Yes, I would like to pass my degree...

Home sweet home: three blissful words. It's always nice to return home when you are greeted with open arms and the kettle is on the boil. Everyone is fussing over their 'baby' of the house, fattening me up with everything in sight. I have missed feeling healthy, drinking actual bottled water, and eating nutritious dinners with real tasting vegetables, rather then Iceland's £1 frozen vegetables. Fresh bed sheets on my sincerely missed double bed means I will definitely be sleeping like a starfish tonight, to take full advantage of leg room! It's hit home, literally, on how tired I am; falling asleep all the time... apart from getting overly excited to go shopping in Tkmaxx. (Any one from home who knows me will know that my sister and I used to practically live there till closing everyday!) I feel as though I have been on holiday this weekend, although I did feel guilty watching TV after Chris' talk on avoiding 'entertainment' shows. But, as it included a bit of Question Time (educational stuff) which was filmed in Winchester Cathedral I figured he would let me off. On the topic of TV, I'll make it clearer for you by explaining Chris's pet talk on how to pass our Degree.

The discussion on how to pass our degree took place during our introduction to the new module of our course: 'Journalism Now'. This entails news clinics where we have each been assigned a newspaper to religiously follow. In my instance I will be reading 'The Independent', (or the 'I') ready to inform the others in seminar group A.

Time to get technical - Newspaper Jargon:
The Standing Head - This is the head of the paper, or in this case the large 'i' in the top left hand corner
Modular - This is the layout of the newspaper, it is divided in to paras and smaller boxed sections
Linear - This is the layout of news on TV, new which follows on one thing after the other
Barkers - These are the features at the top of the newspaper
Leader Article - This is the article which is full of comment
Content - This is categorised by advertising and editorials

Remember- News is events led, Features are production led.

As we have been advised to only summarise on our blogs, I will briefly explain Horrie's top tips:
1. Most importantly, read read read read read read read read read! Newspapers should accompany you everywhere, this will show you how journalism is done as no one can teach you better then reading and analysing it for yourself.
2. Hide the remote, block all forms of TV out, including the BBC news for this term, as you are putting yourself in danger of Obesity. As mentioned earlier, this is an entertainment scheme, we must get used to the idea of educating ourselves through the medium of books, and listening to the radio.
3. Never be late, every second counts.
4. Always meet deadlines without fail. Imagine a line -------- if you cross it you are dead.

I guess if you do not follow these tips you will end up obese and dead - and obviously degreeless. (That will be my last 'witty' comment, as Chris already knows that we are cute, so from here on I will aim to be  informative. Starting with the time, the clocks have gone back an hour tonight, so enjoy your extra hour sleep everyone! Zzzz

WINOL 26/10/11

It’s never easy to be critical without sounding harsh, so I will use the famous saying “be cruel to be kind” to justify my comments…

I have to say, this weeks WINOL has been one of the weakest I have seen so far. In general the news felt rushed and disorderly, partly because of the jerky editing between scenes, and fast paced reading off crumpled bits of paper blowing in the wind. In some cases, the background noise, for instance during the football review, over powered the voice making it hard at times to grasp what was being said. Although it seems like I am instantly being negative, when it comes to being behind a camera, especially after studying A level Photography, details such as angles, panning and depth of field stand out to me. Unfortunately, it became confusing at times, when a shallow depth of field technique was used; images were out of focus for more then they were in focus, and by the time the image was sharp it instantly changed not allowing the viewer time to absorb what they are looking at.  On the plus side, the story which stood out for me was the Unison protests in Southampton, this is because the atmosphere on the streets was conveyed well through shots of people and banners. In addition, the sports news was extremely extensive providing those interested in sport with a variety of updates from rugby, football and ice hockey.

On the whole, although the transition between stories and people felt disjointed, this weeks bulletin did cover a variety of interesting news stories. They were supported by precise statistics which certainly ticks the box for accuracy. 

