A critisim on the state of the arts.

I recently did a report based on the new media premise of Podcasting. Its a topic I found incredibly interesting because of its independent roots. In a world full of Michael Bay films and over produced pop songs, I think that the world needs entertainment that is tangible for people who are growing up.

Podcasts are arguably one of the cheapest forms of entertainment that i can think of. When it all boils down, its just a person (or a couple of people) and a microphone. It takes a computer and an internet connection and you can have your very own specialized radio show. The simplicity is really an incredible thing.

The podcast that inspired me is one called Smodcast. Smodcast is a show directed by well known, low-budget filmmaker, Kevin Smith and his producer and long time friend Scott Mosier. Smith and Mosier started the podcast as a way to reunite and get a chance to talk to each other once a week. the show varies topics based on what the two are thinking about and really has no important purpose. The show has just recently reached its 300th episode this week, a feat 7 years in the making.

Listening to this show has inspired me to want to start my own podcast. I am someone who glamorizes the 'indie' way of thinking, especially when it comes to entertainment and art. Seeing the success of Smodcast makes someone who aspires to be in the arts someday, such as myself, feel attainable. It doesn't feel that far away and having that as a motivating factor is very important not only to myself but young artists all over the world.

If the only art I had to relate to were summer blockbusters and flashy pop songs, I dont know if I necessarily would be where I am at in the creative process. I think that when people think of 'Hollywood' it seems like a place that only the most important people hang out and live. I don't think it should be this way at all. I think that the way movies and music are being made today is off putting to some and it is losing its connection to the arts.

Podcasting brings out the indie roots in all of us. We can say and do whatever we want. That is what i think art is, and what i think we should be telling aspiring artists. Its not about who can make the biggest explosions, but who can tell me the best story.

Drawing the Line

The Internet has done incredible things for people all over the world.  There are thousands of articles that pull on our heartstrings and really make us glad the Internet and social media exists. Fundraising campaigns to help out people who are in need are something that I see all around the Internet. We see people who are in need of transplants and people who have lost their house in tragic fires. There are people who can’t afford the important surgery for a loved pet or even people who are looking to raise money for a charity they feel strongly about. These people will reach out to websites like gofundme.com or kickstarter.com to help get a social media presence and reach a larger audience for donations. These websites allow donations online from anybody all over the world to help out those in need. It really is an incredible testament to the human condition. People who have never met are helping out each other in a time of crisis.

These fundraising websites raise an important question though. What is the difference between asking for money online and begging for money on the side of the road? Is it ethical to ask for money online at all? Where is the line drawn between need and want when it comes to asking for help?

I’m Facebook friends with people older and younger than me and I have been starting to notice a trend with people who have been on their own after college for a year now and are starting to realize how difficult is it to pay back their student loans. I have seen two specific examples this week of people who have started a gofundme.com account to pay off their student loans. Is this ethical? Is it okay to ask for money to pay off your student loans from strangers?

http://www.gofundme.com/4g94qc

In this example there is a student, currently living in Huntington Beach, California where rent is roughly $1,500/month. The cost of living in California is some of the highest in the country. The person posts photographs of themselves at various sporting events and with their new dog often, but has raise over $1,000. Is it okay for somebody who is seemingly irresponsible with their finances to ask for money to pay off their student loans? I’m not somebody who is going to make a judgment on the part of this person. I just know that I could not ask for money when living well above my means.

It all comes down to an ethical judgment from both the asker and the doner.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1869987317/wish-i-was-here-1

This is another top story that seems to be popping up all over the internet are people trying to fund their movies though websites like Kickstarter. Is this okay? Should there be restrictions on people who can ask for money and for what reason they are asking? Zac Braff is an actor/director who funded his next movie, Wish I was Here, through Indiegogo, another fundraising website. He caught a lot of backlash from the Internet and filmmaking community for this method of funding. While he isn’t the richest celebrity in Hollywood, he has an estimated net worth of $22 million. Critics say he could fund the movie on his own, but he didn’t. Was it okay for a millionaire to ask for money?

 Again, I don’t think I would do it, but where can we draw the line? Are people abusing the system or is this what it was set up for? I guess that’s up to the donators to decide.

Help is on the way.. we can hope.

We hear examples of this phenomenon 'cyber-bullying' constantly. It is in the print media, on TV and even on our own Facebook walls. We are constantly seeing people similar to Amanda Todd, who have been bullied relentlessly, being pushed to the edge and ultimately committing suicide.

Its a terrible tragedy.

I don't know what we can do as an online community. After doing a Google search on possible tactics to stop bullying there really isn't much to see. We have a very similar mantra of:

• Stay confident
• Stop responding
• Tell an adult
• Report to police

These tips are great, but not everyone identifies bullying as the same thing. There ARE drama situations that some may feel are bullying. There are actual bullying situations that may just seem like childish nonsense to some. There is a very blurred line when it comes to what IS cyber bullying.

I can really only hope for the future. 

I don't have any immediate cures for this, however, I do think that help is on the way. Just in class we had multiple people talk about their first hand experiences with cyber-bullying.  This isn't to mention that people don't have friends or relatives involved in similar cases. 

The first step is to recognize the problem and make people aware. Help will come. With the median age of people who are 'digital natives' rising, we can only expect those who are first hand learners in cyber-bullying will rise to formulate a solution. People who know exactly what its like and exactly how they got out of their situation will help those in need. 

Its not immediate, but maybe someday there will be no more cases like Amanda Todd.