"Fall" (New photo of mine on Flickr)

Title: "Fall"
Photographer: William Hart, Ph.D.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhartphd
Description: "via Instagram bit.ly/16VPqLh"
Taken: September 29, 2013 at 09:21AM
(C) William Hart

"No. 471" (New photo of mine on Flickr)

Title: "No. 471"
Photographer: William Hart, Ph.D.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhartphd
Description: "via Instagram bit.ly/16VPoDg"
Taken: September 29, 2013 at 09:21AM
(C) William Hart

"Up a Tree" (New photo of mine on Flickr)

Title: "Up a Tree"
Photographer: William Hart, Ph.D.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhartphd
Description: "via Instagram bit.ly/199m4Pi"
Taken: September 29, 2013 at 09:21AM
(C) William Hart

MediaTech in the News: iOS7 Adoption, Grand Theft Auto & WWSJD + MORE [VID]

If for some reason your browser does not show the above news stories, then see the stories on Dr. Hart's Storify account at http://storify.com/WilliamHartPhD#stories. You may also want to consider updating your browser (Explorer or Chrome).


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DigPhotog: 100 Minutes of Mentors

If you had 100 (or so) minutes to watch some documentaries of famous photographers, how would you spend your 100 minutes (or so)?

Below are some documentaries of famous photographers from one of my YouTube playlists.  How would you combine them to get 100 minutes (or so)?

Recall our previous discussion on the importance of mentors?

To see a list of the videos and run times, click on the icon in the upper left corner of the video or, better yet, click here




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InterculturalCom in the News: Miss America, Racism in Fashion, Racism in TV +MORE [VID]

NOTE: If for some reason your browser does not show the above news stories, then see the stories on Dr. Hart's Storify account at http://storify.com/WilliamHartPhD#stories. You may also want to consider updating your browser (Explorer or Chrome).

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DigPhotog: News & Tips - Nat Geo Photogs, Death of the Selfies, Liquid Lens + MORE [VID]

If for some reason your browser does not show the above news stories, then see the stories on Dr. Hart's Storify account at http://storify.com/WilliamHartPhD#stories. You may also want to consider updating your browser (Explorer or Chrome).


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Penn and Teller on New Arsenio Show [VID]

More on Penn & Teller.  More on Arsenio Hall Show.

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"Where Rain Comes From" (New photo of mine on Flickr)

Title: "Where Rain Comes From"
Photographer: William Hart, Ph.D.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhartphd
Description: "via Instagram bit.ly/16MDnmC"
Taken: September 20, 2013 at 12:21PM
(C) William Hart

How to Comment on a Facebook Page

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DigPhotog: Basic Tech: File Formats in Digital Photography [VID] (U5-P4)

There are three primary file formats used in digital photography: jpeg, tiff and raw.*

So, what are they?  What are the differences?  What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?  Which should you use?*



Now with the basics out of the way, let's take a closer look at the idea of a raw file.  I like Mike Browne's cake metaphor.



If you want to learn more, I'd recommend "File Formats in Photography".


* Note that this discussion mainly applies to digital SLR cameras, since smartphones usually only allow jpeg formats.

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DigPhotog: Basic Tech: Technical Meets Ethical: The Ethics of Photo Manipulation [VID] (U5-P3)

So, one of the benefits of digital photography is that it is so easy to edit a photograph.

However, you could also say one of the problems with digital photography is that it is so easy to edit a photography.   

How can this be both a benefit and a problem?

The advances in photographic technologies leads to some ethical issues in photography that need to be addressed.

Digital photo manipulation: "the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means." (Wikipedia)

Ethics: "(1) the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. (2) a set of moral principles : a theory or system of moral values —often used in plural but singular or plural in construction... (3) the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group." (Merriam-Webster)

What are your ethical standards when it comes to digital manipulation?
When is it O.K. to manipulate a photograph and when is it not?
Would it be acceptable in the area of art, but not in journalism?  Why?

