#just some of you... please increase your media literacy
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horse-girl-anthy · 4 months ago
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hello! wanted to say that despite your hesitation, your ‘ramble’ post was really refreshing and echoed some aspects of fandom discourse that I’ve also seen w/in fandom circles.
I’m actually less familiar w/ RGU fandom than others, but since getting back into fandom generally during the pandemic, there does seem to be a trend of ppl oversimplifying character dynamics and intensely focusing which characters are the “victims” and which are the “villains.” it feels different from what I remember as a teen in fandom—and it really constrains fandom analysis & leads to same-y, boring character interpretations :// I hesitate to generalize but it does seem concerning that ppl are so focused around valorizing characters for being, as you say, “morally pure,” by whitewashing their actions instead of engaging w/ complicated characters as they are; it’s a rather immature view of responsibility & morality, you know? oh, and speaking of, I’d be curious if you’d be willing to share the essay you read around "vilification and heroization" as the lowest form of engagement with fiction. it sounds v interesting!
anyway, I’ve really enjoyed your analyses w/ RGU. and hey, it’s good to have multiple perspectives w/in fandom too :)
hey thanks for the ask! you've described the phenomenon well. I've been frustrated by it--clearly--but at the same time, I wonder if there's a point in fighting people over it. at the end of the day, fandom is about self-gratification. that self-gratification is often achieved through identifying with characters. on a more sophisticated level, some people turn fandom into a political battleground where they are gratified by having the most enlightened reading. I want to move past self-gratification, but sitting around complaining about how "no one else gets it" is just another form of it. which is part of why I think the solution lies in not engaging in fandom anymore.
I was talking to a friend of mine about these topics this week, and I was like, I've been obsessed with media since I was a child and studying media criticism since I was a teen. it's something I really enjoy, and "media literacy" is an important skill in a world so dominated by media. but I don't know if it's actually that important in terms of living. maybe I'll put it this way: I want to increase my ability to appreciate art so that I can get more out of it, but at the end of the day, "analysis" is a hobby. I want to do it because it's fun, not to try to gain any kind of superiority.
I will keep pursuing this interest of mine even when I'm done running this blog. not to sound too desperate, but I am dying to have interesting conversations about this stuff, it's my dream to build a community around it, so please feel free to reach out any time! I'll be self-indulgent and list a couple of the more interesting analysis sources I've found recently:
RedSails.Org is a Marxist site which seems to accumulate articles from around the internet. I was searching for critiques of Breaking Bad because it ate my brain alive back in 2017 and I'm still trying to articulate why. I found this article interesting, though kinda weird, and it's where I got the "vilification and heroization" thing from. that led me to read through their entire Art and Propaganda tag. I particularly liked this piece on Ender's Game and the one titled The Banality of Genius.
PsyArt is an academic journal which focuses on the intersection of psychology and art. I found it recently while researching Freud's views on mother/daughter relationships (specifically this article). I've been happily digging through their archives since and that's led me down several research rabbit holes.
anyway, I'll leave it there, but I am super happy to talk about this stuff any time. thank you for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to run my mouth some more.
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saintmeghanmarkle · 2 years ago
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Some sugars may have soured a little... by u/booksy200
Some sugars may have soured a little... Mods... please delete this post if not allowed... Sinners do not go there to bang on their posts... which are few and far between anyway.Spotify Bill may truly have broken the dam, but something happened before that.There's a fan site for Haz and Megraine that I believe we were told to not link to... Had no idea what site it was but one day googling their name on Reddit's main page I found a fan site about their Nutflux work.It only has 6k followers and very few interactions.Well anyways a couple months ago - This is a pinned post on the fan site:Directional shift.I have to admit that I have an uneasy relationship with social media. It can be a powerful tool for community, education, and catharsis. However, it can be a very negative, toxic, selfish, and anxious place in which to spend time.Many of us are here because we see the unfair treatment and outright hate Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have received as the result of walking away from a toxic institution and family structure. We will continue to be on that journey with them. **We will continue posts that support them, point out the double-standards in their treatment, and you should too.But it isn't satisfying enough to illustrate or comment on just this royal family (and their followers) as the villains. It has also been important to the sub that we explore other themes:racismsexism and misogynymedia literacy and manipulation, disinformationfeminismviolenceharmful family dynamics/family traumaanti-monarchy/anti-democracymental healthIf we solely focus on the Harry, Meghan, and the royal family antagonism, we miss opportunities to learn from one another in a way that promotes diversity, inclusion, empathy, understanding and activism. At the end of the day, Harry and Meghan are activists. How can we combat the negativity in real and sustainable ways? Outrage without action is to make oneself experience anxiety and trauma for little gain. How can we push ourselves to evolve?Harry and Meghan are not in opposition to the royal family, on the contrary, they have embraced parts of being royal, probably because it is linked to family. We don't agree with royalty, but Meghan has made it clear that they do not desire to live the events of the last five or so years over and over. If you get exhausted of the media cycle mistreating and villainizing them, imagine how they feel!Although we will continue posting about H&M, if you are reading thought-provoking materials, do not hesitate to post about those things too. Maybe something you have read online or in a class.On Bad Actors/Anti-fansI am very grateful to our intelligent moderators for trying to keep peace on this sub. We are a multi-cultural team who have taken time from our very busy lives because we believe in social justice and anti-bigotry.Unfortunately, we have had some bad actors who have increased activity in the recent weeks leading up to the coronation. They have now taken to rampant downvoting.Reddit is aware, but we would like to ask that you refrain from mentioning or alluding to them in your comments and posts. I would like to get away from being their diametric opposite, because we are [more] than just a shit-talking sub: we can have nuanced conversations, educate and inform; we are a different thing altogether.This sub was always meant to be a conduit through which we could explore issues that we care about, that Harry and Meghan care about.As far as the bad actors go, we can talk about anti-fandom in general, but no specific monikers or names please. Also, if you would like to help our sub combat negativity, please_________________In other words...they have more important things to talk about? post link: https://ift.tt/fYLXyxI author: booksy200 submitted: July 09, 2023 at 01:50PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit
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bethestaryouareradio · 5 months ago
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Giving Tuesday and Santa is Coming to Town
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
GIVING TUESDAY!
Today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of donating to inspire individuals and communities to use their power of radical generosity to build a world we all want to live in.
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity appreciates your donations to continue the important work we do to empower women, families, and youth through our numerous outreach programs of increasing literacy and providing positive media messages. In 2024, the Town of Moraga honored Be the Star You Are!® as the NonProfit of the Year! https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1804/Moragas-Business-and-Nonprofit-of-the-Year.html
Our youth volunteers have worked diligently to upload our commitment and values of excellence as we strive to encourage reading, leading, and succeeding. Listen to Teens sharing their experiences of volunteering with Be the Star You Are!® Join Sharanya, Keerthi, Saanvi, Julia, Ella, and Sean as they celebrate BTSYA as the winner of the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year! https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/149928/celebrating-be-the-star-you-are-winner-of-2024-nonprofit-of-th
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SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
The annual Santa Day at 5A will be held on Saturday, December 7th from 11-4 pm. In collaboration with 5 A Rent-a-Space, Be the Star You Are!® volunteers will welcome children and adults for a festive experience including writing letters to Santa, crafts, and snacks. Buy autographed books for holiday giving and take home free bags of potpourri and special swag provided by our sponsor, Mark Hoogs State Farm Insurance. The Showtime Photo Booth will provide the modern BTSYA logo photo wall for our event. Wear your holiday wardrobe and come to celebrate Noel with Be the Star You Are!® and 5 A Rent-A-Space. More info at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/2024-santa-day-at-5-a-on-december-7th
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SHARING
by Karen Kitchel
It’s that wonderful time of year when our thoughts turn to others. While giving presents can be fun, sharing our time may be the best gift of all for some folks.
A few of the lines from the poem “Sharing” by Maude Preston might speak to you.
“There isn’t much that I can do, but I can sit an hour with you, And sometimes share a sorrow, too – as on our way we go. There isn’t much that I can do, but I can share my hopes with you, And sometimes come and laugh with you – as on our way we go. There isn’t much that I can do, but I can share my life with you, And oftentimes a prayer with you – as on our way we go.”
Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, as a gift for every kindergarten student where she is a volunteer teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com .
Deck the halls, merry, merry, and jingle those bells. We appreciate you! 
Wishing you a blessed and festive season.
Happiest of holidays!
With gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
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Dear @staff
I would like to be able to reblog and comment on the ads you display. In accordance with US Copyright law's Fair Use doctrine (legitimate criticism), I would also like to be able to download the videos they contain (and, as in this particular case, are often entirely comprised by).
And just think! You will also be able to charge the advertisers for increased ad impressions when they're seen (with the context that I add!) via my reblogs.
...to be absolutely fair, and in the spirit of full disclosure, the context that I'm planning on adding to the specific ads I'm thinking of is probably going to completely cancel out the message that the ads are peddling, to those who read within the context I wish to add.
But shouldn't we be able to increase each others' media literacy by practicing and sharing our insights? The US education system has been systematically defunded since GenX, and many of your younger US users have had no media literacy teaching. In this case, community-based peer learning is likely going to be better than none -- particularly since you do have passels of users older than Gen α, and some who are even older than the millennial generation.
Please consider allowing reblogs of and comments on ads on your platform. Thank you.
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navree · 1 year ago
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Why are you dragon people all so retarded, media literacy died at your hands
I cannot be the only person who is really leery about the r-slur making a comeback, right? Like, I've been seeing it with increasing frequency on Twitter even from people who would call themselves progressive for some reason, and I can't be the only one who finds it really weird that people are once again using a slur (that the people it has primarily targeted have repeatedly said they find hurtful when used and are making no attempt to reclaim it) as a pejorative to mean "dumb" or "saying something I don't like. It's not just me, right?
I'll bite, cuz I truly don't care: please go anywhere on my blog and find anything I've said about House of the Dragon, Fire&Blood, Game of Thrones, the Targaryens, Valyria, or even just the concept of a dragon in general that shows my supposed media illiteracy and my lack of intelligence. I mean Hell, show me anything I've said ever where I haven't either brought in facts to back me up or made it clear that I'm expressing a headcanon/otherwise personal opinion. I'll wait.
Also you're a cunt.
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cometconmain · 1 year ago
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I do have to say I agree with you in how the narrative should have been written based on heavily pre-established information in the first 2 acts and would be a beautiful parallel to Astarion's own folly 200 years ago when Cazador tempted him with eternal life and conveniently forgot to inform him about the slave part.
To have you know, and still choose it because you believe this recently-fully-vampired character (who has routinely told you for the past however long you've travelled together what full vampires are like by nature and how they will inevitably treat anyone they turn) when he says he wouldn't do that to you because he loves you and it'll totally be different than the whole Cazador situation even though Astarion is now basically a literal uber-vampire (which if you think about it would more likely involve an increase in vampire behavioural tendencies rather than a decrease), only for you to inevitably reap the horrifying eternal consequences of making the stupidest decision of your life thanks to this guy - who has deliberately kept you on an emotional manipulation leash the entire trip out of conditioned self-preservation, temporarily improved intentions aside - managing to trick you into ignoring all of his own warnings against accepting this kind of deal, would be insanely good writing and a beautifully poetic tragic parallel!!!!
Unfortunately I don't think media literacy matters by Act 3 because they doubled down on the romance route and pulled a 'vampire bride/groom' thing with how he turns the player. So unfortunately the 'he still loves you' people are probably right considering all the times I've seen them bring up vampire marriages in non-Bg3 DnD lore and compare it to AA romance path in ways that make me think it is actually intentional on Larian's part. In which case it's the media itself that failed us this time, not people's literacy of it. Maybe Larian didn't want lots of angry messages about not catering to the already oversaturated dark romance market so they just threw out their own set-up in favour of pleasing the majority.
Btw I do know it's fiction so please dark romance people don't hang me over this; there's nothing morally wrong with you enjoying whatever you want in fiction. I do stand by your right to enjoy whatever so long as you do understand the line between fiction and reality, and I know plenty of you do and you just like what you like. That's genuinely fine.
I'm just disappointed that the otherwise incredibly well-written character storyline ended up going into the same thing as literally hundreds of thousands of other stories out there trying to walk that typical dark erotica tightrope of "he's dark and abusive but also it's so romantic somehow and you, you special thing, are the only person he will be somewhat soft for because you are just so incredibly hot and amazing and lovable by him", when for a while the game had been actually amazingly unique and genuinely compelling in its handling of Astarion up until that point.
And hey, before you go thinking I'm only saying this because I'm a Spawn Astarion stan or something: The Spawn Astarion ending is actually guilty of pretty much the same thing.
They seem to discard the amazing writing in act 2 where they tackle the topic of sexual abuse trauma and the character needing some time without feeling like he has to be involved in 'normal' relationship expectations and you can give him that space. And yeah you can still give him that space in the graveyard scene but you have to be the one to say you're not ready and he's the one saying "I'm ready to try living again" as a lead-up to asking if you want to have sex, and just before that when asked for what he wants he says "you."
I'd rather he said something like "I don't know yet. But I think I'm ready to find out." And then have that be part of his continued healing and just idk, not have his trauma fixed by love/sex or whatever.
I love it when romantic character relationships don't revolve solely around each other and your character is not in fact the centre of your fav romance option's universe because heaven forbid they have a life and aren't completely enraptured by your existence and don't require/rely on you specifically for everything they need including long term trauma healing. But it is an unfortunately much more popular thing to see 'true romance/love' as only being good/enjoyable if you are the centre of the other person's world for some reason.
(Oh dear. I just realised I'm now going to have the Spawn Astarion stans coming for my throat as well now. Whoops. XD )
I might not be perfect but at least I don’t think Ascended Astarion cares for me in my capacity
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masterthespianduchovny · 2 years ago
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As easy as it is to embrace cynicism, I’m not going to do that.
But one thing the last of us has truly taught me is that media literacy is dead.
Why is it hard to grasp that JOEL DOES NOT GIVE A FUCK ABOUT THE CURE.
He’s not slaughtering people because a cure might not work. Or because Ellie wasn’t given a choice. He’s slaughtering people because he’s a traumatized man who’s found a substitute daughter that he refuses to lose again?
Do y’all honestly think this man would willingly let Ellie sacrifice herself if the fireflies discussed it with her in advance???
Hell no!
People talking about, “if they just let him say goodbye!”
That wouldn’t have done shit.
The cure was damn near guaranteed regardless of what the faculties looked like, the surgeons background, and all that other shit.
The point is: Joel would gladly DOOM humanity for his own selfish desires as would most parents. It’s understandable, but still fucked up.
These people are living in dire circumstances and some are y’all saying they deserve that life because there are raiders (you know, what Joel used to do), rapists, cannibals and shit as if most people are that. As if those people deserve to continue to live in a overwhelming violent society because of a minority of people.
As if children like Sam deserve to die due to a fucking bite mark.
Do y’all realize how many people can’t live in the zombie apocalypse because that world is too hostile for them? Anyone who needs to take daily meds. And those with serious disabilities. The elderly sooner or later. Kids in certain communities.
And some of these fucked up situations only exist because some cannot see a way out.
So, yes, Joel did doom humanity because 1. He didn’t have to kill Marlene 2. He didn’t have to egregiously lie to Ellie.
He robbed her of her choice as well. He didn’t have to tell her at that moment, but he could’ve have told her eventually and allow her to make a choice. But guess what, he doesn’t want her to have one either.
And, please, people ragging on the fireflies, it’s fucking game logic. Y’all want to know all these details, but if the game and creator says it’s possible, then it’s possible. Y’all not obsessing over cordyceps, it draw your line at a cure. Lol.
Some of you just have an issue with living in the grey. Support his decision to save Ellie all you want, but don’t pretend as if it was nothing more than a selfish decision because it wasn’t.
And this ain’t a one to one example, but the zombie apocalypse reminds me of areas that are poor and where people live in extreme poverty. A lot of the same talking point y’all are using to justify not saving humanity is the same talking point people use not to fund and improve these communities.
Here’s the thing: y’all know how people love to talk about how crime riddled these places are. The violence, shit education, welfare, etc?
All that could be solved and/or decrease in crime, increase in grades, attendance, involvement, etc if these communities were properly invested into. All of the bad shit and unfavorable shit goes on there due to neglect. Due to people not giving a shit, being over policed, deprived of necessities, and so forth. As soon as needs are met, quality of life and the community improves.
So, idk, maybe if people were having to work for food, having medicine leveraged against them to snitch on their neighbors, weren’t in fear of being bitten, etc, their quality of life would improve. But it can’t—not really—when one bite can wipe out an entire community.
Lastly, don’t act as if y’all would be cool with what Joel did if you lived in that world and there was a chance that you didn’t have to constantly live in fear of being bit or your loved one being bit. Hell, what about the parents who lost their young children? Like I said with Sam, do they deserve to die? You think those parents are shrugging that shit off because, “well, it’s his daughter.”
