So another part of my requirements for this class was to go out and talk to people about how they gather their daily news and information.
Why you ask? Who cares you say? Well my professor does. As do a whole heck of a lot of other people who are trying their best to provide that information to 8 billion people when, how and where they want it each and everyday.
There are so many choices out there today it can be a bit maddening and yet also relieving at the same time.
How so? Well because - it's simple, but not easy.
I'll say it again.
It's simple, but not easy.
I love that saying!
You can apply it to so many things and it works every time!
I’ll get off track for a moment and give you 3 Examples:
Putting on shoes and socks. Simple in concept, not easy for anyone under the age of 8.
Changing a tire. Simple in concept, makes most women (and some men) curse, cry and throw things. You will get dirty, frusterated and be late no matter what you do. So therefore.... NOT EASY.
Providing all existing news, entertainment and general information to anyone in the world whenever, however and wherever they want it.
Hey - yeah - that sounds simple enough.
Ha! Kiss it! It ain’t easy.
So therefore, I would admit, it can be a relief that whenever you need information you know you can go find it. BUT it is absolutely maddening to try and be the ultimate provider of that information. And maybe even a little maddening for those who are receiving it too. Although they may not have enough self-awareness to realize that just yet! I mean anyone who gets pissed because the latest blog comments or video clip of “From G’s to Gents” has not uploaded to their IPHONE 30 seconds after the season 8 premier is over has got to be a little loose in the brain…..
Like it or not that mentality is a product of our own creation. So instead of complaining and criticizing, many have decided to man up and figure out exactly what you need as a consumer of information so that you can have it whenever, wherever and however you want it!
Hence – this is the long-winded version to the answer of the question at the beginning of this post.
Yes, It matters! And it matters because in order to intuit where the technology and the skills of those who gather and create products for the one’s who are taking in information need to be focused, you first have to know and understand those people’s current habits and their likes and dislikes of those habits.
Sounds simple, but it’s not easy.
Man – I love that – see – it worked again!
Ok – so why not start by using a bunch of “eager for an ‘A’” students to go out and begin canvassing as many people as they can on their media usage habits.
If it’s not going to be easy lets at least use free labor!
So here are some of my findings:
Respondent 1:
Age: 86
Sex: Female
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Media Used: TV, Radio, Newspaper, Mail
Frequency: All daily for all news and info
Respondent 2:
Age: 35
Sex: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Media Used: TV, Radio, Internet, Mobile, Mail, Newspaper
Details of Media:
TV – Frequency: Daily. Format: on TV and on Computer and on Phone. Specific Locations: BBC, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, Weather Channel, CNN. (Not every channel every day– but 2-3) Time Spent: 1 hr per day Purpose: News/info/entertainment/product awareness.
Radio – Frequency: few times a month Format: In the Car “when I forget my Ipod in the car” Specific Location: FM99 Time spent: 1hr per month Purpose: Entertainment and traffic.
Internet – Frequency: Daily Format: on computer on phone Specific Locations: EVERYWHERE cnn, bbc, myspace, woot, facebook, yahoo, amazon, video game sites, newsgroups, and many others. Time Spent: 12 hrs Purpose: News/shopping/ entertainment/ work/ communication/ research/ education.
Mobile – Frequency: Daily Format: on Phone. Specific locations: n/a Time spent: 1hr per day Purpose: communication / shopping (receiving offers).
Mail – Frequency: weekly Format: in Mail Box Specific Locations: n/a Time Spent: 10 minutes per week. Purpose: communication, education, shopping
Newspaper – Frequency: Weekly. Format: In Print Specific Sections: inserts, cartoons, lifestyles. Time Spent: 1 hr per week. Purpose: shopping, education, entertainment.
I HAVE 3 more – but I will post them later!
-till then…. Mary
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Why should you read this blog?
Why Should You Read This Blog?
Hi There!
Thanks for joining in today!
I'm Mary.
I'm 33.
I'm a mother, wife, friend, woman, workaholic, playaholic, very loud and opinionated, extremely devoted, passionate about life, can't spell for _ _ _ _, (have a tendency to curse) love run on sentences…. and a whole lotta other things that we may get into later in this journey.
The reason I'm beginning a blog is simple. I have to.
