Editorial Opinion: Communication technology moves society backwards

Image by danny moore from Pixabay 

Communication technology moves society backwards

Communities are users of Social Media formats and it appears that some of the worst in neighbors and neighborhoods is in our face. The sharing of ideas, different points of views, role playing with a "bait and switch" motive that replaces the use of sarcasm has created a realm of chaos. All of this chaos is now, transferred by design to the World on 

the World-Wide-Web.

Then there is the posting of  misinformation that is not corrected. Mistakes happen in writing, typing, quotes, etc. but, these authors were known to have copy-editors to correct those mistakes either before printing or even noted as a correction after publishing.

There is a trendy new term titled disinformation that is just a replacement word for the old term propaganda. Society appears to be vulnerable. Economics, Poverty, Climate Change, War, Natural Disasters are topics / events that are at battle on acceptance of perspectives. 

Then we have individuals and organizations that set the stereotypes, which has brought-out prejudice that again is transferred by design to the World on the World-Wide-Web.

Years were spent telling the public that the news was fake and this drove more and more people to the social media formats. Carrying smartphones around became a constant connect to drumming stereotypes of hate, bias, and prejudice that again is transferred by design to the World on the World-Wide-Web. 

Society utilized a communication tool that was meant to enhance the ability to communicate with each other and join conversations but, it has failed. 

What has happened is a false power unleashed in the hands of the general public continuing the drumming of targeted stereotypes of hate, bias, and prejudice that again is transferred by design to the World on the World-Wide-Web.

 

Editorial Opinion: This Dadaist Sorts Hats

Max Ernst - Ubu Imperator - 1923

These days and times, I find myself wasting too much time analyzing everything I read or listen to provided as news or community social media posts.

No matter what; Just surrounded by stupid or is it?
I actually have a vintage pin-back button that says,
"I'm surrounded by stupid."
I keep it right by my keyboard so, I can stay on track. 
A mantra button that was among Dad's possessions.
Rather odd item for him, considering his age and mine.

What's the issue? The usage of defining information as misinformation or disinformation. I looked it up. One of the benefits of the internet.

The artist in me suggests reading about the DaDa Art Movement during and after World War I. 

Merriam Webster Dictionary
Misinformation
Incorrect or misleading information

In my world the proofreader is responsible to catch the errors, the flow of the words and meaing, the spelling and take those corrections to their boss or editor. There would be no misinformation. 

Merriam Webster Dictionary

Disinformation

False information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. 

Merriam Webster states the synonym for disinformation is propaganda.

"Fake News" Is Not Simply False Information 

  

   

I am reclaiming my time! 

Creekside News Journal

Article DOT/GOV Act 2020

The Hat Makes The Man - Max Ernst - 1920

Editorial Opinion: White Space

I've given some thought after my last posting. Trying a little experiment.

More specifically, the refrains of using this blog environment tools for expression.

This will inspire me to clean-up this paper mess on my table.

As a senior,

 I get bombarded constantly with forms.

I haven't seen my drawing table in years now.

Over here, 

everything one was taught and trained to do 

has been altered to benefit whom?
The sheep? 

A Pod that needs a leader.

 No self expression or thinking.

Over here, are the creative minds,

expression in various formats.

The artist in you, creates the inward soul.

The political you, builds the all-inclusive others Pod.

If you do this, that Pod might not want to be there.

Now, there is conflict.

And here you are:

In the middle.

In the White Space.

 

Blog Post: check website security compliance

Take the time to  check website security compliance 

I have been writing about website compliance in other places but, it occurred to me to check my personal pin boards. Artists, if you are using a Pinterest pin board, get prepared to spend a lot of time checking those pins.

I have hours spent and probably a few more days yet to go in checking.

Many of those pins come back to not be found or no longer active.

Then there are the ones that are not secure with the https compliance.

The good news to share; eBloggers or blogspot users are good.

Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog Post: Think by Rebecca Lea

 I love rainy days!

so,

     

"quiet please, I'm musing" 

Minimalist

Think

Blog Post: Almost

Almost ready. Pretty much done.

Captured almost all of the journeys that I have undertaken in the virtual world.

When I finish clearing my art table with only art tools and supplies, then the next title will say done. 

I am happy and pleased to see trending the styles of Art Deco, the Bauhus movement, and the Surrealism Art movement. Then there is the light. Black and White in any art form with concentration on shadows and highlights.

 Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog Post: Peace & Happiness

Peace & Happiness

I will take the Gemini path, today. 
I am taking the time to re-focus.

Some follow the path of crisis.

This type of messaging is filled with mis-information.

Asking myself, Is Truth also at a tipping point?

