Author Archives: emira

Homework #4, Zines

A self published zine is an inventive and time passing hobby that promotes creativity and, keeps one in tune with endless topics of interest. The word “zine” derives from the word “magazine” and as we understand today, magazines contain media information that are owned by large corporation companies. Many of the topics discussed in magazines contain subjects in favor of middle to, upper class people such as celebrities or politicians. It has limited world news and consumed of trivial events that take up space for other potentially important texts that could benefit society. As discussed by Thomas Elanal, “News can be told from a neutral objective perspective.” Zine’s give us the opportunity to talk about things that many well known magazines typically will not  discuss. It encourages one to be creative and has no rules or limitations to what it can or cannot be composed of. It is simply invented for the people who have the will and the passion in creating them. Zines have become a popular phenomenon to “aficionados” and, it has raised interest and curiosity on my behalf. They are not popular because not to many people know about them or what approach to have toward them. However, it does seem like a time passing hobby that can be fun and informative for both the author/publisher and reader.

this is a youtube video that I have come across on “zines” and how it differentiates from blogging.

Homework #3

Digital media on the web, is a useful source to stay connected with events that take place around the world daily. The web has converted itself to a place where one can expose their creativity, share thoughts, talents and, the opportunity to upload historical events such as the “london subway bombing”. Many argue that digital media on YouTube  provide low quality content however, it carries a variety of videos regarding many subjects that can be useful when searching the web to view events or news. Some events that have been captured have reached the web sooner than any other source for digital media information. Saddam Hussein’s imprisonment and murder was broadcasted throughout YouTube. A video such as that can raise questions regarding ones privacy or, on another perspective, credited as an excellent resource when providing accurate information that can be viewable. Political candidates turn to the web to give speeches because it is a place where they can discuss information directly without the review and edit of gatekeepers. Therefore, digital media has many advantages because it gives raw information and has many times been the first source to receive worldly events.

Homework #2

Based on the readings, I can conclude that technology does play an important role in book publishing. Today, many argue that technology is changing the quality of how we use published books for information and, how the value of books can rise due to its possible scarcity. However, advances in technologies has given worldwide aspiring journalist, authors and writers of many forms, an opportunity to expose themselves. It is considered efficient and is much easier to keep followers updated. Pavlik however, mentions that “…technologies have raised serious ethical concerns.” This is true to some extent because technology is so advanced that people can now write/edit and publish their own books. Because of this we can gather that real hardworking journalists or writers will eventually not recieve the credit they deserve because anyone can write and publish their thoughts. It seems that Online book publishing or access to books through technology, can be an advantage to both the author and reader. It is an advantage to the author because it helps their work maintain organization and is a great form of publicity, especially through blogs. On the other end it is an advatage to the reader, because it makes it easier to recieve access to information.

Homework 1 Emira Marra

After reading chapters one and eight of William Badkes book, research strategies: Finding your way through the information fog, I began to wonder, how efficient is the information that we can easily reach nowadays? is it usable and can it be counted as accurate information. From reading the chapters it seems that it is necissary to investigate information and make sure it is comming from a viable source before we can use it as evidence to our questions or thesis. Badke explores the different ways of understanding if information is precise. In order to use information it must be relevant and reliable. In chapter 8, Badke demonstates key steps in taking a multitude of information and constructing it into smaller, useful portions such as PDF files and so on. I found this part of the text to be useful and interesting because it helps you organize your thoughts so they dont become scattered.