Social Media

Throughout the two-year DOTCOM process, I have learned that, rather than a useless networking site for bored teenage girls, social media can be used as a powerful force for change. One example of this was on Haloween, 2008. I was on my Student Government, and we were making a push for donating money to UNICEF. In the olden days, we would just post pamphlets around the school, pamphlets that no one would look at. However, we were able to send notices out on Facebook reminding people to donate, and the next day, we recieved a record amount in the annual UNICEF drive. If used correctly, Web 2.0 can be a powerful factor in making change happen.

My newest, most excellent green-screen video about how social media has connected the world. Enjoy!

Texting While Driving PSA

This is my uber-awesome PSA on texting while driving. Hope you enjoy it!

My Phase II Experience

1. The most challenging part of my Phase II experience was definitely the tail end. In addition to having to say goodbye to all of my DOTCOM friends, I also experienced a small share of the conflict that Armenians and Azeris have to deal with every day of their lives. All the research I did, and all the Phase I preparation we did as a group, did NOT prepare me for the events that transpired (without getting into any specifics) on that last day.
2. The most rewarding moment I had during all of phase II was the film festival, when I got to watch as all our hard work finally came to fruition. One particular moment in my movie (which I'm not sure I'm at liberty to discuss) proved to me, and hopefully to all 29 other DOTCOMers, that what we did in Waitsfield, and the spirit of friendship and companionship we worked so hard to try and foster, was not all for naught.
3. Apart from the actual making of the films, the most fun I had during phase II was my first free day in Waitsfield. Hanging out with Ana's cool Vermon'er friends, (including the infamous, "Put'n'Roll"), hitching a ride on the Metraux, and geocatching with Niko, created memories that will last my entire lifetime.
4. I can't wait to reconnect with my DOTCOMer amigos, and learn how they are working, through their social action projects, to make a difference in their respective communities.

My Phase II Experience: Part Deaux - My DOTCOM Photo Album
COMING SOON

My Time in D.C.

1. I learned many things in Washington, D.C., not all of them concerning media. For example, I learned that Doctor Rob Williams is a proud secessionist and owner of Vermont's only yak farm. However, the most important thing I learned about media is that Twitter can be a useful media tool. As Dr. Rob explained, following a person's Twitter account can help you understand that person's story. While Twitter, from an outsider's perspective, can seem uninteresting, it can be a valuable tool for learning about the lives of others.
2. While I may have had pre-existing stereotypes about Armenians and Azeris, those stereotypes were instantly vanquished the moment I met them. Everyone in the program is kind, thoughtful, and intelligent, and I have really enjoyed spending time with them. I really bonded with all the Armenians during our time in D.C. Unfortunately, I did not get to see the Azeris much in D.C., but I can't wait to work with them here in Vermont.
3. The most difficult part of the program so far has been the fact that the Azeris arrived late to D.C. Because of this, we missed valuable "teambuilding" time, and it will be a little bit harder to get to know my Azeri counterparts. However, since I know the Azeris are hard-working, amiable, amazing people, this is only a minor setback that I know the group will overcome.
4. I have really enjoyed meeting the 29 people I have been communicating with online for the last 6 months, and sharing the experience in D.C. with them. It has only been 5 days, and already I have learned so much about the other DOTCOMers, and the amazing cultures they are a part of. I have already learned a little bit of Armenian (baarev, which means "hi," and handjuick, which means "party"), and Azerbijani (getz, which means "go", and yok, which means "yes.") As the month continues, I can't wait to learn more about and more from the 29 other DOTCOMers.

My Bio

My name is Jacob Rasch, and I am an incoming 10th Grader at Walt Whitman High School. I live in Bethesda, MD, USA, with my brother, Jonny, my dog, Cal, and my parents. I have many hobbies, but, first and foremost, I love to play baseball. I even play for my high school team. I have been involved in student government, play the clarinet in my school’s band, and do a lot of community service with underprivileged children. I will even be taking a journalism class next year through my school. My favorite TV shows are Scrubs, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and South Park. My favorite subjects in school are probably social studies (history) and science, but I also like math and writing. I can’t wait to expand my horizons by working with DOTCOM.

The Olive

This Israeli ad for feta cheese called "The Olive" uses various techniques to try to sell the product and create a "feel" for it. First, it appeals to the limbic brain is setting the mood and the feeling. You get the sense of the Mediterranain island, the Greek food, the party atmosphere. You FEEL like you are on a warm greek island in the middle of the summer. This, in turn appeals to the "warm feeling" or warm fuzzies part of advertising. The viewer feels good about the scene, and therefore feels good about the product being advertised. The white clothes, the sensuous look of the food, and the bright lighting all contribute to this feeling.

Next, the main character sees the greek woman. The reptilian brain takes over. Feelings of attraction and sensuality take over, and he no longer acts rationally. Rather, he simply wants to impress her. We switch briefly to "beautiful people." His sole goal is to impress. He tosses the olive into the air with abandon. Unfortunately, he chokes. There COULD be another reptillian response to this -- fear. But rather than either the character or the audience sensing fear, this is where humor takes over. We get both the "group think" as the others join in to what they believe is the main character's dancing, plate breaking, and back thumping, as the scene escalates.

Eventually, he dislodges the olive. The neocortex tells you that he has learned from his experience. But no. He sees the woman one more time, and of course the reptillian brain takes over once again. The olive is hoisted aloft ...

While this is an effective ad, it does not necessarily make you either remember or desire the product. What you do remember is the limbic portion of the ad - the feeling of the island, and the humor of the ad. Nothing says cheese like humor.