Semiotics: Non-Verbal Communication

We judge and stereotype people every day, just by interpreting what they do or say. Because this is our own interpretation, and not a set fact, we are unintentionally making snap judgements about what other people "are." These interpretations and judgements may come from body language, style of clothing, or even what they own. This is called semiotics. 

When I googled "punk," this was the first image that came up on my screen:

So what this picture is saying to you and I, if we had absolutely no idea about what a "punk" person looks like, is that someone who is considered to be "punk" they must have crazy hair and leather vests with spiky jewelry. By google's own "definition," these people are punk. 

Next, I googled "preppy." The image that came up is exactly what I expected.

Ah, khaki pants and a polo. My boyfriend and I often joke about dressing him up like a typical (douche) prep, and we always describe him with khaki shorts and a polo. The fact that this image is exactly what I expected it to be shows that I participate in semiotics even without trying to. It's just a natural occurrence. 

After handling both the "preps," and the "punks," I went with a more hardcore stereotype- the "emo kids."What do you think of when you hear the word "emo" or "hardcore"? Be honest. Loose, black clothes; dark makeup, lots of eyeliner? More than likely, you answered (if not oud-loud, then in your head) yes to at least one of those qualifications. These kind of judgements and interpretations are exactly what semiotics is.

This picture demonstrates what most people think it means to be "emo."

Stereotypes are something created by culture, but expressions and emotions are genetically programmed into humans from birth. Therefore, I decided to search certain emotions or expressions because these will be entirely affected by our own interpretation more than anything else, because emotions and expressions can never be directly affected by culture or society. 

According to google, this man is angry. Psychologists have actually conducted research with facial expressions by taking pictures of college students in the United States demonstrating certain emotions and then asking villagers in New Guinea to identify the emotions that the students in the pictures were feeling. Regardless of their different culture, the villagers were almost always able to identify the expressions and/or emotions correctly.

What about this picture? What do you immediately think of when you see someone biting their lip? Typically, if someone bites their lip they are either stumped on a math problem or interested in whoever they're looking at. Yes, I know you knew that all ready. That's the beauty of semiotics. Semiotics is the study of pictures such as this one that help you understand what people are trying to convey through their reactions and/or images, etc. This study helps us learn what pictures, body language, and style lead us to believe about other people, and that is semiotics.

Human Genome Project

For my PSY 101 class, I had to do research about the Human Genome Project. What I found absolutely disgusted me. This project was intended to research and identify all 20,000-25,000 human DNA. These intentions seem harmless at first glance, but what most people do not know is what the scientific community intends to do with the information they glean. Once all DNA had been successfully identified, scientists began to do specific, targeted searches for genetic illnesses and other diseases. Again, this all seems like a good attempt to simply protect us from unnecessary sickness.

Enter: genetic counselors. A genetic counselor’s job is to study your’s and your partner’s DNA to determine what your child may be potentially at risk for inheriting from either of you when he or she is conceived. The genetic counselor will review your DNA and help you decide whether or not you intend to keep your child’s DNA the same. Yes, you read that correctly. These scientists will help you genetically alter your child. Even if your child is not in any danger, genetically speaking, you will still have the option to choose whether or not to keep your child in their current state. Brown eyes? You’d rather have blue. Maybe a little darker skin tone wouldn’t hurt. Oh, let’s give them a little extra of daddy’s tall height genes while we’re at it. No harm in making the kid attractive, right? WRONG.

Excuse me, but I believe that the human body is sacred and holy. We are all made in the image of God! He constructed and formed us all individually as He desired, and we have no right to change that! Ethically, or otherwise. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” YOU. ARE. NOT. YOUR. OWN. You are God’s. He created you, and He bought you with the precious blood of His son. Why would you ever want to change God’s precious creation?

Digital Natives

What does the term, "Digital native" mean to you? Does it even bear any significance at all in today's world, or is it simply an over-used term used to make the younger generation feel superior? Let's back up a bit. What does, "Native" mean? Native is defined as, "Being the place or environment in which a person was born or a thing came into being." A native is someone who grew up in a certain way or environment, and they're totally comfortable in their surroundings because those surroundings are all they ever knew. In simpler terms, a digital native is an individual who has grown up in the digital age. 

