FFW: Is the Machine Using Us?

Have you ever though that a computer could actually be using us? What does this even mean? If we think about computers, how do they work--web pages, documents, and even software?

We are helping machines use us. For machines to work, we must have created web pages, documents, and software to use these machines with. The way they function is by people, like myself right now, blogging online, posting pictures, and using java to create the internet. Who created computers, Microsoft Office, and the internet? Who continues to keep these machines running?

Machines are using us. They probe us every day to input more information into them and keep machines running. Since they are emotionless and non living, we can't be using them, but they are certainly using us.

My Diction Confessions

I often use words that are "almost the right word" in my writing. Since I don't believe that my vocabulary is adequate enough, my diction is not always the best either. Recently I have been trying to avoid overused terms, but I definitely am guilty of using clichés occasionally--especially when I cannot think of any other word and I have limited time.

In addition, I have found it hard to replace words such as "this," "it," or "thing". I recognize that these words are ruining the continuity of some of my sentences but finding alternative words seems unnatural. Finally, choosing more contemplated and unique verbs would enhance my writing too. (That sentence even sounds awkward. I think I should change it to "finally, thinking more about the verbs that I use would help enhance my writing".)

Sometimes It’s Better to Laugh Instead

“The Best Part” was actually a challenge to produce a Super Bowl commercial in 2011. The main idea of the video is that one of the men loves Doritos so much he will lick it off others’ hands or rip off their pants if they have wiped any of their leftovers on themselves. What would you do if either of these scenes happened to you?

Do you think these men, depicted below, will have the same response to the man who loves Doritos? It looks like it’s a common reaction to hold your hand up, implying, why did you do that? The men still have the bag of Doritos in their other hand too.

They are probably shocked that someone would act so childish; however, what can they really do about these situations? They both could call the police and file a law suit for harassment but that is extreme. These incidents may bother some people more than others, which changes the severity of ones’ response. The man without his pants on could try to tell his boss his issue, but the boss may just fire both of them. Therefore, should these men just forget about what occurred?

FW Chel White Response

What is my writing process like?

Normally I procrastinate only for about 15 minutes, and then I try to at least write something down. If it is too late at night, I have trouble thinking, and therefore, writing too, so I tell myself that I will do the assignment in the morning. It is hard to estimate how much time will be needed though. Once I have ideas written down on my paper, what I really want to write about comes to me within a few minutes; however, after I have written what I have intended to say, I always go back and look it over. This is usually really frustrating since it takes me a long time to revise my writings. I scrutinize each sentence and I tend to find many mistakes or sentences that don't even make any sense. Finally, I reread my writing another day when my mind is fresh to check if I have stated my ideas clearly.

Funny commercial

Doritos commercial

Look what our phones can do now

Maps have been around for hundreds of years, and possibly even over a millennium. They have helped billions of people who were lost, wanted to know where something was located, or how far a location was from them. Recently though, cell phones have been equipped with navigation systems. One doesn't realize how helpful these devices can be until they are in a situation where GPS is needed.

In the AT&T commercial, two children dress up to be Hansel and Gretel. They drop bread crumbs behind them as they walk, to leave a trail, but at night they don't see the crumbs. Hence, "Gretel" takes out her cell AT&T cell phone and uses GPS to find their way back to the cottage. Would the children have been able to get back if they had a map with them instead?

AT&T's unique advertising technique makes me question whether technology is becoming too powerful in our society today. Traditional approaches to problems, like the one faced here, do still exist; however, the twenty-first century has been named the digital age where people rarely talk about the disadvantages of technology. Cell phones, GPS, and the computer have certainly saved many lives and made communication more efficient but they have become detrimental to our society too. For instance, machinery has raised unemployment levels since it lowers the amount of workers needed to complete a task. Radiation from having these devices near one's head or lap is an issue to consider too. Furthermore, others are too dependent on navigation systems--such as when they use GPS to get to a friend's house five minutes away.

AT&T commercial questions

How old are the children?
What is the noise heard when the children look into the basket?
Is this one of AT&T's best phones?
Where does the phone even come from?
Is AT&T the fastest network still?
Why were the children leaving bread crumbs if they had a phone anyway?
What time is it at night when the children realize they are lost?
Which city does the commercial take place in?
Are the children related?
What are the children thinking when they realize the bread crumbs are not on the ground anymore?
Is there any significance in the limited talking during the commercial?
Do people use maps anymore or only GPS?

