Stumble upon StumbledUpon!

Ok so it’s no longer a secret. People are starting to find out about the next big step in social media StumbledUpon is like a big social media slot machine. It is a discovery engine that lets its users (stumblers) find things across the web according to their interests and preferences. SU is not considered a search engine because when you use them to search, you are not looking for a particular subject rather any information the site can find about your topic. I find this way of searching actually fun because you are not scrolling through numerous pages hoping to find information you can use.

The SU community relies on ratings, the more “hits” a site gets, the better the rating it gets the site. Information that gets a lot of thumbs-up and high ratings will be shown to lots of Stumblers.Content that either doesn’t get voted for or receives thumb-downs will be shown to fewer Stumblers. The profile of the users that either thumb content up or down also effects how well the submission does. Newly submitted content passes through the “classification engine” before it is entered into the system. I feel that this is my absolutely favorite way to search about my favorite topics. I also use this site when I am doing research, and trying to get ideas for speeches.

What is "Framing"?

Framing is what the media tells us what to think about and how to think about it .In my PRSS class we learned how a “framed” issue is deciphered, and how a public receives the message. Dr. D introduced us to George Lakoff, a cognitive linguistics who explores the science of the mind. Lakoff believes that 98% of our thinking is unconscious, and that the brain makes decisions for you that you are not consciously aware of. An example of framing is how the military presents their message to intrigue individuals to enlist. The American government does this every time we have a major war to gain support for their efforts.

             When trying to gain support for war the government framed the nation as a family, working for one cause. They wanted the America people to adapt "The Nation as Family" ideal, so that they will embrace the war as a patriotic duty. The government utilized the process of Echo Chamber. The idea of an echo chamber plays on repetition, If we hear the same language over and over we will think more and more in terms of the terms and frames of that language. This lead to the iconic poster of Uncle Sam calling our young men and women into action. This made Americans, feel like it was their responsibility to help out. Another way to frame a message is by "The Power of Storytelling". Humans by nature adapt a message when it is presented as a story. Storytelling is the essence of human thought and communication. It provides

the framework for fragments, and reveals their meaning. 

Are trees still necessary for paper?

When is the last time you handwrote a letter?

Or opted for the paperback text when an eBook was available?

Technology has provisioned a way for us to rely less on natural recourses. In a day in age where everyone owns a laptop, tablet, Smartphone, or access to a desktop, our reliance on paper is dwindling.

The word paper is derived from the Egyptian word papyrus. Papyrus is a palm tree looking plant that is made primarily of grasses and leaves, not wood. Before the 20^th century it was the primary source of all the paper products in the world. According to Ecology.com “nearly 4 billion trees or 35% of the total trees cut around the world are used in paper industries on every continent.” On top of this grueling number add the fact that each year tons of highly toxic chemicals such as methanol, hydrochloric acid, and formaldehyde are released into the air and water from paper mills all over the world. These chemicals release into the surrounding environment, and air and expose not only humans; but plant and wildlife also.

Of course we have grown accustomed to having it, so how do we lower our dependence on it?

Paper made of plants and grasses requires less processing than wood-derived paper. Plants such hemp and switch grass can be grown almost, and make excellent paper. The process of making paper out of these plants is also cheaper than wood pulp.

So, why do you think we are still using wood for paper?

A more "GREEN" you!

By now we have already heard about the movement to go "Green" , and how it is better for the enivoroment and our overall general health. However the question for some is how can they achieve this and still be economical?

Why go "Green""?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population is expanding rapidly. It is estimated that the population will reach around 9 billion by 2050. According to the C.S ,That means that if the world’s natural resources were evenly distributed, people in 2050 will only have 25% of the resources per capita that people in 1950 had. We are tapping into our non renwable resources and straing the enviroment.

Here are some great "Green" ideas snagged from various eco friendly websites that should start you on the right track!

Change to Fluorescent Bulbs - If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets.

Don't Rinse - Skip rinsing your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. In average you will save 15 gallons of water per load. Plus, you will save time.

Hang Outside to Dry - Get a cloths line or rack to dry your cloths. Your cloths will last longer and you will save money

Turn off computers at night - don't just put them to sleep. You will save an average of 4 cents a day which ads up to $14.60 a year.

Use Both Sides of Paper - if you have a printer with a double sided print option use it. You will save half of the amount of paper you would have normally used.Then when your done bring it to the recycle bin.

Get rid of baths - Don't take baths, take showers. You will in average save about half the amount of water that you would if you were taking a bath.

Don't get bottled water - Instead of bottled water get a reusable container to carry water. Also you can get a filter to make your home tap taste more like bottled water. It is definitely more cost efficient.

Turn the water off when you brush - Your parents have said this before, now I say it. You will save 4 gallons of water doing this alone.

Shorten your shower - Every minute you cut from your shower is roughly 5 gallons of water. The less time your shower takes, the lower your impact on the environment.

and healthierRecycle Glass - If you do not recycle this, it will take a million years to decompose.

Don't Pre-Heat the Oven - unless needed, just turn the oven on after you put the dish in it. Also, to see if it's finished just look through the glass instead of opening it.