Digital manipulation of photos can come up in the realm of politics as in the Fox News clip below.  The third photo shown (with the poodle) is clearly "photoshopped," but so are the previous two photos of the two men (yellowed teeth, etc.).



Digital manipulation controversies can also show up in the realm of advertising with some racist overtones.  One example: Did Vanity Fair lighten Beyonce’s skin? - Entertainment - Access Hollywood - TODAY.com.  For more on this story and other related digital manipulations in the news, see this set of links.




Browse through the many examples of photo manipulation found on Photo Tampering Throughout History.  This site has over 120 examples of photo manipulations from the late 1800s to today.  There are 26 examples from 2011.  As you check out the examples on the site, see if you can fine tune your ethical standards about photo manipulation.  When is it O.K.?  When is it not?

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DigPhotog: Basic Tech: Film vs. Digital and Steps to Taking a Digital Photograph [VID] (U5-P2)

So advances in technology have brought us the digital camera.  But, just because it is new tech, does that mean digital photography is better than film photography?

Compared to traditional film photography, what are the benefits of digital photography?   In the video below, two benefits are offered.  To that list we can add: (3) digital photography allows for a smaller storage space and (4) digital photography allows for easy editing.*

Note the key photography terms defined in the video?  Watch for the misspelling in the clip?




So, it can be argued that digital is better.  But, how to take a digital photograph?  What is the process? What are the steps in the process?

Technical Steps to Taking a Photograph (camera set-up, etc.)





If you are looking for videos that explain the technical basics of digital photography, I'd recommend Brian Ratty's video series (Digital Photography - The Camera (Tutorial DVD)).  The videos are now a little dated, but still cover the basics well.  Below are a few excerpts from the video series.

*Note that the video is a little dated. He says, for example, that film photography is still the standard. That is no longer the case.



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DigPhotog: Basic Tech: How Does a Digital Camera Work? [VID] (U5-P1)

Let's shift our focus, excuse the pun, from art to tech.
Let's move our discussion from photographic criticism and composition to some basics of the photographic technology.

Let's start with, how does a digital camera work? What are the steps in the process?
Along with this, what are the parts of the camera relevant to a discussion of how it works?



Let's take a look at the process again, in a slightly different way.



If you'd like to learn more, I'd recommend two additional YouTube videos: (1) the more detailed "How Digital Cameras Really Work" and the longer "How Does a Camera Work?".

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MediaTech: Internet/New Media: The Basics: The Internet Explained (U5-P5) [VID] Fa13

How does the Internet work?  What are the steps in the process?  The parts?



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MediaTech: Internet/New Media: The Basics: History of the Internet (U5-P4) [VID] Fa13

What would a timeline (a list of events) look like for the development of the Internet as a communication tool?  Starting with the late 1960s, what new communication tools appeared on the Internet?  Examples: What year did email first appear?  What year did blogs appear?

Zuckerman gives a good timeline in his brief talk.



What would you add to this timeline for more recent years?

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MediaTech: Internet/New Media: The Basics: New Communication Technology - Rogers and Hart (U5-P3) Fa13

What does it mean to speak of a computer as a computation tool?  A communication tool?

What are the forces that have shaped new communication technologies?

Source: The Changing Conversation in America, edited by Eadie and Nelson


How does Steve Jobs fit in here?

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MediaTech: Internet/New Media: The Basics: Winston's Model (U5-P2) Fa13

How much do you know about the development of the Internet and the use of computers as communication tools?  What do you recall from previous readings, notes and discussion?

Can you trace the development of the Internet using Winston's model?

Source: Media Technology and Society: A History From the Telegraph to the Internet








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MediaTech: Internet/New Media: The Basics (U5-P1) Fa13

Your Internet Use?

In a typical week…

• How much time do you spend with e-mail?
• How many times do you check email?
• How much time do you spend browsing the Web?
• How many times do you go to computer to browse?
• What sites do you visit?

