Electronic Control Device

Hello fellow classmates! We are almost to the end of our Capstone Class! Yay. In our most recent discussion post I shared a story from my Law Enforcement "locker" in which an uncooperative suspect had to be "tased." As this blog is to highlight some of the writing we have submitted throughout the course, I thought I would share a piece on the Electronic Control Device (TASER) I wrote this piece for my Technical Communication Class. I must also make you aware that when going through the police academy, officers have to be pepper sprayed and tasered to get the "whole" experience. I have been tased twice now, and I can tell you it is not a pleasant experience. One thing is for sure that this tool is a very effective opiton for Law Enforcement officers to use.

Electronic Control Device (Taser)

The electronic control device (ECD) also known as a TASER ECD is a weapon that is widely used and recognized in the field of law enforcement. The ECD is considered a “non-deadly” use-of-force and is a tool that law enforcement officers can use to control a subject who is violent or is about to become violent. The Taser is a safe way to maintain control of a subject without causing serious injury.

The electronic control device is effective and helps to reduce injuries caused by the suspect and officer. With the use of the ECD, patrol officers have another option on their duty belt to prevent from going hands on and increasing the chance of injury.

This description is explained to new officers and individuals who are not familiar with the electronic control device.

The electronic control device is a little smaller than a handgun and is made up of two parts. The first part is the Taser cartridge which is the “ammo” for the ECD. The other part is the mechanism in which the cartridge is attached. The cartridge snaps into the front of the ECD.

The Taser has a safety switch on the side of mechanism. When the safe is on there is a green letter that says “S.” When the ECD is ready for use the safe must be turned off (by flipping the switch) and once the safe is off, there will be a red laser light that will turn on. The laser can then be pointed at the subject that needs to be controlled. Once the laser is on the suspect, the officer then pulls the trigger and two probes shoot out of the cartridge and attach to the suspect either by hooking onto the clothing or skin. The ECD sends an electric current through two copper wires that have a prong on each end. This causes a shock to the suspect and depending on where the probes land, it causes the subject to be “immobilized.” According to the makers of TASER,

The probes deployed from a TASER ECD carry fine wires that connect to the target and deliver the TASER into his neural network. These pulses delivered by the TASER ECD overwhelm the normal nerve traffic, causing involuntary muscle contractions and impairment of motor skills. (TASER, 2011)

“The TASER ECD pulses mimic the electrical signals used within the human body to communicate between the brain and the muscles. The TASER ECD simulates the pulsed communications used within the nerves, and interferes with communication – like static on the telephone lines within the body” (TASER, 2011).

The Taser ECD uses a cycle for each trigger pull that is approximately set for “five seconds.” The Taser ECD can be used for numerous cycles if the subject is not cooperating. Once the subject is controlled, it is important to remove the probes safely from the subject.

The TASER ECD is an effective tool to use to help prevent serious injuries to the officer and subject involved. The officer comes in contact with a resisting subject, and uses the TASER to control the subject. The officer turns the safe off, points the laser on the subject and avoids pointing it at the subject’s head. Once the trigger is pulled, two probes shoot out of the cartridge and attach to the subject, while the electrical current travels through the wires and causes “immobilization.”

References

TASER, (2011). How a TASER ECD works. Retrieved on August 22, 2011 from

            http://www.taser.com/research-and-safety/how-a-taser-works

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks (Live on KEXP)

Love this song, wanted to share this gem with my fellow classmates. Enjoy! (Expanding my horizons within the blogger world. Adding video)

Delivering Bad News Tactfully and Effectively

SCENARIO

“You are a department manager in a mid-sized company that provides technology support services. You have ten employees who are required to maintain a high level of technical expertise and deliver excellent customer service. One of your employees, who has been with the company for two years, is performing at a substandard level and you have received numerous complaints from customers and coworkers. In addition, this employee has displayed confrontational behavior which has created a hostile environment. You must now meet with this employee and deliver an ultimatum regarding the need for immediate improvement or dismissal.”

