Keyword: Community

Community is one of the greatest phenomena that has developed with humanity. It allows people to connect with each other and to create a mutual environments, shared feelings, and unified goals and structure. It allows people to unify and feel wanted within the community. These are all good things.

There is a total of nine definitions on Dictionary.com!

1.	a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

2.	a locality inhabited by such a group.

3.	a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually prec. by the): the business community; the community of scholars.

4.	a group of associated nations sharing common interests or a common heritage: the community of Western Europe.

5.	Ecclesiastical. a group of men or women leading a common life according to a rule.

6.	Ecology. an assemblage of interacting populations occupying a given area.

7.	joint possession, enjoyment, liability, etc.: community of property.

8.	similar character; agreement; identity: community of interests.

9.	the community, the public; society: the needs of the community.

Yikes!

Well, the community that interests me the most isn't really defined, at least in detail, above. It's a new type of community, and it's one that has seemed out of mass communications: it's the internet community. Whether its their own particular humor, style, or fads, the community of the internet is massive and growing. And it's incredibly diverse, and interesting!

There is a community on the internet for any type of interest, any type of group. If you like cooking, there's hundreds of communities for that. If you love watching Firefly, there's dozens of communities for that. If you attended a community college in rural West Virginia, guess what? There may be a few online communities for that.

But, is there a community for people who cannot help but express their undying love of chewing ice? Well, there's a community for that, too.

Thanks to the World Wide Web, you can literally find a community for any type of activity, interest, hobby, music, movie, book, area, restaurant, brand of toothpaste... it doesn't matter! These new communities are always looking for new members, and it's a great time to explore the web and find these interesting spots.

So... Thanks, Internet.

Signed,
People who love communities.

Matt Richards
COMM 203

Cyberpunks of Today

Cyberpunk, as a broad overview, is a sub-genre of science fiction that features dystopic worlds and high-end technology meshed together. Often, these stories have a deep political meaning to them, and often portray governments and corporations as being all-controlling, evil devices.

How does this relate to today's world, however? There is little dystopia, and today's technology doesn't seem far-fetched as it does in a cyberpunk's world. However, we've still developed a reliance on our technologies, from cellphones to Twitter to the entire Internet... we've become a society who clings to and develops technology faster than ever before.

Cyberpunks, in a modern context, are an underground movement that challenge the way things are run. They use the vast information and the freedom of speech on the internet to spread their ideas and philosophies, quickly spreading beyond the land. They form into small, active communities from around the globe, sharing their ideas and stories of the culture, exploring this great freedom through the Internet.

The antithesis of cyberpunks is pop culture. Essentially, anything that is mainstream, or popular, is against the very thing that cyberpunks stand for. They go their own way, public opinion has no effect on their tastes or desires.

The belief of cyberpunks is that reality and the Internet will slowly mesh and become one. This may seem like a distant and far-off fantasy... or is it? Today's world is quickly become more and more reliant on the use of technology and the Internet, and more and more we cannot live without the luxuries that it gives us. Whether we're aware of it or not, technology is taking over our lives, and the cyberpunks are aware of this than most others.

Whether technology and the connected mindset of the Internet are a threat or not is yet to be known, however more people greet this generation of technology with an open arms. Who could really live without their Facebook, cellphone, and favorite YouTube videos?

Favorite Genre Film: District 9

District 9 really blew my mind. It brought this unique perspective, great visual effects, and overall was a fantastic film. I am a huge fan of this movie. It's my favorite film so far of 2009, and one of the best science fiction films of all time.

While I could write a short blog about how this movie blew my mind, I'll do you one better. I wrote an entire movie review! So do yourself a favor, and check out this film! But also... check out my review of District 9!

Image from District 9 are copyright by their respective owners.

Matt Richards
COMM 403

Favorite Genre: Science Fiction

My favorite genre is science fiction. This relates to film, TV, books, and generally any sort of story. Science Fiction goes somewhat hand in hand with fantasy, as many science fiction films use some "magical" or "fantasy" elements, such as Star Wars.


I have a lot of great sci fi films that I love. From "The Matrix" to "Blade Runner" to "District 9" to "Star Wars" to "Star Trek". One of my favorite things is that science fiction really push the limit in terms of visual effects. The Fountain is a great example of this cinematic flair, as seen in the trailer. Even smaller, independent films use the science fiction setting, such as Moon (watch the trailer).

TV has seen a great science fiction series that has just came to an end. I of course speak of Battlestar Galactica. From great, epic battles to interesting, deep characters and a complex, philosophical plot. They're able to use a lot of metaphor, a lot of signification, and a lot of deep ideas. TV has seen a lot of long lasting sci fi series, from Stargate to Star Trek, grace it's presence for a long time.


My favorite television series, however, remains to be Firefly, a short-lived adventure that contained huge potential. With rowdy characters and a unique style, it offered up something really fun. Sadly, like many adventurous series on Fox, it was canceled before it's time. However, the movie spin-off, Serenity, was a huge hit, despite not making enough sales for a second movie.

My favorite Science Fiction book is "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. The book has space ships, inter-galactic warfare, and a warring species that the call the "bugs." It has complex political, social, and psychological elements. It shows how people can use games for good and evil, and the extent that people go to survive. The hero is a child, but his struggles feel very relevant and it's a great piece of literature. Some even call it one of the "great modern reads".

From the visual flare to the unique plots to the epic space battle scenes, I love some good science fiction.

