Read scripts: the bane of our existence

When you mail someone a letter, the post office does not notify you when the addressee receives it. When you leave someone a voicemail message, your phone does not beep to inform you when the person called has listened to your message. So why do Facebook, more and more email servers and iPhone text messages feel the need to notify you with the day and time the receiver opens your message?

We live in a world where we’re provided with too much information. Knowing when someone receives something does not help us any more than it does hurt us. It’s not even overinforming- it’s stalking when you’re following someone’s every click within their personal communication with others. Having this technology is like putting a recording bug on every human being and turning us into machines instead of real people, who have real commitments in their real time.

What decisions do these read scripts help us make? With confirmation that the other party has seen something, we don’t know if they have actually read the entire message. People can glance at text but not ever digest it until they are more focused. Part of the power of email and text messages as a medium is the time you have to craft a good response, so expecting immediacy is no good. You might as well have called them and asked their opinion in that moment if you’re going to text/email, then expect a quick reply. Therefore, if you want to live and make well-informed decisions, don’t rely on the “read” message at the end of an iPhone text or email. Respect the person you’re communicating with to respond on their own time—the power you gave them by writing to them instead of calling—and adequately answer what you needed. 

A trivial list of things I’m looking forward to after graduation

 -Three-day weekends and federal holidays with time off of work to travel!

-Having time to read novels

-Catching up on the library of movies I’ve never watched the past 22 years

-The comical musings of corporate America

-People-watching in public transportation

--Scrapbooking the past three years

-Visiting my sisters at their schools

-Getting frequent flyer miles on the same airline and using them to go exciting places

-Actually attending weddings, showers and fun events

-Coming back to Columbia for Mizzou Homecoming

-Joining college & sorority alumni associations

-Spending time with my goddaughter

-Choosing a church to go to and meeting the community there

-Watching live TV

-More to come. 

Lessons from graduate school

This semester has probably been the most challenging time in my academic career. Graduate classes create an environment where you’re not competing with other people, but you’re constantly competing with yourself to make you a better learner, researcher and writer—growing your overall intelligence. When I was younger, I thought grad school was an excuse not to get married, and now I know how exciting and rigorous academia is. You’re not in school because there are no job options; you’re there because there is so much information out there that you want to digest.

Now that I have an entire week off for Thanksgiving, I’ll be writing a series of blog posts of some of the important lessons from my past semester under the “grad school” tag. Each class, job, meeting and daily interaction has taught me a lot, and I want to share it with you! To start off, here are some takeaways:

The proportion of time you spend reading to the time you spend writing and discussing what you read is 10:1.

Grad school is all about reading. More than 1000+ pages a week about what professionals, academics and research studies have said about a variety of topics. But instead of reading to learn about a subject and be tested on it, you’re reading to learn about the inherent issues within that topic. So when you read a text, you know you should want to comprehend it and it’s not even worth your time to skim. Therefore, I’ve learned a lot from the various studies and authors we’ve read, even if there is no outlet to discuss it because three hours of class is simply not enough.

Being with international and nontraditional students provides a rich learning experience.

The format of most of my classes is discussion-based, and rarely do professors lecture in journalism graduate coursework. A lot of what you learn comes from other students in the room—and many of them bring international background or work experience to the table. Like I said in my election posts, teachers value and are interested in this experience—as it helps grad students decide what to research or what areas have potential. Hearing about people’s travel, jobs, grandkids and countries has taught me a ton.

Grad school is more cliquey than middle school.

Most incoming grad students are taking classes at somewhere they didn’t do their undergrad, and come to Mizzou knowing no one. The only other people they know are the other grad students in their program, because there is no established way to meet others when you have minimal activities, and need to spend all of your free time reading and writing. When a study group, emphasis area or group of people within a class forms and becomes acquainted, they like to showcase that they made friends. You have to constantly remind yourself that they’re not trying to exclude others, but rather—prove to themselves that they have a community they can rely on in this city where all they do is study.

You have to be well-versed in political humor.

Especially since it’s an election year, political conversation is everywhere. And where else would you find such strong debaters than in academia? Being in classes with people constantly discussing politics has driven me to follow the election and debates closely so I can understand and know when to contribute to conversation. Even if you can’t follow everything, you have to understand the viewpoints on key issues and have rationales for both if you want to be a good conversationalist.

Know what you want to get out of it.

Why are you spending money and an extra year (or two) to receive your masters? It’s hard to construct one answer to this question, but being aware of reasons drives your motivation to read those studies, reports and books each week. To keep yourself interested, think of subtopics within your emphasis that you want to know more about.

Every day is a reminder of what you don’t know.

Each day I read or sit in a discussion, I think of how much more there is out there that I have not and will not get to read or learn. Whether it’s international travel and what a region is like, Pew research studies on how Americans change or all the masters theses and doctoral dissertations out there, there is always information you’re not exposed to. Take this time in your life to learn what you can and use what else is out there! 

Targeting audiences in journalism

As consumers view the news with less interest, journalists inadvertently have a role to adjust their traditional practices to better connect their stories with news audiences. What are some ways they can go about achieving this?

