comm101-conflict

Deetz describes in an overview in chapter 36, that conflict can be more beneficial than people might think.  It allows people in workplaces to voice their complaints and vent their frustrations.  It could also be applied to media as well.  Let's say for instance that a company wrongfully took money from a client and the client didn't even know until much later.  A good tool for that client to use in such a case is their local news station.  I've seen reports on people who had complaints to file on a particular company and they in turn go to their news station with their story as a result of the accused company taking no action to right the wrong bestowed on the client.  

Another way conflict can work for the benefit of a group or organization is that it can help shape and re-evaluate company procedures and policies.  At my work we have opinion surveys that print out on customer's receipts and we tell them about it.  They basically have the power to grade the entire store on the service and overall experience and add comments or complaints on the store.  

Comm101-shared interpretation

Mead notes that humans act toward eachother on the basis of the meanings they assign to people.  So to make things clear, I guess we can either act civil or just plain mean to people based on the meaning we apply to them.  Where does the meaning come from? It can come from experiences or previous interaction.  The point is that we apply meaning to everything which determines our actions in the future. 

Pearce and Cronens coordinated management of meaning basically tells us that we create meaning socially.  Meaning, that part of our actions towards others can be stemmed or influenced by other people.  We tend to go with what makes us not a target for just about anything.  Have you ever been in a meeting at work and they ask if there is anything that they would like to talk about?  What do you think happens?  Nobody wants to talk.  Even though you know some people want to say something, it's easier to just remain quiet because you don't want to be the minority in the spiral of silence.  But in this case, everyone just wants to get out of the darn meeting early and the person who does want to say something is viewed as the one who ruins their chances of that.

comm101-soical exchange theory

In chapter 36 the theory of social exchange is overviewed.  It states that we hold our relationships based on benefits and costs of keeping them.  Let's take our jobs for instance.  How much can we tolerate from our co-workers and our bosses if they make our job difficult?  The benefit would be to keep the job for financial reasons but then the cost would be our possible sanity.  

Or how about a friend that you had that was so annoying but he always invited you to go to cool places like sports events or concerts.  Our book states that communication is motivated by our basic social need for affiliation, achievement, and control.  If we didn't have any other friends would we continue to keep them as a friend?

Do we look at our current friendships and evaluate them based on what our  needs are?  Do we only call certain friends for certain occasions or ask them certain questions?

comm101-problem of translation

In chapter 35 it talks about how translation between men and women's dialogue can be misinterpreted or not understood.  Kramrae states that" in order to participate in society women must transform their own models in terms of the received male system of expression."

I can say that its hard for me to understand women sometimes.  And I can imagine that it's more than impossible for women to understand us men sometimes.  Sorry about that.  But when it comes expressing and telling about feelings, I have to say that guys aren't the greatest at expressing their feelings in words.  "I don't know" seems to be a frequent answer to the "how do you feel?" question.  For women to express their emotions to us, it may just go over our heads.  So naturally our response would be, "what do you want me to do?"

But there is always room for improvement.  I've learned a lot due to the fact I've made a lot of mistakes on certain levels of communication.  I think it's alright that there are communication differences between men and women.  More often that not, people learn something new everyday because of it.

Comm 101-muted group theory

In chapter 35 the idea of muted group theory is explained with the differences in both men and women.  

I'd like to think that most cultures give women a chance for equality in voice, both in its value and worthiness.  But somehow I don't think its possible.  It's hard to believe that women in some parts of the world, and even here, don't have as much of a voice because, one, they probably aren't allowed to speak when they're husband is talking with other men, and two, the perception that just because "she's a woman" she wouldn't know anything about it mentality is still occurs.  I've seen it happen before where guys hang around with other guys and a women doesn't really linger around because for some reason she knows it's "guy time."

It could also be an expectation imprinted in our genetic codes where when a couple goes out to a get together, the guys will generally go and hang out with the other guys while the women congregate with the other women.  Not much quality time spent together I would say.  