Yeah, there answer would be different because that’s the point, people are fucking hypocrites. But the point remains that there’s going to continue to be so many unnecessary death and a hostile world because the threat from the infected is always lurking and these people don’t see a way out.
But again, Joel didn’t make his decision because the cure was bullshit, their facilities were shitty, and there’s no distribution method. He didn’t make his decision because he couldn’t say goodbye.
He made it because he refused to lose his surrogate daughter even though he knew she’d be willing to sacrifice herself.
The series all, but says it and yet people ignore and craft their own narrative and make unsupported assumptions.
A lot of y’all are going to be screaming, crying, and throwing up next season.
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weareigloo219 · 4 years ago
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DUBAI SMART CITY AND THE DIGITAL INDUSTRY
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It’s amazing how science and technology have come into the picture with a wave of revolution that was unimaginable just a few years ago. The world seemed like it had reached its peak of inventions when the mobile phone was discovered in the past century and later on the computer. Right now as we view into the future, it’s outstanding just picturing all the possibilities that could be brought about by the vast internet of things. There is nowhere better to view this 21st Century revolution than in Dubai.
Dubai Smart City stemmed from His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum who had the vision to transform and fully technologize Dubai by 2021. The vision is well on course even as the city plans to host 25 million visitors worldwide in the Expo 2020 Dubai. The plan is to ensure that by the time the globe realizes the 2030 vision, Dubai will be well ahead and above the rest of the cream. It’s not a competition, however; it’s a developmental vision that every citizen of Dubai should associate her/himself with. Now without further ado, let’s have a look at the Dubai Smart City and all it means to us as a people.
Introducing Dubai Smart City
Take a moment of silence and picture this: you wake up one morning when you’re supposed to travel outside the country, but sadly your daughter has acquired some illness that has her bedridden. You cannot cancel your flight, but you also need to give attention to your child who always comes first to you. So you prepare the both of you, and you decide to take her to the hospital as your wife tags along. At the hospital, you find no lines at all and you are immediately welcomed by the doctor who accesses all her medical files at the touch of a button! Phew, that must have been a relief – at least there are lesser questions by the medical attendant since the medical history almost says it all.
At the hospital, it takes less than 20 minutes for you guys to be served and she’s already smiling as you’re coming out of the hospital; it seems the injection actually worked! All she has to do is finish up with her dosage. You are pleased since you experienced no traffic on your way to the hospital and also absolutely none as you’re headed to the port. Your flight is due in 30 minutes and it takes you just about 15 to reach the airport. As you bid your family farewell and hand over the car keys to your wife, you check your watch and realize you still have 11 minutes.
You leisurely walk into the airport, get searched as you hand over your documents and walk straight into your plane. Jeez, that was fast! No lines at the waiting bay and you still have 4 extra minutes to settle down on your seat as you get acquainted with the change of setting. Alas, it’s departure time!
This is what Dubai Smart City is all about – a comfortable convenience that will save on so much time and money too. Talk about less congested and safer roads, faster service delivery, quicker access to data, improved infrastructure generally and even a seamless end-to-end connectivity among so many more.
The vision here is simple, sophisticated and very much attainable – we seek to make Dubai the happiest city on earth. Well, if you’ve traveled around the world, you might conclude that there are happier places to be, but come on! Which place in this galaxy can you really compare to home? Dubai Smart City seeks to be recognized worldwide as not only benefitting from the deeply invested technological hub but also prove that the systems are workable and benefitting everyone from every sector. This includes the government as well as the general public.
Impact of the Vision
Who is set to benefit most as a result of a technologized Dubai City? Well, the vision broadly classifies the impact of the 2021 Dubai Smart City on three particular areas:
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The Customer Impact: The Happiness Agenda was primarily formulated to benefit the Dubai consumer. Everyone will be classified as either a producer or a consumer in the city – the producers also get to purchase services. Since the consumer is the one driving the economy, it’s only fair to implement goals that will transform their lives. So, be it the government, businesses or even private individuals who are in need of services, the impact falls squarely on them.
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The Financial Impact: Who said going through a technological revolutionary phase has to be costly? After analyzing the economic costs it would take to achieve ultimate happiness, the 2021 strategy formulated simpler, cost-effective ways to achieve all the goals. This creates a financial benefit the city at large as there will be numerous financial saves while still realizing complex digital innovations which will tantamount to further future expenditure cuts.
Resource & Infrastructure Impact: At what costs to the environment, in general, are we likely to incur as we pursue our digital transformation? Well, again, a course has been chartered that will ensure the city environment is fully supported and sustained as we fully dive into this inevitable digital transformation.
The belief with the visionaries is that all the above three areas mentioned above will be positively impacted even as we harness the technology to realize a digital industry in Dubai.
Assessing the Objectives of Smart Dubai 2021
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It might seem impossible to attain a 95% happiness level by 2021 but residents of Dubai are already seeing the vision becoming a reality. It’s important to comprehend exactly what we intend to achieve to reach this level of happiness. Having created objectives for the Dubai Smart City project has made it much easier for individuals and businesses to attach themselves to the vision. It’s also made the government better placed to work towards the end goals.
Living the Smart Way
Some cities in different parts of the world have already come up with strong connected Wi-Fi systems that surround such cities enabling dwellers to be connected to the internet 24/7-365. This, however, fails to beat any logic if such systems are not trusted. The rise in cyber-attacks have continually made people on the edge and more afraid to share their data. This is where Smart Dubai City comes in.
Not only does the project seek to provide all-day-long internet connectivity to users but it also aims at eliminating such threats that would cause panic and mistrust. Not only will mobile phones be connected to the internet but also other devices and systems to enable real-time tracking and updates to thus faster service delivery. Such systems include drainage systems, sewage, energy, water, buildings, waste distribution networks, roads among many more. In the case of impediments arising in a certain location, it would be much easier to track the source as well as offer direct assistance and repairs.
Residents will also be better equipped as they will get a chance to monitor all their resource consumption making it way easier to educate the users and have them lower their consumption. They will do so willingly in a bid to save their city resources, therefore a more conscious consumer in the Dubai Smart City project.
It doesn’t end there: city planning and coordination will be much easier with real-time logistics and statistics. City authorities will have much easier time allocating such resources as land, water, electricity and the likes. A new legislature will be set up to oversee these technologies. Corporate lawyers in Dubai are ready to adapt to these changes.
A technologized Dubai will also mean a more prepared Dubai in times of natural calamities, adverse climate change as well as other man-made disasters. This will, however, call for unified teamwork between residents and authorities.
Globally Competitive Economy
The project has to obviously touch on transforming the financial systems for it to make any economic sense. Simple applications from the digital transformations will have the Dubai’s economy competing favorably with other top world economies. Not only will the government benefit from increased revenues but also from a more participative private sector.
To reach here, the project has foreseen simplified regulations in businesses due to more credible forms of transactions, easily accessible services to the general public which will be supported through accelerators and incubators. Immaculate and reliable digital services will make it much easier for entrepreneurs to embark on different ventures without much hassle. Since this will attract more human personnel into the city, the project also identifies plans on how to train and enhance the skills of both the public and private sectors to empower them in realizing their dreams and aspirations.
Eliminate Digital Benightedness
Logic dictates that we can’t have a Smart Dubai City without first having smart people. Currently, the bigger percentage of Dubai residents is well vast with simple digital processes as a result of the already digitized state of the city. Nonetheless, further digital literacy will be necessary if occupants are to benefit from the rapid technological developments that are taking over the city. For instance, they should be able to book healthcare services online, access educational services such as school registration and payment of fees online among other services.
Once the city dwellers are empowered with such knowledge and know-how, we can only foresee an efficiently, irreproachable and a strong social community aggrandized by digital services. This will result in happier social experiences in the widely culturally diversified Dubai Smart City society.
How About Transport Systems?
Have you been lucky enough to see a self-driven car at this day and age or have you only seen that in movies and cinemas? Now, imagine a system of cars which can self-drive and also communicate with other cars. The communication through sensor technology among other systems will act to prevent accidents from occurring. No more need to put our reliance on the errs of man that have caused hundreds of millions of deaths over the years.
There will also be a lesser congestion on roads as mobility improves which will save on time. The ratio of usage of public transport will also rise in an attempt to eliminate extra cars on the roads. Smart traffic lights, smart tolls as well as smart parking will all contribute to a speedier mobility system allowing people to reach their destinations faster and safer with nothing but joy.
