“What Role Will America Play in A Globalized World?”
Garrett Graff asks.
The answer: She’ll probably do what she usually does- try to reign over it. (Maybe not Malcolm X style, but you catch my drift?) *Note: I’m not unpatriotic. I love my country ’tis of thee. It’s a sweet land of liberty.
Seriously though, I can’t imagine America not being the most popular girl in school…on the web…in the world. Oh, let me stop. I’m biased!
This question is crucial, however. Let’s think in terms of technology. It’s hard to determine if America does indeed “lead the pack” in the global web conversation because how does one determine the metrics for success in this digital world. Sure, Americans occupy the blogospher in the millions, but I’m pretty sure this has a lot to do with readily available internet access and our right to free speech (and the “instant celebrity” phenomenon). Yet, because I’m American, I might be missing something here. Maybe, America is NOT as ahead in the global web conversation as we/I think. ((sighing and pondering))
The First Campaign, by my awesome professor Garrett Graff has my head buzzing with information right now. Are the 2008 presidential candidates really talking about this issue? Can they even talk candidly about this issue when we really don’t know what the global future holds for our dear friend America? I mean, one can get so obsessed with keeping up with technology that we lose sight of where we are on the global totem pole. Graff quotes, “Ready or not, technology is here.” Not to mention, it’s moving fast as hell. How does America keep up to the pace? The 2008 democratic presidents did a pretty good of keeping up to the technological pace, at least I think they did.
Excerpt from The First Campaign:
“Year by year, presidential politics becomes more packaged, easier to understand, parceled into digestible bites of data that are prescreened, tested, and handed to us, the voters, with sexy graphics and bold face text.” – Karabell
Hm. I like sexy. Sexy wins. Doh! Brainwashed.
America and her leaders are just going to have to let this globalization thing play out on its own, unfortunately. I mean, if she’s not paying enough attention, China is. But like technology, America will change – and get the friggin hint. I mean, who do YOU want picking up the phone at all hours of the night? Who cares, as long as they can answer the tough questions on globalization and let the other leaders of the world know what’s up, as well!
My old friends: “Hil” and “O”
Let’s save TV space and keep politics online. They’re more fun that way.
I used to feel out-of-touch with politics, especially with presidential campaigns. Yet, this 2008 presidential campaign is different. I know what you are thinking, “It’s because there’s a black man and a woman running for president, duh.” No, boo boo, its because Obama and Hillary are my good friends. I mean, you would support your friends if they were running for office, wouldn’t you?
Obama, Hillary, and I have been friends since last year. We were introduced by some of my buddies on Facebook. I mean in college years, that’s a lifetime! They tell me all about the things they are doing, and frankly it’s getting a little overwhelming. I mean, don’t you hate it when you have those two friends who are at odds with each other. Going to movies with them sucks! Any way, Obama called a few nights ago. As usual, he did all the talking – but, I was listening and my family was really excited to hear from him. I love this digital world thing because Obama, Hillary, and I can really stay connected via the web. Did I mention that I was a donor? I know my friends are not using me, even with my donor status, but Hil and O, you can write on a sista’s facebook wall every now and then, I mean damn! I still love you, though, especially because you encourage me to stay involved in my community and you ALWAYS know where the polling places are.
I know my friends are going to be really busy once they win office, nevertheless I know they’ll keep in touch. They’re digital.
A Soldier’s IN YOUR FACE B#@*! Moment
Note: I do not condone violence of any sort.
I loved OdetoBernays’ story about the soldier and the complaining women. It is a prime example of how we don’t always appreciate what we have – cliché, but so true. That woman sat there complaining about her weight. The nerve. I often wonder why people (i.e. women) talk about weight publicly, anyway. And, did you notice? Skinny women will talk about how they need to lose weight in front of their thick or fat friends. Kick ‘em when they’re down why don’t you. The nerve. Don’t trust skinny cooks and people should be careful of what they say in public – cliché, but so true. I mean hell, what are the chances of us sitting next to a soldier who just got back from Iraq? You catch my drift, however.
Human beings can be a strange species. 
.
Okay, but even stranger than this one.
That lady was probably thinking “Hell, I should join the military. At least I’ll lose wieght!” But in any case, here you go soldier. You can use this coupon any time you want.
Twitter is my friend- my special invisible friend that sits on my shoulder.
People may not like Twitter, but there IS a point to it.
There is also a nerdy component.
There is a psychological dysfunction component.
There is a boredom component.
Global voices show that it has a survival component, as well.
Then, there is the nerdy component.
There is a boredom component, too.
Oh, and there is a pointless component.
Which do you best associate with? Don’t be ashamed. Pick one.
Let me help. No. Matter-of-fact. Follow my tweets. You have to sign up first. Did you do it? Don’t you want to know what I’m doing? It’s reeeally interesting. Twitter is a cool. It’s even cool saying it. Try it. Go ahead. Twitter. Tweet. LOL. LOL again. LOL. I’m a bit kwazy.
Hey, are you not convinced that Twitter is cool? No one will ever ask you what you are doing, where you’re going, or what you did this weekend ever again. Let’s think about this. Don’t you hate when people incessantly ask you what you are thinking or what you’re up to? It’s annoying as crap, sometimes. With Twitter, one can eliminate such nonsense. Oh, and it’s available on Facebook, too. Did you check my Facebook status? What did it say?
VaGal123 wants you to see her Twitter status.
Predators love social networks.
I agree with Our Common Ground that social media can be dangerous for children, especially in regards to social networking websites. Luckily, there are some for kids. But, as for the more popular ones, child predators are salivating at the very existence of these public profiles. These youngsters are posing in pictures with pouty lips and exposed bodies. And, who can blame them? Young starlets and hunks glamorize it. It’s that sense of celebrity. Our shitty society. It’s a damn shame. We’ve got babies on the WORLD wide web on the computer screens of sick-o’s. Where are the parents? Don’t worry, some of them are too worried about keeping their own profiles up-to-par rather than paying attention to their kids. And who really pays attention to their kids these days? Kids, schmidz. That’s what the T.V.’s are for. Duh!
Stop right now. Breeze through some Facebook and Myspace profiles.
You see. Everyone wants to be America’s Top Model, and with social networking sites you can have a taste of instant semi- micro- celebrity. Even if you’re underage.
You wanna be on Top?! Na na na na na. Na na na na. ß insert theme music here.
Are you over 18? Has a 13 year-old ever tried to “friend” you on Myspace.com? Has a high schooler on Facebook.com sent you note that read: Nice pic. Did you not shudder a bit? Well, if you didn’t you should be member of the S.i.c Fux group, and you definitely need to seek help immediately. Hell, see if there are some Meetups in your area on this subject. Please do not hesitate. Get Help. Act now!
If you haven’t seen To Catch a Predator. You just might not get it.
