Right, it will never happen again

When the Rwandan Genocide occurred in 1994 the international community vowed that an incident like that would never happen again. In 2004, as many as 80,000 people were slaughtered in Darfur as the international community looked on. How is the slaughter of innocent civilians in Darfur different from the slaughter of innocent civilians in Rwanda?

Since the rise of this atrocity many non-governmental organizations have formed and have fought to push the international community into motion. One notable activism project has been the "Darfur is Dying" online video game, produced by university students for a contest promoted by mtvU in partnership with the Reebok Human Rights Foundation and the International Crisis Group. It has helped spread awareness about the incident in Darfur by placing the player in the shoes of a Darfurian. This has urged many people to join the fight to save the innocents in Darfur.

On a more personal level, in regards to the genocide in Darfur, I was involved in the production of a Darfur awareness assembly at my high school in 2007. Green strings were tied to the wrists of everyone in attendance as a constant reminder of the horrors which plague the people of Darfur. As well, I arranged a petition and lobbied students to sign. After acquiring more than 1,000 signatures from local high school students I sent the petition to my local MP John Baird.

I encourage all of you to get involved, if not in the fight for the people of Darfur then for another cause which plagues our all too conflict ridden world.

Gaming is not for Geeks Anymore

Cultures are all around us and the ones which we choose to be a part of define us. One culture in particular has been under scrutiny for years, but has only recently has it been accepted as "normal" - Video Gaming. I have been involved in this ever changing culture since I was young and have been somewhat ostracized for the enjoyment I get out of it, but now my once guilty pleasure is finally being socially accepted.

Video gaming is a very young culture, from its dawn in 1971; it has been looked down upon as the culture of the nerd due to its reliance on new technology. However, video gaming is quickly coming into its own and has become a leading medium in the entertainment industry. Video gaming's evolution has come extremely quickly. From standing in front of a seven foot tall towering hulks of a machine in your local arcade, popping quarters into the new Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting, to laying on the couch yelling at your buddy through your wireless headset to cover that damn flag or else those Australian bastards will take the match, video gaming has had many forms.

My personal participation in video gaming as a culture has been bound in its community. Video gaming has always been my personal forum for engaging with friends and shedding all knowledge of the world, just a few hours, and enjoying being together. This leads right into my involvement in the media industry, I have chosen to become a video gaming journalist in order to help preserve this sense of togetherness that video gaming has brought to the world. To an extent it is a fabulous thing, someone in Canada can sit down and feel like they are in the same room as someone in Japan. However, this needs to be realized for what it is - a false sense of being - and a gamer should never lose their sense of reality, but if used carefully one can shed the burdens of reality for a moment then hop back in refreshed and ready to go.

So to everyone out there who looks down upon video gaming, I urge you to try before you buy and participate in the culture before you disregard it entirely.

The Subtlety of Jamming a Culture

Culture jamming is defined as the modification of mass media, done to convey a different message than the original intended.

Here, the author plays on the warning signs created by governments to keep people out of danger. The author uses this to raise awareness, in a comedic fashion, about culture jamming found in urban environments. As well, the author includes a false remedy which further satirizes the stifling of culture jamming. In doing this, the author effectively changes the message from a government warning about the avoidance of danger to a satire of said warning which outlines the foolishness of being offended by political statements made against government actions.

This is only one example of culture jamming, but it can be found all over; in subways, parks and public bathrooms you just have to open your eyes. Many are hidden in plain sight, on billboards, bus schedules and street signs, and all of them are meant to make you think about the world around you.

Drop BEFORE you Shop

On November 29th consumers around the world will strive to send an impactful message to retail businesses everywhere. International Buy Nothing Day is your chance to join one of the largest protests in history, spanning all seven continents. Your objective is exactly as the title implies, the 29th is a day where your sole reason for getting out of bed is to buy absolutely nothing. From your favourite Thai noodle soup that you want for lunch to that special video game that you've been waiting intently for ages to come out, your goal is to put out those flaming dollars which are burning holes in your wallet and keep that money where it is.


This collective effort on the part of citizens everywhere is meant to raise awareness about over consumption. Please participate to help rid the world of this dreadful addiction.

The Internet and North Korea might come to have more in Common than you think

When it comes to the internet, as of right now you can find on it what you want when you want it, but this might not be the case in coming years. Net Neutrality is becoming a big issue, however many people remain unaware of such an important conflict.