What's funny is that at first I thought I had to do this simply because it is required for a class I am taking. Therefore, if I want to actually pass this class (one of the last of 4, 6, 10 or so classes - who really knows anymore - of my 15 year journey to get a undergrad degree) then I better do it and do it well!
Note that I started that last rambling statement with "At First."
As I began thinking about my class and the reasons why we had to create a blog I started thinking about what people used blogs for nowadays and then I realized: “OMG this is like so totally perfect for me!"
How ironic that only about a zillion other people have decided the same thing!
Our lovely narcissistic personalities have created this entire world of blogs that people think actually matter to someone other than themselves and a few of their friends. Oh - and the one weird guy that always posts somewhat cheesy or funny - but at the same time a bit creepy - comments on your page.
But alas, I have fallen into this phenom and I plan to embrace it with all the hope, excitement and vigor one can put into something that they are praying will allow them a small sliver of a chance of something new. Now I cannot guarantee that it will not also contain a good bit of sarcasm, pessimism and sometimes just some good ole fashioned ranting or raving!
Perhaps however this will be a way into another realm I have never before explored - maybe even another persona that I can own for just a little bit. And that is just intriguing enough to sound fun!
So it is with that in mind that – I HAVE to DO THIS.
Not for my class or my teacher or to be able to tell people about the mundane crap going on in my daily life – but because without it I am afraid that this is all that I am. And frankly – that is not O.K.!
If you have not decided I am a complete nutcase 2 paragraphs ago then great! I need you!
I want to learn from you and make this not just all about me but about anyone who is looking for a way to have an impact outside their own small little footprint in our world!
Come on in and share with me your hopes, your dreams, your desires (hey - nothin’ pervy sicko) for your life and for your family and friends and careers and yes – even the general mundane activities that surprise you by the way they motivate you to go out there and do it all again the next day!
Sometimes it’s scary how the most simple of things matter the most.
Truly, what I hope to uncover here is inspiration - wherever it may be. For anyone who will participate.
Hi There!
Thanks for joining in today!
I'm Mary.
I'm 33.
I'm a mother, wife, friend, woman, workaholic, playaholic, very loud and opinionated, extremely devoted, passionate about life, can't spell for _ _ _ _, (have a tendency to curse) love run on sentences…. and a whole lotta other things that we may get into later in this journey.
The reason I'm beginning a blog is simple. I have to.
What's funny is that at first I thought I had to do this simply because it is required for a class I am taking. Therefore, if I want to actually pass this class (one of the last of 4, 6, 10 or so classes - who really knows anymore - of my 15 year journey to get a undergrad degree) then I better do it and do it well!
Note that I started that last rambling statement with "At First."
As I began thinking about my class and the reasons why we had to create a blog I started thinking about what people used blogs for nowadays and then I realized: “OMG this is like so totally perfect for me!"
How ironic that only about a zillion other people have decided the same thing!
Our lovely narcissistic personalities have created this entire world of blogs that people think actually matter to someone other than themselves and a few of their friends. Oh - and the one weird guy that always posts somewhat cheesy or funny - but at the same time a bit creepy - comments on your page.
But alas, I have fallen into this phenom and I plan to embrace it with all the hope, excitement and vigor one can put into something that they are praying will allow them a small sliver of a chance of something new. Now I cannot guarantee that it will not also contain a good bit of sarcasm, pessimism and sometimes just some good ole fashioned ranting or raving!
Perhaps however this will be a way into another realm I have never before explored - maybe even another persona that I can own for just a little bit. And that is just intriguing enough to sound fun!
So it is with that in mind that – I HAVE to DO THIS.
Not for my class or my teacher or to be able to tell people about the mundane crap going on in my daily life – but because without it I am afraid that this is all that I am. And frankly – that is not O.K.!
If you have not decided I am a complete nutcase 2 paragraphs ago then great! I need you!
I want to learn from you and make this not just all about me but about anyone who is looking for a way to have an impact outside their own small little footprint in our world!
Come on in and share with me your hopes, your dreams, your desires (hey - nothin’ pervy sicko) for your life and for your family and friends and careers and yes – even the general mundane activities that surprise you by the way they motivate you to go out there and do it all again the next day!
Sometimes it’s scary how the most simple of things matter the most.
Truly, what I hope to uncover here is inspiration - wherever it may be. For anyone who will participate.
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