Comparing two articles.

Is Google Making Us Stupid?
With his article,Nicholas Carr, is challenging the new form of reading by simply asking if it is making us stupid. He sees the depth of the last scene in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, which portrays a computer being unplugged and being able to feel it. He tells us that this movie shows how all the people are just computers, going through their lives "almost with a robotic efficiency." He says that he feels his reading has changed. That he cannot read a book without becoming "fidgety" after two or three pages. He mentions though, that today we read a lot more than we used to in the 1970's because of the new text messaging fad. A research conducted by the University College London, showed that we do not read anymore we just "power browse horizontally through lines."

The Internet Is No Substitute for the Dying Newspaper Industry
Chris Hedges tell us that the reason the newspaper industry is dying is not because the internet is taking over but because we do not have much interest in literature in general. He shows us that a newspaper's job once was to show the world to America, "give a voice to those who would, without the press, have no voice", write about elected officials, etc. He says that these things today have vanished or are vanishing. He calls bloggers "parasites who cling to traditional news outlets." He believes that destroying traditional news is making us "deaf, dumb and blind."

I find that both these articles are full of irony. The author of "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" is telling us about how people today do not like to read long passages or articles, meanwhile, expressing it in a very lengthy article himself. The author of "The Internet Is No Substitute for the Dying Newspaper Industry" is trying to show us how newspapers are becoming obsolete by telling us how the internet is taking over, meanwhile, he is writing it on the internet. I personally feel that the internet is changing the way we think and who we are, because it is bringing information to us in an easier and faster way, it is more convenient(and free). As much as it is unfortunate that our old technologies are becoming extinct, we always have to be open to the constant change of our society.

The Cold Bear Report.

The Onion is a news paper that satirizes current events, and even makes up funny scenarios. In my opinion it gives a lighter feel to serious issues that concern our everyday lives and government. I read a story they wrote about George W. Bush, which did not really occur, and was very entertaining because he was a terrible President who inflicted a lot of damage on our nation, even though this is a very heavy issue, this article makes it more entertaining and light. Even though some of their stories may not be true it is humor in good nature about the world.

Sarah Palin eaten by Wolves.

Alaska- Sarah Palin was reported missing Monday afternoon, after leaving for her weekly caribou worshipping. A witness says that "she was lost in a mist of gray claws and white teeth." The witness admits that at first he thought it was "just an ambush of Sarah Palin's fans begging for an autograph or interview." He later realized, however, through the blood trails leading to the snowy hills of Alaska that Sarah Palin was indeed attacked. After, the ranger came to inspect the bloody snow, the conclusion arrived that Sarah Palin's attackers were no ordinary evil-doers; these were a revengeful pack of wolves. Katie Curic said that "She (Palin) had it coming."

Crash in Queens

Queens, N.Y.- Early Saturday morning another Black Cab crashes after reckless driving. Witnesses say that the cab was speeding up to make a yellow light but it was too late and merged with oncoming traffic. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the collision but this is another strike for the company.

For the past three weeks the Black Cab Company has been getting a lot of attention, because of their improperly trained drivers. The company has been placed under scrutiny from the Public Safety Department and has been said to go on trial for putting people's lives in danger. A witness says that "Not only are they putting the passengers in danger but the people on the sidewalk too." We attempted to talk with the CEO's of the company but they had no comment.

Blogging. The peoples word.

Michael Skube begins his article by emphasizing how "bloggers now are everywhere among us" voicing their opinion on the internet, and they are doing it for free. He quotes Samuel Johnson who said that on a "blockhead" would ever write for free. Well here are millions of people, even successful journalists, "reporting" online, saying what they think on key issues for no money at all. According to Skube bloggers can write whatever they want on the internet without having any obligations toward a higher power (that being an editor of a large newspaper). Bloggers have the power to change thing in politics, media, almost anything by just writing their opinion on the internet. Skube tell us even though they have this power, none of it "makes them jounalists." In this article Michael Skube is simply stating and questioning this new form of journalism.

