'cutting-edge' 'ultramodern' and 'state-of-the-art'

Main entry: new
Definition: recent, fresh
Synonyms: brand-new, contemporary, current, cutting-edge, different, distinct, just out, latest, modern, modernistic, modish, neoteric, newfangled, novel, now, original, recent, state-of-the-art, unique, unknown, up-to-date, youthful

So we talked about the old(ies) but goodies. How about the new? What have we come up with that is 'cutting-edge' 'ultramodern' and 'state-of-the-art'? I would like to introduce....

The pens of 2010!

Rotating messages:

AND:

see past the illusion

texting + driving = confusion

your mind doesn't need the pollution

safety is the conclusion

face 2 face is the solution

draw-portfolio-exchange.blogspot.com

Be excited guys! We are!

Oldies but goodies.

Oldies but goodies.

You know. Peace symbol earrings. Environmentalism. Leggings. Or the Beatles.

People are still singing 'All We Need is Love' and rocking purple leggings with boots for a reason.

Don't fix it if it ain't broken people. And so, at our August educational event, we are thinking of utilizing two messages of the past, incorporating ideas that are still important.

One of these ideas is drowsy driving, and the other is distracted driving. We have discussed in our portfolio exchange various distracted driving issues: texting while driving, eating, changing the music, and even drinking while driving (a fairly major distraction).

So should we use these two fabulous T-shirt designs to demonstrate what we have already discussed in our blog-- what do you think?

The old. The new. Is it apropos?

So far in this portfolio exchange, we have discussed a gamet of fascinating topics that the college students of this day and age get to deal with.

Through this process, we have narrowed the main issues we want to talk about at the August welcome event. We are marrying what has been discussed and lovingly designed in the past with the ideas we feel are relevant to discuss now and in the future. Look at these fantastic message items! More to come ...

Proposal

Sorry. I'm not about to pop the question (no matter how fabulous you must look in that Summer tan I know you're boasting).

Instead, I would like to share with you our collective proposal for our planned August event. It is our hope that some of you area colleges in Iowa might be able to use our work and portfolio exchange as a template in the future.

As part of our proposal, we are designing a 'Wheel of Illusion,' a T-shirt (hallelujuah we have a designer on the team now!), and a myriad of lovely message items! More to come... just wanted to let you know what exciting things were on the roster!

Electronic or Face-to-Face?

Have you ever tried to express what you mean through text message or chat and failed to get your point across? When communicating electronically, it is easy to misunderstand what the other person is trying to say because words have multiple meanings and can be taken different ways.

Text messaging, Instant messaging, Internet forums, chat rooms, social networking sites, email, and all forms of computer mediated communication are convenient. The question is whether or not they are the most effective ways of communicating.

As we all know, communication is what makes the world go round. Our task for this project is to determine the best ways to reach our audience. In doing so, we are trying to find the best ways to communicate as a group. The majority of our time is spent communicating face to face, however we have found Google Docs, chat, email, and blogspot to be helpful in collaborating ideas. We want to see what works and what sends effective messages to people working on the project in the future as well as the target audience.

The benefits of face to face communication are endless. For example, Nonverbal reaction cues such as eye behavior, posture, gesture, and touch can tell a lot about how a person is feeling. Face to face conversations are synchronous and more personal making it easier to identify the personality of someone you don't know as well.

All in all, communicating both electronically and face-to-face has benefited for our purpose. The electronic communication has been convenient and face-to-face has allowed us to better understand what one another is thinking. Knowing which way to communicate is important to get the message across.

Riding the wave

Beware, I am starting this post off with a biology lesson. (gasp here with either joy or horror).

Each brain cell, known as a neuron, communicates with other brain cells with electrical transmissions. We can measure the frequencies of these transmissions via an electroencephalogram (EEG). The higher the frequencies, the more activity is occurring in the brain. In most fields, there are 4 types of brain waves

Beta waves (13-38 hz)- the dominant brain wave when we are focused, actively thinking, problem solving.

Alpha waves (8-13 hz) - the dominant brain wave when we are awake and relaxed. For example, when we are reading a book or watching TV

Theta waves- (4-7 hz) - dominant wave when we are drowsy, and the early stages of sleep.

Delta waves- (below 4 hz) - dominant wave during deep sleep.

In a previous post, I mentioned the dissociative state, which is associated with the driver's phenomenon of forgetting the last miles of highway. This is related to our brain's dominant frequency waves. The brain wave that is associated with zoning out on the freeway is the theta wave. Theta waves are also associated with daydreaming, which allows for a flow of ideas, while the task at hand is mentally disengaged. Even though this is a naturally occurring state of mind, behind the wheel, it is a dangerous state.

