Reporter's Notebook: Women of 9/11 still fighting for recognition, respect - CNN.com

Reporter's Notebook: Women of 9/11 still fighting for recognition, respect - CNN.com:

'via Blog this'

With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 just around the corner I felt I could not let it pass without some mention. After all, as scholars of human communication that event was transformative in a variety of ways and deserves our attention. As I was contemplating the images that I remember from that day they are seemingly the same, courageous firefighters and peace officers among the rubble looking for survivors and in some cases sacrificing their lives. When I read this article I thought to myself, not a single image in my head from that day involves a women displayed among those visceral images. For those who know me, I consider this oversight deeply disturbing considering my own area of study. I encourage you to read this article and ponder how we write and remember history.

Newly Flush, Local TV Newscasts Are Expanding - NYTimes.com

Newly Flush, Local TV Newscasts Are Expanding - NYTimes.com:

'via Blog this'

If you thought affiliate television was dying, perhaps you may want to rethink that position after you read this interesting article from the New York Times. There is a demand for local news in this era of ever expanding cable news and entertainment television. Connecting with local communities and with what viewers can personally relate to is a renewed focus for many local news organizations. For you (students) this means that you have to embrace our local community beyond the Wartburg bubble if you want to expand viewership/readership of your student run media. Get to know the community of Waverly, understand what is important to them, give them a reason to tune in or pick up the paper! For those of you ready to head into the workforce, whether a TV news station, radio or paper, know that you will be expected to be part of the local community. In short, embrace your community and your neighbors and solidify your base of loyal news consumers!

Skype, GroupMe and the death of the text message - Aug. 22, 2011

Skype, GroupMe and the death of the text message - Aug. 22, 2011

As I stumbled across this article it struck a chord with me because my husband and I were just discussing how inconvenient communicating via phone is now that I have an iPhone and he has a Blackberry (he will soon be changing) and we have to use text message rather than an integrated instant message on the phone. We haven't had to pay for text messages to each other for four years. Lamenting this we were in search of an app to let us communicate without using text messages. Apparently we are not alone and it is causing some concern for mobile carriers who make a great deal of money via text messages. As the use of smart phones increases the demand for text messages is likely to decrease (or so the trending indicates). This is interesting in its own right but what will be even more interesting to watch in our information age is if there will be a demand for the cost of data to be greatly reduced due to demand and competing carriers.

News: What Students Don't Know - Inside Higher Ed

News: What Students Don't Know - Inside Higher Ed

It has been a week since my last blog, vacation time...no work, or at least not a lot of work. I ran across this article about research done in the Illinois University system with regard to the lack of research skills from our digital natives (current students). While you have grown up immersed like an alphabet noodle in the internet stew, it seems that most struggle with how to use those tools to the best advantage. You might ask "why should I care, I get along fine, I have Google?" Let me answer, it used to be thought that the great digital divide would be between those with access to the internet and technology and those without. It is increasingly apparent that the divide will actually be between those who can use it and those who cannot. I encourage you to read the article and ask yourself if you may have some things to learn. For those of you who have already graduated think how more valuable and efficient you will be at any vocational path you choose if you know how to make the information work for you rather than you working for the information. Or better yet, how much more of an impact you can make when you have access to the best information!

Good Morning from Iowa – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Good Morning from Iowa – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

Living in Iowa we are used to the hubbub surrounding presidential elections. We are inundated by picnics, barbecues, meet and greets and an endless supply of political ads. It is easy to get complacent and cynical in such an environment and overlook the rich opportunity that we have as citizens of the state of Iowa to make our voices heard on the political front. The Iowa State Fair is ripe pickings for anyone who is interested in the early Republican front-runners for the presidency. Whether it is attending the fair or any of the numerous "clam bakes" that will present themselves over the next few months, take advantage of the opportunity to see history in the making, make your voice heard, ask the tough questions!

Man with breast cancer denied coverage - Health - Men's health - msnbc.com

Man with breast cancer denied coverage - Health - Men's health - msnbc.com

If you have ever taken one of my gender classes, you will immediately understand why reading this article sent my blood pressure soaring. This story is about a young man (29) with breast cancer, we know that men can get breast cancer and it usually hits younger men. It is generally accepted that historically medical research and grant dollars have been expended using males as test subjects causing inequity with regard to good medical knowledge for both sexes. For example, signs of a heart attack are different for women and men but historically the focus has been on men in research. That being said, those who seek for equity between the sexes certainly should be appalled that this young man has been denied any assistance based on his sex. This disease, while generally afflicting women, is a reality for some men. There is a difference between equity of treatment and equity of result. I encourage you as future leaders and policy makers to think about which approach you will support.

