Research Proposal

Samantha Shanaberger

COMP 106

09-23-09

Right to Work Laws

Forced unionization is currently being debated due to high unemployment rates and the economic recession. While some states are pushing for Right to Work laws, which outlaw mandatory unionization, I plan to research the benefits of Union states. Union representation is largely better for employees, and overall better for the States’ economies.

I hope my survey will be taken by various age groups and occupations so my results represent the general public’s opinions. My goal is to phrase the questions and answers in a way that the survey takers are able to form their own opinions and express them accordingly. The questions in my survey are about whether unions are good or bad for global markets versus local ones, their willingness to join a union, as well as issues such as monthly dues and the media’s portrayal of unions. I hope to yield supportive results so I won’t have to adjust the survey too drastically.

I plan on interviewing an adult who has been or is currently in a union. This way, they can express both the benefits and detriments of being in a union from first-hand experiences. Hopefully, hearing testimonial from such an interviewee will educate readers on union’s benefits. I plan on asking questions about instances where the union stepped in to deal with company issues, about dues, meetings, benefits, being informed by union-heads, and about their overall experience with their respective union. Although I face problems such as good arguments on both sides, and the difficulties of researching a large national issue, I hope to be successful in showing that mandatory unionization is actually the better choice.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KfdmWt4UCJBGHxTtkhrF9g_3d_3d

Godin and Shirky Videos

In order to create change, one must go against the status quo. The videos by Godin and Shirky both revolve around the power of the internet to create change via connection and mass communication. It seems common sense to realize how the internet can bring people together. However, in the videos the speakers analyze the great extent to which the internet is revolutionizing the way we invoke change.

Shirky discusses the power of individuals making change. He believes that the revolutionary internet makes it possible for just one person to create a movement. In his speech, Shirky articulates the enormous benefits of social networking sites. Because of social networking sites, news can be reported by the public. According to Shirky, this form of public media behooves society because there is no editing of information by politicians or news stations. He uses the example of the mass communication of an earthquake in China as it was happening via facebook and twitter. Thanks to the internet, angry Government officials were unable to cover the quake or deny not-up-to-code buildings. Shirky also refers to Americans being able to publicly disagree with Obama without being quieted. Shirky explains how the internet gives everyone a megaphone, allowing them to share their ideas with anyone who stumbles across their tweets or url's.

Unlike Shirky, Godin focuses on people coming together on the web with common interests to create movements. Godin's speech is all about interest groups now having easier access to finding members to help start a movement. By forming these factions, Godin believes it will spark a domino effect to motivate other groups. This is how Godin says changes are made. Examples he gives are the Red Hat Society and mascots. These "tribes," as Godin puts it, can find each other on the internet. Tribes can talk in forums or make websites about their interests. Godin says the point is to go against the status quo. So while Godin argues it is necessary to form groups to incite a change, Shirky believes you only need the sharing of information between individuals to start a movement.

Desktop Screen

Just as every person my age, I am addicted to Facebook. It is almost always open when I am on my laptop. If you consider Facebook comments and notes as "digital composing," then I am always composing! However, I think this print screen shows a nice balance between school and socializing... (the justifying words of a Facebook addict!)When I took this print screen I also had the Ctools page, the main page for The Washington Post, as well as a word document for my POL 101 class open. Taking a screen shot allowed me a unique perspective into how I make use of technology. I mainly use my computer for communication and schoolwork. Not only am I able to communicate with others via Facebook, but I can also be informed of current events throught The Washington Post website and others like it.
So which is better- digital composing or doing it "the old fashioned" way?
I prefer digital composing because it allows me to have the internet open for quick references and sources when I need it for my homework. I can right click on a word when typing in Microsoft Word for its synonyms. I can refer to an article quickly while writing an essay. I can use search engines, spell check, and word count. For these reasons, as well as countless others, digital composing is vastly different. The only way to truly discover it's ease is to do it on your own and let technology dazzle you with it's extreme convenience.