More on brain waves

The ______ State of Mind

You're in 11 o' clock lecture, already your third class of the day. You begin to listen to your instructor, but then you see the person in front of you updating their Facebook, or you're thinking about how you'd rather be playing Frisbee right now. 50 minutes of "daydreaming" and perhaps a failed pop quiz later, and you're left wondering, "What was I thinking about the last hour? "

Maybe you had a similar feeling on a road trip. You have been driving for a few hours, your mind starts thinking about things that are stressing you out, a song that you want replayed on the radio. You become unaware of your surroundings, and perhaps you miss your exit or fail to notice a stop sign. Again, you're left to wonder the same thing, "What was I thinking?"

This daydreaming state is known as the dissociated state. Dissociation is known as "a state in which the integrated functioning of a person's identity, consciousness, memory and awareness of surroundings, is disrupted or eliminated. "This state allows the mind to compartmentalize and separate certain memories in the brain. But how does one stay focused and avoid this dissociated state?

- Eat a good meal before driving- having a higher blood sugar keeps one alert.

- Stop at a rest stop, get out of the car, and have an exercise break. Stretch and walk around a little.

- Recognize symptoms that you are drowsy or daydreaming, such as yawning, eye strain, and random thoughts.

source

Now What?

What is a Communication Studies major to do upon graduation? Because communication happens in all human interactions, there are many career options. Major courses in the Communication Studies program consist of Theory, Gender, Nonverbal, Organizational, Computer-Mediated, Intercultural, Business, Research, and Interpersonal Communication. Examples of careers in Communication Studies include Human Resource Management, Training, Public Relations, Event Planning, Sales, and international and intercultural relations. The challenge is determining how and where to fit in.

Previously, we discussed the lack of empathy in college students. The courses in Communication Studies help students develop an empathetic perspective toward their surroundings and life in general. They are able to "walk in other's shoes" which allows them to have a better understanding of the people they come in contact with. The electives that a Communication Studies major chooses help to determine the direction of their career. They help to spark interests and gain a worldly perspective.

What can you learn from yoga? Flexibility....

I was a little bit crazy. I was that kid that wrote 20 page book reports every three weeks (10 pt. font, single spaced)... in seventh grade.

I won't go into specifics, but I basically ended up with three minors, two majors, and an honor's concentration (which entails two separate emphasis's), and a premed concentration. In four years, thank you very much.

Why, oh why, would you ever do this?

First of all, I could. I meticulously planned my courses so that I could get the maximum cross-over.

Second of all, I was very reluctant to give up options. I enjoyed everything so much, that I had such a hard time 'picking' a life.

Interestingly, the education that most affected my life-choices were unplanned. The random human rights course I decided to take (which ended up being part of my main major); studying abroad; volunteering in the hospital; taking a unique job I ended up loving. Planning out your education has its benefits, but you have the potential to be surprised by allowing yourself the flexibility to let the unexpected affect you.

Take risk! (Safe, educational type risk, of course.) You never know what will end up shaping you.

Why do I need this?

Three credits of U.S. diversity, three credits of International Diversity, 12 credits of Arts and Humanities and nine credits of Social Studies. That adds up to 27 non-major credits. That is close to two semesters of tuition for general courses that an average student may flush out of their brain after the course is over. Why is this necessary?

Some will say it is to become that Renaissance man (or woman) and obtain a well-rounded education. This is partially true; learning about another culture or subject can broaden one's viewpoint. Others will say it is so the student can explore and allow them to see if they want to do something else. This may be valid as the average student changes majors two to three times.

But a third option may be needed for those who want to learn a basic skill or talent instead of learning about the importance of the cotton gin. Students should have the ability to switch out a history or psychology course for a course emphasizing real-life knowledge, like basic computer repair or how to interview for a job. This way if a person has a computer meltdown before a presentation, or has a big interview with a Fortune 500 company, that student will have a skill that allows them to advance themselves.

General education classes play a role in a student's education, but a choice between learning a skill or learning about Washington crossing the Delaware could be beneficial.

To the future ... and beyond!

One of the things we are emphasizing is discussing our courses and past jobs in relation to our future careers. The message items we are distributing for the August educational event will lead back to this blog. I would like us to talk about our ideas and thoughts on how our own education will be relevant to our careers. What has been effective this far? What is positive, and what could use tweaking? We will each give our own ideas on what has been useful this far in propelling us forward in life.

SLEEP DEPRIVED!

Photo Credit: Driving Tips

Let's face it, everyone gets tired. Unfortunately, there is no test to determine the level of drowsiness. For most, being tired does not stop us from doing our daily and necessary tasks. For instance, it's not generally acceptable to call into work because you're tired.