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Since the 2021 Smart Dubai City project is making a move towards a digital industry Dubai, we are likely to have more people making lesser travels to attend meetings which can be held online. Video conferencing will have fewer people on the roads which also counts as a time saver and cost-efficient.
A Move to a Smart Environment
Happiness might be completely subjective but one cannot claim to be in a happy state when constantly attacked with sicknesses. In other quarters, people’s standards of living will determine just how happy they are. If such a people are living in a degraded environment, then it doesn’t matter how technologized the place is – happiness is quite unattainable on the larger scale.
The digital transformation is to foresee cleaner resources being employed, lower pollution on the environment as well as lower emissions. Modifications are being applied to modern day buildings to reduce cases of GHG emissions. Emissions of electromagnetic radiations and ambient noise will also be checked through established action plans to ensure safer limits. There is also a move towards an enhanced use of solar energy to boost renewable energy. On top of all that, there are electric and hybrid cars which are currently being tested and perfected to ensure a smarter, eco-friendlier Dubai City.
A Digital Government
Not only will the government take part in constituting these changes but also will be embracing such changes in its course of operation. All government services will be cashless as well as paperless to quash the need to make visits to government offices. Imagine accessing all the services you want at the comfort of your backyard as you chill out with your family! Fun, right?
Citizens are also able to contribute and access all government proceedings online thus enhanced accountability. Through the eSuggest and eComplain sites, they are able to effect changes in their administration on a unified front.
Procurement opportunities will be made available to SMEs online with invoices and payments done digitally. How about that for sleek convenience!
Fast Paced Technologies
dubai new technologies marketing
Now that we understand the objectives behind His Excellency’s vision of a happy Dubai, it’s important to take a look too at how the different technologies are being innovated, invented and applied to lead to a digital industry Dubai. Here, we’ll have a look at how digital marketing in Dubai, social media and other technologies are set to change the present and metamorphose the future.
The journey began in 1999 when the first ICT strategy was announced. Later on, the Dubai Internet City would be launched followed by Dubai e-Government and the rest is present history. At this very minute, Dubai can boast of being the most technologized city in the region with the application of IoT increasing by the day.
Social Media
About 95% of the population has access to social media and it’s even being used as a measure of happiness. Most businesses and advertising are also done online as organizations endeavor to make a breakthrough in the unlimited online market. With the improved Wi-Fi connectivity in the city, one cannot skip the chance of missing out on recent developments online.
Businesses which market themselves properly have a competitive advantage in the online market. It’s also cost-effective to SMEs which don’t have to incur outrageous advertising costs on TVs, radios and the like, which was the case a few years back. Social media marketing Dubai means consumers are also more educated and ready to speak out against shunned brands thus better knowledge on the part of the buyer.
SEO Marketing
Digital marketing Dubai is seeing more and more consumers reaching out to Google for answers. The answers could be searches for products, quick fixes or simply basic information that might be unknown to them. This is where Search Engine Optimization comes in. Business websites are coming up with articles based on frequently searched words as they strive to drive traffic to their sites.
Businesses that do so in the right ways end up generating a considerable flow of online users seeking basic answers to life’s questions. This gives the organization a propitious opportunity to market and sell their product or service and even maintain a loyal set of clients. It also takes your business to the nextlevel as it boosts your brand credibility. Remember people trust Google – make them trust Google t
hrough you.
E-Commerce
Since everyone is buying online, everyone is also making payments online with a general acceptance now as compared to before. A lot of individuals were skeptical about using online forms of payments a few years ago. Currently, trends indicate a move to digital coins which are much safer and require no middlemen. E-commerce is also set to benefit through customization which enables buyers to go deeper in terms of elaborating the details of the product they are in need of. Another technology will develop this trend, 3D printing services in Dubai will a game changer for e-commerce platforms. For instance, a customer buying a shoe will be able to choose the right shoe fit, size, type, and color among other options.
This hefty reliance on online buying options has seen businesses making more sales and even other businesses popping up to offer delivery services. Not only that: customer retention is at a higher level for most businesses that manage to sell it successfully to their esteemed clients. Gargantuan data aggregation and different shopping algorithms have even made it possible for shoppers to receive pinpointed recommendations during their shopping experience. Not only does this increase the business sales, but it also enhances the business ratings in the eyes of the buyer.
Dubai Blockchain Strategy
Blockchain Strategy is probably the biggest invention – not only for Dubai but to the world in general. This would be better explained from the bitcoin point of view. Picture a system of transaction, payments and processes which isn’t in the control of one single person. A system where data uploaded cannot be reversed since it’s in the hand of the ‘system’ in general. A structure which no one person can manipulate the data once uploaded since all of it is decentralized rather than in a single location!
The blockchain technology is already in effect in Dubai Smart City and will soon be ingratiated into every system making fraud a new vocabulary. An example is seen where a writer uploads content online using blockchain technology and doesn’t have to worry about marketing or copyrights since the technology does that for him. Anyone accessing the writer’s data will be charged a small fraction enabling the artist to make a decent living as they continue with their day to day lives. Isn’t that amazing!
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The applications of blockchain technology can be seen in every sector since data is created in every sphere. Blockchain will ensure there is no manipulation, duplication or even theft of information and comes in to protect the user’s data. Considering that data is a $300 billion industry, businesses can only embrace the safe technology to be on the impregnable side of things.
Dubai, What Next?
As we reach the end of our discussion, we should give much thought to the impact of a digital industry Dubai. Sure, we can talk about it all day, but are we really ready for all these changes? The Dubai Smart City can only fully be achieved by input from each of us: we all have a role to play to make this dream a reality. Businesses would do well to start implementing some of these methods earlier on in advance. This will call for an overall upgrade of employee skills as well as changing their mentality. Basic forms of artificial intelligence could go a long way to change your brand’s image and have you ranked higher. Since the future is inevitable, we can only walk towards it with self-assurance and a positive mentality.
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thesydneyfeminists · 6 years ago
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Feminism in the Internet Age: Everyone has a Seat at the Table
The 1970s and 80s gave birth to second wave feminism, a movement that saw women across the world actively rally against gender inequality. During this era of feminism, women marched and protested for a number of different rights, including equal pay, equal job opportunity and abortion reform, amongst others. As a united female cohort, we have now reached a time where women have more opportunities than they did 30 years ago. However, feminism and feminist values are still just as, if not more so, talked about today. This fact is due in large part to social media.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have increased feminism’s accessibility by connecting women across the world. They have abolished the limitations of how far the promotion of gender equality can reach and allowed local issues to be globally recognized. Social media changed the game for organised marches and protests. It is not just women in any given area who rally together now. Instead, women across the world can fight the good fight for all women all the time.
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Image Description: Photo of a person’s hand holding a white IPhone. The screen shows the Instagram login page. It has a purple background, with the word ‘Instagram’ at the top of the screen in white cursive writing. Underneath, there are two rectangular boxes that say ‘username’ and ‘password’. Below these boxes, there is some small, indistinguishable white writing. The background of the image is blurred and unidentifiable.  
The online world has opened gender equality and feminism to women who previously did not have the means to participate, including those who live in societies that quite openly view women as the inferior gender. The Qatar Computing Research Institute conducted a study that revealed women living in countries with significant “offline” gender inequalities, such as life expectancy, income, and literacy were more likely to have a substantial online presence. In such instances, a woman who does not have the rights and equalities she deserves can search elsewhere for acceptance and respect. She is opened up to an online community of women who, in varying degrees, all rally for the same thing: equality. Despite the bad wrap social media often gets, the connectedness it fosters is unparalleled.  
Social media platforms have given power to the ‘hashtag’, which represents and promotes issues or events in a very simple and accessible way. #Metoo is one of the most recent and controversial hashtags. It gained traction after many women in the film industry came forward and publicly named men who had sexually assaulted and abused them. The hashtag crossed barriers and gave women, famous and otherwise, the courage to come forward and report their abuse. This courage was fuelled by solidarity and newfound community.
In 2015, two years prior to the rise of the #Metoo hashtag, the hashtag #askhermore went viral. It was used to draw attention to the distinct differences in how men and women were interviewed and reported on at red carpet events, awards ceremonies or sports events. Actresses, female singers  or athletes are constantly bombarded with questions such as, “Who are you wearing?” and “Tell us about your dress”, whereas men are asked about their successes and achievements. The popularity of movements such as #metoo and #askhermore can be attributed in part to the ease with which people can participate in calls for change.  