Use Warm or Cold Setting on Washer - instead of the hot cycle use the warm or cold setting. This will save a lot of energy a year.

Turn Down your Thermostat - Every degree lower in the winter or higher in the summer you put it is a 10% decrease on your energy bill.
Turn off your lights - An easy one. Turn off your lights when you are not using them. The benefits are obvious.

Get rid of junk mail - There are many services that can help you get rid of junk mail. That will lead to a lot less trees being cut down to take up room in your mailbox.
Use Matches instead of lighters - Lighters are usually considered disposable so they will most likely end up in land fills. You can use the cardboard matches which are much more eco-friendly because they are made of recycled material.

Don't get a paper phone book - Instead of getting a paper phone book. Use a online directory instead.

Give things away - Take things that you are not going to wear or use and give it to a charity or someone who will use it.

Go to a car wash - Going to a car wash is a lot more water efficient then washing your car at home.

Stop paper bank statements - Why waste paper getting your bank statement mailed to you when you can just check it out online.

Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Even though it will take a good investment to buy these you will find yourself gaining it back in no time.

Pay your Bills Online - If every house in the US did this then we would save 18 million trees every year.

Get a reusable bag - You can't recycle plastic bags, instead get yourself a reusable bag so that you won't have to worry about carrying your necessities.

Do Errands in Bulk - Make a list of the things you have to do, and see if you can fit a couple of those things together in one ride.

Inflate your Tires - If your tires are inflated at all times your car will run more miles on less gas.
Wrap Presents Creatively - Without going out to get wrapping paper you can use newspaper, an old map, or anything else. It would look a whole lot more creative.

Plant a Tree - It's good for the air, can keep you cool, and can increase your property value.

Buy Local Produce - Consider how much energy it takes for produce from china or any other country to come here. If you have the option to buy local, do it.

Walk or Ride Your Bike When you can - If you have to go somewhere close consider riding your bike or walking there instead of your car. It's better on the environment

Eyes on the Gulf...But what about China?

Everyone by now knows about the disastrous oil spill that has been contaminating the Gulf of Mexico.
On April 20th methane bubble came up through the drill column breaking through the safety barriers. A gas cloud surrounded an oil rig operated by BP (British Petroleum), causing the drill head to run to fast. As a result the rig exploded and caught on fire. This has lead to speculation of how many gallons exactly are being spilled. To date the spill has causes an estimated at 27,000 sq miles of oil slick.


Last Friday on the other side of the world in the port city of Dalian, China. A major oil pipeline exploded. This lead to crude oil being leaked into the Yellow Sea, which caused a dangerous huge firestorm for 15 hours. Dalian is China's second biggest oil import port.

The Chinese province immediately mobilized a clean up effort. According to The Christian Monitor"all staff under the age of 50" at its maritime affairs office to join in the clean-up." It sent 40 special "oil-skimming" vessels that will contain the oil in holds under the boats, 800 boats and gallons of oil-eating bacteria had joined the fight.

We are not only damaging our marine life, but also causing a health risks for people who live in the affected error.We are abusing our planet's resources , and causing inreversable damage.

My question is how can we prevent these environmental disasters from happening? How much damage will these two oil spills cause for local and global marine life?

Have we become too dependent on Social Media?

Shhhhh… I have a secret to tell you…

I do not have a Twitter account. *_*

Ok. Yes I’m that girl, You know the one who looks at you with the blank stare when you being talking about “TT” or “follow Fridays”, The one girl wh

o is looking at her text crazy after her friend sends her a #FAIL….

Twitter has become one of the most utilized pieces of social media today. Allowing you to “tweet” updates right from your phone to your followers. It’s a vital tool if you need to spread a message fast directed to a specific group of people. You can also keep a level of anonymity that other sites such as Myspace and Facebook lack.

In the days when blogs were an essential way to express personal opinions, you can now do it in a mere 160 words.

As a P.R. Professional I can see the value in this particular medium, Companies can reach their targeted audiences directly, and can also garner valuable feedback directly.

I feel that today’s technological advances have brought about a global uniformity that wasn’t there before; you can SKPE your cousin in Brazil, or IM a friend in Greece all with the click of a button.

In my opinion it is also causing a rift between actual human connection.

Countless times I’ve logged onto Facebook to be greeted with someone’s personal business that they decided would be beneficial to share. I’ve witnesses breakups, fights, disappointments **sips tea** and more drama than a Soap Opera right at my computer desk than in person. People have become so enthralled with their social media life that they forget that everyone that “follows” you or has become your “friend” may not have the best intentions in mind, and they give them a gateway to their personal business.

I am not trying to stand on a soap box here because unfortunately I was the main person freshman and sophomore year updating their status every 20 mins. Venting to my hundreds of "friends" and entertaining their comments. This all changed when a girl I didn't know from a can of blue lead paint approached me and quoted what I said directly on one of my status updates, and asked me if I was single. This small inquiry made me take a step back and analyze who I was letting into my life...and if they should be there.

My question for you is do you believe that society today has developed a dependency on social media? And if it has is it too late to change it?