Heineken commercial questions

What is the woman saying in the beginning of the commercial?
Who are all the people in the living space?
Is the man sitting on the couch drinking a Heineken?
What room does the woman show the other women before they see the closet?
Did the men just go straight to the walk in fridge, or did they get a tour of the living space too?
Why is the tall man on the left jumping up and down so flamboyantly?
Who is the man that is looking in on the walk in fridge at the end of the commercial?
Do girls really organize their closet and color code their shoes?
Why does the camera go back to the woman for a split second and then back to the men in the walk in fridge?
How much would a fridge like that cost?
How old are these men and women?
Are the men and women dating or married by any chance?

Heineken. The world's best beer!

Heineken uses the strategy of dramatization to sell their product. In the beginning of the commercial “walk in fridge,” a woman gives a tour of a living space to three women who all scream for joy when they see a huge closet full of clothes and shoes. One of these woman, who is wearing a scarf, may even have found apparel that she thinks will look good on her, which can be inferred from her stunned facial expression.
   
Within instants though, the women suddenly stop their cries of happiness after hearing loud screams from below them. It's very interesting to continue analyzing the women. The woman who was giving the tour becomes a little concerned or worried and she turns around see what's going on. The other three women are confused, as well, and they stop shouting.
 
During the next two seconds of the commercial, we hear noise from the basement but still see the women, perplexed, standing in the doorway to the closet. Most of us are probably thinking, what is Heineken trying to portray? The following scene enhances another overreaction and answers our question; four men are yelling, jumping up and down, and hugging each other because they are so excited to see a walk in fridge full of Heineken beer in someone's living space.

Does your violin smell like Pantene?

Pantene is a company that uses unique advertisements:

After viewing the extraordinary Pantene commercial, many people may wonder, why and how is a deaf girl trying to learn the violin? The child's disability, along with the complexity of even playing a violin, causes her goal to be very difficult to achieve. Pantene's narrative envinces that this girl has been using music to help her surpass the obstacles she faces--bullying and a sense of difference.

When the deaf girl is on stage performing at the end of the commercial, she envisions all of her past struggles, as if they are motivating her or even escaping her mind with each note she plays. The audience's reaction, which includes a standing ovation, leads us to believe that this deaf girl has successfully learned how to play the violin and has overcome her hinderance. Nevertheless, the production and applause that follows the girl's recital may just be part her imagination. How do we know that the deaf girl wasn't dreaming about feeling accomplished?

It's surprising that the commercial's ostensibly feel-good narrative is, in fact, for the shampoo company Pantene. How does this promotion relate to a deaf girl playing the violin? The slogan "you can shine," may help the viewer understand that anything is possible; however, Pantene may be trying to make another point. If you are deaf or blind you may never be able to hear music, or see beautiful hair, but you can still smell the great scent that Pantene gives off.

Inventing Andrew M

So here I am at Hofstra and I am blogging.  Writing online makes me feel like I am connected to the world. I like to listen to other people's opinions and idea's, so the internet is cool for me. So far, Hofstra University has been really fun for me but I haven't liked that my friends all have different schedules. I am playing on the club baseball team, and I would also like to play on the club soccer team, if I have time to. The writing class seems very interesting and I know it definitely is going to help me out a lot. English is one of my weakest subjects, but I feel like I am a decent writer. I am not great at organizing my ideas though, as you all can probably see. The other classes that I have seem pretty interesting, I am a business major by the way. I am going to have a pretty hard time adjusting to the college life, work, social aspects, and everything else that Hofstra has to offer us. Overall, though, I think that Hofstra will be a great time and that I will get an amazing education here. On my free time, I like to draw and paint as well. Actually, I was thinking about minoring in art, but I can't find any art classes to take besides from ones that are "art history" classes. Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying reading about me and I hope this isn't too boring. I really have no idea what I am suppose to be writing about but this task is pretty fun and different. I have a brother who goes to school in Montreal, Canada--McGill University. I am very close to him and we always have long talks and go to dinners together whenever we can. I also have a girlfriend that I have been going out with for over a year and I love her very much :). I find that Hofstra is a great fit for me because it is only 20 minutes from my house. This being said, I can come home whenever I want to but I am also getting the experience of staying away from my parents. Over the course of my 18 years, I have always hated school, but I am hoping that college is different. I love to dig into writing and analyze readings and or situations. I like to workout at the gym and run too. I would say that I am a fairly social guy who is always there to talk to. My parents, Helene and Gary, are amazing parents who have taught me very well. I wish they taught me how to organize what I was writing because like I said before, I have no structure to my ideas. I am hoping that one day, I can be successful, have a loving family, and have amazing relationships with my friends, family, and peers. I was reading today for 4 straight hours. I read the Genesis, which I knew a lot about anyway. I am a very slow reader, and sometimes typer, but hopefully this class will be well worth my time. I hope you now have an idea of who I am.