A succinct portrayal of my thoughts while communting...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Purpose of This Blog?!-Introduction
The purpose of this blog is as a contribution to my continuous assessment in ICT in my Applied Psychology course. The aim of this blog is the difficulties associated with my experiences in my time at IADT college.
Sleep
Personally I’ve never really valued my sleep, but since the beginning of this course, sleep (or to be more precise, a lack of sleep) has become a constant theme in my life. My day usually begins at half 5 with the peeling back of each eyelid as well as several mumbled complaints of how (to put it politely) it’s too early for this world to experience moi. Then a shower for 15 minutes, followed by taking care of some intimate necessities, then, making my lunch comprised of salad sandwiches , an apple and just the little self-indulgence that is hunky dory crisps. I then make my way towards the bus that stops just outside my estate, which is convenient. Perpetually reminded of how utterly horrible it is to be awake at this hour, with a bitter chill that show’s no remorse for the early riser combined with a darkness that hasn’t yet alleviated. Greeted by a bus driver whose cold stare doesn’t let up until I give my ticket and take my seat. The seats are a joy to be held! With the head rest at barely at my upper back, with so little space separating each seat that I’m glad I’m not claustrophobic. Clearly showing that the bus manufactures obviously had intended that leprechauns travel on this bus and never mind the freakishly tall people like me but even the “normal” people suffocating. The bus journey itself is also a laugh riot with sleep taken out of the equation, as the bus driver decides that it’s a perfect time to have the music on full blast and making sure he hits every bump at the maximum speed. The bus journey lasts a gruelling hour and a half with little else to do except listen to my mp3 player, in a futile attempt to brighten up with my day. My only other solace, trying to make to make out the flurry of colour’s when the sun eventually rises, usually on the peripherals of Dublin. But this is also a struggle, seeing through the rarely cleaned windows that encapsulate the bus. The 46a bus that I get from the city centre arrives late as usual with many of the 46a buses masquerading as “OUT OF SERVICE”, which (from a reliable source) changes once they pass the bridge after my stop. This bus is full of delightful children, all bursting with energy that they had stored up, only to release when they get on my bus with a sensational amount of sound that formulates a term that I like to call noise. I reach my destination after an amount of time that usually varies between thirty minutes an hour, eager as ever to socialise, after an awe inspiring and exhilarating journey.
Time
As my time in IADT has progressed I’ve realise the importance of time itself and how essential it is to utilise this time productively to maximise efficiency. It also plays such a pivotal role, considering that I undertake in journey’s each day that last around five hours from my town of origin in Louth(yes, I did say LOUTH). It’s hilarious when I come into to college and hear people talking about how hard is it to be up at 8 o’clock in the morning, but, for some reason I fail to empathise with their situation with regards time. After my first lecture or two in which I’ve been concentrating for the most part, are over , my energy levels tend to take a slump and I turn to the caffeinated substances such a tea and coffee as means of revival. As the day drags on I become less in tune with conversation, as the toll of commuting takes effect. This becomes extremely evident when I try to do some study. I have ended up on several occasions head butting the desk as well as the odd commencement of drooling, which is obviously a key, charming fact for the women who read this blog. On the rare occasion that I venture out to the classy pub that is bakers or into town, I again have to find some way of delaying the inevitable but this time through the medium of mostly sugar, energy drinks from the most reputable of places Lidl.
Money
Unfortunately due to the fact that I’m considered a repeat student, because I left Maynooth University last year after 2 months and so was therefore subject to half student fees which amounted to 2250euro combined with the registration fee which was 1500euro. This meant that that the majority of my hard earned cash was to be spent in one lump sum. This was slightly distressing, but ultimately, worth every penny. This meant that I’m eventually going to be in the debt of my parents, who at the moment, hang this over my head in terms of; I’ve no choice but to commute with my funds running low. My parents refuse to see me as an independent person intending to keep me within arm’s reach until I die. Even though there is no malicious intent in this, this means that the remaining money goes towards paying for my already mentioned buses which totally sum up to around 350 euro a month. Leaving little room for other expenditures that I would regularly
Sleep Pt.2
As I covered in my other post, I’ve become much more appreciative of sleep. And even with music playing in the bus, on the journey home, I tend to get some form of sleep. On one occasion this wasn’t a choice I was capable of making with the conversation around my general area. It was an amazing example of the unique flirting techniques created by those who have spent too much time riding sheep in fields in the isolated parts of Louth and Monaghan. There “culchtie” ways of attracting women was a sight to be held. There meticulous approach of degrading each other as well as firing these routine chat up lines was so effective the women got off at a stop which was 20 minutes away from their destination. With one of the women (whom I knew) forced into ringing her boyfriend to come pick them up. But ironically the vibrant young men took this as a compliment stating “they’ll be thinkin of us all tanite lads”, followed by a generic laugh symbolic of the deformed hill-people that they are. Not yet fully evolved or capable of having a normal conversation
The Effects of Social Networking on Society
Article 1: The first article is an extract taken from the New York times newspaper, in which they look at the effects of social networking with the help of several experts whom possess a high reputation in their chosen fields. All of these people were asked to take the approach of economic, psychological or sociological perspective on how social networking sites (e.g. facebook, bebo etc) have either had a positive or negative influence on society
The first of these wise people was Nicole Ellison, who is an assistant professor of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media in Michigan State University. She tells of the benefits of these sites as indicated by the research that they undertook at Michigan, this we look at in the second article, which is results on this research.