Net Neutrality refers to the struggle between public internet users and telecommunications corporations. The Internet Service Providers (IPSs) are trying to separate the internet into consumers and providers and in effect control the content of the internet. This is a huge problem because the internet is a tool of free speech and if the ISPs gain control over the content of the internet and begin regulating it then the public's constitutional right to the freedom of speech will infringed upon.

The ISPs believe that because they are providing the public access to the internet via their hard and soft connections then they should have control over that access. They feel that they have the right to regulate connection speeds, giving higher speeds to big businesses and lower speeds to the public. This, in turn, regulates the distribution of information. Right now, anyone who knows how to use a computer can upload a video to youtube, however if you suddenly have a connection which doesn't allow you the bandwidth to do so then the content of the internet is now being filtered and the public's freedom of speech is in breach.

Many sites have recently been established in protest of the ISPs ownership of the internet, most notably neutrality.ca. This site focuses solely on the Canadian side of the issue, but it is a great resource for information and recent news regarding Net Neutrality. As well they have set up a petition which you may sign to get involved in saving the future of the internet.

Disney feeds more than just the Minds of Today's Children

If you have been alive anytime during the past 85 years there is no doubt that you have heard of, and most likely encountered a product from, the Disney Corporation. This giant of a business is the largest distributor of 'family friendly' entertainment and is deeply entrenched in the hearts of many, but how much do we really know about this corporation?

At first glance, Disney is all about entertainment and I believe that this is rightfully truthful, however to most this means that Disney is only involved in its movies, children's television shows and parks and resorts, but in fact they hold control over many media outlets as well. Disney owns ABC and all its affiliated channels, including ABC news. When you think of Disney do you picture soap operas? Well, Disney controls SOAPnet. How about ESPN, Disney owns 80 percent of ESPN and all its affiliated channels, radio stations, magazines and websites. When you're reading your copy of David Letterman's Late Show Fun Facts do you think Disney? Well it was published by Disney, they own Hyperion Books.

But, what does Disney owning so many different companies mean? It means that Disney, a single corporation with a single perspective, controls what you consume in terms of television "entertainment" (ABC sitcoms and SOAPnet programs), television "news" (ABC news and ESPN sports news), radio "sports news" (ESPN radio) and print (Hyperion Books); instilling its own propagated values on you through its involvement in a plethora of different media outlets. There is no escaping Disney and its "family friendly" content.

This cross media ownership is very disconcerting. When one corporation controls the bulk of what you consume on a daily basis then one can be easily manipulated and it can be extremely difficult to find the really truth buried deep inside corporate propaganda.

Battle of the Journalists - the Independent Fight against the Corporations

*_*_*_*_*_*_*Conspiracy Warning_*_*_*_*_*_*

I offer you all a quick warning before I begin: there will be accusations of conspiratorial relations. Please, escort all small children and those with heart problems, high blood pressure, and pregnant women out of the room. As well, there is one required reading for this post Toxic Sludge is Good for You by John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton, and Mark Dowie; this opened my eyes to corporations' hand in the media and is where i got my basis of understanding for my research on fake news.

I would like to begin by saying that it's extremely difficult to unearth large corporations' rooting within the Media industry. However that is rightfully so, why would the Media publicize its own shortcomings? With that said, most all cases of corporately-funded news in this post comes from unauthenticated sources; such as other bloggers and the independent media.

So to get down to it, where has journalistic integrity gone? In a 2006 study, the Center for Media and Democracy found that roughly 77 news stations had aired corporately-sponsored videos over a ten month period and disguised them as their own reporting. These networks included ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox which are all big-name stations, watched regularly by the majority of North America. They aired videos by General Motors, Intel and Pfizer. These 'advertisements' are being considered real news in a time where war looms around every corner, where the majority of people in the undeveloped world go to bed starving each night, and where people die every second of disease.

Democracy Now! then aired a show dedicated to fake news. They spoke with Robin Raskin, who has appeared in many video news releases, who explained her involvement with the companies releasing the video news releases. As well, they spoke with Jonathan Adelstein the commissioner of the FCC, who told them he was surprised by the study's findings. "...The irony of this all is that broadcasters are supposed to operate in the public interest," said Adelstein. This shows a complete lack of journalistic integrity on the part of the broadcasters, leaving the public weary of trusting the media.

