GPS - Where am I

Men will have more time for other activities since GPS has hit the main stream. Why you ask… the no longer get lost and spend time driving around instead of asking for directions. They are now equipped with their trusty little GPS. Yes, ladies the days of your male counterpart pretending their not loss are coming and end. Granted this new phenomenon sweeping the country to have a GPS in your car or on your cell phone has not hit its full potential, so some ladies will have to endure a while longer.

All kidding aside, GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning System. GPS is the ability to know your location wherever you are through the use of satellites in outer space. Before we had access to this technology as consumers it was being used by the military in the 1970’s (XXXX). There has been controversy over the years whether GPS is being used for what it was intended or does the line get blurred? Is our government invading privacy? It is hard to confirm such accusations since the government controls the technology and the laws. But, in1993 when the US military placed the twenty-fourth satellite into space it put the system in place to be able to handle GPS we access today from our cars and cell phones. Have we over looked the governments control of potential misuse for our technology hungry society? That is a question that is hard to answer without knowing how the government has and is really used GPS. We may never know the true story behind the government and its uses of GPS. Does this stop us? Nope, not us, though there is a lingering controversy it doesn’t keep us from using this extraordinary technology that was developed and paid for by us as tax payers.

Since GPS has found its place in main stream there is no turning back. GPS has become a way of life to maneuver when you are in uncharted territory. I myself just received my 1st GPS for Christmas this year. I love it. I am not from the Columbus area and before I relied on MapQuest for directions. This worked for the most part, but when I was are out running around or in a hurry this became a big convenience. But before GPS picture reading a map, watching traffic, looking for signs and maneuvering where you need to go…scary huh? Though I have embraced GPS with open mind, I still maintain a map in my car. A map is old school navigation and GPS is maps on steroids. Both have use and a place in our society so use them wisely.

Article Base (January 21, 2009) The history of gps technology. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from: http://www.articlesbase.com/gps-articles/the-history-of-gps-technology-732921.html

Rosenberg M. (2009) Global positioning system; eight things you need to know about gps. Retrieved January 26, 2009, from: http://geography.about.com/od/geographictechnology/a/gps.htm

Picture 1

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gpsgazette.com/images/Harman-Kardon/GPS-500.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gpsgazette.com/category/automotive-gps/&usg=__Xetd7xIpduSZyixZbDwCylblQKI=&h=1234&w=1610&sz=383&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=0xYAaioDch2KYM:&tbnh=115&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bgps%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1W1GGLL_en-GB%26sa%3DX

Picture 2

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/GPS_Satellite_NASA_art-iif.jpg/748px-GPS_Satellite_NASA_art-iif.jpg

Smurfs

When growing up do you recall watching the Smurfs on Saturday morning? I bet you didn’t analysis what they represent or anything close. They were 100 of these litte blue figures living in a small village that were only as tall as three apples stacked on top of each other (BlueBuddies, 2008). They were named after their personalites or what they were good at like Lazy, Brainy, Handy, Clumbsy, Hefty, Harmony, Grouchy and Vanity. This group of little blue fellows were always trying to be eraticated by the evil wizard Gargamel.

One day Gargamel comes up with diabolical plan to destroy the smurfs he sends them Smurfette (BlueBuddies, 2008). For those of you that don’t know what a Smurfette is she is a female Smurf. What?? Is this cartoon really expressing sending a girl to destroy boys? Now looking back what were they thinking? Eventually Papa Smurf caught on the evil Smurfette and used magic to make her into a sweet girl.

I do recall many years ago (not sure when) a controversy over the Smurfs not being a good example for small children, but I never realized what the commotion was over until I begain research and writing about the Smurfs. The controversy over the Smurfs ranged from them representing Socialism, the KKK and even Nazism (Chadwick, 2008). I guess when you start reading the depiction of the Smurfs you could actually understand where they are coming from.
The Smurfs seem to be a friendly, fun and amusing cartoon series. I loved that each had a different personaliy that made them unique. I had my favorites like Jokey and Harmony. And, yes Smurfette. I thought it was awesome that she was the only female having all those boy smurfs taking care of her every whim! Though the creation of Smurfette might not be best way to depict females I really didn’t understand it when I was a child.