There are many reasons and excuses that we give for lacking sleep. Minus medical conditions, it all goes back to prioritizing our lives. 35% of Americans get less than six hours of sleep on weekdays according to a recent poll on the National Sleep Foundation website. Whether it be college, career, family, or everyday activities that limit our sleep, prioritizing our daily lives can be difficult. For example, we are forced to focus on multiple timely tasks such as being a full time student and having a part time job, staying up late to study for a mid-term and finishing a ten page paper. You can only imagine how the morning 30 minute commute would be difficult to stay awake for. We must decide what is most important and consider time as a factor.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests the following precautions before you hit the road:

1. Get adequate sleep- most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day.

2. Schedule proper breaks- about every 100 miles or every 2 hours during long trips.

3. Arrange for a travel companion- someone to talk with and share the driving.

4. Avoid alcohol and sedating medications- check your labels or ask your doctor.

Riddle me this...

What is not necessarily illegal, yet still very dangerous?

I'll give you a clue. It starts with a 'd' and ends with 'rowsy driving'.

Oh, folks, you are too smart!

This is a tricky topic, because there is not a cut and dry moral or legal ruling behind drowsy driving. Moreover-- how do you measure it? With alcohol there is a BAC: a very objective way of demonstrating how much has been consumed.

However, in some ways, the relevancy and relatability of drowsy driving expands beyond alcohol consumption. Those engineering kids that nerd out in the library (ahem, not that I have done that... multiple times) on a Saturday night may not be at risk for driving drunk. However, going home after studying until 3 am in that warm car is dangerous as well. After all, if you are asleep, your driving reflexes are going to be pretty much ... non-existent.

The sting of culpability in deaths due to driving while sleepy may not be as profound as the stigma of drunk driving, but unfortunately the consequences are the same. So this fourth, as you are heading home after fireworks, please take every precaution and offer every sanctuary to your sleepy friends and family.

It can wait.

What is more important-- that blinking text on your phone, or the immediacy of the road in front of you? Unfortunately, the obvious right answer is not the one that many of us choose.

The answer is 'It can wait'. It being that text that takes your attention from the road. And so begins Iowa's campaign to raise awareness about texting while driving.

Iowa has joined the some other 28 states that are now enacting some type of ban on texting. Today is the first day of this law going into effect. However, according to those most invested in this law, the actual law is not really the concern. It is the people. Read: you!

In an associated press article in Bloomberg Businessweek, the Department of Public Safety Director said, "This new law is not about writing tickets, it is about saving lives. While law enforcement will enforce the new law, the focus is on changing behavior."

The Fence

What can shift us? What can be the 'straw' on the proverbial (and rather abused) camel's back?

We all can think of a moment, or a person, or decision that has rapidly veered us from taking one path in life to taking the other.

The Butterfly Effect- a well-known cliche (or a bad Ashton Kutcher movie)-- do you buy it? Can a three hour conversation, one choice-- have everlasting repercussions? Not to wax poetic on existentialism, but ...

If you are sitting on the fence, what is most likely to affect you? Words? Your own decisions? The decisions of others?

Foreign Concept: Relaxation

How do you relax?

I know this word may seem unfamiliar to you, but it is incredibly important. According to Mayo Clinic, stress is actually normal. It is an alarm system that can protect you and prepare you for fight-or-flight in a dangerous environment. However, if the alarm system does not 'turn off' than stress can lead to serious physical health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers, weight gain or loss. That is why this foreign word is so important: Relax.

Let's peek into the minds of our group once more, and check out how they tackle this strange, strange concept: How do you relax?

Nicole: Listen to music, go for a run or walk or sleep.

Neal: Exercise is the main thing. More competitive sports like raquetball where you can take out frustration. Sometimes just talking to someone, someone to listen. Also I heard of someone cleaning when they are stressed.

Katie: I clean when I am stressed. I also take long walks, or make to-do lists that get all of the ideas out of my mind and onto paper.

So there you have it! I urge you to take this simple and quick stress assessment. Answer the questions honestly, and find your own way to take off the pressure. If you need some ideas, check out the post to come for more relaxation techniques.

A full plate: Contending that 'lazy' is simply 'crazy'

College is super easy, right? It's not like we have life decisions to make, 18 credits of classes to take a semester, a job, family, social life (or lack there-of) to think of ...

Psych!

Of course we do. And amidst the craziness that our very privileged age group gets to deal with, we must decide what is important. Or more important.

Are we really just lazy? Or is it that we have so much on our 'plate' that we have a hard time allotting value.