I'm going to pick on Fox News for a second because I recently read a blog post that claimed the government is becoming involved in the censoring of news. One of the founders of Books For Soldiers, a government recognized charity, was set to appear on Fox News for an interview, however on the morning of the interview he was phoned and told that something else came up. When he watched the newscast he found that his 10:20 spot was given to the victim of a non-lethal snakebite at a Florida Wal-mart. He believes that his charity represents an inability for the military to supply the soldiers with necessities and thus his interview was pulled from airing to save face. In what mindset must you be thinking to qualify a snakebite story as more important than a charity for ill-equipped soldiers?

With so much information being miss-fed to the public and over looked altogether what might be the implications of these fake news stories? Well, with the media clearly abusing its power it's becoming harder and harder to trust what you see and read in the newspaper and on television. Furthermore, with the FCC clearly not regulating broadcast stations as rigorously as they should be this problem seems like it could only get worse. But most importantly, with so much doubt surrounding the mainstream media there just might be a greater market for the Indymedia in the future.

This leaves just one thing left unsaid (disregarding all that broadcasters have left unsaid) think about everything you see and read. We must begin to confront more forcefully what we are being dealt by the media; it is a great source of information but its word is not god, do not be afraid to challenge it.

I would like to leave you with one final thought, from Toxic Sludge is Good for You, "...a single public relations professional with access to media, a basic understanding of mass psychology and a fistful of dollars can unleash in society forces that make permanent winners out of otherwise-evident losers - whether they be products, politicians, corporations or ideas."

I urge you all to visit the affiliated websites of everyone mentioned in this post and to look into donating to local and international charities.

Me and My Music

As you should already know if you have read any of my previous posts, I adore music. It is around me constantly, from when I get up to when I go to bed. I eat while listening to music, I read, I walk, and I even use music to help me get to sleep. From this it is quite evident that music is the dominant medium in my life. I have an iPod, I am registered on iTunes, I have a stereo system, and I have many CDs. Music surely shapes my everyday routines.

I awake to the sound of my favourite CD. I get dressed and take a shower, all while humming my favourite tune. I then gather together my class supplies, making sure not to forget my iPod, and run to class. When class ends I return to my room where I turn up my stereo and get to work on any homework I may have. Then, it’s time for some ‘me’ time with my guitar; this is an integral part of my day. If I don’t spend time playing my own music my day feels incomplete. Then, when all is said and done and I am ready for bed, I grab my iPod once again and turn it on to listen to my favourite podcast before I go off to bed.

All in all, music pushes me to get anything done. I don’t tend to function unless I have music strummin’ away in the background. In that sense, music is the prime mediator in my life. Without music, many of my assignments would not have been accomplished and much of my sociability comes from my love of music. In fact, while I am writing this right now I am listening to music (the new Metallica CD is awesome). If it weren’t for music I wouldn’t be where I am today. It hasn’t only pushed me to do things but it can calm me as well. Bad days are always curable by the southing beats of some good old Jack Johnson.

The fact that music can be created by anything is what fascinates me. Bang on a desk and you have some percussion, stretch an elastic band and strum on it to give you some strings, and just talk to lay down the vocals. Anyone can make music, that’s what makes it so incredible and that’s why it rules my life. Actually music doesn’t just dominate and shape my life, it is my life; without it I wouldn’t function the way I do.

For that, I thank you music, keep rockin’.

Sing With Me in Hegemony

Hegemony is the dominance or leadership of one thing over another. Mostly, it is applied to countries and political leadership roles, but it can also be applied on a personal level; to, say, a person’s media practices.

In my life there is no doubt that media is extremely dominant, but what medium holds the most control over my daily activities? Is it television, the internet, books? For me, no matter what I am doing, I must be listening to music. Whether I am writing, walking, reading, studying, or even brushing my teeth music is all around me. It holds prominence over every other medium in my life, be it television, movies, or even the internet.

However, interestingly enough when I engaging in the medium of music it is more often than not while multitasking. I read, write, walk, and sometimes even talk (however rude it may be) while I listen to music. Showing that music, although sometimes unseen and unheard, dominates my life.

The Implications of the Innuendo

If you unaware of the sexual circumstances surrounding this ad, it might seem significantly harmless. However, knowing more than the naive, it's hard to disregard this VO5 Hot Oil Hair moisturizer advertisement as just another ad when it plays on a commonly abused sexual situation.