My father is very much like this in a lot of ways.  Although there was someone who he kind of befriended as "just one of the guys."  She had just got hired on to his fire department and she was the only woman.  Naturally there were doubts about her abilities.  But he took it upon himself to teach her all the things he knew and he became best friends with her despite what everyone else thought.  He respects her for all the things she learned and could already do in the department.  In fact, he said that she could do a lot of things better than some of the other fire fighters.  She put up with all of his lame jokes and pranks and in turn she learned from an old-school firefighter like my dad.  Gender was never an issue with the two.  In fact, she was the only one he liked out of the whole department.  I still find this surprising of a story because my Dad has a chauvinistic side to him that doesn't stay dormant for very long.  But he does have his good moments.  

CoMM 101-gender

In chapter 34, Wood explains that gender is a cultural construct rather than a biological characteristic.  Now that I think about it it kind of makes sense.  Everything that is in this world, material things, jobs, relationship roles, you name it, it is constructed to fit the presumed characteristics of male or female.  

When we were kids we got toys that were gender specific.  Boys toy's were soldiers, or trucks, and girls toys were dolls and anything pink.  Why is that?  It is part of society that allows this construct to continue.  And it has become a societal rule for some reason.  Which cases do not reflect this social construct?  I can't really think of a case.  I can only think of cases where the female construct is rebelled against.  For example, I had a friend that used to dress in very "manly" clothes.  Although she did kind of act like a guy she always got picked on for that.  Other people expected and sometimes told her she should dress more feminine.  

I also bought a gift for my unborn niece.  I bought her some infant sized Converse shoes.  I was going to go with black or red but something made me go with pink.  I figured, why not pink, at least they're Converse shoes.  I thought they were a little out of the ordinary for a girl anyway.  

Comm101-framing

In chapter 28, the theory of framing is discussed and it almost sounds like agenda setting.  It is a little different though.  Let's say for instance you see a report on a robbery of a quik mart or gasoline station.  If the report sets up the possible reason for the robbery a certain way, like if it was a bad neighborhood and it was bound to happen, then that is an example of how it was framed.  Under a community perspective.

Other stories that we may hear or read about are also framed differently.  Newspapers tend to catch our attention with sometimes excited headlines or headlines with a direct intent.  Typically they use a person's name to get your attention.  Depending on the reputation of that person, the person whose attention this does catch, will think, "what has he done now"  or emphatically think "what's going on with him."

Framing not only  gets us to prepare specific feelings but it also has the intent to do so.

Comm101-agenda setting theory

In chapter 28, the theory of agenda setting is discussed and how it relates to media.  Has anyone ever watched the news and try to  pay attention to the order of the stories that they report on?  Try to pay close attention to what they report on first because you have to wonder what has precedent over what story.  I noticed that the light hearted stories usually get cued at the very end of the program because it is easier to close the program with.  The usual stories are the really tragic ones because they are more important to report on  and then they transition into more informational reports and then maybe back to a tragic story again.  

I remember when we had the fires in southern California.  Every day there was  a report at the beginning of each news station's broadcast that told us about the progress of the containment by the firefighters.  After that, which makes sense, they interviewed some people who had to evacuate.  

When it comes to news stations, they have their choice in what to report and in what order to report it in.  But when something like a fire or murder or trial is the most popular event, each station knows better to get the news and information on that as fast as they can.  Its important for them to hold down a reputable image for he station.    Agenda setting is different for any media provider.  It just depends on the audience that its geared towards.

Comm 101-framework of semiotics

In chapter 26, Focault is discussed to where he describes that framework and interpretation is required for semiotics.  It discusses how a yellow ribbon is used to symbolize someone waiting for a loved one to return from war or to show support for troops.  Focault thought it was wrong to view signs and symbols seperate from mass media messages.   In fact, I think it is because of mass media that we are able connect strongly with the way signs and symbols are presented.  Just look at some movie posters, book covers, or even some artbooks.  Their are all sorts of symbols that wee see in news reports that leave us with a particular image to connect a certain emotion with. Especially if it is a news story about something tragic.  Have you ever seen a story about someone who was shot, and they conduct the news story about it?  The last shot is usually a shot of the vigil of where they died.  You can't help but feel sorry at least that it happened.  

