Compact Discs Will Never Last, Sort Of

     When I was 12, my friends were buying this amazing new technology.  You could listen to music and skip to the next song without waiting for it to fast forward.  Compact discs were pretty neat, but I decided to stick with my cassette tapes and not waste my money on this expensive technology that wouldn't last.  Yes, I can hear you laughing at me as I write this post. 
     Needless to say I was wrong and that experience has always played a crucial role in my decision to keep up with the latest technology ever since.  Today, I use a number of new media tools and social media platforms on a daily basis, both personally and professionally
      I admit it, I’m a device junkie.  I own two smart phones, an iPad, a laptop, a smart TV and satellite radio.  Personally, I use cloud computing like ITunes to get my music and documents.  I use the internet to send and receive email.  I use Facebook to keep in touch with family and share my children’s daily lives with their grandparents.  I use apps like Candy Crush and Words with Friends to unwind at the end of the day.  I also use my iPad to read books. 
     Professionally, I use Twitter extensively to produce news, consume news, expand my professional brand, and interact with viewers of my political show.  We use an extensive cloud computing system as well to write and manipulate scripts, edit audio and video, and interact with co-workers. 
     In the “old days” I used to feel naked without my keys in my pocket.  Now, I feel that way without my iPad and smart phones.  It’s fantastic but it’s also created a need to not let it rule my life and take away precious time with my family.
     Social media has greatly changed my perspective of events.   With notifications and the instant nature of Twitter, I find out news faster than ever before.  Ironically, it has made my job tougher as well.  The evolution of social media has created a news consumer that wants accurate and updated news instantly.  Mischievous social media users have created the need for an even stronger system of verification.  Most of all, even with access to millions more around the globe, we are often still isolated in our own circles of contacts.  Instead of visiting dozens of news sites, I get most of my news from clicking on links within Twitter.  I have made it my mission in recent weeks to expand those circles and resources of knowledge.
     In the end, I think new media and social media offer more information and entertainment than ever before, but it also creates the need for strong media literacy skills for new media users, regardless of profession.  By the way, CD's are on their way out but they did survive for 25+ years, so I guess I am still wrong!