Author Archives: Denisse

Connected Through Music; Sight and Sound

Headphones by DenisseDLC

Headphones by DenisseDLC

This Thanksgiving weekend I felt like getting in touch with music, something that I hadn’t done in a while. And by getting in touch with music, I mean catching up on songs I have been listening to on YouTube but never actually downloaded because of time constraints.

 

I started to make a list of music and realized that I had a lot of catching up to do. As I downloaded music, I was trying to imagine what parts of songs I could use for an upcoming film project I’m working on. It dawned on me how interesting sight and sounds work for people. I was correlating different images in my head to specific combinations of music lyrics and beats of songs. It really demonstrates how interconnected our visual sense is to our hearing.

 

How many times has a smell triggered a specific memory? Or a sound make you think “where have I heard that before?” and then you remember, or you can’t remember a specific moment through your imagery.

 

It’s truly fascinating how things connect in our minds when we naturally use our senses.

 

My project has a couple of scenes where I am walking around my home town of New York City. As I was re-watching those scenes, the music that connected with them connected more with me than that of a scene I took as I was walking here in Vermont.

 

Music has a way of pulling at your heartstrings, or lightening the mood after a heavy scene in a film. It’s a medium that impacts us in many different ways. I keep having all these thoughts that relate back to that idea. Just like when I was teaching a Middle School class at MUMS here in Middlebury, the aspect of the lesson that we focused on was Digital Media Grammar. The demonstration that we showed the kids was that of the genderremixer website and then we gave them a prompt that implied what they would do if they could make their own toothpaste commercial. Lots of the responses were very different because of the musical direction that the children chose to take.

 

All in all, whether the music be in commercials, or on a film or even something that triggers a memory, music has some serious ties to imagery and I hadn’t’t even thought of it until I was catching up on some music downloads.

Realizations in The Wake of Tragedy

Taken By Denisse DLC

Taken By Denisse DLC

Just 30 minutes ago I saw one Facebook post that lead me to Google for facts. “R.I.P Paul Walker” were the words. Now, seeing as how internet hoaxes go around easily, I thought to myself that it was a really cruel joke. I proceeded to Google for information and found out that it was true, he had passed. Now, I will say I hope he rests in peace and the entire ordeal is a bit shocking and unexpected. But it did lead me to realize some things about media. How did this information spread so quickly?

For me, one Facebook post lead me to discover the NY Post article online. I called my friend, a die hard fan only to get the reaction, “Stop playing with me Denisse.” But she also Googled and she also found that I was unfortunately speaking the truth. I go back on Facebook and now there are TONS of posts dedicated to the late actor. Now I’m thinking, okay seriously how is this traveling so quickly.

I sign onto my Instagram and pictures are on the popular page and some of my friends have posted pictures of the actor. News does indeed travel very quickly and it’s all because of the various social media sites we use to communicate and the rates at which we are on such sites. I feel like the entire incident and the news of the incident blew up proportionately because of the fact that there are so many people on these social media sites that information travels fast.

The way that people obtain information today is very different than before. I feel like now you might gain information without really looking for it. How many times have people watched videos on Youtube because of links to pages on friends Facebook profiles? Or read a news article because someone commented on a link to that article on Facebook and it showed up on their news feed. Everything is honestly interconnected and because of this we have a large pot of ways to gain access to information; whether that be willingly or unwillingly.

I will say that having this realization is something that came out of no where, to just sit and think about how fast some people were learning of this tragic news inspired me to write this.

Isn’t it crazy though – it’s almost as if we’re all learning some things together.

Phoneless in Montreal

 

Two  weekends ago, I went to Montreal, Canada. What an experience  that was. My only struggle during the trip? – No Cell Phone Service.

 Since I didn’t want to be charged any international fees, I had to keep my phone on airplane mode for the entire day and a half that I was in Canada.

The actual experience of being outside with friends in another country without a phone made things a bit complicated.  It made me realize that sometimes it can be dangerous to not have a phone around. I was subjected to be with my friends at all times. Even if we were in the same store – I tried to not venture off elsewhere because  I was afraid of being lost and not find a way back to my friends because I had no phone. I feel like I sound like I’m disappointed in myself for being so dependent on my phone but I’m actually acknowledging a good thing with phones.

