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.

 

Blog Post: Next ...

Next ...

Today, I am just trying to not miss posting during the month of May.

I woke at 4 a.m. for no apparent reason. 
Fifteen minutes later, I understood why?
The the lightning began, the thunder clapped so strong that the house shook and the windows rattled.
This went on for nearly an hour. 
I see no indication that it actually rained but, those jet streams that many meteorologists now include in their weather reports, were definitely hitting head-on at my home. 
Later today, I will check the stormchasers that I follow on Twitter in addition to news stations with meteorologists on their staff.

So, why talk about this? I can not see a section anywhere in the United States that is not effected with changing weather patterns. One should no longer say, It was a fluke. The climate has changed and "WE" are in the new normal.

Here it is May and tornadoes, floods, snow and ice, droughts, dust storms and wildfires have been a part of the news cycle and here comes hurricane season. 

Climate Change is a National issue and if you dare to get outside one's bubble, it is a Global issue, too.

Update editing March 9, 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: 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

Zazzle: Climate Change

This project I have been working at is a long process for Brand Me.

I consider the Climate Change issues a great concern for all across the globe.

To all my long ago acquiescence "across the pond," I hope to reconnect.

Climate Change by GDRL Greeting Card by gdrlPOD
Find more note cards online at zazzle.com

Update editing March 8, 2023

Editorial Opinion: Brand & FTC

Brand Me: Part 1

I usually have links posted to articles but today, I am following some professional advice given to me personally regarding:  Brand Me.

Now the advice is an interesting point of view and actually quite foreign to my nature but, I do get the point. With that stated the main me is Rebecca Lea.

In this growing world of social media and the voices that generate so much content on this global network through Social Media, email, newsletters, web pages, etc.; International rules are broken minute by minute as well as U.S. Federal laws, which is my home country.

I do believe it was yesterday that I signed the petition and I wrote an opinion, which supported the point of view to the U.S. Congress that the U.S. Endangered Species Act needs to be left in the hands of the Science professionals that study and understand the purpose of protecting life on this planet based on an Eco balanced system.

Even though I have a Master of Science degree as well as some significant honors; it is not my field of study but I appreciate others in the field of study and their expertise. I do have the ability and background to follow the conversation and the science data.

In my younger years, I was a part of the team that consisted of those "endangered species experts," the U.S. Forest Service team that kept everyone safe in the woods and the "data" collectors that logged all the information precisely for what became The Final Report.

I do have a passion for the conversation on Climate Change and I run a Twitter account with a targeted audience on the environment. 

Newer Blogspot:
Creekside News Journal
Climate - Water - News: Are we past the Tipping Point?


Since I labeled this Part 1, I will stay on what has become the first topic: Environment.

There is no need for me to tell you about Climate Change. There are experts and organizations dedicated to the science and conversation as well as global panels addressing the big picture.

I run a board on the topic at my Pinterest account: gdrebeccalea

As well as boards for Endangered Species. There are two boards on things I find of interest: Board I and Board II plus many more.

I do like the visual connect of utilizing Pinterest. My recommendation to "pinners:" Read the information behind the Pin. One should never assume that the picture and the content connect!

Today, individuals have a greater resource through the Internet to gather information but, Trust has always been an issue in the highway of Network Information.

Sometime in the last six months or so, the FTC added Social Media to the list of violations.

Younger people need to be aware as well as some older users that It is U.S. FTC violation to be utilizing a Social Media network by an employee as for the purpose of  "tooting" the praises of a product or company. It is considered a False representation of the product, business or company.

Transparency!

This new addition to the FTC rules was a professional insight that I shared with some younger Internet professionals through my Linked In networks.

It is very easy to spot the conversations or to even Check Fact the conversation.

Corporations are using the younger user employee through their social media skills to advance the company without the Transparency that is required.

Might appear to be a cushy job spot but be aware that the FTC has addressed the issue.

There is a correct way. It starts with Transparency.

Update editing March 8, 2023

Zazzle: Climate Change Art Card

Climate Change Art Card

It is difficult to comprehend the denial and unacceptance of science reports from around the world.

Here is a personal card for communication to a friend, family member or collegue the points you might be trying to express to a denier that the "Climate is Changing."

There are three sizes of cards available in this original design by artist Rebecca Lea.

 Climate Change by GDRL Greeting Card by gdrlPOD
Create custom greeting cards at Zazzle.

I am a supporter of EarthJustice. 

Update editing March 8, 2023

Zazzle: Summon the Grandmothers

I have been working for days trying to get some stores back up and running.
Takes a huge amount of time and effort when I stay away from all the changes.

It will probably take more days to get my stores functioning the way I want them to function and then to visually look the way my mind's eye see's them but,
here is another glimpse at my efforts to bring my POD up to speed at Zazzle:

Summon The Grandmothers mousepad by gdrlPOD
Check out more Environment Mousepads at Zazzle

Update editing March 8, 2023

Editorial Opinion: The Climate Change

The Climate Change

It is rather peculiar to keep addressing this alarming change in weather. It is not a mystery ... the climate has and will continue changing.

I would say it was a beautiful weather day yesterday. No coats on this winter day. Outstanding!

I rather enjoyed sitting on the deck glancing over information on my laptop. The birds were excited. They actually got feed early. For me, I have deserved the ass-chewing from the local tree birds for not dutifully refilling their feeders.

But it is when the couple across the way exclaimed ... Look the forsythia is in bloom!

Now my little bush had some blooms but theirs is in full bloom. The forsythia is native to China. It does not bloom here in the U.S. until Spring.

So, this is when the beautiful weather day gets a little serious for thinking minds.

I decided that it was time to check on photos from the West Coast storm.

