Memorializing the Dead

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,Web 2.0,,Andrew Venegas,New Media, journalism,Andrew,Venegas,vlog,Second Life,Jeremy Kemp,YouTube

San Jose Merc on Campus

The San Jose Mercury is on campus today in Dwight Bentel Hall, doing a piece on Prof. Bob Rucker’s Diversity in the Media class. More specifically, the piece is centered on the controversy surrounding Don Imus’ recent comments. Rucker made a call for discussion on racial issues on a talk show earlier this week, a call that the Merc apparently heard.

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,,Web 2.0,,Andrew Venegas,New Media, journalism,Andrew,Venegas,vlog,Bob Rucker, ,San Jose Mercury

Fee hikes at SJSU

There's a great article in today's Spartan Daily about the new renovation proposed for the Student Union, along with a rather large $240 fee that students are going to be paying shortly.

Whether you're for or against the proposal, the increase may have dramatic effects on the student body. Those already struggling to hold down jobs and attend the University may be forced to increase their workload while decreasing their units.

And while the proposed facelift for the SU may have the consequence of attracting higher income full-time students, it may also shut the doors of opportunity in the face of many lower income students in the San Jose area.

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,,Web 2.0,,Andrew Venegas,New Media, journalism,Andrew,Venegas,vlog,fee increase,Student Union

Bob Rucker Speaks on Walkout to Class

Up front: I have a lot of respect for Bob Rucker, my Diversity in the Media teacher at SJSU.

Today, I asked him what his opinions were on the purposed CFA strikes. He responded to my inquiry by saying that he found it disturbing that administration officials can garnish wage increases as high as 40% while teachers, "that do the heavy lifting", cannot get a 6% increase in wages.

Rucker went on to say that it is getting hard to make a living at SJSU, and if wages to not rise, that it would, "become difficult for the University to keep teachers" such as him.

Before moving on with the rest of the class session, Rucker added that he had never personally been involved in a strike, and that if the vote came back in favor of striking, that he would go along with the CFA and walkout.

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,,Web 2.0,Andrew Venegas,NewNew Media, journalism,Andrew,Venegas,vlog,j-school, CSU, CFA, strike, Bob Rucker

Teacher Strike Looms Over SJSU

Steve Sloan posted the text of an email today from the California Faculty Association. The CFA is calling for a vote on whether or not to strike.

This is big news for the whole CSU system, and would mean thousands of students would lose out on schooling, while the CSU system would lose out on an untold amount of money.

A journalism student at CSULB, Armando, posted more about the voting here.

Check out the CFA's headlines for more info here.


Or check out the official CSU press release in response to the strike vote.

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,,Web 2.0,Andrew Venegas,NewNew Media, journalism,Andrew,Venegas,vlog,j-school, CSU, CFA, strike

Does the EFF Have People In Europe?

The New York Time's posted this eerily Orwellian article today from Paris.

European governments are preparing legislation to require companies to keep detailed data about people’s Internet and phone use that goes beyond what the countries will be required to do under a European Union directive.

In Germany, a proposal from the Ministry of Justice would essentially prohibit using false information to create an e-mail account, making the standard Internet practice of creating accounts with pseudonyms illegal.

This frightening legislation, regardless of whether it could even be done, could signal a drastic shift in the way Europe address electronic rights.

While American companies such as Google, the article says, did not require any guarantee that the names associated with email addresses are valid, new legislation may change this.

A draft law in the Netherlands would likewise go further than the European Union requires, in this case by requiring phone companies to save records of a caller’s precise location during an entire mobile phone conversation.

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,,Web 2.0,,Andrew Venegas,NewNew Media, journalism,Andrew,Venegas,vlog,j-schoolGoogle,EFF,New York Times,electronic rights

Freedom to Link?

ZDNet had this great article last week that got me to thinking. Would I be comfortable with any intervention from a government body in the daily function of the internet? While I can understand the fear that is being generated by the possibility of carriers blocking sites based on ownership issues, I am squimmish (to say the least) just pondering how US government intervention could go terribly wrong. Visions and Ted Stevens and dance in my mind - and that's not a pretty picture. Am I paranoid, or does just a classic American?

What do you think?

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,,Web 2.0,,Andrew Venegas,New Media,vlog,

Saddam's Execution Has Extreme Significance

(WARNING! This post contains images and links that may be offensive to some readers; discretion is advised.)

A video phone captured yesterday's execution of Saddam Hussein. It is very graphic, showing the whole execution, from the moment the executioner wrapped the noose around Mr. Hussein's neck to the moments afterward, as his lifeless body dangled from the the rope.


I linked to this video for one reason only - not to sensationalize, create controversy or offend the senses - but to highlight the historical and political significance of the video. To this end, I feel it is necessary to show the clip I am discussing, as both the video's content and delivery method are relevant to the point I am trying to make.

Not only does the clip document the fall of one of the world's worst dictators by his own people; it doubly shows how technology, despite political tensions and war, has given power to individuals to tell stories from their perspective - whenever and however they deem fit.

