Good Artists Copy. Great Artists Steal.

In the video, Rise of the Nerds: Part 3, we see the rise of the computer age and how the men behind these companies created this vision. I found it very interesting that Xerox ultimately jump started the technological advancement of personal computing. Xerox Alto began by trying to put computers into the workplace. It was the first GUI (Graphic User Interface) with a mouse pointer. They connected other computers to one another using Ethernet. The discoveries and technologies were way ahead of its time, but the Xerox headquarters didn’t share the vision of personal computing and shut down the project. 

The researchers at Xerox showed Steve Jobs their idea for a GUI. He was so impressed with the idea that he claimed right away that all computers would eventually run using it. The Apple team used the idea of GUI and improved it. When Steve Jobs says that Xerox could’ve owned the entire computer industry, it put things in perspective for me. I guess we look at these large companies and don’t think about how they got their success. The continuous rise and fall of the Macintosh shows that there is more to a company than its product. Apple obviously had a more user friendly interface and contained new and innovative ideas, but IBM and Windows remained ahead of Apple because of the way they ran their business. Jobs looked at personal computing as, what can we make new and better for users whereas the other major computer companies looked at personal computing as how do we sell more and how can we make more money. In business, you must look at your company as a business and not as an outlet to pursue dreams. Jobs, at one point in time got kicked out of Apple because his visions and persistence in an OS called LISA lost Apple a lot of money. Jobs eventually came back to take over the Macintosh OS and formed it into a cheaper LISA. Although Macintosh was revolutionary and very user friendly, it didn’t have as many applications as IBM PC’s. IBM then became a huge threat to Apple.

IBM PC ran on a DOS which was created by Bill Gates. The IBM PC had a plethora of software that wouldn’t work on Macintosh’s and that Apple didn’t provide. It also wasn’t a GUI. Jobs signed a contract with Gates to create bundled applications for the Mac. This is where Gates got the idea that GUI was the future of personal computing. 

Windows OS was then launched by Bill Gates. He was sued by Apple for basically stealing their software. They were mimicking the Mac, but unfortunately Apple lost the case.  Windows exploded with popularity and took over the industry of personal computing. 

All of this history shows us that success doesn’t have to come from your own personal innovative and creative ideas. You can take someone else’s success, and make it your own. Good artists copy, great artists steal... whether we like it or not.

Final Scene from Jobs

"Because the people that are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Project 1 Details

I chose to express the fact that there are two sides to me; the outward expression of myself that others can see and my deeper and more personal side that makes me the independent person I am. That being said, since these two sides play an equal factor into my character, I decided to show them using Yin-Yang as a reference.  On a website online I found a perfect definition of the meaning of Yin-Yang.

"In Chinese philosophy, the concept of yin-yang, which is often called "yin and yang", is used to describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world; and, how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another."

My Yin side relays my outgoing and adventurous side which I chose to depict with pictures of my hobbies, social life, places and events that I have been to. For example, I used a couple photos from concerts and music festivals that I have been to because I love music and going to shows with my friends.

For my Yang side, I wanted to show a side of me that people dont usually see. I depict my deeper side with pictures of things, places and events that hold a high importance in my life. For example, I put a picture of my father in uniform on this side because he was recently deployed and I grew a lot as a person by going through this experience. He is a defining figure in my life in which I base my morals and pride in. 

I constructed my piece by printing out all my photos in color and in black and white. I then sorted through them into my Yin and Yang sides. The Yin side was in color and the Yang side was in black and white. I chose to do this to add emphasis on the fact that my Yin side is more prominently shown and my Yang side is more reserved and kept to myself. I cut the pictures out and taped them to a cardboard cake mat and cut the photos to fit the shape of the Yin-Yang. I then used sharpie to make a definite line through the middle and around the circular photos. I did this so that it would be obvious that it was a Yin-Yang symbol because without the defined line it just looked like a collage. 

I am very proud of my project and I hope that you feel like you got to know me better through it. 

FINAL PROJECT

Ohio in the Fall

Skydiver

Roadtrip to Tennesee

Clydesdale

Dozer and Pancake

Shakespeare

Electric Daisy Carnival

Flower Skull drawn by me

Tampa

My Backyard

Insense

Ohio in the Winter

Joe playing guitar

Longboard

Tampa

Valentines Day 2013

Travel

UT

Dad in Oman 

Old Mans Cave

St. Pete

All Good Music Festival

Mandala Flower drawn by me

References:

http://www.sacredlotus.com/theory/yinyang.cfm

Jimmy Kimmel: Mean Tweets

Adbusters: American Psychosis

I strongly believe that social media has the ability to contribute to a larger social problem because it is one of the main formats that American’s get a large amount of information from. I don’t think the problem lies within the entire social media however. There are many positive things that come from the media as well as bad. I think the main issue has to do with celebrities. Celebrities are made to be icons and heroes in the eyes of America, so when they do something unethical these vast fanbases that they have established follow their lead. In the article it states, “Once fame and wealth are achieved, they become their own justification, their own morality. How one gets there is irrelevant.” Everyone is in some way trying to become rich or famous. People see these celebrities, lets say, sleeping their way to the top *cough Kim Kardashian cough*, and think that as long as you become rich and famous, it won’t matter how you got there. Morals get thrown to the side when money and fame are involved. 