            As a department manager of a mid-sized company, this position holds a lot of responsibility.  With that being said, having to deliver bad news is something that is not an enjoyable experience. It comes with the territory and is something that all managers will come across at one time or another within their term of employment.  In this current scenario an employee needs to be informed of his job performance as well as his confrontational behavior. Things need to be changed or there will be a need for immediate dismissal. There are many different approaches that can be taken into consideration when dealing with this specific problem. In a situation like this it is important to recognize that the employee may react with an emotional response. Because of this it is important to tread lightly, but it is also important to get straight to the point. Creating ambiguous statements and drawing out the process will cause more problems, and it is important that the employee is able to understand the intended message. It is important not to procrastinate in delivering the news, this will only “exasperate” their reaction. (Donnelly, 2011)

            In a situation like this it is important to look at the incident as a whole and figure out how the employee will react. In a circumstance like this, I can only imagine that because of the confrontational behavior the employee will more than likely react in a hostile or defensive manner. Once I have taken this into consideration, this will help me in the way I approach the problem. “Brevity is often a big problem for managers who are delivering bad news to employees” (Donnelly, 2011). Because this is a serious incident and the job performance of the employee is below substandard it is important to be brief, direct, and to the point. I would have to explain to the employee what has been going on and bring in specific examples, so that the employee can understand why there is a need to have this meeting. It is important not to belittle the subject, but to make him aware of the problem. I would offer room for improvement and extra training opportunities. I would then ask the employee what his thoughts were on the situation. Listen to see if the employee has responded to the feedback, and also find out where the employee sees himself in regard to whether he takes responsibility. It is important to let him know the ultimatum of “immediate dismissal” so that the employee is aware of what can happen if there is no improvement.  It is important not to blame the employee, but to get the issues out in the open and to work on resolving them. (Kleiman, 2005) In the end it is important to deliver the intended message, and it is important to save face with the employee. Make him understand that he has the ability to change and that the ultimate outcome depends on how he handles the situation. Again being supportive and offering training opportunities can encourage the employee and show the support needed.

            As in the mentioned scenario, it is apparent that delivering bad news is not the easiest thing a manager has to do. It is a reality and is something that a manager does have to deal with. It is important to take into consideration on how the employee may respond to the news. Being able to look at it from that point of view, will help the manager determine what the best approach will be. The main point is to be direct, concise, and show a little bit of empathy. It is important to deliver the message in the intended manner, and listen to the feedback of the employee. The manager has to make sure that the employee understands the message, delivering it in an ambiguous manner or drawing out the conversation may add confusion or make a painful experience. In many ways the employee should be aware the problem, if he is already confrontational with other employees. Offering specific examples of the behavior is a good way to explain why the meeting needs to take place. Focusing on how the behavior can change and offering training opportunities will hopefully make the employee focus on how to change instead of lingering on the situation itself.

 References

Donnelly, T. (2011). How to deliver band news to employees. INC., Retrieved from

            http://www.inc.com/guides/201101/how-to-deliver-bad-news-to-employees.html

Kleiman, C. (2005, May 26). Addressing tough issues usually takes delicate touch. :[Chicago

            Final Edition]. Chicago Tribune, p.3.2. Retrieved January 16, 2012, from Chicago

            Tribune. (Document ID: 844784471).

Only In Wisconsin

Yesterday 01/11/12 the weather in WI was 53 degrees and sunny. Today temperatures are in the low 20's and we are expecting 4-7 inches of snow. Only in WI can this weather happen! Off to work I go later, I wonder how many accidents I will respond too. Be safe.

Cheers,

Amanda Analla

Behind The Uniform I Wear

This post is from ENG 325 - Intermediate Composition. I am not an overly religious person, but I do believe in fate, and I do believe everything happens for a reason. This is the story about why I chose to become a police officer. This job can be challenging, rewarding, and at times stressful. For all the bad stuff I have seen, nothing compares to the justice that I serve and the victims I have helped.

It was July 23^rd, 1996, the summer before heading into fifth grade. The sun was shining and Krissy and I had just finished riding our bikes around Scout Lake. As we stopped on the dock, we rested our bikes on the railing. We picked up some stones and skipped them across the water. It was always a contest to see who could get the most skips, and of course she always won. Krissy’s brown eyes sparkled as we began to plan the rest of summer vacation. Life was good!  There was nothing to worry about, no homework and the rest of the summer to run around and play. I said, “One more skip and let’s race home!” Krissy turned to laugh as her eyes squinted, and the freckles on her face danced in the sunlight. “I win again!” Krissy stated as I watched the rock skip four times. I then turned to her and said, “Yeah, you may have beaten me, but you know I’ll win on the bike.” I then ran towards my bike, picked it up and pedaled as fast as I my legs would let me.  I could hear Krissy’s laughter behind me as we rode to her apartment a few blocks away. I jumped off the bike and raised my hand in the air as if I had just won the Olympics. Krissy followed shortly after as we fell with laughter to the ground. We both lied on the grass and looked up to the blue sky. I then turned to her and said, “I’m hungry!” Krissy then said that her mom would be coming home from work and they were planning on grilling out.

