Coasting in the Middle

It's a Friday afternoon, and I'm hitting the highway home from the greatest college town in the world, Gainesville, Florida.

A familiar scenario, and a drive that's become second-nature to me. Two hours of rolling down the highway with my music on; a strange sense of peace and relaxation sinks in, keeping frustrations with the occasional crazy, reckless drivers down to a minimum.

Yes, it's a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of life, a perfect chance for an outgoing introvert such as myself to sit back and unwind.

There's not much to see though...you've got some cows, horses, trees, and the ever-present billboard advertisements. Other than that, I'm alone with my thoughts, free.

But there's a strange phenomenon about the highway. I find myself weaving in and out of lanes, passing slow drivers and letting fast drivers pass me. That's when I get to thinking...what's with drivers, and what are they thinking? And that's when I realized that there's SO much more to the three-laned road that brings me home.

For starters, you've got the fast lane. People rushing to get from one place to the next, pushing 15mph over the speed limit, with no regard or concern about being flagged down by the cops. Impatience, ambition, a strong desire to get moving. Not living in the present moment, but constantly craving the next.

I find myself in this lane sometimes, but I always move over when those forward thinkers come right up behind me, as if to say "I've got somewhere to be. I've got a life to live and you're holding me back." They ache for thrills, and they live for taking risks. Sure, they might slow down if they do get a speeding ticket, but despite the angst you feel toward them, you have to admire their sense of future, and the way they boldly book it down the interstate to get there.

Next, you've got the right lane. The slower track, people who are in no rush whatsoever. The people who take great care, perhaps wanting to enjoy the ride more than the destination. This lane is usually filled with truck drivers, and the stereotypical elderly age bracket (whose faith in the young drivers has long since been lost). They'll keep both hands on the wheel, in full control of their destiny. There will be no risks for them. Keep their job trucking groceries and goods, or keep their sanity by avoiding the speeders and tailgaters. 5-10mph under the speed limit is okay, because what's all the hurry?

Many highways are two-laned. The drivers must choose their fate: be fast and be free, or take time and slow down. But the best kind of highways are the ones with a middle lane...something that falls in between, where a choice can be compromised.

The middle lane. That's my favorite place to be. 21 years old and two speeding tickets under my belt...not my proudest accomplishment. I love taking risks sometimes, but my heart still jumps out of my chest every time I see a cop car. I enjoy the drive, but don't want to be slowed down. I can have both when I'm in the middle.

The middle is a melting pot. You've got your mix of all types of drivers. Yet, you're constantly feeling pressure to move to the right or the left...the rush of traffic on both sides can induce a minor wave of claustrophobia. But you can have your way in the middle. Weave around the slower traffic, or let the fast drivers pass you...it's all fine. No one is mad that you're too fast or too slow, people will just move on, and that's the beauty of it all.

The middle lane allows your course of travel to be flexible. And when you live your life like that...in the center of the world, taking in everything around you, and learning to adapt...that's when I believe you're living to the fullest. You don't have to pick a side. You may drift a little, but the appeal of the middle is so inviting...it's hard to stay away for long, for me, at least.

So next time you're driving home, or driving anywhere, and you find yourself on an interstate, think about these things. Forget about the destination, but take pleasure in keeping up with the pace, observing the movement around you. That's the most refreshing part about driving, and a sure way to break the monotony of a long trip. Move around, explore the fast and the slow, but always come back to the middle...for it is there that you can always strike a deal.

News: The difference between what it is to you, and what it is in reality

For those of you who have read my blog posts before, you know that I aspire to be a news reporter. With my training thus far has come eye-opening challenges, some I have met, some I am yet to meet, and some I am still working on. Although my exposure to what lies ahead is only to increase from here, there are things I have noticed from interacting with sources, friends, acquaintances, etc. These are trends that have proven constant in recent times, seeming to be efficient in the demands of society, but bearing major flaws that must be addressed. 

These trends, or characteristics, have at their core personal values (or a lack thereof). In a world where we have Google, Facebook, Twitter, and our trusted news outlets resting on the palm of our hands, accessible at our fingertips, convenience, speed, and a craving for relevance rise to the top of our minds, controlling the way we obtain our information and satisfy ourselves with our findings. 

Many of us feel a huge need to express our opinions on major news events on social media, but do so without the proper quality or amount of literature. We just get whatever we can as quickly as we can, pack it into a neat little unit, and throw it out in such a manner that resembles a snowball fight. That is what we feel we need to do, in order to "keep up with the times."