Is there a question or two missing that should be asked about Internet use?  Other ways you use the Internet?

So, you use it, you use it a lot, but what do you know about it?  How did the Internet get started?  What all does it offer?  Where is it headed?



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"Mys" (New photo of mine on Flickr)

Title: "Mys"
Photographer: William Hart, Ph.D.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhartphd
Description: "via Instagram bit.ly/1aRX1C2"
Taken: September 17, 2013 at 09:21PM
(C) William Hart

InterculturalCom: Language & Culture: Linguistic Discrimination (U5-P4) [VID] Fa13

What is linguistic discrimination?

"HUD Fair Housing Public Service Announcement"



"Linguistic Discrimination in School: African American English"
Note: The audio is a little out of sync on this YouTube video, but the content is informative.



Would you not hire any of the 21 "people" in the following clip?  Why?
"21 Accents"

If you have an interest in acting and accents, check out Accents: A Manual for Actors- Revised and Expanded Edition


Speaking of acting and accents...
"Hugh Laurie: the British accent vs the American"  
Any intercultural mis-communication happening here?  They speak the same language, yes?




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InterculturalCom: Language & Culture: Cultural Literacy (U5-P3) [VID] Fa13

This is a clip that I edited and posted on YouTube. I use this clip in my Intercultural Communication course to introduce students to the idea of cultural literacy and the role it plays in intercultural communication. 





E.D. Hirsch: education scholar who proposed the idea of cultural literacy. The idea was first introduced in the book Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know.

Cultural Literacy: All U.S. American students should have a commonly shared set of knowledge.

Rationale: Better communication and thus better relations. 

• People w/o a shared cultural literacy have less effective communication. (Heterophily).
• People w/ a shared cultural literacy more effective, efficient communication. (Homophily)

Additional rationale: Many business leaders find young graduates lack good communication skills.


Examples of Things All Americans Should Know 

• 1492 
• 1776 
• Achilles
• Adam & Eve
• Adams, John
• Aesop's Fables
• Ahab, Captain
• Alamo
• Alcott, Louisa May
• Ali, Muhammad Allah
• Allen, Woody
• All roads lead to Rome

This is a somewhat representative sample of his list of 500+.


Video: Billy Joel - We Didn't Start the Fire - lyrics. 


You may also want to see the official music video for the song.

What does this have to do with intercultural communication?
Your task: You are in China and have to teach
An American Culture/English Language class. What would you do?




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InterculturalCom: Language & Culture: Beware of Idioms (U5-P2) Fa13

Beware of using idioms in intercultural settings.

An idiom is "a group of words whose meaning cannot be predicted from the meanings of the constituent words, as for example ( It was raining ) cats and dogs" or "kick the bucket or hang one's head." (Dictionary.com)

“A traditional way of saying something. Often an idiom, such as 'under the weather,' does not seem to make sense if taken literally. Someone unfamiliar with English idioms would probably not understand that to be 'under the weather' is to be sick.” (American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy)

Why would you want to be careful about using idioms in intercultural situations? 
Any connections between idioms and emblems?






Example of a Chinese idiom:  "Dui niu tan ching"
It literally means “Playing music for a cow.”

If a wife told her husband that talking to him is like "dui niu tan ching," what is she really saying?
Does this translate into any American idioms?

If you are in an intercultural situation where idioms are used how can you figure out the meaning?



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InterculturalCom: Language & Culture: Star Trek, Darmok & the Picard Principle of Intercultural Com [VID] (U5-P1) Fa13

This is a clip that I edited and posted on YouTube. I use this clip in my Intercultural Communication course to introduce students to issues of language differences in intercultural situations. 

The video is set in the far future and far off into space, but does this situation seem familiar to you in any way?

During the video answer the following questions:

• Would you face the same experience?  Have you?
• Can you figure out the language?
• What advice would you offer when interacting with people and you both don’t speak the others’ language (in short, lessons learned?)?

