Chanelle Schneider | There From Here

#GenYChat 6/22/11 Guest Host: @UndecidedBook

June 22, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider Leave a Comment

Topic: Indecisiveness

Is it better to think with your heart or with your head? When trying to come to a conclusion about a heart-wrenching decision, the moment of pause always comes immediately after you’ve set your mind on a solution. “But what if…?” “And, if I do that, then…?” You ponder and ponder and ponder only to decide to do…nothing. Why is it so hard to make one decision? Not every decision is heart-wrenching, of course. However, the ones that are make coming to one set resolution very difficult for a variety of reasons.

“When asked if they had decided NOT to buy a product or service in the past year because they disagreed with the social or political values of the company that provides that product or service, roughly a third of Millennials (35%), Gen Xers (34%), and Boomers (36%) say they had boycotted a company in the past year.” Source: MILLENNIALS: A Portrait of Generation Next

Making a decision is always contingent upon a choice. Choice implies two or more distinct possibilities for a resolution. More often than not the choice is between a rational and an irrational resolution – the decision you should make versus the decision you want to make. In cases where more than two options are present, decision-making becomes that much harder.

Is it really this hard, though? Are we just making excuses in order to justify taking a longer time to get to the decision we knew we were going to make? Do we really have to try on every pair of taupe high heel in the store?

Where do we learn our decision-making skills? Is someone at fault? Did Boomers and Generation X raise children (Generation Y and Generation Z) who are tragically indecisive?

“Millennials often prefer to make no decision than the wrong decision. I think it has to do with fear of closing doors on possible opportunities more than indecisiveness, per se.” Source: Bah, Humbug! Why Are Millennials So Cheap?

Guest Host!

Shannon and Barbara Kelley co-authored “Undecided“, a book that explores the role choices have in our decision-making. Shannon will be serving as guest host in #GenYChat tonight at 9pm ET where we will discuss the following questions:

Q1. What steps does a woman take to make a decision versus the steps a man takes? #GenYChat

Q2. When making a retail purchase, what impacts your decision-making? #GenYChat

Q3. Have you ever decided to do something against your better judgment? What was the result? #GenYChat

Q4. How do societal or cultural expectations of you affect your decision-making? #GenYChat

Q5. How are your decisions affected by what impact they will have on future generations? #GenYChat

Q6. There is knowing better and doing better. What is scary about doing better? #GenYChat

Q7. How do you decide it’s time to either forgive a friend or let them go? #GenYChat

Q8. How does teaching a child that they can have it all affect their decision-making as an adult? #GenYChat

Q9. Is there anything that you can chase that will make you happier once you have it? #GenYChat

How to Participate in #GenYChat on Twitter

If you haven’t participated in the chat before, but have insights to share, please do the following to participate:

If using Twitter.com:

Type “#genychat” into the search field
Reply and ReTweet but add “#genychat” onto your tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets

If using TweetChat:

Sign in through OAuth. (note: Please read this information about using OAuth to give third party applications access to your account)
Type “genychat” into the search field (The “#” is already provided)
Click Go
Reply and ReTweet. TweetChat puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to

If using TweetDeck:

Click the + symbol to add a column
Type “#genychat” into the search field. A column will appear as the last column in your TweetDeck
Using the left arrow button, move it next to your Mentions column to better see and respond to your replies while in the chat
Click the Settings button
Click on the Twitter tab
Click on Auto include hashtags when replying
Click Save settings
Reply and ReTweet. TweetDeck puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to. (Note: You still have to add “#genychat” onto your own tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets)

#GenYChat begins at 9pm ET! Get in early for introductions and mingling. See you there!

Filed Under: GenYChat Topics

#GenYChat 6/15/11: @CoachJennie Discusses Living Audaciously

June 15, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider Leave a Comment

“Who would have thought the kids would start taking over so soon? Or that they would even want to? They were supposed to be slackers, cynics, drifters. But don’t be fooled by their famous pose of repose. Lately, more and more of them are prowling tirelessly for the better deal, hunting down opportunities that will free them from the career imprisonment that confined their parents. They are flocking to technology start-ups, founding small businesses and even taking up causes–all in their own way. They are making waves on the Web, making movies in and out of Hollywood, making money, spending money.”

