The Internet (Learning)

The positive features of the internet with learning are you learn by teaching yourself and it is a skill that is always improving. You have to play around with the internet and see what works and what doesn't. It takes time, but eventually you'll find short cuts and new technique's. You will always learn something new about the internet. Even the smartest of people have not completely mastered the internet. The internet is constantly growing and developing. You can learn a lot from the internet, there is information everywhere. 


The negative features are obtaining false information and there is only one approach. For example: if you are trying to look up information on a topic and come across the website wikipedia.com, know that not al their information is accurate. In wikipedia people can change the information. It is meant for people to add their knowledge on a topic, but some people add false information to site. Wikipedia will change it back once it finds the false information, but there are a  lot people changing the information so it is hard for them to keep up with everyone. Bottom line don't trust what you read from the internet unless it is a reliable source. There is also usually one approach to working the internet. You might be able to find a way around something, but it usually more complicated. 

Avalanche Tour 2011

On Tuesday April 26th, 2011 I attended the Avalanche Tour in Waterloo, IA at Mcelroy Auditorium. The rock bands that played in order were Art of Dying, Halestorm, Skillet, Theory of a Deadman, and Stone Sour. I was very excited to see Halestorm, Skillet, and Theory of a Deadman. They were by far the best of the night, in my opinion. 


I'm not your stereotypical rock fan by far. I did however wear a black shirt if that counts for anything. I don't smoke, drink, or have any weird piercing or tattoos. Although there were tons of people there who did. There was people smoking everywhere, I hate the smell of smoke by the way, and everyone was crazy. My boyfriend and I were up in the big mass of people during the three bands I mentioned before. There was tons of crowd surfing, some people tried starting a mash pit and failed, and people were packed in like sardines. I like my personal space, so standing really close to a stranger wasn't the best, but it was worth it and made my experience that much better. I guess what I'm trying to say is some stereotypes are true, but not all of them apply to everyone. I don't think the crowd ever got out of control to bad. I did receive an elbow in the face, but that's just going to happen when everyone has their hands in the air. 


I thought is was really nice of Skillet to dedicated their song HERO to the soldier that just passed away that was from the Waterloo area. Below their is a video of that song if you care to watch it. 

   

Skillet had an amazing performance. Best of the night! What I love most about this band is that they have violins! I love the sound of violins! Their song Awake and Alive is amazing and you can really hear the violins playing. Not all rock bands have electric guitars and drums. They have different instruments also.


I hate it when people push their way through to get to the front. At one moment at the concert a man in the wheel chair was asking people to move so he could go to the front. That was fine, but my complaint is why did ten of his friends have to go with him. I'm only five foot four and couldn't see well either. Why did they get to go to the front because their friend was in a wheel chair? Even so I understand it sucks for him being handicapped, but it wasn't fair that he got to go to the front and I couldn't. I couldn't see well either. That sounds really petty, but it is true. I know exactly what my father would say to me right now, "Life isn't fair".  Sometimes I believe that people abuse being handicapped. I know that is mean to say, but it is true. 


Below are some more videos of bands that played at the Avalanche Tour. I loved the concert, it was amazing! 

   

Halestorm- Its Not You, Theory of a Deadman- So Happy, Stone Sour- Through the Glass, and Art of Dying- Die Trying.      

Coolness

Coolness to me is something or someone who goes against the social norm, but too crazy and either acts or looks unique and interesting. It would also be something i'd like to wear or do. 


Dictionary.com has a couple interesting definitions which are:


1.permitting such a sensation: a cool dress
2.unaffected by emotions; disinterested; dispassionate: Shemade a cool appraisal of all the issues in the dispute.
3.lacking in interest or enthusiasm: a cool reply to an invitation.


Chuck Klosterman uses three subjects to explain his definition of coolness. First he talks about calculated adult coolness. Which they choose their own personalized version of non populist cool and they try or plan to be cool. Secondly he talks about teenagers coolness. Teenagers avoid anything with being uncool. For example wal-mart clothes are uncool and aeropostal, american eagle, and maurices are cool. Lastly he talks about aging hipster coolness. They try to stay relevant by appreciating obvious youth culture. Chuck makes a big deal about exclusivity and how it is not for everyone.


