I first became interested in this project because I was trying to integrate my own experiences and simultaneously raise awareness about an issue. I had no idea what could incorporate both until Professor Harris started talking about the study. It seemed to be the perfect topic!

When I started with this project, the scope felt way too large. I was really excited and I thought I could create a feature length Imovie chronicling Black Duke students. I wanted to talk to professors and students about the study and perhaps even attempt to refute it. I realized quickly those efforts would be futile. I hadn’t the time, experience, or resources to accomplish that goal. Instead I had to focus on just relaying the experiences of a few students integrated with my own writings. That proved to be much more feasible. As for interviewing professors, that proved much harder in reality than theory. First off,  all the professors I talked to were too busy or blew me off. Apparently the end of year is busy enough without another student vying for your attention. In the end the incorporation of only students was just what I needed. By interviewing students I truly got to delve into their experiences and opinions and I think my presentation is better for it. Second, having professors probably would have widened the scope of my paper – something I certainly didn’t need.

As I continued with the project I experimented with various mediums. At first I wanted to use I-movie but the amount of text in my presentation was more conducive to a powerpoint-like format. Powerpoints seem to be both antiquated and boring so I opted for sliderocket. This format had a lot of fun features but still prioritized the message I was trying to convey. It was a perfect match!

Once I found the format, all that was left was putting together the argument. Since it was a subject I was passionate about, it wasn’t too difficult. I really enjoyed expressing my own opinion and going back through the clips for interview material. Ultimately, my journey could not have been complete with out the very useful advice of my teammates! They were an indelible resource that really helped this presentation come together.

I thoroughly enjoyed completing this project. I hope that my viewers will appreciate it and learn something in the process!

Case does point out her concern of our growing dependence of technology. For adolescents, she is concerned about their development because the world is so accessible they may not be accustomed to having to sit still and reflect on self. Her point her adolescent development was a bit reminiscent of Digital Divide. I am still a firm believer that adolescents can set aside time to be alone and turn off the technology when they see fit. Perhaps growing up with constant accessibility to contact people may affect perceptions about self reflection but to answer that question only time will tell.

I think the best part of this talk is the kind of conversations it will spark. Case introduces some interesting points. She suggests that technology is transforming us into us into a new form of homo sapiens. Take it or leave it, it’ll spark discussions that will engender more thought about the effects of technology on us.

Let’s start with Bigger Fish to Fry. In every post Emily writes about a subject pertaining to food culture and how its changing. From food trucks to chemically engineered foods to discussions about metabolism I truly have enjoyed the journey. As I was reading her most recent work, I found this excellent excerpt about metabolism and the possibility of choosing genes in the future:

There are so many science fiction novels and films, like the Gattaca, which imagine life to be so much easier if we could simply pick the genes we want to have. But as I watch the movie, I must wonder if such a perfect life is something to be desired. It seems like it’s these flaws in our genes that actually make us human and unique in our own ways.

During the post she starts off discussing her own experiences when she meets someone with a particularly high metabolism. She  then weaves in larger problems about the future and our ability to perhaps change what nature has handed us. I think this will become a much more contentious issue in the near future. Her writing is both engaging and insightful. After hooking me in with a topic I may be somewhat familiar with, Emily almost always brings in new information that often leave me with Aha! moments.

I also really enjoy Kristin and Tori’s writing in the Durham Dish. First off, I have to give it to them – the Durham Dish is set up wonderfully! The aesthetics, the simplicity, the variety – I’m impressed every time I go to their blog site. As a vegetarian, I especially love Tori’s take on the world. Her writing is extremely candid and she presents her findings in a way that makes me feel as if I’m conversing with a friend. I take her suggestions to heart and when she’s disappointed in her food choice, oddly enough I am too.

In her post, You had me at free dinner, I felt as if she was describing most students I know:

So last night, I agreed to include one of my photos in the student art exhibition for Duke’s “Exploring the Arts” dinner. At first, when I read the email, I decided against it – I have too much homework, I have a big French test, etc. – but then, I saw that the night included free dinner at the WaDuke. So, shameless as I am, I agreed to go.

I have a much greater desire to attend events when free food is involved – especially if its at the WaDuke. Thanks Krisitin and Tori for taking me on your food journey!

Format: For my project, I will be using a YouTube format. I want to use YouTube because through Youtube I will be able to incorporate video, speech, and text seamlessly. I think the power of words extremely powerful and will be particularly critical to this piece. I want this essay to incorporate sound bites from interviews I will be recording with students for emphasis. I also hope to use these clips over pictures of protests and text. I also want my own writing piece to simultaneously utilize text and speech.  Hearing directly from the students this study affects is integral to this project.

Materials: For this essay, interviews will be a critical piece in my project. I intend to interview Black Student Alliance (BSA) president Nana Asante, two Black students who have switched to humanities majors, and a Duke professor on each side of the issue. I will also be using my personal experiences as a Black student at Duke who is a humanities major. Lastly, I will utilize the working paper, the affirmative action policy here at Duke, and the critical written response issued by BSA.

Questions: At this point, I would like guidance as to how in depth I should delve into this project. I also think advising plays a crucial role – would it be appropriate to interview an advisor? Also, do you have any suggestions about better ways to approach the project? All suggestions are welcome!