I choose Peace & Happiness and will take Time to focus.

My burden basket is full.

Blog Post: Hope

Hope

It does not appear to be an easy task to start a new journey, when one is older and single.

When money is important and the world one knew seems upside down and in distress. 
I've been looking online at all types of information to get a sense for areas including even the one where I actually live.

Today, I discovered that the many towns and communities that I would be interested in starting a new journey, seem to have an enormous amount of overnight listings for homes and condos. Even where I live people are buying up or renting out homes and condos on one type of lodging service or another.

 
Is this the trend now? 

Families are bunking up in one home to make ends meet or just to have a roof over their head. Big homes for large extended families in the year 2022, which leaves small families, couples and singles without housing options.

Couples buying homes and then renting out the extra room or rooms on Airb&b for enough nights to pay the taxes and other expenses.

 
Can't even wrap my head around the whole process, especially during a pandemic. And if that is one's process to make ends meet, how about the family neighbors, whose neighbor is now is just an agency booking tourists.

I found a different direction. Been watching it for many years now. The mobile home venture started by TenFold of the UK really caught my attention. If you like the Transformers then this housing adventure is exciting. Of course, for me, this is "across the pond" but along comes Boxabl in the USA.

 
I find them interesting and pursuing learning more about this young company. 
This is a game changer for housing on many levels. Still gathering information and all the possibilities. 

Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog Post: Stuck!

Stuck! 

Do you ever just get stuck? Well, I sure do.
Here it is a brand new year and I am falling into the abyss. 

Winter keeps me busy. Getting ready for another winter storm in Northwest Arkansas.
Hopefully, I get my writing thoughts together while doing various survival tasks.
I read a tweet from Stephen King that said, just keep writing!

So, for today, step one is accomplished. 
If you click on any of the links in the header here OR my website then I HOPE to get unstuck.

Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog Post: What's Up? Food for Thought notes

What's Up?

Food for Thought notes

Been a month according to the timeline since I have written anything here so, just notes on what's up. This type of writing helps me sort out the chaos. 

The global pandemic is still active. Some areas will claim it isn't but, that is just a political and economic statement that is hurting everyone everywhere.

Then since I live in a global universe (internet), the Climate Crisis is spiraling. Water rising, heat soaring, glaciers melting, permafrost melting, polar vortex in winter, the ocean currents are changing, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, volcanoes erupting, food shortage and I probably missed one or two. I'm not very optimistic. Beyond the Tipping point.

Zero back down to home. So, much mis-information. In order for some to succeed they buy into this bad information and the result is oppression, social injustice, discrimination, etc. but, always claiming how they are the good people. My comment to those that can not see this oppression; What color should I sew your apron and do-rag?

A book titled, What Color is Your Parachute? inspired a generation of entrepreneurs years ago. A lift one up optimistically and the possibilities were at one's fingertips for success. The "good entrepreneur" took others along for the ride in an upward motion as well. A good business plan includes lifting others into success as well as lifting oneself. A Team.

I'm not lacking for thoughts on this oppression, social injustice or even discrimination. The years of setting-up reporters to be Fake News. The role that social media plays in advancing this propaganda. The lack of understanding that the FCC and FTC are gatekeepers that have let citizens down because the mis-information spread like a wildfire. 

I struggle as well as others but, I am a mentor with a voice.

Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog post: Littlemouse Vision Quest

Littlemouse Vision Quest

I have been busy bringing together over twenty-years of website work back to life.

Some of my readers might remember me, since I began communication right here.

The new website that I am building is a challenge. No longer working off my Mac so, I can stop that mantra in my head. You know the one: Go left not right - click once not twice.

Creekside News Journal (CNj)

Some of you might be wondering, What is with the Word for the Day? 
I find myself surrounded by individuals that just seem to be lacking in the proper perspective on behavior, history and law. 

So, call it mentoring to a larger audience. It allows me the opportunity to utilize a formidable education for the greater good. 

Now, have a very good month. I have a lot of web work to put together. 

 

Word for The Day: Cyber-bullying

Word for The Day: Cyber-bullying

It has been some time since I have addressed the word; cyber-bullying.

In 2006 and 2008, teenagers were the victims of cyber-bullying in Missouri. Those incidents brought attention to the lack of laws to punish the criminals having damaging effects on the lives of others. 

Today, there are about 45 states that have laws in their State's to legally address this crime. Before the cyber-bullying laws were put into place, teenagers got the word out among their peers to stop being cruel.

So, here it is 2021, and cyber-bullying is widespread among adults especially when politics has a voice in this abuse utilizing tech instruments and social media platforms. 

