Bathrooms have always been known as a place where one can experience the most privacy. Even in public places that have security cameras wall to wall, the bathroom is one place that is off limits. This is not the case in a school by the name of Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, located in Wales (Sinasohn 2009). The school was having complaints that some students were misuing the soap and paper towels in the bathrooms. A security camera was installed near the wash basins to keep an eye on what activity was going on. The school has found that the cameras have made a huge improvement. Students are well aware of the camers are are now on their best behavior. Some parents are upset with the cameras because it is such an invasion for privacy (Sinasohn 2009).
I found this article very interesting. It made me stop and wonder if the cameras in the bathroom was an invasion of privacy. The cameras were not placed within the stalls, just by the sinks. It does not seem to me that the place where one may wash their hands should be more private than any other area within the school. I think it is strange to think that I would be on camera while in the restroom washing my hands, but I think if cameras were installed in public restrooms to help monitor what activity was going on by the sink, I do not think that would really bother me. Normally, there is at least one other individual at the sink while I am washing my hands anyways, so it is not like I need to be alone when I wash my hands. I think it would be completely absurd if they wanted to put cameras within the stalls or in dressing rooms. That is completely an invasion of privacy. However, I do not think putting cameras by the sink would be anymore absurd than putting cameras by the water fountains located outside the restroom doors.
Reference:
Sinasohn, R. 2009, February 3. Bathroom cameras a good thing, says school. Retrieved February 4, 2009, from http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/03/bathroom-cameras-a-good-thing-says-school/.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Weekly Analysis Assignment 4-1
In a recent poll done by eHarmony and Harris, 10,675 people were surveyed between the ages of 20-54. These people were just recently married in 2006-2007 and the survey asked them where they met their spouse. Surprisingly, 19.4% of respondents said they met their mate online, whereas 17.2% met through friends (“So how’d, 2008) .
This is all the information that my article gave. Why I chose this article is because I am getting married on April 18 to the love of my life and we met on Yahoo Personals. For those of you who have heard about match.com, the common statement of “eHarmony rejected me” may come to mind. Well, I was one of those individuals. I guess I can’t say that eHarmony rejected me, they just did not have 1 single match for me. Match.com gave me too many candidates that hardly matched my criteria. I finally posted my profile on Yahoo Personals. My fiancé responded to my posting a day after I posted it. Since we both were not wiling to pay for the service, we looked each other up on Myspace. As soon as I sent him an email on Myspace, he sent me an instant message on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). It was a match made in heaven.
Even today, less than 3 months to our wedding, we are still embarrassed to tell people where we met. Most people think that only weirdo’s meet on the internet and that is just not true. If you are like me and live in a small town and work with all women and go to school online, how else are you supposed to meet anyone? I think internet sites like eHarmony and Yahoo Personals create a very safe and fun atmosphere to meet someone who is right for you based on the selections that you make. I think that the percentage of marriages from online meetings will increase dramatically in the next few years. I have to say that I can’t wait till the survey for 2010 and be proud to say that I met my husband online.
Reference:
So how’d you two meet? MSN Lifestyle. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlerbmatch.aspx?cpdocdocumentid=16215944&page=print
This is all the information that my article gave. Why I chose this article is because I am getting married on April 18 to the love of my life and we met on Yahoo Personals. For those of you who have heard about match.com, the common statement of “eHarmony rejected me” may come to mind. Well, I was one of those individuals. I guess I can’t say that eHarmony rejected me, they just did not have 1 single match for me. Match.com gave me too many candidates that hardly matched my criteria. I finally posted my profile on Yahoo Personals. My fiancé responded to my posting a day after I posted it. Since we both were not wiling to pay for the service, we looked each other up on Myspace. As soon as I sent him an email on Myspace, he sent me an instant message on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). It was a match made in heaven.
Even today, less than 3 months to our wedding, we are still embarrassed to tell people where we met. Most people think that only weirdo’s meet on the internet and that is just not true. If you are like me and live in a small town and work with all women and go to school online, how else are you supposed to meet anyone? I think internet sites like eHarmony and Yahoo Personals create a very safe and fun atmosphere to meet someone who is right for you based on the selections that you make. I think that the percentage of marriages from online meetings will increase dramatically in the next few years. I have to say that I can’t wait till the survey for 2010 and be proud to say that I met my husband online.