In addition to increasing access to reactionary movements and the promotion of current issues, the internet allows feminists and women to come together in beautiful ways to share ideas, opinions, and experiences. For example, Emma Watson, the popular actress and ambassador for UN Women, created a wonderful online book club called Our Shared Shelf. It is an online group set up through Goodreads, in which Watson herself selects a feminist book every two months for participants to read and discuss. Currently boasting 224,608 224561registered members, the page aims to introduce women to feminist literature written by women of all different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This is another amazing way the online world has created an accessible, diverse and inclusive environment for everyone to engage in the feminist movement.
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Image Description: Close up photo of a bookshelf. There are no identifiable titles or covers, and four rows of the shelf fit in the frame. The books alternate in size and colour. The colours of the books range from brown, black, dark blue, red and white. The bookshelf itself is a dark grey/faded black colour.
As a nation, Australia has a full-time work gender pay gap of 14.1%. With 32% of seats in both Houses of Parliament, women are still under-represented in Australian’s politics, and those who do have a seat are not treated with the same respect and seriousness as their male counterparts. When a country as developed and advanced as Australia still has obvious undertones of misogynistic and sexist behaviours, it is hard to imagine how much worse it must be for women in countries where they are not given a voice at all. Feminism is an ongoing movement because women all over the world still face inequalities. Despite the progress we’ve seen in the last 30 years, its presence is felt now more than ever because the online world gave us the gift of instant accessibility. On the internet, everyone is invited to take a seat at the table. 
By: Georgia Stevens
Sources
https://ingmarweber.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/OnlineGenderGaps.pdf
https://www.cfr.org/blog/how-social-media-has-reshaped-feminism
https://ingmarweber.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/OnlineGenderGaps.pdf
http://therepresentationproject.org/the-movement/askhermore/
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/179584-our-shared-shelf
https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Gender%20Pay%20Gap%20Statistics%20Fact%20Sheet%202019%20FINAL%20February.pdf
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-26/how-women-get-elected-to-parliament/10871438
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sydney Feminists. Our Blogger and Tumblr serve as platforms for a diverse array of women to put forth their ideas and explore topics. To learn more about the philosophy behind TSF’s Blogger/ Tumblr, please read our statement here: https://www.sydneyfeminists.org/a
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lightshineinc · 3 years ago
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THE NEW AGE OF WORK
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This is a State proposal to put our workers in an environment that will elicit a more productive way of occurrence within our all growing nation and industries. This is just an idea so I didn’t add any bathrooms to the blueprint, but each floor will have two main focusses. The first floor will embellish liberty and community. The second floor will embellish sociology through fashion and networking. The third floor will court architecture, healthcare, and education in a communal politic; and the fourth floor will work news through media, music, gaming, and social media.
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Through music and swagger all alike, our nation has flourished off of a simple ideology; being cool. These focusses will be focused through the change of seasons and holiday in media and infrastructure and health. By the means of making the workplace efficient for the cause of our psychology, work will only be 6 hours with a one hour lunch with m more efficient pay and tax increase.
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 These blue prints were created with ARCHICAD by GRAPHISOFT. Please feel free to purchase and check out.
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Being born into our nation, our country and state is required to give us; food, shelter, clothing, and news with whats going on in our democracy and republic. Within these means I’ve a developed a productive and classy way to work and be entertained all in the same fidelity. The first floor will have an upscaled restaurant that forefruits the nations ecology. We can use groceries such as unsold meats and vegetables and utilize them in a professional setting and still come up with a pretty deficit. Aside this lobby and restaurant will be a waiting area and little library where books will be accessible to those who work their to help teach the employees some of the software and arts needed  in this work place.
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On this floor the states gratitude will work fashion and sociology. With the means of whats in and what is not, this work space will cater to our seasons greetings through comfortable clothing and warm networking. The room on the far left will be designing the clothing, emailing, and sending the ideas out to be published and sent back to me modeled. The two rooms on the far right are the closet; where the clothes will be crafted by hand, and the studio for photography.
Through these resorts, the workers will be able to leave campus and professionally check stores and model the merchandise to publish on social media.
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Architecture, health, and education is prominent in our public relations. We will utilize and make our countries healthcare more accessible. Through these three powers, the state will mediate health records, education and college scores, social security and finances. 
On this floor we will discuss events in our community and make them more frequent for festivity and federacy as a state. This includes, performances, fairs, night clubs, neighborhood parties, and restaurants.
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News is very important. How our liberty and freedom of press have reached her arms out to those who create video games, movies and music, we will make sure that the message is as clear as day. We will be focusing on film off campus in regular work ours. The gaming studio will have professionals that know how to entertain the masses with a poised structure of what the psychology of play is all about. The brain functions on an ability based node. What we learn as a baby, through entertainment, we become more passion driven through fun about our health relentlessly. That is what it means to be alive. To have fun. Rather it be an event, or on your couch; fun is healthy. 
The music on this floor will be made here and produced here. The foundation of these craftsman will focus on only inhouse productions. You will be able to set appointments to record, but you will have to bring your own microphone and use a produced instrumental from the state. This is insurance to the states financial literacy; to make sure we are making some form of revenue through the record rather it published for an event or on the radio.
In conclusion, this idea will make more money for our government officials and the people. We will create more jobs. Festivity will be frequent and we will have more to talk about in later news and entertainment. Thank You.
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surayaror · 7 years ago
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In conjunction with World Savings Day, VISA and AKPK are doing a financial literacy initiative called Treat Your Money Right.
This campaign is so perfect for RoR audience that they reached out to me and basically said, ‘Suraya can your readers share their best money-saving tips? We can give an Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm black) to the best answer’.
I said YES OF COURSE (this contest should be easy for you!) then looked up the prize. Wah it retails for RM1229 at the Apple Store wei.
How and enter and win the contest
Follow these steps-
Step 1: Find out your money management personality quiz at https://www.treatyourmoneyright.com/quiz
Answer as honestly as you can – it’s better for you to know your actual personality than get the ‘right’ personality. At the end of the quiz, you’ll get one out of these four money personalities.
Here’s a video explaining the four spending personalities:
Step 2: In a social media post, share (1) this article, (2) your money management personality, and (3) the best savings tip you’ve ever used. Use the hashtags #treatyourmoneyright #VISA #AKPK
For example: “I am a [money management personality] and the best money-saving tip for people like me is [your tip]” #treatyourmoneyright #VISA #AKPK
(the above is an example – feel free to tweak the wording!)
If there are lots of entries, then the best-quality answer will win. Not the number of shares, nor the amount of likes. Just quality.
Here are some suggestions that will increase your chances of winning:
Brutally-honest answers
Funny anecdotes
How you implemented the money-saving tip in your life (was it hard to adjust?)
A technical or psychological hack you used
A creative delivery of the answer
And more!
Can right? Apple Watch Series 3 is worth spending 5 mins to think of a nice answer right 😉
Step 3: Put the link to your social media post in the comments section of this article. That will make it easy for me to track entries coming from RoR audience 🙂
Please remember to set your post to public if not I cannot see your entry!
Contest Guidelines
Must be Malaysian and over 18 years old
Only entries received between 31 October 2018 until 14 November 2018 will be accepted
Please check to see you followed all the steps correctly. So sayang if your answer is bombz but have to rule you out due to a technicality!
You can make more than one entry
All results are final
The winner will be contacted after the contest ends. If the person does not get back to me within 3 (three) days, another winner will be selected.
The winner and their winning entry will be announced on Ringgit Oh Ringgit Facebook page
I can’t wait to see your best money-saving tips. Make me proud 😀
CONTEST ALERT! Oct 31 is World Savings Day - what better way to celebrate than asking YOU what are your best money-saving tips? Tell us and win an Apple Watch Series 3, courtesy of VISA and AKPK! In conjunction with World Savings Day, VISA and AKPK are doing a financial literacy initiative called Treat Your Money Right.