The Clockwork Universe

Astronomy is the study of the heavens, this was key for the Aristotelian Scholastics. They believed the celestial heavens, which is above the moon, was close to god thus all things were perfect and unchanging. Whereas, beneath the moon, known as sub lunar, was where all elements were mixed, and nothing remained constant.

Ptolemy's System agreed with this view. The earth is in the center of the universe, and the moon, sun, planets and stars revolved around the earth in perfect unchanging circular motions.

Diagram of Ptolemy's System

Aristotelian's and Scholastic's viewed the world in terms of perfection; everything moved to express qualities and purposes. 

Francis Bacon

Bacon turned violently against the Scholastic and Aristotelian approach. He strongly believed that mixing religion and science was a huge mistake, as it resulted in confusion and an obsession with word play rather then action. His book 'The New Organon' was a direct attack at Aristotle, it was made up of four teachings

1. Human Knowledge is power

2. Science and Religion should be separated

3. Knowledge is induction which should be tested through experiments*

4. Science is dynamic, we should admit to areas we do not understand 

*One of Bacon's most significant experiences, which lead to his death from pneumonia, was where he was testing whether the cold would preserve meat by stuffing a chicken with snow. Bacon was seen as a Martyr of science because of this. 

Locke on Human Understanding

Locke believe that our understanding develops through experience, which is worked on by our powers of reason to produce 'real' knowledge. He was against the idea of 'innate ideas' meaning originating from the mind, as he believed at birth our minds were a 'blank slate'. Locke believed innate ideas were not needed because God had given mankind the ability to discover knowledge and morality. When our faith goes beyond reason and experience, Locke claimed  we should be guided by private revelation but these revelations should never be imposed upon by the Church or the State.

"Our senses, our intellect, our reason - These were gifts from God" - Locke

Heliocentric Model 

Copernicus, a 16th century polish astronomer, devised a system in which the sun was the center of the universe. This contradicts Ptolemy's system, see diagram below:

Johannes Kepler, was drawn to Copernicus's unproven heliocentric hypothesis, therefore he spent decades working on data and calculations to prove 'The heliocentric model theory'. 

Galileo

Galileo was born on the day that Michelangelo died, and the day Galileo died Newton was born; this links the renaissance. Kepler influenced Galileo, after hearing that a Dutchman had lately invented a telescope, Galileo made one himself. This was a moment of true revelation; it allowed the human mind to observe the heavens with degrees of magnitude undreamed of by previous generations. Galileo discovered many important things:

1. The Milky Way consists of a multitude of separate stars

2. The phases of Venus

3. That Jupiter had moons

4. The moon had mountains and valleys 

His opponents refused to look through the telescope saying it created an optical illusion. However, Galileo was convinced that Aristotle would of. 

In addition, he concluded that there were primary and secondary qualities:-

Primary Qualities - quantitative and measurable e.g. dimension, shape and mass 

Secondary Qualities - depended on human perception, rather then 'real' objects

Galileo alleged that facts were determined by nature, not by men or books. 

The Leaning Tower of Pisa Experiment

Galileo dropped a ten-pound weight and a one-pound weight off the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa to  prove that both would fall at the same speed. Aristotle's theory that the heavier object would fall ten times faster, was proved wrong. This animation sums up the experiment: 

(That nice colorful animation was your only break from all these scientific theories, sorry) 

Newton 1642 - 1727

Newton published a book 'Principia' in 1687, it entailed a mathematical demonstration of the Copernican hypothesis  proposed by Keplar. Newton convinced people for the first time that the world was ordered and knowable, this was known as 'The Clockwork Universe'. After Newton, Aristotle's physics was discredited and undermined. 

Media Law Lecture 5 Confidentiality

This mornings lecture, similarly to all our other law lectures consisted of general banter and anecdotes from the hilarious 'phone man'. I hope I am right in thinking that I have just used Jigsaw identification - This is where you mention certain characteristics, rather then identify the person.

There are three areas of concern
1. State Secrets - This affects certain types of investigative journalism - Official Secrets Act
2. Commercial Secrets - Vital for business to business - Common Law Confidentiality
3. Privacy - Mainly for tabloid/celeb journalism - Human Rights Act Section 8

Shhh it's a secret...
Common law secrets - People have the right to keep secrets so long as it is not against the public interest.
Each person has the right to expect certain people, for instance Doctors, to be confidential.