I walked into the apartment and observed a male in the house. Krissy walked passed me and said, “That is Kevin, my mom’s new boyfriend, he just moved in.” Krissy then rolled her eyes and walked into the room. I looked at him, and could not help but notice a teardrop tattoo on his left eye, and some black tattoos on his arm. They were ugly and it looked like they were not done in great taste.  It looked like someone had taken a black marker and scribbled on his arm. He had brown hair and the darkest brown eyes I had ever seen. He seemed creepy to me and I was naïve to the fact of what those tattoos had meant. I then continued to follow Krissy into her room wondering what she thought of him. He was in the kitchen preparing the food that was to be consumed. We went into her room and she closed the door. Krissy then turned on some music, and played TLC, “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls.” We both lied on the bed and closed are eyes, as Krissy sang along to the words. There was a knock on the door and her mother said the food was ready. We ran down the stairs out the back door and sat at the picnic table. Outside the neighborhood kids were yelling and screaming. Krissy and I sat next to each other as Kevin and her mom served us. I quietly said, “Thank you.” We ate in silence as I watched Kevin take a drag off his cigarette and take a sip out of his Miller Lite can.

After we finished eating, I told Krissy I had to go home. Krissy smiled and then said, “You should spend the night. We can pull an all-nighter!” I then called my mom and asked if I could stay overnight. My mom said she did not feel comfortable with me staying over there since she did not know Krissy parents that well. I begged and pleaded and eventually she caved in. I turned to Krissy and high-fived her. We spent the rest of the night watching TV, talking about school, and eating ice cream. We eventually fell asleep and woke up the next morning.

The next morning, July 24^th, 1996, when I awoke Krissy’s mom had already left for work. I peeked into her mom’s room and I could hear Kevin snoring. I told Krissy that I needed to go home because I had basketball camp. Krissy walked into the room and woke Kevin up. Kevin staggered out of bed and I observed that his shirt was off. I remember thinking in disgust that this was one hairy man. Kevin put on a white t-shirt and then drove me home. I stepped out of the maroon vehicle, waved goodbye to Krissy and said I would call her later. Krissy smiled back with her brown eyes sparkling and said, “I had a great time, talk to you later!”  I then proceeded to skip into my house and got ready for basketball camp.

After basketball my family came to pick me up and we went out to Culvers for dinner. I came home around 7:00P.M. and I noticed the red light on the answering machine flickering on and off. I always loved to push the button to hear the messages that were waiting for us. I pressed the button and a familiar voice was heard. It was my other best friend’s Mom on the answering machine. A rushed tone was heard as she said, “You need to call me something has happened to Krissy.” I remember my mind was racing and thinking to myself, she won the lottery!

My mom called and as I was standing next to her. I heard my mom say, “Oh No.” My mom then went into her room and closed the door. I heard hushed whispering as I could not hear what was said. My mom walked out, her face was white and pale. She gently said to me, “Krissy is dead, she was killed by Kevin.”  At this point my head was spinning, this was not real, and “I just saw her this morning. Kevin just dropped me off at my house.” These thoughts were running through my head. Streams of tears fell down on my face as I ran to my mom and took her embrace. My mom turned on the news and all I could see was the brown apartment, yellow tape all over, squad cars with lights flashing, and all I could think about were Krissy’s sparkling eyes. Breaking news came on as the police had arrested the suspect, Kevin. The news indicated that Kevin had sexually assaulted Krissy and strangled her. Krissy was found in the closet by her younger sister Kelly. I flipped the T.V. off and my mom drove me over to Anna’s house where we sat on the curb outside. We talked of Krissy and what had happened. I looked up to the sky and saw a flash of light and knew that it was her. She was looking down at me; I looked at the sky longer and smiled. I know she was going to be with me forever.

