Beware of Online Surveys

It's fun to take an online survey telling you what city you belong in or what Disney Princess you are most like. But before you answer the questions, think about this: Why would someone write the survey? Why would someone write the program to analyze the surveys? And what happens to the answers to your survey once you've found out that you're a dead-ringer for Princess Jasmine and you would be happiest in Boston.

The controversy surrounding Cambridge Analytica, Facebook and the Trump Campaign has given us a peek at how personal information is obtained, analyzed and sold. NBC reports.

Questions...

•What is your attitude about taking online surveys? Do you worry about them? Why or why not?

•Has the Cambridge Analytica controversy changed your willingness to take online surveys? Why or why not?

•What information should companies be allowed to collect about you? What should they not be able to collect?

Is It Fun To Be Fake?

The human imagination can construct a seemingly limitless range of outrageous, hilarious, maddening or depressing thoughts. Real life, however, is bound by the dullness of reality.

On Twitter, a lot of true things are reported. But, according to a major academic study, it's the fake stuff that is more likely to be shared and spread. NPR reports.

Questions...

•What makes a good rumor, or good gossip?

•What are some of the best (or worst) fake news stories that you have seen?

•Why do you think false stories are more likely to be spread?

•Do you blame Twitter and other social media companies for the rise of false news?

•What should Twitter and other social media companies do about false news? What can we do about it?

Lovecraft: From Literature to Literaslur

The following is a MediaNote Classic. It was originally presented to MC101 classes in October 2014.
This medianote was presented to TTh classes only.

We all have unfortunate personal failings. But not all of us are revered literary figures who have prestigious awards named after us. Horror/fantasy author H.P. Lovecraft was a much-loved author of weird, twisted tales. It turns out that in his real life he had weird, twisted attitudes about entire groups of people. Should a prestigious literary award stop bearing Lovecraft's name and likeness because of his racism? NPR reports.

Questions...

•In general, what should we do about revered historical figures who are later found to have deep personal flaws?

•Explain D.W. Griffith and Leni Riefensthal. Should we celebrate them as artists or deplore their flaws?

•Should we hold an author to the same moral standards as a politician? How about a movie star?

•What will likely happen if the World Fantasy Award Association changes its award? What will likely happen if they don't change their award?

•Should NPR be allowed to put examples of Lovecraft's racism in their story? Why or why not?

Transfer Director In MC101

Transfer Center Director Kevin Meza will be in Mass Comm 101 to speak to students on Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28. Dr. Meza will talk about the transfer process and what it takes to transfer to campuses popular with Glendale College students. Come with questions about your desired school and major.

Spring Break Transfer Trip

This email came in yesterday from Dr. Kevin Meza of the Transfer Center...

Hello GCC!

It's time for our annual Northern California Tour! One of our great GCC traditions in our 16th year! This year we will visit UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC Santa Barbara. Each year we have about 120 applications with about 50 spaces available, so please encourage students to apply on time. The priority deadline is 12 pm on Tuesday, March 13. Applications are in the Transfer Center at the end of the hall on the 3rd floor in the Sierra Vista Building.

For $30 students get transportation and housing. Meals not included.

Kevin A. Meza, PhD
Transfer Center Coordinator/Counselor
Academic Senator
Chair, Region 7 Transfer Center Directors