Recently I've noticed an evolution in television. Shows are increasingly incorporating more than one area of interest. We are seeing more than simple medical dramas, or legal dramas, etc. I'm thinking about Global's Combat Hospital, a show about a Canadian forces medical team located in Kandahar. It is presented in such a way that would intrigue people interested in disciplines like medicine or military, and culture in Afghanistan. The characters are also diverse, so that it caters to a wider audience.
Are there other shows the are increasing their range? As a side, Degrassi is getting weirder. Scary if this is a reflection of today's teen society.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Google Plus: Hangouts
The most interesting aspect I see right now (okay, the first aspect I examined so far) is Hangouts.
Hangouts allows people to connect with video/audio and have live chats with each other. It's very similar to Skype. The advantage I see with Hangout is that it's marketed as that: hanging out. It removes the formality and scheduling that is felt with Skype. (ie, "want to skype date?" - planning ahead or making a note of when to sign onto skype). With Hangouts, it's just a matter of seeing who is online at the same time as you.
Another observation is that it eliminates, or significantly reduces, the feeling of online exclusivity. It really tries to mirror the feeling of getting together with a few friends at a cafe or bar, and then someone you know walks in and joins you without any awkwardness. The language Google uses to explain Hangouts is interesting, words like "chill" and it doesn't require the use of a "host" to start a hangout. Once a hangout is initiated, anyone can invite anyone and anyone can leave at any time.
What are your thoughts on Google+ Hangouts?
Hangouts allows people to connect with video/audio and have live chats with each other. It's very similar to Skype. The advantage I see with Hangout is that it's marketed as that: hanging out. It removes the formality and scheduling that is felt with Skype. (ie, "want to skype date?" - planning ahead or making a note of when to sign onto skype). With Hangouts, it's just a matter of seeing who is online at the same time as you.
Another observation is that it eliminates, or significantly reduces, the feeling of online exclusivity. It really tries to mirror the feeling of getting together with a few friends at a cafe or bar, and then someone you know walks in and joins you without any awkwardness. The language Google uses to explain Hangouts is interesting, words like "chill" and it doesn't require the use of a "host" to start a hangout. Once a hangout is initiated, anyone can invite anyone and anyone can leave at any time.
What are your thoughts on Google+ Hangouts?
Google Plus
So I've had Google+ for about a week, and only now have actually cared to take a look what it's all about. I definitely did not think that it would replace Facebook, and I don't think that this is going to be a fad (a la Google Wave). So I look forward to compare this medium with the rest.
The first thing I observe is how it seems to be a hybrid of two spheres: private (facebook) and public (twitter). It has already been announced that Google+ is the fastest growing social media platform, already with 10 million registered users. However, registration is not a good indicator of how well it's being used, or measuring it's engagement (I have yet to post anything on my wall, like many people in my circles).
I'm not sure how I feel about having to re-haul everything over from one to another. Already I can see where Google+ has its unique advantages, which I will comment on later. When releasing something this large to the public in future, my advice will be to release it slowly in "pockets" either by digital geography or time-zone. The risk is that if it gets bad feedback, it will cause serious damage. The advantage is that it will make people more interested, like accessing a special club. That is what it had going for the first week of its release, anyway.
I'm also curious what the demographic representation for Google+ users will be. This project looks promising, if only because the only company that could pull this off successfully would be Google.
The first thing I observe is how it seems to be a hybrid of two spheres: private (facebook) and public (twitter). It has already been announced that Google+ is the fastest growing social media platform, already with 10 million registered users. However, registration is not a good indicator of how well it's being used, or measuring it's engagement (I have yet to post anything on my wall, like many people in my circles).
I'm not sure how I feel about having to re-haul everything over from one to another. Already I can see where Google+ has its unique advantages, which I will comment on later. When releasing something this large to the public in future, my advice will be to release it slowly in "pockets" either by digital geography or time-zone. The risk is that if it gets bad feedback, it will cause serious damage. The advantage is that it will make people more interested, like accessing a special club. That is what it had going for the first week of its release, anyway.
I'm also curious what the demographic representation for Google+ users will be. This project looks promising, if only because the only company that could pull this off successfully would be Google.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
(don't) judge a blog by its title
With more people getting into the pattern of blogging, the choice of unique blog names are slowly dwindling.
My first blog did not have a title, not that I remember. It was hosted by Livejournal. It started as an online diary of sorts, but near the end became more of a convenient location for daily devotions and inspirational stories.
My first university summer was spent in Calgary on a missions trip, so I thought it would be good to start up another blog dedicated to that as a way of updating supporters and partners. I called it rockymountainproject2007. Title is self explanatory. I have since contributed entries to another blog with a similar name, intended for the participants of the project to stay in contact with each other. Surprisingly there have been many "project relationships" that started from our project, and happily these couples have gotten married. Both blogs were hosted by another platform, blogger.
In 2010, Under the same blogger URL I simply changed the theme of my blog and called it Relationally Speaking. The logic behind this was that people would follow a blog that is dedicated to relationships. It was intended for more taboo topics and areas that most people think about but hesitate to ask out loud. I soon realized I am not the person best equipped for this approach and put it to rest. Both the idea and title of the blog I still value as very hopeful for future writing.
In 2011 I stayed with blogger and created a new url, peterison(.blogger.com). I changed the theme again to what is currently my odyssey. I wanted to move from the general topic of relationships to my own personal adventure. This has been proven to be more difficult, as content for this blog has not been frequent.
