Technology and Our Future

1.    Sharon thinks that the next big thing is going to be glasses.  Yes, she said glasses, but not just any pair of glasses.  These glasses will have the ability to create a real life experience by using virtual holograms for entertainment purposes.  It makes sense for this type of technology because everyone loves entertainment especially if it’s right in front of you.  It’ll be more convenient and entertaining because if you’re stuck somewhere with nothing to do, just put your glasses on and watch some television.

2.    Stephen thinks that the next big thing in technology is going to be hologram concerts, like the one 2Pac just had.  It looked like he was there in real life, but he’s been dead for years.  Now a musical group, dead or alive, can have concerts at fifty different places at once. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmJtarY5BIo&feature=related

3.    Glynda thinks that the next big thing is going to be the vibrating tattoo.  Although Nokia just patented this product, Glynda thinks it will be successful in the near future to people all around the world.  This type of tattoo will alert its users when their phone rings.  Much like customized ringtones, this tattoo will also have its own customizations for its callers.

4.    Mirannda thinks the next big thing will be self-driving cars. Since there are so many accidents due to incompetent or drunk drivers, the government will issue a law that mandates  people to use these vehicles.

5.    Heather thinks the next big thing in technology is going to be 3D Printing.  She thinks this because her mom works at Fed Ex and she was telling her about this new technology that would be changing the face of that business.  3D Printing is 3D printing is an additive technology in which objects are built up in layers in a process that often takes several hours.

Movie Poster Comparison (Halloween)

Halloween-Rob Zombie 2007

Halloween-John Carpenter 1978

Almost 30 years had passed between the making of the original Halloween and the 2007 remake by Rob Zombie. I wasn't alive in 1978, but I would imagine that the movie poster from the original Halloween would have invoked a sense of fear in the minds of the people seeing it. The dark background with a knife and a pumpkin head that resembles the knife. Special effects weren't nearly as good back then as they are today, but the simplicity of the poster along with the words "The Night He Came Home!" would definitely get my imagination going. The Rob Zombie version has almost the exact same font on the word Halloween as the original poster. However it is filled with orange that looks almost like fire. Instead of having a hand on the front of his poster, Rob Zombie put a picture of the killer on his. The killer is holding a knife in one hand and either a mask or head in the other. Something that is similar on the new one is the sort of photo mosaic effect. The killers head is in the background on the new one filled with images on the movie. The original poster had a pumpkin that looked like knives. Both of the posters have one line of text that is meant to get the viewers imagination going. In almost 30 years, the style of these posters has changed a lot, but the overall theme hasn't changed very much. The creator of the poster wanted to scare the viewer so that they would come see the movie.

Unpopular Culture (Pull your pants up)

One main thing that I think has a negative impact on pop culture is the pants sagging epidemic. People sometimes sag their pants and dress in baggy clothes. This leads to a lot of stereotyping. Many people who wear these kinds of clothes are just normal kids, but society as a whole sees them as trouble, just by the way  that they dress. Many people who sag their pants have no clue how pant sagging began. It actually began in a prisons. By styling yourself after criminals, you are automatically asking to be stereotyped as someone who would be in prison. There have been many different explanations as to why prisoners started sagging their pants, but the one that has most strength is that prisoners didn't have proper fitting clothes, so their pants sagged. I personally do not want to see someones underwear when I am shopping for food at walmart or anywhere else.....It's just gross. Sagging your pants does nothing for you or anyone else..If you can't afford a new pair of pants, at least get a belt. No one wants to see it, and  you are just setting yourself up to be profiled.Snopes article on the history of sagging pants.

My Tweeps

I chose Dr. Phil, Dr. Lisa Masterson, and Dr. Travis Stork for my lists titled My Tweeps, because they are a new generation of pop culture. Instead of people sitting at home watching soap operas (well some people still do) people are now turning to shows like Dr. Phil for self-help. There are new shows like this popping up ever so often and they are helping our generation become better people. Some of the shows teach us how to have better relationships, while other shows tell us important things that can keep us healthy. We rely more on the internet and Dr. shows to help ourselves than ever before. Now that these shows are available to the public, we can teach ourselves how to live the right way. It helps motivate us to have better relationships and treat our bodies better. When I grew up, none of this stuff was around. The only shows that were on television during the daytime for stay at home moms were soap operas and talk shows like the Montel Williams show. Those shows helped fill the time during the day, but they didn’t help us to become better people. With the new style of shows, more people have the information that they need to stay healthy and live productive lives.

Dr. Phil McGraw graduated from Midwestern State University in my hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in experimental psychology in 1976, and a Doctor of Philosophy in clinical psychology in 1979 at the University of North Texas, where his dissertation was titled "Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Psychological Intervention"

Lisa Masterson, M.D. has pioneered the evolution of women's healthcare into the 21st century. A specialist in obstetrics, gynecology, infertility, adolescent gynecology and family planning, Dr. Masterson has redefined the role of the gynecologist into a family care doctor.

Dr. Stork graduated magna cum laude from Duke University, and earned his M.D. from the University of Virginia. He completed his emergency medicine residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee^. Before returning to Vanderbilt as a faculty physician, he worked as an attending physician in a private hospital system in Colorado. Dr. Stork currently splits his time between Nashville and Los Angeles, where he hosts the syndicated television show "The Doctors".

