Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Ask Older Generations To Describe Our Generation In One Word

Ask older generations to describe our generation in one word; what do you think they’ll say? We’ll be everything in the book but the Child of God. Why is that? Their biggest thing is that we don’t follow the rules or paths that previous generations or tradition has set out for us. Why is that?
Our generation tries so hard, too hard even, to be different. It is what we dare.  We are far more daring than any other generation there has ever been. We will die our hair red or green. We will get tattoos on our wrists, hands, fingers, etc. We will wear bright colors and wacky designed fingernails. We don’t want to be like previous generations, we want to be different. We’d rather create a legacy of diversity in opposition to one of the ‘norm’ or something traditional. All the while, older generations do not agree with these things because it is not something they would do or they’ve been taught. But because it hasn’t been done before, does that mean that it’s wrong? Should it be frowned upon? Should we be stereotyped in all the wrong ways? Our generation is by far one of the strongest.
Our generation is one of the most misunderstood generations to ever exist. Older generations interpret our actions and thoughts as ones of rebellion. We urge you all to think again! As a whole, we’d much rather be classified as what we really are and what we set ourselves out to be. While you all would rather we have natural hair colors, have no piercings, wear mellow colors, wear matching socks, we choose not to. Not in an effort to be rebellious, but rather to not walk in your footsteps and create some of our own. So the next time you think that we’re being plain ol’ hard headed or not listening, think again..we are listening, we’re listening to ourselves; we’re being individuals. ≈≠

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

ATMs: Just as Dirty as Public Restroom Toilets?

          Studies in England show that ATMs contain just as much and the same bacterias as public restroom toilets. As disgusting as this 'new found information' may sound, I'm not shocked one bit. Instead, it's more of a 'fun' or 'interesting' fact to me..
          One thing I feel as though some of us lack is the ability to understand that bacteria is everywhere, despite what we we're taught from adolescence. From adolescence, we're taught that germs are everywhere and that they're on every object that we touch. As a result, we are taught to wash our hands frequently. But do we do that? 
          Do we feel content using a public computer and wiping our face immediately afterward? Think of how many people pick their boogers in WalMart, take a few bucks out of their wallets, pay the clerk and you end up receiving that money back as change. Bacteria is here an it isn't going anywhere. Think about the cart you're pushing in WalMart, ever think that the lady who pushed it prior to you didn't have a tissue and she wiped her nose with her hand and proceeded to push her cart? Studies show that out of 67 randomly selected $1 bills, 87% of them contained bacteria that could cause infection. This shouldn't be new news to us, we've all been informed of the hazards of virtually object we touch. We as people need to take the knowledge that we have and put it to use.
Let's not be strangers to hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, and frequent hand washing. ≈≠
Find more information here:
Dirty money: As filthy as Public Toilets
Reports: ATMs As Dirty As Public Toilets 

My Mother Is On Facebook!

          The truth is, my mother is NOT on Facebook, thank goodness. But there are numerous other young adults our age whose parents have jumped aboard the Facebook bandwagon. Question is: Why? All the while, you may ask them "Why are you on Facebook?" We all know why: to be nosey; to fit in; to 'stalk' their child; to catch their child in a lie; to see how their child speaks or acts when they aren't around; to see their child's significant other (are they up to par?); to see how they are spending their time; to create a commonality to bring them closer; to monitor their child's events; to beat them in Facebook games; in a nutshell: to be a nuisance and to waist time!
           So, when you ask your parent(s) why they're on Facebook, what do they say? To connect with my past friends; I ain't too old for a Facebook; I got a life too! It's a social network, I'm being social; and Don't worry about it! Despite what they say, we know it's all an excuse.
          You all know your parents best. You know whether they're genuine or not with their 'excuses'. But the fact is, Facebook should not be their thing. I'm not talking any laws up, and I know Facebook was created for everybody, but it was our thing first. Parents on Facebook make us uncomfortable and we aren't able to be our true selves with them there. Even our friends' parents on Facebook can be an issue. The comment on our posts. They write on our walls. They judge us based on what we post. It's annoying and embarrassing. It's equivalent to walking your child all the way into their first period class and giving them a kiss on the cheek.. in high school!
          Parents, Facebook is our thing, let us have it. We wouldn't take old school from you. Facebook is a younger generation's toy, and just like a child, (as we are yours), WE WANT IT BACK & WE WANT IT ALL TO OURSELVES! So please, parents, go find something more age appropriate for you, your age, and your friends..we'd highly appreciate it. (..Or we'll block you :)!!)  ≈≠