It is important to note that I am not certain as to the affiliation of the person who captured the video and aired it online, nor is this AS IMPORTANT as the fact the viral distribution is creating a new method of documenting history.

This clip, whatever motives or political affiliations the person who took it has, are insignificant when compared to the impact this shift in media power is having on individual freedom and expression.

Years from now, this video may be viewed for the political and historical significance it captured - the rise of citizen empowerment.

San Jose ,SJSU ,Soapbox Prophet ,Tech ,blog ,Saddam Hussein,,Web 2.0,,Andrew Venegas,
,execution,citizen journalism

CNET's James Kim found deceased

My prayers and condolences are with the family of CNET reporter James Kim tonight, who was found at the bottom of Big Windy Creek in Oregon, according to CNET. His family was rescued on Monday morning, two days after James left to find help. James will be missed.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet , CNET , James Kim, Tech , blog , Kyle Hansen,

Who Said Technology Was Only for the Rich?

There was an awesome article in WorldChanging today, about Citibank India's plan to use ATMs that use voice and thumbprint technology to serve the poor and illiterate. That's capitalism and innovation at their best, if you ask me.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , blog , CitibankWorld Changing,,

Journalists Lose Bigtime

The New York Times didn't have a good week this week, in case you didn't heard. The Supreme Court basically said this week that phone records of journalists may legally be gathered by the US governement. That's pretty scary. Time to start using Skype and bouncing my calls every which way. And forget saving cache files locally.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , blog , New York Times,Supreme Court ,phone records , press freedom,journalism, Seatle TimesShield Laws,,

World AIDS Day.

You may have noticed the ribbon now atop my website. Today is World AIDS day.

With forty million people infected Worldwide, that's not a disease, that's an epidemic. And personally for me as a Christian, it's also a moral call to action. So today, even if you can't give money to a relief organization or donate time yourself, think about writing an email to your Senator to make sure they know they have your full support in stopping this deadly disease.

Heck, even a brief speel on your personal blog can spread the word to friends and family about what's going on, and that can make the difference between life and death for someone else.


Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , AIDS , Bono,senator ,World AIDS Day , Web 2.0,

Thailand Says Bye-Bye to a Brighter Future

Need more evidence that wars and coupes aren't good for children, animals, and other living things? Look no further than Thailand, whose newly installed government (remember the military overthrow in September) is now backing out of the deal the previous administration had with OLPC to provide $100 laptops for every child in the country.

So instead of speeding ahead into a technology rich future where its citizens are able to compete in global markets, what plan does the education minister have in store for Thailand?

"We will not focus too much on technology and materials," said Wijit Srisaarn, Thailand's education minister, this week. "We will focus on substance."

Translation: "Poor kids aren't on our radar screen."
So much for change.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Chronicle of Higher Education , Thailand,blog ,OLPC , Hundred Dollar Laptop,Necroponte ,

Phil Wolff Skyped JMC 163 Last Night

The blogger from Skype Journal wasn't the only one stopping by to say hi; Fred Mertz, a freelance photographer working for the Chronicle of Higher Education, also stopped by and took pictures for an upcoming piece on JMC163.

Wolff talked a little bit about the Skype story at SJSU that took place earlier this year. He dissected it, sharing why he believed the story took off the way that it did. What were the points he talked about?
1.There were local advocates with a vested interest in keeping Skype on campus.
2.The blogosphere picked up the story and turned it viral.
3.The traditional media picked it up as well.
4.It already had all of the elements of a good story: power struggle, work being affected, and a school environment.

Verdad.

I'll keep you posted on the Higher Ed piece when it comes out. It will most likely also be talking about the Skype piece a bit. The ironic part about this whole thing is that the very class that has attracted so much attention for the great job that it has done may be dismantled by next semester.

Steve Sloan posted a disturbing piece on his personal blog Tuesday:

There is a plan to turn 163 partly into a software teaching class and teach InDesign, Photoshop, other applications and maybe half a semester’s worth of “new media.” This will be a real change in what has become known as, “the podcasting class.”

I have nothing against the Adobe Creative Suite applications, I use them and have taught them. But, I do not see this as being consistent with what we are doing in this class. This semester 163 has concentrated on the Internet and emerging forms of journalism. Maybe I am wrong.

We have a meetup on Thursday November 30 at 7pm in downtown San Jose at Tony Soprano’s Pizzeria. You are invited to come or comment. I would love to get input from folks on this subject. I know our accreditation limits the amount of units we can do new stuff with. But, I see this class as being critical.

I'm not thrilled by this development at all. As has been mentioned by several students in JMC163 and professionals outside the class, classes on Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and other apps can been taken very easily for a few hundred bucks over a weekend. The understanding of WHY new media is taking off and WHERE it is going is much more pertenant to our future careers.

If the University really wants students to learn those programs, then they should consider making New Media a concentration like Print and Broadcast are. Removing such vital content will only act as a disservice to students.