The “Picard Principle” of Intercultural Communication:
In the clip Picard says “Communication is a matter of patience [and] imagination.”

What does that phrase mean? Is it true?

If you are curious, do a Google search on "Darmok Dictionary"
You may also want to see the full episode of Darmok.


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InterculturalCom in the News: Past & Present: Birmingham Bombing & The Banning of Muslim Veils + MORE [VID]

NOTE: If for some reason your browser does not show the above news stories, then see the stories on Dr. Hart's Storify account at http://storify.com/WilliamHartPhD#stories. You may also want to consider updating your browser (Explorer or Chrome).


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Mass Media in the News: The News Media, Syria, Shooting at Navy Yard + MORE [VID]

NOTE: If for some reason your browser does not show the above news stories, then see the stories on Dr. Hart's Storify account at http://storify.com/WilliamHartPhD#stories. You may also want to consider updating your browser (Explorer or Chrome).

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"Rule of Thirds" (My New Fav Vimeo Vid) [VID]

I just added this video as a favorite on my Vimeo account.



Originally uploaded to Vimeo by AdamBarkerPhoto.

See Video: Rule of Thirds

Description: "A overview of the rule of thirds in photography."



Subscribe to my Vimeo Channel.

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DigPhotog: News & Tips - Photography is a Sin, Fashion Week Pix & Aperture + MORE [VID]

If for some reason your browser does not show the above news stories, then see the stories on Dr. Hart's Storify account at http://storify.com/WilliamHartPhD#stories. You may also want to consider updating your browser (Explorer or Chrome).

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MediaTech: Granville Woods: Communication Technologist (U4-P3) Fa13

In 1913...

B.J. Nolan, Tennessee patent lawyer said:

“I never knew a Negro to even suggest a new idea. Much less try to patent one. And I have dealt with them all my life. P.S. I have asked other lawyers around me for data of Negro inventions. And they take it as a joke.”

Com Technologist: Granville Woods

• 1884: Inventor of improved telephone transmitter
• 1885: Inventor of telegraphony
• 1887: Inventor of induction telegraph

35+ other patents

Why not mentioned in history books along side Edison, Bell, etc.?




Granville Woods: His story

• Sometimes called the “Black Edison”
• Born in 1856 in Australia or Ohio
• Went to work at young age
• Mainly self-educated / read anything he could find on electricity.
• Worked as fireman and then engineer on railroad.

Telephone invented in 1870s by Bell

Early 1880s, Telephone Transmitter
Woods: “My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for the transmission of articulate speech and other sounds through the medium of electricity.”

1885: Inventor of telegraphony
A combination telephone and telegraph.
What need does this meet?


1887 induction telegraph
Woods: “for the purpose of averting accidents by keeping each train informed of the whereabouts of the one immediately ahead of following it, in communicating with the stations from moving trains…”

See transduction in this process?


Granville Woods: His story

• Tried to market his inventions himself.
• Sold/Gave up rights to many of his patents to corporations like: American Bell Telephone Company, General Electric and Westinghouse.
• Died 1910 in virtual poverty.

See connections to Winston's model?
Similar story to other communication inventors?

MediaTech: Audio/Video Tech (Basics): Steps in Signal Process (U4-P2) Fa13

What are the steps in signal processing?

• Step 1: Signal Generation
• Audio Signal Generation; Video Signal Generation
• Step 2: Amplification and Processing
• Audio Amplification and Processing Video Amplification and Processing
• Step 3: Signal Transmission
• Audio Transmission; Video Transmission; Satellite Transmission
• Step 4: Signal Reception
• Radio Receivers; TV Receivers
• Step 5: Storage and Retrieval
• Audio Storage; Video Storage

Step 1: Signal Generation

"Audio signals are generated mechanically, by using microphones and turntables; electro-magnetically, by using tape recorders; and digitally, by using laser optics. Television signal generation involves the electronic line-by-line scanning of an image. An electron beam scans each element of a picture, and the image is then retraced in the TV receiver."


