Social Media: Use sparingly, please

Just as every single Journalism and Communications class I have taken in my time at Marquette has emphasized, social media transforms the ways in which information is reported and received. Not only do mediums(note how I called them mediums) such as Twitter, Facebook and Google+ enable individuals to maintain contact with friends and family, but they provide lightning-fast speed in the means of transmitting news. With the press of a button or update of a status, news is sent to hundreds of users without the need of a printed newspaper.

Without social media, news of al qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's death would not have spread across the world so quickly. Without social media, it would be more difficult for the common individual to speak out regarding issues within society. And without social media, birthdays would never be remembered.

However. Without social media, less rumors would be started. People would maintain more personal connections with their friends and families. And children would spend more time outside playing, rather than staring at a newsfeed on a computer screen.

Most importantly, the news that needs to be reported would not be overshadowed by petty nonsense.

As I was walking out of the Al McGuire center this afternoon following the Rev. Scott Pilarz's Inauguration, I checked Twitter. On my Twitter newsfeed were hundreds of tweets regarding every single aspect of the ceremony. There were tweets that spoke of the faculty's robes. There were tweets regarding minor things said during the event. And there were tweets about the band that stood outside the doors as members of the Marquette community left.

The band? Really? The band standing outside the Al was that tweet-worthy?

I understand the importance of tweeting about an event such as the Inauguration of Marquette University's 23rd President. But I do not understand why one would tweet such obscure things, when there are so many other important things to be said. Instead of tweeting about the band, tweet about the audience's reaction as they left the building. Tweet a summary of the previous hours. Or simply tweet about the fantastic free lunch that was provided following the ceremony. I guarantee that at noon on a Friday, people would be far more interested in reading about food, rather than an awkward band.

So my point is this. Social media is wonderful. It keeps us informed and it allows for the spread of news at a lightning-quick pace. But be conscientious of what you say and find important. Don't tweet or update a status simply for the act of doing so. Do it with precision and purpose. Inform your followers of something they don't already know. And don't see your random tweet, comment or status as more important than breaking news--because surprise, surprise--it's not.

My Long Awaited Rant about Casey Anthony

Well, here it finally is. No, this is not a rant about Casey Anthony. This is a rant about the absurd folk who still CARE about Casey Anthony. 

In my experience, there are two viewpoints on the results of the "biggest trial since OJ." The first  viewpoint is that Casey Anythony--the woman who faced trial for the murder of her two year old daughter--was wrongly found innocent. The second viewpoint is the need to hunt her down, removing her from society oneself.

Neither of these opinions coincide with my own.

In fact, when I heard the verdict on that highly anticipated summer day I began jumping up and down. No matter how morally corrupt the woman might be, the federal justice system finally got one right. 

Many individuals spew off nonsense about the trial, but I feel as if I have a legitimate right to express my thoughts. Not only did I watch every single day of the trial this past summer, but I followed the case from the start over two years ago. I seem to have a bit of an obsession with court cases--I Google search them when I'm bored--but that is not the point. 

The point is, I have a right to speak of this trial because I am well-informed and truly knowledgeable about the happenings of it. I know the evidence like the back of my hand, I look at Jose Baez as a friend  and I know how many times Casey wore her hair in a ponytail so that her horrible, elfish ears were exposed. 

On the other hand, many individuals only tuned in the day the verdict was given. They didn't suffer  through the countless "Objection, Sustaineds," nor had they seen the smug little look on the prosecutor's face that resulted in controversy and a far too long court recess. 

Admittedly, I wish that smirk would have resulted in a bit of a tussle "WWF Smackdown" style. My boy, Baez, would have won. Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance. 

But the point is, when that long-awaited verdict was announced, I had the right to tweet about it. I had the right to make a Facebook status about it. And I had the right to be annoyed with the hundreds of comments that claimed "The judicial system is terrible!" And, "I'll go out and kill her myself if I have to!" 

I'm sorry, but that is simply immature. And maybe you should study up on a little something called "reasonable doubt."

This is the problem with the media. Society can not pay attention to an event for almost two years, but when it comes down to the wire and has entertainment value, the whole country is all ears. And boy, does everyone have opinions. 

In fact, the media is STILL covering the trial and keeping tabs on Casey's life. And readers are STILL commenting on those stories. For example, today Casey went to therapy. Wow. Fascinating. 

She was acquitted. She's serving her probation. And maybe her parents still don't like her. Get over it, people. The media needs to stop blowing it out of proportion. And the common individual needs to realize that there are much, much more crucial issues occurring within society today. 

The most trivial stories are covered and covered to no end. News sources choose the easy way out--entertainment--instead of reporting on a story that actually matters. And the public falls right into the media's hands. They're setting an agenda and training society to be focused on utterly ridiculous matters, rather than what is important. Because ridiculous sells. 

So stop it, world. Sure, I cared about Casey Anthony's fate more than most, but I've moved on. 

In fact, let me shock you. I would like to learn more about the U.S. Postal Service. 

Always an Adventure

Not to be a pessimist, but happy and exciting things are not always solely happy and exciting. With each good occurrence, comes an equally trying experience. It is then, left up to the individual, to dictate whether or not that event will be perceived as good, or bad. 

Let me take you back a week. 

I was walking to Johnson Hall, when the former News Desk Editor for the Marquette Tribune approached me, saying I had been promoted to his position, for he was leaving to pursue an internship. In the moment I heard this, both excitement and dread filled my mind. Obviously it was great that I had been promoted in such a short amount of time. In fact, it was as if the journalism Gods were looking down upon me, paving a path for me to the top. 

At the same time, however, I had only experienced one Trib late night at that point; and it wasn't even for the News desk. I knew I would be crazy not to accept the position, but I also knew I was nowhere near prepared to fill said position.

A week goes by, and I find myself at my second late night as News Editor. I sit here writing after two stories dropped, four budget changes occurred over the weekend and one reporter simply chose not to do his story so he could go on vacation for the weekend. To top it all off, I haven't eaten since 6 a.m.

This is my introduction to the harsher side of the journalistic world. As a reporter, life is pretty easy. One researches a bit, gets in touch with their sources, writes the story and BAM, they're done. As an Editor, the constant change and overseeing of 10 other people proves to be far more difficult than expected. If the reporters don't get their stories in, YOU feel responsible. If there is confusion regarding a story's focus or sources, YOU are responsible. If the budget doesn't work out, and stories need to change on the fly, YOU are responsible. 

These are all things I have learned. 

Although this past week has been a whirlwind of events, I do have faith in myself that I'll pull the act together. After all, it has only been two issues. It's just a matter of how long it will take. 

This is when I start telling myself, "Optimism, Brooke! Optimism!" And just as I need to believe in this phrase, I need to believe in myself.