Traveling to Montauk

Joshua Welborne

Professor Marino's blog: MMC 1000: Chapter 15: Ethics

romarino:

For your final post of the semester, I’d like you to discuss whether you believe there should be a professional degree for a journalist, much like there is for an attorney or doctor.

Now, anyone can call himself or herself a journalist. There is no license needed and the only formal training…

I think that most consumers of information understand that lone journalist with their own websites are less credible than journalist from established news organizations so I do not believe that just because anyone can call themselves a journalist that people will take them seriously.

I think the problem arises from consumers who take information from large media organizations as truth, without looking for opposing viewpoints or checking the facts. Education should encourage the next generation of society to not take everything they hear from one news agency as being 100% true. 

If the truth becomes more valued and sought by the general public then the journalist will follow suit. And as the journalist become more fact-based then the public will respect and value the work journalist do much more than they do now.

Professor Marino's blog: MMC 1000: Chapter 14: Media Law

romarino:

For your post this week, I’d like you to read the Alligator story I previously posted. The story deals with an episode on UF’s campus in which copies of the Alligator student newspaper were thrown away during a political campaign.

Whose side would you take in this incident — the Alligator’s or…

While the article doesn’t go into great detail about why the people could have been throwing away the newspapers I think that trashing hundreds of them, even if they are free, is wrong. Although, if the newspaper is lying or misrepresenting information I think there should be a better way for an organization to address this problem besides getting rid of the magazine.

But without any further details it is hard to make a judgement on whether or not these actions are wrong.

MMC 1000: Chapter 13: Advertising

romarino:

For this week’s post, I’d like you to list your 3 favorite ads (they can be from television, newspaper or magazine) and your least favorite ad and why you chose each one.

What makes the three ads stand out most? Did they inspire you to purchase the product?

Similarly, why do you find the least favorite ad so annoying? What would you change about the least favorite ad to make it more bearable to watch/listen?

I have a hard time identifying what my favorite or least favorite ads would be. Apple ads in general seem to catch my attention with their simplicity and elegance but I could hardly describe one of their ads in detail.

As for my least favorite I would say all the ones that I do not remember at all. They failed to do anything to catch my interest, annoy me or target me as a potential customer so my time was wasted.

I think the increase in more targeted marketing practices will make ads more effective by applying specifically to potential customers to show people products they probably will like, thus making the time and money spent useful.

MMC 1000: Chapter 12: Public Relations

romarino:

This week’s reading in the Rodman text deals with public relations, so I’d like you you to respond to the following questions regarding BP’s public relations image since the Gulf oil spill almost two years ago:

1) Has BP done enough to repair its image? If so, what are some of the ways it has gotten the public to think of it in more favorable terms? Is public relations useful? How did it help or hurt BP? Would you vacation on the Gulf coast?

I believe BP did a sufficient job in taking the necessary steps to avoid forever tarnishing their name and image after the Gulf Oil Spill. While they took a big hit for the better part of the year the public eye has long moved on to new topics and scandals.

By doing as much as possible to fix the problem as well as informing the public to its efforts by using radio, print and television advertisements and aiding local small business’ in the recovery they were able to avoid a potentially huge disaster.

Hopefully the oil industry is held to higher safety and environmental protection standards from now on.

The oil spill would not prevent me from vacationing along the coast and I plan to visit Tampa and its beaches this summer

Professor Marino's blog: MMC 100: Chapter 11: Evolving Journalism

romarino:

This week’s assigned reading (Chapter 11: Evolving Journalism) deals with the merging of print, TV, radio and the Internet and how those mediums cover breaking news events.

For your topic, discuss where you were on 9/11. Tell me about your day on that day. Tell me about how you reacted that day…

On 9/11 I was in 3rd grade at the Villages Elementary of Lady Lake. At that age I barely understood the significance of death and had no way to comprehend the motives of a terrorist organization.

I soon grew annoyed by my parents constant watching of the television and begged my dad to go play tennis with me. Although now I understand how significant an impact that day has had on western society, I at the time, did not even begin to grasp its importance.    

Professor Marino's blog: MMC 1000: Chapter 10: Internet

romarino:

For this week’s post, I’d like you to tell me about how much time you spend on the Internet in a week.

What do you fund most useful about the Internet? Which search engine do you use the most? What are your favorite websites?

And do you believe the IPhone or IPad will someday replace laptops or…

I am on the internet every single day for around an hour to three hours on average and use a variety of sites to garner information. My main stops are facebook, twitter, youtube and google news. 

Other than those I often visit the WSJ, the dawkins foundation site, and hulu for debates and other informational or entertainment content.

I think a major shift is already underway in which most web browsing is done on mobile phones or tablet computers through a browser or a site specific app. As these devices become more powerful and cheaper I believe it will over take laptop and desktop surfing.

Chapter 9 Television

Television has had a large inflluence on me just like many other Americans. From childhood it has introduced me to many new ideas, cultures, and stories.

Matlock was the original CSI, before DNA testing was a viable evidence option. It sparked an interest in law and critical thinking as well as having a comedic charm.

Community is a comedy show about a study group that begins as a realistic portrayal of community college life but has turned into a creative and clever playland for a group of diverse and dynamic characters.

The Colbert Report is a smartly written satire show of shows like the Bill O’Reilly hour long news show. Steven Colbert uses his faux conservative persona to present the news in a humorous and pointed way.

Chapter 8: Radio

Although radio no longer holds the huge influence it used to, it does play a role in today’s media. I listen to the Young Turks and other various radio shows turned podcasts on a daily basis. 

I think radio can still remain relevant and increase it the size of its audience by appealing the a younger audience.

Music Industry

The music industry has experienced some uncertainty and turmoil over the past decade due to declining sales and the increased ease and occurrence of illegally downloaded music. In fact stolen music can be downloaded directly to smart phones from any online file sharing site. While these problems appear extremely forbidding this is a chance for the big labels and indie companies alike to usher in a new era of music excellence in quality and in profits. 

Large labels must realize the business model of the past will no longer function for them. Changes in how people consume music most be accompanied by companies that cater to the new demands of customers and make money from this. By providing easy to buy music that is synced with online radio, concerts, other music services and adds extra incentives like album art, picture books, streaming concerts musicians and their labels can make money from their ventures and fans continue to get the music they love legally and for a reasonable price.

Movies

My three favorite movies would be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the Prestige and the Artist. Each of these impacted me on a personal level and were executed brilliantly.

The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a mind bending tale of love, friendship and fate that follows two characters through a story of meeting, loving, and attempting to forget each other but it seems that they cannot separate no matter what extreme measures they try. After realizing their love and their faults they decide to try their relationship without worrying if it will inevitably not work out.

Many motion effects are used to simulate memories but none of the effects are over-bearing or obtrusive to the story. The editing is brilliantly paced and the story offers new insights with each viewing.

The Prestige follows two magicians and shows their dedication to being the best and one-upping the other. The sacrifices made by the characters is mind-boggling and the intricate story weaves between the two expertly and the ending leaves your jaw on the floor.

The artist is a throw-back to the old black and white films, even before the “talkies” that synced voice acting with the on-screen pictures. It brilliantly uses music to tell the story and when voices and foley sound are used it creates a lasting effect. The simple storyline allows a great showing of emotions and meaning. This film values what many feel has been lost in the cinema from great acting, attention to detail, and an emotional resonance.