Comm101-Postman's view on television

In chapter 24 Postman argued that television is detrimental to society because it has led to the loss of serious public discourse.  He also stated that it changes information from discursive to nondiscursive, from propositional to presentational, from rationalistic to emotive.

Why do we watch television?  Is it to seek information or to absorb information that it gives to us, whether it be informative or not?   A lot of it is mainly to entertain and to amuse us.  Even the news is somewhat of a theater production.  There's no way we tell a story to one of our friends like news reporters do.  It would just be weird and funny.  We use it as an escape from our lives.  We delve into a program that makes us feel something.  Maybe a show about a hero who saves lives and we feel relieved that he did.  Or  show about permiscuous people which makes us feel excited or intrigued.  Its all for amusement.  You can't help but feel the content of the programming strike a chord with some people, or pull on your heart strings if it is a real heart warming moment.

I think effective television is supposed to do this.  To make you feel something.  Other wise it what would be the point.

Comm101-the elctronic age

In chapter 24, it describes eras in which society upgrades its methods of spoken and written word to evolve into different mediums.  As it progresses to describe these eras, one, I think is more amazing than the others.  

In our day and age it is possible to communicate with anyone and everyone through the use of television, radio, and even the internet.  Its amazing to know that this is possible.  Its a wonder why we still get mail in its original form.  As it stated in our book in this section, the book may have extended the eye, electronic circutry extended our central nervous system.

When we come home from work, or at school doing homework while listening to music, or writing an e-mail while surfing the web and instant messaging, our brain is in constant connection to all of these sources.  The way we process this is probably a significant achievment in our psychological tolerance.  I'm writing this blog, while watching tv and also instant messaging on AIM.  

Comm 101- Malcom X and Martin Luther King

In Chapter 22 both King's and Malcolm X's differences are explained in terms of their views on action against civil rights violations and their views on their dramatic influence with their famous speeches. 

One the one hand, you have King's message of nonviolence which heavily influenced many people to join his cause and be supportive towards it.  On the other hand you have Malcolm X's message to stand up for yourself and take action which also influenced a lot of people.  It was like they were two sides to the same coin.  They both wanted to take action against civil rights violations toward their people but each had different methods on how to accomplish it.  Both men had the same message but each had different ways to speak their message to the people.  One was more passive and the other more militant.

Comm 101-Motive from verbal symbols

In Chapter 22 Burke believed that language is a strategic human response to a specific situation.  He said that verbal symbols are meaningful acts from which motives can be derived.  

I'm watching the presidential debate right now and both candidates use certain words more often than I have ever heard in my life.  One word is change.  Change is a word that they use when they want to get people to listen to what should be changed in this country.  It is a word that motivates the listener to consider the view point.  

Another word that is used a lot is "Americans." I guess it is a good word to use when you're talking about a specific group of people but I wonder why its used by both men every time they talk about us.  I feel that its a more passionate word that shows pride in your people and nation but from a critics view point, well I guess, I would have to keep the same opinion on that.  It does instill pride.

Crisis was another word they used a lot to describe the financial situation of the country.  Now this word just makes me feel like I'm about to have a panic attack, so I had to listen to what each candidate suggested we do about that.  

Comm 101-Classification of speech

In chapter 21 , it talks about Aristotles classification of speech rhetoric.  One is forensic speaking which is most suitable for a courtroom.  If you watch any courtroom dramas everyone looks very serious and determined to lay the ground work out for their point by giving the judge and jury some background and facts on the particular case.  It always sounds professional and comtemplative.

Deliberative speech pertains to something like political campaigns where politicians go in front of an audience and speak their points and where they stand on cerain subjects.  They paint a picture for people on the outcome of situations if decisions go this way or that way.  The point is to try and sway people's opinions and views so that come election day, they might have their vote. 

Finally epideictic speech gives praise or blame to something.  A lot of speeches are ones that remember someone and what they did if they were a good person or people.  It helps to inspire and motivate people to respect something or someone for what they did.  This kind of speech can also get more people to get active in certain organizations.  Like this month, for breast cancer awareness, there some commercials and reports on tv about it which get people informed on what the organizations do for this cause.  It could inspire someone to be more supportive and maybe involved with it.