But this pattern is actually setting us backwards, way, way backwards.

Now I will move forward to address why I am writing this, and why you should know that this matters. I will start with a few questions: 

How many of you have felt discouraged on behalf of humanity by reading the comments section of a news article?

How many of you feel the need to avoid social media outlets when a major, controversial story or event has just taken place?

How many people do you think question themselves on how much they truly know about a story before posting an opinion for a large volume of people to see?

The answers you probably came up with are most likely the reasons why many of you want to stay off social media when major events have happened, and for good reason.

Something I have learned from my experience, and from studying political science and history, is that affiliation weighs heavily in our minds, spirits, and motivations. We oftentimes, without a second thought, side with the stances that fit the value base of our political affiliation, class affiliation, race, education level, whatever it may be. To fix this, we need to become aware of our values, our opinions, etc, so that they do not cloud our judgment or perceptions of reality.

For example, I come from a privileged, white family. I am aware of the stereotypes that people I meet will throw me into knowing only that bit of information. I know that some people will completely discredit my thoughts or opinions, shutting me out completely, without me even being able to open my mouth, because of where I come from. Because of the situation I was born into, I will, in many cases and stories, have to work much harder to establish my credibility and earn the trust of my interview subjects. That is a fact that I have come to accept, understand, and prepare to train myself to compensate for before it comes back to haunt me.

But there is more to me, and more to every human being you will encounter in your life, than meets the eye. No one perfectly fits a stereotype. Everyone has a unique story to tell, and most people have one that will surprise you.

And here is the key point I want to make: you should never feel obligated to lean a certain way because you think it is what your background, whether it be past or present, expects of you. Your stances should come from you, and only you. Your needs, your feelings, and your view of right and wrong, NOT those of anyone else.

So here's how you do it. Step away from where you come from, open yourself up to exploring possibilities and viewpoints of other sides. Don't label yourself. Terms like white privilege, hoodlum, trailer trash, wealthy snob, wrong side of the tracks, NEED to go. Throw them away, because once you do, people might just stop subconsciously stereotyping you as such, and you them. And then maybe, just maybe, we can begin to create a world that is more accepting, open-minded, and intelligent.

Value and trustworthiness need to come before convenience. Emotions must be kept in balance, and not come too much in contact with facts and knowledge, because this breeds corruption and misleading information.

If something makes you angry, ask yourself why. Let the emotion flow out of you ONLY after you have attained credible information. And what is credible? Well, if you begin with a neutral standpoint and a discerning eye, it will not be too difficult to figure that out. When there is a lack of information, try everything you can to find it BEFORE forming a concrete opinion. If it's not there, wait for it. If it never comes, resist the urge to try to fill in the blanks yourself, because that is what makes news subjective and not objective.

Opinions and banter can be much more healthy and thought-provoking than they currently are if we try to adopt some of these principles. After all, our freedom of speech is a precious thing. But let us create a more interesting venue of expressing it by knowing as much as we can. Knowledge is power, and it's a power we should all want more of, if we are to cure the ignorance that is plaguing social media, and help ourselves be able to discern a solid fact from a twisted one.

It's not an easy process, but give it a shot. At this time next year, you may be patting yourself on the back for it.

Life as a Telecommunication Major at UF

As a junior here at the University of Florida, I am thankful for the array of opportunities that have come my way. Some of them I have missed, and some of them I have reached for, but proved to be just beyond my reach. And then there were some that have been granted to me, and allowed me to take them and run with them. These are the opportunities and blessings that I will treasure through my professional career and indeed, for the rest of my life.

But of ALL of these opportunities, there is a unique cluster of them that will always stand apart from the rest, and they are all found in my very own College of Journalism and Communications.

I am very proud today to serve as an ambassador for my college, giving tours to UF J-School hopefuls, explaining to them why we have so much to offer, and specifically what we can offer to them. One such resource is the Center for Media Innovation and Research, which in its description alone explains the thing about our college that is so great: the fact that we are always moving forward.

I am happy to call the Innovation News Center my home and workplace. From walking into the newsroom, you would think that you have stepped away from the college educational scene and entered into a professional setting...it's that cool. I have the privilege to work with materials that just aren't available to other schools. And I have the honor of serving as an anchor for a live broadcast for WUFT, Gainesville's PBS affiliate. This is a broadcast that reaches several counties, and a broadcast that I hope is just the first television news shows I get to be a part of in the future, thanks to UF.

