Laugh Out Loud

To LOL, or not LOL? That is the question

March 7, 2011 By MARTHA IRVINE, AP National Writer

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-lol.html

            I stumbled upon this article while surfing the Internet and it instantly caught my eye. What could someone have possibly written about such a simple phrase I use so often? I had no idea what to expect. However, the article turned out to be incredibly interesting and presented a different perspective on today’s technological lingo. It aimed to explain the growing annoyance and persistence of the commonly – and possibly excessively – used term LOL (laugh out loud).  Some thought it was juvenile or a “high school thing” that only teenage girls say. While others feel they use the term because they “just grew up with it.” Either way you look at it, one cannot deny the fact that it has become an integral part in the way we communicate today. I believe that LOL can hold many different meanings and is completely subjective to the individual.

            So where did the expression come from? The article notes the acronyms fuzzy and fairly unknown origins. What the author does assume is that the expression was probably formed in the 1980s on some early Internet message board by gamers or hackers.  And with the growth of the Internet age in the 1990s, it went mainstream, showing up in chat rooms and instant messaging sites. It continued to grow and evolve as time went on. New versions of the acronym such as LMAO (“Laughing My A** Off”) and ROFL (“Rolling On the Floor Laughing”) began to pop up. However by 2004 people were finally beginning to get tired of the phrase. It was placed on the “List of Words to be Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-Use, Over-Use, and general Uselessness.” Despite it’s place on the ban list, it continues to persist even today.

            The article was extremely amusing. I literally “laughed out loud” at some of the comments and references. Almost every person today – at least all people of the developed world that utilize cell phones and the Internet – can relate to this in one way or another.  It is something that we type and say so often that it’s not even thought about anymore.

            I also found it funny when the article pointed out the fact that it has become so commonplace that we say it even when we don’t actually laugh. I must admit I am guilty of this act from time to time. I hadn’t thought of how many times I may exagerate to the person I am texting or messaging just out of convenience. It’s quicker. With limited time and text messaging characters, who wants to explain how they’re really feeling or reacting? Three little letters are able to convey so much more than you would think.

A Blog about Blogs

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20110224/tc_pcworld/farewellblogsyourdaysarenumbered

I found this recent article on Yahoo News. The article is called “Farewell, Blogs! Your Days Are Numbered.” It is about a Pew Internet report that indicates that blogging is a dying medium. The report provides information on Internet habits in 2010 and states that “only half as many online teens work on their own blog as did in 2006, and Millennial generation adults ages 18-33 have also seen a modest decline.” The article suggests that a reason for the demise of blogging is due to the boom in social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Both sites have been described as microblogging services. It seems people have simply switched to an easier-to-use, multifaceted service. The article goes on to discuss the past use of blogs by companies and how a shift toward Facebook would be more beneficial for their business. Companies need to understand that online media is not just a podium from which they can announce things, which is why blogging is so weak. Creating a page on Facebook allows businesses to interact with customers in multiple ways like offering product information, answering questions instantly, fostering discussions, and creating games within the page. What the article is saying is that with these options companies can increase interest in their products and services far beyond what could be offered by a mere blog posting.

            I think this was a very interesting piece. I was shocked to hear that the number of online teens working on blogs has declined. I know more people now writing blogs than I did back in 2006 when I was in high school. Also my little brother and a few of his friends, who are in high school, write blogs. I know my friend’s younger sibling and her friends keep blogs as well. Blogging I think is a great creative outlet for teenagers and hopefully the numbers don’t keep decreasing. I do agree, though, that from a business perspective having a Facebook would be better than a blog. The fact that it can offer more ways to connect to their audiences is key. Personally if I was interested in finding out information on a company I wouldn’t think to check to see if they had a blog but I would definitely check for their Facebook page.

What do you guys think? Do you think blogs are a dying medium? As Facebook and other social media sites gain popularity with teens, which are considered types of blogs, are there still any unique benefits of blogging?

My Media Diet

Monday

Internet (Email, Camino, Facebook, websites for English research report on global warming) ~ 2 hours

Phone/texting ~ 3 hours

Television (Watch recorded “Desperate Housewives” and “Brothers & Sisters”) ~ 2 hours

Tuesday

Internet (Email, Facebook, websites for English research report on global warming, Watched an episode of “Cougar Town”) ~ 3 hours

Skype ~ 1 hour 30 min.

Phone/texting ~ 3 hours

Read gossip magazine, US Weekly ~ 30 min.

Wednesday

Internet (Email, Camino) ~ 1 hour

Phone/texting ~ 4 hours

Television (Watch recorded “Gossip Girl”) ~ 1 hour

Thursday

Internet (Email, Camino, Shopping/browsing online at Forever21 and Nordstrom websites) ~ 2 hours

Phone/texting ~ 2 hours

Skype ~ 2 hours

Friday

Internet (Email, Facebook, Watched an episode of “Cougar Town”) ~ 30 min.

Phone/texting ~ 3 hours

Television (Watched the movie “One Fine Day” on HBO) ~ 2 hours

Hmm, what does my media diet say about me? Well I think that it shows I maintain a moderate and reasonable intake of media during the week. I am usually really busy with classes and work anyway that I try not to waste a lot of time watching TV or surfing the Internet for no reason. I only keep up with a few shows regularly and most of the time I record them on Tivo but I often watch them online also. And on the Internet I easily get bored of random surfing. I use it mostly to check my email, for schoolwork, to check FB when I’m avoiding my homework or bored in class and for occasionally watching a TV episode or shopping. On the other hand, I use my phone a lot. One of the reasons is that my twin sister and I call each other everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. We are really close and being at separate colleges can sometimes be hard but the fact that we keep in touch so much helps a lot. Also my boyfriend and I are in a long distance relationship and so we text and talk a lot over the phone. I think that my media consumption in comparison to my peers is very average. I consider it normal and don’t see myself close to either end of the spectrum: a small media diet or an excessive one.

