Green Monday?

In a recent article by Chanelle Bessette, the reporter discusses Wal-Marts promotion of "Green Monday". A week after "Cyber Monday" Wal-Mart and other big retailers are trying to increase their online and mobile sales. The retail giant Wal-Mart wants to continue to increase their sales in this category in order that they may retain their title as No. 1 in sales from last year.

Why does Wal-Mart feel that it needs another day to promote its online sales? Was Cyber Monday not enough for the them? My thought is that Wal-Mart is trying to out compete Amazon with its online sales. The company wants to be number 1 in very industry. They also care so much about sales revenue that they are willing to have another promotional day. Customers probably are content with this extra day, but when is enough enough. If a company is so focused on gaining revenues that they can't focus on other important issues, there should be genuine concern. In this society, it is all about getting ahead and doing whatever it takes to get there. Does Wal-Mart really need another promotional day to be successful? No, but they do it anyway. It is just a little concerning that Wal-Mart continues to take every opportunity to make an extra sale. 

A Big Merger

Today American Airlines and US Airways is expected to sign the merger paperwork. With the signing of these documents, the new airline company will become the largest company within the industry. The company will retain the name American Airlines. This merger has been a long time coming. The two companies had to settle a lawsuit first on principles on the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in order to continue on with merger. The reason for the lawsuit was on the basis that customers believed that airline prices would increase because of the decreased number of options. The court ruled against the Plaintiff and American Airlines and US Airways can continue on with the merger. The author of the article American Airlines, US Airways to form Largest Air Carrier Monday stated that airline prices have not increased significantly since 2004 even with the United and Continental merger. The hope is that this merger will not cause airline prices to rise and that market will not suffer as a result of this merger. 

Technology in Schools

I am currently in the class Current Topics in Technology. In it we have done technology interviews so that we may become more acquainted with the aspects of technology in certain professions. What struck me as most interesting though was the differences in technology in school systems.  I interviewed two employees from the Spring Hill School District and their use of  technology.  It was interesting to see the differences compared to MidAmerica Nazarene University. Spring Hill uses Moodle and other technology, but not to the extent of MidAmerica. MidAmerica uses Moodle on a daily basis whereas Spring Hill is still getting used to the idea of using technology for projects outside of the classroom. 
Do you think it would be beneficial for Spring Hill to look at more technology tools to get students better prepared for college? What tools do you think would be beneficial in either the high school setting or the college setting?

Rose Brooks

I am currently taking a Current Topics in Technology class. In this class I have realized the power of social media and its importance in the business world.  There is an organization that has caught my eye in regards to their use of social media. This organization is Rose Brooks. Rose Brooks is a domestic violence center for women and children that have been abused. It is important is a business such as that to have a great social media plan so that they can not only get the word out about domestic violence and the need to stop it, but also to advertise their own organization to get volunteers to help. Rose Brooks offers a variety of social media such as twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
It is easy to access on their website, but are there things that could do differently to get the word out? I feel like they could do a better job with their overall plan by tweeting more or updating statuses to get the word out more on a regular basis so that people do not forget about them.  Even blogging would be a good idea with links on twitter and Facebook to the blogs. What is your opinion on the social media plan for Rose Brooks?

Current Technology

We have heard all about technology and how much it will change by the time the kids of today are all grown, but have you ever stopped to consider what will happen to the current technology we are enjoying and excited about today? That the current technology we love today in the eyes of children not long from now will soon be like a cassette tape or CD compared to the iPods we use now?  This all seems mind boggling, so let’s take a moment to appreciate the current technology we have that we often take advantage of.

Just some of the current technologies we use today include remote controls, land line phones, movie theaters and a windows operating system.  To me, life without these seems “old fashioned,” but on the contrary! It will actually be a future version of all of these.  The windows operating system will completely turn into touch operation and how long before every computer agency turns to that? This “current technology” we have today and that love will soon be nothing more than stories our kids hear about. 

Now, what technology that you have today would you not want to give up? Or, is there a technology that you can think of them improving in some way that you are looking forward to?   

The Threat of Smartphones

Smartphones have allowed us to have the world at our hands. If in an area that allows the phone to send and receive data, a smartphone user can perform many tasks. They can check their email, post a Facebook status or even post a photo of them at that exact moment. This new technology has provided convenience to the user and many of those conveniences can be named by almost every smartphone user. However, smartphones are starting to prove dangerous and fatal to some teenagers and young adults.

In a CNN news article entitled Young Drivers snapping 'Selfies' at the Wheel, author Heather Kelly describes how teens and young adults are using their smartphones to take pictures of themselves or their passengers while they are driving a vehicle. This distraction increases the risk of drivers getting into an accident. The drivers eyes are averted from the road and in an instant they can get into a serious accident. They are putting themselves and everyone on the road in danger. The problem is not just texting while driving anymore, the problem now is any use of the cell phone that distracts the driver from the task of driving.



The Department of Transportation states that distracted driving accounts for about 3,300 deaths every year. This includes texting while driving and snapping pictures while driving. Why do people not understand the danger of using a cell phone while driving? They believe they are good drivers and they can remove their eyes from the road for a second. By doing this people are putting everyone on the road in danger. You are increasing the chances of getting into an accident and possibly killing someone. The text can wait. The 'selfie' can wait until the vehicle is at a complete stop. It is not worth the consequences to get a text in or a picture posted to the latest social media site.

Smartphones can make many things convenient. However, they provide an inconvenience by distracting drivers while they drive a 2000 pound vehicle. Why do people feel it important to text and drive? Why can they not wait to snap that photo until they reach their destination?  It is the answer to these questions that could save lives.

Keeping up with the Joneses and Everyone Else

I recently read a blog from Dave Ramsey's website. The blog was entitled 6 Stages of Facebook Envy. We have all heard the term "keeping up with the Joneses". We know that many Americans want to have the latest and greatest things. They are willing to go into as much debt as possible in order to get what they want.

I love Dave Ramsey and his wisdom on personal finance. I am currently taking his Financial Peace University course. He is very passionate about getting out of debt and staying out of debt. This American mentality of keeping up with the Joneses does not allow people to get out of debt. However, according to Dave's blog, this mentality has only become worse as a result of social media.





Facebook allows people to post pictures and statuses about everything that is going on in their lives. People can post pictures of their new house or new car and let the whole world see their "success". As a Facebook user, you see that post and you may become envious. You want to have the standard of living that those people have. However, what you probably don't know is they probably accrued a lot of debt in order to get those new things. Nevertheless, you are wanting to keep up with them and have the newest and greatest things. Now people are not just keeping up with the Joneses. They are keeping up with the Joneses and everyone of their Facebook friends. It provides for a society full of envious and covetous people.

Facebook can be used for communication and staying connected with friends. However, this fact of "Facebook Envy" may be stirring our nation in the wrong direction. We have a high national debt now, this envious attitude could cause that debt to increase even more.

Do you think Dave Ramsey has a good point about "Facebook Envy". Do you believe that this social media tool could cause American's to go even further in debt?