Both articles aknowledge that blogging is a new way of distributing ideas and opinions in a massive way, through the internet (last time i checked everyone in the world has access to it). Michael Skube sees that to write a good article, you need time and effort. He gives the example of Sitton, whom he had once worked with, and tells us that Sitton had put himself in danger plenty of times in order to report a story. This shows that he believes that a good story has to have been researched first hand before it can be written. Andrew Sullivan on the other hand views blogs as more relatable to the regular person. He says that blogs are "imbued with the temper of their writer", which means that the blogger has his emotions and opinions written all over his or her blog. This helps people understand and maybe become more open minded to some things that the big time newspapers may hide from us. They both agree that journalists have to answer to an editor. To Skube this is an obligation that binds journalists and to Sullivan it makes an article less trustworthy. I would say that they both would agree that the editor plays a part in what makes an article true and real. They also would agree that this blogging is changing the face of published writing everywhere.

In my opinion both writers make valid points in blogging. I believe that blogging gives its readers the true opinions and ideas of regular people. Its not some high paid journalist writing and getting his work changed to fit a specific way of public news. In a way newspapers publish things with certain restrictions which is not necessarily staying true to our first amendment right. Blogging is actually our freedom of speech, it gives us the power to write something that millions of people can read and access without having to answer to a higher power. Blogging is a way to give your view on issues that effect our every day lives, its a way of exercising a right without having to be a professional.

Strange SIlence.

I was home. Just another saturday morning with not much to do. I decided to pick up the phone and call my best friend, practically sister, who lives very close to me. We decided to meet at our usual half way spot, which is a place we meet that is half way between my house and hers, the 30th avenue train station. We both did not have anything planned for that day so we decided to hang out together at my house.

She usually takes a very long time to get dressed and meet me so I had to take my time doing things, like putting on my shoes. After a couple of minutes, i decided to start heading toward the train. It was a beautiful day outside, sunny and warm, like a typical spring day. I took my time walking down the block toward the main avenue.

As I was walking toward the corner, a strange silence filled the air. All of a sudden, two cars collide in the middle of the avenue. The sound the two cars made when hitting each other with such force, sounded almost fake. The silence that came before and after this accident was the scariest sound I have ever heard. Nobody got hurt, but I'm sure the impact left an impression in the minds of both drivers, because it left one on me.

After the incident i continued walking toward the train to find my friend. When I met up with her I told her about what I just had witnessed and she noticed how shocked I was. She found what I had just saw very cool and interesting, but I was a bit scared.

Every time I wait at the corner of 35th street and 30th avenue, I always remember that day and that strange silence that followed the crash.

The "Astoria Idea"

Astoria, New York, is widely known as "Greek Town". It has earned its name from the Greek immigrants that settled in the heart of Queens. Although Astoria is the center for Greek culture in New York, it is a very diverse and an ever changing place.

When you get off on the 30th Ave. train station, you think "this is just a regular neighborhood,"

but as you walk through the avenue you notice restaurants and cafes at every corner, with some names that are difficult to pronounce. Its very hard not to understand you are in Astoria when you get off the train, because right away you are greeted with Athens cafe. At Athens cafe you can find many traditional Greek desserts and sandwiches. One treat that is very traditional is loukoumades which are little round shaped balls of fried dough that are smothered in honey and cinnamon.

Greek culture is not hard to find in Astoria, there are people speaking in Greek all around. Its hard to miss the Greek Orthodox churches, diners and of course Athens Square park. Athens Square park is known for its famous greek statues

of Athena, Aristotle, and Socrates (Greek much?). This is where the Olympic flame passed through before the 2004 Olympic Games that happened in Athens, Greece. This is where the grandfathers of the neighborhood regularly visit to play a game of backgammon.

Astoria is just fifteen minutes away from the city, which is perfect if you cannot afford the million dollar brownstones of Manhattan. Astoria is slowly attracting people who live in the city and are starting not to afford their apartments. It so close to Manhattan that its slowly mimicking it, without losing forgetting where it started from. Beside the Greek people you see everywhere in Astoria, you also notice a lot of people from the city that come here to spend a sunny saturday morning eating brunch at one of the city styled cafes.

Astoria is a little part of

Greece that has been broken off and placed in New York City. Young and old keep the Greek culture very alive. The Greek-Americans living here teach their children about where their grandparents came from by sending them to Greek schools. Keeping alive the traditions is very important. Traditions have not changed because they are in America, and no restrictions have been placed on the Greek culture. This is where it exists far from its original home and will continue to exist, while showing others its beautiful blue and white colors.

Welcome to my blog!!

This might just be english homework, but i want to make it fun.

So tune in.

lexx:)