected to Facebook in my opinion. People make plans on Facebook and contact people through it as well. I believe Facebook enhances your social life. It is just another way people socializin

Learning Race & Ethnicitiy: Chapter 1

Summary:

In this first chapter of Learning Race and Ethnicity, race is discussed from the Internet. The three main websites that were concentrated on were AsianAvenue, BlackPlanet, and MiGente (for Asians, African Americans, and Latinos.)  These websites are popular social networking sites for those specific races, and no one else. Many times throughout the chapter they gave examples where people who posted on that website and were obviously not that race were shouted and told to “get out of here if we don’t understand you.” People on these sites feel very strongly about their race and if you’re not Asian or African American or Latino you need to get out right away. These sites are places for dialogues about their race and ethnicity.

Observations 2

Over the weekend, I observed a guy friend of mine get on Facebook. He has a girlfriend who goes to a different college than him. They try to stay in contact as much as possible. But when he gets on Facebook, he checks his own notifications, then immediatly goes to her page to see what she’s been posting. It is another way in their relationship to stay connected, over the distance.

I realized that people use Facebook not only to catch up on previous relationships between family, friends, etc., but they use it to keep their relationship going. Families use it to keep in contact with relatives far away, as well as friendly relationships. Facebook is a way to keep your social life going, it mixes in with “real” social life and social networking sites social life.

Observations 1

For our project, we decided to observe ourself and others using Facebook. Here are some of my observations since last class Tueday. I realize I log onto Facebook at least twice a day to catch up on people. I like to look at their photos and chat with them. Yesterday, on Facebook I got to talk to my two best friends, and made plans with one of them to visit MSU in October. Facebook makes making plans so much easier and faster since you can chat with someone and they respond immediately.

Last night I was watching a movie with my friends, and one of them brought their laptop in to start a paper for her GSW class. Without even realizing it, she logs onto Facebook and searches around and talks to people. Then all the sudden she realizes she brought her laptop in to write a paper. She says she goes on Facebook like it’s second nature, doesn’t even think about it, it just happens.

Race & Ethnicity Intro

The introduction of the book Learning Race and Ethnicity was quite informative. In the beginning it talks about race and discrimination in the media world. The book will deal with questions regarding ethnicity issues in the twenty first century. The second part of the introduction lays out what the book will be dealing with in chapters. The one chapter in particular that discusses hip hop on the Internet and artists using them to share their political views will be very interesting to read about.  I am quite eager to do some reading in this book as it seems very informative.

Facebook vs. Social Life

I’ve been on facebook for about four years now. I get on maybe once a day when bored to look at pictures, profiles, etc. I enjoy seeing what my friends and family are up to since I don’t see everyone as often anymore.

I think socializing on facebook is similar to socializing in real life. People still communicate, just posting on peoples walls opposed to face to face. People still can catch up on facebook.

Campus Fest

On Thursday, our class took a stroll on over to Campus Fest. I was really overwhelmed with all the different clubs and activities available at BGSU, but extremely excited as well. As I walked around I found two clubs that fit me perfectly. The first was the Humane Society Club. I was overjoyed at seeing this because I am a huge animal lover. The second club I signed