Reference:
So how’d you two meet? MSN Lifestyle. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlerbmatch.aspx?cpdocdocumentid=16215944&page=print
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Assignment 3-1 Weekly Analysis
Touch screen technology is growing more and more popular. I use the touch screen technology when I go through the grocery store self-checkout lanes, when I call on my touch screen cell phone, and when I use the touch screen check in center at the doctor’s office. It seems like before too long, touch screen is going to be the standard.
Elo TouchSystems has developed touch screen technology for over 30 years (“Young” 2008). They conducted a survey in 2004 where they interviewed individuals between 18 and 34 years old and 800 interviews were completed (“Young” 2008). Some of the findings were very astonishing. Eighty-three percent of the individuals who responded to the survey stated that they would rather use a self-checkout lane at a grocery store opposed to waiting in a short line for a cashier (“Young” 2008). I would have to agree with this. I feel that I can be quicker than some cashiers are at scanning my items and bagging them. I also enjoy the option of bagging my groceries the way that I want. The individuals who took park in this survey also agreed with my thoughts about the quickness of touch screen technology. Ninety percent of the respondents felt that touch screen technology saves time (“Young” 2008).
Since this survey was conducted in 2004, and technology advances every day, a few of the findings are outdated. One question on the survey asked the respondents what areas do they think will incorporate touch screen technology in the future. One response was home computers (“Young” 2008). Today, touch screen technology is available for home computer monitors. It is hard to tell what other areas will be transformed by the convenience of touch screen technology.
Reference:
Young adults increasingly favor touch screen technology. 2004, June 7. Retrieved January 20, 2009 from http://www.elotouch.com/Solutions/Casestudies/psbsurvey
.asp
Elo TouchSystems has developed touch screen technology for over 30 years (“Young” 2008). They conducted a survey in 2004 where they interviewed individuals between 18 and 34 years old and 800 interviews were completed (“Young” 2008). Some of the findings were very astonishing. Eighty-three percent of the individuals who responded to the survey stated that they would rather use a self-checkout lane at a grocery store opposed to waiting in a short line for a cashier (“Young” 2008). I would have to agree with this. I feel that I can be quicker than some cashiers are at scanning my items and bagging them. I also enjoy the option of bagging my groceries the way that I want. The individuals who took park in this survey also agreed with my thoughts about the quickness of touch screen technology. Ninety percent of the respondents felt that touch screen technology saves time (“Young” 2008).
Since this survey was conducted in 2004, and technology advances every day, a few of the findings are outdated. One question on the survey asked the respondents what areas do they think will incorporate touch screen technology in the future. One response was home computers (“Young” 2008). Today, touch screen technology is available for home computer monitors. It is hard to tell what other areas will be transformed by the convenience of touch screen technology.
Reference:
Young adults increasingly favor touch screen technology. 2004, June 7. Retrieved January 20, 2009 from http://www.elotouch.com/Solutions/Casestudies/psbsurvey
.asp
Assignment 1-3 Journal Article Analysis
Cereal is a common breakfast choice for most Americans, young and old. The convenience and variety of flavors makes it hard to turn down. Oddly enough, cereal has not always been thought of as one of the top breakfast food choices. The invention of the breakfast cereal and the marketing to sell the new idea may go back farther in time than one could expect.
In the late-nineteenth century, most Americans enjoyed a diet full of meat and fatty- foods, such as steak, pork, fish, or poultry (Green, 2007, p.50, 53). Oatmeal, porridge, and gruel were not eaten on a regular basis. Boiled cereals were prescribed by doctors for the very young, elderly, or sick (2007, p. 53). People in this era believed that any foods that did not include meat were not of good nutritional value. A meal that would be thought to be prepared for a manual worker was being eaten by upper class individuals who had little to no activity. Such a diet caused what Gerald Carson would call “the great American stomach ache” as reported by Green (2007, p. 50). Food activists came to the conclusions that the only way to solve such conditions was by a nutritional reform. A variety of the social and mental disorders was thought to be caused by poor diets (2007, p.50). Among these food activists was Sylvester Graham. Graham believed that the way to solve the variety of digestive and social problems was by in taking cold raw fruits and vegetables no more than twice a day, limited water and meat, and a strong emphasis on cereal products made with whole grains (2007, p.51).
