People Watching Addicts: Beware

I have to admit: I love to people watch. This is one thing that helps get me through work somedays. When I'm standing at a 3-hour college fair without much interest , I can still find a way to enjoy myself. How? I find it fascinating to watch how the 16-18 year-olds interact with each other, carry themselves, dress, and make decisions. Maybe it's weird, but I think it's fascinating. I think this is also the reason we like reality tv-we love to watch each other!

When I first got on Twitter, I was one of those who didn't really get it. But, I was invited by a friend so I signed up. I signed in for a few times and then pretty much left it dormant for a few months. About four months ago I decided to give it another try, and it seemed  completely different than the first time I signed in! I didn't realize that there were businesses promoting deals, celebrities, and news outlets broadcasting on Twitter.

And then, I realized, it was a new venue for people watching. It kind of became a nice little break in my day to check up on where people were and what they were doing. Maybe they would even post a Twitpic!

I suppose Twitter isn't necessarily adding to my intellect or making me a more cultured person, but it sure is fun! It's a guilty pleasure that I'm okay with indulging. Perhaps on of the guiltiest tweets I follow: Bachelor Spoilers. Sad, I know, but I am Bachelor obsessed and I have given up the resistance.

Twitter Ads

I just came across this interesting article on how businesses can effectively take advantage of Twitter's new advertising opportunities. I think allowing ads on Twitter is interesting in general, especially because to me Twitter pretty much seems to be a place where companies already advertise about themselves through tweets. I know this wasn't the original purpose of Twitter-but that's honestly what I associate with it now. I wonder if this will change the way people/businesses tweet?

College Costs-You Get What You Pay For!

Working in admission at a private-university (which is located pretty much down the street from a public university), I am locked in a fundamental struggle over money.  Drury costs and is always going to cost more than Missouri State-period. One facet of the battle is trying to get potential families to understand why there is a difference in that price tag-which, lately, has definitely been an uphill battle. It has really shocked me that students really just seem to be looking for the bottom line on costs-they don't seem to be taking into account the academic values of attending a small, private university. They seem to think it's all the same.

I recently came across a website called "College Confidential". I always think these college prep websites are interesting, mostly because a lot of time I disagree with some of the things they say about getting in to college. But I did find this article on college price tags that caught my eye, and after I read it I felt vindicated! It extolls the value of deciding on a college based on what you are looking for-not price. Basically, find your fit first, then work out the money details. I agree whole-heartedly.

This College Confidential website is actually a really great tool for high schools students. Not only does it have tons of articles on pretty much any college admission related subject, it also has forums, chats, and a section where you can "Ask the Dean".  I think this is a great way to reach out to the tech-savvy Millenialls. Also, searching YouTube, I found several college admission "tips" videos. I also think this one is pretty much right on:

A Little Bit Addicted...

I have to confess that following makeup, beauty, and fashion trends is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. When I began to Google some of these subjects about 6 months ago I was very surprised to see that most of the results were returned as blogs and YouTube "how-to" videos.  This was my introduction to actually habitually following these media outlets. The best aspect, I think, is the YouTube reviews and how-tos. This is the YouTube-r I follow the most frequently-partly because I love her accent.

The Importance of Blogging

Blogging has most definitely become an important, if not integral, part of the current new media landscape. Literally anyone with access to a computer and an internet connection has the capability of writing a blog, on any conceivable subject under the sun. This has significantly affected and shifted the way in which we as a culture communicate with each other, share news, and make our mark on the world. People are able to create blogs to inform family members and friends about what is going on in their respective lives. People write blogs about anything ranging from politics to beauty and fashion, and there is quite literally something out there for everyone to subscribe to. This is so significant because never before has there been a way to put so many vastly different opinions, viewpoints, and suggestions into a means where anyone has ready access.
This serves to deliver interpretations of the news and politics in a manner that has never before been available. It is really a way for anyone and everyone to voice his or her opinion, or to share his or her wisdom or advice. This affects us all because we all encounter blog-based information on the web. Thus, it is important for us to understand not only the nature of blogs, but their cultural and social implications as well. Blogs are a microcosm of what is going on in pop culture, and being aware of the trends can tell us a lot about what society is thinking. It is so interesting how we look to blogs for how-to information, for updates on the news and political topics, and for gossip. Blogs have almost become the party-line telephone of the 1950s. Today, if you want everyone to know something, post it in your blog.
Blogging allows anyone to share any information they so choose. It is like a web (excuse the pun) that can bring together people all over the world because of a common theme or interest. That ability is what makes social media so powerful, and what is helping transform the way we receive and interpret information today.

An interesting blog.