The red and blue flashing lights, the distant sounds of sirens in the background. Today and every day I put on my blue uniform. My job is to serve and protect my community and the people that live in it. I am here to serve justice where justice is needed. From the moment, I saw that flashing light on that warm July 24^th night; I knew what I was going to do with the rest of my life. That night lives with me every day. For the police were able to catch Kevin and put him away forever. I am in this job because I want to be able to connect with victims of crimes and put people away like Kevin. It is now apparent to me what those tattoos meant as it is a cultural ritual for people who have been in jail. As I put my badge on and walked out the door, I looked to the sky and saw those sparkling brown eyes.

Human Rights

This next post is from my Communication and Conflict Class final paper (COM325) . I thought I would share a brief excerpt from the topic of Legalization of Same Sex Marriage otherwise known as Human Rights. It starts out with a quote that I think says it all.

This paper was written before I got married, unfortunately in the state of Wisconsin it is not recognized. Erica and I got "married" November 5th, 2011 in front of family and friends. It was the best day of my life and it felt so great to be surrounded by family and friends who supported us. We will be heading to Cabo in February for our honeymoon!

“It’s very dear to me, the issue of gay marriage. Or as I like to call it: ‘marriage.’ You know, because I had lunch this afternoon, not gay lunch. I parked my car; I didn’t gay park it.” – Liz Feldman

This is one of my favorite quotes stated by Liz Feldman, who is a comedian. It brings up a good point on how society looks at same-sex marriage. I believe that marriage should be able to apply to everyone in regards to the fact that same-sex marriage and marriage should not be labeled separately. We are all humans and share feelings, thoughts, and emotions. The only difference is my preference of who I want to marry. I think that I should be able to enjoy the same benefits that straight couples are able to enjoy. Just because we are in love and are a same-sex couple does not mean that we should be denied those rights. Marriage constitutes more than the legalized act of commitment, for it offers couples joint ownership, tax filing, insurance benefits, and medical decisions that are important. These do not just affect straight couples but they also affect “same-sex couples.” Denying these rights is a direct violation of our civil rights.

I also think that people have the right to decide if they want to get married, or if they do not want to get married. There are many straight couples who live together and do not want to get married. I think the elements of what constitutes a family and the way people’s lifestyles are evolving. The reason I say this is because people argue that same-sex marriage will ruin the institution of marriage, but look at how many other ways people are living their lives. They are not getting married, and living together. The domestic partnership law is not just being used by same-sex couples but also by straight couples who do not want to get married, but want to share some benefits. This is something that is important to look at because it is not just gay couples who live this type of lifestyle. There are straight couples who are living a lifestyle in which marriage may not be the route they want to go. I also think that if people are so worried about the institution of marriage, just look at the media and the rates of divorce. There are enough straight couples that are doing enough damage to their own marriage. How can same-sex marriage ruin the institution of marriage when there is already a significant problem? One perfect example is Kim Kardashian and Kris Humpheries, married for only 72 days! More examples are some of the celebrities and political figures within the news in which we are finding out about some of their misconduct. Just to name a few, Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton, and Arnold Scherzwiznager. These are all men that are in “straight” relationship, they are all married, and they cheated on their wives. Some of these celebrities may be facing a divorce, but how many of us have either been a victim or know people who have had their spouse/significant other cheat? I have a feeling there are quite a few people out there. With that being said, it is quite clear that in some aspects the institution of marriage can be ruined regardless of whether same sex-couples are married. I think that all human beings regardless of the sex they are interested in can be “a threat” to the institution of marriage if they are not faithful. It is clear that we are all humans and we should be treated with respect and dignity. It should not be “us against them” and we are marrying for the same reasons that everybody else is. In other words, allowing same-sex couples to legally marry will also be beneficial to the economy. “We” will be able contribute to society and enjoy the right to plan and celebrate with a wedding ceremony in which many people spend a lot of money on.