I also think that social media has the ability to be a solution to the problem as well. If they get their priorities in order and start using the media to share meaningful and ethical news, then I think eventually we can change the way America thinks. 

I’ll conclude by sharing my favorite quote from the article, “A society that cannot distinguish reality from illusion dies.” Hopefully one day the media will be used to spread reality to the world instead of lies and deceit. 

Project 1 Ideas

For my project, in order to express who I am without showing myself, I decided to find three different qualities that I find define me as a person and build projects off of those qualities. 

1) For the first idea, I chose to express the fact that there are two sides to me. I am both an outgoing and lively person, but I also enjoy my alone time. That being said, since these two sides play an equal factor into my character, I decided to show them using Yin-Yang as a reference. "In Chinese philosophy, the concept of yin-yang, which is often called "yin and yang", is used to describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world; and, how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another." (quote from http://www.sacredlotus.com/theory/yinyang.cfm) The details of the idea are laid out below.


Theme: Yin & YangPics: Half of my pictures will show the lighter side of me (Yin) and the other half will show a deeper side to me (Yang). Some ideas for my Yin side pictures include my hobbies (longboarding, yoga, cooking, sports etc.), concert pictures, friends, and family. Some ideas for my Yang side include meditation, dreamcatchers, writing, drawing, my boyfriend, and singing. Presentation: Cardboard, frisbee, foam circular disk, or any other circular or shapeable material that I can find. Special Effect:  The Yin side will be lit up with bright white lights either behind the pictures or around them. The Yang side will be lit up with a black light.

2) For my second idea, I chose to play off of one of my best qualities; the ability to see light in a dark situation. When something terrible or unfortunate happens, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason so it is easy for me to stay positive. I chose to use the theme of sunlight to express this trait because the sun may not always be seen, but you know that it will come back again the next morning. Just like if you are in a dark situation, it helps to think that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Theme: SunPics: The pictures will consist of things that brighten my life. Each picture will be happy and have a story or meaning behind it.Presentation 1: On a posterboard, each point on the sun (triangle) will be a different picture, the middle of the sun (circle) will be the most important, and brightest picture which all of the other pictures relate to.Presentation 2: Make a yellow/orange paper mache around a foam ball and stick the pictures into the sides to make a 3D sun. The pictures will be in the shape of triangles. Special Effect: I will put copper wire lights either around the edges of the pictures or behind all of them to make them seem to glow.

3) For my third idea, I chose to express my need for adventure. I am constantly craving to explore the world and do anything and everything this world has to offer. I haven't traveled much yet, but I have a very extensive bucket list! The presentation of this idea is pretty self explanatory.


Theme: TravelPics: Each picture will be a place that I have been, they will be double sided (same picture on the back of the pic)Presentation:I will print the pictures big enough so that I can fold them into paper airplanes and tie a string on each one that will hang from something that is sturdy and straight (like a ruler or a stick) so that it is easier to present.Special Effect: Cover the stick in cotton balls so that it looks like clouds.

Google

When I Googled my name I was not surprised at the results. The only sites that popped up were Facebook, Twitter (not mine), and Pinterest.Most of the images that came up were Facebook pictures and Pinterest posts that I have made, so that wasn't very surprising.  I thought the Twitter one was funny because the person that showed up was a girl with my name who's username was HaleighDP with five posts total. I think I have around a couple thousand posts and my username is haleighpurvis. So, I was confused as to why her Twitter would pop up before mine since the name matches exactly and I use my account much more often. Then I started to think about it and I realized that my Twitter is private. Maybe private accounts don't show up on Google. While I'm on the subject, privacy is something that I would definitely look into when using online sites. You may not get the most followers or the most likes, but at least you don't have people looking at your information that shouldn't be. It is a good safety precaution and also good for applying for jobs. Employers will be able to see that you have a site, but only the content that you choose for them to see. I thankfully didn't find anything bad, not that I expected to. It's good to know what comes up when I Google myself because now I can be even more careful about what I put on those specific sites.


I think that having an online presence is important when living in the 21st century because it is so prevalent in todays society, that you are almost "out of the loop" if you aren't online. Especially since most jobs nowadays require computer competency, being online is a way to show that you are knowledgeable and prepared to assist with any online work necessary for that particular position.  It is also a great way to know what is going on in the world and can also be used as an outlet to express your feelings and beliefs publicly. When doing this, keep in mind that anyone can view what you post, so remain respectful of others when posting online.

Whats more important than having an online presence, is having a positive online presence. Employers today use Google, Facebook, and other online sites and search engines to find out more about you. If you have a poor online presence and have bad pictures or inappropriate posts, an employer will be turned off and you may not have a very good chance of getting that job. If you have a positive online presence, however, employers will look at you as responsible at work and outside of work as well. A lot can be said about a person just by Googleing their name and seeing what pops up. It can either make or break a job opportunity. In conclusion, it is really important that people aren't being ignorant on the internet, because once its on there, it will be there forever.