Hacker group vows to 'kill Facebook' - CNN.com

Hacker group vows to 'kill Facebook' - CNN.com

The title of the article I chose for today may seem self evident with regard to why I would choose it for my "Why You Should Care" blog. However, if you read the article (which explains the plans to hack into Facebook that a group call "Anonymous" has been contemplating) you will see that hacking is being used as a form of protest rhetoric. Since the very beginning of the internet age there have been "white hats" and "black hats" but this new level of loosely organized but highly motivated and effective hacking efforts is being used as a communication tool for protest that should make scholars of both rhetoric and journalism sit up and take notice. As you read the article ask yourself "what gives this group legitimacy?" and "how will this form of protest evolve over time?"

BBC News - Space junk could be tackled by housekeeping spacecraft

BBC News - Space junk could be tackled by housekeeping spacecraft

A great source of pride for me is that our students tend to be environmentally aware and strive to do their part to combat waste and decrease their carbon footprints. It is easy to see the fruits of student labor around campus with regard to this environmental effort. Everywhere you look on campus there are recycle bins, an increasing number of electronic boards to save paper waste, tray-less dining and the like. While the earth will be a better and greener place for our efforts, we must also look to the sky to focus our environmental efforts. "Space Junk" is of real concern to those familiar with how low orbit space is used. Over the decades debris has cluttered low orbit space, where satellites that deliver everything from television service to defense are stationed. An increase in debris and the possibility of that debris collecting together and moving as larger objects (the Kessler syndrome) may pose serious risk to other satellites and the space station and make low orbit virtually unusable. Our reliance on satellite technology should make this phenomenon of interest to you. It is not likely that our dependence on satellites will decrease any time soon so I encourage you to educate yourself and learn more about the dangers of space junk and the implications if something is not done to clean it up.

Somalia: Lost in the Headlines?

I provided a link to a political cartoon today that pictures a bleak outlook in Somalia. Many of you have heard of the starvation and political unrest in that region. As students at a college that stresses service learning and leading lives of service, your hearts have probably been touched by the stories that you have heard. I post this cartoon today to remind us that while we react to news of the downgrade from S&P, fear for the stability of our economy and are (understandably so) wrapped up in the here and now of our own worlds, there are those who are suffering. What news are we not paying attention to while our focus continues to be on the gridlock and blame shifting that inundates our daily dose of news?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44029482/ns/politics-political_cartoons/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=16

Wikipedia says it's losing contributors - Technology & science - Tech and gadgets - msnbc.com

Wikipedia says it's losing contributors - Technology & science - Tech and gadgets - msnbc.com

The use and citation of Wikipedia has been debated by educators since it gained popularity and momentum nearly ten years ago. However, regardless of how one feels about citing primary versus secondary sources, one thing we cannot dispute, Wikipedia is widely used and is a staple in information gathering. So why should you, as a student, care about the decline in contributors to the site (beyond your use of Wikipedia for research)? As an open-source, non-profit entity Wikipedia provides an avenue for information and education to anyone who cares to access it. Free flow of information is important to a strong society. At the break neck pace with which the world is changing and our demand/need for information ever increasing, Wikipedia is a valuable tool. If Wikipedia reaches a crisis state with regard to the decline in contribution we lose a venue for free access to information. What can you do? Evaluate your interests, your strengths and hone your writing and research skills and consider contributing to the larger body of knowledge and the free flow of information by becoming a contributor.

Behind Spider-Man's mask -- a new, multi-racial face - CNN.com

Behind Spider-Man's mask -- a new, multi-racial face - CNN.com

Comic books have long been a staple of American culture. Superheroes have faithful followers and can elicit passionate exchanges between those who have alliances to different caped crusaders. One of the most recognizable superheroes is Spiderman; this character has generated a long-term story line, recognizable arch enemies, made its way into Hollywood and now, is about to change indefinitely. Spiderman's alter ego Peter Parker will be killed off by the Green Goblin and a new alter ego Miles Morales who is half-African-American and half-Latino will debut. This is an interesting development on many levels. It speaks to the changing demographic in our culture as well as the shift in what faces we see in mainstream entertainment. As a student of communication watching this unfold will no doubt be of great interest. What will the reaction be? How will Miles work his way into the hearts of those loyal Superman fans? How do you as a journalist, artist, public relations practitioner etc. think about the culture in which you live, how it is changing and how that is reflected in your work?

