In the last discussion about Foxconn factories I was roped into siding with a lukewarm approach. One of the earlier articles claimed that Foxconn employees were enduring the long work shifts because they wanted to be able to earn more money. However, after reading about the mass riots in the Foxconn factory, I am quite sure that the employees were misrepresented.
Riots broke out in the Foxconn factory that involved "2,000 workers" (Kan). It was said that the "incident first started as a “personal dispute”, and then escalated" (Kan). How a single personal dispute escalates into a 2,000 person riot is more than suspicious. Although the workers might have had bitterness towards their working conditions, if their need was only monetary, than why would anyone jeopardize their means of income for someone elses 'personal dispute'. The article even stated that "According to police, some 40 individuals were taken to the hospital for
medical attention and a number of individuals were arrested...”(Kan) As a news article quoted labor experts,"Foxconn is not entirely transparent
about the worker disputes that occur at the company’s factories in
China." ...'NOT ENTIRELY!!!!?'
People do not join riots with so much to risk unless they believe the risk is worth taking. The workers are doing all they can with what they have. The people in China are not being treated justly, they are being misrepresented, and articles are being published to make all of their abuse look justifiable. They are sacrificing their jobs, and their health to make a stand. What are we doing to help? Are we a part of the problem, or the solution?
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010498/mass-riot-erupts-at-foxconn-factory-in-china.html
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Memory
It was once hypothisized that "there was no way that the motors and platters and flying read/write heads of memory could possibly keep up with the blinding pace of semiconductor logic." Fortunately for us, this position is far from reality.
I found the article "Remembrance of Computer Disks Past" a thought provoking read. The article spoke about the desperate search for memory, and the progression from floppy discs, to tiny disc drives found in the Apple IPods, today. Although the tranformation through each memory host was interesting, I thought that the timing in which such great inventions had been marketed was very impressive. In just sixty-years memory has advanced from "24 stacked disks, each two feet in diameter and weighing more than 20 pounds each," to "tiny, silver-dollar-size"(Malone).
This article made me think about, and appreciate memory in general. We record information every single day. Even in-class notetaking is a luxury that once did not exisit. There was a time when memory was restricted to the human-mind... frightening! Now, we can record data anywhere, anytime: cell phones, flashdrives, sticky-notes, voicemail, even the internet is a data recording system.
As stated in the article, "Computer memory is the forgotten story of the electronics revolution. Yet it may be the most remarkable of all" (Malone).
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:n6XBdsEdK20J:online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444100404577641254037608474.html?mod=googlenews_wsj+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk
I found the article "Remembrance of Computer Disks Past" a thought provoking read. The article spoke about the desperate search for memory, and the progression from floppy discs, to tiny disc drives found in the Apple IPods, today. Although the tranformation through each memory host was interesting, I thought that the timing in which such great inventions had been marketed was very impressive. In just sixty-years memory has advanced from "24 stacked disks, each two feet in diameter and weighing more than 20 pounds each," to "tiny, silver-dollar-size"(Malone).
This article made me think about, and appreciate memory in general. We record information every single day. Even in-class notetaking is a luxury that once did not exisit. There was a time when memory was restricted to the human-mind... frightening! Now, we can record data anywhere, anytime: cell phones, flashdrives, sticky-notes, voicemail, even the internet is a data recording system.
As stated in the article, "Computer memory is the forgotten story of the electronics revolution. Yet it may be the most remarkable of all" (Malone).
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:n6XBdsEdK20J:online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444100404577641254037608474.html?mod=googlenews_wsj+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk
Monday, September 17, 2012
Connected
An article published September 9th, 2012 stated that, "35 percent of the U.S. Internet population is not on Facebook or Twitter, and of those who are, nearly half are scared of scams."( mail online).
Social Media is an incredible tool. Although only 65% of internet users are on Twitter, or Facebook, I would not doubt that %100 of internet users know of these social networks. They are powerful, and they do connect the world in ways that we've never been connected before.
Thirty-five percent really is not a terrible loss, either. If an approximate 17% of internet users are afraid of scams, and 11% claim that the sites are too difficult to use there is still only a remaining 7% of internet users to consider. Of this 7% I think that it would be safe to assume that although these people do not have a Facebook, or Twitter account now, they might have in the past, or will in the future. There are young teenagers who use the internet for school, and perhaps gaming, but do not have their parents permission to start social networking, yet. Alternatively, there are people who have had accounts on these sites, and later decided that it was too much of a distraction. Furthermore, the 11% who claim that the sites were too difficult had to have tried them in order to make their assumption. This being said although only 65% are on Facebook or Twitter, it seems as though statistically speaking closer to 85% of the population has been, or will be a part of these social networks.
