Mauricio Garcia's Journal 4

I really enjoy Mauricio Garcia's presentation on the American Dream. I think he did a very well job in pointing out the complex decisions he was forced to make. In addition, his parents were forced to make as well. I was thankful that all of them finally moved to the United States. I liked when he spoke about having a mentor in life. I love the story about "Milky Way" at the store! Mo made me realize there is not just one career for me. I am going to pursue all things that I enjoy doing. Who said there was a limit to achievements? I think the most important part of his message was having a mentor. There are not enough hours in our life to make mistakes and to be successful at the same time. If you look at any successful person today, they will tell you that they did not become successful on their own. They had somebody, they had someone who showed them, who guided them, they had someone positive and influential, and they had a mentor. A mentor will let you know their own mistakes and will be sure you do not make the same mistakes in life. Another thing Mo made interesting was trust. He had to trust is himself, others, and his place of employment. He had to change a lot in his life in order to be successful. If you want to go far in life then I think it’s all about having trust.  

Social Media

Effects of Social Media

Focus on how to be social, not on how to do social. Jay Baer. What is social media doing to our brain? Some experts believe that social media makes us smarter, while others may not agree. I think social media is not making us smarter, but it is however causing complex controversies. I believe that we as a society have become more reliant on social media to do the thinking for us instead of us taking the time to gain the knowledge and the willingness to maintain and manage thinking for ourselves. Social media is affecting the way we think, learn, and most importantly, the way we live our lives.

We have become so busy multi-tasking and making the internet the source of our information that our brain does not have the attention span that it takes to retain needed valuable information. Studies indicate that more than half of television viewers are multitasking: 61% are using the internet while they are "watching" television.  If you constantly do something over and over again of course your brain builds a live wire and it begins to make that redundant process into a habit. However, when you are constantly checking emails, sending texts, and watching videos, your brain does not have the ability to take it all in and memorize it.  Studies show that when you switch from one task to the next, there is a performance drop and you lose time, because your brain is trying to figure out where to stop and begin again. Being a human being, we are born with individual brain cell connections, and if we are constantly not focusing on that one thing, then are brains cells will not function as needed to store and memorize information.

            I believe we are hurting our future generations by introducing computers and iPads into our schools.  We are making it way too easy and convenient for these generations to rely on social media.  It seems as though these students that are allowed to use these types of technology as resources are not getting the necessary information they need to know. When it is time to learn something new without the internet or computer, our brain becomes bored and some begin to think to themselves “I do not have time for this.” Therefore, by depending on the internet, students are not able to pass tests that are required to proceed to the next level or grade. Studies show that “Students who used social networking sites while studying scored 20% lower on tests and students who used social media had an average GPA of 3.06 versus non-users who had an average GPA of 3.82.” (ProCon.org. “Are social networking sites good for our society?" 12 Dec. 2012.)

 In addition, relying on these types of technologies, I think it interferes in all sorts of situations, from school to social interaction.  Some people will not or do not need to leave their home because social media has made certain things so convenient. Furthermore, to retain information from friends or family, all they have to do is send an email or a text message to get what it is that they need.  This has caused people to lose the ability to be social and to be able to function in real society.   These introverted individuals are what we need to try to keep our future selves from becoming. Not to mention, children that are growing up in this generation have been spoiled and frankly lazy with gaming devices, televisions, and cell phones. Equally, social networking sites disable employee’s performance and productivity and they can harm their job stability.

In contrast, number of people depending on technology is rising. For example, people are purchasing more cell phones, computers, and televisions than ever before. Social networking sites spread information faster than writing a letter, then placing into the mailbox and law enforcement officials use social networking sites to catch and prosecute criminals. Likewise, social media sites assist people to find jobs and employers to find employees.  Comparatively, social media entertains us. Eighty-six percent of U.S. mobile internet users watch TV with their mobile devices, according to a January Nielsen and Yahoo study. Forty percent of that set uses those devices for social networking.

In conclusion, I think we should limit ourselves to all social media and begin reading more books, and taking the opportunity to slow down to allow our brain to take in and retain information that is useful. If we allow things to continue the way they are going, we as a society will lose ourselves as individuals and we will all soon be just a search away. We need to revert back to the way we used to learn and utilize information and not allow social media to take over. I strongly agree that if we limit ourselves, then we will all become smarter individuals and have a healthier brain.

DIGITAL NATION

I liked the film Digital Nation. It is so true about the complex world we live in today and how we navigate through it. Technology will continue to grow and as humans we must grow with it. The fact of us multi-tasking with text messaging, checking emails, and surfing the web has done a lot of impact on our brain. They say when you constantly switch from one thing to the next, that you lose time, and you are less productive. I think that this statement stands true because I feel dumber now then I did 10 years ago. I used to be able to study index cards and memorize definitions, now it seems it is taking longer to memorize things. I think this is because my conscious tells me "you do not have time for this" so my brain starts to wonder around. I think that I would be more involved and focused if I was not worried about checking my e-mail or to see if my friend text me back. I also would not be concentrating on what's going happening on Facebook. So yes, I do believe that social media has had an impact on my concentration and also my thinking skills. After writing this, I feel the need to close every window on my computer screen, and delete my Facebook page, because I am unable to hardwire a train of thought into my brain without constantly being distracted. If it is this bad now, I can not imagine how worse it will get as technology is slowly taking over my world.

REALITY TV

There are several realities television shows broadcasting in this generation. Some are ok to watch and others are ridiculous.   When and if I watch reality shows on television they will only come from the networks of HGTV, A& E, and/or the DIY Network.  I am however, addicted to watching the HGTV channel. I like doing projects and coming up with creative ideas. Every weekend, I am glued to watching these shows.  Most of the shows are do it yourself projects which makes me want to be productive and challenge myself. I learn a lot from these shows and I enjoy that. In addition, I like watching The Biggest Loser. The contestants really go through all kinds of personal struggles, but they look and feel so much better when they shed the majority of their weight.  I have always had a positive outlook on many things and it makes me happy when others are happy. 

I do not enjoy the ridiculous shows like, Jersey Shore, Buck Wild, or Snooki & Jwoww. The stuff they do is just non-sense to me and it has no meaning. I know there are others that disagree but I am just not that person that enjoys watching people waste their time.  All that matters to them is sex, partying, and living wild. There are too many repercussions for living a life like that, but the TV networks do not focus on the life long struggles of health and emotional problems that will occur if the cast of these shows continue with this type of life style.