Read more

The article goes on to say: “Slapped with the label Generation X, they’ve turned the tag into a badge of honor. They are X-citing, X-igent, X-pansive. They’re the next big thing. Boomers, beware! It’s payback time.”

Read more

Thought that was about Generation Y, didn’t you? Stepping back into the archives of Time magazine will show that each generation is described in much the same way. Each generation is lazier than those prior; each generation is more dedicated to living the lives their parents didn’t live; and, each generation is wont to cast off the stereotypes put on them by previous generations.

The proliferation of these stereotypes causes the eye-rolling, the *sighs*, and the “get off my lawn” mentality that prevent healthy communication. When we are trying to determine who we will become in life, the people we should speak with are those that have been there. Jennie Mustafa-Julock (@CoachJennie on Twitter) understands how healthy communication can spur ambition. The Audacity Coach, Jennie helps people who “…know what [they] want, but this ain’t it.”

Jennie, often a participant, will be serving as guest host in tonight’s #GenYChat. We will discuss the following questions:

Q1. What do you want to be when you “grow up”? Is that what you do now? #genychat

Q2. What’s your top-secret/so-not-telling/seriously-don’t-make-me-say-it AUDACIOUS DREAM? #genychat

Q3. Is having an AUDACIOUS DREAM an example of #GenY entitlement? If so, is that okay? #genychat

Q4. If money/time/family pressure/gravitational forces were NO object, how would you achieve your DREAM? #genychat

Q5. If your friends or family provide support along the way, do they get a say in your choices? Why or why not? #genychat

Q6. What excuses do people make that sabotage their DREAMS? #genychat

Q7. Which is scarier: Fear of Success or Fear of Failure? Why? #genychat

Q8. How do you push through the procrastination + fear to actualize your DREAM? #genychat

Q9. How can you show that you are ready + willing to do whatever-it-takes to achieve your dream? #genychat

How to Participate in #GenYChat on Twitter

If you haven’t participated in the chat before, but have insights to share, please do the following to participate:

If using Twitter.com:

Type “#genychat” into the search field
Reply and ReTweet but add “#genychat” onto your tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets

If using TweetChat:

Sign in through OAuth. (note: Please read this information about using OAuth to give third party applications access to your account)
Type “genychat” into the search field (The “#” is already provided)
Click Go
Reply and ReTweet. TweetChat puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to

If using TweetDeck:

Click the + symbol to add a column
Type “#genychat” into the search field. A column will appear as the last column in your TweetDeck
Using the left arrow button, move it next to your Mentions column to better see and respond to your replies while in the chat
Click the Settings button
Click on the Twitter tab
Click on Auto include hashtags when replying
Click Save settings
Reply and ReTweet. TweetDeck puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to. (Note: You still have to add “#genychat” onto your own tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets)

#GenYChat begins at 9pm ET! Get in early for introductions and mingling. See you there!

Filed Under: GenYChat Topics, Random Thought Of The Day Tagged With: career, failure, family, fear, GenY, genychat, get a job, get there from here, help, job search, linkedin, middle class, motivation, my passion, parents, success

One Drink Stands: How Do You Date in the Digital Age?

April 12, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider Leave a Comment

MTV Skins Episode

Would Baby Boomers (ages 47-65) balk at the sexual mores of Generation Y (ages 18-30)? Baby Boomers who came of age during the Summer of Love in 1967 expressed a desire to shed the traditions of their parents and freely love who they wanted, when they wanted. Some argue that this revolution resulted in an attitude of sexual entitlement by men. Deny them and be considered a tease or a prude.

Generation X would pay for their prior generation’s promiscuity in the form of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officially recognized AIDS in 1981. While some of the Boomers at the tail end of the generational timeline were giving their love away, unprotected, the GenX’ers were jumping on the contraceptives bandwagon. The notion that “wrapping it up” could prevent unwanted childbirth put even more pressure on women to “give up the rhythm”. Still, listening to the music of the time, one could argue that men were, at least, romantic. This is less true today.

Since it takes more than a professional life to be a whole person, I’m so glad that @ShannonRenee, a relationship marketing professional, agreed to be this week’s #GenYChat guest host to talk about her experiences as a self-proclaimed serial dater.