Reference:

Blue Buddies (2008) Smurfs 101. Retrieved January 24, 2008 from: http://bluebuddies.com/help/smurf_names_and_list_of_the_smurfs.htm

Chadwick L. (2008) Smurfs: aryan puppets or harmless cartoon toys? Retrieved January 24, 2008 from: http://www.evl.uic.edu/caylor/SMURF/aryan.html

The Incredible Hulk

Assignment 2-1 Weekly Analysis

The Incredible Hulk

I never really thought what the name meant “The Incredible Hulk”, have you? Webster dictionary incredible means, “too extraordinary and improbable to be believed”. What about “Hulk”? Webster’s Dictionary states the definition of Hulk as “one that is bulky or unwieldy”. I wasn’t quite sure what unwieldy meant so I looked this up as well. Unwieldy per Webster Dictionary means “not easily managed, handled, or used (as because of bulk, weight, complexity, or awkwardness)”. Now, I understand why they called this massive creature “The Incredible Hulk”



Now that we understand his name where did he come from and why do we have fascination with The Incredible Hulk? Actually the Hulk was first a comic. The story began by him being a normal human named Robert Bruce Banner. He was son of Brian and Rebecca from Dayton, Ohio (Marvel, 2008). After his father murdered his mother Robert went to live with his aunt (Marbel, 2008). Later in life Robert became a Nuclear Physicist. During a test at a military facility he was trying to save a person and was infected by the gamma rays from the testing blast (Marvel, 2008). This mutated him into the Hulk. In the beginning he changed into the hulk at night, and then eventually the story changed his metamorphosis to just when he got angry (Marvel, 2008). So, why do we have the fascination with this big green monster? Could it be the interest in government experiments, or a conspiracy to cover up the truth by the government? Or, could it just be that he is 7’ tall, 1040 pound of pure muscle with unlimited strength, fighting evil as he destroys everything in his path (Super hero, 2008). Well, except the only Betty, the woman he loves and the only that can tames his wild antics (Marvel, 2008). He is a big beast with a heart. Maybe that is why the fascination, we all have our moments but there is nothing stronger that the love we have for the special someone to tame our own incredible hulk.

references:

picture: http://www.buyurburdanindir.com/wp-content/plugins/hot-linked-image-cacher/upload/rapidshare.com/games/The_Incredible_Hulk_Ultimate_Destruction/The_Incredible_Hulk_Ultimate_Destruction_wallpaper13.jpg

Hulk. (2009). In Merriam-wWebster online dictionary.
Retrieved January 17, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hulk

Incredible. (2009). In Merriam-webster online dictionary.
Retrieved January 17, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incredible

Marvel (December 7, 2008) Incredible hulk history. Retrieved January 14, 2009, from: http://www.incredible-hulk-library.com/superhero-library/incredible-hulk/incredible-hulk-history.aspx

Super Hero Universe (2008) Marvel super hero the incredible hulk facts & stats. Retrieved January 16, 2009, from: http://superherouniverse.com/superheroes/marvel/hulk.htm

Unwieldy. (2009). In Merriam-webster online dictionary.Retrieved January 18, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwieldy

Assignment 2-2
Icon Analysis



Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh started off on pages of paper. He began as a character in a book and later became animated through the efforts of Walt Disney. Pooh is the ring leader of his other furry friends, Piglet (his best friend), tigger (always messing things up), Rabbit (planner), Eeyore (always sad), owl (wisdom), Kanga (motherly), Roo (child innocents). I chose Winnie the Pooh because he meant so much to me growing up and then to my children. The animals of the hundred acre woods offer different personalities to show how to love and support each other thru many issues. And, if you work really hard you just might get some honey.Picture: http://www.hindu.com/yw/2009/01/13/stories/2009011350520400.htm

Superman

Superman has been around for many years. This super hero started in comic books then moved to cartoons, television series, and motion picture movies. Superman stands for truth, justice and the American way. This not only shows that good triumphs over evil, but that we will struggle but as long as we are good we will win. I chose Superman because we all need keep in mind that good can triumph over evil. The more we think it and try then evil can’t take over society. Superman means to me good, strength, loyalty, caring, hard working all characteristics that I try to maintain. Pictures: http://members.tripod.com/cariart/Superman4large.jpg http://www.toonado.com/images/news/superman-the-animated-series/superman012406.jpg

