Private or not...

How private is really private on the internet?

In today's digital world we are now faced with the question of what is private when it comes to the internet and how much should we really share.
As the popularity of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram continue to grow more and more of our lives live online, but when you put your privacy settings do they really work?

When I first joined social media, I never second guessed what I put up and always thought when I deleted something it was gone, but now I knew I was wrong.

The internet is like a never ending diary, keeping all of your secrets somewhat private, but if someone wanted to find it with the right tool, and knowledge they surely could.

Digital Language

I recently watched this interesting video which discussed the status of language in a digital world, and the discussion made me realize how much in my own life I often opt for the new norm or text language rather than spell something out.

I used to be so against all of the abbreviated words like HBD (Happy Birthday Day) and BRB (Be Right Back, but absolutely loved LOL. (Crazy right?)

But now I catch myself in texts and emails to friends using LOL, WYD, IMU and more.



Whoa, how things have changed...

Are You Social or Not...

This past week in my Intro to Digital Communications class everyone presented a snapshot of social media platforms and it really got me thinking about just how much of our lives revolve around the idea of being "social" in the digital realm, so much so that it has become the norm to even obtain an advanced educational degree without stepping foot in a traditional classroom.

As I prepared for my presentation I initially selected Blackplanet because I was interested to do some research and find out how far it had come since it's first inception and popularity in the early 2000's. But after looking at Solis' Conversation Prism I became even more intrigued by TED, which was listed under the adapting video section.

 Now I'll be honest I'm obsessed with TED Talks, especially anything about feminism, women's empowerment, women in business, entertainment or African American issues including social justices, but how was it a social media platform? So I did my research and wow was I amazed to learn that from it''s humble beginnings as a conference for thought makers to this international platform for social innovation and the dissemination of ideas and discussions, I came to see that TED, was indeed a social media platform, utilizing other platforms to disseminated it's message along the way.

How Genius!!!

Here are two of my favorite TED Talks:

The Digital Age

It's so crazy to think that in my lifetime we have gone from internet really being a novelty to it now being an integral part or my day-to-day life.

My earliest memories of learning how to do book reports and projects always started with picking a topic and sitting down to look through an encyclopedia, combing through the many pages of the many books to figure out academic information to present. When I started middle school it became a big deal that the school had received a grant to put internet all throughout the building and also purchased new Apple computers in the classrooms and fully upgraded the computer lab.

Between the fifth and eight grade the computer and internet became my norm, at home and at school. At school we became more immersed in the interactive world playing Oregon Trail, learning to type proficiently and how to search the internet. As I grew older and more mature, so did the internet, becoming this bigger and better entity. By high school I couldn't imagine a world without cell phone, computer to check my new AOL email address and my leisure walk to the virtue game life with the SIMS. even my research evolved as I slowly stopped using the print encyclopedias and moved on the the also static but digital CD-Rom version.

Looking back at my evolution through the internet, I realized the big difference between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, the strides which have been a made and the growth possibilities of a digital age.

New Chapter-- New Year -- Not the Same ME!

Wowsers, it's really been a long time since I've blogged and now as it's a part of my newest endeavor I will surely be blogging a bit more (or at least once a week for the next 11 weeks).

A bit of a reintroduction-- (Yes all over)

I'm still a 20-something Brooklyn-Girl, back living in New York City, still working as a publicist (sports, non-profit and hospitality) but now a student at the Syracuse University's Communications @ Newhouse graduate program.

Over the next few weeks I will blog about my experiences as a graduate student as it pertains to my Introduction to Digital Communication class.

Fresh off the first class I have to be honest, my nerves haven't eased up as I've been out of school for almost over seven years- but my first experience as a grad school student wasn't as bad as I thought.

We began the discussion about digital convergence and as I write this post I chuckled knowing that it is because of digital convergence that I will be able to share this with so many people and they can all read it with ease, at their own leisure.

Tune in next week to hear more about my journey and learn more about the wide world of digital communications.

Till next time...

Ayana
The Brooklyn Girl

Life Changes

It's been a little more than two years since I last wrote on this blog, and boy what a long and eventful two years that has been.

So much growth has taken place within me, mental and spiritually, allowing me to see the world in so many different ways.

I make no promises to myself to do this on a regular basis but honestly this seems like the best forum for me to express so many of the things that have begun to happen in my life!

Since it's been so long, it only seems fitting to re-introduce myself... I'm Yana, a 20 something Brooklyn Girl, with a burgeoning yet stagnant career in Sports & Entertainment PR and newly acquired publishing digital marketing career, making my way through this jungle we call life with daily prayers, late night wine drinking, occasional couch standing and tons of laughs (if you don't laugh at yourself who will?).

When Did You First Fall in Love with Hip-Hop?

It's not often that I'm inclined to immediately write about something I've experienced but this night was totally different. Today in the mist of another -let's just call it- "work" shindig full of phoney double sided air kisses and "hey hunns" because you forgot or didn't care enough to remember someones name I remember what drove me into this industry... As I stood there feet aching and weave tangling Doug E. Fresh took to the stage with Hip-Hop's elite afficianado's (I mean the guys who were doing this before spitting on a track and demanding 45g's was event thought of) reminding why, when & how I fell in love with this immense cultural phenomenon. As he so easily let loose those beats from his throat out his lips and Grandmaster Caz spitting with the help of others as Big Daddy Kane threw all types of old lady catching sexy out with his voice and DJ Chuck Chillout supported on the 1's & 2's... I remebered! This is what I always wanted to be around; true music. The music that makes you feel so good you dance, regardless if you have rythme and sing so loud that you can barely hear the performer himself. This was truely it! I had come into this industry in search of being around and rediscovering true music (i.e. Cindafella, The Bridge is Over or Roxanne's Revenge). Meeting a woman who was able to make the industry work for her in Roxanne Shante, discussing the industry as she looked at an old photo with 80's braid laced with a name plate barette is priceless.

The things you learn... Life always take you places to give youa little reminder and today was mine! It was like the lyrics of Common's "I Used to Love H.E.R." were blasting in my ear because at that point I realized I loved Hip Hop like no relationship because I knew in our relationship it wold never leave me... Cd, vinyl, cassette tape I'd always have it & it would always have me... HIP-HOP Thank you!