I’m 42. I’ve been dating for 26 years. I’ve dated short, tall and everything in between. I’ve dated Black, white, Latin and some more. I’ve dated fine-as-hell, unattractive and alright. I’ve dated rich, poor and making it middle class. I’ve dated MD, MBA, PhD, BS, JD and GED. I’ve dated preppy, dandy, thug, biker and bohemian. I’ve met men in church, at work, the book store and the car wash. Men have hit on me at bars & restaurants, the theater and night clubs. I’ve speed-dated for 3, 8 and 10 minutes. I’ve done Single Volunteers and online dating. My family has set me up and friends have fixed me up. And with all of this…I could’ve had a V-8 and saved myself time, energy, money and heartache.

Whereas men once courted women, came to their door, met their parents, and made you feel special, now you’re lucky if you can get them to put their iPhone down long enough to start a conversation. Is dating in the Digital Age made more or less difficult by Social Media? Can you trust the people you flirt with? How long do you have to “know” them before you start flirting? What if things go bad?

According to one report on TheTechJournal, more than 20 percent of an online divorce lawyers case list was because of an affair that started on Facebook. However, not all of them involve sexual relations, “The most common reason seemed to be people having inappropriate sexual chats with people they were not supposed to. Source

As Generation Y comes of age and looks for love as every generation that has come before, the common gripe is that men want one thing and women make it too hard to get it. Divorce rates are increasing and people under 30 are prolonging their education and delaying marriage. With the proliferation of men getting caught cheating on their wives, many women are left wondering if it even makes sense to marry. Should we just go from relationship to relationship, distancing ourselves from our biological instincts to settle down and have children? Or, does it make more sense to be uncommitted and free?

Shannon says, This mindset, saving or waiting for a husband before this or that is silly.

What do men think about relationships?

This is just a sampling of tweets that caught my eye from men on Twitter. It does not reflect the entirety of male opinion.

There is a discussion about relationships every day on my Twitter stream, so let’s bring the conversation to #GenYChat on Wednesday, 4/13 at 9pm ET. Keep in mind that #GenYChat is for all ages; and, we welcome the insights of every generation so that we may learn from one another.

Leave a comment and let us know which of the following questions you’d like to discuss during the main portion of the chat from 9PM-10PM ET. We will select 8 questions for the main hour.

Every man’s favorite question: Why are you still single?
What is your definition of a friend?
Are you looking for a long term relationship? Why or why not?
Are there different types of dating?
Does emotional intimacy matter? What is the difference between sex and love?
If you’re not attracted to someone, can you *just* be their friend?
You’ve said Happiness is not your end goal in life. What is your end goal in life?
Are you happy even when you’re not dating?
You discuss personal topics sometimes. Why don’t you protect your tweets?
Have you ever been in love?
Have you dated/Would you date someone you met from Twitter?
Have you ever looked for love on Twitter?
How can someone you’re interested in dating gain your trust?
Are we too focused on finding love?
Have you ever lost interest in someone based on their social media habits?
What is the biggest mistake we make in trying to find love?
Do you still believe in love?
What role do women play in making relationships harder?
What do men and women do on Twitter that are major turn-offs?
What do the movies get wrong about relationships?
What happens in Vegas stays on…Facebook? How do you handle dating in the Digital Age?
What does it take to get married and stay married?
How do you feel about women approaching men?
Is the quality of conversation on dating websites the same as Twitter?
Social flirting. Do you engage.? Do you still flirt if you’re already dating?
How much is too much online interaction with the opposite sex?

Filed Under: GenYChat Topics Tagged With: Boomer, dating, GenX, GenY, genychat, relationships

Non-Profits and Social Media – GenYChat Topic 1/19/11

January 17, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider 2 Comments

For this week’s #GenYChat on Non-Profits and Social Media you are getting insight into the questions ahead of time, as well as resources to aid in the discussion. #GenYChat is at 9pm ET on Wednesday 1/19.