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Crash of Job Boards

          Monster? Career Builder? Snag-A-Job? Craigslist? Sound familiar? If you've ever been out of a job or in search of a new one, you've probably been to one or more of these sites. Problem is, do you ever get the proper recognition that you deserve? How often do you really hear back from these engines with a legit and worthwhile career opportunity? Job boards have crashed due to accessibility, numerous unqualified applicants, and the impossibility to thoroughly review such a high volume of applicants.
          Supposedly, job boards are supposed to be a helpful incentive to get qualified persons employment a job that follows suit with their experience. Disappointingly, with employment inquiries and even first interviews online, the 'get up an go' has seemingly 'got up and went'. The laziness from employers posting online has trickled down to it's applicants. Another flaw of today's age and generation is pure laziness. The definition of 'job hunting' is quite rapidly transformed to waking up, getting on the web, a few clicks of the mouse and wallah, it's supposedly done. What ever happened to the days when people got up early, dressed up, and went to the places where they desired to work in order to obtain a position? Apparently, those days are ancient. What ever happened to business hours? Job hunting from nine to five? Or handling business matters between those hours? Currently, companies will call you after business hours or even late at night for a job inquiry. Yet again, another example of how unprofessional-ism trickles down from employers to inquirers.
          Unqualified applicants are another reason why job boards are ineffective. As if posting online isn't bad enough as it is, given the high volume of applicants from everywhere, unqualified, hopeful or wishful applicants don't help add to this jumbo, virtual pile of applications and serious job seekers. This adds to the hopelessness of job boards and is yet another reason not to use them.
          Let's not forget that job boards are online on the world wide web! With such a huge audience, is it really possible for employers to seep through and weed out all genuine, valuable inquirers? If employers don't have enough time or energy to recruit in a more creative way, what makes you think that they have enough time to go through hundreds of applications? We all know that the number of people who apply to businesses would be significantly lower without online ads.
          In a  nutshell, job boards have crashed due to one simple thing: convenience. The web has made it far too easy for people to apply to jobs. Thus, making it impossible for anyone genuine to really get through. The chance of landing a job using job boards are just that: chance or probability. ≈≠

Here are a few tips on how to stand out to potential employers (besides the obvious):
  •  Have a fool proof resume
  • Have a professional edge when making physical or verbal contact
    • Always have one good professional outfit clean and ready to go for interviews or inquiries in person.
    • When calling places, always use manners and have an enthusiastic demeanor.
    • Ensure that you are properly groomed, hair is neatly cut or restrained and all piercings are removed (two earrings in each ear maximum, no larger than a dime).
  • Prepare for interviews questions
    • Look online for commonly asked interview questions and prepare your answers well before your interview date.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Would You Rather Have the A or the B?

Based on Dr. Phil's "Whatever It Takes" Episode on Friday, January 7, 2011.
          Would you rather get an A that you cheated for, or a B that you earned? This question is quite controversial and is stirring up a lot of chatter everywhere. If you caught the episode, you witnessed quite a bit, despite what you think. As Dr. Phil asked what was supposed to be his entire audience, he aimed all of his 'cheating questions' towards one or two Caucasian females sitting in the front row. Also, when he revealed clips of 'secret cheating tactics and techniques' all of the subjects were Caucasian as. Not surprisingly, his live subject(s) on stage were Caucasian as well. According to a poll/survey that Dr. Phil did, 64% of test takers cheat. While this may be hard to believe, think about who he surveyed. Was Dr. Phil's audience skewed? If so, his answers sure are as well. 
          Supposedly, cheating is something that is shunned upon, as we all learned this from adolescence. However, according to Dr. Phil's audience, it's quite 'in'. As Dr. Phil introduced a new cheating technique to his 'knowledgeable student' she said "..I've seen something like that done, but never actually done anything like that. That's really creative, I can't believe I've never thought of that! I need to use that one!" as she laughed.
          The saying "Times have changed" certainly rings true in instances like this. Cheating has always existed. However, as times progress, the willingness and shamelessness to cheat has certainly sky rocketed. We live in a country where winning is all that matters, at all costs. Today's generation is so desperate for moral and values that they're seeming doing the complete opposite. As seen on this episode, parents are now teaching their children to cheat! Disappointingly, it doesn't matter how you get there, as long as you do.
          From a totally different point of view and with respect to Dr. Phil's audience and subject(s) on this particular episode, why were they all Caucasian as a whole? Was he trying to make a point? Was he being biased? Was he showing favoritism for his own race? Was he saying that other races don't cheat? Was he not interested in what other races had to say? Does he care about other races' academic behaviors? Whatever the case may be, bias seems to ring the loudest. It doesn't seem fair to other races that only Caucasians were there to speak out on their academic habits. And it more than certainly doesn't seem fair that the only people there to represent what was supposed to be America's demographic were Caucasian people. If other races were prominent that day in the audience to take part in the survey, the results would have been different. ≈≠