Reading Quest 1

In our first reading of How We Decide, I found it very interesting that that the author of this book was so smart!!! He stated that whenever someone makes a decision, the brain is awash in feeling, driven by its inexplicable passions.  This means that when a person tries to be reasonable, the emotional impulses secretly influence judgement.  People tend to make sudden decisions based on what is happening in that moment.  That got me to thinking about my own decisions that I choose to make whether it be something that I know I will have to have decided by next week or something that has to be decided right here, right now, in the moment.  Am I thinking logically or am I making my decision based on what everyone else wants me to do (or what makes everyone else happy).  Sometimes I catch myself making certain decisions just because I want to avoid a conflict or a fight.  I think to myself, "in the long run I may not be as happy, but if they are happy then that is all that matters". 

Fads and Trends

FADS

IPhone

The Iphone is a wonderful example of a fad these days.  I chose the Iphone as an example because it seems like everyone and their mother owns one now.  Now days, you can't go to the market, doctor's office, school or even work without seeing someone playing on their phone. The Iphone has allowed many people to stay in better touch with their family and friends all around the world, thanks to all the different communication applications (facebook) and an even better feature called FaceTime. Who knows what people would do without the Iphone.

Kardashian Sisters

The Kardashian sisters are also a major trend in 2011/2012.  Kind of like Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan, you cannot turn on the television without hearing something about one, two, or all three of the Kardashians.  One's either having a baby, getting in trouble, breaking up with a boyfriend, or like the newest thing, getting sued for $5 million dollars because many people stated that they bought the diet pills and were mislead by their advertisements.

Puffy Jacket

The newest fashion trend is called the "puffy jacket".  According to Glamour magazine, these coats are a must have and a popular clothing item for both men and women alike.  So many people are willing to spend so much money on the newest designs or fashions, regardless of how ugly and hideous it may be all because it is the "newest and best" thing at the moment.  

Hair Feathers

Hair feather extensions....OH MY GOODNESS!!!! YUCK!!! Native Americans started sporting the hair feather extensions for various different reasons.  The different colors were a display of acts of bravery or different things.  Now, many years later, many celebrities such as Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Rosanne Barr, and many others are bringing "feathers back" and making them popular again.  Birds do not discriminate, however, you were not born a bird so please keeps the birds where they belong.

Kony 2012 "Bologna"

Kony 2012 is definately a fad because one group posted a video of it on facebook and it received over three million hits in four days, but yet no one really knows who Joseph Kony is.  No one really knows if he is still an issue in Uganda today.  Now, reports are coming out that he has not been in Uganda and perhaps even dead for five years now.  All of this has become a huge fad while the Ugandan government has killed millions of innocent people over the years, but no one seems to be mentioning that.

TRENDS

IPad

The IPad is most definately a trend.  It is a type of technology that keeps getting bigger and better every day.  As soon as one type of IPad comes out, you turn around and a few months later another version of it is being put on the shelves.  The IPad is a good example of a trend because even though it is kind of like the IPhone, it is more beneficial for all ages of people.  The screen is easier to see and read, especially for the little kids out there who need more room.  The IPad is a great alternative learning tool no matter if you are four years old or fourty years old.

Reality T.V.

Reality television has been around for a very long time.  It seems like every week, someone somewhere is coming out with a brand new idea for a reality television show.  I think that reality television makes up 90% of the shows that are on television....to me, that is pretty sad!!! Some of the shows are okay, but most of them are just absolutely ridiculous and just plain stupid.  Reality shows are known the make the average Joe famous.  It is all about the fame and money!!! There are a million and one reality television shows on air today, but trust me when I say that there will be a million and one more just in the next few years.

Tennis Shoes

Tennis shoes have always been a trendy must have item no matter what fashion style is out there.  They come in many brands such as VANS, Adidas, Converse, Nike and many, many more.  Tennis shoes are popular among all generations and I guarantee that they will continue to be the popular trend for many ages to come!

Jewelry

Jewelry is worn by men, women and children.  Even parents are getting their babies ears pierced.  Just about anywhere and everywhere you go, you will see someone wearing a watch or bracelet, necklace or ring, body jewelry or even nail jewelry.

Fast Food

Fast food has always been and always will be!!! It is very convenient to those who are always on the go, travelers, and even those who just do not feel like going home and cooking after a long day at work.  Fast food joints like Mc Donald's and Dairy Queen have been around since the beginning of time it seems and I do not see them going anywhere until the end of time!! They have all undergone renovations and face lifts.  As the economy changes, so do the prices of food, but that does not keep the on-the-go mothers and the "stay up all night studying" students away. 

My First Blog

Hey everyone!!! I'm a little late creating my blog :( 
I've never blogged before so please be patient with me!!! Here's a little about me:
-My name is Ashlee.  I'm 24 years old and have been married to my high school sweetheart, Stephen, for almost 3 years and 8 months.
-I am going to school to become an RN. I would really like to be a pediatric RN!!!!
-My husband and I are both from Texas and we have two boxers named Zeus and Athena.


That is about it for now.  Hopefully I'll get better at this!!!!