Step 2: Amplification and Processing

"Audio and video signals are amplified and mixed by using audio consoles and video switchers. Today’s digital technology enables sophisticated signal processing and a variety of special effects."


Step 3: Signal Transmission

"Radio waves occupy a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. AM radio channels are classified into clear, regional, and local channels. FM stations are classified according to power and antenna height. The wide bandwidth of an FM channel allows for stereo broadcasting and other nonbroadcast services. There are two types of digital radio: satellite-based and in-band, on-channel."


Step 4: Signal Reception

"Radio receivers pull in AM, FM, and other signals, in monaural or stereo. New digital multiband receivers are becoming more prevalent. In TV, large and small-screen receivers have attained record sales in recent years, abetted by new digital capabilities and "smart" remote control devices."

Technology cluster? Relationship to adoption?


Step 5: Storage and Retrieval

"New technology is reshaping audio and video storage and retrieval. Phonograph records, compact discs, and videotapes are being supplemented and may ultimately be replaced by digital storage media, such as recordable CDs, digital versatile disks (DVDs), and high-capacity disk drives on computers. A comparatively new phenomenon, audio and video streaming, permits radio and TV stations to send their complex signals onto the Internet."




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Don't Forget: Bill Cosby on the Birmingham Bombing [VID]

Also see my post from a couple years back on the Birmingham bombing, the terrorism.


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MediaTech: Audio/Video Tech (Basics) (U4-P1) Fa13

Basic Principles/Science of Media Technology

• "Broadcasting, cable, and new media make use of facsimile technology, reproducing sound and sight in other forms. The better the correspondence between the facsimile and the original, the higher the fidelity."
• Transduction is the process of "changing energy from one form to another; it is at the heart of audio and video technology. Transduction can be analog—the transformed energy resembles the original—or digital—the original is transformed into a series of numbers."

At what point or points in signal processing does transduction occur for traditional (over-the-air) radio?



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InterculturalCom: Nonverbal Intercultural Communication: Universal NVC? (Mr. Bean) [VID] (U4-P4) Fa13

This is a clip that I edited and posted on YouTube. I use this clip in my Intercultural Communication course to introduce students to nonverbal communication in the intercultural communication context.

How many nonverbal communication behaviors did you spot?  What did the behaviors communicate to you?  Of the types of nonverbal communication, which where illustrated here?  Emblems?  Others?
What is the secret of Mr. Bean being popular around the world?




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InterculturalCom: Nonverbal Intercultural Communication: Culture Specific (Gods Must Be Crazy) [VID] (U4-P3) Fa13

This is a clip that I edited and posted on YouTube. I use this clip in my Intercultural Communication course to introduce students to nonverbal communication in the intercultural communication context.


Some forms of NVC are universal (i.e., understood around the world). Some forms of NVC have different meanings in different cultures.

How do the videos illustrate these ideas?




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InterculturalCom: Nonverbal Intercultural Communication: Definition & Types of NVC (by Function) (U4-P2) Fa13

NVC: “Nonlinguistic (involving neither written nor spoken language) behavior that creates meaning for someone”(BBR).

• Emblems … can be used to replace words, direct verbal translation
• Illustrators … accompany and clarify spoken word
• Affect displays … movement of face, etc… show emotion
• Regulators ... movements which encourage or discourage further communication … “traffic cops” of conversation
• Adaptors … movements to satisfy physical or psychological discomfort

Which more universal? Why more culturally relative?




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InterculturalCom: Nonverbal Intercultural Communication: Efron & Examples (U4-P1) Fa13

Examples of Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures.

The study of Intercultural Nonverbal Communication can be traced back to David Efron (1941).
Efron studied the nonverbal communication behaviors of eastern Jews and southern Italians in New York City.

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