Bonus Blog 5: Weather Channel Future Studio

The extravagant new HD Weather Channel studio prides itself on its' "green" construction and functionality.  The design is extremely complex, implementing all of the newest and brightest technology in HD production.  The mission of the broadcast is to present the weather in a simple and very clear way so us as viewers are provided the best in storm coverage.  The studio contains a swiveling green screen for meteorology reports and an elaborate array of lighting.  The use of solar energy, bamboo and cork in construction, and low emission paints and sealants also contributed to the environmentally friendly aspect of the studio.

Bonus Blog 4: NY Film Academy

This academy was home to many of the popular actors and members of the film industry including Steven Spielberg, Al Pacino, and Pierce Brosnan just to name a few.  The institution prides itself on providing students with the hands-on experience that cannot be replicated simply by film study.  They offer up to 2 year masters degrees in varying film production areas and surprisingly, upon reviewing tuition for the programs, was relatively inexpensive.  The academy has programs across the globe and offer programs in a large spectrum from 3D animation to screenwriting

Bonus Blog 3: Crash! Bang! Wallow?

This narrative is about an ex stuntman who was left out to dry with no job during the 90's when actors began doing their own stunts with the help of green screens and computer animation.  He is depressed because all he has known since his Tarzan swing from his umbilical cord at birth is action.  He even attempts, and fails, suicide by jumping naked off of a building into a tuck and roll.  He seems to be poking fun at the actors that perform their own "stunts" like Keanu Reeves and Chuck Norris who have taken his job.  The rhymes in this short video add a lot to the comedic level of this mans life and you almost seem to feel bad for him haha.

Bonus Blog 2: NY Times tour

The new building that houses the New York Times newspaper is an architectural masterpiece.  The complexity of its design is amazing and almost seems like overkill to the regular observer.  The ceramic rods that horizontally cover the 4 exterior faces of the building are my favorite facet of the design.  Despite the enormous scope of the rods influence on the buildings exterior, Ouroussoff proclaims that their purpose is to provide a sense of privacy from inside the structure and to provide uniformity.  The narrator comments several times upon the uniformity that the building portrays and even though it is unbelievable complex it does almost seem to have a bland complexion from a distance. 

Bonus Blog 1: Gutenberg Bible

The Gutenberg Bible was the first substantial document created using movable type printing.  This is substantial because this technology had an enormous effect on jump starting western civilization.  Gutenberg obviously is considered a notable inventor from his ability to use previous attempts to manufacture book text and developing his movable type creation.  Historians believe that around 180 Bibles were ever printed and the Gutenberg bible is one of 5 examples that still exist in the U.S. which makes the fact that the Ransom Center has this copy very astounding.  The process in which the type was created seems like a very time consuming project and it is pointed out by the website that over 300 pieces of type were used in the Bible.

Blog 15: State of the Media

Some of the areas of media that did not seem to have significantly varying trends or surprising statistics include cable TV viewership and newspaper circulation.  These areas have reasonable trends correlating specifically with the change in technology in this era as well as the popularity of television viewership.  Radio and especially internet access have become so convenient that the usage of newspapers as a media information provider is dwindling.  Manufacturing and distribution of newspapers is expensive and with out the constant or growing influx of revenue from users, this medium may soon become sparse.  Cable television of course is extremely popular in this day in age due to the infatuation of viewers with reality shows in general.  Television is a very popular asset and will remain so due to its convenience and growing technology in increasing viewer pleasure.  One thing that I recognized that was some what surprising to me is the significant increase in listeners in regards to news/talk radio.  This may in fact directly correlate to the decrease in radio listeners and the move to internet broadcast due to internet popularity.  Many radio broadcasts are facing financial hardships and being forced to move strictly to internet broadcast.

Blog 14: Ethical Decision Making

I thought the plagiarism category of the website was interesting and concerning.  Plagiarism is a big concern in academia, journalism, as well as media and will continue to be until, as the website explains, the the journalism industry standardizes plagiarism restrictions and consequences.  Several of the discussions concerning plagiarism contained remarks that this crime can in fact be a psychological one in which a writer is pressured or any of a mix of situations and allows himself to plagiarize another individual.  I believe that this most certainly can prove true.  Writers and journalists as well as students are pressured in many ways like deadlines, procrastination and laziness.  The author argues the majority of offenders are honest and innocent people but do not entirely understand the breadth of material usage that could constitute plagiarism.  This is a big problem and could lead to many unnecessary law suits, trials, and conviction of individuals that were simply ill-advised in regards to plagiarism.  The industry needs to make a considerable effort to alleviate this confusion and provide journalists and students with a clear and concise explanation of plagiarism