“WEB BIAS”

Hard core journalists: Dan Rather, Walter Kronkite, Katie Couric, Ed Bradley, gave the public a sense of safety and responsibility.

In the 70's, 80's
and most of the 90's we trusted our local and national newscasters.

I think they became, so trustworthy that when 'partisan news' and commentary took over we became oblivious and stopped insisting on the facts.

Further more with the internet, by way of computers, taking on the physical identity of our main news source: Television, we turned a blind brain to accuracy.

We all just trusted our web browsers, search engines and content gatherers. Now with the on-set of "spoof mail" and "phishing" even the most innocent click can turn a person's casual search into multiple years of chaos.

Identity Theft,

Forgery, even

Stalking can all happen via web access. and what looks authentic can actually deceive the most noted surfer.

The martinlutherking.org site really provided the best example of deception and bias. Using the whois.com tool to research websites has become empowering. Whois.com is also an interesting use of technology challenging the deceptions and policeing those of us who are looking for legitimate answers to our questions. These tools provide the ultimate defense to certain indefensible actions which plague the worldwide web.

Elizabeth E. Kirk's article was extremely useful as a guideline coupled with whois.com. As a librarian she formulated important references to verify when deciding which research is credible and which might show red flags of unreliability. As an amateur forensic examiner and media psychologist, I am more cautious about how I search and who is providing the information I ingest.

LIFE @ NSO!

Three Things I Didn't Know Before…

BOOTCAMP

Realizing I could create a piece of digital media that could impact a group was tremendously exciting for me. Media Bootcamp gave me the opportunity to personalize a production which is near and dear to my heart, the portrayal of African-American males in the media and how certain portrayals affect their psyche. Media Bootcamp also challenged me to educate myself about other forms of media and technology: iMovie, Mac computers, Movie Maker, etc. Bootcamp was the impetus I needed to delve further into creating and using various forms of media to communicate my psychological research.

THE CLASSICS

I also learned that listening to classical music helped my temperament, particularly while I was stressing about creating the short digital piece. Dr. Isbouts did an incredible presentation on the classical arts and music titled "The Persuasive Role of Music." This presentation was thought provoking because I am passionate about music and art. Music is everywhere and evokes a plethora of emotions: rage, happiness, anger, love, injustice, indecision, and praise, just to name a few. The presentation also explained how music, when used behind still images, give a life, thought, and motion to an otherwise tranquil picture.

 

GATEKEEPING

Dr. Dill's presentation on "Gatekeeping and Concepts of Self Media" reinforced views I observed, particularly during the presidential primaries. An audiences' media choice is interesting when choosing broadcasts, questioning whether we choose shows that influence our thinking or reinforce current beliefs. Rachel Maddow, Keith Olberman, Glen Beck, and Sean Hannity are recent "gatekeepers" of the "I commentate" news genre. I did not realize how much and how many of the issues I find interesting, in media and its psychological effects, were going to compliment this program.

Two things To Tell My Colleagues… 

Thinking Outside the Box

Fielding is an intellectual think tank and an innovative institution. Use of web tools like "Second Life," to bring students and professors together in a virtual arena, the diversity of interests related to Media Psychology and the unique learning plan are all reasons to label Fielding and cutting edge and innovative. NSO demonstrated the broad array of course designs and knowledge areas students can choose. Fielding is visionary in adult learning and will challenge the status quo.

 

"We'll Always Have Santa Barbara"

Santa Barbara is absolutely beautiful. This might seem like a vain reason for telling colleagues about the NSO experience. But spending a week in Santa Barbara was a well needed change from my everyday life. The ocean side view, great service at the Hotel Mar Monte, and stimulating intellectual discussions were better than any brick and mortar setting I have attended, and I've been to the best.

One Change I Will Make in My Professional Life… 

>Humble Myself and Live<

The Elder article, "Critical Thinking in Everyday Life: 9 Strategies" will probably serve as the most useful tool in my professional life. The 5 stages required for development as a critical thinker have served as a catalyst for changing my views on research and writing. Along with the stages for development as a critical thinker, the first action I plan to implement into my professional life is improving my use of "wasted time." Distractions tend to lead to unproductive results. Solitaire, youtube, and on-line trivia, are outlets to keep my brain stimulated, yet they do not result in effective use of time. I am hoping my down time will turn to production time.

URBAN LEGENDS: “…Your side, His side & The Truth”

"…I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of Democracy."
(Watch Johnsons' Speech on YouTube)

-President Lyndon B. Johnson-Speech before Congress on Voting Rights Act of 1965

Truth discrepancies on the web seem to provide a rallying call for sensitive topics. My grandfather used to say when he was refereeing an argument between the grandchildren, "There's your side, his side and the truth." Currently many "urban myths" appear to have some elements of the truth; however the evidentiary data seems to cause the real problem.

Snopes.com listed the facts about the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In the black community the myth was spread that in 2007 President George W. Bush and the Congress had the right to repeal the 1965 Voting Rights Act, thus denying, specifically, African-Americans the right to vote. Many black people believed the myth.

The truth is in 1870 the 15^th amendment to the Constitution states:

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

President Lyndon Johnson and the United States Congress, in an effort to collapse Jim Crow discrimination, enacted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to enforce the rights granted to African Americans and all people of color in the 15^th Amendment. Yet when the legend was retold, it never included revocation of this right from Hispanics, Asians, Africans or any members of those Diasporas. One side of the story: The Voting Rights Act enforced a Constitutional Right. The other side of the story: the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ended in 1970 it was continually extended to enforce and protect voters' rights. The truth: The 15^th Amendment to the Constitution does not expire. The right to vote as a legal registered resident of the United States is in perpetuity.

http://web.archive.org/web/20060806011153/http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/misc/clarify3.htm

A Definition of Critical Thinking…

A Definition of Critical Thinking: Actions taken or beliefs formulated from identifying and evaluating relevant evidence. Critical thinkers evaluate their current thinking process and examine the evidence that determines their level of thinking. Richard Paul in his article Critical Thinking in Everyday Life: 9 Strategies and Personal and Professional Development recommends a 6 stage leveling system:

Stage One: The Unreflective Thinker (we are unaware of significant problems in our thinking)
Stage Two: The Challenged Thinker (we become aware of problems in our thinking)
Stage Three: The Beginning Thinker (we try to improve but without regular practice)
Stage Four: The Practicing Thinker (we recognize the necessity of regular practice)
Stage Five: The Advanced Thinker (we advance in accordance with our practice)
Stage Six: The Master Thinker (skilled & insightful thinking become second nature to us).

Thus the suggestion is that critical thinking, comparatively like most repeated behaviors, improves and becomes more natural, with consistent practice.

Critical thinking begins with the researchers understanding that investigating and analyzing the evidence which identifies their stage of thinking is as important as identifying and evaluating the evidence which determines their reaction or belief formulation. Consistent and persistent practice of critical thinking improves the researchers' ability to identify and interpret sound evidence when reacting or formulating beliefs. Critical thinkers must choose relevant information, analyze its significance to providing an answer to a hypothesis and present a justifiable conclusion.

Alisia C. Harris

I am the Development Director with the

Carrie Steele-Pitts Home for Children, in SW Atlanta.

I have enjoyed a great career as a Publicist (really).

Blogging is a new experience for me.

Here I am.

So, Lets see what happens.

-A-