Eighty-Five percent of the U.S.internet population is huge! This statistic indicates that Facebook, and Twitter holds a greater turn-out than the U.S. Presidential Election voter turn-out! (infoplease)
Social Media can be used for almost any kind of promotion whether it would be a website promotion, business promotion, product, or personal promotion. The moment we connect through social media, we reach %65 of the U.S.internet population if not %85 in due time. Perhaps this November Twitter, and Facebook will be used as election promoters and for the first time in years our polls will overflow because of the power influence of our social media!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2200880/A-THIRD-U-S-population-refrains-using-Facebook-Twitter.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html
Social Media is an incredible tool. Although only 65% of internet users are on Twitter, or Facebook, I would not doubt that %100 of internet users know of these social networks. They are powerful, and they do connect the world in ways that we've never been connected before.
Thirty-five percent really is not a terrible loss, either. If an approximate 17% of internet users are afraid of scams, and 11% claim that the sites are too difficult to use there is still only a remaining 7% of internet users to consider. Of this 7% I think that it would be safe to assume that although these people do not have a Facebook, or Twitter account now, they might have in the past, or will in the future. There are young teenagers who use the internet for school, and perhaps gaming, but do not have their parents permission to start social networking, yet. Alternatively, there are people who have had accounts on these sites, and later decided that it was too much of a distraction. Furthermore, the 11% who claim that the sites were too difficult had to have tried them in order to make their assumption. This being said although only 65% are on Facebook or Twitter, it seems as though statistically speaking closer to 85% of the population has been, or will be a part of these social networks.
Eighty-Five percent of the U.S.internet population is huge! This statistic indicates that Facebook, and Twitter holds a greater turn-out than the U.S. Presidential Election voter turn-out! (infoplease)
Social Media can be used for almost any kind of promotion whether it would be a website promotion, business promotion, product, or personal promotion. The moment we connect through social media, we reach %65 of the U.S.internet population if not %85 in due time. Perhaps this November Twitter, and Facebook will be used as election promoters and for the first time in years our polls will overflow because of the power influence of our social media!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2200880/A-THIRD-U-S-population-refrains-using-Facebook-Twitter.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html
Friday, September 7, 2012
Suicide Factories
The news reports about the Samsung, and Apple factories are stomach
twisting. It makes me feel like a cannibal. We are literally consuming these
people for our own gain: “Wang Ling's… was the 15th Foxconn employee
reported to have committed suicide since the beginning of 2010”
(Garside). Although these facts are heart wrenching, these conditions are being
brought to the light, which means hope is on its way.
These reports remind
me of the conditions in early 17th century American factories. A historical website declares, “Children
as young as six years old during the industrial revolution worked hard hours
for little or no pay. Children sometimes worked up to 19 hours a day, with a
one-hour total break… They were in horrible conditions. Large, heavy, and
dangerous equipment was very common for children to be using or working near.
Many accidents occurred [causing] injur[ies] [and] kill[ed] children on the job”
(Galenet). In 2012 two articles were published that noted uncanny parallels
concerning factories today. They explained that “46% of the workforce clocked up to 70 hours per
week” that ” 43%
of workers reported experiencing or witnessing an accident”, and that “health and safety breaches found by
auditors …included blocked exits, lack of or faulty personal protective
equipment and missing permits” (Garside).
Four centuries later, and we still have these working conditions!
I really do
believe that I could pledge today to stop using products such as the iphone;
however, I think in a desperate act to demand change I would hurt the same
people I was trying to help. The most
disturbing part of this report was that “a third of employees surveyed wanted
to work more hours so that they could earn more, and half felt their hours were
reasonable” (Garside). These people want to work, and if I were to boycott
their products, I would be denying them their will. So what do we do to help?