*As always, feel free to comment and share your thoughts on this is well! I love diversity (and a great debate)!*

Friday, January 7, 2011

eBooks in Public Schools?

          To adopt or not to adopt eBooks into regular education curricula? This question seems to be slowly but surely floating around and is becoming more of an idea than anything. However, eBooks are too premature to be fit into anything that's solid with structure. eBooks must first transform themselves before they can transform any other aspect of life. They're too new, and before creators of eBooks and eBook machines, they should be tested and critiqued, as everything else in this world is. Seemingly, folks are getting so caught up in the idea of this new phenomenon, that they haven't truly weighed out all off it's pros and cons.
          All eBooks or eBook machines don't have page numbers. But don't give up on eBooks that fast! eBook machines/applications allow you to resume reading right where you left off at with it's virtual bookmark. Still, without page numbers, how are students able to properly cite specific findings to write a paper correctly? Both pro and con, eBooks allow you to virtually annotate. While virtually taking notes on a piece of literature does leave room for some remembrance, it cannot replace actual highlighting and taking notes or folding pages. Your brain remembers more of what you actually, physically write than what you've read. Once you've actually hand written something for yourself, what you've actually done is personalized that information so that subconsciously, your brain can remember it better. (All letters typed on a screen are the same. When you hand write something, each character has it's own personal, unique effect, causing the human brain to better remember it.) One thing eBooks have over actual books is convenience hands down. There's nothing like needing seven books for a busy day at school and having to only carry your eBook machine in opposition to seven physical books. eBook applications are even offered via cell phone. It would be so much easier to pick up your cell phone and catch up on some reading in opposition to having to carry around an actual book and God forbid loosing it or forgetting it on the bus.
          Before schools consider bringing eBooks aboard to their curricula ship, they need a plan. With respect to high school education (or below), who will be responsible for ensuring that every pupil has an eBook machine? Majority of high school education (or below) is free. Where will they get the funds to finance eBook machines? Will they be able to fit this into their budget? Or, will parents be responsible for ensuring that their children get eBooks. Would it be right for schools or the government to assume that all households can finance an eBook machine? Even if schools assign each student a temporary eBook for the year, will parents be able to handle repair or replacement fees if/when their child mishandles it? With reference to higher education, some of the same questions need answers. How are these colleges, universities, and other educational institutes going to ensure each person has an eBook machine? Will students be responsible for purchasing one themselves? This also leaves room for the responsibility to fall onto parents again. Will these institutes include the cost of eBooks right into tuition? This maybe quite cost efficient given if institutions purchase these devices in bulk, they'll be cheaper. School systems should take all of these things along with all the other pros and cons into consideration before they even consider bringing eBooks aboard. ≈≠
 
Sources:

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Introduction to 'thePLAINESTjane' / Who She Is & What She's About

Ayeeee!!! Welcome to my bloggggggg!!! This is my blogging debut and I'm #TypeHype about it. Native Baltimorian, not as plain as I seem, creative, mellow, opinionated, empathetic and more caring than I should be. Weirdo:Hands Down. I'm not too much into politics, but I'm more than into current events. You'll soon learn that BEAUTY IS MY PASSION..had to yell that..lol. I'm big on music too..without music, I wouldn't be as sane as I am, lol. I care about those who don't even know me, hence my helpful demeanor. If you're looking for a great debate, you're in the right place. If you're looking for beauty & beauty product reviews, you're in the right place. If you're looking for skin care advice/tips, you're in the right place. If you're looking for conversations about music, you're in the right place. If you're looking for someone to talk to, you're in the right place. If you're looking for abstract things and/or topics, you're more than in the right place. If you're looking for a normal ass blog, you're in the right place. ENJOY!! ≈≠