There was a tornado in L.A.  No mud slides ... those were rock slides!!! It is alarming to see rock deep enough to reach the eves of a house. It was explained that previous forest fires left no ground cover and as a result the rain streamed the ground rock downwards.

Around my home there have been endless signs of Climate Change. 

The rock is washing down the hillsides. Not like what happened there the last several days on the West Coast but none-the-less; it is happening.

I've noticed dragonflies that look like a mini drone. Armored little beasts. The delicacy of lacy wings are absent. Tiffany would have No inspiration. This is a Sci-Fi environment that has become reality.

Last night my location was under severe weather alerts.  No, it was not about snow or ice.

I have said for a long time now; give me a deck chair and a white umbrella so, I can enjoy when the dolphin jumps in the back yard.

The oceans are rising! There are plenty of photos online to verify this comment globally.

During the Mesoproterozoic Era, the Gulf of Mexico extended up into the flat lands West of Bella Vista, Arkansas, which is an area along the 540/ US 49. There is an enormous amount of geological history within the rocks.

Update editing March 8, 2023

Blog Post: Nov. 15, 2014

Passing the time away with documentaries

Winter is a good time to watch the long list of documentaries I have placed on my bucket list and since the power has remained on today, I decided to settle in and watch some of these.

First up was DamNation. Enviromentalists will appreciate the re-opening of several rivers in Oregon, Idaho and Washington waterways.

This documentary covers the U.S. involvement and initial purpose behind the building of damns and the reasons currently to demolish these damns.

Free the Rivers!
If you have a Netflix account then you can see the full documentary there.

When the sleet started coming down and it was cold and windy well, I decided to watch again an actual movie, Day After Tomorrow.

Remember this movie was distributed back around 2010 to prepare us for a climate blast. Weather conditions similar to what we are experiencing now but not quite as extreme as the movie.

At least not yet.

Then because I live in Holiday Island, Arkansas where the debate about water loss and the invasion of SWEPCO / AEP mega electric lines with a coal fired plant, I went looking for something new from Erin Brockovich. I found this on YouTube:

Erin Brockovich: "I am an Eco warrior, and I'm damn proud to be one."

Update editing March 9, 2023

Blog post: Nov. 14, 2014

Idle Time Waiting

A cold Artic Blast evening waiting to see if any weather reports are correct for my area.

Dinner is in the oven since there is time to enjoy power.

Chili is in the crockpot in case I need it prepared for a heat up on the woodstove.

Good time to "Be Prepared."

And if the power stays on then all the more reports that can be written and uploaded.

Creekside News Journal™ has a new location.

Headed to LinkedIn next  and then Littlemouse Vision Quest.™ 

Guess I will utilize the stormchasers I watch on my Twitter account. If you have an account then check out my Weather List and keep an eye on those stormchasers. They are out there for more than just hurricanes and tornadoes.

White candle burning ~ be safe wherever you are,

Update editing March 8, 2023

Opinion: Spoons in the Persimmons

Spoons in the Persimmons

Today is a beautiful fall day yet, there are individuals calling and stopping by the house, telling me that there are nothing but big double spoons in the bumper crop of persimmons.

Now that is an old way of telling me there is a really bad winter filled with snow and ice coming soon.

As a journalist, I got the true answer I was looking for from my community crews: Less winter road supplies were ordered this year than last year.  Creekside News Journal™  HISID expense spread sheets put the truth out front.
 
It has been 12 years since the road department was allowed to order a new plow. This information came out of HISID commissioner's meeting last week.

In the State of Arkansas, we have a very good set of Opening Meeting Laws and a Freedom of Information Act to obtain those records but,

"it takes people in charge to get things done for the health and welfare of the community."

So, here I sit enjoying the weather but thinking about how to get out of "the holler" for emergencies.

Everything is great in this new world of technology that we all enjoy at our finger tips but there are some real downfalls.

For years I kept my old rotary dial analog phone so, when the electrical power went out I could call out for help and check on friends and neighbors.

Now those places that you need to call for help, all have digital recordings telling me to Press 1 or Press 2 and so forth. Now with a rotary phone you can not Press those numbers.

With NO electrical power, charging that cell phone does not work.

Guess I am looking for those DIY tutorials on building a solar battery to get that phone charged up.

Then again, I remember back in 2009, having an ice storm and needing to walk a quarter mile down the road on ice to get a signal that lasted less than two minutes. Reference: In my area, living in a "dead zone" is not about a person's age.

Time to get all survival gear in order and Be Prepared! 

rls
Update editing: March 8, 2023

Blog Entry: Oct. 9, 2014

New efforts begin

October is a good time to get my house in order.

This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I find it difficult to think that in these days and times anyone could be unaware but don't fret because there is a strong community that will lead in this awareness.

When anyone is utilizing this global space to connect to family, friends or customers then the loss of Net Neutrality in the United States should be of concern to each and everyone of us. Find your voice and Stomp on this debacle.

There is so much to be said about Water and the Air. We all need this to be clean.
Climate Change is Real. 

It is 83 degrees at my location today. Did I not mention it is October? Those hummingbirds around my home started their journey southward very early.

There is so much information available to those who strive to be "on point." The beauty about this Internet platform was how quick "Real Time" is for those who need information or products quickly.

My advice to those with a small business... get the customer service in order - Yesterday!

The vast numbers of people around the globe that are willing to participate in a "share" universe are the new heroes.

I enjoy a photo of a beautiful location in the woods, the seaside waves, the rising sun, the incredible moon, flowers and animals, downtown cities and urban venues. These are things I would like to see in person but how grateful I am that others post in a platform that allows me to enjoy and see what I would otherwise miss all together.

I am just in reflection mode and will start this new beginning of getting "my house in order" to say thank you to those who participate in the World Wide Web.