BBC News - Internet Explorer story was bogus

BBC News - Internet Explorer story was bogus

Last week I read a story in my news feed about the correlation between IQ and choice of internet browsers. Feeling superior that as a Chrome user I was clearly in the IQ elite, I emailed the link to a few friends and I went on to a different story chuckling to myself (Internet Explorer and I have a sordid past). However, it seems that this story was a fabrication, a figment of some talented writer's imagination. Such a story if posted on the Onion or Cracked would have still made me chuckle and the venue would have been appropriate and no doubt generated some interesting banter in the comments. What is disconcerting is not the satire, but that the writers would try to pass this off as a legitimate story to mainstream press and that mainstream press would post without doing fact checking first. According the BBC, their readership raised questions about its authenticity, not their editors. In this age of the 24 hour news cycle are we losing sight of solid journalistic practices? As readers are we willing to consume information blindly just because it comes from a national or international outlet? All good questions for you to be asking as you will be setting the standard in years to come.

Phone-Hacking Scandal Continues to Unfold

Man arrested in UK phone-hacking probe - CNN.com

No doubt many of you have at least seen, if not followed, the phone hacking scandal. This is of particular interest to our students seeking a career in journalism and should be a topic of discussion for all students with regard to ethics. The depths to which, it appears, these reporters have gone to get the "scoop" is the very antithesis of what good investigative reporting should be. The result; one of the oldest newspapers in existence is snuffed out overnight. I have to ask the question: how deep does this scandal go? Will we see this kind of behavior unearthed at any of the publications by News International that reside in the U.S.? Will we see more publications disappear in the blink of an eye? Regardless of any speculation that we may engage in, you should care about this story. Whether you are a journalism student or a math major, the blatant disregard for privacy and the egregious breach of ethics should give everyone pause.

Pell Grants Safe...For Now

The debt ceiling crisis (see last week's post) it seems, for now, has found resolution in Washington. The preservation of Pell Grants in this latest round of debates on Capitol Hill should be of great interest and relief to many students. Although it seems like the immediate danger has passed (we will be able to raise the debt ceiling and not go into default), the long term implications of the aforementioned deal may impact federal funding and/or support of higher education. In order to pass a resolution to raise the debt ceiling members of Congress agreed to make cuts over the next few years. If revenue streams do not increase everything will be on the table for cuts. I encourage you to continue to follow this story and be proactive in making your voice heard. I have included a link from Inside Higher Education that shed some light on how students and educational institutions may be impacted.

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/08/01/higher_education_in_debt_ceiling_deal

Water Resources: A Concern For Us?

According to Water Partners International, approximately 1 billion people lack potable drinking water. The result is disease, illness and in cases death. When we go to our faucets we fully expect that the water will run freely and it will be safe to drink. However, there are practices in the United States that may change that expectation for some. The link I have provided is a NY Times article about "water banking" where farmers negotiate with city or county governments for the rights to siphon off water to reserve in case of drought etc. In some areas this means that local residents may find that the water tables are adversely impacted and they could find themselves with out water. So what does this mean for you? With climate change, early melts, rapidly moving water sources and the like, this kind of water banking may become more and more prevalent, which means that we have put a proprietary cost on drinking water. It is important that we think about the long term impacts of such practices and how we might fortify our infrastructures to be able to provide clean drinking water to citizens while preserving the agricultural industry.

Swampland | Political insight from the Beltway and beyond

Swampland | Political insight from the Beltway and beyond

Stories of the debt crisis have saturated headlines for days. While it is easy to get desensitized to the issue, the sense of urgency with which this topic is being reported is not unwarranted. As a twenty-something student, discussions of entitlement spending, Medicare, military expenditures and the like may not seem to strike a resonant chord with you, but it should. Education has been the subject of much debate during this crisis, most specifically subsidized student loans, which most of you receive, may be on the chopping block. Such a move could save the government a considerable sum, but it means that students would accumulate a great deal more debt over the course of four years. Decisions made at the federal level do not happen in a vacuum, regardless of the outcome between now and August 2, cuts will eventually have to be made. Inform yourselves, decide what is important to continue to fund and be an advocate for your cause. For additional reading click on the heading (it is a link to a story that is one of many that outline the debt crisis).

Things You Should Care About

So many of my students have suggested I "get with it" and blog on a regular basis. Well I intend to do just that! But, of course, it will have an educational bent. Beginning with the school year I will begin to blog on "Things You Should Care About" where I will pick a news story of the day and articulate why you, as students (and anyone else for that matter) should care about the story!