CD Warehouse Anyone?

Last night my roommate and I drove around until One O’clock AM looking for the Justin Bieber CD. We tried Blockbuster, Wal-Mart (not a super center), Barnes and Nobel, Premier Video, and others. All of which were either closed or no longer selling CDs. I mean we did realize we could buy the CD on iTunes, but we wanted the actual album. We literally could not think of any stores that were selling what we were looking for. We then thought about other places we had purchased CDs in the past. Only one came to mind…

I’m not intentionally continuing the Net generation theme and how we’re technologically impacting the world, but seriously, what happened to CD Warehouse?

When I was little, my mother would take my brother and I to buy CDs at CD Warehouse and other stores that explicitly sold music. Nowadays, we just buy them on iTunes, purchase individual songs, illegally download them on the Internet, or burn copies of our friends CDs.

I know where I buy CDs isn’t really a “major issue” to blog about, but after reading these books on the Net generation, I’ve really come to notice how we’ve affected so many aspects of life. It’s kind of sad how much everything has changed. Obviously, as a Net gener myself, I’m a proponent fully engaging in Internet usage; but I still appreciate going out and actually buying products at stores. I like to think I’m not THAT lazy.

Another example is Blockbuster. So many locations are closing down because of the invention of Netflix and other online movie companies. We’re too spoiled that we can’t drive four miles to the nearest renting store, we have to buy them online.

Convenience is one thing, but pure laziness is sad. Why can’t we still appreciate and use what was created in the past while continuing to embrace the future and its resources?

I have nothing to talk about...

As I’m sitting here thinking about what to blog about, I’m realizing I have nothing to say. But, how is this even possible?

We have so much going on around us. Fairly often, I find myself with nothing to talk about. While my roommate is up to date on current issues and bringing them up for conversation, I’m not doing anything. I don’t watch the news, nor do I pay attention to what’s going on around me at all.

After reading parts of Don Tapscott’s book, Grown up Digital, I find the fact that I’m so uninformed seriously discouraging. I have so many resources available with 23934529458 ways to connect to the world, and I’m not taking advantage of them like I should be. I think it’s because most of us are so concerned about what’s going on with ourselves that we don’t pay attention to what’s happening to others. I should know so many things to post about, but I don’t. I think most college students can relate with spending so much time with school, extracurricular activities, sports, partying, etc. that we forget to stay involved.

Can you relate? What can we do to stay in tune and why are some of us so disconnected?

“They’re dumber than we were at their age”

Summary:

Don Tapscott, a proponent of the net generation, gives an example of an opposing view in Grown Up Digital that suggests our generation is dumber than we should be at our age because of our use technology. Psychiatrists are concerned that our overuse of the Internet is causing us to be “a shallow, distracted generation…” (Tapscott 3). Technology and the Internet are adversely affecting our communication skills, ability to perform inside the classroom, reading, and focusing to get things done. We are hoping computers and the net generation will change the world, but in reality, it will bring us nothing.

Response:

The net has already and will continue to change the world. Our ability to research information online and learn faster than ever before has in no way hindered our intelligence. We have the ability to perform better academically because of technology. Yes, we are able to communicate over the Internet, but that does not mean we cannot effectively carry on a conversation with others. It is unfair to judge us just because we have the world at our fingertips. Times are changing, and with the advancement of technology, we are more informed, smarter, faster, and use resources that were not even accessible to past generations.

NEW NEW NEW

My last post focused on first semester and discussed my concerns and expectations for the spring semester. Were my friends and I going to end up in the same sorority? If not, will we still be friends? Now that it’s here, I don’t have to wonder anymore.

I was right.

All of my friends found their homes in different sororities. And so far, nothing has changed. I don’t think I want it to change, EVER.

The only change I’m welcoming is if it’s for the better. I love having an opportunity to make new friends, and I especially enjoy bonding with my new sisters. But, I want to continue sharing and growing up through my college experience with those that were a part of my first semester.

It’s a NEW semester in a NEW year with NEW friends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t KEEP THE OLD.

Has anything changed for you? I encourage maintaining those strong friendships that helped you in your transition to college, as well as embracing the new opportunities.

Wait, is it Winter break already?

Is it just me or did the semester fly by? It seems like just yesterday my family and I were moving me into my dorm. Don't get me wrong, I'm so ready to be done; but at the same time, it's kind of sad. My first semester of COLLEGE is over.

I wonder, is this how every semester will be all throughout college? This is a scary thought.

Looking back, I'm so happy with the friends I've made. I could not have asked for a better start. But, will I keep these friends? When we come back from Winter break, it's time to rush. I mean let’s be real, the chances of all of us getting into the same sorority are slim to none. I am definitely ready, but am sad that this could be the end to some of the best friendships. Hopefully, I've impacted my new friends’ lives, just as they have mine. If this is true, I will be happy knowing the most important friendships have lasted.

Have you thought about what will happen as we go through yet another transition? I'm so anxious to see!

Pony Up!

Some freshmen are having difficulty adjusting to college life. It's hard settling into a new “home”, especially if you're from another state. What I've found eases the transition is loving your college. I think the spirit of SMU is responsible for welcoming the new student body. The student body's spirit is what makes the university shine. Even though I’ve only been here a couple months, I've still noticed a difference in the school spirit this year and how its impacting student’s attitudes. Now that SMU has a winning football team, students are showing up and actually staying for the majority of the game. Basketball season is starting, and I think student’s support and participation at the games will not only help the players, but bring unity between students as well. I’m not just addressing students though, faculty and alumni too. Because school spirit and athletic success are new to SMU, it will be interesting to see what will happen just a couple of years from now.

Please get involved, and help SMU reach its new potential.

Persuasive Essay

I've changed my topic to focus on the decision to home school.

I think home schooling is an interesting topic for a persuasive argument. Education is one of the most important aspects of child development. So, deciding whether or not to home school can be a very controversial subject. I want to persuade parents not to home school their children because of the negative effects in the long run, especially if the only reason is to protect them from the real world. Parents and children who are making this decision will be my intended audience. There are various reasons why parents choose to home school their children, so I plan to touch on several and provide alternative solutions. Home schooling presents issues with social development, controlled interaction with the real world, religion, time and money, and accelerated learning styles. These issues can have tremendous effects on your children. Because I was home schooled until tenth grade, I can provide a realistic point of view for a plausible argument against home schooling.