Comm101-metaphors

In chapter 19, metaphors are discussed to clarify certain concepts to people.  People can use metaphors to help themselves or other people to understand what life is like or what work is like or to describe anything.  For example, people use the phrase, "all the world is a stage"  which probably means that you are in this world to perform, however that may apply to any person.  Or another one, "grab the bull by the horns" means to go at life with determination and preserverance and hold on, never give up.  

Without metaphors to describe things, I think that it would be very boring because I think they are fun and useful.  Without them, it wouldn't give people the necessary tools to help analyze their surroundings and situations.

Comm 101-Force of an organizational practice

Its a lot to absorb, but in  chapter 20, Deetz says that the force of an organizational practice is strongest when no one thinks about it.  It goes on to explain that if anyone had a question about how the way things work within an organization,  the person explaining it would be hard pressed.   They would then answer a non answer like "That's how things are done around here."  

I guess it is better to instill the thought into an employee of what they have to do rather than why they have to do it.  Of course, if you have a job where you do the same thing everyday, you probably wouldn't have to think about why you have to do it.  All you know is that you'll get the job done.  

What if you did want to make a difference or change the way some things worked?  What would you do?  Would you figure out a way and implement it into your work ritual to see if it worked better?  Or would you run it by a supervisor and see if he gave you the chance?  Everyone brings something different to the table, as the saying goes.  Each with their own strengths.  I think that should be recognized, instead of one solid unbreakable decree of "that's how its done."  With everyone giving their suggestions and strengths to accomplish goals, success could be just moments away, and with efficiency and ease.

Comm101-Ritual

In chapter 19, it talks about how ritual can be used to define a culture or an organization.  They talk about the Balinese cockfights and how it was more than a game.  

In other cultures ritual is very important to continue an existing way of life.  Everything from Department stores, to fraternities, clubs, sports teams, and ethnic tribes are all examples of organizations that use ritual to define what their particular culture or organization is about.  It is a way of reminding themselves where they come from.

In a traditional Samoan tribe, everyone has a job to do and they usually work in a team or assembly line structure.  Preparing a day's meal is cool.  There are the fisherman and the coconut gatherers, the cooks, and the basket weavers, to name a few jobs, who all work together to prepare the meal for the day.  Everything is done so efficiently and deliciously that its amazing what they can cook just by using rocks and a hole in the ground with some banana leaves.  

In the end the meal is set and the chief is the first to eat.  No one else can eat until the chief is done.  It is a custom of loyalty and respect.  

Ritual is very important to keep an ideal going.  History is made on rituals and without them, what kind of history would any culture had without them.

Adaptive structuration pt2

In chapter 18 adaptive structuration is discussed in relation with group decision making. 

Another way this theory is applied is through surveys.  I work at a place that prompts surveys from people's transactions on their purchases.  It is a survey that lets the customer evaluate and grade the store in different areas of performance.  At the very end of the survey, there are other cateogories which allow the customer to write in whatever comments or suggestions they have to help improve the store. 

I have witnessed some changes to our store over the years as a result of comments and suggestions, as well as some complaints.   These surveys go directly to headquarters and the database for executives to make decisions on whatever they want based on people's opinions.

Comm101-Adaptive structuration

In chapter 18 Poole's theory of adaptive structuration is described.  Hopefully I am understanding this correctly.  It sounds like whenever there is a problem in society that has erupted over time, means to control that situation are presented for people to take control for themselves.  As with the example of the "pill" stated in our book, I guess people can also take control of their own safety.

An example would be if a recent outbreak in burglaries happened in a quiet suburban neighborhood.  People would adapt new rules to help prevent those burglaries from happening.  An example of prevention would be a neighborhood watch program or buying an alarm security system for their homes.  Also, if someone who once left their doors unlocked most of the time, maybe then they would start locking their doors when they aren't home.  It seems like of if decision making involves evaluating the surrounding elements and situation, people would start adapting new rules to help with their decisions, so it will seem like second nature to them.

Chapter 17- Four functions of decision making

In my place of work there is always decision making going on.  Sometimes it involves two people and sometimes it involves a group of people.  And sometimes it involves a group of people making a decision about one person or one topic.  