 

Yes, I tend to say that my life revolves around my phone, but in all honesty, my phone also provides me with safety and security. Having a phone can be the important tool in many situations, from getting lost in a store to getting in an accident; phones are also very helpful because of their communicative aspects.

 

It was also very amusing to not be able to Google things. I’d pull out my phone if we needed to get some type of information and say “Oh right, no service.” The access to information that mobile devices bring is also very helpful. I was so frustrated that I wasn’t able to find things out easily but I also realized how phones are an open book to answers on the spot. And usually you remember the things that you had searched so it really helps in spreading intellect even if the question is as simple as money conversations from U.S dollars to Canadian dollars.

 

Our View from the Hotel. @DenisseDLC

Our View from the Hotel. @DenisseDLC

 

 

My first night in Canada was amazing, the evening was wonderful and I got to explore a place I had never been to before. But my reaction when we got to the hotel room and I found out I could get Wi-Fi? – YES, FINALLY!

Technology and Education: A Match Made In Heaven?

My Intern Office Back in 2010 @ Community Works

Working at my Intern Office Back in 2010 @ Community Works

Now, I’ll start off by being honest. It completely freaks me out when I see toddlers using their parent’s Smartphone’s better than the parent themselves. It just baffles me, and I become uncomfortable. Call me old fashioned but I think that children from ages 1- 10 are too young to be using Smart- phones, tablets and other such devices on their own. Why might you ask? Well it has to do with what’s online.

 

Toddlers are not taught what’s right or what’s wrong, most of the time they are experimenting with the technology. But experimentation might lead them to dangerous sites and dangerous habits.

 

In my Digital Media Literacy Seminar, we had a class of Upperclassmen studying Education come in and help us prepare lesson plans.

 

The turn that my group’s lesson plan took was that we focused on wanting Children to know that the things they do online do have repercussions. I remember one of the questions I came up with was “How much is too much?” How does a child know when saying something has gone too far? Can we really expect a toddler to be able to filter themselves?

 

These questions might seem extreme for some but really they are serious questions. The Internet is a world of endless possibilities and few restrictions, so how do we know that a Child has the correct internet mannerisms to go about using the internet unsupervised?

 

These are all really questions that spur from the debate of technology being used in schools. I think that there is a time and place for everything. Some classes have added technology use that is truly unnecessary. Other’s make great use of the technology – it depends on the teacher and it depends on the class. However, in general, I think there are benefits to having technology in the classroom. I just believe that before you can place technology in a child’s hand, that child needs to be taught the proper eicute on how to navigate the internet in a positive way that won’t have negative consequences for them in the future.

 

No one wants a boss to find a Facebook profile of a graduate student whose been tagged in way too many pictures parting – that would seem like the graduate is irresponsible. Being taught how to navigate through the internet from the beginning will possibly help avoid such situations.

 

I suggest that schools take into consideration an “Internet Etiquette” class. Some schools are already implementing such lessons into their classrooms, like MUMS in the town of Middlebury, Vermont. Such implementations can only make the usage of the internet safer for children and more beneficial in their overall life.

Reaction in Review; Watching Disconnected

 

Disconnected Film Release Poster

Disconnected Film Release Poster Just because Caitlin wasn’t going to have a computer she felt like she was going to “sink into a puddle [or] crawl into a hole.”

  • Just because Caitlin wasn’t going to have a computer she felt like she was going to “sink into a puddle [or] crawl into a hole.”
  • Just because Andrew had to use a phone for conversation, it was going to be more…”intimate.” Something he wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
  • Without a computer they got bored, they could “only do homework.”

 

These were all symptoms that the documentary film directed by students from Carlton College, Disconnected, displayed through the 3 students who were focused on while they went through a 5 week experiment to stay away from a computer.

I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t do it. And I know I couldn’t do it – only because of school. Now there is a difference in timing, the film was released in 2008 though most of the filming occurred in 2007. Compared to today, I see that most of my classes rely on some type of computer technology. It would LITERALLY be impossible for me to succeed in my classes without access to a computer. I will say that the film did not seem like it was made

 

In terms of communication and social life, I know I can go without a computer. A phone is different; I would need to text people and call people. That’s inevitable – especially since I am away from home and I need to stay in touch with friends from home and communicate with friends here in college during breaks. But I honestly give the cast a lot of credit for going through that trouble for the documentary. I will say that I did think that some of the cast members did get a positive result from the experiment. I honestly thought that Caitlin was addicted; I was personally concerned with the things that she expressed. Also, the fact that she wrapped her computer in order to control herself from using it really shocked me – she called it psychological. I said “I think she might actually be addicted.”

