Blogcritics Author: Kathryn Krastin

Announcement: Short-content feeds

Phillip Winn — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Sunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding.

Social Sites Shrinking the World

Kathryn Krastin — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 06:05:01 EDT

The world is, indeed, becoming a smaller place, even though it seems to be getting so very big in many ways with greater populations, larger towns, and increasing technologies. It is technology itself that helps the world seem like it's shrinking. Many of the social sites (Facebook, MySpace, Yearbook, Yahoo360, Xanga), criticized a lot lately, are actually the same mediums that allow the children of today to remain connected with their friends from high school, college, and other activities they belong to. These connections are so much more effective, so much better than those adults (like myself) who weren't raised in the computer world as the teens and children of today have been. They are accustomed to using technology on a daily basis.Slowly but surely, the computer developments began in the mid-1980’s, with Bill Gates taking the leap in the software design and development and Michael Dell taking the leap in the hardware PC design and cloning. While the “Big Blue” was already making some computers, they weren’t ready for mass production and affordable price structures at the time. Most of their designs were related to the big mainframes for commercial usage; companies that could afford the prices their computer systems demanded.By the mid-1990’s, the Internet became more prolific, introducing the “Internet superhighway” and email concepts, which later led to more sophisticated usage and designs.With the advancement of any technology, there is always a safety concern that someone is going to figure out how to break the code or perform a criminal act. This has prompted the creation of many of the high-tech laws on the books today. The speed of computer usage hasn't declined, but, rather, has taken on an increased social stance in today's society. We are given a huge power of choices in modes of communication – emails, chats, and messages through social sites, instant messengers, all so much more beyond the choices we had to communicate in person, by phone, and with snail mail. I am excited our youth has the opportunity to get into these social sites to keep in touch with their friends. Out of the 898 classmates I graduated from high school with, I can probably count on my hands the number of friends I have actually been able to keep in touch with, some of which were, strangely enough, reconnected through MySpace or Classmates. I have encouraged my daughter to keep connected with her friends from middle and high schools, her co-workers from the places where she has worked, and the college she now attends. I see the big picture for her – having the possibility of being able to remain connected through these communities for the next 20, 30, even 50 years; enabling them to have bigger turnouts at their reunions, as well as remaining more closely connected to her old and new friends.The networking possibilities are endless on some of the social sites. MySpace provides, for example, a multi-tiered community combining focuses, such as music, film, books, and more. This brings the full concept of a complete community (or village), of being in existence, beyond just the people. Soon, one will never need to leave their home to hear music, attend a book club, or see video clips because it will all be within immediate reach. The social sites provide community environments. They make it easy to keep in touch with your favorite artists, shops, non-profit projects, advocacies, etc., through all the connections one can make with their friends list. This has become, for me, more of a networking resource tool. I can remain in contact with family, friends, coworkers, students at high school and college, as well as others I have met through various common activities/interests.This world is, indeed, becoming a smaller place within the reach of the social networking sites as each community becomes more and more sophisticated in its developments. The dangers perceived by many adults are outweighed by the endless social interaction capabilities and possibilities. If technology has come this far in the last couple of decades alone – to shrink the world to make continents seem like our next-door neighbors – just imagine where we will be in the next couple of decades!!One such case of danger that could potentially set a precedence in caselaw is a suit prompted in Travis County, Texas, wherein a representative from MySpace submitted a written statement:As Americans increasingly embrace the Internet as a means to communicate, MySpace is committed to playing a leadership role in advancing safety solutions that protect our youth and curtail predators from contacting teens and children online.This Daily Texan Online article refers to the current proposed “Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006”, as supported by the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. Through an investigative process, it was revealed that many predators preying on children/teens on the Internet are doing so in the social communities and chatrooms.

While born and raised in Texas, I am no stranger to what is happening in the rest of the world and have travelled throughout the United States, parts of Europe, Mexico, and Guatemala. Careerwise, I have been led in the legal field as a paralegal, but now find myself advocating to help people - especially the underdogs and the victims - through a variety of volunteering opportunities thoughout the years, such as CASA - past Court Appointed Special Advocate, GAL - past Guardian ad Litem, NAMI - National Alliance Mental Illness advocate and volunteer, Family Eldercare - Guardian of an adult at ASH in the past, graduate and volunteer with a Citizens Academy of a police department, Victims' Advocate with a police department, and so very much more. My love for writing stems from encouragement of my own mother who was a Journalism and English major.

Teens and the Internet: The Positive Power of Families

Kathryn Krastin — Tue, 4 Jul 2006 10:03:02 EDT

While many teens these days are sneaking on to their computers to build their Internet social sites and chat with their friends, Caitlin's parents are encouraging her to be involved on the Internet in a very constructive manner.I met Caitlin's mother when she was teaching a class designed and offered through an organization called NAMI - the National Alliance for Mental Illness. In this class, the teachers/facilitators work with caregivers whose charges have recently received a diagnosis of mental illness/disorder in order to better understand what that diagnosis means and how they can best advocate for the ones they are caring for. Because Caitlin's mother is such a positive role model for many, it is no surprise to me that she is practicing what she preaches and is being a positive influence upon her own child. What makes this story about Caitlin unique is that she is:15 years old,diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, recently diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder, too.She's learning how to work in the Internet world by selling books online at Half.com, as well as selling her paintings on eBay. So far there is only one painting being sold on eBay, but Caitlin has actually sold over 200 books since May 1st. Mother's description of the art piece: "This is an original piece... an acrylic painting in reds, yellows and blacks and represents the coming of age angst felt by us all during our teen years. It is called Autumn Fire." In a day and age when many diagnosed with various mental illnesses feel exasperated and left with few options in their lives, Caitlin's mother goes on to describe Caitlin's ongoing recovery process in the following manner: Caitlin for years had to deal with the disease as a sibling of a younger brother and for three years we thought her symptoms were the emotional response of growing up with bipolar disorder disrupting the family. This January she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder as well. Caiti is prone to panic attacks and also has cut herself in the past. She is doing better with a mixture of Welbutrin, Prozac and Abilify. We are helping her build her self esteem with this online business where she has to manage her books, ship them out, organize them, keep books etc. Right now, she has over 500 books online. We accept donations from friends and family and try to pick up books at garage sales as well. A diagnosis can often steer the parents in the direction of helping their children find the balance in their lives; sometimes, getting a better definition of the diagnosis can lead to clearer pathways for a much more balanced solution in their lives. Finding constructive means to steer hope as a part of the balanced solution as well can be a daunting task at times; apparently, Caitlin's passion for her newfound entrepreneurship has been fueled and inspired by her parent's excitement, encouragement, and faith in her abilities. Caitlin's parents can serve as a fine example in turning what might appear as a negative diagnosis by many into a positive, one which serves to inspire other parents to take a look into what their children diagnosed with mental illness disorders can do -- rather than what their children can't do. Hillary Clinton is often credited with stating that "it takes a village to raise a child"; however, I am a firm believer that, while there are many influences throughout the village, it certainly does begin at home with the love, support, and encouragement of one's family. One, without the other, provides only a part of the picture - and to make the picture complete, it takes everyone seeking viable solutions that are often times found outside of the box of the "normal" process of thinking. When there is a reason to come together in an amicable manner and work towards some productive goals, it is always a healthy way to approach it as a united family unit - in spite of any adversities. It is nice to hear heartwarming stories where the innovative power of technologies are bringing together families, instead of pushing them further apart!