The second analyst (William Reader) gave a more psychological understanding to this debate with his background in psychology as a professor in Sheffield Hallam University. He brings up a widely controversial area of this discussion, with relation to the pessimism surrounding friendships and a path which would see people not communicating face to face. This is not a notion he is concerned about, as he tells of how people always place so much emphasis on favouring those who have similar interests which, therefore leads to less conflicts. People generally want intimate relationships with their friends, this can take up a significant amount of time and this burden has to be a mutual thing.The piece is concluded by stating that the influence of these sites depends on what the individual values in their society.
There was also Steve Chazin who had an economical as well as technological view on these social networks, with his experiences when he formerly worked as Apple marketing director. Due to the advances in technology things have become so much more effortless which allows a constant interaction with those in his personal and professional life. Although this is an advantage he also divulges on his encounter with the “Blackberry bug” and the realisation of the dependency that had been built up, feeling completely sequestered and alone when the Internet Connection went down.
Another expert (Martin Baily who has an “optimistic” view on technology), through his work as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and as adviser to the McKinsey Global Institute. But also highlights the awareness required when embracing all these social networks, especially with cases of recruiters making assessments on young applicants based on drunken photos. There have also been cases of suicides linked with online rumours and gossip on social networks.
Article 2: It was an attempt to analyse the phenomenon that has led to so many people spending their precious free time adding friends they don’t know and making statements they wouldn’t normally disclose in their regular lives. The research indicated that whose indulge in facebook had higher social capital points than those who didn’t. They can help strengthen relationships through being able to keep in touch with old friends as well as being able to get contact information. Overall the research indicated that although in minority cases people have people making using poor judgement when utilising the networks in terms of what they disclose. That in the long run when these sites become more secure and less manipulated by commercialism they will enhance our society.
Links: Article 1:Is MySoace good for society?:http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/is-myspace-good-for-society-a-freakonomics-quorum/
Article 2:The Benefits of Facebook "Friends:" Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites :http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol12/issue4/ellison.html
The first of these wise people was Nicole Ellison, who is an assistant professor of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media in Michigan State University. She tells of the benefits of these sites as indicated by the research that they undertook at Michigan, this we look at in the second article, which is results on this research.
The second analyst (William Reader) gave a more psychological understanding to this debate with his background in psychology as a professor in Sheffield Hallam University. He brings up a widely controversial area of this discussion, with relation to the pessimism surrounding friendships and a path which would see people not communicating face to face. This is not a notion he is concerned about, as he tells of how people always place so much emphasis on favouring those who have similar interests which, therefore leads to less conflicts. People generally want intimate relationships with their friends, this can take up a significant amount of time and this burden has to be a mutual thing.The piece is concluded by stating that the influence of these sites depends on what the individual values in their society.
There was also Steve Chazin who had an economical as well as technological view on these social networks, with his experiences when he formerly worked as Apple marketing director. Due to the advances in technology things have become so much more effortless which allows a constant interaction with those in his personal and professional life. Although this is an advantage he also divulges on his encounter with the “Blackberry bug” and the realisation of the dependency that had been built up, feeling completely sequestered and alone when the Internet Connection went down.
Another expert (Martin Baily who has an “optimistic” view on technology), through his work as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and as adviser to the McKinsey Global Institute. But also highlights the awareness required when embracing all these social networks, especially with cases of recruiters making assessments on young applicants based on drunken photos. There have also been cases of suicides linked with online rumours and gossip on social networks.
Article 2: It was an attempt to analyse the phenomenon that has led to so many people spending their precious free time adding friends they don’t know and making statements they wouldn’t normally disclose in their regular lives. The research indicated that whose indulge in facebook had higher social capital points than those who didn’t. They can help strengthen relationships through being able to keep in touch with old friends as well as being able to get contact information. Overall the research indicated that although in minority cases people have people making using poor judgement when utilising the networks in terms of what they disclose. That in the long run when these sites become more secure and less manipulated by commercialism they will enhance our society.