The fact that there are being articles published, and blogs
posted about this issue means that people are becoming more, and more aware of
what is happening. Awareness is the first step to resolution. If no one knows what is happening, then no
one can react to what is happening. Eventually
in American history the Factory Act was passed. In the same way, Chinese laws
will be passed, and enforced. Although it took longer than anyone would have
liked, “ Apple [has] recognized the
need for independent audits and appointed… [the] Fair Labour Association… to
clean up the garment trade, [and] is now turning its attention for the first
time to the electronics industry “ (Garside).
samsung-factories
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Samsung v. Apple
-->
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/25/editorial-engadget-on-the-apple-vs-samsung-ruling/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57501103-37/apple-targets-8-samsung-phones-for-sales-ban/
http://gizmodo.com/5938219/why-the-apple-v-samsung-ruling-may-not-hold-up
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2136166/Samsung-roars-record-5-2BN-profit-sells-20-000-Galaxy-handsets-hour--analyst-warns-Apple-fail-just-like-Sony.html
Engadget started
their editorial with “It's done. It's all over. There's nothing left now but
the tears, the big checks -- and the appeals.” As dramatic as this sounds,
financially, creatively, and logically, this ruling is far from dramatic.
“The majority indicating that Samsung's implementation of
various features like pinch-zooming and bounce-scrolling did indeed infringe on
Apple's” (Engadget). Apple was awarded $1.05billion by the jury (Lowensohn). Although $1.05 billion seems like an
unreasonable debt, Samsung is raking in a “record $5.2 billion quarterly profit”
(Waugh). This being said, in 3 months Samsung can pay their fee with just a
little over 4 billion in change.
Creatively, this forces Samsung to step into uncharted
territory. In fact, this could be quite the blessing in disguise. Samsung will have to think of new ways for
people to navigate their phones, and other devices. Their forced turn might not only bring what
Samsung needs, but might inspire a new breed of phones. As Tim Stevens worded
the situation, “There's nothing like a limited set of tools to inspire creativity.”
From a logical standpoint, the media is going to ask us how
this decision will affect the future. They will purpose rhetorical questions to
birth drama: “Does this mean that every creative idea ever reused will lead to
court?”… “Does this mean that anything beside
Apple will be sued for using Apps? The fact of the matter is that technology
has surpassed the rights our forefathers had anticipated within the First Amendment. However, our judicial system is at work. *See
blog “Dear Technology…”* This case might lead to new copyright laws, and it
might lead to a time were legality, and creativity are never separated, but to
fear the change will not make it any more comfortable.
Aside from the proceeding arguments, this case might be far
from the end, anyway; “Late in the process…at the Apple v. Samsung Trial, when the parties and the judge were reviewing the
jury verdict form, Samsung noticed that there were, indeed, inconsistencies in the jury's verdict form” (Jones-Groklaw).
Although, Engadget sees
this as a dramatic end, I see this as a mere pothole in a 10,000+ year-long
road.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Our Square-Round Table Talk
Our most recent production work has been a round table discussion on conservation. I worked with a few other students to produce a 30minute news segment on environmental, and historical conservation.
We divided the workload fairly evenly. Originally, I was only working with one other student. The first day of this production process. We threw around ideas about what specific aspect of conservation that we would like our round table discussion to cover. Once we narrowed the topic to historical, and environmental conservation, we both started making phone calls to see who would be a good source, and willing to speak for us. I was able to get in contact with a previous employer who actually works for the National Park Service doing conservation work. That vsame day, my fellow student-colleague and I created a list of questions that we would ask our talent to discuss.
The next day of production, our group grew to a team of five. We spent a lot of class time discussing who would be able to do what task during the actual filming. I went to the police station with another team-member to see if we could get reserved parking for the talent coming in to speak for us. I was also able to confirm two of our talents, and email them the questions, and filming details. I also asked a few people from the other groups if they would help us during our production as floor manager, and switcher because there were not enough people in our group to fulfill all the roles. Finally, we discussed a few alternative talents, and prop choices if what we were expecting the day of production did not play out the way we would have liked.
Our team met the day before production to set-up the studio lights, and seating the way that we wanted it for the shoot. I helped move lights, and cameras, and we even put a shelf together as a prop. I also went back to the police station that day to confirm our parking reservations.
The day of the shoot, I got to class early to meet our talent, and to discuss the shooting process with them in person. I also helped set-up their mics, and explain were they could look during the shoot. Then, once the talent was in place, I directed the shoot.
