Sexism

B) I think that the internet has had a huge impact on sexism, whether it be about woman or men. Both sexes have faced harassment over the web or on a social networking site. People feel safe to go on there and voice their opinions on any situation. They feel as though they can say anything and it wont matter because they are hidden behind a screen so no on really knows who they are. Sometimes on

Facebook I’ll see someone post a comment with a strong opinion, whether it be sexism related or not, and within a matter of minutes someone else is commenting on it with their own opinion. Sharday Mosurinjohn does talk about people commenting back and forth at each other trying to retaliate and make it seem like their opinion is the right opinion, but they just end up contradicting themselves. I agree that ability to hide who you are on the internet has caused an increase in the posting of comments. When people post blogs like the one about the Maxim article, they can say whatever they want and hide who they are. This gives others the chance to hide who they are as well and fight with them. Issues like feminism and sexism are very susceptible to this. People these days are very expressive and they will put that out on the internet. When its tough issues like sexism, the posts seem to be even more aggressive. I’ve seen different posts of pictures or comments that are degrading to women, and although I’ve have never seen it, I know that it happens to men too.  I feel like people like that they can cause some kind of drama by posting something like “All guys are idiots” or “Women belong in the kitchen” on the internet. You just get more people fighting and trying to prove that they have all of the answers. It is so arrogant of them too because most of the people commenting have done no research or have any information to back up their points. Not that there would be any either because sex should be held above the other. People also like to just assume things about people based on their femininity or masculinity. They think if a guy is more feminine or a girl is more masculine, then they are automatically gay. When people jump to conclusions like that they tend to get out of control and can really hurt others. In the case of them hiding behind their computer screen though I guess it doesn’t matter to them, because they can say whatever they want and no one would ever have to know who they really are. People trying to fight each other over commenting and posting on the internet will always seem pointless to me. The wise thing to do is either to keep to yourself so you don’t sound like and idiot, or get some valid information on the topic to back up the point you are trying to prove. 

Texting Today

B)        Texting has become one of the main ways of communication for most of the US population. People have become accustom to texting versus a phone call or even a hand written letter. This is not a bad thing by any means; in fact if is actually proving how our generation is moving forward. By being able to text someone, you increase the time your message is going to get there immensely. Also, you can take a shorter amount of time to write the text. Which brings up the thought that some people think that texting is making our generation illiterate because of the acronyms and shorthand used in texting. When you text someone, you are forced to type out what you are saying, thus making you more familiar with the keyboard (provided you have a full one on your phone). It takes someone with a clever mind to be able to come up with the various acronyms that are used today, and they are well known so everyone can decipher what a text message is saying. Another way it is helping instead of hurting the literacy of our generation is with spellcheck, or on an iPhone autocorrect. This can help when someone spells a word wrong because it immediately tells you, or will fix it for you. That way you can see the correct spelling of the word and know that the next time you go to spell that word, you’ll do it right. Even though many people think that texting causes too much shorthand or acronyms, I personally don’t think it does. I know that when I’m texting someone, most of my words are spelled out in whole. I don’t use to many acronyms other than the well known LOL or OMG. Normal words don’t have to be shortened and shouldn’t be. I think that most kids my age are the same way. They would rather sound more profound or mature rather than shortening everything so the person receiving the text can’t understand it.

            People are coming up with creative ways of using text language to further engage or entertain and audience. Some are even starting to write books like Xuan Huang, who wrote “Distance” all in text language, (2b or not 2b?, David Crystal 2008). Its nice to see how creative people can get with using only texting style of writing and have the restrictions such as only 160 characters per text. Now though with newer smartphones coming out, it seems as if those types of problems aren’t as binding. On a smartphone you can type as much as you want as a text, and as long as the other person has a smartphone as well you can receive the text as a whole.  Our generation is moving forward and always coming up with the next new form of communication. Whether it be a social networking site, or using your computer to video chat with a friend, there is always a new and exciting way to communicate. Texting is just one way that will keep growing and testing the limits of this generations creativity.