 

Check out the film – only an hour long – and it’s funny to hear some of the struggles that the students went through. Besides – you might be inspired; can you last as long as they did without a computer?

Reaction in Review; Watching Disconnected

 

Disconnected Film Release Poster

Disconnected Film Release Poster

  • Just because Caitlin wasn’t going to have a computer she felt like she was going to “sink into a puddle [or] crawl into a hole.”
  • Just because Andrew had to use a phone for conversation, it was going to be more…”intimate.” Something he wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
  • Without a computer they got bored, they could “only do homework.”

 

These were all symptoms that the documentary film directed by students from Carlton College, Disconnected, displayed through the 3 students who were focused on while they went through a 5 week experiment to stay away from a computer.

I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t do it. And I know I couldn’t do it – only because of school. Now there is a difference in timing, the film was released in 2008 though most of the filming occurred in 2007. Compared to today, I see that most of my classes rely on some type of computer technology. It would LITERALLY be impossible for me to succeed in my classes without access to a computer. I will say that the film did not seem like it was made

 

In terms of communication and social life, I know I can go without a computer. A phone is different; I would need to text people and call people. That’s inevitable – especially since I am away from home and I need to stay in touch with friends from home and communicate with friends here in college during breaks. But I honestly give the cast a lot of credit for going through that trouble for the documentary. I will say that I did think that some of the cast members did get a positive result from the experiment. I honestly thought that Caitlin was addicted; I was personally concerned with the things that she expressed. Also, the fact that she wrapped her computer in order to control herself from using it really shocked me – she called it psychological. I said “I think she might actually be addicted.”

 

Check out the film – only an hour long – and it’s funny to hear some of the struggles that the students went through. Besides – you might be inspired; can you last as long as they did without a computer?

 

24 Hours; No Communication In The Mountains of Vermont

 

 

Last weekend, I participated in a weekend retreat in Windham, Vermont. This retreat was called the” My Midd Retreat”, an opportunity for freshmen to speak about their life so far on campus and get to know a group of other freshmen.  I took this opportunity to participate in my media fast for my Digital Media Literacy class – boy was that an experience.

 

My media fast began at 9 P.M Friday September the 27th and ended on 9 P.M of September 28th. The activities that were held on Saturday during the retreat were all activities that required no use of technology. We went for a hike; we were outside of the cabin for about 3-4 hours. It was honestly so amazing. The scenery was amazing. The only “technology” that accompanied me was my friend’s camera’s as he took pictures of the entire journey.

In the Wilderness

@ Ben Hoskin (Class of 2017)

I think that the environment that I was situated in allowed me to separate from technology. It would have a bit more difficult for me if I had been on Campus. My friends would have tried to communicate with me to meet up for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All of the plans I make are revolved around my phone, I don’t think I would have lasted an entire 24 hours on campus just because my phone has become such a pivotal part of my social life on campus. I didn’t even have internet in the cabin at Windham. And even though they offered less than amazing Wifi, I turned off my phone and it stayed off until Sunday Morning.  I think that it was the best choice to apply to this program, and the timing could not have been better.

Walking and laughing

@ Keenia Shinagawa (Class of 2017)

I will say that I am glad that I chose to do my digital media fast during this weekend because I almost extended the fast on my own. It was a beautiful experience to be able to connect with a group of freshmen and our student facilitators on a more personal level. I didn’t even feel like I needed my phone with me. The entire time I was immersed in activities where I was connecting with other freshmen, in a non-superficial level. The scenery was breathtaking and I even went stargazing for the first time in my life. All of this happened because of the environment that I was placed in – no, I didn’t like the insects – but, the scenery, the people, and the disconnection from texting and the crazy drama that is the “internet,” made the sacrifice of my phone all the more worth it.

 

 

“Table Talk”

Let’s rewind to the night of Friday September 20th. It’s 8 pm and my friends decide that they want to go to 51 Main Street, a very nice restaurant if I may say so myself. In the course of the night, my phone dies.

