BlOGGING:
to blog or not to blog - that is the question.


fota bear

The first blog I would like to comment on is one that belongs to a dear friend of mine. My friend Fota is a childhood friend that I enjoy staying in contact with even when there is much distance between us. I love following her blog and being able to keep up with her life. The particular post I would like to focus on is one she used to post her New Year’s Resolutions. I think blogs have many greatest purposes.  The way we use our blogs can vary greatly. They can be used for business in a very formal setting or the opposite side of spectrum, a place to journal and post our personal thoughts, ideas and experiences.

I love that my friend uses it as a place to record her personal goals. Goals are more likely to be achieved when recorded and even better for others to see so you can have other’s support. I love that she also uses it to keep track of where she is at in regards to her goals. Blogs can be a place to record and to remember important things – now we don’t have to rely on sticky notes that are easily lost. I love the way that blogging is used differently for so many individuals. This friend in particular uses it on a very personal basis, using it to post happenings in her life for her friends and family to see.

 Kristine or Polly

A couple of years ago I used to be very into blogging. I mainly followed a lot of fashion and make-up blogs. “Kristine or Polly” was one of my favorite ones to follow. She posted very often her outfits of the day and would discuss where she got it, why she would wear certain patterns together, and how modesty was the most important thing to her when it came to shopping and putting together. I loved how she used her blog to talk about something she loved but to also to share her standards in a non-threatening way. As I got back on my blog for this class I got reacquainted with her and her posts and I was sad to read her most recent post announcing that she will not be blogging anymore. It seemed due to her busy schedule and a drastic decrease in blog views, she feels like her time could be better spent elsewhere. I found that very interesting that we do something, something that I assume is for something fun and then after a while it is not considered worth it because others aren’t interested in what we are doing. Do we post things because we love them and they make us happy or do we post so others can see and approve? This was an interesting thing for me to think about in regards to why I post the things I do. Is it for me or is it for other eyes to see?  I also had a thought and wondering if blogs in general on the decrease? Are they becoming less popular because there are so many other Social Media sites to post on now that people do not need a blog format to do so?

Social Media Change Assignment Description

I think Social Medias has greatly changed the way that our society as a whole communicates. As technology has advanced, our society’s use of Social Media has increased as well. Where we used to write letters or make phone calls, now we can instant message, tweet, and snapchat someone to get a hold of them. For this assignment I would like to look at both sides of the argument, because while I believe Social Media can enhance our ability to communicate, I also believe that if used incorrectly can be detrimental to our relationships.

In many ways, Social Media has broadened our ability to communicate with those far away from us, to make friends and to build relationships. I personally appreciate that I can stay in contact with individuals from states or even countries away. By simply clicking of a mouse I can catch up on the last couple months of their life. Very quickly we can get to know individuals through social medias and build connections on similar interests. We are able to express encouragement to mere acquaintances by a simple click of a blue thumbs up button. I can think of several instances in my life where a friendship first started with a friend request. We are able to “add” complete strangers and get to know them and build our social circle. While I personally do not think that is the smartest or safest thing to do, it is done quite often in our society. There are many pro’s to Social Media when it is used positively it can be a great asset to the way we connect with others. We can build ourselves up and build up others if we choose to communicate positively on Social Medias.

Unfortunately, along with the increase of Social Media, there has been less face-to-face interaction. Studies show that this is resulting in less social skills, interpersonal communication and meaningful relationships. It is evident in today’s society the increase use of Social Media’s to communicate is leading to drastic changes in the way we communicate. As we look around us, in class, at the mall, walking down the street and even during church services, phones are out. People are always plugged in to their phones and plugged out of the surroundings. I am not an exception, I recently went a year and a half without any Social Media use, and when I started back up again I literally felt sucked into it. Social Media use can be addicting if not monitored properly.

New relationships are built on those first initial interactions and conversations. With the increase of social medias, now we can look at someone’s Facebook page and find out every essential piece of information that we need to know about some one within minutes. At times severe use of Social Medias can be detrimental to relationships. And have negative affects on friendships and even family relations as personal things are taken to the public eye for all to see.

It is our own personal responsibility to be accountable for the way we communicate via Social Media. It is our own personal decisions if we shall use it for good or use it to be detrimental. As we strive to let our interactions on these sites be encouraging and uplifting it can be used for good. 

