IRB Round 3 Post 3 (Time)

http://techland.time.com/2010/12/16/us-arm-considers-making-iphones-and-androids-standard-issue/

Smart Phones For Soldiers.

This article talks about how the US Army is considering making smart phones, such as the IPhone, Droid, Blackberry, etc, standard issue for soldiers. Not only would this decrease the weight per load out, but it would also be a more efficient means with which to provide soldiers with up to the minute intel. I am a big supporter of this idea, I feel that smart phones are a great way to help soldiers on the battlefield. It has a lot of potential, such as locating MIA units, or relaying information! What do you think?

IRB Round 3 Post 2 (Lens)

Portrait of New York
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/newfound-colors-for-a-portrait-of-new-york/

This article is about Reuel Golden, and his book "New York, Portrait of a City." The article talks about how this book was successful in being unique, and not just another New York City picture collections. Personally I love a lot of the images from this collection. They all have that feeling of intrigue, as if each and every one has a deep back story. I also liked how the author used pictures from all different time periods, and especially how he rooted out early examples of color. I feel like the collection really brings out all the different aspects of New York. What do you think?

IRB Round 3 Post 1 (Engadget)

Mac app store.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/apple-mac-app-store-open-for-business-starting-january-6th/

This article is about Apple and it's release of the Mac app store. Starting January 6th, apps, which are little applications popularized by the IPhone, will be available on Mac laptops. I have mixed feelings about this. I feel like it's a neat bridge between the mobile and computer worlds, but on the other hand I feel like it's pointless. Most of the apps you can get on an IPhone do things that a Mac can already do, so what is the point of an app store on a perfectly capable device?

IRB Round 2 Post 3 (time)

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2034276,00.html

WikiLeaks' War on Secrecy: Truth's Consequences

This article talks about the recent E-security breach on a website called WikiLeaks, the consequences, and the validity of some things being labeled as 'secret'. While the leaking of U.S. secret documents that pertain to the attack of a nuclear program is certainly detrimental, is the fact that a U.S. diplomat considers Kim Jong Il "flabby" really worth of the same level of classification? Is that information really even worth taking note of? Upon thinking about this further however, I realized that leaking this sort of information may be a good thing. My reasoning is this: the leaking of such useless information will most likely discredit the usefulness of future leaks, making them less of a threat. What do you think?

IRB Round 2 Post 2 (engadget)

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/02/polaroids-ces-2011-teaser-hints-at-instant-photographys-rebirt/

Polaroids CES 2011 Teaser Hints at Instant Photography's Rebirth

This quick post on engadget basically hints that on the spot photos may be making a comeback. The post has a distorted image (to better reveal what the camera looks like) which sports a camera with a large projector type lens and a suspicious slot in front. As a photography lover (and accepted RIT major!), this post excites me! I always loved the idea of owning an instant camera, and the concept of instant photography as a whole. With recent advances and printing technology, high res, full color instant photography may be just around the corner! How exciting!!!!

IRB Round 2 Post 1 (lens)

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/children-heading-households-in-moldova/

Children Heading Households in Moldova.

This article is about the tiny country of Moldova, the crisis affecting the country, and Andrea Diefenbach, the photographer who's recording it all. To summarize, Moldova is a very very poor country. So poor, that parents have to illegally migrate into Italy to find jobs. To do this, they leave their children behind in Moldova, and send money back as a substitute for parenting. This results in children as young as 12 having to run the household, cooking, cleaning, and fending for themselves. Its horrific. For this reason Andrea Diefenbach has recorded the plight of this small nation, in order to rally help and support.

IRB Round 1 Post 3 (Engadget)

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/lady-gaga-silences-her-twitter-account-for-charity/

This quick post talks about how a group of celebrities, including Lady Gaga, have teamed up in a charity movement called 'Digital Life Sacrifice'. This movement will raise money for the Keep A Child Alive charity. How does the movement work? Well, all the celebs in the movement will sign out of Facebook and twitter on world AIDS day (Dec. 1) and stay out till they've raised one million dollars. Now, the article has the same questions I do. How is this supposed to raise money, and do these celebs know the meaning of 'sacrifice'? I'd much rather just donate to the foundation then donate knowing i'm granting someone I don't like the ability to social network. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the thought, but i feel that there are much better ways this can be done. This blog agrees with my sentiment. ( http://theblogfrog.com/1322951/forum/67207/digital-life-sacrifice.html )

IRB Round 1 Post 2 (Time)

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2032811,00.html

This article talks about how the use of media, especially radios, is vital to winning the "information war" in Afghanistan. For some time, the Taliban has been using radio to spread propaganda to the Afghani people. The article states how this medium is so vital to the Taliban that many civilians are threatened if they don't tune in. In response Nato and U.S. forces have more actively mobilized the information front, distributing reverse-propaganda and setting up a radio station, with DJ Karimullah, who appears to be very good at winning over the hearts and minds of the people. I personally feel that this is a step in the right direction, but i have my concerns. I feel that if DJ Karimullah is allowed too much freedom with what he says, the concept could backfire. At the same time, this goes against our American belief of free speech. Radio Free Europe seems to agree that this is a step in the right direction, as they have joined the movement. ( http://news.antiwar.com/2010/09/17/radio-free-europe-joins-afghanistans-information-war/ )

IRB Round 1 Post 1 (lens)

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/if-photojournalism-is-dead-whats-luceo/

This article talks about how Neil Burgess declared photojournalism dead ( http://www.epuk.org/Opinion/961/for-gods-sake-somebody-call-it ), and how the continued success of the 'photo cooperative' Luceo Images ( http://luceoimages.com/ ) is a counterpoint to that standpoint. Mr. Burgess believes that photojournalism is dead because "no one is putting money into it" and instead feels that photography is just a supplement to a writers story. The author of the Lens post, James Estrin, questions this view, and presents Luceo Images as a counterpoint, saying that their success proves that photojournalism is alive and kicking. Personally I agree with Mr. Estrin, I believe that photojournalism is still very much a part of mainstream culture. I feel the magazine "National Geographic" is a great example of photojournalism, and Kurt Mutchler from said magazine agrees. ( http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/08/18/129284174/madagascar )

Websites and Blogs I am Following IRB

http://www.engadget.com/
http://www.time.com/time/
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/

Blogs:
http://acarminatienglishblog.blogspot.com/
http://campbell428.blogspot.com/
http://timenglishblog.blogspot.com/

Online Reading

I do a moderate amount of online reading. What I read most online is the news, both local and national. USA Today is my primary national news source, and 6abc is my primary local news source. I also follow forums for the Wissahickon Robotics team, and one that my friend started.

9/20 do now

I feel that reading for pleasure and meaning are vastly different. When I read for meaning, I’m usually reading for some sort of an assignment. For that reason I’m not usually very interested or concerned with what I’m reading at all. In contrast when I’m reading for pleasure I pay very close attention to detail, “absorbing” the book. I pick books that I know I will enjoy. Most often my “pleasure” books and my “meaning” books don’t intersect.

Meaning:

Into the Wild

House on Mango Street

Lord of the Flies

Pleasure:

Lamplighter

Foundling

Black Company

Both:

White Fang