Images from District 9 and Serenity, copyright is held by their respective owners.

Matt Richards
COMM 403

Intelligent Thinking

Often people seek to become intelligent. What few fail to recognize is that intelligence is, in fact, a curse. Intelligence brings hurt, pain, and sadness. Intelligence is a curse upon mankind's very existence.

Or is it? Intelligence can make you a happier, more fulfilled person. You can seek out the very mysteries that plague mankind's existence, and maybe even solve these problems. You take life by the horns and you make your own way. An intelligent person fears the unsolvable, and solves the solvable. But an intelligent man or woman embraces problem solving.

But how is a person intelligent? Is there one universal indicator that makes a person smart or less-than-smart? For many years, we've relied on the traditional IQ test. However, as we've gained more insight to the human mind, we've uncovered that there are many different meters to gauge someone's intelligence. And there are many different ways that makes a person intelligent; and their IQ score has very to little relevance in today's world.

Let's look into Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences. It gauges that multitude of ways you can learn, and just how you prefer to learn. It establishes the categories of which a person can learn and gain intelligence, and it also scores you based on your answers from this test (self-scoring xls file, you need MS Excel).

Here are my findings:

• Linguistic: 30
• Logical-Mathematical: 33
• Musical: 25
• Bodily-Kinesthetic: 25
• Spatial-Visual: 29
• Interpersonal: 29
• Intrapersonal: 34

As you can see, my intelligence lies mostly with Intrapersonal techniques. This means I'm acutely aware of my feelings and have a strong sense of self. Tie this in with a strong Logical-Mathematical intelligence, means I'm a very deep and logical thinker who sorts things out on my own.

All in all, no one person can be judged by a specific set of qualifications. If Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences tells us anything, it's that we need to be open to the fact that everyone is intelligent in their own way. And they learn in their own ways, too. And everyone needs to be aware of this, before they go labeling anyone as "smart" or "dumb."

Matt Richards
COMM 203

The New "Geek" Look

There's a new type of a geek in town. He's the successful businessman, he was the geek in highschool (and partially still is), and now he's the new generation of casual, internet-savvy males who are just making it out of college. And their casual clothing style is really coming forth and becoming more mainstream.

Everyone dresses casually, but the new generation of businessmen is bringing it to a whole different level. Take, for example, Kevin Rose, the co-founder of Digg.com, Revision3, Pownce, and many other Web 2.0 start-ups (pictured left). In his typical attire, there are many signifiers: a loose fitting pair of jeans, a baggy hoodie, and casual, urban sneakers. Nothing about his appearance represents his estimated net worth of $60,000,000 by BusinessWeek.

Kevin is not only worth an incredible about of money, but he keeps good company. This picture, seen with Bill Gates, shows Kevin wearing similar attire: a loose, button-up t-shirt, his every-day looking jeans, and his shaggy, bedhead look. He is indeed taking the "business casual" level of apparel to a whole new level.

It's not that Kevin does not have nicer clothing. Seen here, he is wearing both a pleasant suit on top of a nice button up shirt. But unbuttoned top, the crooked angle of the collar, and the unbuttoned all are signifiers of his casual business attire. He's relaxed posture and unkempt hair also give him a more friendly, casual appearance, over a business and professional look.

There is other icons of this generation of internet-savvy culture. For example, one of Kevin's co-workers, Alex Albrecht, wears his clothing in a similar way.

Alex has a wild, untamed hairstyle to go along with his light button-shirt shirt. Again, there's the unbuttoned top, and the undershirt is clearly visible and contrasts. And even though this clothing (and the beer!) signify that they are not at a business meeting, but are relaxing casually, this is actually at a conference! Clearly, this new world of young professionals is turning the traditional aspects of business attire up on its head.

Another key element of the internet-savvy geek generation is the glasses! Alex's thick, bold glasses are a key signifier for this "new geek" look.

This new fashion that is developing has a bold statement to it. It's saying it's less important about how you present yourself, but more important about what you've accomplished. Business is being done more and more over the internet, and there is a losing important in wearing a suit and tie, even in business situations you'll see these new web entrepreneurs wearing casual clothing.

There is a downside that it may make you seem less professional, and more like a typical "college student slacker." After all, appearance is important in making an impression. However, the statement that this style makes is that it's less about what other people think, and more about wearing clothing you're comfortable in. After all, it's your ideas, experience, and accomplishments that count.

Keep an eye out for this new generation of young, web professionals with the following signifiers:

• They tend to like hoodies, though even those are generally kept out of business meetings
• If they are wearing a business jacket, look for it to be completely unbuttoned with a stylish button-up underneath
• Whenever they wear a button-up shirt, look for the top button or two to be unbuttoned. They'll have a undershirt underneath, usually a contrasting color.
• Loose fitting pants are a must! Jeans are by far the most common, but keep an eye out for cargo or khaki pants as well. Shorts are less common.
• A wild hairstyle! Crazier, gelled hair is a possibility, but the most common is longer, shaggy, and somewhat messy "bedhead".
• Distinct glasses, generally with a think rim, a defining color, and usually a squared feeling.

The following photo shows Rachel Maddow (MSNBC) with Alex Albrecht and Kevin Rose.

All three of them are wearing the same fashion attire, and they're clearly in a professional setting (a television set). This style of presenting yourself is slowly becoming more accepted, and less looked down upon for its lack of traditional "professionalism"!