Contents contributed and discussions participated by Jennifer Dougherty - Technologies and the Future of Writing Spring 2008

For Amanda, it was a welcome departure from her day job, where she answered phones and handled the demands of high-powered stars.
- Jennifer Dougherty on 18 Apr 08
  
  Isn't this what most of us long for-a chance to be someone else, even if only for a bit? Think about it, I know when I was younger, I played dress up and pretended to be someone else. Even as an adult writer, I create characters that are not like me. They are from me, but are not me. Sometimes I am a child in my stories, sometimes an elderly man, sometimes I am even an anilmal or a bug, or a fairy, or a princess. The point is, it is an escape from reality, a vent, a form of release.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Isn't this what most of us long for-a chance to be someone else, even if only for a bit? Think about it, I know when I was younger, I played dress up and pretended to be someone else. Even as an adult writer, I create characters that are not like me. They are from me, but are not me. Sometimes I am a child in my stories, sometimes an elderly man, sometimes I am even an anilmal or a bug, or a fairy, or a princess. The point is, it is an escape from reality, a vent, a form of release.</div>
  
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Wired 14.12: The Secret World of Lonelygirl - 0 views

www.wired.com/...lonelygirl.html

shared by Kelly Burns on 13 Feb 08 - Cached

After working a few years as an assistant to an independent director
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After working a few years as an assistant to an independent director
- Jennifer Dougherty on 18 Apr 08
  
  This is exactly the point I was trying to make about YouTube-that it turns the average person, in this case he struggles to become a director, into just that, a director. He created this set and these characters and put them out there. Millions of people followed. Isn't this his dream?
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">This is exactly the point I was trying to make about YouTube-that it turns the average person, in this case he struggles to become a director, into just that, a director. He created this set and these characters and put them out there. Millions of people followed. Isn't this his dream?</div>
  
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Wired 14.12: YouTube vs. Boob Tube - 0 views

www.wired.com/...youtube.html

shared by Jennifer Dougherty on 13 Feb 08 - Cached

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Wired 14.12: YouTube vs. Boob Tube - 0 views

www.wired.com/...youtube.html

shared by Gail Ramsey on 13 Feb 08 - Cached

- Jennifer Dougherty on 18 Apr 08
  
  I think the advertisers do that. Look at the sig-in page for myspace. It is a virtual billboard. Any given day the entire sign-in page is a new advertisement. Sometimes it is a movie. The other day it was an entire page devoted to crest toothpaste. Once you are on the site, the sidebars are bombarded with schanging advertisements. Vans shoes one minute then after refreshing the page, it is some other product. Maybe we don't pay that much attention or ever click on the link. I know I never do. But clearly the advertisers have achieved at least some of their purpose because I remember seeing thier ad.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I think the advertisers do that. Look at the sig-in page for myspace. It is a virtual billboard. Any given day the entire sign-in page is a new advertisement. Sometimes it is a movie. The other day it was an entire page devoted to crest toothpaste. Once you are on the site, the sidebars are bombarded with schanging advertisements. Vans shoes one minute then after refreshing the page, it is some other product. Maybe we don't pay that much attention or ever click on the link. I know I never do. But clearly the advertisers have achieved at least some of their purpose because I remember seeing thier ad.</div>
  
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Wired 14.12: YouTube vs. Boob Tube - 0 views

www.wired.com/...youtube.html

shared by Kelly Burns on 13 Feb 08 - Cached

Type in "sweet tired cat" and watch a drowsy kitten dozing off. The clip, which was viewed nearly 2 million times in two weeks, is 27 seconds of such concentrated cuteness that you might actually have a stroke and die. It's that excruciatingly adorable.
- Jennifer Dougherty on 18 Apr 08
  
  I get that this is cute. I will grant that. But what is the point? I don't understand why so many people watch this video. At least the Numa Numa guy is entertaining.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I get that this is cute. I will grant that. But what is the point? I don't understand why so many people watch this video. At least the Numa Numa guy is entertaining.</div>
  
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- Jennifer Dougherty on 18 Apr 08
  
  Ok, this guy is really creepy. Who thinks to take a picture of themself everday for 6 years. Who has that much free time and dedication. More importantly, who thinks this is interesting? I think it is a great idea for a child to chronicle growth, but this is weird.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Ok, this guy is really creepy. Who thinks to take a picture of themself everday for 6 years. Who has that much free time and dedication. More importantly, who thinks this is interesting? I think it is a great idea for a child to chronicle growth, but this is weird.</div>
  
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But that guesswork begins in a very special, very poignant, and potentially very lucrative place: the hitherto futile aspirations of the everyman to break out of his lonely anonymous life of quiet desperation, to step in front of the whole world and
- Jennifer Dougherty on 18 Apr 08
  
  Just like blogs have made writers publishers, YouTube has made the average person a film maker. Think about, everyone looks for their 15 minutes of fame. YouTube grants them access to the entire world. I'd say that gives them more than 15 minutes.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Just like blogs have made writers publishers, YouTube has made the average person a film maker. Think about, everyone looks for their 15 minutes of fame. YouTube grants them access to the entire world. I'd say that gives them more than 15 minutes.</div>
  
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A recent Accenture study of 1,600 Americans found that 38 percent of respondents wanted to create or share content online.
- Jennifer Dougherty on 18 Apr 08
  
  There are plenty of people, myself included, who have this creative side. This need or desire to "make" something meaningful. For me, it is to write. Most of us don't think we have an outlet for our creativity because, afterall, we are not gifted writers, film makers, and thespians. YouTube gives us an outlet to express ourselves. I believe that is why YouTube and, for that matter, blogs, have taken on a life of their own. It is a catalyst for creativity for the every day person.
  
  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">There are plenty of people, myself included, who have this creative side. This need or desire to "make" something meaningful. For me, it is to write. Most of us don't think we have an outlet for our creativity because, afterall, we are not gifted writers, film makers, and thespians. YouTube gives us an outlet to express ourselves. I believe that is why YouTube and, for that matter, blogs, have taken on a life of their own. It is a catalyst for creativity for the every day person.</div>
  
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