In chapter 17 it talks about 3 different types of communication in decision making groups:promotive, disruptive, and counteractive.  At work when a certain problem arises, we try to handle it as soon as we can.  But if it is a problem that we have to discuss with a higher ranked person, it takes a little more time than that.  Using the four functions of effective decision making, we identify the problem and ask ourselves what we can do to fix it and what others can do to fix it.  If we can't agree on a solution we try and think of something else.  If we decide on something and receive support on it, we then find out if the solution will work.  For example, I work in a department store and part of the team of employees who work the night's goals is to make the store nice and neat to the way it was before we opened when we close.   Because they were originally assigned one person to a department, the departments in the store were looking trashed and hard to manage.  Now, occasionally, they created something called the "wave" which consists of half of the employees on the salesfloor going to one department at a time, at a certain time of the night, and fixing the department as a team.  It seems to work on most nights but sometimes it doesn't.  

I guess it helps to have a backup plan when the plan intended doesn't go right.  Now, in some departments, there are 1-3 people at a time in a certain department and then they alternate and go to other departments to help out.  It really helps if the people you work with are actually helpful to the cause and aren't disruptive to the goal at hand, in other words lazy.

Chapter 12-Stability and Change

In chapter 12 there are three dialectics that affect relationships.  One of them is Stability and change.   In our book it states that Berger's uncertainty theory makes a strong case for the idea that people strive for predictability in their relationships.   Montgomery and Baxter are convinced that people are in search for novelty.

So the question is, what happens when a person doesn't want predictability anymore.  I saw a movie that kind of supports my example to the extreme.  Havoc, with Anne Hathaway, is a movie about a girl named Allison who, along with her friend, escape rich suburban life, and take frequent trips to the east side of Los Angeles to look for a thrill.  They encounter members of a local gang and hang out with them.  

Allison, who is one of the smartest girls in her class, is also faced with the unfortunate case that her parents are almost non-existent in her life as they are too busy with work.  So she frequently hangs out with her friend Emily who is a sheltered, naive, and somewhat insecure and inexperienced friend.  She wants to emulate what Allison does but what her friends don't know is that Allison is looking to change her life when she realizes the experience she thought she wanted doesn't pan out like she thought it would.  

This movie kind of paints this dialectic in a negative light but I think it is still an important example to consider.  You take this girl who is restless and bored, but also smart as hell, and she goes out to parties and drinks and does drugs.  Throughout the movie though she maintains some self control because she cares about her friend so much she doesn't want to see her get hurt or be put in a situation she cannot control.  

In the end, after a moment of legal issues and tragic events, she realizes that she is not the girl who she portrays at these parties.  But she learns that lesson in a hard way when her friends go out to seek revenge on the gang members who she got involved with.  It is a very interesting view on high class suburbia in the Bel-air type of area regarding the lives of these teenagers.  It seems that everyone is trying to be somebody they aren't or that really doesn't fit them, i.e. average white kids dressing like LL cool J knock offs and talking like wannabe gangsters.  

Comm 101- CMC

In chapter 11 it talks about the movie You've got Mail.  It goes into the theory that these two people, like other people communicating this way, express information about them and their feelings to eachother.  As a result they develop a relationship through their e-mails.  Funny enough, they do not and choose not to know eachothers names, instead, they go by pseudonames which clue 0ne another about where they live or where they work.

In the move Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's characteres know eachother outside of the chat room but do not know that they are online couple they seem to be developing into.  In the real world, they kind of don't get along.  It all has to do with the fact that her bookstore may undoubtedly loose business because of the super bookstore that is being opened across the street from her  by Joe.  She views him a certain way and he views her a certain way.  As a result they cannot wait to get home and get online to talk to the one person that makes them feel loved, which happens to be the same exact person they don't like.  

Its funny how these two people grow to loving eachother and haven't even seen what they look like.  It just goes to show that a picture may not say a thousand words.  Its obvious that they felt comfortable with one another on the level of communication they were working with but at what point and what cost would one of them be eager to meet or be hesitant to meet.  What if one person starts to doubt themselves or doubting the other party?  Will it end the online relationship and or ruin any chance of a physical relationship?

