My Space/ Social Networking

My Space undoubtedly has opened up a new realm of communication over the net. I personally feel that having a site that permits such an open venue of self-expression is one of the reasons why My Space exploded as it did. I not only have used My Space as a means of self-expression, but also as a means of maintaining family connections. I know there are many other sites now in variation to My Space were using one now :) however it was My Space that helped me in beginning the "Me Revolution" making it possible for us to share as little or as much as we would like, I have made great friends using My Space, and learned quite a bit as well.

The Webs Secret Stories

Jonathan Harris's lecture "The Web Secret Stories" is undoubtedly thought provoking. He's concepts and ideas are genius, using the internet as a avenue to engulf "Human Expression". I don't feel think some of his statements were exactly fair especially those pertaining to the " We feel fine" project as a whole. In order for the "Whole World" to be included in that statement the languages his project is being translated into definitely needs to be greater than 10 of the most used languages in the world. In order for him to make this claim there needs to be exactly what he said more than once during his lecture " how the world is feeling " that really cant be validated otherwise.
The concept and the project that Harris has created thus far is totally amazing. The concept of taking all emotions, how people are thinking at that given moment, including other aspects such as religion, education, sex, weather etc... providing we as a people the access to explore and share in others thoughts throughout much of the world. I feel that Harris has truly just begin to explore the tip of the iceberg, his intelligence, his motivation, and the many new ideas he wants to add to his project will surely impact the way we view other people in the world, in many ways we maybe have never thought about until now.

Why People Believe Strange Things ( TED Talk )

Surfing through the TED talks I stumbled upon this title that quickly caught my eye. "Why people believe strange things." I had no clue what to expect, the title alone intrigued me. This talk was hosted by Michael Shermer the creator ( driving force ) behind the SKEPTIC magazine. He believes that the power of suggestion is the major playing factor in getting people to believe things that sometimes seem a bit outrageous, over the top, or just truly are unbelievable. If states that we as a people should be smarter now than ever before due to the I.Q. test increasing an average of 3pts. every 10 yrs. however ; Its not changed the fact that people are still swayed by the power of suggestion, an example he used in his talk were the Led Zeppelin lyrics to the song Stairway to Heaven, a great song by the way. He played a section of the lyrics as we would normally hear them, after doing so he then played the lyrics backwards, the difference in what was heard was astounding, as well as laughable of course thats my own opinion, but in playing those lyrics backwards, upon his suggestion the entire section appeared Satanic in verse, the key to this factor though was Shermer himself explaining what the backwards lyrics were stating. It was incredibly easy to hear the words after her detailed what they were, until that point I truly heard nothing that sounded like an evil Satanic verse. He used several examples, each one similar with other things as well, written words, one school actually purchasing dowsing rods to search for illegal drugs ( doing so because the power of suggestion created a belief that these would actually work ). I throughly enjoyed listening to Shermer's talk, I suggest if you have time to check it out for yourself, I always enjoy a good laugh, aside from that the video was definitely an eye opener. One of the most interesting quotes from this video states " Within the absence of sound science , incompetent information combined with the power of suggestion, enables humans to convince ourselves to believe the unbelievable.

Internet Surfing

I usually spend 15-20 hrs. a week surfing the net, normally I surf when I am completing assignments or helping my daughter with one of her assignments for school. I use the net more often as an outlet where I spend most of these hours in the evenings playing cards with friends. I have been playing on this site for over a year.

The site is WGC ( World Gaming Center ) , its not that I don't feel the net is an incredible tool in researching any topic, I would rather spend my time do something that I enjoy on the net. I do use several search engines but not on a regular basis.

My Hyper-Links

These are just a few of the links I use when I need quick information or maybe just want to sit back, relax and enjoy conversing with friends .

• Google
• World Gaming Center (WGC)

Here are the sites I use to keep myself updated with the latest NASCAR info.

• Nascar.com
• ESPN
• Denny Hamlin
  

Internet and Education

In thinking about how the internet has impacted my education, I must say in the beginning it was quite overwhelming. I 'm sure this feeling wouldn't apply to the "younger" generation ....many of the aspects of using my computer in general were self taught. Considering the fact that when I was in high school there were computers being used that date back to the very beginning of the "Computer World" lol 1987 really wasn't that long ago, ok who am I kidding it was forever ago :) ....I have discovered after enrolling in college that the relationship between education and computers is not only a choice but it's an absolute must. Computers have opened up the entire realm of higher learning, not only is one able to inquire, communicate, relate, research, we are able to maintain standards of learning and apply them to our goal of learning new information, processing it, and above all making a passing grade.

TED-Talk blog post

After watching the lecture, I cannot say that I totally agree with the whole idea that schools kill creativity. Sir Ken made mention of the the fact more than once that it were not only the teachers, but the parents who play a part in "killing" the creative sparks that may ignite a child's imagination. I am not saying that all parents or teachers or guilty of this. I think there are circumstances in each case that are unique. I do feel that there should be more creative classes available along with the mainstream of learning which involve the "basics" .....even in the future having knowledge even if not total competence in what the world may be like will be necessary. I do feel by offering creative classes among the general courses offers each student an avenue that may not otherwise be available to them.

About Me

Hey yall ....Tracie here, I am currently a full-time student attending Rappahannock Community College. I spent the last several years of my life caring for my family, decided it was time to do something for mom. I enrolled in RCC after my youngest daughter began kindergarten. I have to say its amusing at times looking around in my classes realizing I am one of the very few 30-ish students around lol :)

In my spare time, which I decidedly never have enough of my family ( including myself ) spends a lot of time outdoors, sports oriented types of things. I also love reading and writing, old habits certainly do die hard, I've been keeping a journal since the age of 9. Writing allows me freedom of self expression which also helps me relieve the STRESS of being a full-time parent, student, nurse, chef, maid, etc.....lol. I am a total Nextel-Cup addicted.....Goooo Denny #11, besides NASCAR , I have to have my football ( wont mention my team ) :P and basketball ....Mav's will take it this year or else !!!! :)

I am earning my arts& science degree which I intend to apply towards my goal of becoming a physical therapist assistant. I have only realized within the last few semesters that its never to late to have dreams, goals, and set out to achieve them.