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Category: authors

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After reading about fair use, I realized that the copyrighting of media was never something I have taken too much consideration into. While we start learning in high school that it’s important to cite our sources, plagiarism is bad, etc., we mainly regard that in terms of academic integrity. I just assumed that anything on the web is up for grabs (as long as you cite it). I never considered getting permission, since everything I used was for school purposes. I find it interesting that there is such a fine line when it comes to fair use, and it has me thinking of how vast these issues must be on the web since there seems to be infinite access to other creators’ works. It really begs the question that even if you aren't following these guidelines/using someone else’s work without permission, how likely is it that you will face consequences? What are the chances that the original creator will come across your work? And if they do, how likely is it that they will do something about it?

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Determining the likeness of a verbatim or parody text to its original is infuriating. Other than estimating the percentage of two things' likeness, I'm not sure how exactly courts judge whether an item falls under Fair Use or not. If likeness basements or ceilings existed (which I don't see how they couldn't), the substantiality in Fair Use cases might be easier to ascertain. That sort of practice is already apparent in Fair Use not covering the "heart" of intellectual property -- so couldn't the "heart" of something be weighted more heavily in a percentage? And I'm still wrestling with how assembled ideas can be unique enough for copyright. This is obviously a question deeper than a four-month class can handle, but -- does a thing have to be unique or significantly unique? read more

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After reading Stolley’s manifesto, I wasn’t entirely convinced of his argument. As someone who has taken a handful of coding classes, I know that it helps to familiarize yourself with the process and software that creates the content you intend to put out there. Keeping that in mind, I didn’t think having a deep understanding of the software is essential as he makes it seem. For instance, we use various platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc., that are user-friendly enough to allow people to post written content with ease. I think this all works similarly to driving a car- you don’t need to need the intricacies of the vehicle itself to understand how to operate it. However, after watching the GitHub tutorials, I think have a better understanding of what he means. Having a level of proficiency in these tools is becoming an essential part of how we represent media, and the nature of version control/revision makes it an ever-changing platform that requires a base understanding of how it works. Logic, structure, and revision are as essential to coding as they are to writing.

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Legally I'm a Jeff but spiritually I've always felt like more of a Geoff so either one is cool. I like naps, books and all things queer. I graduate in the spring and have a limited idea of what one can do with a communications degree-- so I welcome suggestions. Related to that, my favorite thing is when someone asks my major, and I tell them, and they ask what I'd like to do, and I shrug, and they get nervous and say, "...oh you can do so much with that though!" read more

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Hello everyone! My name is Johanna (pronounced like the Hawaiian word “ohana” but with a J), but I actually go by Jojo. As a junior industrial engineering major, it’s been a while since I’ve taken a composition course. I’m excited to explore my creative side this semester, and I’m hoping this class will give me a new kind of experience for my undergraduate career. I look forward to getting to know you all!

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Hi guys, my name is Jappmann (pronounced Jasmine with a "p") Monga and I'm a senior Communication Rhetoric Major with an intended Creative Writing Minor and Public Professional Writing Certificate. I think I will be the first to say that I actually want to go into medicine and become a pediatric specialist. After graduation, I'm planning on attending a post-baccalaureate program to finish my pre-med requisites and then (fingers crossed) go to medical school! read more

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Hi everyone, my name is Gabi Keane.  I use she/her or they/them pronouns.  I'm an English literature and non-fiction writing major, with a strong focus on media.  Over the summer, I did a research project on the impacts of developing media technology during the 19th century on ghost hoaxes.  I love seeing the expansion and transformation of media technology and the ways people interact with it.  Most of the time, I'm looking at how people consume media, so I'm excited to spend time in this class learning how we create digital media. read more

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Hi, everybody! My name is Lucas, and I'm a double German and Poetry major here at Pitt. I typically spend my days speed-walking and practicing my confusion with German. If you ask, I'll talk your ear off about my research in Europe this Summer and--of all things--playing cards. (I do play a mean game of Rummy, but Poker is, sadly, not in my wheelhouse.) read more

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Hi there, I'm Jill Tyburski. I am a junior and a double major in English Writing (fiction track) and Film Studies. Apparently like many of you, I also am working towards the Digital Media Certificate! I think that experience with digital media is important to almost any career field. Plus digital media is fun and creative, and I think everyone else in the class would agree with me on that (which is why we are all in this class I think). read more

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Hi, everyone! My name is Alyssa Hernandez and I'm a junior/senior at Pitt. I'll graduate as an english writing major with a studio arts minor, and a digital media certificate. I'm excited about taking this course because I usually stick to non-digital forms of art, such as poetry, painting, and photography. So, I hope this class will expand my creativity and help me grow as both an artist and a writer in terms of shifting to the digital world. I look forward to creating/composing with you all!

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My name is Casey Taylor. I am majoring in marketing and also getting a certificate in digital media. This is my last semester here at Pitt after 9 long years of going to school. I have only been a full-time student for the last year and a half... before that I was a professional ballerina and only going to school part time at night. I am looking forward to this class and getting to work creatively in an outlet that is new to me. I am also currently working as a marketing coordinator and social media manager for Row House Cinema and Bierport in Lawrenceville - come check us out!!

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Hi everyone, my name is Abby Hoffman and I am a senior here at the University of Pittsburgh. I am majoring in Communication Rhetoric, as well as getting certificates in Digital Media and Public/Professional Writing. I am from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, which is "outside of Philly". Last spring semester (2017) I studied abroad for 5 months in Madrid, which was truly a life-changing experience. During the summer I interned for a public relations firm in NYC, where I worked for and met many celebrity chefs (which was amazing because I love food!) I am constantly checking social media, especially Facebook and Instagram. I look forward to spending this semester learning how to compose digital media, which I-- along with many other people around the world-- consume everyday.

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