• Journalists don't just write or film stories, but must question in the pitch who their target audience is. You can no longer assume that the audience is anyone who reads the newspaper or watches the TV station. Who has a vested interest in this subject? Who will be attracted to the story because of their hobbies or news interests? As much as election stories serve the public, the target for how an election story is compiled is based on its audience. A 50-year-old businessman's news habits differ from those of a 19-year old first-time voter, so journalists need to cater to a target when compiling stories.  

• A new role is developed in sharing the news story with where this perceived audience is. Do these people check the publication's website often? Get all of their news on Twitter? Read news from blogs on specific industry categories or email wrapups? Journalists need to place the news on the right platform in the right location, or else the story is overlooked.

• Authors must actively attend to comments on their story to show the audience they care and respect their opinion. More than continuing a conversation, this small act of kindness from a journalist shows that someone appreciates that a consumer is engaged in the news enough to comment on a story. Therefore, a response encourages audience members to pay attention to news and gives them hope that they are being heard. 

So the real question here is, why should the journalist gain so many responsibilities because consumers are changing? Why do we put all of the blame on those trying to serve democracy and do a public good, rather than the crisis of Americans with declining interests and care for the news? As we brainstorm what journalists can do to better connect journalism to audiences, the next discussion to have is what news organizations as a whole should do to avert this crisis. One of these tactics could include educating and training journalists and staff to better engage the public, but the tactics overall should focus on converged newsrooms and innovation into multimedia news to serve the public in a manner where they will pay attention to stories--ultimately, keeping journalism in business.

Donald W. Reynolds Foundation announces gift to RJI

This morning, University of Missouri announced a $30.1 million endowment gift to the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation funded the gift, which is the largest gift specifically for endowment in the state of Missouri. Donald W. Reynolds is a 1927 graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism

Chancellor Brady Deaton said this gift provides media researchers a continuing role in serving the citizens and democracy with their journalistic work and cutting-edge research projects.

Roger Gafke, Director of Program Development at RJI introduced Steve Anderson, president of Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, to give remarks. Anderson said that endowment funds are unusual for the foundation, and the gift is given to continue RJI’s mission to change.

“Smartphones and blogs weren't even talked too much about when we made the grant on 2003,” Anderson said. “Who knows what will happen in the next few years.”

Hannah Watts, Stewardship Coordinator at the Office of Donor Relations, said it is monumental to receive such a gift.

“When you have a gift that’s to endowment like that, it’s a huge commitment and shows their investment in the future,” Watts said. She explained that they invest it and that RJI can use a portion of it each year.

The gift announcement ended in an anecdote about over-pouring maple syrup across the table when Missouri School of Journalism educators heard about the last announcement. As a takeaway, pure maple candy from Maple Grove Farms was distributed.

Here are 3 photos from the event:

1.  Portrait of Hannah Watts

2. Roger Gafke introducing Steve Anderson

3. Pure maple candy basket

International views on the election

In my Mass Media Seminar today, my professor singled out our International and Fulbright students to see what they thought it was like being in America during the election. They had some pretty interesting reactions:

• Shock about how much people brag about exercising their right to vote. 
• “I went to the car shop and the woman was wearing an I vote sticker, I was like, whoa.”
• Surprise at how excited we were for the outcome.
• "In Russia, every time there is an election it’s the disappointment. It’s like the black day."
• Amazement that we are allowed to vote on so many issues we may or may not be informed on, and how long the ballots are with judges. 
• “It would be a big mess in my country if people have to make so many decisions and have that long sheet of paper. So many decisions, one day, it’s crazy!” 
• Indifference at the idea of a new president, because America won't change.
• "I didn't even pay attention to the election coverage because I don't think the outcome of voting will change what actually happens in America." 

I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in another country with a different electoral system! 

Seeking validation from political social media statuses

As my roommate and I camped out in our living room last night watching election coverage last night, we were also engaged as to what journalists, our friends and classmates were sharing. Social media contributes such a quick flow of information - we were watching statistics being reported as they happened. As Laura had TweetDeck open, and I had Facebook and Twitter up, statuses were being posted by the second. A Pew Research Study titled "Politics on Social Networking Sites" conducted just this fall states that 25% of social network users say social networks are important to debating or discussing political issues with others, and 25% say they're important to finding other people who share their views. Based on my observations last night, these numbers skyrocketed and I project that these percentages will be much higher in the upcoming months.

I kept wondering, what motivates us to post about our political reactions on Facebook and Twitter? It appears that people are seeking validation for their viewpoints, and only some wish to argue with the opposers. Does posting your view reinforce the idea that you are educated and involved in political issues? Or do people post to accommodate for their lack of involvement and understanding of what's actually going on?

Needless to say, I was pretty fascinated at how much my Facebook friends' and Twitter following's viewpoints radically differed. With a variety of friends from Mizzou, Chicago, the Greek community and church, there was a huge variety of statements made. Check out some examples of posts I saw, with overarching themes including:

• Democrats, excited for Obama 
• Republicans, specifically focusing on economic suffering because of Romney's loss
• Rejoicing in the completion of election results, focusing on Ohio's close race
• Acting fed up that people even post so astronomically on social media sites

These are real statuses I saw last night, in the above categories:

Democrats

Viva Obama!

proud to have re-elected a president who values human rights!!!