Yes, Deresciwicz in some ways young people must be more intentional about having time just to themselves. Social media networks like Twitter and Facebook have compounded the world. It is much easier to stay connected because people are much more accessible. But that’s just it – you are connected on your own terms. When you choose to delete your Facebook or Twitter there aren’t any repercussions. Social media and the age of the Internet are tools but ultimately people choose how much to be connected.

Interestingly enough Deresiewicz does not point to any of the benefits of a more interconnected world. He writes off friendships as lacking intimacy and even suggests “friendship may be slipping from our grasp.” Sorry Deresiewicz but I don’t think you can make such a broad claim just because the ways people are communicating are shifting. Social media can help intimate friends remain in touch and encourage people to share with others. Obviously, our world is changing but future generations should not be written off as lacking because they are more interconnected. Soilitude still has a place in this world and I believe it always will.

I guess this article surprises me so much because I can’t even imagine a world where this would be possible. For myself and many of my friends, our parents are weary of us even casually communicating with people we don’t know online. Honestly, I have never even talked to a stranger online unless they were part of a website’s support team. Thus a relationship was completely out of the question. When I first think of online relationships begun in chat rooms, I think of those Lifetime movies where young girls get abducted. I know…not the best frame of reference. Perhaps it’s because I am a female, but honestly I could never imagine having the courage to start a relationship from a conversation in an online chat room.

I enjoyed reading Johnson’s anecdote. His perspective on online teen dating seemed as if it was just another development in dating relationships. What do you think? I’m all for love but when it comes to young teens chat rooms with strangers I think I draw the line. It’s great that Johnson’s son told his parents who his love interest. However, lots of teenagers aren’t as frank with their parents. I know – much of the dating that begins in online chat rooms is harmless. However, the risk factor that something might happen to a young, unsuspecting teenager has completely turned me, my family, and many of my friends off from online dating. I do not however, have any qualms about adults dating online. Adults have more life experience, wisdom, and can protect themselves a bit more. Additionally, adults often use trusted matchmaker sites to find love interests. I think that’s a way more credible. Though, I probably wouldn’t begin an online relationship, I’m much more supportive of adult relationships than young teenage ones.

When I think about the changing nature of young people and the digital age I think of my 6-year-old cousin Piper. The first time I met Piper she was only three. Helping her mom pick me up from the airport, she was as cute as could be in her little car seat. As we made the long trip from the airport to their house, Piper became restless. What did she turn to? Technology. Within minutes Piper had reached into her mom’s purse, pulled the iphone and unlocked it so she could play her favorite game. Seamlessly, she colored and played her favorite song. I was amazed. Before that moment I had never even seen an iphone. I couldn’t believe that my technological prowess was being rivaled by a three year old.

At the age of three or even six it is impossible to know whether this little girl will take in everything she learns from the Internet and not question. However, the odds are in her favor. Even if she starts off believing everything she finds out on the Internet, as she grows older I am sure this paradigm will shift. How many children look at the world through beady eyes and expect everything to be just as they see it? Lots! It’s part of growing up – discerning which sources are credible and which are not. Almost every two year old believes everything told to them – they have no reason not to! Just as maturity and learning experiences teach children to question the world around them, these very same mechanisms will encourage them to question the Internet as well. What we must realize is that these children are growing up with technology. In some ways it’s becoming fundamental to their learning process. In my experience digital knowledge has enhanced the learning process for children not hampered it. Must children have honed in on their literacy skills before they become immerged in the digital world? Honestly, my hope is that children will be able to learn digitally and conventionally simultaneously. Why not?

My comment has been published here and can be found below:

In today’s culture there is a plethora of information vying for people’s attention so packing as much as possible into few characters is not only a goal but also a necessity. Although I was initially a bit skeptical of Johnson’s manifesto to writing small, I have come to truly appreciate his insight on the topic. The last line of his introduction sums up the purpose of the journey he takes his readers on perfectly, “ to let you observe words in the wild through a linguist’s eye.” Through taking apart tag lines that have worked, Johnson reveals the necessary ingredients for successfully writing in microstyle.

Johnson described the ins and outs of writing miniscule and outlined the integral parts needed to make ideas stick in just a few words. As I skimmed blogging communities, I looked for attention- grabbing headlines and micro-messages to put Johnson’s advice to the test. I flipped through pages of content – only articles with striking headlines received a second glance. I found one such headline on the Feministe blog and it read, “Birth Control: Kind of Like Pork Chops.” The title stood out because it seemed so preposterous that I couldn’t help but keep reading. The title incorporated an unfamiliar metaphor that beckoned me to read further and understand the unlikely comparison. It referred to a statement made by Catholic officials who compared students seeking birth control coverage from their Catholic Universities’ medical insurance to persons expecting pork from a Jewish barbeque. Though the article is definitely slanted in favor of women’s reproductive rights, its metaphorical title is sure to grab readers from across the spectrum.

In my blog I hope that I can create innovative taglines and titles because I realize how appealing they are to the audience. Before reading Microstyle, I realized that titles should be inviting but I didn’t realize how impactful a strong one-liner could be. I hope to utilize all of these mechanisms in some capacity in my own blog writing. As for the metaphorical aspect, I am currently working on a post and am hoping to employ this technique as I create titles and even within the posts themselves. As many of Johnson’s rules were not completely intuitive for me, I hope to use Microstyle to challenge myself to find ways to increasingly engage an audience and better my creative writing style.