In 1982, Wisconsin became the first state in the nation to adopt anti-discrimination protections for our state’s gay and lesbian citizens. (Fair Wisconsin, 2011) This means that landlords, employers, owners and workers in a public place cannot discriminate against lesbians/gays/bisexuals on their sexual orientation. I think this alone should standout to the many people in my state. We already have an anti-discrimination protection that takes place when we are trying to find a job, a house, or go to a business. By not legalizing same-sex marriage we are in fact discriminating against the LGBT population. In 2006, Wisconsin passed a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality and civil unions. In 2009, Wisconsin “became the first state in the Midwest to protect same-sex couples via legislation and made us the first state with an existing constitutional amendment banning both marriage equality and civil unions to enact domestic partnerships” (Fair Wisconsin, 2011). Why even bother to make this a protection when we cannot even get married. I understand the basis of the protection, but I think these days it is not always as easy to tell who LGBT is. I think people tend to have the stereotypes of what a lesbian or gay person looks like. This is another way in which people need to know that it does not affect just “one type” of individual. There are sports athletes, artists, singers, and people who are just trying to make a living. Again this is our civil right and it affects many people.

As mentioned earlier, society is becoming more accepting and the legalization of same-sex marriage is slowly starting to pass. It is apparent that same-sex couples and LGBT people are being welcomed into the mainstream entertainment arena. Many television series are incorporating LGBT characters into their plots and it is another way for individuals to learn about the LGBT population. Shows like Modern Family, Glee, and Grey’s Anatomy all focus on many different plots that LGBT people go through. There is a focus on teenagers as well, and describe what the “coming out process” is like. I think that these shows focus on the reactions of the characters. In a recent Canada news article they look at the broadcast network of CW and talking about “coming out stories.” This article states,

Coming-out stories are standard, almost a cliché of television stories dealing with gay characters and this goes back to the '70s and the '80s," said Larry Gross of University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, who specializes in lesbians and gays in the media. "What's probably different now is that the age is becoming younger and I think this reflects the fact that the sort of battleground for gay people in society includes high school and probably even includes middle school. ... younger people are becoming more aware of their identities. (Friedlander, 2011)

Because it has entered the mainstream arena, it is apparent to me that it is becoming a “part of life.” People’s attitudes are changing in regards to the way they view gay people. It is apparent that we have come a long way from many years ago to now. Again we are looking at our civil rights, and that right is for me to be able to marry. Many people think there is a stigma and that people who are “homosexual” are “promiscuous.” I always find this view to be somewhat of a contradiction because people who are straight can exhibit the same promiscuous behavior.

There are currently six states that have recognized same-sex marriage including New York which has passed this past month.  “Same-sex couples can legally marry in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.” (Associated Press, 2011) Many couples have been able to enjoy the freedom of marrying their significant other. Many have told me that I should move to the states that have legalized it, but I do feel that in the next ten years all of the states will be legalized. It also becomes an issue when other states are already legalizing marriage and if the other states are in agreement that it is a constitutional right than the right should be effective in all of the United States.  I also feel like I have started my life in Wisconsin and this is where I want to stay. I should not have to move to those states just so that my marriage can be legalized. Again I think that as more states continue to fight through on this issue, it is going to be legalized. In Wisconsin, we do have the domestic partnership, which is something that my wife and I have taken advantage of. This does not give us all the benefits that a marriage couple can enjoy, but it has been nice because my wife, Erica has been able to get on my insurance and is able to assist in some of my medical decisions.

Many people will argue that most religions find homosexuality a sin, and that people who are gay will “go to hell.” But what happened to the freedom of religion? Not everybody shares the same viewpoints and not ALL religions have issues with gay people. This is where the separation of government and church play a factor. The government can put this right into effect, but there are certain churches that do not have to perform the ceremony if it is against their religious beliefs. Many will use the bible and take direct quotes out of the bible to show that homosexuality is a “sin” and is “wrong.” I understand that people will pull that out and argue with it, but again there are people who do not believe in the bible or God. How can one religion claim that it is the right religion and all others are wrong? In that mindset this argument would not work for many, as people have the freedom of religion and can worship in any way that they please. Same-sex marriage is a civil right and it should be celebrated in any way that the couple so chooses to do. The church I belong to is United Church of Christ and I am Protestant.  Our church has opened there arms to everyone and everybody, my pastor is going to lead my ceremony in November. When I asked him, my pastor stated, “There would be no other place, then officiating your wedding.” Again this goes to show that not everyone has the same beliefs and although there are many people who have religious issues, my pastor and church do not have any issues. On a more personal note, I truly believe in God and the well-being and respect of others, and I attend my church when I am back in my hometown. I have never felt “unwelcomed” and everybody is “accepting.” I think this is how God wants me to treat people and that is how I live my life. Again this is my religious view on life, but others may not even believe in God, and others have different perspectives. Same-sex marriage is not something that everybody needs to agree with, but it is indeed a right that needs to be legalized. We are a minority group and to take our civil rights away is like taking the rights away for “women to vote.”  As we have been going through this process of planning a wedding, we have not had anyone show us any discontent or reject to offer their services to us. Now I am not an overly religious person, but I do believe in God, and I do think that God would not turn any one way from him. Again this is a controversial issue in which many will talk about the inability for same-sex couples to reproduce, and that is why marriage is between a man and woman. When taking that into consideration, I like think about the fact that there is adoption and other ways for same-sex couples to have children. What do you think a straight couple does when one cannot have the ability to have child? They go through the same process whether it be adoption or through medical science. There is also the argument that children who are raised by same-sex couples will have a “traumatic” experience or even make them “gay.” This is truly an argument that lacks validity. I know several same-sex couples that are raising children and they are quite successful and believe it or not, they turn out just fine.