Sources:
 http://socialnetworking.procon.org/

http://millennialceo.com/social-media/social-media-changed-communicate/

http://mashable.com/2015/03/28/internet-communication-brandspeak/

Social Media Case Reflection 1

There is the commonly used phrase, “be careful what you read on the Internet” – but I feel more importantly we must always ‘be careful what we say on the Internet.’ We develop this incorrect mindset that we can say whatever we want behind our computer screens without the negative repercussions of what those comments may bring. The event that took place at Kilroy’s is an example of improper use of Social Media and the ripple effect that it causes. What we put on the Internet can spread and it can spread fast. 15-10 years ago, information was spread differently. Phone calls, letters, etc were the main use of contacting someone or getting information out. Now with a click of a mouse we can get our message out to more eyes than we can imagine.

Things said on the Internet can spread faster and to a wider audience than we could ever imagine. In this particular situation where Holly Jones made this comment to the Kilroy’s Bar and Grill, the negative consequences are probably more than this hairstylist could have ever imagine would be the repercussions of her upset remarks about the customer service she received on New Years Eve. Holly Jones’ negative comments have created a viral explosion of opinions and comments. On one report it said that it has reached across the states and even into different countries.

            As I read through Holly Jones’ comment, I was astonished by her rudeness and lack of tact. I think she was very out of line. On her behalf, I can say she probably was not in the right state of mind, considering this took place at a bar and her party’s tab was over $700 dollars. Alcohol and instant Internet posts are a catastrophe waiting to happen. It is obvious in her attack and in our society that we feel like we can say whatever we want when it is behind a computer screen. There is a sense of protection and a feeling of anonymity in posting our feelings online. We foolishly believe we can put it out there, avoiding the fact that it is for all eyes to see. When on the contrary, more people can see, more people can reply and even spread your post for others to see.

The manager responded boldly and unapologetically. On many websites he received praise for his response. As I read the bar manager’s reply, I also was happy he took the opportunity to take a stand and stay firm with what he believes. I am on his side; clearly Holly Jones’ was in the wrong. I was curious if there were any articles that were positive on Holly Jones’ behalf, but I could not find any.

One thing I did think was unnecessary was how much hate was produced from the public towards Holly Jones’. So much hatred, cruel comments and I read even “death threats” were directed to her after this event. I think that is one very negative result of Social Medias is how it involves so many people that are truly not involved. People get so involved in issues that do not pertain to them and what is silly to me is how absolutely mad they get. Social Media has a way of making something that is not your business – your business, which inevitably creates high tensions, hurt feelings and unnecessary drama.

            I found it very interesting and pertinent to Public Relations how much this event affected both the bar and the salon that the women worked out. Things we post on social media’s affect more than just our simple social circle; it can affect our careers and our futures. The salon that Holly Jones' worked at had to publicly make a facebook post apologizing for her actions and separating the business from any negative comments she made. Actions had to be taken by both groups to save face and the reputations of both businesses.

            All in all, I found this story to very eye opening to how Social Media can truly spread a message to such large audience. When we let our emotion and anger get the best of us as Holly Jones’ did and we turn to the Internet as a source to get our frustrations out; there is going to be very negative repercussions. We must always be aware of the fact that what we post on the internet is and will always be able to be viewed by more than those we intended to.

Sources used:

http://coed.com/2016/01/04/holly-jones-indianapolis-nye-facebook-rant-kilroys-bar-n-grill-customer-heart-attack-details/

 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kilroys-heart-attack-response_us_568b1b42e4b014efe0db7953

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3383021/The-manager-told-dying-important-Cold-hearted-bar-customer-goes-rant-saying-New-Year-s-Eve-ruined-woman-having-HEART-ATTACK.html

Robinson, W., & Graham, R. (2016, January 3). The hairdresser who posted a rant about a diner ruining her New Year's Eve meal by having a HEART ATTACK. Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3383021/The-manager-told-dying-important-Cold-hearted-bar-customer-goes-rant-saying-New-Year-s-Eve-ruined-woman-having-HEART-ATTACK.html

Mazza, E. (2016, January 4). Heart Attack Response. Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kilroys-heart-attack-response_us_568b1b42e4b014efe0db7953

Woman Blasts Resturant on Facebook After Staff Cared for Heart Attack Victim Instead of Her. (2016, January 4). Retrieved from http://coed.com/2016/01/04/holly-jones-indianapolis-nye-facebook-rant-kilroys-bar-n-grill-customer-heart-attack-deta