Family> Friends> School?

Biochemistry>English>Extracurriculars?

Facebook>School>Job?

How do you prioritize your life? And where does 'self' come in?

Under Pressure

Pressure- exams, papers, meeting new people, obtaining loans, building a resume, dealing with choices that will affect one for a lifetime. Pressure (literally and figuratively) is all around us. And how we deal with stress and pressure can sometimes define our lives.

There are multiple ways of dealing with stress. Option one - avoiding pressure- by setting up a schedule, setting priorities, and not procrastinating. But for most college students, this is an option that is unattainable due to our deep desire to be lazy.

That leaves us with the other option- coping with our stress. How we choose to cope with our stress can impact our health and our future. We can let the situation control us, and run away from the problems by smoking, zoning out for hours in front of the TV, over-eating, or drinking to excess. Or we can control the situation and go work out, savor a warm cup of coffee or tea, or listen to music.

Prioritizing expenses

Everything is expensive. But, it is really interesting how we prioritize our expenses.

For example, I am ridiculously proud of the fact that I have changed from a 'Grande mocha, skim milk, whipped cream' on a shameful twice a day basis ($3.55 a pop) to 'Grande cafe au lait, skim milk and honey' ($2.20 a pop) on a twice a week basis.

Despite my willingness to dole out the cash for coffee, I will not buy new shoes unless absolutely necessary, and I am still carting around the same tattered $14 bag from Borders.

Similarly, I have watched people pay 6 or 7 dollars a drink (times 3... 4... 5... 9?) at the club and not be willing to split a cab at 5 dollars a person. Or, spend $150 to $200 dollars on textbooks, but then skip every class.

What are priorities based on when it comes to your wallet? I heard someone say once that the way we spend our money shows where our hearts are at-- Do you think this is true? How do you prioritize your expenses? How do you determine what is important to you? Is it based on risk, habit, necessity? Discuss!

So how can we relate these Quickfire Queries?

The actions we take in everyday life have a big influence on our individual worldviews. As we previously discussed, the talents we dream of, what makes us happy, stores we would like to open, and our experiences in consumer environments help us to think about how we see the world.

Once we discover the common and diverse views of our generation, it will give us a better understanding of how others think. This will allow us to reach out to the audience in the most effective ways possible. However, in order to keep up with the changes around us we need to be in constant search for understanding.

"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding" - Leonardo da Vinci

Quickfire Query 3

For most, what do you think is a preferable consumer environment?

Katie: When someone asks to help but then lets the customer shop. Places that have volunteer workers are the best, they're there because they care.

Neal: An environment where the customer can ask for help if they need it and aren't bothered by a million questions from associates.

Nicole: A friendly environment where service people are not pushy. A place where associates are not discussing irrelevant issues and actually pay attention to the customer.

Innocent Bystander: Somewhere that has something new and different.

Quickfire Query 2

What are 5 things you think someone in our generation would want out of life if they could only pick 5 to make them happy?

Innocent Bystander Sucked into Our Discussion:
1) Good Health.
2) Community.
3) Mobility.
4) Being able to understand or interpret the world around them.
5) Purpose.

Neal:
1) Intelligence.
2) Company-- someone to spend the time with.
3) Challenges- they make your life interesting and exciting, they keep it from being dull.
4) The ability to teach, to pass down what you know.
5) The ability to make your own choices.

Nicole:
1) Friends and family.
2) Love and happiness.
3) A job that they enjoy.
4) The ability to travel.
5) A place to call their own, like a garden.

Katie:
1) Travel the world, to see and experience and taste culture.
2) Knowing people, and being truly known. Loving people, and being truly loved.
3) To live surrounded by and in a place that inspires them.
4) A chance to create.
5) To heal in some way damages that have been done.

Quickfire Query

If you could open any type of store in the world, what would it be?
Nicole- travel agency and scrap-booking store
Katie- charity/coffee cafe.
Neal- habachi grill and sushi bar
Innocent bystander- specialty sweater store


If you could learn one talent, what would it be?
Nicole- become a poly linguist
Katie- become the medical MacGyver
Neal- to learn how to play the violin

Quickfire Queries

As you can see, our little group has bonded over moonlit nights, hot cocoa, and singing to each other. Psych!

Okay, so maybe we bonded over discussions on empathy, 'The Smackdown,' and the realization that life is fragile.

However. There is always more to learn, isn't there? And the more we learn, the more we will be open and willing to discuss. The more we are willing to discuss, the more ideas and then . . .

Ideas-> Action-> Change!

(Or. We will just become frightened by the knowledge . . . Pandora's Box?)

On that lovely note: Quick Fire Questions Begin