According to a survey done by Ventureneer and Caliber,

• Nonprofits using social media have more tolerance for failure. Trying something new, even something as widely used as social media, usually involves some risk and those unwilling to risk failure are unwilling to try social media.
• Nonprofits that aren’t using social media generally do not describe themselves as innovators. They are more likely to let others test something new before they try it.
• Nonprofits that aren’t using social media are more likely to be organizations that want a
rock-solid case for any new undertaking

Social Media Today also provided an analysis of a Non-Profit Benchmarking Report noting that:

Looking at how survey respondents use commercial social networks, the most popular role is for traditional marketing—to promote the non-profit’s brand, programs, events or services—with 92.5% of survey respondents indicating this role as the purpose of their presence on commercial social networks.
The second most popular role is for fundraising (45.9%). Program delivery (34.5%) and market research (24.3%) via the social network are utilized, but less frequently.

Special Guest Host!

Trained in Public Relations, Keisha J. Reed decided that she wanted to make a bigger impact on the community that she resides in and work for the nonprofit sector. A product of nonprofit programs that impact inner-city children, she understands the importance of the presence of these programs because they helped introduce her to arts and culture. Martha’s Table, Say Yes and Girl Scouts are just some of the programs that Reed has contributed to.

Questions

Q1. What is the benefit of social media for non-profits? #genychat
Q2. Is there a difference in business strategy for non-profits vs. for-profit organizations? #genychat
Q3. Does the “fearless” stereotype work in favor of GenY’ers in the non-profit industry? #genychat
Q4. How can a consultant explain the monetary value in investing in social media to a non-profit? #genychat
Q5. How can non-profits appeal to each generation without pandering to them? #genychat
Q6. What metrics determine the success of a non-profit’s social media engagement? #genychat

How to Participate in #GenYChat on Twitter

If you haven’t participated in the chat before, but have insights to share, please do the following to participate:

If using Twitter.com:

Type “#genychat” into the search field
Reply and ReTweet but add “#genychat” onto your tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets

If using TweetChat:

Sign in through OAuth. (note: Please read this information about using OAuth to give third party applications access to your account)
Type “genychat” into the search field (The “#” is already provided)
Click Go
Reply and ReTweet. TweetChat puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to

If using TweetDeck:

Click the + symbol to add a column
Type “#genychat” into the search field. A column will appear as the last column in your TweetDeck
Using the left arrow button, move it next to your Mentions column to better see and respond to your replies while in the chat
Click the Settings button
Click on the Twitter tab
Click on Auto include hashtags when replying
Click Save settings
Reply and ReTweet. TweetDeck puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to. (Note: You still have to add “#genychat” onto your own tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets)

Filed Under: GenYChat Topics Tagged With: genychat

Generation Y Change-Maker: Zim Ugochukwu

January 16, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider Leave a Comment

How Did We Meet?

Zim Ugochukwu first moved onto my radar in the summer of 2009 when I mentioned that I would be attending the Campus Progress National Student Conference (CPNC) on Twitter. Almost immediately I received a tweet from @IgniteGSO saying they would be there, too, and that I should check out their project. Usually I don’t click on anyone’s link just because they send it to me, but I made an exception. As someone who worked on her college campus to battle against apathy and increase student involvement, I was impressed by the mission and, later, inspired by Zim when she received an award for her work on stage at the CPNC.

I’m grateful that Zim was paying attention to updates about the conference because I have been able to see her consistent growth for close to two years. If anyone deserves to be on a “Ones to Watch” list, it’s her. In a world full of people seeking change and innovation for selfish reasons it is refreshing to see someone so committed to selfless progress.

What follows is an interview I conducted of her, gaining insight into her multiple projects and how she is getting there from here.

What is helloChange?
helloChange is the largest youth run National Anti-tobacco activism program. It was called the Electrified Youth Project at first. Our mission is to fight back against Big Tobacco. We recently won a $250,000 PepsiRefresh grant and we’ll be going on a 20-30 city tour this summer in addition to hosting a conference in Louisiana.

What is your role in helloChange?
I am Vice President of Activism.

How did you find out about helloChange?
Chad Bullock, the founder, and I went to middle school together. We lost touch but met again when I was interning in Washington, DC. He has always been involved in teaching young people. He approached me about this project, and that’s how I became involved. Chad used to be on the youth advisory board of Truth and is the first non-celebrity to win a Teen Choice Award. He just turned 22. He uses his age to his advantage and the oldest person involved in helloChange is 25.

What is Ignite Greensboro?
The first mission of Ignite Greensboro was to raise awareness for the Civil Rights Museum. When I didn’t receive the support I was looking for, I decided to move on with the project on my own and within the same year was getting recognized by the same people who said it wouldn’t work.

