Media Agenda

Everyone knows that all media outlets have their own agendas. They decide what they feel is most important to the people that receive their messages, even if what they deem important is believed to be otherwise by their viewers. They cherry-pick what ideas and events they feel are most important and relevant to the interests of the people, but they also have their own bias that aids in filtering the important events.

This bias is very heavily seen in political situations. What one person does may be looked over completely by the media simply because of their political affiliation, whereas something simpler is criticized endlessly for the same reason. Additionally, in elections, they may decide to “peg” someone as the victor even before all the votes are counted. This was most evident in the Bush/Gore election, where different media outlets predicted Gore to win, but Bush won the Electoral College. In short, the media always picks what they want the public to see, whether or not it is truly important, and their bias also causes their perceived importance of events to differ depending on the situation and those involved.

Messages and Mediums

The message in a medium is just as important as the message being broadcast. The listeners will receive a message differently if it comes from an online ad, a television commercial, an email, or radio. Because of this, the messages being sent through a specific medium are tailored around it, making sure to send the message appropriate to the medium. Radio, for example, won’t try to show you something, whereas television won’t focus on telling it to you, rather the other way around. In this way, the medium is the message, as the same message in each medium will be drastically different, both in expression as well as reception.

As for television being a “cool medium,” it does require the viewer to fill in details about what they’re watching. The viewer comes up with reasons behind certain actions that may not seem to be obvious, or they extrapolate a possible ending of the show through the clues and foreshadowing throughout. Additionally, they create theories for future episodes, with those that have an on-going story, based on the information given to them.

Cyber Relationships

I have formed relationships with people online. The main difference in these relationships is that they are not face-to-face with the other person. I cannot get a non-verbal message from the other person through facial expressions or movement. Additionally, I cannot get an idea of the meaning behind messages, seeing as it is difficult to get intent from text alone. Another difference is that the face-to-face interactions with others has a greater output, and is thus more rewarding, than just interacting with someone over the internet.

However, one of the more prevalent relationships I have created online came to fruition offline when I met said person at an Ohio convention in October. They were very similar to the person I knew online, and the face-to-face interaction was much more rewarding than the online interaction we had many times before. On top of that, the two of us strengthened our friendship while at the convention, going a little farther than text alone could really allow us to go.

Telecommute

Telecommuting is, to some, the best way to work. I know someone who works far enough away that, when he does go to work, he has to drive about an hour to and from his house to work. This costs him a decent amount of gas every week, as well as making it so he has even less free time than normal. Because of this, he prefers to work from home to save him the hassle of getting to and from work every day.

However, on the other hand, his co-workers prefer when he’s there. When he is in the office, he’s able to communicate directly with those around him as well as see what they’re doing, allowing them all to make sure things flow smoothly. Additionally, because of his sense of humor, he also happens to lighten the mood of the workplace, increasing efficiency.

In either case, telecommuting is a viable option with definite positive and negative aspects. Weighing them and figuring out which ones are more important to you, the company, and your co-workers is what you have to do. If you’re losing money while working because of how far you have to commute without being able to relocate yourself closer, then it might be a better idea to telecommute or find a way to carpool. 

Rules of Etiquette

Each one of etiquette rules is very true and still important today. On the subject of screen names, though, are email accounts as well. What you have may seem “funny” or appropriate, but it may not be professional on any level. You wouldn’t want to apply for a job with the email “stoner_gir653” or something related. In addition, and by extension, is your Facebook account: Employers, potential business partners, and perhaps others will look at your Facebook to get an idea of who they’ll be dealing with. Having a lot of images of you getting drunk partying is not the best choice to have all over your account.

Cell phones and beepers have been problems in my past. I’ve seen people who talk loudly on a cell phone when people are trying to work, or even those who prioritize cell calls over all else, causing a different type of disruption. Laptops and tablets have also had a place of annoyance, as they can be in situations where they are unneeded, and are more used for personal instead of professional use, like in school at times.

Call waiting is, though, a touchy subject. Depending on the situation, it can be considered rude or not. If the person being called asks the other, the one being placed on hold, if it’s okay and they say it is without going into a paradox, then it is not exactly rude as they are okay with it. However, if you just switch over to the other person, that’s similar to talking with someone, and then turning your back on them mid-conversation to begin another with someone else. 

Organizations

Organizations are tailored around the environment and community in which they exist. Their goals and values are products of who creates them as well as where and the type of organization that is created. In an example, it would be expected for a medical institution in an urban environment to be focused on being able to take care of a large number of patients as well as being able to take care of spontaneous accidents or incidents that could easily occur. On the other hand, one in a more rural environment would probably not be able to take care of larger-scale accidents or the more serious incidents.

The schools I’ve been to have all been tied to the community in some way. Nevada Union High School, for example, was very sports oriented, as the community tends to value physical activities more than other practices. Because of this, the school had also valued physical activities over others, and devoted more funds and attention to the football team than other facets of the school, like the music or drama departments.