Don’t lie to yourself. Don’t even try to pretend like marathoning episodes of Breaking Bad while lying in your bed eating potato chips is not the greatest thing ever. I don’t care if your into Pretty Little Liars (whatever that’s about – I’m assuming attractive teenaged girls who are all connected to some sort of scandal) or the raw political intrigue of House of Cards (a Netflix original series) – Netflix is awesome.

If my father stopped paying the eight dollars per month for our family subscription, I would finance an account through my own means. I mean, eight dollar per month is a downright deal considering that you get access to a massive library of TV shows and movies. I don’t even know if I will get a cable or satellite subscription once I am living on my own, considering what a steal Netflix is. There’s never not something to watch on Netflix – a dilemma I frequently encounter on cable television . For example, this summer I got my wisdom teeth out. For a solid week I did nothing but eat yogurt, ice my mouth, and watch Netflix. I started watching the show Weeds to occupy my time. Eight seasons were finished in a course of six days. No other platform would allow you to do that. That is the beauty of Netflix.

My Netflix Dashboard

So, when you’re feeling lonely and upset, would you rather turn to a significant other who might be able to cheer you up or will you turn to the lovable antics of the characters of The Office which are guaranteed to make you feel better any day. Personally, I think Dwight and This is my ode to you, Netflix – you beautiful, perfect time sucking piece of awesome. May you continue adding content and keeping me entertained when I am bored. 

– Murph

To keep with the theme from my last post, I am writing to share with you a survey I took today.  After class, I sat outside and observed people walking.  I focused on whether or not the people walking to their dorm, the dining hall, or even to their next class were on their phone. I noticed that most people who were walking without any friends around them were either texting or on their phone.  And those who were walking with a friend, I would say that on average 40% were still looking at their phone.  This may have just been a exaggerated day or a very busy time in the day, but still that is a lot of phone usage.  As I spoke with my digital media class yesterday about addiction and dependency on digital media, I came to realize that most people around my age group (freshmen in college) go through the same issues regarding cell phone usage.  For example, when our iPhone batteries die we don’t know what to do with ourselves.  There was one day, last week, when I was studying in the library and it was pouring outside.  I found myself starting to plan out when and how I was going to get a hold of my iPhone charger, which was all the way in my dorm at the time, before my phone died.  Looking back on this stressful moment, I laugh.  I can’t get over that I was so worried about not being able to use my cell phone that I instead of studying I found myself strategizing over how to get a charger.  It is honestly ridiculous, but I know a lot of college students probably also really dislike when their phone dies.  Still can’t imagine the day when there was no such thing as cell phones.  Can you?

Fifa is one of the most popular video games in the world. For those who have never played it or seen it played, Fifa is asoccer video game created by EA Sports. It is a form of digital media that has been developed over the past decade. There are a variety of options of how one may choose to play. The annually produced games come filled with a library of major teams all over the globe, along with up to date rosters. The original method of use for Fifa was either single player games against the computer, or multiplayer games against friends on the same console, but in the past couple of years, technological advancements have led to much more. With the impending release of FIFA 14 in the next couple of weeks, I thought it would be a good time to share some information about the game.

The in-console mode of playing multiplayer games is still highly relevant. Just the other day I faced our friend Norris in the Amsterdam Arena. Tensions were high, as is the norm in a Fifa match, and the music was blaring. People walking through the halls were drawn in by the energy of the room to spectate as I put on a show. Norris held me off for a full 90 minutes and sent the game into overtime. It was in overtime that the Netherlands Team and I found our stride. It started with a foul 4 yards outside the box which led to a free kick that I buried in the top right corner. Afterwards, the flood continued as I put two more goals in the back of the net, sealing Norris’ demise.

This type of entertainment that I have described above is common place for those who own the game, but more relevantto how Fifa has become a potent form of digital media are the new features such as the Ultimate Team. This feature is available online only (either xbox live or the playstation compliment). In this part of the game, the user is the manager, coach, and player of his own team. This idea adds many components that require the users attention. Now, not only does the user have to be talented at the game itself in order to defeat opponents online, but he also must be a savvy manager who is able to assemble a talented team. Assembling a team is not easy either. There is a whole economy behind the pricing of players on the market, adding an intellectual component to the game. Also, socially the user must be capable of interacting with other users in order to bargain for players.

This is a very interesting touch spin on the game. It definitely will make things more interesting, and probably consume some lives. I am still unsure whether I will join in with the Ultimate Teams movement. Beating Norris in the multiplayer mode might just be too much fun.

-Nick