And maybe it's just my journalism background speaking, but I think journalists SHOULD be more interested in the WHY than the HOW, because the HOW is always conditional upon the WHY.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Skype Journal , JMC163,blog ,journalism , Chronicle of Higher Education,Steve Sloan ,Phil Wolff,Skype

Bloggers are Journalists, Courts Rule

Kyle Hansen brought an interesting article to my attention today. Last Friday a Canadian judge said that a blogger IS a journalist. To quote Keanu Reeves, "Woah!"

Obviously, this has no immediate bearing on American journalists, but it does signal a clear shift from the traditional international perception that a journalist is part of an organized, structured business or organization to an independent, theoretical creation. Ergo, the citizen journalist is gaining credibility.



Not only does this immediately shift the focus from high revenue large market based news-gathering to low budget, niche-market-high-impact reporting from individuals, but it also CREATES A NEED for greater individual participation in politics and their communities.

Intersting.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , New York Times , Kyle Hansen,blog ,journalism ,

New Perspective Emerges from Iraq, Online

It's been online in iTune's since October 18th, though it's been online since May 31st outside of an RSS format. The show has a slightly different perspective from the ones you hear on the Nightly News, and quite apart from most of the vlogosphere.


Freedom Journal Iraq, produced by the Pentagon Channel, is a horse of a different color. Their bias is clear, yet oddly refreshing.

It shows American officers and enlisted serving in Iraq, affected daily by IED's and suicide bombers. It shows some of their triumphs, and well as their defeats, through a set of uniquely American military eyes.


As a journalism major, the show is in striking contrast to Alive in Baghdad, another phenomenal vlog shot by independent citizen journalists in Iraq.

Oddly enough, it is the bias that I find appealing, as the growing trend of vlogging further the marketplace of ideas about which Mills wrote.

Politics not your thing? There's always my favorite comedy newcast, Fox News Flash. Today they talked about a Colombian marathon where officers run with their dogs to raise money for fallen officers. Don't get me wrong, it's a good cause and all - but a Colombian dog marathon?

Must have been a slow news day. Wait a minute - aren't there a couple wars going on?

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , military , vlog ,Freedom Journal Iraq ,Fox News Flash ,Alive in Baghdad ,Pentagon Channel , , news

Stem Cells Cause Cancer?!

As some of you may know, my mom died of lung cancer in August of last year. And no, she never smoked. Anyways, as any of you that have been touched by cancer know, after dealing with it on a daily basis, you tend to become more excited when hearing about new treatments and breakthroughs.

Here's a little something I found on Digg today - an article proposing that cancer may, in fact, be caused by stem cells. If true, it suggests a radical new approach to the way chemotherapy and radiation are used. Crazy cool stuff...

By the way, if you want to help fight cancer without lifting a finger or spending money, (perfect for college students, hehe) you might consider donating your idle CPU power. Every bit helps.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , cancer ,

Better Late than Never

Image taken from Wikipedia article: Intellipedia
In case you didn't catch this article from Reuters a few days ago, the US government has created its own version of Wikipedia, nicknamed, "Intellipedia":

...its own secretive version of Wikipedia, saying the popular online encyclopedia format known for its openness is key to the future of American espionage.

The office of U.S. intelligence czar John Negroponte announced Intellipedia, which allows intelligence analysts and other officials to collaboratively add and edit content on the government's classified Intelink Web much like its more famous namesake on the World Wide Web.

First off, that is pretty cool. Secondly, it's a little frightening to think that our government has been about four years behind the technology curve on this one. I wonder if it's using Google and RSS yet?

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Web 2.0 , Intellipedia ,

Journalist's Last Moments of Life on YouTube

(image taken from Wikipedia article: Bradley Roland Will
I hesitated posting the link to this video, but am now doing it because I believe it stands as a tribute to the very risky, but altogether extremely important job that journalists do on a daily basis. I believe it also serves as a reminder that the freedom of the press, as any other American freedom, should not be taken lightly.

The video that American journalist Bradley Roland Will took just before being shot was broadcast on YouTube on Oct. 29th. He was shot and killed on Oct. 27th, during the teachers' strike in Oaxaca, Mexico. Global Voices Online did a piece about the shooting on Oct. 31:

While filming skirmishes between paramilitaries and protestors in Santa Lucia on Friday afternoon, Brad was shot in the abdomen and neck, and died from his injuries, prompting the CPJ to call on the government to investigate Will’s death.

The video depicts the last sixteen and a half minutes of the young journalist's life. The video itself is historically important, as Will was technically a citizen journalist, and because the entirety of the video probably would never be seen in the traditional media. It is only because of the internet and an open society, that this video is available.

(Warning: as stated on Global Voices, the last minute is hard to watch, knowing the outcome.)
The English version of the video can be found here.

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Journalism , Brad Will ,

Word from The Colbert Nation

In case you didn't hear, the suits at Viacom demanded this week that YouTube pull most of its comedy central shows of the website.
MediaShift's Mark Glaser responded by posting this great open-ended letter to Stephen Colbert (of The Colbert Report) yesterday. I wonder if anyone at Viacom read it...

Andrew Venegas , San Jose , SJSU , Soapbox Prophet ,Tech , Youtube, Stephen Colbert