Arkansas is one of the states that has a cyber-bullying law (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-41-108.) Is it time for adults to wake-up and realize that it is not just young people that utilize their devices (internet, social media, phones, letters and gaming) that causes harm to others?

Even First Lady Melania Trump attempted to have bullying her personal project but, it got lost in the news cycles. So, what is cyber-bullying?

Definition? Cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment are also known as online bullying. It has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, as the digital sphere has expanded and technology has advanced. Wikipedia https://g.co/kgs/GkaQs4

What are the causes and effect of cyber-bullying? Like all forms of bullying, cyber-bullying causes psychological, emotional and physical stress. Each person's response to being bullied is unique, but research has shown some general tendencies. StopBullying.gov reports that youth who are bullied have a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

What is the purpose of cyber-bullying? Cyber-bullying is the use of digital-communication tools (like the Internet and cell phones) to make another person feel angry, sad, or scared. Online bullying is like in-person bullying in two key ways. It's done on purpose, and it tends to happen more than once.. understood.org

My message to seniors and young adults; cyber-bullying is not just about oppression of teenagers and their silly, impulsive manners. There are adults that utilize all of the new telecommunication platforms. These tech platforms are harboring cyber-bullying offences as well as breaking open meeting laws, which were created  to insure that citizens were informed, able to participate and elected officials followed government procedures.

Why do any of us continue to address the wrongs and continue the pursuit of Hope and being good mentors?

My answer to that question are the words spoken, to a group of journalists during a dark time of misinformation, by John Seigenthaler, "enduring values matter."

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

Blog Post: Littlemouse's Vision Quest journey

Littlemouse's Vision Quest journey

1. Gathering together all the locations I have utilized over the past twenty-years.
2. Word for Day is in draft for the moment.
3. Sized a masthead to fit Creekside News Journal's RSS feed and published the first short article for a local news item hosted at the Creekside News Journal (CNj).
4. And the final assignment is to gather facts together after receiving replies to a long list of FOIAs in order to write short articles regarding local governments. One fact that is clear, government needs to be transparent and reporters need to write What is transparent. Well, let's see how long it takes to sort through a tangled mess of mis-information provided by Pandemic isolation and many, many ZOOM meetings. 

It has become difficult to compete with little social groups of people that pass a story around and then utilizes a social media location where more isolated individuals grab a hold of the misinformation and add more little stitches to the story and what one is left with is the worst Quilt ever. The grandmothers should be appalled at this sloppiness. Who knows; was this what developed the Crazy Quilt?

 

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

Word for the Day: Social Media

Word for the Day: Social Media

Social media usage for advertising in the U.S.A. is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.) 

Social media usage by government officials in the U.S.A. is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.) 

Government Social Media Policies are recommended for elected officials as well as their staff. Elected officials need to comply with campaigning laws and open meeting laws. 

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

Word for the Day: Executive Session

Word for the Day

Executive Session

Arkansas Open Meeting Laws state:

(c) (1) Executive sessions will be permitted only for the purpose of considering employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignation of any public officer or employee. 

The specific purpose of the executive session shall be announced in public before going into executive session.

Word for the Day: Volunteer

Word for the Day

Volunteer

I use to look upon this idea of volunteering as an action to assist someone or something for the greater good. An action with NO strings attached. The recipient had the final say on whether to accept or not. 

The offering came in many forms such as a meal, a ride, a reader, a listener, a helper on the farm, a babysitter, a coach, etc. 

Gestures or offers extending a hand of hope for the moment.  

An offer with no strings attached and no monetary gain. 

The common thread for a volunteer is Time.

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

Blog Post: Survival thinking

Survival thinking 

I survived the polar vortex. Had the foresight to get really good firewood for the winter and used it. Wasn't easy to stoke that fire every four hours for five days. Actually took some planning just to prepare to light the fire. Found a couple of videos on YouTube that were just what I wanted for starting a fire with a very cold stove pipe, wind and minus degree temps outside. Worked like a charm and never let that fire go out.

Turned the electric Heat & Air completely off and covered up the top of the outside heat pump with plastic topped with left-over kitchen counter linoleum and weighted that down with small stepping stones and rocks. Kept the snow and ice out of the unit, completely. Kicked it back-on when I was ready and the result: I stayed off the wait list for Heat & Air service plus, not singing the electric company billing blues.

Will there be another polar vortex? That is possible. I found and used what was on hand: heavy guage plastic to cover windows, with no storm windows, on the inside with pushpins. For the glass doors, I found on-hand the foam that is used when laying down wood floors. Cut that to fit the in-and-out doors and secured with packing tape to the door frame itself. 