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superspunarticle · 4 years ago
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With Social Media Addiction, AI Algorithms, and Disinformation, the Real Social Dilemma is Ours to Solve: Where Do We Start?
https://superspunarticle.com/?p=6342&wpwautoposter=1609521507 With Social Media Addiction, AI Algorithms, and Disinformation, the Real Social Dilemma is Ours to Solve: Where Do We Start? https://superspunarticle.com/?p=6342&wpwautoposter=1609521507 Tutorials & tips about Content and Video Marketing. Cristian Dina, Pexels How do we live in a world of constant distraction without giving up these digital tools that monopolize our attention, but provide value at the same time? Is it an all-or-nothing game? These are questions more people are asking as a result of the overwhelming success of the Netflix documentary The #SocialDilemma, which looks at the consequences of driving user engagement through so-called “bubble filter” algorithms, that increase utilization by showing us more of what we’re already watching, insulating us from different points of view and contributing to today’s state of hyper-partisan political polarity. As I share with my good friend and Los Angeles-based digital marketing consultant Eric Schwartzman, the good news is that it’s possible to balance a life of purpose while also taking advantage of social media and other transformative digital technologies. If you have a moment, please listen to our conversation here… 🙏 We unpacked a lot during this conversation so you won’t want to miss this podcast! If you’d rather read than listen, these are Eric’s favorite takeaways: Don’t be scared of AI. Retrain the algorithm. Many people say AI is the future of digital marketing. And we know AI can be powerful from a brand perspective. But is AI a risk as well? And what toll will it take on our livelihoods, mental health, politics and relationships as individuals? Is the current state of affairs simply a trailer for more of what’s in store? Brian explained how AI, algorithms, and the companies that leverage them, use our own insecurities against us while simultaneously making us feel in control. And he transferred the responsibility of how we engage, interact with, and react to that content back on our shoulders as consumers with three simple words: “personal accountability” and digital literacy. “They [social networks] align content and advertising around what the algorithm deems important to us. They stoke our cognitive biases, said or unsaid vulnerabilities. And they create engagement and activity around those things because they are extremely charged.  As you share, others share back. And make no mistake, that’s all by design.” Brian Solis There are many case studies that show how igniting people’s emotions or being opinionated lures clicks. And that’s simply what makes the money. We can’t blame social media – or even the growth marketing campaigns that exploit it. We need to become literate and honest about what’s happening. Taking on some more accountability, you will remember that you don’t have to engage with everything. Nor do you have to give up social media and the digital media technology that can be really beneficial. You can actually retrain the algorithm to show it what you want to consume by liking and engaging with the news stories, videos, profiles, and content that fills your life with value and purpose. This is the very thing Brian explores in his book. And it’s very much the idea of “you get back what you put out into the world,” applied to a digital world. AI ethics are not universal. They’re based on personal beliefs. Growth marketing is all about rapid-fire implementation and leveraging new technology to get us to the next level. But with AI, we may not understand the repercussions until after it’s been applied. So Brian challenges us to take a step back and think about how we got where we currently are, before thinking about where we want to go tomorrow. The 2 questions he asks are: What digital marketing tactics do you want to keep using? How do you provide content that both evokes emotion and is credible? In social media and other digital marketing channels, there’s often not just an erosion of truth, but a delineation of what truth actually means. There’s your truth and my truth. And they may not align. So, there’s no simple answer to what the future of digital marketing in 2021 holds. Just as everyone has their own truth, everyone — and every company — must define what is acceptable and what standards they will hold themselves to. The future of digital marketing is innovative leadership. Moving away from social media to the customer experience, there’s an important question marketers should ask themselves. How can we shift from rigid process and risk-averse cultures, to agile, innovative cultures? Innovation, diversity, agility — these are all big change initiatives. And change and culture go hand in hand. Change is about people and culture is what gives people the where and why. It becomes a leadership conversation about how to bring people together and move them in a new direction. Innovation and leadership go hand in hand. “Remember that innovation is the outcome. It’s change and culture design that get that outcome,” says Brian. In addition to cultivating a new culture, we can also work to be more intuitive as digital marketers. There are a lot of great companies that really care about the customer — or say they do — but don’t effectively communicate that in their digital experiences. “Brands want to create a better customer experience. But we have to remember that connected customers are in a more chaotic world. You have to factor in their headspace they’re coming from when they reach the point of interacting with your brand’s messaging. It’s about being more intuitive and understanding this environment we are all in.” Brian Solis Brian calls this the “customer’s experiences” rather than the customer experience. It’s an accumulation of experiences. Each one impacts how someone feels about you. Those emotions move into memories and that’s how brand affinity is born. Conclusion As you forge into the future of digital marketing and growth marketing, evaluate whether your company is truly striving for innovation, or simply iteration, and course correct accordingly. Don’t lose sight of what it means to be a consumer in the age of digital media technology and take time to define your company’s values and ethics within that world. I highly recommend reading Brian’s book, Lifescale: How to Live a More Creative, Productive, and Happy Life. Take notes. Give it to your employees. You will be more productive at work and begin to form more meaningful connections with your customers.     !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments);if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '192647454418119'); fbq('track', "PageView"); (function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); (document, "script", "facebook-jssdk")); The above post “With Social Media Addiction, AI Algorithms, and Disinformation, the Real Social Dilemma is Ours to Solve: Where Do We Start?” was 1st published here. We hope that you found the article above of help and of interest. You can find similar content on our blog here: superspunarticle.com/blog Please let me have your feedback in the comments section below. Let us know what topics we should write about for you in future. #SEO
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goddessgardener · 5 years ago
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Become Color BRAVE
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Become Color Blind
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  MIRACLE MOMENT®
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  “When ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.”
 Anais Nin
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        MESSAGE FROM CYNTHIA BRIAN, Founder/Executive Director
“You are so lucky! You have red blood!” my mother chimed when, as children, any of us would injure ourselves and be bleeding. We’d immediately stop crying and be grateful that our red blood meant that we were humans and not some form of alien. We were taught that every person was equal. No one was better or worse than anyone else and that no matter what color our skin, what God we worshipped, what gender we were, where we came from, or what language we spoke, we all deserved the opportunity to succeed and be happy. We were taught to work hard, respect others, and live by the golden rule. “Care, share, and be fair” was a family motto. 
  The last few weeks have been tragic for humans. Not only is the world struggling to survive a pandemic with Covid-19, but the death of an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, by an officer sworn to protect and serve us, has struck a deep wound in our global consciousness. Our hearts go out to his family and friends and to all the other people who have endured racist encounters. Fear and pain are prevailing. There is no place for racism and bigotry in our country. We are all human.
  Here at Be the Star You Are!®, we are color blind. We welcome everyone-black, brown, yellow, beige, white, and any color in between. Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicity’s, genders, cultures, and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Our goal is to amplify your inner greatness and help you be the best person possible by improving literacy, increasing positive media messages, and offering tools for living a purposeful life.
  Protesting is our right as Americans and peaceful protests are valuable. Looting and rioting is counter-productive and only leads to more violence, hatred, and alienation. It is time that we all stopped to listen and hear what others are saying and feeling. We must empathize and start conversations that can lead to healing. I have always believed that ALL LIVES MATTER. But right now, we need to embrace BLACK LIVES MATTER because black men and black women are suffering deeply. Our volunteer Karen Kitchel, shared a video that you may have already watched, but it is worth viewing again. It displays the disparity between a life of privilege and one of racial inequality. Watch it here: 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BEwiqrXrjw
  No one must be shackled. It’s time to break down the walls of differences. We must come together to create positive, systemic change that will provide dignity, respect, opportunities, and resources to all. We can each be a catalyst for change.
Once we learn to communicate and collaborate, we will escape to innovate. 
  Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999 with resources to create a better future.
  Become color blind. We all bleed red.
  Stay safe. Stay strong.
  In solidarity, 
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Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
http://www.BTSYA.org
  P.S. During the lock-down, I am available for consultations, webinars, interviews, or speaking via on-line sources only. If interested, email [email protected] or visit https://www.starstyleradio.com/coaching
  DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
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      ONLINE AUCTION
If you want to jumpstart your business, service, or promote your products, IConnectx has created an online auction to benefit Be the Star You Are!® with opportunities for LIVe or pre-recorded radio interviews and phone or online consultations with Cynthia Brian. More auction items will be added in the following days. Auction ends on June 20th so start bidding right away to win. Visit: https://bit.ly/2ZuIQkE
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      THE REAL MEANING OF DIGNITY
by Karen Kitchel
“Dignity has the potential to change the world, but only if people like you help to spread its profound message” concluded Donna Hicks in the Psychology Today article “What Is the Real Meaning of Dignity?”
We are all born with dignity, which is different than respect which must be earned. Every individual has worth as a human being and wants to be treated as someone with value.
Everyone wants to be heard and to feel safe in the world. When we feel included, we gain a sense of hope and possibility. Receiving an apology when someone does us harm is a way to reconnect. “I’m sorry” can be two of the most powerful words anyone can utter.