This was the most painless shoot I have ever done. Generally in film we expect someone not to show up, or some piece of equipment not to work; fortunately, this went incredibly smoothing. I worked with an excellent team. I do not think any of us felt overwhelmed by what needed to be done because everyone contributed a different essential aspect. It was a great experience!
We divided the workload fairly evenly. Originally, I was only working with one other student. The first day of this production process. We threw around ideas about what specific aspect of conservation that we would like our round table discussion to cover. Once we narrowed the topic to historical, and environmental conservation, we both started making phone calls to see who would be a good source, and willing to speak for us. I was able to get in contact with a previous employer who actually works for the National Park Service doing conservation work. That vsame day, my fellow student-colleague and I created a list of questions that we would ask our talent to discuss.
The next day of production, our group grew to a team of five. We spent a lot of class time discussing who would be able to do what task during the actual filming. I went to the police station with another team-member to see if we could get reserved parking for the talent coming in to speak for us. I was also able to confirm two of our talents, and email them the questions, and filming details. I also asked a few people from the other groups if they would help us during our production as floor manager, and switcher because there were not enough people in our group to fulfill all the roles. Finally, we discussed a few alternative talents, and prop choices if what we were expecting the day of production did not play out the way we would have liked.
Our team met the day before production to set-up the studio lights, and seating the way that we wanted it for the shoot. I helped move lights, and cameras, and we even put a shelf together as a prop. I also went back to the police station that day to confirm our parking reservations.
The day of the shoot, I got to class early to meet our talent, and to discuss the shooting process with them in person. I also helped set-up their mics, and explain were they could look during the shoot. Then, once the talent was in place, I directed the shoot.
This was the most painless shoot I have ever done. Generally in film we expect someone not to show up, or some piece of equipment not to work; fortunately, this went incredibly smoothing. I worked with an excellent team. I do not think any of us felt overwhelmed by what needed to be done because everyone contributed a different essential aspect. It was a great experience!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The Big Bang
-BIG BANG!?
- You mean like dem planets?
- No, we're not talkin' about a theory.
- Oh, do you mean the shootin'?
- Yea, we're talkin' about uh shootin'.
-Anyone diiie?
- Well, it ain't no action, and it ain't no western neither.
One of the greatest parts about learning how Studio Production works is that we have the ability to wear a a variety of hats, and are not confined to the same task. Since we have started shooting the Writing Center, I have been able to participate in a healthy variety of roles, and have learned from each of them.
On the first day of shooting, I was able to play the role as the director for about half of the class. This was a special learning opportunity because we were able to work with talent outside of the class. Until that day, I really took for granted having talent that understood what we could do through editing. It almost felt like we were a group of cowboys trying to teach Indians why we using guns and not bows. When the talent first came in, a lot of them wanted to make everything that was recorded look natural, but everyone else wanted those uncomfortable pauses between lines, and we wanted them to sit under the hot lights until the audio, and lights were just right. Being a director in this situation, I learned to take a few steps back, understand their desire not to be uncomfortable, and explain how in the end the uncomfortable way will eventual look the most natural. Once they understood, I think they rather than feeling like they were making mistakes, they were able to see that they were giving us exactly what we needed.
In almost every western there is one quick scene when the cowboy goes home just to say bye again. It does not matter what his wife says, he always leaves. On the second day, I got to use the camera for just enough time to record one talent reading the script. I felt a lot like the wife in the western that day. The shot was already aligned, the white balance was already set, and there really was not anything that I could do. Sometimes being somewhere is more important than having a say, just like the wife being there for her children might have been more important than having a say.
I also had the ability to work as floor manager for a different talent. Being the floor manager is like being put in the center of a draw. The director is asking one question, audio needs a sound check, and the talent is asking another question. I did not realize how important this roll was until we were really shooting. The person in this position has to be quick, and focused. They are stopping all the bullets, and shooting them right back were they need to be directed.
The day before we stared shooting in the studio I tried to set up lighting for the shoot. We set up the lights, ran to the camera, changed the lights, then changed them again. We even put up the umbrella lights for the first time just to practice. When I do lighting I feel like a cowboy who has lost his horse. I see so much potential with lighting, I think that lighting is an incredible aspect of film, but I still do not know were to start looking for the lighting shot I have in my head. Aside from becoming an efficient umbrella light setter-upper, I suppose the most important aspect of lighting that I've learned is that I have a lot to learn.
