I'm talking to...

I would like to direct my first paper towards young women specifically, teens, young adults, and woman in their twenties and mid thirties. I have chosen this group of women because I think this is who media affects the most. I believe that the majority (not all) of media spheres direct their advertising and etc. to women in these age ranges. I am also a part of this “audience” so I feel like I can add some personal experience and humility to my paper. It allows me to speak to these women, compadre to compadre and warn them of the dangers posed towards US because of the media’s influence over our lives.

Ya herd?

So, who do I want to speak to regarding my problem with cows? The herd of course! But who is the herd? The world! Everyone needs to learn to keep their head above these murky waters, rather than being led astray by a blinking light in the murky depths and suddenly being consumed by a giant angler fish. I see the turning of people into cows as a serious disease that has infected the world. Unfortunately, there's no cure, but we can treat it with religious doses of analysis, critical thinking, and keeping current. I plan to medicate everyone! So pick your poison.

Got a problem with cows

Not those mindless bovines that graze, get milked, defecate, and sleep (and in some cases eventually slaughtered to put a nice steak on my plate). I'm talking about humans who've adopted cow-like traits. This is a problem. We're allowing the power of the public to diminish. The more lazy and complacent we become, the less power we have until some tyrant with half a brain shows up to rule over everything. What we're experiencing now is a reversal of what Habermas discusses in The Public Sphere. Our complacency is leading to a gross perversion of the public sphere where we think we're positing opinion and changing things for the better, but rather we're allowing an elite few manipulators to herd us here and there.

This is my problem.

Who should I be talking to?

I have decided to aim my paper first toward the residents of downtown Riverside. In Riverside, which is where I live, this seems to be the location with the highest number of homeless on the streets. I understand that if I really want to do anything with this idea, my ultimate audience is going to have to be the local government; however, there would be no use going to them if I do not have other supporters. After all, a multitude of voices are louder, and will be recognized much sooner than mine alone. What I actually plan on doing to get their attention is posting signs, printing flyers, and yes, even posting on facebook. Ultimately, I would like to have a leagal rally to raise money and ideas for how we can help our fellow human beings who have unfortunately fallen on hard times. What do you think? Are there any ideas of what I could possibly do to further this?
-Chelsea Bemis

A Public Sphere is becoming a Private Danger

So I was watching the news today and a story came on about some of our nation’s most popular public spheres "Twitter" and "Facebook". Apparently as people become more and more willing to share the intimate details of their lives, they too are more willing to share the more mundane activities that make up their days...seems innocent enough. However, as they consistently update their "status" and "tweet" where they are and what they're doing, they’re leaving a virtual timeline of their day, thus making it easier for people to track their whereabouts. This has led to an increase in break-ins and robberies, as followers are able to know when their supposed “friends” are out and about and their stuff is left to be easily taken right from under their noses. In this sense, these Public Spheres are giving people private nightmares....So with that said...Be careful and consciousness about what you're letting others know party people, for your own safety!!!