Building strong relationships can be as easy as asking for opinions, listening to concerns and including others in conversations.  Seek out someone you don’t know and take a step in changing the world.
  Karen Kitchel penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, and is a dedicated volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com
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        THE IMPACT OF ILLITERACY-Young Children
by Stephanie Cogeos
  According to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Education, 32 million American adults are illiterate, 21% read below a 5th grade level and 19% of high school graduates are functionally illiterate, meaning they cannot read well enough to manage and perform daily living tasks. This can be avoided when people are aware of these statistics and what lack of literacy skills can cause. 
  When children do not learn to read and write effectively, it affects them and their families.  The psychological effect impacts their progress during their early school years. It can also make math and science just as difficult. About 80% of a child’s brain is developed by age 3 and a key period of development occurs in their language and literacy skills. The quality of early childhood education can be determined by one’s economic status. Half of all children by age 5 living in poverty are not academically or socially ready for school, studies have shown (Center on Children and Families at Brookings).  Poverty is a risk factor for illiteracy. By fourth grade, 80% of low-income children read at below grade level. Falling behind during critical years will also affect social skills, health and economic status later in their lives.  Low literacy often impacts a person’s health, preventative healthcare actions and taking medications correctly as well as impacting them psychologically. Shame, fear, low self-confidence, low self-esteem are all impacted by how well a person can effectively communicate and read and educate themselves.  All these things can have a negative impact on society in general.  These things can be avoided.  
  CONTINUE READING: https://files.secure.website/wscfus/10307163/26270304/the-impact-of-illiteracy.pdf
  Volunteer Stephanie Cogeos is our Book Review coordinator. She is now doing research to provide resources for the public to learn about the importance of literacy, positive media messages, and empowering women families, and youth. You can keep up with the resources at this link: http://www.btsya.com/resources.html
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    "To be a leader, you must be a reader! Read, lead, succeed!"
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      BOOK REVIEWS IDS
Our Star Teen Book Review Team is constantly growing and evolving. When you are looking a for a great book, check out the reviews of thousands of books for all ages at our Book Review web site.
Read book reviews by our volunteers: http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews.html
Also, check out these and other reviews at our literacy partner site,The Reading Tub, https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/
Librarians, teachers, parents, and care-givers rely on these reviews as excellent sources for recommending a good book.
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    WRITER WEDNESDAYS and SUPER SMART SUNDAYS
As part of our Be the Star You Are! Disaster Relief Outreach program (https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-operation-hurricane-disaste), Be the Star You Are!® has collaborated with the Authors Guild to showcase the new books launched by many authors from around the country in a variety of genres. We will also be showcasing artists, actors, and musicians, all of whom had had their gigs canceled and are out of work. We believe in supporting creativity and believe that books, art, music, and film provide escape and joy, especially during tough times. For the next few months, make sure you are tuned in to both StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® on Wednesdays at 4pm PT for “Writers Wednesdays” LIVE http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2206/be-the-star-you-are as well as our teen program, Express Yourself!™ airing on Sundays at 3pm PT for “Super Smart Sundays”, https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself
  Both programs broadcast on the Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel and will be archived on that site as well as iTunes, Stitcher, etc. It’s a giant artistic festival!
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  If you need a dose of inspiration, humor, and positivity, check out our books at http://www.StarStyleStore.net. All of the money from purchases benefits Be the Star You Are!® and you get extra goodies when you buy direct. Plus, these are first editions and can be custom autographed for you. www.StarStyleStore.Net
  Raise your eyes to the STARS and shine!
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      SHOP ONLINE WITHOUT A MASK!
Since we need to stay at home and only go out when absolutely necessary, these are on-line shopping portals that will sell you what you need, offer discounts, and assist our mission as a nonprofit. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials, 
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      1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882
2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity
3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA:https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc
& buy from your favorite stores. 
4. Search and GoodShop: Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too! https://www.goodshop.com/nonprofit/be-the-star-you-are
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8. Designer Clothes to Buy or Sell: https://www.unionandfifth.com/charities/be-the-star-you-are-moraga-ca/shop
9. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” T-shirts and tanks $19.99 at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/
10. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4
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Since BTSYA receives no government or corporate support, we count on YOU to help us help others. During this pandemic, all of our fundraising events have been canceled, yet we continue to support those in need. We appreciate a direct donation most of all via PAYPAL GIVING FUND at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
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        Direct Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®
Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results
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Get Social with us
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marco42james · 6 years ago
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How to Empower Teachers
Evan Robb on episode 566
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter
Administrators can empower teachers and principal Evan Robb shares some of the techniques. Evan is author of The Ten- Minute Principal and The Principal’s Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community. 
Listen to the Show
Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher
Stream by clicking here.
Subscribe to the Show
  Get Credit! Some schools, districts, and organizations allow credit for listening to podcasts. Whether they do or don’t, to get the most out of listening you can use this Podcast PD Template Hyperdoc. Just make a copy and adapt it for your use or print it. If you don’t have Google Docs, just use this PDF.
Evan Robb – Bio as Submitted
Distinguished Principal, TEDx Speaker, Author
Evan Robb is presently Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virginia. He has over twenty years of experience serving as a building level principal including opening a Junior High School in Warren County, Virginia. Prior to being a school principal, he was an English teacher, department chair, and Assistant Principal. Early in his career, Evan received the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award. In addition, the NCTE Commission on Reading selected him to serve on its board. Evan leads sustainable change initiatives that transform school culture, increase achievement, and prepare students for their future. In addition to being a full-time principal, Evan speaks across the country on leadership, how to improve literacy in schools, the digital principal, social media, how to involve all staff in goal setting, how to organize effective work teams, and the impact of culture and positivity on work.
His first book titled, The Principal’s Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community was published by Scholastic in the fall of 2007. His newest book, The Ten- Minute Principal is being published by Corwin in May 2019. Evan and Laura Robb collaborated with Davis Burgess Publishing to write, Team Makers which will be published in the summer of 2019. In addition, Evan and Laura will publish, A School Full of Readers with Benchmark Education in the fall of 2019.
Evan gave his first TEDx Talk titled, Two Ways to Get Into a Swimming Pool in June 2019 at TEDxFieldstoneDriveEd. Evan’s talk has stories of his leadership journey, challenges, and choices he made along the way.
Please explore The Robb Review Blog and ScholasticEDU for more of his thoughts on teaching, learning, and leadership. The Robb Review Blog focuses on looking ahead, not looking back. Evan also has a podcast, The Robb Review Podcast. He has been named one of the top 25 educational leaders to follow on Twitter. Scholastic EDU named Evan one on the 10 educators to follow on Twitter.
Twitter: @ERobbPrincipal
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evanrobbprincipal/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erobbprincipal/
Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.
The post How to Empower Teachers appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!
from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-empower-teachers/
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silnaniewinna · 8 years ago
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Interview with Tomasz Bagiński
http://www.newsweek.pl/kultura/filmy-i-seriale/netlix-zrobi-serial-o-wiedzminie-tomasz-baginski-o-nowym-wiedzminie,artykuly,411315,1.html
I decide to translate it all.
It was supposed to be a movie, it would be a serial. Why?
T.B.: History has grown. In the meantime - and on the Witcher project I'm working four years now - cultural switch has been set. Genre films - apart from the pre-Oscars, when more ambitious production occurs - are increasingly turning into circus shows. It is difficult to think of the "Witcher" as a colorful, thoughtless brawl. So we felt that such deep literature as Andrzej Sapkowski's prose gather  wind in sails  first and foremost on television, multi-episode narrative. Where will not be limited even by the length of the season, because after all, and the number of seasons can be arbitrary, is subject to what dictates the story.
How faithful will you stay to the  books?
T.B.: We will try to rely mainly on the literature of Andrzej Sapkowski, because it is a multi-layered prose. On top of that we actually have a fantasy story full of monsters and action. But when we read deeper, we reach the next layers, up to the level of archetypes, philosophy almost. The unique feature of this series - the world, heroes, Andrzej's entire writing - is that it can be received on so many levels.
This is an event in Polish literature?
T.B.:  It is no big surprise that Sapkowski and his Witcher have become so popular and iconic, not only in Poland but also abroad. It is also no coincidence that this book has become a great basis for a brilliant game that has been a business success. In Polish culture this is a rarity. Polish fantasy literature is a high test, but the character's creation is often limp and the screen is fed primarily by characters. Those whose fate we want to follow with whom we want to stay, which also differ from each other, because after all in Sapkowski every one on this characters  speaks differently, has its own tics, behavior.