Mostly recently I have created another micro-blog on the tumblr platform. It holds the same url as blogger, but the theme/name is little big things. The name suggests that everything matters, and that the little things in life lead to startling significances later.
Lately I've been having a little fun thinking up new names for personal blogs. Alliteration and puns will always be my favourite starting point.
My first blog did not have a title, not that I remember. It was hosted by Livejournal. It started as an online diary of sorts, but near the end became more of a convenient location for daily devotions and inspirational stories.
My first university summer was spent in Calgary on a missions trip, so I thought it would be good to start up another blog dedicated to that as a way of updating supporters and partners. I called it rockymountainproject2007. Title is self explanatory. I have since contributed entries to another blog with a similar name, intended for the participants of the project to stay in contact with each other. Surprisingly there have been many "project relationships" that started from our project, and happily these couples have gotten married. Both blogs were hosted by another platform, blogger.
In 2010, Under the same blogger URL I simply changed the theme of my blog and called it Relationally Speaking. The logic behind this was that people would follow a blog that is dedicated to relationships. It was intended for more taboo topics and areas that most people think about but hesitate to ask out loud. I soon realized I am not the person best equipped for this approach and put it to rest. Both the idea and title of the blog I still value as very hopeful for future writing.
In 2011 I stayed with blogger and created a new url, peterison(.blogger.com). I changed the theme again to what is currently my odyssey. I wanted to move from the general topic of relationships to my own personal adventure. This has been proven to be more difficult, as content for this blog has not been frequent.
Mostly recently I have created another micro-blog on the tumblr platform. It holds the same url as blogger, but the theme/name is little big things. The name suggests that everything matters, and that the little things in life lead to startling significances later.
Lately I've been having a little fun thinking up new names for personal blogs. Alliteration and puns will always be my favourite starting point.
Monday, June 27, 2011
it's been a while
I love connecting with pastors outside of service times. It's a chance to witness someone being authentic and not putting on a show. That's not to say they're perfect, as the skeleton in their closet is probably no bigger or smaller than my own. There is simply always something new to be gained from these conversations.
I often hear the importance of mentoring. I acknowledge the value and necessity of it. The challenge I find is "how" does one start this type of relationship. A pastor doesn't really have a choice of who his flock is going to be; if it's a youth pastor, it's whoever attends the youth group that evening - same with young adults or Sunday services.
Don't overlook the older generation. I think that in large churches people have a tendency to huddle with those of similar age. That's fine, so long as you do not exclude yourself to just that one group. This is an advantage I see of small churches, where everyone is mixed into one group and the opportunity to interact with people of different life seasons is more organic than forced.
I wonder how much onus both the mentor and the mentee have in attaining and then retaining a mentoring relationship.
I often hear the importance of mentoring. I acknowledge the value and necessity of it. The challenge I find is "how" does one start this type of relationship. A pastor doesn't really have a choice of who his flock is going to be; if it's a youth pastor, it's whoever attends the youth group that evening - same with young adults or Sunday services.
Don't overlook the older generation. I think that in large churches people have a tendency to huddle with those of similar age. That's fine, so long as you do not exclude yourself to just that one group. This is an advantage I see of small churches, where everyone is mixed into one group and the opportunity to interact with people of different life seasons is more organic than forced.
I wonder how much onus both the mentor and the mentee have in attaining and then retaining a mentoring relationship.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Start With Why
There are leaders and there are those who lead.
Leaders hold a position of power or influence.
Those who lead inspire us.
Whether individuals or organizations, we follow those who lead not because we have to, but because we want to.
We follow those who lead not for them, but for ourselves.
http://sinekpartners.typepad.com/about.html
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Clicks of Affirmation
I have discovered that the simplest things can be the best things. When I peruse Facebook and read a status that I "like", I don't mind telling others that I do. In the action lies the power of influence, in my opinion. Sometimes a status can be liked by one or two people, but when it's liked by twenty or thirty you know you've hit upon something real. And it's funny that a simple click can brighten someone's day. If you don't think so, remind yourself of a time when you posted something that was cute/funny/thoughtful/random that was liked by many people. Felt good, right?
There are several reasons why someone might "like" a status, link, or comment on Facebook. They could be in agreement with the person, the shortest way of saying "ditto"; in defense of that person, they may have posted a better argument than you could have communicated; in acknowledgement of that person, their way of saying "yes". No matter the reason, they all point to an endorsement of that person. Therefore, that person who posted a status/link/comment is affirmed.
Sometimes the simplest things can create the best response.
In the offline world it would be you telling a joke and the positive response would be a laugh. On Twitter, it can be as simple as having your tweet be RT'd (retweeted). There are many articles discussing the ways in which people can get their tweets RT'd, and if feels good to us when they are! As one author put it, RTing is the simplest form of flattery in the Twitterverse.
It's interesting to think that one small action, literally one click, can have the power to make someone smile.
There are several reasons why someone might "like" a status, link, or comment on Facebook. They could be in agreement with the person, the shortest way of saying "ditto"; in defense of that person, they may have posted a better argument than you could have communicated; in acknowledgement of that person, their way of saying "yes". No matter the reason, they all point to an endorsement of that person. Therefore, that person who posted a status/link/comment is affirmed.
Sometimes the simplest things can create the best response.
In the offline world it would be you telling a joke and the positive response would be a laugh. On Twitter, it can be as simple as having your tweet be RT'd (retweeted). There are many articles discussing the ways in which people can get their tweets RT'd, and if feels good to us when they are! As one author put it, RTing is the simplest form of flattery in the Twitterverse.
It's interesting to think that one small action, literally one click, can have the power to make someone smile.
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