Biggest Loser


The Biggest Loser is a reality television series in their seventh season on NBC. The show premise is to have morbidly obese people come to a secluded designation for a competition to lose weight. The contestants work out with personal trainers everyday and then compete for privileges like phone calls or being safe from elimination during the weekly weigh-in. I chose this because we are very over weight nation. This show shows that no matter how big you are you can lose weight and be healthy. Though I am not large like the people on the show I do struggle with losing weight. I feel it does keep me motivated by keeping the thoughts of healthy lifestyle in my life.
Picture: http://thebiz.fancast.com/Blog-Biggest-Loser-Ali.jpg

Assignment 1-4 Weekly Written Analysis 1
Digital Cameras - Instant Photography

The world of photography was changed in 1948 when the introduction of the instant photography camera by Polaroid. This camera allowed the novelist photographer now have the pictures developed at their finger tips. The development of this film was revolutionary to the industry. Consumers no longer had to wait for your pictures to be developed by a professional at a photo lab, you were just a click away from a fully developed picture. The amateur photographer was amazed to see if your picture turned out within a few minutes. Polaroid pushed the industry to come up with better ways to supply the consumer with increasingly innovative cameras. The instant development is another display of how our society was changing with innovation.
I wasn’t born during at the time of the unveiling of instant developed film camera, but my first memories were in 1981 for my tenth birthday. This is when parents purchased their first polaroid instant camera. It was amazing to see our pictures right away. Can you image back then seeing the film develop right in front of your very own eyes? It was magic! I found myself wanting to take the pictures apart to see what made the pictures appear. Now looking back, I see that destructing a photo was not a sufficient way to determine how this magical imaged appeared. I also never realized how much the United States really changed after WWII by steadily becoming a nation of instant gratification. I can’t say the instant photo camera is at fault by any means, but it does show the world was changing to an instant gradification mind-set.
The digital camera is now the invention that has the instant film developing camera becoming extincted. Through many years of development the digital camera has now replaced its predecessor of instant gradification. One could say it may replace all filmed camera one day. The digital camera give so many options like, instant picture viewing, deletion, modifications, motion pictures and manipulation through computer programs. The filmed camera can’t offer such options. The film/camera industry came up with a idea to continue sales by coming up with option to take your developed picture and put them on a disc so you can put them on your computer easily. This way you no longer had to scan them and lose picture quality. I myself purchased by first digital camera only two years ago. I was stuck in the film world and was not ready to embrace the digital technology. The delay to embrace the digital world was because the cameras were expensive, seemed to be lower quality and very poor zoom capabilities. Well, now that has changed dramatically as technology always does. Cameras are amazing whether they are instant, film or digital. They allow us to take moments of our lives and make them a visual memory to have and share for many generations to come.



References

Save Polroid (2009) A History of Polaroid. Retrieved on January 9, 2009 from: http://www.savepolaroid.com/history/

Artifact

Assignment 1-2

Pop Culture:
Pop culture is the music, technology, people, movies, television, books, advertisements etc... The culture can be intangible or tangible items like cell phone. These events, human beings or objects influence our viewpoints, thoughts and continue to change our world.

Pop Culture in Business and in the future:
The ability to process the world around us allows us can help us determine what careers could become in demand or what products will be in demand for the businesses we work for. By using pop culture businesses are able to foresee the trends affecting their industry and therefore create items/ideas to improve their markets share.

Artifact – The Simpsons
I would like to start by stating that I don’t particularly agree with the Simpson’s presentation of the American family. I wouldn’t let my children watch the series while they were young because of the adult content. It really isn’t a cartoon for children, but more an adult comedic commentary of the American family. The Simpsons brings everyday family life and exaggerate life’s issues to create humor. The writers use these less than realistic figures to discuss family problems, work, raising children, political issues, marriage struggles, dealing with aging parents and in-laws. The show depicts that families and the world can be dysfunctional, but there is humor to be found all around us.

Reference:

Petracca, M, Sorapure, M (2007) Reading and writing about american popular culture. Common Culture 5th Ed., 1-7.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=simpsons&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title