            There is always going to be controversy between the legalization of same-sex marriage. I think that the directions that it is heading are only going to get better. I was reading a recent news article in The Brattleboro Reformer and I think this anonymous journalist puts it at best,

As the Founding Fathers wrote in the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. “Of course, if you don't believe in the evolution of beliefs over time, then only white, male landowners qualify as "men" and the Founding Fathers surely didn't have gay marriage in mind when they put their signatures on that great declaration that still resonates today. But by that same reasoning, we would still have slaves, women wouldn't have the right to vote, and those of different races wouldn't be able to intermarry. (Equal rights indeed, 2011)

This issue is important because it affects my life and the ability for me to want to commit to my wife. I should be able to enjoy the same rights that every straight couple has I want to be able to marry my wife and have it count in the way that we can experience the same rights that everybody else does. There are many arguments to why same-sex marriage should be legalized. The acceptance of gay people has changed and is growing. There are a number of states that believe that same-sex marriage is a basic human right and there are six states that have currently legalized same-sex marriages. Over the years, I think we will see more states think about same-sex marriage and make it legal. In years later, I think many of us will wonder why same-sex marriage was ever an issue. Same-sex marriage is a civil right, and there needs to be equality.

So on November 5^th, 2011, I will be walking down that aisle, I will be celebrating my love for my partner Erica, and I will be doing it in front of 200+ guests that are their because they love us and accept us for who we are as people. On this day I will smile and as I say my vows with my pastor to my bride, I will smile. For I know I will be happy for the rest of my life. At this point in my life, I truly believe that we will eventually overcome this obstacle and Erica and I will be able to have another ceremony in which our vows will be read, and will be legally married. Until then I will embrace life to the fullest and continue to stand by my wife as we fight for the civil rights and equality.

 References                 

Associated Press. (2011). Ny lawmakers stuck on gay marriage vote. Retrieved from

     http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43463430

Equal rights, indeed. (2011, July 15). The Brattleboro reformer. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from

     Proquest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2399572251).

Fair Wisconsin. (2011). Retrieved from http://fairwisconsin.com/about

Friedlander, Whitney. (2011, January 5). Coming-out stories come of age on popular shows for

     teenagers. The Vancouver Sun, D. 4. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from Proquest Newsstand.

     (Document ID: 2233676021).

Four Media Technologies

Media and technology continue to grow and advance on a daily basis. There are many different tools that can be used to communicate and different ways in which information can be shared. Many forms of media are being used to reach millions of people throughout the world.  Four types of media that will be further discussed are: social media, digital media, print media, and television commercials. These are all forms of media that impact the communication world and help to keep people connected and informed.

Social media is growing and advancing to the point in which it is important to gain an understanding of what social media is. “Technology is now playing a major role in the way we express ourselves and communicate with the world. “Commenting, liking, tagging, and tweeting are now becoming technological norms that people socialize with” (Nicholls, 2011). There is large proportion of individuals who use social media on a daily basis to communicate. It has such an impact that cellphones and PDA’s now have internet access in which individuals can connect on social websites and post while out and about. Social media is used to describe technology that occurs on the internet and webpages.  Social media can include blogs, Facebook, Twitter, podcasts, and wikis. (Marsh, et. al., 2009) Because of this social media is way for people to stay connected and communicate with each other. Twitter is a website in which individuals can post within seconds what they are doing or thinking. These postings are called “Tweets” and people can follow the Twitter page, and connect with an individual in that manner. It is very popular for celebrities to use this website. Social media is used for networking, sharing information, and connecting with individuals. It is apparent that social media is an important part of how people are communicating with each other, and it can reach a large variety of audiences throughout the world. Individuals can share information and ideas, advertise products, and have conversations on the social networking sites. Again these sites consist of Facebook and Twitter. Social media will continue to impact the way we communicate and express our feelings.

