Revolution

What is a revolution? Is it a simple change that happens? Or a shift in ways we do things? To many it is truly hard to contemplate what a true revolution encompasses.  However, in our current society, we have actually gone through three technological revolutions already.  In Manuel Castells' The Rise of Network Society, he depicts for audience members these three revolutions, and explains how evolutions, essentially those in the information technology realm are characterized by their pervasiveness.  That is, these revolutions are characterized most by their ability to make their way into various domains of human activity and then become the fabric by which such activity is conducted. 

In the current information revolution that we are in today, and similar to what we had previously witnessed in the two prior industrial revolutions that occurred in the world, there was what Castells' calls a set of macro-inventions that set off the development of other smaller micro-inventions.  These developments and inventions changed the workings of society.  Castells' The Rise of Network Society, he explains that "processes of production and distribution, created a flurry of new products, and shifted decisively the location of wealth and power in a planet that became suddenly within the reach of those countries and elites able to master the new technological systems."

Revolutions are a very unique aspect of human life.  As they can happen at any time upon, and onto any given society, they are a force to be reckoned with.  They alter dynamics of various aspects of human life.  We, as a society as a whole, have gone through three such revolutions, and have come out a change whole. 

Blast From The Past: Magnum PI

The 80s were indeed a time of its own.  A lot was happening both on a local, national, and international scale.  The disco era was coming to an end and open sexual relations were a constant theme of behind the time.  The contemporary detective drama Magnum P.I. was at first what seemed to be simple detective drama set on the beautiful island of O'ahu.  The series, which was a Universal Studios production that was aired on CBS from 1980-1988,  embodied and continued a lot of the discourse that was happening at the time. 

As a millennial myself, Magnum P.I. was created before my time, and had completed it's original run well before my conception.  Upon first viewing the drama, I was shocked to a certain extent by the contrast and well as some of the similarities that Magnum P.I. had to some of the contemporary detective dramas of 2013.  I noticed that Magnum P.I., similar to many other detective dramas incorporated the voice inside of the head aspect of detective dramas.  I was surprised to a certain extent by this detective series theme was present and implemented into dramas even at that time.  In the pilot episode of Magnum P.I. "Don't Eat The Snow In Hawaii" Magnum was constantly talking to himself, and going through different scenarios in his head as he came upon new clues in the murder case of lieutenant Dan Cook.

Magnum P.I. contrasted a lot to some of the contemporary detective dramas of 2013 because of much of the underlying 80s discourse that was incorporated in the drama.  Themes of the 80s that can be found in the drama include the open use of drugs, and sex.  As the drama was filmed on the heels of the disco era, and AIDs was yet to be discovered, a constant theme in the series was that of enjoying the pleasures of life, free of responsibility and worry.  In the pilot episode of the series the women in particular at the estate which Magnum lives on are constantly in revealing clothing, and seeming trying to provide Magnum to have a sexual encounter with them.

Magnum P.I. is truly a detective drama of its own time.  Though embodying much of the similar themes one would expect to see in a detective drama, it also contains within itself a flair from the 80s.  Much of the open indulgence into pleasure, that was a theme of the 80s is seen in the drama.

The ME Project

There can be a lot of things that one can say to introduce themselves to someone.  An introduction can usually begin with the exchange of names and nicknames.  Then one can say where they're from, the places they've gone to, and the destinations they would like to headed for. 

To start off as a little introduction for myself, I am a first-generation Chinese-American who was born and raised here on the island of O'ahu, in the beautiful state of Hawaii, and in the wonderful country of the United States.  I am a big foodie, and especially love frozen yogurt, sweets and desserts, as well as COFFEE!  I am a somewhat of a caffeine addict, and simply don't feel right without my daily caffeine fix.  I am a big Instagramer, and love to post about my food adventures on my Instagram account-@angelala808.  Living in Hawaii, with its diverse population, means that the next food adventure for your taste buds could just be right around the corner. 

I have lived here in Honolulu, Hawaii my whole
life, and it is true that sometimes it does get old, but whenever I can I love to sneak away to a foreign country and indulge and submerse myself in a totally different culture.  The last foreign adventure I was on was actually to Vietnam and Thailand. 

Currently I am in my third year of college at Hawaii Pacific University, majoring advertising/ public relations with a minor in multimedia.  I am very passionate about public relations, and am currently the HPU PRSSA chapter president.  I hope to one day be able to work in the public relations department of a broadcast media outlet.  Upon graduation however I do hope to be able to travel to a foreign and exotic place once again before I begin my professional career.  I truly love discovering new places, and things and love meeting cool and exciting new people on the way!

Digital Media: Our True Friends or Secret Time Eaters?

Life in the 21st century is a buzz with everyone hocked to some sort of digital media as they go about their daily lives.  A walk down through downtown Honolulu, and one is bound to find almost every person attuned to some type of digital media.  For the older generation it may be as simple as the Apple I-Pod, while the more tech-savvy millennials walk around fitted with the newest Samsung Galaxy S4.  We have in many cases made media our closest friends, but could certain media be simply a waste of time?

Digital Media: The Best Friend

As a millennial myself, my personal favorite type of media to use is of course digital media.   I carry my smartphone with me everywhere I go, and it is always within a 10 feet radius of my physical being.  Digital media is my best friend, and my personal favorite type of media because information can simultaneously obtained by users as it is published by creators.  Digital media also allows for an enormous amount of varied information to be presented to users.

 Digital Media: The Secret Time Eater

As much as digital media can make ones life easier, and bring new information almost instantaneously to one's finger tip, it also secretly works to chip away, and eat at one's time.  With the wide array that digital allows users to access, one can easily become distracted with the information being presented and offered.  Your intention may be for example to use digital media to look up information for a project, but just as easily as you find this information, you can become engrossed for hours on end in on what's trending on your Facebook feed. 

For all that digital media has to offer to its users, it also takes away something in return.  To truly be an intimate friend with digital media, one also allow it to become his or her secret time eater.