What is it in Geralt itself that it is worth making him a serial hero?
T.B: Geralt of Rivia is a moral compass of the world, in which there is no clear division between good and evil, and that is the reality around us. Even in the Cold War, the division was as clear as in "Star Wars" - the empire of evil and noble rebellion. It was known to which groups you should belong.. Today, even the last part of "Star Wars" introduces nuances: rebels are nasty types and they need redemption, and the empire seems to has it’s own rights.  The Witcher is an example of a hero who, in this world of mad, competing ideas, none of which is clearly good or bad - is trying to find the right path. He says: such things you cannot do, such things need to be done, and such choices are necessary. A bit like a guy who will defend the weaker who is beating up in trolley. Archetypal defender. And it is thanks to it there is  something fantastic in him - such characters we want and need.
You say that thanks to it in  Sapkowski there  is something basic Polish. Why?
T.B: Becouse Sapkowski from the beginning described the world from the perspective of Poland, which was always in interface, developed in the clash of East and West. In Poland - contrary to what we are used to say - we are not tribes, you can not qualify us to one particular camp. Even if we start to hold up to something, it soon starts to pinch us - we already have a libertine nature, we are non-controllable. Geralt is similar.
Does the world of the series need clear divisions? Good knights, evil dragons, heroes whom we would like  without hesitation and those we hate from the first meeting?
T.B: If you are watching modern series, you see that this division is long gone - their structure is much more complex, and there is more intelligent psychology out there. The best characters today are those who have good intentions. Another thing is what comes out of this intentions.
  Wait a second what about a "Game of  Thrones"? Is it not it that we know from the beginning which of the Westeros kingdoms are "good" and which are causing us aversion?
T.B: You might be surprised. If I had to interview the audience thoroughly, I am sure that there would be people who understand Cersei, her difficult choices and why she is so cruel. And those who would argue that this entire Ned Stark bunch is an overly sensitive sociopaths who is overly afraid that some sort of winter is coming. People are different - and in modern entertainment the most interesting thing is that it is try to tell the difference.
After the speculation about the actors, you joked that Tomasz Karolak could play the role of kikimore. What about the main actor idea? Which stories will you use,  which you will give up?
T.B: I apologize to our viewers and readers for being such a sphinx guarding the mystery - I know the fans would like to know right now more about our casting ideas, what stories  we want to adapt - but many of these things could influence the later process,  many of them are also tade secret . For all of this time will come.
And how - as far as it can be betrayed - look  the process of working on such a complicated plot that must be "The Witcher"?
T.B: I can not say anything but what is general know. Working on the show, more than the film is a teamwork, also at the stage of creation. Stories are written by many scriptwriters, episodes are directed by a number of directors, everything is consulted with the producers and department heads. Big human machine
You cannot reveal who among the full-blooded heroes of Sapkowski will appear on the show. What about  characters beside Geralt are for you, Tomek Bagiński are the key, the most interesting?
T.B: From all stories or novels I prefer specific moments. And what kind of characters I like, will not be particularly controversial. There are such heroes, without  it is difficult to imagine this story: Ciri, Yennefer or supporting characters: Bonhart, Vilgefortza or Regis. How exactly it will be in the series and what characters appear - here please be patient.
Dragon,  Baba Jaga, Twardowsky - in your work there is recently a whole lot of Slavic legends and clues. Where does it come from?
T.B: I will not tell stories from the plains of Arizona or country music biography, because I do not know anything about them. I was born here, here I live and this is my cultural background. It is not a burden, but a tool that can be used - it is extremely interesting and exotic for the rest of the world. Just as Peter Jackson sits in New Zealand and makes films there, using everything he sees around him, so we can use this great European plain like Poland. I really really strongly believe that at this point in the East and West we have built a strong cultural identity, although our archetypes we do not used for years, we considered them as dump. This Pole is untouchable - it is our greatest strength.
How much do you think the CD Projekt and its "Witcher" contributed to the promulgate of Slavs?
T.B: The CDP guys did a great job with this adaptation, so no one will take that from them.. It was a great game and it was a success. The more such companies and people who are so professionally and reliably approaching their work, the sooner Poland will develop. Games also did not undermine the characters and literacy of Andrzej Sapkowski, although it is true that the policy of some publishers harmed the reputation of the writer himself.
He sometimes talked about the game without much flattering.
T.B: It is worth reading these statements with understanding and in a specific context. These statements are much less controversial than what the media around them has unleashed. There is no easy correlation between games and books between books and series or movies. For example, few people suspect that a book was written after a movie. In the case of games the relationship is less obvious, and books written for games are often very literary second league. The publisher's policy  to add to the books covers from the "The Witcher" games automatic add them to that category and right now it’s necessary to correct that.   That does not change the fact that games were extremely popular and in some markets increased the recognition of the Witcher brand.
Is your experience and cooperation with Netflix a guarantee that everything will go well with the series?
T.B: In life, only taxes and death are guaranteed. But even the latter may soon change 
And the biggest risk you can imagine in relation to this production?
T.B: Media! Because they are taking up the time we could devote to work. ( laugh ). You will be able to write that "Baginski chased journalists, told them nothing. He is a boor and a beet, worse than the infamous writer Andrzej S. " And there will be another Witcher controversy. People will read. that.
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shelbygabby · 8 years ago
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This Morning’s Anger
I woke up this morning and read an article that was posted to The Guardian a couple of days ago. The title of this article was “Zoe Sugg: the vlogger blamed for declining teenage literacy,” so being a Zoe Sugg supporter of almost 4 years, I was curious to how this could be. I read the article. Now the part that gets me is that the article has nothing really to do with a decline in teenage literacy, or how Zoe was blamed. My take on the article was that it was written to instead put out an opinion on vloggers and how people don’t know what that is. The article doesn’t only go after Zoe but also lists other popular YouTubers.  The writer of the article was, Zoe Williams, according to Wikipedia (though not so reliable we’re going to go with it,) she is 43-44 years old so it makes sense that she doesn’t know what a vlogger is. Zoe Sugg, yes she makes videos in a bedroom, yes she likes donuts (They’re delicious, sue her?) but she is making money, a thing a lot of the people I know who are her age are struggling with. SO WHAT if she is using a media that old people don’t understand. Shouldn’t everyone be happy that new platforms are opening that give so many people new job opportunities that weren’t available before?
The article hints that Zoe posts boring content that isn’t relevant and that at 27 she still has all her teenage fascinations, and aims to please a bunch of 13-year-olds. I am almost 22 years old. I find this article an insult to me as well as Zoe. I work 7-8 hour shifts 5 days a week I take classes at a local college and I don’t really go out. With the stress from work and class I find watching Zoe talk about her day with her friends or boyfriend fun, I like to watch her bake because she can make beautiful cakes and pastries while I burn EVERYTHING! The article seems to focus on the most recent Zoella (this is Zoe Suggs internet name) video where she reacts to old teenage photos of herself. I got the vibe that the writer thought this was stupid. I myself found it to be funny and even made a similar video myself. It’s good to be able to look into your past and be able to laugh at yourself, sharing it with millions of people who are basically friends, it’s life. You share your past with the people who love you and that’s what she did.
As for the decline in literacy. I don’t know where that title came from. In the article, it was mentioned at the end as a fact of a low point in her career. It doesn’t say where it came from or why it’s being said. But this is why I think it is utter crap! Zoe Sugg has authored 3 books, the first of which made her the fastest-selling author since the records began. She has done, currently, two cycles of a book club, each with maybe 8 books that people can read and then discuss with her. She encourages people to read, and since the article seems to think that her viewers are all 13, which is a teenager, wouldn’t that mean that she is increasing teenage literacy. I work with a bunch of teenagers and when I try to talk books and reading with them and they aren’t interested. I think that Netflix should be blamed for the decline in teenage literacy. Because all Zoe has done is encourage people to read and give them suggestions on what she is enjoying and that they might like to.
DISCLAIMER: Yes my thoughts and opinions are biased because I adore Zoe Sugg, but I’m just responding to the article that doesn’t support what it’s saying with fact, I have numbers, personal experience, and just went against some of the things the article said. I usually don't say anything about these sorts of things but today I just felt like I needed to put this out there. Yes, I only saw it because Zoe was talking about it but still. I didn't know where to post it after I wrote it and tumblr wasn't my first choice but I didn't want to just delete it. So, ENJOY TUMBLR! 
SOURCES:
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/feb/24/zoe-sugg-zoella-the-vlogger-blamed-for-declining-teenage-literacy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoe_Williams
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