Cumberland Presbyterian Church: really..really?

In my hometown, religious sayings and "inspirational quotes" are quite the norm.

But this? Does this overstep the boundaries of acceptable denominational messages?




--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

Episode 5: Pizza Preacher

--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

Episode 4: Pizza Preacher

--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

Community College focus? Finally!?

Obama's community college proposal frankly is good public policy. #DavidBrooks outlines why and it's potential. http://is.gd/1Dleh

--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

College achievement

Data piece: 50% of those entering college for a degree don't make it.

--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

Teen Technologies July15 2009

Teen Technologies presentation, July 15, 2009

Teen Technologies July15 2009

View more presentations from Chad Gesser.

Education gap: not much change

Education achievement gap narrowing in South, growing in North.

Implications of group identity? Instiutional effects?

http://is.gd/1zIsJ

--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

"2009 or 1909?"

A good look with some sociological examination of discrimination at the private pool in Philly http://is.gd/1zJ6V

--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

Some success with ocal greening efforts

In the article below, local officials highlight successful efforts at
cost savings and reduction in the use of energy.

City government signed on to a "Cool Cities" initiative, already
meeting the Kyoto Protocol standards.

While recycling efforts continue to be stonewalled and minimal, it is
encouraging to see these efforts and progress.

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_15980/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=7RE8H4pw

Smartphones, Social Media, and Sociological Research

Social media is obviously changing the landscape of the production of information in our world.

What has not been discussed much in the sociology is the role that information technology, particularly mobile technology, can and will play in sociological research.

I have experimented with the use of smart phones in my personal and professional life substantially over the past six months. I started out with the LG Vu and then upgraded to the iPhone 3G. What I will discuss below can largely be applied to current smart phones on the market (obviously combined with the appropriate data plan) that allow the following:

* the function to take photos
* the ability to text message (SMS)
* the ability to record audio and/or video

The sharing of such information/or research depends on the user's capacity to upload that information to be shared with others. A smart phone along with a the proper data plan can unleash the sociological imagination in anyone's world.

I particularly have used images and texts across a number of platforms, and have integrated nearly all of these platforms to be accessible at any one point. For example, I currently actively use The Sociology Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Del.icio.us, and YouTube. At the same time, I have each of these linked to the other through a Netvibes website.

The real beauty of using the smart phone for exploratory sociological research and the cross platform of sharing information is the role the smart phone can play in the daily living of the researcher, student, or simply out of freelance interest.

There have been several examples where I have been able to bring a current, real time experience to bear via the social networking/media sites mentioned above. These in turn have been brought into the classroom and have given students a very real connection of applying the sociological imagination in real life, providing an example of using mobile technology for research, sharing that information across many channels and amongst many potential audiences, and reflecting with others (in and outside the classroom) regarding individual/group behavior and it's particular role in the social setting.

How The Average U.S. Consumer Spends Their Paycheck

How The Average U.S. Consumer Spends Their Paycheck

Talk about timely! This better highlights the exercise we did in class regarding a basic needs budget.

Shared via AddThis

Social Networking and Connection

Came across this article today, and was quite intrigued by the suggestion of division of social networking tool use based on social class and possibly race.

Does Social Networking Breed Social Division? - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com

Facebook Aging

Facebook Users Are Getting Older. Much Older. - http://bit.ly/X7RYq



--at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

Episode 3: Pizza Preacher

at http://thesociologyblog.blogspot.com

Krugman on Malthus

#Krugman on Malthus: goes wayyyyy ol' school with reflections on population growth, technology, and subsistence

http://is.gd/1oNR5

Race, politics, and pop culture

Data presented from a CNN Opinion Research poll highlights the connection between race, politics, and popular culture.

What other factors can account for the marked differences?

Jobless Rate at historical high

Bad news about this data is that we are near historical jobless rates. The trend from previous downturns suggests that we are near the bottom, and perhaps a turnaround is not too far off.

...pulled from The Daily Dish, Chart of the Day, Andrew Sullivan: July 2, 2009

--Via mobile bloggin'

Episode 2: Pizza Preacher

Episode 2 of the Pizza Preacher

--Via mobile bloggin'