As I engaged in the world of podcasting this holiday weekend, it was a bit frustrating and time consuming. I didn't realize that I would be sitting on my couch, screaming at my computer for about 3 hours, while attempting to record about 3 minutes of audio... pathetic. I would normally consider myself pretty computer savvy, but when it comes to using the Audacity program (which is completely foreign to me), I felt pretty computer-illiterate. I had to record, re-record, and delete almost everything the first time I tried it out.
As time when on and I continued recording podcasts, I calmed down a bit and became less frustrated with the program and recording process. It was still awkward sitting on the couch and talking into a microphone and then hearing my own voice playing back to me.
I hate the sound of my own voice, so needless to say I don't care for podcasts. I did enjoy editing and messing around with cool effects and features, but I did not enjoy hearing my own voice. I did think it was cool to incorporate an opening and closing recording for the podcast and was able to import audio from a CNN news report.
I think that since I'm getting the hang of it, it will become easier and more enjoyable. I'm not sure if i'll use podcasting as the format for my research project, but it's giving me good experience and practice with audio editing and using unfamiliar software programs.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Aspiration and Activisim: Armies of Online Leaders
Chapter 9 in CauseWired presented a very important notion about online philanthropy. On pages 170-172, Watson introduces several points that are important in the CauseWired movement.
1. Online Organizing requires a hierarchy.
2. Moving from online to in-person cements the cause.
3. Small but well-connected can be more effective than huge and widely disbursed.
These rules (so to speak) made me think about and evaluate the non-profit that I sponsor, International Justice Mission (IJM). Organizations like IJM, have a lot of professional work to do (lawyers, social workers, doctors, teachers, etc.) but also need to advocate online activism. Their organization has a hierarchy of leadership and runs pretty much like any other small company. They have a C.E.O., V.P., managers, secretaries, case workers, public relations, among many others. The fact that people can Google "IJM" and be taken to their site and offered an opportunity to free a child from slavery speaks volumes. Once the cause is transferred from online to "in-person," the supporter feels like they are a part of the organization and are involved in the rescue mission of enslaved people. They are small but well-connected and are expanding slowly. I think that "change" starts small and builds as the work leaks out and people become aware of the situation that is at hand. A small group of people that have easy access to one another can rally together and be strategic and more effective in fighting for their cause (in IJM's case it would be raising awareness of this injustice as well as gaining supporters financially).
1. Online Organizing requires a hierarchy.
2. Moving from online to in-person cements the cause.
3. Small but well-connected can be more effective than huge and widely disbursed.
These rules (so to speak) made me think about and evaluate the non-profit that I sponsor, International Justice Mission (IJM). Organizations like IJM, have a lot of professional work to do (lawyers, social workers, doctors, teachers, etc.) but also need to advocate online activism. Their organization has a hierarchy of leadership and runs pretty much like any other small company. They have a C.E.O., V.P., managers, secretaries, case workers, public relations, among many others. The fact that people can Google "IJM" and be taken to their site and offered an opportunity to free a child from slavery speaks volumes. Once the cause is transferred from online to "in-person," the supporter feels like they are a part of the organization and are involved in the rescue mission of enslaved people. They are small but well-connected and are expanding slowly. I think that "change" starts small and builds as the work leaks out and people become aware of the situation that is at hand. A small group of people that have easy access to one another can rally together and be strategic and more effective in fighting for their cause (in IJM's case it would be raising awareness of this injustice as well as gaining supporters financially).
I'm No Millionaire...
After reading chapter 8 of CauseWired, I was struck by the question, "If you are not one of the nation's nine million millionaires, how do you create any impact? How do you know your money is well-given (143)?"I give on a monthly basis to an organization called "International Justice Mission," where their mission is to end modern day slavery. I started thinking about why I choose to invest my money into such an organization. It started with me being exposed to the reality that there are over 27 million people living in some form of slavery today... which is more than the entire transatlantic slave trade. I saw an image of a young girl (no older than 13) sitting in a dark, dingy, and dirty room with nothing on her body but undergarments. Beneath the picture read a quote, "make sex free." I was immediately overcome with emotion and felt mandated to do something about it. This girl was forced into prostitution at at 12 and had to service 10-12 men per day. If she did not meet her quota, she was beaten and starved. This disgusting reality made my stomach turn inside out. I was compelled to aid in ending this horrible reality. International Justice Mission (IJM) put out literature noting how "I" can get involved. Although I am unable to give millions like Buffet, my monthly contribution goes to aid a philanthropic organization that devotes their entire life to this cause. IJM distributes rescue stories to their supporters and has an entire online gallery that one is able to read, learn, and spread awareness of the work.
Ultimately, my monthly contribution is not going to be published on any of Forbes listings, but I do believe that I'm creating an impact on a life that is so worth saving and fighting for.
Ultimately, my monthly contribution is not going to be published on any of Forbes listings, but I do believe that I'm creating an impact on a life that is so worth saving and fighting for.
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