Digital media is another form of technology in which individuals use to communicate. Digital media, “is any storage device that holds digital data” (The Computer Language Company INC., 2011). The purpose of digital media is to share as much information as possible and to reach a large amount of audiences. Digital media can consist of social media and in fact because the information is stored on a computer, it can cover the internet as well as social networking sites. Some examples of digital media are USB drives, multimedia, and magnetic discs. These all store information necessary for us to use while we communicate and saves information. As mentioned earlier cellphones and PDA’s (smartphones) are an important tool for individuals to use to help stay connected.  As technology has advanced cell phones now have the ability to download music and connect to the internet. Because of this, individuals are able to stay connected, share information, and communicate within seconds. Businesses and companies understand the importance of digital media and the impact it has. “An organization’s ability to manage the fast moving digital currents of today’s world is increasingly important. It’s a safe assertion and conservative one, that an organization’s ability to ‘respond and navigate digitally’ ties to profability, efficiency and overall reputation” (Lipsey, 2010). Digital media stores information and helps individuals to communicate and reach a large audience. Anyone who is comfortable with technology and the computer is more likely to use digital media. Digital media is broad and can be tied with social media as there are many tools that are linked together.

Print Media is another effective tool that is used to communicate. Print media can consist of pamphlets, books, newspapers, magazines, and brochures. Print Media is a medium in which can be used to distribute information. The purpose of print media is to share as much information as possible and reach an audience that may not be familiar with computers or technology. It is another way to disseminate information to an audience. Magazines are a popular form of print media and can have a variety of topics. Magazines can have articles about different topics and hobbies. US Weekly is an example of a magazine and it specifically shares information about celebrities. Newspapers share information in regards to what is going on in that specific state, or can share information from around the world. Having a hard copy can be easily distributed and is tactile unlike the internet. Print media is an effective way to advertise and throughout colleges are ways to notify people of upcoming events. Consumers and producers of products use print media to sell products, explain directions, and provide information. Social Media and digital media may be able to reach out to an audience that is technologically savvy, but to individuals who are not, print media is an effective way to share information.  Print media is an effective way to share information and reach a specific audience. Although it appears that technology and social media are continuously advancing, print media is a great way to share information. Print media can target different audiences that are not as technologically advanced. Because of this, print media will continue to stick around.

Many people watch TV to entertain themselves. From soap operas to sports, to the news television delivers a large amount of information. Because people watch TV, we are bombarded by TV commercials besides our TV programs that we watch. Television commercials are another effective way to share information.  The purpose of television commercials is to “motivate the viewer to take a desired action, usually in the form of a marketplace transaction” (Marsh, et al., 2009). Televisions can be found throughout the world and are in millions of homes. It can reach many different audiences at one point. TV Commercials can target a different audience through the varying television stations. Different shows attract different age ranges and with that commercials can be produced in which can target that specific audience. Television commercials use sound and picture to draw attention to their product. A lot of TV commercials use sex appeal, famous celebrities, humor, and athletes to gain the attention of an audience.  TV commercials can deliver information in a short amount of time. One way to show that TV and TV commercials impact consumers is the Super Bowl. According to Forbes, marketers are willing to pay “$2.6 million for a 30-second spot on Sunday’s game” (Forbes, 2007). It is quite obvious that TV commercials are an important way for advertisers to get their name out. With that being said, TV commercials will continue to impact consumers and share messages. The audiences of TV commercials are individuals who possess a television in their household. 

References

Lacey, R. (2007, January 30). Is a super bowl ad a super deal?. Forbes, DOI:Forbes.com

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Marsh, C., Guth, D.W., & Short, B.P. (2009). Strategic writing multimedia writing for public

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The Computer Language Company INC. (2011). Digital media. PC MAG, Retrieved from

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