Reading Questions

1. Today many TV shows and advertisements try to look amateurish or "homegrown" to emulate what is often seen on the Web. Do you think professional production values will continue to drop, or do you think amateur user-generated content will get better over time? WHY??
   
   
   I think amateur user-generated content will get better over time because if i have learned anything about media and advertisements is that it is always changing. Even though methods and ads change over time, their goals and motivation remain the same. I think this question is difficult to answer because only time will tell but i think that you can see in general media that there is progress growing but in professional production, nothing is done without it being on purpose.
   
   
2. What social media sites do you find yourself using the most, and why? In your opinion why is Facebook so much more successful than MySpace, and do you think Facebook is "here to stay" for the long term.
   
   I use many social media site especially since I got to college but i definitely find myself using Facebook often. I also use Twitter and Linked In on occasion. Because i am a journalism concentration, i have to use blogspot, wordpress, and other blogging sites that i don't think i would typically use on my own. I have, however, learned more about google and how i can use it other than just as a search engine. I actually created a site in Google sites where i started to produce an online magazine that i previously had in print from my capping site. I think Facebook is here to stay because of the wide range of audience it has targeted. Myspace became a trashy site and it is now embarrassing to use. Facebook has class to it in which it prohibits people to add annoying songs they can't stop playing or bright colorful animated pages. It is a site that can actually be called a tool and not just a flashy bragging page about everyone's relationships. I think Facebook is exactly what a social connection site should be and Myspace failed at it because they didn't target the right audience.
   before answering question #3 please read the Transparency in Social Media Blog Article
   
   
3. Why is transparency such an important concept in the Social Media world? Is it MORE or LESS important in the offline world? Why?
   
   Transparency is very important because it uses tools that someone is already using and then advertising to them further. It really is like killing two birds with one stone. I think, although it can be annoying, that it is smart and something i think that will stay and be an important part of the online and offline world. The two worlds are connected and that is not debatable. What we do online often effects our offline lives. If i'm on gmail talking about teeth whitening with my girlfriends and what brand to use and then i see Crest Whitestrips advertisements coming up on my side bar, it may effect my offline decisions. I think it is VERY important to be aware of transparency.