Because of the training and extra-curricular reporting and anchoring work I have done with our program and with WUFT News, I know that I will be ready to become a reporter upon graduation. And I feel confident that the uniqueness and depth of our program will prepare me for the media world I am entering into.

I have been trained extensively in radio, web, and television reporting. But most importantly, I have learned what it really means to be a reporter.

At the end of the day, my goal is to help people through my work. Reporting is where my love for the spotlight and passion for serving the community come together as one. I have a spark that has been lit inside me that drives me every day to be better and better, and I hope this spark will land me wherever I'm meant to be when my time at the University of Florida comes to an end.

Blogroll: Featuring some pretty cool people

I enjoy blogging, just as my classmates do. We all appreciate the chance to post our opinions and insights on a public forum that is all our own. It's incredible to learn of the dreams and aspirations held by some of my classmates. So take this time to check out the work of my classmates, because they have some pretty interesting things to say and read about.

Jessica Alpern blogs about entertainment news and pop culture, and provides some great commentary about these popular topics.

Bianca Bahamondes talks about her quest to inspire spiritual healing both in yourself and in others. She offers a fresh new outlook on certain topics that perhaps you had not thought of before.

Jessica Barreto inspires you to practice healthy living, because it can be tasty and enjoyable!

Carla Bayron is someone who shares many of my viewpoints about reporting, and I am proud to call her my co-anchor as well. Her blog is definitely worth checking out if you have enjoyed my posts so far.

Drew Bryan's blog is one I can connect with. I used to be very involved with theatre, and so I feel that I (and you) can enjoy his posts about both theatre and journalism!

Taylor Burke follows the Gator soccer team, and soccer in general. So if you want to keep up with this popular sport, her blog is worth perusing.

Zak Dahlheimer blogs about his passion for reporting and his love for music. He's a rocker and a reporter, and his blog proves it!

Colette DuChanois aspires to be a sideline sports reporter for the SEC Network, so it is only appropriate that her blog is about Gator football.

Chelsea Gates is already in Chicago living the beginning of her dream! Check out her blog to keep up with her adventures in the world of sports news.

Megan Gannon tells you about the "hidden gems" around Gainesville that she has discovered. She encourages you to check them out as well!

Kara Hudgins talks about something we can all relate to: food. If you want some delicious insight, check out the link to her blog.

Richard Johnson also provides some discussion on Gator football, covering all of the hot-button football issues that have blanketed our Swamp throughout this season.

Courtney McKenna gives both examples of her work as a reporter and helpful tips for her fellow "type As" to get by in college life.

Jonathan Munoz delves into the origins of building names at the University of Florida, such as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Anderson Hall.

Hannah Oliveto's blog is another that details the antics of Gator football, with a few special features and surprises in there too!

Jonathan Perez discusses the very popular theme of superhero movies, as he critically analyzes a variety of them.

Gabrielle Peterson gives some helpful cooking hints, and even includes some discussion on Pinterest recipes (not to mention the cute and clever title of her blog).

Raphael Pires tells you how you can stay fit and healthy with your workout routines. He goes into detail about how to work out different parts of your body using special techniques.

Paige Pitisci pleases the palette by blogging about Gainesville restaurants she has tried and recommends.

Larissa Scott states the viewpoints and life of a journalist that are so easy to relate to, from one Telecommunication student to another.

Peta-Gay Sherwood's blog is wonderful for exploring different cultures, and the beauty that lies within them.

Codi Snead explores campus life here at the University of Florida, and gives details about some of the hottest places to check out during your stay as a Gator.

Jennifer Tintner talks about her passion for feature storytelling. Feature stories are the components of the newscasts that contain the "feel-good" stories, and some argue that features can be just as important to the show as the hard news that it usually follows.

Carson Williams has inspiring blog posts about one of her favorite book entitled The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch. It's pretty cool to see how this book has had an influence on her life.

Last but not least, Adriana Yurizza's blog draws some commentary on trending news stories. I think it's always interesting to read about a reporter's perspective, since reporters are the people who are responsible for diving in and gathering all details on a story before forming an opinion.

I hope you enjoy browsing through these different blogs; I know I have!

Review of "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

I found The Tipping Point overall to be a very interesting read. Oftentimes I have seen Internet videos (ex: the new and adorable Baby it's Cold Outside rendition), pictures (ex: Humans of New York), posts, etc. become viral. Upon viewing/consuming this viral content, I usually can understand why it is so popular, but a lot of times I have wondered how that content came to be so popular. I wondered who or what was the factor that caused it to rise to widespread attention to captivate such a large audience on social media. In other words, I wanted to know when and how this content "tipped", and I was happy to find that The Tipping Point answered this question very thoroughly.