The death of my phone’s batteries brought about many discoveries. Including:

My friends on their phones

My friends on their phones

 

The picture above is what I spent about 20 minutes looking at. Everyone was on their phones, and I had no phone to look at. My friend willingly took this picture for me realizing that I had no phone to take it with. It was so frustrating to have no functioning phone for the entire night. Not only did I know I would have to face my mother’s wrath when I managed to turn my phone back on, but also, for the night it was very difficult to check the time and or text anyone. I found that I was constantly pressing the home button on my phone only to realize that my phone was off – “it was a struggle.”

Being unable to use my phone for about two hours, I realized that I depend so heavily on my phone. However, I also recognize their abilities to make for entertainment when in social groups. I developed a love hate relationship with the fact that I need my phone so much. I was worried about not being in communication with people but I was also able to see how my friends interact using a phone as a medium of conversation. It was truly interesting, one of my friends would show a Vine video and we would all join in laughter and eventually commentary on the video. It’s the way that entertainment is served to us, little things that allow some laughter when in larger groups. However, I also recognize that it is strange to think that as teenagers we NEED some sort of medium in order to be entertained.

I think it’s an interesting concept, that we need something to do in order to be entertained and that entertainment is usually provided to us by our phones. I think that I can have fun without my phone, at least I would think I can. However, after the other night, I can say that phones can be used too fold. They can either make the table really quite when everyone is engaged in their phones or they can create a spark for conversation.

Summer Reflections; Every Day Media Use

Before I get into the technological and media oriented details of this blog post, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Denisse DLC, proud author and founder of this website you have found yourself on, http://sites.middlebury.edu/dmldlc/. Created on September 10th of the year 2013, this blog will have a tendency to focus on the development of people’s relationships and societal ties through the eyes of various media vessels.

Born and raised in New York City, I have found it increasingly more and more important to manage success in the city through the usage of the internet. Everything from political events to social gatherings can all be found through some media outlet and a map on a cell phone or an MTA app can easily be your savior during the times you’ll get lost in the city’s transportation system. Whatever the reason may be, there is an increasingly larger population of New Yorkers who are joining the internet cyberspace and adopting its usage into everyday life.

Before arriving on the Middlebury Campus, I was subject to a small experiment conducted by Professor Mittell of the Film and Media Culture department at Middlebury College. This experiment depended on my ability to keep track of my media use for 3 entire days.  In other words, I was keeping a “media log.”

The outcomes of this log were pretty outstanding if I may say so myself. Not only was my dependency on media and technology much higher than I anticipated. It also seemed like I was addicted to using my phone.  For the three days that I kept track of my media use, I used my phone first thing in the morning all throughout the day and the last thing that I did was use my phone to set an alarm right before I went to bed. Now, I hadn’t expected to see so much phone use on my chart. It’s actually the media device that I use more than my computer or any other digital device in my possession. The following is an excerpt of my log, from August 28th:

 

“Phone: Woke up and the first thing I did was use my phone to turn off my alarms and check for any text messages. 

Phone: Spoke to my mother while eating breakfast as she told me what to do for her while she was working and I was at home. The call only lasted 4 minutes according to my phone.

 Stereo: I connected my phone to the stereo in my house in order to play some of my music. I played this music for about an hour and some minutes while I cleaned up and did some chores.

 Phone: Before I chose an outfit, I checked the weather on my phone to see how warm it was outside. This literally lasted a couple of seconds.

 Phone: After I showered and was already changing, I had to pick up another call by my mother, she was asking me what I was doing yet again.  The call lasted like two minutes because I rushed the call.

 Phone: I was going to take a bus, therefore I wanted to know how many stops away the bus was and NYC Buses now have a system where you can text the MTA with the bus stop code and they reply with how many stops away the bus is. This was only about a minute long.

 Phone: I used my phone again to call my mother and let her know that I had already bought what she asked me to get her. I was already on my way back on the bus.”

 

Just using this small excerpt, it is clearly noticed that the progression of my day revolves around my cell phone use. However, I would not say I’m addicted to my cell phone. It’s a method of communication and a method of knowledge gathering. That’s something very important for a girl from the city who roams around all day and has a mother who feels the need to know of her daughter’s whereabouts every 5 minutes.