C.W. Post was an entrepreneur who suffered from various digestive disorders in his life. (Green, 2007, p.53). Post was not thought of a genius in his time because of the breakfast cereals that he invented, but in the marketing of his breakfast cereals. Post used testimonials from celebrities and common individuals who ate his cereal. He also used the healthy life approach by showing his breakfast cereals as part of a complete and healthy lifestyle as medicine in one sense (2007, p.54). This marketing tactic caught on and continued clear through the twentieth century.
Another way of advertising that is still relevant today is “trickster-style” advertising. This style of advertising uses the idea of competition for valued-food (Green, 2007, p.57). The value-food is obviously the breakfast cereal. This idea replicates the tricksters myth. This trickster are always hungry for the cereal and are willing to do anything to get it (2007, p.57). Trix cereal is one known cereal that uses this idea. The rabbit does any and everything in order to steal the bowl of Trix from the children. In the end, the Trix are always stolen back by the children. Disguising or mistaken identities are another motif involved with trickster tales (2007, p.58). The Trix rabbit has also followed this mythical idea as well. He may wear a mask or a costume in order to steal the desired cereal. Another form of trickster advertising is the culture hero mythic figure whom provides humanity with something useful (Green, 2007, p. 58). Tony the tiger is an example of a culture hero. Tony the tiger is the mascot for Frosted Flakes. Commercials portray Tony giving his cereal to kids who after eating the cereal are able to do the things that they could not do before, such as make a basket at their basketball game, or make a goal at their soccer game. Cereal tricksters either compete for the cereal themselves or bestow the cereal on the consumers (Green, 2007, p. 61). Tricksters may also engage in the manufacturing of the product (2007, p.63). Characters like Snap, Crackle, and Pop are shown on their advertisements making the cereal and adding magical ingredients to the cereals.
The history of advertising in cereal has made use of mythological and mystical symbolism (Green, 2007, p.64). Even though most children and probably most adults do not realize the consistency in the advertisement of most breakfast cereals, it does exist. Why is the public so attracted to the more mystical ideas of advertising that the tricksters portray? It is thought that if a cereal product has a memorable catchphrase and a likeable mascot, they will be accepted (2007, p.64).
Green, T. (2007). Tricksters and the marketing of breakfast cereals. The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 40, No. 1. 49-68.
In the late-nineteenth century, most Americans enjoyed a diet full of meat and fatty- foods, such as steak, pork, fish, or poultry (Green, 2007, p.50, 53). Oatmeal, porridge, and gruel were not eaten on a regular basis. Boiled cereals were prescribed by doctors for the very young, elderly, or sick (2007, p. 53). People in this era believed that any foods that did not include meat were not of good nutritional value. A meal that would be thought to be prepared for a manual worker was being eaten by upper class individuals who had little to no activity. Such a diet caused what Gerald Carson would call “the great American stomach ache” as reported by Green (2007, p. 50). Food activists came to the conclusions that the only way to solve such conditions was by a nutritional reform. A variety of the social and mental disorders was thought to be caused by poor diets (2007, p.50). Among these food activists was Sylvester Graham. Graham believed that the way to solve the variety of digestive and social problems was by in taking cold raw fruits and vegetables no more than twice a day, limited water and meat, and a strong emphasis on cereal products made with whole grains (2007, p.51).
C.W. Post was an entrepreneur who suffered from various digestive disorders in his life. (Green, 2007, p.53). Post was not thought of a genius in his time because of the breakfast cereals that he invented, but in the marketing of his breakfast cereals. Post used testimonials from celebrities and common individuals who ate his cereal. He also used the healthy life approach by showing his breakfast cereals as part of a complete and healthy lifestyle as medicine in one sense (2007, p.54). This marketing tactic caught on and continued clear through the twentieth century.
Another way of advertising that is still relevant today is “trickster-style” advertising. This style of advertising uses the idea of competition for valued-food (Green, 2007, p.57). The value-food is obviously the breakfast cereal. This idea replicates the tricksters myth. This trickster are always hungry for the cereal and are willing to do anything to get it (2007, p.57). Trix cereal is one known cereal that uses this idea. The rabbit does any and everything in order to steal the bowl of Trix from the children. In the end, the Trix are always stolen back by the children. Disguising or mistaken identities are another motif involved with trickster tales (2007, p.58). The Trix rabbit has also followed this mythical idea as well. He may wear a mask or a costume in order to steal the desired cereal. Another form of trickster advertising is the culture hero mythic figure whom provides humanity with something useful (Green, 2007, p. 58). Tony the tiger is an example of a culture hero. Tony the tiger is the mascot for Frosted Flakes. Commercials portray Tony giving his cereal to kids who after eating the cereal are able to do the things that they could not do before, such as make a basket at their basketball game, or make a goal at their soccer game. Cereal tricksters either compete for the cereal themselves or bestow the cereal on the consumers (Green, 2007, p. 61). Tricksters may also engage in the manufacturing of the product (2007, p.63). Characters like Snap, Crackle, and Pop are shown on their advertisements making the cereal and adding magical ingredients to the cereals.
