Technology in Journalism

   Journalism has developed along with technology.  We used to use a typewriter and a printing press, but now there's so much more we use to report the news.  So, what's the most important technology we use these days?
   The computer is a no brainer.  It allows us to report faster, and it allows more people to see it, which is the point of journalism.  There's also the video camera for the news stations.  It also allows more people to see the news.
   I think one of the most important is the iPhone.  You can take notes, pictures, and videos.  It's easy to get an interview with Facetime, and you can email it to your editor.  It makes everything faster, and easier to do.  You don't have to carry any heavy microphones or recording devices, and notebooks are a thing of the past.  There's nothing I can think of that's more important than this piece of technology.  Journalism is so much simpler to do now that we have such advanced technology to help.

Thomas Jefferson's Quote

   What Thomas Jefferson means is that the newspaper is biased.  You are given information form only a certain perspective, and sometimes they leave out some the facts so that you're inclined to agree with the writer.  Someone who doesn't read at all would be able to information that was most likely less biased.
   The real way to make sure you can form your own opinions is to read everything, not just newspapers.  The ones that read everything are more informed than the people who only read the newspaper, and those who don't read at all.  At least you'll get more than one point of view on the subject.
   Thomas Jefferson is completely correct when he said that.  The only way to make those who only read newspapers more educated is if the newspapers tell us everything without allowing their opinions to be involved.  That's difficult to do as it is human nature to want people to know what you think and take it into consideration.

State Grade

   Our states have been graded on their corruptibility.  Unfortunately, the highest grade is a B+.  There isn't anything wrong with getting a B+, but there is a problem when that's the highest grade.  A large amount of states have scored an F, and that's just sad.  It needs to change.
   What we need to do is to target the specific issues in each states and address each individually.  Delaware   was scored a C- because of many things, but they scored an F on public information access and lobbying disclosure.  If we raise the grade on both of these, they'll probably have a B overall.
   If we fix the states our country will be better for everyone, and we won't feel so embarrassed about the state of our country.  Some countries could be graded all As, and it's awful that we don't even have one state that aced the assessment.  It is not acceptable ,and everyone needs to work towards raising those scores.

Is it News?

   Ashton Kutcher is the 500th person to sign up to be a "private astronaut."  In case you are unaware,  Virgin Galactic is a service that basically provides private space travel.  I don't think this is even close to news.
   Ashton Kutcher is a celebrity, and almost anything to do celerities ends up in print features.  It could possibly be considered news if they were just covering the program, but Kutcher doesn't really matter enough to be real news.
   News is the information that everyone should know.  Nobody needs to know Ashton Kutcher's going on a "private astronaut" program.  I can honestly say that plenty of people don't want to know because they don't care.   He doesn't affect the world, the country, or local areas, so the information is unnecessary.  It can't be news if that's the case.

Bob Seger

   My father loves Bob Seger, an American rock and roll singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist.  I'm inclined to agree with his opinion about this artist.  He's a roots rocker with a loud, raspy voice.  He's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and still performing and recording today.
   His music means something to people, and is still fun to listen to.  Some of his best songs, in my opinion, are Like a Rock, Old Time Rock and Roll, Night Move, and We've Got Tonight.  They are all pleasurable to listen to, although some are more light-hearted than others.  
   Despite the fact that Bob Seger isn't a very modern artist, he's still very skilled.  I like his music, and so does my dad.  We both listen to his music in the car when we're going somewhere farther away.  While some may not like his music, he's still considered a very impressive artist.

Invasion of Privacy

   You may think that your Facebook account is private, but you'd be wrong.  Recently, certain companies and schools are asking for your account password, so they can see if you're right for them.
   All they have to do is look back, and they see all your comments.  What if you were trying to get a job, but you insulted the company on your Facebook.  Say goodbye to your chances at getting that job.  It's basically the same thing with schools.  Insult the school, and don't expect to get in.
   The issue is that it's an invasion of privacy.  What right do they have to see anything about your personal life?  Your personal life always differentiates from your professional life.  A school or company should only be concerned with your professional one.
   This is one of those times when I'm sincerely glad that I don't have a Facebook.  If I have to give up my privacy and lose a job, it's best not to give them the chance.

Hacktivism

   Hacktivism is basically using hacking to perform activism.  Hacktivists hack into websites and cell phones to give a social or political point.  There has been debate about whether or not this is a crime, or an acceptable form of protest.
   I think that hacktivism is probably a crime.  It isn't right to hack into people's phones just because you don't agree with them.  Sabotaging their business or website ins't really going to do anything but make the hacker look like the bad guy.
   Hacking is illegal, and the motives have never mattered to the law before.  Why should hacking be allowed because of a new motive?  A murderer is still a murderer, whether or not the person had good intentions.  
   Hackers could easily decide to start hacking for revenge against a company, and claim that what they were doing was hacktivism.  It's too easy to go unpunished if we consider hacktivism legal.

Electromagnetic Railgun

   The U. S. Navy has recently tested an electromagnetic railgun prototype.  It shoots 5-inch projectiles up to one hundred miles, and requires no explosives to fire, so it is quiet.  The question is whether or not it's a good thing.
   I believe that guns are dangerous in general, and that certainly carries over to this new weapon.  I also believe that guns are tools, and that tools aren't bad or good.  It all depends on how you use a weapon.  A knife, for example, can be used to cut vegetables, or murder someone.  It all depends on who has the weapon.
   The railgun is definitely scary.  It has the capabilities to shoot from the top of Delaware to the bottom with accuracy.  It isn't exactly a pleasant thought to know someone one hundred miles away from you could kill you if they wished.  That is why the guns and where they go must be carefully monitored.  With the correct precautions this weapon has an impressive potential to help people.