I think the most interesting concept presented in the book was about the Connectors, Mavens, and Salesman...all of which were the types of people who can be responsible for the successful spread of epidemics. Malcolm Gladwell describes connectors as the people with the rapport and widespread credibility necessary to influence other and spark movements on a broad spectrum. Mavens are the ones with in-depth knowledge about certain topics and a deep desire to use their knowledge to help others, as well as induce change and opinion-building. Salesmen are people who use their tactics to persuade; they have the credibility of a Connector and the knowledge of a Maven, but use their skills for "selling" a 

particular item or idea.

Gladwell discussed how all three of these types of people are needed in order to spike an epidemic such as Hush Puppies (which was commonly referenced throughout the book). With the thorough breakdown of each type of person and their role, I was intrigued at how much sense it makes that these three types of people are the agents of change, and I believe I can start to recognize these agents at work on epidemics such as social media trends and viral videos.

Another point of discussion I thought was interesting was the Stickiness Factor, which, in its breakdown, discussed the differences between the development of Sesame Street and Blue's Clues. I never would have thought before that Blue's Clues would trump Sesame Street simply because of its, well, simplicity (ex: characters named by the object they are, like Mailbox the mailbox). However, I can understand how such a literal interpretation can resound well with young audiences, and I can see how the very small increases in viewer salience launch a program far above its competitors. It's interesting, really. And I believe that Gladwell once again did a great job in explaining just how this approach works in tipping popularity.

The Power of Context discussion was also quite fascinating. This, again, deals with small differences in a scenario, whether it's a simple cleanup, or a game of just a couple of numbers. All in all, Gladwell went into depth in this explanation to prove that small things really can make a difference. It was amazing to read about the experiments and examples that proved this point.

All in all, this was a very good read, and this book gave me some valuable insight as both an aspiring reporter and a social media manager. I feel that, thanks to Gladwell's examples, I have a better understanding of how things "tip" into something infectious, whether it be in a good way or a bad way.

Classmate Spotlight #2

The following are three more spotlights on people who are talented news-gatherers, people I can learn a lot from and enjoy working with in the newsroom.

So, first up is Zak Dahlheimer. Not only is this guy the next Ron Burgundy (except far less vulgar), he is also one of the nicest guys I know. His talents expand beyond reporting, as he also boasts musical expertise. He's a good pal of mine, a very hard worker, and the star anchor of WUFT's new and prestigious 6:00 news broadcast. He's on Monday through Friday if you want to catch him doing what he does best!

Next is Carson Williams. Carson is always in the know when it comes to sports news, and she dreams of going to law school to be a sport agent. I've had the pleasure of working with her on the Gator Growl team this year, and I am confident that her dedication and her passions for sports will land her exactly where she wants to be.

And the final spotlight goes out to Bianca Bahamondes, whose blog is very intriguing. She wants to use reporting to help explore and better understand different cultures, as well as open people's minds to new ways of thinking and viewing. Reporting in itself teaches you to be open-minded, but Bianca wants to take this to the next level, which is something I find inspiring.

Check out my previous post for my first three spotlights. I hope you have enjoyed visiting these blogs!

Classmate Spotlight #1

For a twist, I would like to take a moment to spotlight the accomplishments and personal blogs of some of my classmates in the Journalism and Communications college here at the University of Florida. Everyone has a story to tell, and these people who I am happy to call my peers have some really great ones.

In addition, these particular three also happen to be the people on my news team for WUFT.

The first classmate I would like to spotlight is the lovely Adriana Yurizza. She is a very talented news-gatherer, and I was happy to call her my partner in crime for the television broadcasting class we took together this past spring. She is now my anchor double for the consumer news segment of WUFT's First at Five news broadcast! I encourage you to check out her blog for some valuable insight on trending current events.

Next, I would like to call attention to Carla Bayron, who serves as my co-anchor for First at Five. She's the type of person I can easily see as the next up-and-coming news personality. Carla is very passionate about her work, and is very good at it too. If you'd like to see for yourself, tune in to WUFT on Wednesdays at 5pm to see her anchor alongside me!

Last but certainly not least is Jessica Barreto, our main anchor for the broadcast. Jessica also works for Gainesville's ABC affiliate, GTN News. Jessica's blog is definitely worth taking a look at if you'd like to draw some ideas for healthy eating and living!

Check out the above post for three more spotlights!