Comm101 Axioms

In chapter 10 it shows us a chart on how to map out uncertainty and the outcomes of it.  It's kind of interesting.  It's like a contingency plan for social fallout.

Anyway, its almost like a guide to finding a way to socialize and how not to socialize.  I can take axiom 1: verbal communication and use it to decrease the level of uncertainty by verbally communicating with other people.  

I was doing recruitment during the first weeks of school and I was fairly loud and energetic so that I could get people to learn more about KSJS, our radio station.  Keep in mind there are a lot of fresh new faces on campus and they tend to look like they are lost.  So I go up to them and initiate the conversation and even welcome them to participate in our meetings as well as participate in a "toss the water balloon at a KSJS DJ" activity that we had going.  They got to win a prize if they hit them.  Needles to say they had fun.  They also left with a smile on their face and looked a little more relaxed.  Who better to communicate with people than our friendly KSJS DJ's.  We're a lot of fun.

I was on the air this morning and I recieved a lot of calls today.  People were asking about the concert events that were taking place this week.  I gave out a lot of information over the air on several events.  People were calling in and were very interested in what I had said.  I don't see an axiom for something like this, information giving, although it could fall under self disclosure.  But it doesn't really disclose anything about me, just the music artists and events.  So I don't know what kind of axiom it would fall under.  Maybe it was just because that I sounded professional and informative that I gained a positive response from my listeners.  

Comm 101-Axiomatic theory

In chapter ten of our book there is a section that explains different axiomatic theories about uncertainty.   Most of them has to do with getting to know the person and reducing uncertainty through different methods.  

It got me thinking.  Reducing uncertainty is used in dating.  How many of us have been on a date where you are so uncertain about the person, it practically obliterates any chance of having a conversation with them?  Maybe some of us have been on those dates where trying to find something you like about the person maybe pointless because they just seem uninterested.  I can tell you that I've been on several of those dates where you don't know too much about the other person and yet you are trying to tread softly and be reserved so you can impress someone.

But sometimes that may not work and the other person can tell how uncomfortable you are thus increasing uncertainty.  Maybe that person wanted or expected you to be more forthcoming and relaxed from the get go so that they can make an observation and formulate an opinion on you.  Sometimes that's how it works.  It's like they are scouting for your personality. If they like what they see and hear, uncertainty is reduced and as a result the conversation and expectancies are opened up more.  

I've been on a date where I was so nervous, I prepared for it by setting up a picnic, bought flowers, made a mix cd for the occasion and then when we got to our destination, like a jackass, I confessed that I liked the girl a lot and I asked her if she liked me.  Way to go huh?  I at least could have waited till the second date, which never happened.  My point is that people respond in different ways to this which is why I think there is so many axioms in the first place.  Sometimes knowing the truth, in this case for her, increases uncertainty.  My god , I'm laughing so hard right now about this.  Maybe crying too.  Sometimes you have to leave room for the unknown.  Every girl has different tastes.

Comm101-Ch.9-A multilayered onion

I like the analogy that is used in Chapter 9 about how everyone is a multilayered onion.  Isn't it true?  You may not know everything there is to know about a certain person unless you peel away a certain layer to delve deeper into their persona.  And you never know what aspects of that person's life is within that layer.  

It's interesting to know a person more intimately if they feel like disclosing something that you want to know about them.  That sort of evaluates the level and closeness of the relationship as well as gets the person to open up more about their feelings.  How much is a person willing to disclose though?  Think about when we do open up to someone.  How much are we willing to tell them and how much to we still keep for ourselves?  I don't think that a whole lot of people are capable of disclosing everything, such as their feelings or thoughts, because those things are re-occurring and ever-changing.  Us, as wedges, can only get so far to learn more about the person. 

Its up them and us if we want to tell someone something.  And in the end, we have to want to.  

I guess this can kind of be combined with therapy.  And as I think about it, Dr. Drew Pinsky, a board certified physician, addiction medicine speacialist, helps a lot of people in his practice and radio show(Love Line) just by offering advice and in return getting his patients and listeners to disclose certain information that allows Dr. Drew to give his expert  medical advice and or diagnosis.

