The influence of the Internet

The Internet has become such a big part of people's everyday life. In fact, I can't think of the last time I went a full day without going on the Internet, even just to look up some useless piece of information. The Internet, because of this, has become so influential. The influence of the Internet is shown in "Here comes Everybody." In this story a 16-year-old girl gets arrested because of the Internet. Reading this story, I was outraged by the actions of Evan. First of all, I don't know what his deal was, it seemed like he had nothing better to do then harass this girl over a phone. Secondly, I don't know what the big deal was if she had the phone because according to the story, Ivanna, the one who lost her phone, had "shelled out" more than $300 to buy a new one. Why did Evan need that phone back so badly? Third, the police listed the phone as "lost property" so it should have been left at that. Evan eventually gained so much attention that the NYPD decided to switch the case to "stolen property" and that is how the Internet has influence over people. Evan ruined the reputation of this girl over a phone, and I feel that isn't right. Although, I don't agree with Sasha's actions while she had the phone, including offering to sell it back, and making threats, I don't feel she deserved this.

Journalism vs. The Media

As I was reading "Here Comes The New News," I came across something that I agreed with 100 percent, "if the organizations and institutions that currently produce a majority of the news product consumed are structurally flawed, the practice of journalism is not." I agree with this statement because journalism is the objective reporting of facts. How can something be flawed if it is factual? The answer is it can't. As for the media, there are many different ways in which it is flawed. First off, just by how fast the media reports a story there is sure to be some errors. The facts and pressing questions have taken a back seat to the speed in which a story is published. Also, the media isn't always objective. Even the main news stations such as CBS or NBC are accused of being liberal. If that is true, there is no way they can be objective, and; therefore, will twist stories in their favor. Also, the media is always on the hunt for a new fresh story, especially one that involves celebrities or sports stars. The paparazzi will take pictures of celebrities, and the media is out there posting stuff like, "Is this actor dating this actress?" I have also seen this in the sports world. Just yesterday, Kurt Warner said he would announce his future in a press conference Friday, and today I have seen reports that are already saying he is expected to retire. He hasn't announced that yet, there is no way the media could know. While journalists have strict rules they follow, the media is free to, not break, but bend the rules, and this leads to the talks of journalism dying. I do not feel it is dying, I just feel there are less people that want to work to report the facts. The true journalists need to find a way to get their voices heard.

My voice

It took me a while to find my voice, but I think I finally found out who I would like to model my posts after. Now the person I chose has been a lifetime hero of mine, and even though he is not a writer, I will tell you how he fits the "voice" I want to have.

The person I chose is Brett Favre. Now this might not make a lot of sense right now, but I will do my best to explain how my voice will be modeled after Brett Farve. First off, I want to be a sports writer, so why not model my writing off a great sports player. Secondly, Brett is arguably the best quarterback who has ever played the game of football, and that is what I want people to think when they read my blog. I remember when Brett Farve said, "I never stepped out onto the field or walked off a field where I didn't feel like I did everything I could possibly do to be the best." Now that is a great way to model my writing, I want everything I write to my best. A third reason is while Brett has the most career touchdowns, he also has the most career interceptions out of any quarterback in history, and that will help my writing. I know that not all of my articles will be top-notch, but if I don't keep trying to make my points then I won't become the best. Another reason is if you have ever watched Brett play football you see him having a lot of fun, whether it is throwing snowballs after a touchdown pass, or sprinting down-field after a 60-yard touchdown pass. I want people to see that in my writing, I want them to read my work and say that guy loves to write, because I do. The last reason I can think of is Brett is never afraid to stir up controversy, and I think you need that to be a good writer. If you don't offend someone, or get conflicting opinions then you aren't writing about very much.

Also, I feel I should mention that I was devastated to see Brett in a Vikings jersey. I have been a life-long Packers fan, so to see Brett in the purple and gold was pretty bad.