Chuck and my definition are very similar in ways we both relate coolness back to clothes and style. Overall there are many different definitions of coolness, but the most commonly used is if someone looks or acts cool, hip, or the newest style.

Stars Wars v Twilight

There are a lot of similarities between Star Wars and Twilight. Our society was groping for a change and Twilight gave us that just like Star Wars did in the 1970s. Just like back in the 1970s another myth was put into the movie world. The world of vampires. Luke shares experiences with both Edward and Bella. Luke and Edward experience the struggle between good and evil. They both have mentors, Obi One and Carlisle. They both also save the girl too. Luke and Bella both start out being nobody, with insecurities, and are given an opportunity. They were also both adolescence's breaking through to adulthood. The point of both of these stories is the hero's journey. 


These films had a great impact on our culture. Star Wars showed that good is always on top and it shows traits that men should be like. The same as in Twilight Edward is a gentlemen and a good vampire since he only drinks animal blood. Edward shows traits on how men should treat women. There's a big mythical impact from both of these movies dealing with religion, excalibur, and warrior and hero figures. Religion is a big one in Twilight. Edward believes he doesn't have a soul. Excalibur is like the light sabers in Star Wars. The hero's journey is a big in both movies. 


Overall Stars Wars and Twilight are more similar than someone might think. 

Reality Television

Drama, romance, or action are a few reasons why people watch reality television. The objective in The Real World or Jersey Shore is to put strangers in the house and see what happens. Either the people in the house are fighting, partying, or just acting stupid to draw attention. People go on this show because of the fame, money, and fun. In all of these shows the people in them are in their mid to late twenties. They are also always very attractive and most of them are white, but there is usually one person is black or gay in every episode. What does this say about out culture? It says that if you are in that age group this is how you should act. But in reality you should act however you want. These shows are a sort of role model for people. This is what you should do, how you should act, or what you should wear.  Viewers also develop a view of postmodernism. Postmodern is the view that social and cultural reality of making up reality as we go. All in all television shows have a great influence on our culture. 

Country vs Hip-Hop

Country and Hip-Hop are both different and similar.

Hip-Hop is mostly about the lyrics and bass of the music. Hip-Hop is usually about the rapper talking about past experiences. Most of the songs are about dealing with drugs, guns, and violence. The problem with that is the authenticity with the rapper's experience. It is hard to prove that the rapper's stories are authentic. Hip-Hop began in the 1970s in urban New York. It usually found in poor communities and people used to get together and dance. Hip-Hop sells the celebrity lifestyle of women, violence and clothing style.

Country is real music. Meaning that the performers actually play an instrument and it sounds good. The lyrics in Country music are always clear and relatable which makes it easy for people to both understand and make sense of. Majority of the songs also tell a story. Country also has a problem authenticity. A lot of songs considered country these days are actually alternative country, which isn't authentic. The artists have to establish the roots and stay true to the source, which is hard for most artists. Why does country music sell? It is real music and people can understand the stories and relate to them. 

Video Games and Mash-Ups

The Sims. I personally have never played, but I have watched my friends play and get absorbed into the game. To create a fantasy life. Everything that you've ever wanted. Not having to worry about money or laws. You can do whatever you want. For once you get to play God. That power over a world of your own gives you a sort of high. That's why people get addicted to it, but they will eventually get bored. They've gotten everything they wanted, so now it isn't fun or empowering anymore. 

Mash-Ups. I haven't necessarily made a true mash-up before, but I have manipulated songs to make them sound different. I've ever done it for school projects. I had no idea that it was illegal. I guess it makes sense, but I just didn't know. To be able to manipulate someone's creation/work and make you own is powerful in itself. You are changing someone's hard work and commitment. They made it that way for a reason and then some amateur goes and changes that for their own pleasure. Artists probably get pretty upset about that... unless it brings popularity to the song. I'm sure they don't mind when their sales go up because mash-ups.