In between each titled job, I did do some miscellaneous work: I moved the board for the talents to read the script, and for the cameras checking white balance. I took the batteries out of the mic-pack, and I helped turn off lights, and lower them after each day of film way over. Doing the miscellaneous work is like being the 5 year old boy who wants to leave with his dad to fight the Indians, but is only big enough to clean the horses, not to ride them. Even so, every little task is important to the production, and if everyone did a little more of the maintenance production work could be a lot smoother.
Finally, I was able to do some of the filming outside of class. The first day, we went to the writing center, shot some 'potential idea shots', spoke to people in the writing center about how they wanted this filmed, and even made note of lighting situations that would needed some attention. The second day of outside of class filming, we filmed the Center. I helped set up lighting, and acted as the student walking into the center. This was like finding a new cattle herd rounding them up, and taking it home. New footage for the entire class to enjoy!
-Yes'em, we are talkin' bout a real good shootin'. Dun learned a lot.
- You mean like dem planets?
- No, we're not talkin' about a theory.
- Oh, do you mean the shootin'?
- Yea, we're talkin' about uh shootin'.
-Anyone diiie?
- Well, it ain't no action, and it ain't no western neither.
One of the greatest parts about learning how Studio Production works is that we have the ability to wear a a variety of hats, and are not confined to the same task. Since we have started shooting the Writing Center, I have been able to participate in a healthy variety of roles, and have learned from each of them.
On the first day of shooting, I was able to play the role as the director for about half of the class. This was a special learning opportunity because we were able to work with talent outside of the class. Until that day, I really took for granted having talent that understood what we could do through editing. It almost felt like we were a group of cowboys trying to teach Indians why we using guns and not bows. When the talent first came in, a lot of them wanted to make everything that was recorded look natural, but everyone else wanted those uncomfortable pauses between lines, and we wanted them to sit under the hot lights until the audio, and lights were just right. Being a director in this situation, I learned to take a few steps back, understand their desire not to be uncomfortable, and explain how in the end the uncomfortable way will eventual look the most natural. Once they understood, I think they rather than feeling like they were making mistakes, they were able to see that they were giving us exactly what we needed.
In almost every western there is one quick scene when the cowboy goes home just to say bye again. It does not matter what his wife says, he always leaves. On the second day, I got to use the camera for just enough time to record one talent reading the script. I felt a lot like the wife in the western that day. The shot was already aligned, the white balance was already set, and there really was not anything that I could do. Sometimes being somewhere is more important than having a say, just like the wife being there for her children might have been more important than having a say.
I also had the ability to work as floor manager for a different talent. Being the floor manager is like being put in the center of a draw. The director is asking one question, audio needs a sound check, and the talent is asking another question. I did not realize how important this roll was until we were really shooting. The person in this position has to be quick, and focused. They are stopping all the bullets, and shooting them right back were they need to be directed.
The day before we stared shooting in the studio I tried to set up lighting for the shoot. We set up the lights, ran to the camera, changed the lights, then changed them again. We even put up the umbrella lights for the first time just to practice. When I do lighting I feel like a cowboy who has lost his horse. I see so much potential with lighting, I think that lighting is an incredible aspect of film, but I still do not know were to start looking for the lighting shot I have in my head. Aside from becoming an efficient umbrella light setter-upper, I suppose the most important aspect of lighting that I've learned is that I have a lot to learn.
In between each titled job, I did do some miscellaneous work: I moved the board for the talents to read the script, and for the cameras checking white balance. I took the batteries out of the mic-pack, and I helped turn off lights, and lower them after each day of film way over. Doing the miscellaneous work is like being the 5 year old boy who wants to leave with his dad to fight the Indians, but is only big enough to clean the horses, not to ride them. Even so, every little task is important to the production, and if everyone did a little more of the maintenance production work could be a lot smoother.
Finally, I was able to do some of the filming outside of class. The first day, we went to the writing center, shot some 'potential idea shots', spoke to people in the writing center about how they wanted this filmed, and even made note of lighting situations that would needed some attention. The second day of outside of class filming, we filmed the Center. I helped set up lighting, and acted as the student walking into the center. This was like finding a new cattle herd rounding them up, and taking it home. New footage for the entire class to enjoy!
-Yes'em, we are talkin' bout a real good shootin'. Dun learned a lot.
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