Jon and Kate Plus 8 and "Reality" Entertainment

I feel bad that I have not blogged in a while. I have been really busy and basically couldn't find anything good to blog about. But ah ha! Tonight I watched something on TV that might be somewhat new age tech-related. I watched the new season premiere of Jon and Kate Plus 8 and was frankly disappointed. I guess I didn't know what to expect after all the crap that has been going on. I am kind of looking at "reality" TV shows as a whole as with anybody who is famous or chose to be a celebrity. They chose to be in the public eye. I have little sympathy for what happens to them and don't care to hear about how annoyed they are at the paparazzi. They're the ones who want to be famous and flaunt.

As for most reality series that are contained on the TLC network, these people are usually large or unusual families just wanting to give the public an insight on what their lives are like. Too bad Jon Gosselin was an idiot and cheated on his wife. The series Jon and Kate Plus 8 has been popular for the past few years and has been entertaining to the eye with its sextuplets and crazy yet organized lifestyle that is presented. I am so amazed that not only shows on VH1 that are considered reality shows are popular in today's culture but also that families have allowed their lives to be exposed. It is a neat idea, but like anything else in the public eye, when drama happens, things can crumble. I guess its the reoccurring thought I have at the end of almost every one of my posts; what is this world coming to? I loved that show, but now I don't enjoy watching it knowing that something bad broke them, they are not the cute show they once were and things will never be the same. This season seems as though both Jon and Kate will be interviewed alone on certain things and that a divorce might be in the future. It is so sad. But today, it seems like this type of television programming has become highly popular entertainment. All I have to say is wow.

Cell Sense

Ever feel like you have a 6th or, perhaps a 7th sense? (If you believe in that one 6th sense, I'm not hating, we'll call it the 7th) Well this sense is different from the others. It is kind of similar to the other 5 senses that we have, it could include touch and hearing. But I believe that it is really its own weird sense. I call it "cell sense." It's basically when you are quite possibly so addicted to your cell phone that you can sense it before it goes off, either ringing or an incoming text message. I usually have my phone on silent, mainly because I hate when other people's phones go off blaring and so I hate when mine goes off blaring too. But due to being addicted to checking my phone, I get this feeling. It's like a queesy-stomach feeling and I feel myself slightly overheating, especially when I'm expecting a message or a call. I start to imagine the phone lighting up, and the message or phone symbol blinking, alerting me that I have a need to pick it up or check it. It's the worst feeling in the world. I have driven myself to the point where I'm scared when it's on sound or loud because I am so intent on it going off, getting that burst of energy when I know it's going to off that I'm scared of it.

I just can't help but wonder if I'm the only one. I'm not like this with Facebook, or even email. Just with my cell phone. Is this weird to anyone else?

PEnguinS rOck

YouTube and All It's Shenanigans

I just thought, along with today's class discussion about today's youth and digital generation, that there is a lot on Youtube that I have I come across and I found a great example of what kids are often subjected to view. On Youtube. Check this out if you have a few minutes. There are all kinds of things like this out on the Youtube, and even the internet. So what are your kids watching today? Here's a laugh.



Until later,
PengUins on ParadE

Generation Digital; Not Just A Generation, But A Fad

Today is class we talked about "Generation Digital." I discovered, through random questions in class about our texting habits and also our "addictions" to cell phones, and instant communication with our peers and the link with technology, that I am just barely past that generation. I have barely touched the surface of having such addictions, and those started later in high school and continue up to now. I don't think I actually got texting until like sophomore year, and even though I had a phone in 7th/8th grade, I didn't use it the way I have adapted to using it now. By adapting, I mean that I have become one of "generation digital" members, I was not always this way. In college, it's such a good excuse because, "I'm far away from home" and
"My friends...blah blah blah..." but things like Facebook are really useful tools to talk to people who I can't reach through the phone (yes, including texting) and that is the easiest way to contact them, such as family.

So what is this digital generation? Its a generation that is highly dependent, even more highly dependent by the day on such electronic devices that either keep them occupied, or communication tools that will help them constantly keep contact and be informed of their peers whereabouts. Today, Professor Macek brought a few points to the table that I had not really thought about. The amazing number of teens, especially tweens, that are wanting to have cell phones in 5th and 6th grade is really increasing. The need in adolescent years for constant communication has always kind of been there, but seems to become more evident with this digital generation. I thought it was interesting that there is a link between how tweens and teens have the need to be accepted with their peers and everything and technology is giving them just that in a nutshell. But are kids becoming like this? Are they even wanting to be like this? Or is it just a fad that is catching on like any other fad? I know that I did not ask to be addicted to reading Facebook, nor did I hope that one day I wouldn't be able to breathe or let alone function without my cell phone. Is it advertising that is having an effect on this kids or is it simply a catching trend?