One thing that I think my media diet suggests about American society more broadly is our increasing use of the Internet to watch TV shows instead of on the television. And the use of Tivo is also changing the way we consume our shows. Most people these days it seems aren’t tuning in when shows are actually airing but later online or later on Tivo when they can find the time, which is so convenient.

Also the one change that I would consider making to my media diet is trying to reduce my phone/texting time. It causes my phone bill to be pretty pricey sometimes and I hate getting a phone call from my dad about how if I go over my minutes one more time I’m going to have to pay for it myself.

 

Technology and Social Interaction

I think that the spread of technology has had both positive and negative impacts on people’s everyday face-to-face interactions. Growing up when I wanted to chat or hangout with friends I would, first, have to use the house phone to call (remembering friends’ numbers by heart or looking them up in an actual phone book) and then set up a time and place to meet in person. I think that the fact that I didn’t have a cell phone and could text or a computer where I could just video chat someone was a good thing and helped me learn to be a more sociable, communicative person. Also I believe our lack of technology available to us forced my brothers, sister, and I to be more active outside and get to know and play with the kids in our neighborhood. I think a lot of kids these days are missing out on these bonds while they are too distracted by video games, online games, and Facebook chat. Not only kids but also everyone today seems too preoccupied with cell phones and computers to make a concerted effort to see people in person more often. I do admit how convenient technology has made things and how it can save time and money, however, I think people are underestimating the importance of face-to-face experiences.

            I think that using the Internet to meet people (via online dating, Craigslist, gaming, etc.) is very dangerous and people should be very careful if they decide to participate. People should consider what is called “selective self-presentation.” Martin Tanis in his article, “What Makes the Internet a Place to Seek Social Support,” wrote something regarding this that I think is something important to have in mind when talking to people online, whether you know them or not. He writes, “According to the Social Information Processing perspective, people will adapt their linguistic and textual behaviors when using CMC [computer-mediated communication]. They do this in an attempt to overcome the nonverbal limitations of CMC…This factor, however, also allows people to present themselves in a more friendly, knowledgeable, empathetic way, because it gives them the opportunity to carefully shape their appearance, and enables selective self-presentation – often called hyperpersonal interaction. Selective self-presentation is believed to be very common in online communities, dating sites, online game, etc.” This is why I think talking to and meeting others online can be unsafe because those people have the opportunity to make themselves seem however they want! How can you trust that the seemingly nice and respectful person your chatting to about meeting for a date is actually those things? Therefore, I think that this way of meeting people will rarely result in meaningful relationships. And more “real” spaces/public spheres, I believe, might be a more productive use of our time than the virtual world in terms of connecting with others.

Social Networking and Privacy

Social networking I believe has become so typical and just routine in people’s everyday lives, almost tedious. Especially for those in our age group – the 15 – 25 year olds range. It seems so hard for us to go even a half or whole day without checking our Facebooks or texting. Well, Facebook is probably easier to neglect for a few days, but definitely not our phones. We seem to need to be connected to them at all times. You know that feeling when you forget your phone at home and you’re so upset? I’ve been there too, it’s not fun. And while it may be nice to “unplug” and be unreachable for a little while, it usually is more frustrating because you can’t help but think about the phone calls and texts your not responding too. Am I right? Well maybe that’s just me.

I do not have a Twitter account and have never heard of FourSquare. I do spend quite a bit of time texting every day and check Facebook regularly. My Facebook use has gone down though. When I first signed up for an account at the beginning of my freshmen year here at SCU is was so excited. Finally, I had a college email account and can see for myself what all the hype was about. I loved it. I was constantly adding new friends, writing on people’s walls, and updating my status. Luckily, during that time I never “over-shared” or posted anything that I have regretted. But now that the novelty has worn off, I usually only check to see if I have any notifications, scan the news feed and like to look at friends’ pictures if there are new ones posted. Sometimes I go days without logging on. And other times I go on multiple times a day but only when I’m trying to distract myself from doing homework or class and only for a few minutes at a time unlike the hours I used to spend on it.

I think the cultural move toward social networking, constant access, and the loss of privacy is more of a positive trend. I do think the privacy issues need more attention and regulations but the overall benefits of this movement outweigh the disadvantages. The way the Internet and social networks are bringing people together and strengthening old and new relationships is amazing. I know I wouldn’t have the chance to stay in touch with a lot of friends from grade school and high school if it weren’t for Facebook. Another great example is that my Mom has been able to reconnect with old sorority sisters through Facebook. She has been so excited that she is now able to talk to and catch up with friends that she hasn’t talked to or seen in over 25 years! Constant access has its benefits as well. It is really nice when you can respond quickly to an important email because you get them immediately on your Blackberry. Or when you need to look up directions on your phone because you’re lost. Another benefit of the entanglement between our personal lives and technology is that it has made certain everyday activities easier. Being able to buy groceries and clothing online and have them delivered, and to do your banking online have been very convenient. Also for bloggers, or anyone for that matter, having the platform to speak their mind is a huge plus. Drawbacks, on the other hand, could be seen in the form of viruses and spam. Also I think the most dangerous drawback is the threat of your personal information getting into the wrong hands. There are plenty of hackers out there hoping to get a hold of your name, address, or even credit card number. This worries me a lot and that even if I try to set up strict privacy settings, some computer genius will be able to get my information. I definitely don’t have much personal information on my Facebook or any other site for this reason.