By poking fun at 10 seconds in heaven, being overly excited, premature ecstasy, or whatever you care to call it the ad segregates and alienates a group of people by highlighting the stigma associated with the action and toying with the circumstances under which the action occurs.

The ad, however clever the creators may believe it is, chooses to further alienate a group for the sole purpose of selling its product; showing that there really is no limit to the indecency of advertising companies.

Although, however much I may disagree with the delivery of the advertisement, I must pay homage to its marketing ability. It successfully portrays to the consumer, in an easily interpretable manner, what the product is and what it claims to do. However, it does this, not through words, but through pictures. It displays a background of beautiful brunette hair that shouts "Hey! I'm soft and healthy; don't you want to be like me?" Which, however underhanded it might be to play on the misfortunes of other, does successfully accomplish the products main goal - to sell.

This ad was found at adsoftheworld.com. It comes from an advertisement campaign run by the Alberto-Culver Company.

Who's to Decide

Personally, my understanding of the term 'mass media' is wrapped in corporate control. I believe that mass media is any medium that, as the 'big businessman' would have us believe, is popular to the masses at any given moment.

Take the medium of music for example. Who decides what we listen to on the radio, or on T.V., or in movies? It sure as heck is not me. I've never had someone come knocking on my door, asking "Hey Nick, I'm from 555.5 fm, what songs would most want to hear on our station?" So who chooses? Who has the last say, because it sure is not me. What, is my opinion not fit for consideration when choosing popularized music?

To me, mass media is not the media of the masses, but the media of the corporation. It's the media's media. Not chosen by the public for the public, but chosen by the media for the public. I feel that, however influential you believe you are in moulding the media around you, the power of fluctuating media will never be within the grasp of the common man.

In my opinion, 'mass media' is solely a term coined by the media to downplay their control over the content of 'popularized' media.

Purposefully Minded yet Functionally Flawed

The internet, a marvel of modern man's ingenuity, but is it really all that it's cracked up to be? What was once a military application is now a massive network which has since spawned a monster of indigestible proportions.

It was created as form of communication, which it is still today, however it has since added in features and, because it has been set as the cornerstone of modern society, it has drastically morphed our culture. Would computers have taken off the way they did without the help of the internet? Would they have just been expensive calculators or would they still be in every home around the world, dictating many lives?

I think the internet, in its founding form, was a great idea, cultural applications have shifted; and not entirely for the better. The freedom of the internet has created a worm hole of utter crap that anyone and everyone must sift through in order to find the spec of decency that exists in the world today.

The internet has shrunk our vast sprawling planet down to a size manageable by a four year old while ever expand our ability to communicate. Essentially it has remained the same, but it's the additional features and added functionality that have been tacked to the internet which has pushed our society over the edge.

All in all, the internet is an amazing tool which, at its core, functions perfectly, but it has been allowed to spread out of control. It has pushed us to being inwardly social. We have everything at our fingertips, all without the need of human interaction. While it has furthered educational tools, it has also allowed for a broadened gap of misunderstanding.

Academic Blogging - To Contribute or not to Contribute?

How can one assess his or her contributions to the public sphere when it's so damn big? Just ask Adam Brickley who, through his incredibly successful blogging campaign influenced U.S. Presidential Candidate John McCain's pick for running mate. Mr. Brickley wrote his blogs out of his mother's basement and had an impact that will greatly affect the entire world through the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

However, on a more personal level, I have yet to fully comprehend my impact on the public sphere. That is, in part, why I feel inclined to pursue a career in journalism; in order to see my affect on the public as a member of said public. I have always been a somewhat reserved person with big thoughts and opinions and I am eager to see what others might draw from those thoughts.

That said, I have done blogging before and have found it to be a somewhat niche medium. That, in particular, is why I felt it necessary to begin with Mr. Brickley's story, because he did something I feel to be extraordinary. He harnessed the power of free thought and free speech and, through what I believe to be a relatively unexplored medium, he affected the masses. Showing me, first hand, that one person can affect millions through blogging.

I have yet to experience my role in the public sphere come to fruition and affect something or someone. However, with that being my personal goal regarding my role in the public eye, I feel that that is not the motivation behind one's contributions to the public sphere. I believe that it is the feeling of togetherness that playing a role in the world entails rather than your affect on said world that really drives the public as a whole to contribute.

I would like to thank Mr. Brickley for his hard work and I would urge you all to visit his blog at http://palinforvp.blogspot.com/