Digital natives are familiar with all kinds of technology and whatnot because they have been around it their entire lives. There is no adapting. There is no change. They are truly natives in the digital world.
Being a digital native is something I pride myself on. Though the rest of the academic world may frown upon the fast-paced track of technology and its constant changes which it brings to the educational field, I welcome the change. Tehcnology is something that we have been gifted with. Think back a few years when there weren't cell phones. What happens when your car breaks down? Who do you call? What do you do? This is a perfect example of how technology has not only made our lifes simpler and easier, but also safer. Why worry about your young teenager out late at night driving around when you can track them on the built in GPS? Computers, cell phones- these are the foundations of our my generation.

I realize that growing up with such incredible technology leads to a problem for those who were not as fortunate, however. My mother often comes to me simply needing to copy and paste something to a document. For me, that's something I've been able to do since I was ten. Right-click, copy, right-click, paste. And yet to the older generation(s), this is new material. They are having to learn and adapt to a totally new way of thinking and behaving. What is common sense for me may be an extremely difficult concept for my aunt to grasp. This can be frustrating at times, but I think the key to being a digital native is taking advantage of your upbringing. As a digital native, I was raised in an environment where computers and cell phones have almost always been present. Now, I can do one of two things with this knowledge- one, I can waste it on myself; or two, I can help my mother, my aunt, my uncle, to learn more about this technology which they are not as familiar with as myself.

The world is changing, my friends. Technology is shaping our lives, whether we realize it or not. What used to be unheard of is now commonplace, and yet it doesn't stop. Technology is always changing, always moving, always improving. "The young people becoming university students and new entrants in the workforce, while living much of their lives online, are different from us along many dimensions. Unlike those of us just a shade older, this new generation didn’t have to relearn anything to live lives of digital immersion. They learned in digital the first time around; they only know a world that is digital."

Media Literacy

Literacy is a term that most of us are familiar with. Typically speaking literacy is simply defined as, "The quality or state of being literate, especially the ability to read and write." This definition has drastically changed in the past ten years, however. Where being literate used to be as simple as English skills, literacy has now morphed into an entirely different concept. Literacy has now shaped and changed into being able communicate your thoughts and findings in a respectful, socially acceptable manner, while also being able to read and interpret other people's messages. Literacy now requires a whole new skill set, specifically along the technological front.

Media literacy is a very new concept to most of us. For the majority of people today, the internet is just an everyday tool. Media literacy is about taking this tool and using it to further your understanding of what messages people sending. Jane Tallim defines media literacy as, "The ability to sift through and analyze the messages that inform, entertain and sell to us every day. It's the ability to bring critical thinking skills to bear on all media— from music videos and Web environments to product placement in films and virtual displays on NHL hockey boards." In more simple terms, media literacy is all about understanding. You may see the web page, but do you really grasp the message that it is trying to convey?

Stop and think about how much media you truly take in every day. Facebook posts, YouTube videos, google searches- all of these are media! Media is everywhere, and it is constantly changing and shaping not only those who see it, but the world as a whole. Yet we all have the power to use media! Just by writing this blog, I am adding to the world of media. How will you use media to get across your message?

Who Am I?

Who am I, exactly? Well, to begin with, I'm a southern girl who was raised in the backwoods of Georgia. Oglethorpe is the name of my tiny hometown.  I realize that even the name itself sounds like the south, but I love it. I was raised in the south, and I'm proud of that. Southern hospitality is something that everyone should practice. Secondly, I'm an athlete. I play lacrosse at Reinhardt University in Waleska, Georgia, but I played basketball in high school. I've been a pretty active person my entire life. Sports is just something I grew up with. Thirdly, I'm a musician. I have played piano for eight years, and I've taught myself guitar and ukulele over the past two years. Music is my passion. It's how I communicate with other people, and it's how I vent frustrations of my own. Lastly, I'm a Christian. Everything I do should not be for myself, but for a greater purpose-to bring others to the Gospel of Christ. He is the reason I am here, and I live my life to honor Him.
So, who am I? I'll let you make that decision for yourself.