The history of advertising in cereal has made use of mythological and mystical symbolism (Green, 2007, p.64). Even though most children and probably most adults do not realize the consistency in the advertisement of most breakfast cereals, it does exist. Why is the public so attracted to the more mystical ideas of advertising that the tricksters portray? It is thought that if a cereal product has a memorable catchphrase and a likeable mascot, they will be accepted (2007, p.64).
Green, T. (2007). Tricksters and the marketing of breakfast cereals. The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 40, No. 1. 49-68.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Icon Analysis
The three icons that I have chosen deal with change. The first icon is the television show called “The Biggest Loser.” This is a reality T.V. show that documents different individuals’ weight loss journey. These people are normally given special trainers and nutritionists that help them along the way. Of course there is a prize given as an incentive for the one “loser” who has the most weight loss percentage. The second icon I chose is the concept of “go green.” This term represents creating a safer environment. If a product is promoted by saying “going green,” it is probably going to help the environment. The third icon is a picture of our future president, Barrack Obama.
A lot has changed in the past fifty years. The way people live, work, eat, and have fun is different. I thought it was important to choose icons that reflected change that is happening right before our very own eyes. I think the television show the Biggest Loser helps motivated Americans all over the country. The individuals that are chosen for the show are every day kind of people. They are not trim, toned people that you see when you buy a work out video. They are overweight, lazy, and out of shape…just like most of us are. The “go green” concept is also very important to our society. Over the years, we have done a lot of damage to our environment. Places like Los Angeles have to deal with a thing called smog. Cars and products are being designed to help keep the environment safe. Who knows how many diseases come from toxic air supply. The last emblem is the most current icon in today’s era. Barrack Obama is soon to be our next president. Our stock markets, auto markets, and housing markets have plummeted. I believe that most Americans are hoping that Obama is going to turn our economy back around and get us on our feet again. I hope this is true.
I think that all three icons represent change very well. I feel that the biggest loser show motivates me to keep in shape. If these individuals can lose as much weight as a whole person, I think I can keep off the 5 or 10 pounds that I gain from Christmas. The better in shape you are, the better the chance you will have living longer. “Going green” is something that we are all going to have to get used to. We have made a mess of our environment and we must be more aware of products that we make that hurt the place where we live. I really do think that we need a change in this government. I live in a small town where businesses come and go constantly. It never used to be like that. I’m excited to see a president who seems to be for the working class Americans, because that is what most of us are.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis 2
One thing that most individuals know about Americans is that they love their fast food. Our lives are jammed pack with school, extracurricular activities, families to take care of, and work to complete. As a teenager, coming home at midnight after a long bus ride to an away game and having to heat up left-overs can sound very unappealing. A mom coming home to a messy house and a crying toddler can look at the kitchen stove and be exhausted from just thinking about the time and mess a home cooked meal would be. Places like Taco Bell and McDonald’s advertise that they are open late so they can serve you at your convenience. Fast food dinners and lunches seem like an American way of life, or is it? What if you were an individual who decided to become a vegetarian and not eat meat, or even more extreme a vegan who not only refrains from meat, but all products associated with an animal such as eggs and dairy, where would you get fast food then?
According to a recent study, about 1 in 200 children avoid eating meat (Stobbe 2009). What is the main reason for such a drastic life style? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that most kids stop eating meat due to animal welfare (Stobbe). Children are much more aware of the world around them at a younger age in today’s society. Schools require students to learn fourth grade lessons at second grade. The internet is introduced to children in grade school opposed to middle school. The internet is one area that children are fully exposed to any and everything in the world around them. The internet is found to be a source for why so many children are turning into vegetarians (Stobbe). Children are able to search google websites and you tube and see pictures and videos of how the animals change from a being with life to a burger on a bun (Stobee). This disgusts children and prevents them from accepting any other concept, such as the food chain.