Links: Article 1:Is MySoace good for society?:http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/is-myspace-good-for-society-a-freakonomics-quorum/
Article 2:The Benefits of Facebook "Friends:" Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites :http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol12/issue4/ellison.html
Important Factors When for a Student Buying a Laptop
These days parents are asked the question whether to buy a laptop or to buy a desktop. But with prices on laptops at an ever decreasing price, it’s becoming more economical to buy a laptop. The desktop preference has lost its appeal; this is as a result of having a considerable amount of weight for college students were as the laptop is portable and overall is more practical. The laptop can be used for taking notes in class as well as the ability to take of advantage of the college internet. A student is also able to take it anywhere whether it is to their college home to do assignments or back to their house of origin to study with virtually any effort. The few wires make it less complicated than a robust desktop. So I’ve chosen to focus my essay towards the factors that are essential when buying a laptop as well as highlighting a laptop that I feel holds the most value for student in this course.
You will need a laptop that has plenty of space for storing those notes that become so vital when test’s or assignments pop up. It would also have run smoothly, quickly and as effortlessly as possible, making the student as productive as can be. Durability is also important; you need a laptop with a certain longitivity. This leads me on to the extended warranty, which is worth the payment in the long run, if hypothetically your laptop breaks after the 1st year, you would get a new laptop completely free. It would also have to be a laptop that is up to date with all the latest security advances to prevent viruses etc. Obviously money is going to be a major factor with all students living off a very modest budget. But be careful to take into account how much money may have to be spent on repairs and how often that particular laptop is liable to breakdown.
Although these days there is a war going on in the computer world between dell and apple for laptop supremacy, dell has become an ever fading icon of this past with the new Apple MacBook breaking new boundaries and becoming a prevalent force. In the past people had a fear of leaving their PC’s for Apple laptops due to Apple not having the operating system known as Windows, that has also been added to the ever boastful Apple MacBook. Its sleek and look elegant look caters for the superficiality that culture is immersed in. Not only in the laptop itself but even the design case itself has a certain sense of class about it. With regards security, the Apple MacBook is almost entirely free of these viruses (e.g. Trojan etc) because viruses are made for the PC’s to have maximum casualties and due to the its smaller audience appeal, therfore it becomes less susceptible to these viruses which leaves a person feeling secure.
The Apple MacBook is free of the dreaded Vista which has received such negative press in the media. It’s also like child play to use and this is what an immensely important factor. It also has lots of functionality with for the I-Pod user of this world. Apple have also shown there usability and versatility through their extensive add campaigns.
To sum up I think a student should choose a laptop that maximises efficiency and is easy to use, this is found in the Apple MacBook, a reliable and consistent performer, that will leave friends envious with its stunning visual appeal.
You will need a laptop that has plenty of space for storing those notes that become so vital when test’s or assignments pop up. It would also have run smoothly, quickly and as effortlessly as possible, making the student as productive as can be. Durability is also important; you need a laptop with a certain longitivity. This leads me on to the extended warranty, which is worth the payment in the long run, if hypothetically your laptop breaks after the 1st year, you would get a new laptop completely free. It would also have to be a laptop that is up to date with all the latest security advances to prevent viruses etc. Obviously money is going to be a major factor with all students living off a very modest budget. But be careful to take into account how much money may have to be spent on repairs and how often that particular laptop is liable to breakdown.
Although these days there is a war going on in the computer world between dell and apple for laptop supremacy, dell has become an ever fading icon of this past with the new Apple MacBook breaking new boundaries and becoming a prevalent force. In the past people had a fear of leaving their PC’s for Apple laptops due to Apple not having the operating system known as Windows, that has also been added to the ever boastful Apple MacBook. Its sleek and look elegant look caters for the superficiality that culture is immersed in. Not only in the laptop itself but even the design case itself has a certain sense of class about it. With regards security, the Apple MacBook is almost entirely free of these viruses (e.g. Trojan etc) because viruses are made for the PC’s to have maximum casualties and due to the its smaller audience appeal, therfore it becomes less susceptible to these viruses which leaves a person feeling secure.
The Apple MacBook is free of the dreaded Vista which has received such negative press in the media. It’s also like child play to use and this is what an immensely important factor. It also has lots of functionality with for the I-Pod user of this world. Apple have also shown there usability and versatility through their extensive add campaigns.
To sum up I think a student should choose a laptop that maximises efficiency and is easy to use, this is found in the Apple MacBook, a reliable and consistent performer, that will leave friends envious with its stunning visual appeal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
