Blog Assignment 4A

http://changethis.com/

     In Seth Godin's article "Brainwashed," he discusses seven layers of reinventing yourself.  He refers to one of those layers as "Acknowledging the Lizard."  This is in reference to our "lizard brain," which is our prehistoric brainstem that we have been conditioned to rely on.  This outdated way of thinking is driven by a resistance in our minds that keeps us from thinking outside the box and encourages us to follow instructions.  Godin proposes that we must acknowledge and transcend this negative way of thinking in order to achieve anything great.

     Another one of the seven layers is titled "ship."  Shipping refers to the constantly expanding ability in our modern world to spread our ideas and creations.  The ability to get things done and get your ideas shipped to the rest of the world is what can make someone successful.  With the increasing popularity of social networking sites and Youtube, it is becoming easier and easier to have your voice be heard by the general public.

     I think that both of these suggestions apply to what we are doing in MDIA 203 with our blogs.  I think it is important to acknowledge the lizard and overcome the resistance that has been put in our minds.  This is easier to do now with a blog.  By being required to put our work online, the process of overcoming skepticism becomes much easier.  It also helps a lot with shipping, obviously, as we now have an effective way to get our work seen by a large audience. 

     I do not think that the exercises for this class are worthless, but I do think that this class should not be required.  I am paying to go to Ohio University to learn about Audio Production, so I do not think I should be forced to take this class before I begin to take classes that are directly related to my major.  I like how these exercises require you to think outside of the box, I just don't think they are necessary for most students in this school.  These are things we could be learning in more specific classes.  The exercises have kept me busy, though, learning the terms from class, which will definitely come in handy later on.  I thoroughly enjoy the class, I just don't think it should be required (neither should 205, another class I enjoyed).