Even though this new study revealed that vegetarianism is not obsolete in adolescents, I do not think that McDonald’s or Taco Bell will be in any danger of going out of business. However, I do think that when these children do get older and have more of an option of what they choose to eat, they may decide to change to a vegetarian. Children and parents just must remember that protein is needed for a healthy diet
Reference
Stobbe, M. 2009. First US count finds 1 in 200 kids are vegetarian. Retrieved January 12, 2009 from http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-US-count-finds-1-in-200-apf-14028470.html
According to a recent study, about 1 in 200 children avoid eating meat (Stobbe 2009). What is the main reason for such a drastic life style? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that most kids stop eating meat due to animal welfare (Stobbe). Children are much more aware of the world around them at a younger age in today’s society. Schools require students to learn fourth grade lessons at second grade. The internet is introduced to children in grade school opposed to middle school. The internet is one area that children are fully exposed to any and everything in the world around them. The internet is found to be a source for why so many children are turning into vegetarians (Stobbe). Children are able to search google websites and you tube and see pictures and videos of how the animals change from a being with life to a burger on a bun (Stobee). This disgusts children and prevents them from accepting any other concept, such as the food chain.
Even though this new study revealed that vegetarianism is not obsolete in adolescents, I do not think that McDonald’s or Taco Bell will be in any danger of going out of business. However, I do think that when these children do get older and have more of an option of what they choose to eat, they may decide to change to a vegetarian. Children and parents just must remember that protein is needed for a healthy diet
Reference
Stobbe, M. 2009. First US count finds 1 in 200 kids are vegetarian. Retrieved January 12, 2009 from http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-US-count-finds-1-in-200-apf-14028470.html
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis 1
According to the New York Times, gas prices may be going up again. The gas prices have went up by 40% since December 19. They went up 25% last week alone. Of course the gas prices are still much less than they were before. The average cost for unleaded gas on Monday was $1.67, which is much lower than the $4 soaring price last summer. Reporters do believe that the gas prices will climb to an average of $2 by spring.
The past few years, the talk about the gas prices is endless. Everyone runs out and fills their tank up when they know that a $0.05 increase has taken place down town. This is odd to me when you look at the big picture. If you have an 18 galloon tank, and you are saving $0.05 a galloon, you are only saving yourself $0.90 by driving clear across town to the cheaper gas station. When in all actuality, you probably spent more than $0.90 in time and gas by getting to that gas station that is 10 minutes away. I know that in the long run, the change in price of gas does help. I use to put $40 in my gas tank and get a little over half a tank, and now I can fill my whole car up for $25. I will definitely be disappointed if it does raise to almost $4 a galloon again.
Why has gas price monopolized our minds more than any other product? I know the prices of television, groceries, and sales tax has raised in the past 10 years, but you do not hear as much discussion or complaints as you do about the recent gas prices changing. It makes me wonder if Americans feel that they are entitled to cheaper gas. It also boggles my mind why most people don’t mind spending more money on clothes or going out to eat, but they complain so much about paying extra money for gas which is more of a necessity. I think is a prime example of our popular culture. Why do we accept paying more for some items and not others? Is it because gas has always been the same with no new upgrades worthy of a higher price?
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/106398/As-Prices-Rise,-Some-See-$2-Gas
The past few years, the talk about the gas prices is endless. Everyone runs out and fills their tank up when they know that a $0.05 increase has taken place down town. This is odd to me when you look at the big picture. If you have an 18 galloon tank, and you are saving $0.05 a galloon, you are only saving yourself $0.90 by driving clear across town to the cheaper gas station. When in all actuality, you probably spent more than $0.90 in time and gas by getting to that gas station that is 10 minutes away. I know that in the long run, the change in price of gas does help. I use to put $40 in my gas tank and get a little over half a tank, and now I can fill my whole car up for $25. I will definitely be disappointed if it does raise to almost $4 a galloon again.
Why has gas price monopolized our minds more than any other product? I know the prices of television, groceries, and sales tax has raised in the past 10 years, but you do not hear as much discussion or complaints as you do about the recent gas prices changing. It makes me wonder if Americans feel that they are entitled to cheaper gas. It also boggles my mind why most people don’t mind spending more money on clothes or going out to eat, but they complain so much about paying extra money for gas which is more of a necessity. I think is a prime example of our popular culture. Why do we accept paying more for some items and not others? Is it because gas has always been the same with no new upgrades worthy of a higher price?
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/106398/As-Prices-Rise,-Some-See-$2-Gas
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