WOO OBAMA!!!! SO PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!!! CELEBRATING FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA!!!!!!

Thank the good lord Barack Obama is my president again!!!

Republicans
Well I suppose I should go to sleep before I vomit everywhere.

Great. Another 4 years of being dirt poor.

GREAT...but we're still f***ed

Here's to another trillion dollars down the drain at least each year for the next 4 years... I'll drink to that, natty's of course, since that's all I'll be able to afford from this point out.

One Big Ass Mistake America...round two.

Trusting in the Lord that His plan will prevail over any politicians plan for this country. With that being said I will be making a very concerted effort to save money for my future and hope that after the next four years our government will be prosperous again.

Rejoicing in results- especially Ohio

God I love the people of Ohio!

Ohio is like the glen coco of all the states right now

WHAT UP OHIOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! THAT'S MY STATE AND MY PREZZZZZZZZZZZ

Fed up

Seriously, I don't want to see another election status until 2016.

Convergence feedback

This Friday, my multimedia project went out on our first field reporting experience for our final project. We drove 70 miles away to a private deer hunting reserve, and learned a lot. The only reason we were able to report on our topic, deer hunting, with so many different pieces of equipment was because of the amount of time we spent practicing at the beginning of the semester. Here is some of the feedback I received on our so-called 'practice' assignments and how my team applied it this weekend:

Audio

• Obtaining natural sound of activity related to the topic: The first audio story I compiled didn't have as much nat sound as it could have, so I paid extra attention to details we could record when on the reserve. One piece of nat sound I'm happy we obtained was the setup of a rifle, and the actual rifle being shot.
• Continue clear voicing and use descriptive narration: This will come into play when compiling the story, but my group will make sure we use descriptive narration, especially when we create an audio-visual slideshow describing what was on the premises. 

Video

• Watching out for unintentional camera movement: We used a tripod at all times and Margaret, my team member who did a lot of the video recording, kept the tripod in between her legs to keep it balanced. 
• Apply the "visual cha cha" by getting close-up shots: While navigating the hunting reserve, we tried to film detail shots of the various equipment, plants the deer eat and clothing worn. 
• Telling sources not to look directly into the camera: We always had the interviewer off to the side of the camera and another student filming, so the interview was authentic and the source was not staring into the video camera's lens.  

Photo

• Use aperture settings to assure the photos are well-exposed: I made sure the ISO, shutter speed and aperture were all at good settings manually by taking some practice photo and ensuring the best settings for each photo. 
• Keep an eye on what's behind the person in the frame, and don't cut off people's bodies: In my previous photo assignments, the edges of people's arms or feet would be cut off because of how I framed the photo. This weekend, I made sure that wasn't done by securing the full frame in the photo and taking a look at the context so nothing distracting was in the background. 

Warning: Google reads your emails

There are few things more embarrassing in the business world than forgetting to attach a document to an email. In Google's effort to take over the world, they are trying to correct human error too.

Check out this notification I got on Gmail yesterday: 

I don't know how long these have been active, because I usually write emails on Apple mail and not on an internet browser. But I'm pretty impressed. The fact that pure scripting and search codes can track the text in your email moments after shocks me. Who knows what's coming next! 

Pay attention to phone use

Having an iPhone for almost 10 months now, I feel like I can't even distinguish when I'm using my phone and when it's away. With so many young adults, students and teachers using iPhone during the day, there is barely a delineation on when we're using our phones and when we're not. When they are in use, are we texting? Using applications? Searching information online? Responding to email? Or...actually making a phone call?

With journalism classes, meetings and assistantship work filling up business hours, responding to texts, calls and emails is like autopilot Monday through Friday; I don't even take note of the pace I'm moving. Living on the same floor as five of my closest friends at Mizzou, I find myself making a lot less phone calls to those friends than I have the past three years of college, since we can talk in our apartments. So I felt like I was using my phone less for actual usage purposes and more for data and email, and wanted to check this perception.

Out of curiosity, since I don't have a phone bill mailed, I called my Sprint account information code yesterday hear a account summary of my monthly phone usage. Surprisingly enough- this perception was pretty inaccurate. It's probably a rare case compared to other college students, but here's what I learned:

• Between Sprint to Sprint, anytime and night/weekend minutes, I've used 1300 cell phone minutes in the past 20 days. I know I like catching up with people on the phone, but this averages to 65 minutes/day. Looks like I'm going to need to assess how much I'm on the phone and when that time is - because apparently those hours are adding up! 

• I used 430 text messages in the past three weeks, averaging about 20 text messages a day. Not bad, or alarming, especially compared to the volume of people I'm in touch with for work on campus.

The takeaway here: Don't live so automatically when making calls, sending texts and using data. Then, I might start to realize what I'm doing for an hour per day on the phone. Is it while I'm walking back and forth from class, or is it taking away time from homework? Am I calling recruiters for the Career Fair, or family and friends from home? When other college students and I start to pay attention to these things, maybe we'll be more productive or assert more thought into what we're doing.