On top of being a doctor, he also has a mountain of credibility and rapport, and knowledge to go with his practice.  Maybe that's why people can trust going to him for advice.  I've been listening to him since I was 13 years old and throughout this time, just listening to the advice he has given for all those years, he truly has passion for his work.  He's helped me through some of my most difficult years, my teen years.  Granted I never called the show because I decided I was mature enough at that age to figure things out for myself and take the right path.

Now, I have noticed that my friends and other aquaintences, for some reason decide to confide in me about problems they are having.  Surprisingly enough I have given them good advice.  I think to mysefl, What would Dr. Drew say?  I surprise myself with some of the stuff I say because it helps my friends to understand.  

When I ask my friends who told them to come talk to me they give a name of someone who I have offered advice to previously.  I feel good about that.  

 

I think I can go further into the onion without forcing a wedge into it.  And I think it all has to do with the technique of cutting it open.

Comm101- default assumptions

The story about the father and son getting into a car crash, in chapter 5, almost got me.  I thought I was fooled for a while there.  How often do we assume that the people in highly esteemed positions such as a surgeon, are men?  When do we assume it will be a women?  I can't wrap my mind on how or why I think this.  I gotta be honest.   A position like that I would assume that it will be a man.  Then again, the only reason I would assume something like that would probably come from experience only.  

In the work that I do now, there are a fair amount of women and men that are in executive positions.  They work just as hard and effectively as the men.  A couple of them even more so.

For some reason I refer to default in my thought process as who to expect in a certain topic like this one.  Are the words we use that basic?  If we were to be told a story about the greatest warrior that ever lived, how many of us would imagine a man to have something to refer to?

It's probably due to our cultural history that has developed this thought process.  Media can also paint a picture of the roles of men and women in this day and age, even if some seem ridiculous.  

Comm 101-Communication as Ping-pong

In the subsection of our book about Interpersonal messages, there is a description of communication as a game of ping pong.  I can relate to this description because having a conversation with someone that you're interested in can be just like this.  Just like the ping pong ball, the conversation can be hit back and forth at different strengths, angles, attitudes.  The goal of this kind of conversation is to hopefully have another conversation in the future.  Or to get the person's number to have the conversation over the phone.  I guess it can also be like bowling too because the goal is to send the message and hopefully the receiver responds.

The Social-psychological tradition

In Chapter 4:mapping the Territory, there is a section that talks about communication as interpersonal interaction and influence.  It talks about how scholars observe certain behavior in communication and look for cause and effect links to try and predict whether or not that behavior will succeed or fail.  When they are close to finding an answer to the behavior they ask the question, "What can I do to get them to change?"

It made me think about the movie "A Clockwork Orange." The main character, Alex, is a chaotic and relentless harbinger of anarchy in the movie with a love for classical music.  All througout the movie he behaves violently and sadisticly.  His idea of fun is figuring out what to do each night to disturb the peace of law and order.  Until one day he is arrested and captured and sentenced to prison for the crimes he commits.  I forget what happens during that time but he is then entered in a program that will treat his psychological disorders.  The treatment involves forced viewing of violent behavior and disturbing images.  He is strapped to a chair with metal prying apparatus's holding his eyes open.  Much to surprise, Alex cannot stand to watch the images he is seeing as he begs them to stop.  All the while this is taking place, his favorite classical music is playing in the background. He undergoes this treatment several times until finally he is released and demonstrated to an audience.  The treatment's effect had rendered him unable to respond violently to violent behavior as he was slapped and kicked by a random person for the viewing audience.  

I find this movie a good example to demonstrate how an odd solution to a certain behavior characteristic can be applied to reverse it altogether.  In the case of Alex, the scientists and doctors must have observed that his violent nature and psychological profile would only respond to more violence.  Who knew that one of the most violent people would be changed psychologically by some of the same violence he has seen or done by simply viewing it.  But at the cost of his brain being imprinted somehow not to act out in any violent manner whatsoever.  Imagine what that would be like.