Civic Action

The above photo is a good way to convey important messages... if this was 1970. Now, we have a plethora of technology, social media sites, social networking and other ways to convey an important message not only to our community or people who happen to be walking by, but to the world. Yes, signs and protests illustrating an important message have always been widely used and I still think it is vital and imperative in order to form change and still must be used - but there are more ways to show the world.

For example, if I am at a protest, I can take a video of it, interview people, and take pictures all on my cell phone, upload it to Facebook with a caption, and within 5 minutes people who are not with me can see what I am doing, what cause I feel passionately for, and hopefully join me.

It is great that we have these forms of communication, and it can only get better. Even though we still keep certain action alive that were used in the 60's and 70's for change, we now have other forms to conveying a message faster, better, and to more people.

A Coffee Shop to Rejuvenate your mind and... Community?

A Coffee Shop to Rejuvenate your mind and... Community?

The Village Coffee Shop on Prezi

Kim Starr TED Talk

In her Ted Talk, Kim Starr describes the past of an area we are familiar with, 63rd Street, and how it has changed - for the worse - today. The solution: The Village Coffee House on 63rd Street. With the help of the owner, Stevie Cunningham, Kim sets the scene and shows a beacon of light for the sad city.

Change of Heart! New TEDTalk idea!

I decided to change my TEDTalk to The Village Coffee Shop on 63rd street. I am an avid coffee drinker, so when I found out last summer that a new coffee shop was opening on 63rd street, you could imagine my excitement. I not only love to drink coffee, but going to a coffee shop with your friends to hang out or do homework has a special feeling added to it.

I visited The Village on Tuesday night, and he told me that there was an article written about him in The Hawk and showed me the article, and I found out that he bought The Village specifically on 63rd street to try to bring back what Overbrook Farms was - a family friendly, thriving and social area; not what he and I am sure all of us see today.

Kimberly Starr and the Life Computers Can Give

Kimberly Starr, in her fascinating TEDTalk discusses the computer - not the technology behind the computer, or new high-tech computers coming out in the future - but the personal affect it has on students in Africa. She also illustrates how we, as a First World nation, take such a wonderful and simple technology for granted, while other human beings look at it as a beacon of light out of poverty. She focuses on the charity 'Computers 4 Africa' and opens the eyes of her listeners to what a computer can do - which is more than work or play.

TED Talk

Computers have become a necessity for America as well as other first and most second world countries. However, for Countries like Africa and other third world nations, a computer is a luxury, and not only that - but a beacon of light. It is a child's ticket out of horrible poverty with the aid of education. And this is something we take for granted.

I will be discussing the simple technology (or what most people view as simple) of the computer, and how it is growing and affecting people of lesser means so greatly. I want to specifically cover the Computers4Africa foundation and stress the importance of the computer. There are other great technologies out there to help others, however, the computer was the ground work.

The Surrogates

I personally really enjoyed the movie, because it brought a visual of what life would be like if this were to really happen. However, it was a bit different from the comic book, but I did a little research and found that the comic book is a 5 part series, so I am assuming that the other books contain the different scenes.

Either way it is a scary thought, especially how we are so wrapped up in our phones and the internet and all of the new technology, the question still stays - is, and will technology help or hinder our lives?