Breach of Confidence
A person is in breach of confidence if they pass on information which:
1. Has 'the necessary quality of confidence'  AND
2. Provided in 'Circumstances imposing an obligation' AND
3. No permission to pass on the information AND
4. Detriment is likely to be caused to the person who gave in the information.

^ If any of the above are missing, then the information is NOT confidential and it can be revealed without breach.

Perfect timing, I love tuesdays! - Dominos delivery has arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrived! Ciao Amigos x

Radio Script - Downgraded from fresh to frozen food

I would like to think that I am not the only one whose mind is constantly distracted by what may be in my fridge. Even after every meal the comfort of reopening the fridge to check what else there is to eat is a habit I just cannot shake. However the contents of what may be crammed in to my small cupboard, or shelf in my fridge, is sadly far from the luxuries and quality of home. After coming to university, I can promise mum I will never complain about her cooking. What was I thinking when I would call her lazy if she chose to cook something quick in the oven? She would only ever make me microwaveable food now and then when she was short of time, and now, I do nothing but use the radiation machine. It has to be the most used kitchen facility in my flat; warming up my weekly supplies of Iceland’s cheapest micro meals, Heinz baked beans, and too often last nights Domino’s pizza. This may sound like I am just rambling on about food, and although that is what I know best, I am emphasising upon the point of appreciation for food with flavour, taste, and most importantly solidity. Although the idea of solid foods may seem absurd to you because this is the norm, I am exaggerating the fact that I have revisited my childhood of liquefied foods. For instance, “Smash” which although is probably one of the best inventions of mash potato, is purely powder and boiling water; a prime example of how artificial the food is that us students eat. I imagine my mothers crispy roast potatoes, but that is always short lived when my attempt at spicing up the food with some salt and pepper fails. I guess I have to accept that my taste buds are hibernating until I go home for the weekend. I have to say my weekly trip to Iceland has to be one of my highlights, purely because I am there to buy food, and food is what I love. But it is also largely down to the fact that it is cheap. As a student, budgeting our money is what all our parents nag on about, but it is true. For the first time ever, I brought my eggs from the 99p store. Now what does that tell you? Not only does it prove my point of buying it for the sake of it being only a pound, but the fact it is so cheap can only mean that it is of a poor standard. Lets be honest, buying eggs from pound land is just not right. From being brought up in a family where we eat only free range eggs, and organic chickens this is a mistake I won’t make again. I take my hat off to parents out there who cook everyday for their children; therefore I take my hat off to my parents. The moment I’d most look forward to from coming home after a long day at school and jumping in front of the TV, would be to ask mum what was for dinner tonight. Sadly this is now the question I dread to ask myself every day, because I know for convenience it’ll be something out of a box. My point being that due to money, time and quality of food, a balanced and healthy diet will have to be sacrificed in replace for a degree. It seems that my insides are going to have to suffer for three years, till I can swap packet soups for homemade soup, and return back to the pleasures I take for granted.

                                                                                                   

What makes a good journalist?

A good journalist is someone who has the ability to think, question and explore. Key qualities such as determination, drive, persistence and passion are attributes you need to pursue a career in journalism. It’s essential that we have strong interactional and communication skills, as journalists need to be confident and comfortable to approach others.

Yesterday’s law lecture consisted of a few pointers on becoming a good journalist. In the words of Chris Horrie: “Be rude, rude is good”. Although this seems out of the ordinary, we need to challenge journalism and act interrogatively, to excel beyond the standard level. He has continuously drilled three words into our minds: fast, accurate and fair. A good journalist will be up to date with current affairs in order to be able to report quickly, efficiently and fairly. Most importantly, journalists cannot be wrong, accuracy is vital! Although opinions and comments are our own, facts and figures need to be precise.

"What Blud?"

This clip had to be the highlight of my morning, so i'm passing it on...

HARSH.