Did not have that old crafter snake for under the door draft but, I found some foam swimming noodles and cut them to fit and that kept out the door draft. Just taped the noodle to the bottom of the door and I could go in and out while all the items stayed in place. 

I feel rather good, knowing that I could do all this on my own. Darling husband finally admitted that he was a pack-rat and I went hunting for what I thought would work since I am all into upcycle.

Also not in denial regarding the changing climate. Been involved in that thinking since the 70s. 

As I empty out 38-years of stuff, "Day After Tomorrow" reminded me that books are burnable trees and don't let the fire go out!

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

Blog Post: Change

Change

The simplest for today was to be painting a wall in the house that finally got patched but, NO been working for hours trying to match-up the correct color. Decided to continue my artistic license ☺and be creative. This is my bad since I used an analogous color scheme. This is when one says, "I can do this" and make it work.

Creating this post while I wait for the wrong color to dry and start over with the Kill2. Then of course there is the new creative position yet to complete. 

I caught bits and pieces of the Inaguration yesterday of President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris. 

(I was painting.) Grateful other networks and reporters captured all the moments so, I could put it all together. 

Now maybe, life can return to some level of normal on a Federal level. I'm with Stephen Colbert, survived the four year countdown and we survived for the moment.

There is the State level to reckon with and even the Local level.

Social Media and now COVID has really messed things up for professionals. I tuned into my new City's meeting, today by ZOOM while painting. When I write a news story, I'll come back and link it up here.

The short takeaway; I live in a place that now has two forms of government and the City one is going to be based on Google. No money, no lawyer, not even an office space. Like I said, hook it up later.

Creekside News Journal update

And then there is the return to the Paris Accord, WHO, stopping of the oil & gas permits, Climate Action and hopefully no more talk of some stupid wall. Never could figure that one out. 

Well time to return to my own wall. 

Peace and Joy to the World.

This is a global platform.

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

Blog Post: Now What?

Now What?

November 3, 2020

Rebecca Lea Sherman, EBMS, BA, AAS

Eureka Springs, Ark.

Don't know, yet.

I did get into an old account and working with the new layout here.

Linking to other places, like this one for the Creekside News Journal that I write.

It is election night in the U.S.A. and my local rural neighbors voted to become a town / city.

Now those carpetbaggers get to hire a dog catcher.

 

Wonder if they can hire a game warden that will break all the wildlife laws and come take out the elk, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes and wolves? The wild boars generally get the Governor to allow the police department to take them out.

Too, soon for this sad story. CNj will become more active again.  

There is this one where I try to add to the global subjects and show items that I am letting-go; not the steward anymore. Pinterest - a place for pictures with links to articles that interest me or my personal estate items that are For Sale.

break

I can do that with a blog.

bbl

 

Blog Post: All I Really Want To Do ...

I wanted to awake early today and a little tufted titmouse made sure I did. I realized what bird was sounding the morning alarm to get up, "the bird feeder is empty!"

It was such a joy to be able to move around so early in the morning for a change.

The next tweet from the titmouse was to the bird neighborhood alarm, "Seed is in the feeder!"

It filled quickly with all the song birds or color and the surprise was how many golden finches were nearby. Such a colorful group of cardnials, chickadees, bluejays and the tittmouse.

The wrens, flickers and various woodpeckers arrive later.

What I really want to be able to do is use this darn smartphone to take photos to upload immediately but, as usual there are some tech issues when syncing the old with the new.

With this coronavirus pandemic, I am building a container garden; something I did not think I would do again at my age. Now lots of farmers have pitched in to supply some items that I needed. The winter barrels that they receive for their cattle make good containers for hillside gardening in rocky areas, such as mine.

Then there are the neighbors that brought me their empty drinking water bottles to use as a filler in the bottom of the tubs, a suggestion I received years ago from a woman further south of me that had used these containers before. Of course another neighbor found the bleach I needed for soaking those bottles and my neglected rainbarrels.

Received some paper-lined feed sacks and some type of plastic-woven feed sacks that I have soaked in bleach. To top it all off, some burlap feed sacks.

Everything moving right along; seed order from Urban Farmer arrived and then, not one but two Spring freezes in April. If anyone has any doubt about Climate Change then Wake-Up.

So, all I really wanted to do was harvest but, a very important issue ... Having a discussion with a raccoon. This is why the bird feeder was empty. I empty it every night so, maybe the raccoon will go away. All the plant starts in containers including the deck-rail baskets are drenched in cayenne pepper because I failed to have a heart to heart conversation with this raccoon. 👏 Working on it.

And it is time for me to journey on with my work-day.
Stay safe everyone and #SocialDistancing in order to #FlattenTheCurve the Coronavirus Pandemic is real, too.

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023