Ignite Greensboro is a project based on mobilizing the students from the colleges and universities in Greensboro to engage in the community through ongoing social action and comprehensive programs. Our mission is to provide a medium for college students to become effective catalysts for change and competent representatives of progress in our society.

The purpose of There From Here is to inspire people with stories and advice from those who are achieving their goals by showing how they are getting where they’re meant to be. Do you have any advice to share for people who may be struggling with following through on their ideas or staying motivated?
Not every idea is going to work. Some ideas may be so ambitious. We have the ability to make our own decisions. If someone’s telling me no, then we’ll find another way around it.

Never ask permission to start a revolution. Our ancestors had the same fear during the Civil Rights Movement. We have to learn to move past the fear. My conscience never says you can’t do this. What do you have to lose? What are you waiting for? [People who are afraid] wait like they’re waiting for something to happen. You just have to do it.

Growing up I always knew I would be a doctor. My whole family was ok with that decision. My mom was not comfortable when I started to go on a different track. She would say, “Get a job because it pays good.” Now, her mentality has shifted and she sees what I’m doing. She did always tell me that if I don’t like something, I need to fix it, so my tenacity comes from that.

I’m thankful for grants and scholarships that paid for school. I doubt I would have been able to do any of this had I had to work 40 hours a week. I don’t get paid for my work with Ignite Greensboro. When I graduate, I might be working overseas.

Where do you begin searching for grants?
No website in particular but type in what you’re looking for into Google or even the local library section on non-profits. The grant we’re applying for now I found by just Googling. There are so many grants a lot of people aren’t applying to.

Where does your courage come from and how did you find good people to help?
If you’re willing to take the setbacks that come to you, stay involved. The only thing you’re losing is the status quo. Somebody across the world is going to come up with the same idea. You have to decide if you’re going to be the person to provide what the world needs. There is beauty in collaboration. Find someone who specializes in what you’re not specialized in. Work with committed peers who are not just excited. Excitement fades. They have to be passionate. Your conscience is there for a reason. It may be a fault of mine, but I always listen to my conscience and my conscience never says don’t do it.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?
This is a tough question because sometimes I don’t even know. I’m trying to get better at balance. I find motivation in the smallest things. I’m more motivated by the final picture. I think that I’m more of a facilitator. I know that my motivation comes from that. Sometimes the work becomes stressful. Living by myself helps because I don’t have to deal with people in my space. I don’t think that I’m 100 precent balanced, but I have a lot of energy.

Where can we find more information about your projects?
Go to ignitegreensboro.org and hellochange.org or follow us on Twitter at @IgniteGSO and @hellochange.

Filed Under: Advice, Gen-Y Goal Stars Tagged With: generation Y, genychat

Addicted to Failure. How Can We Change Our Narrative?

January 13, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider 4 Comments

When was the first time you finally got something you wanted? After days, months, or years of trying to understand something, make it work, or get what you feel you’ve been working towards, you actually got it? Were you petrified? Waiting for the oft stated “other shoe to drop”?

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I often tie in clips from movies or television. I still can’t answer the question of whether art imitates life or life imitates art, but it is interesting when film or television reminds us of life experiences. It is what makes us to relate to them and connect to them.

Of course I’m reminded of a scene from both a television show and a movie this time.

In this scene from Sex and the City Charlotte is finally with a man in a loving relationship after, as she states in a previous episode, searching for one since she was 15. She was told previously that she had almost no chance of becoming pregnant. Then, she receives a call from her doctor and finds out that she is.

Later, in the Sex and the City movie, Charlotte finds out that she is pregnant again and is scared to do anything that might threaten the pregnancy. She becomes less like herself. She stops running.

In television and film we root for the underdog because we long for success in our own lives. We want to see people leap beyond their past obstacles and onto the other side of the wall. We love it even more if they help people along the way. In the case of Ted Williams, the man with the golden voice, the public has latched onto him for his story of recovery. On the Today Show, he was asked if he would be able to handle this sudden success. In the short time that he’s seen his dreams come true, Williams found himself reverting to old behavior. Reports say he has entered rehab to adjust to the new life he wants to lead, but commentary from guests on this morning’s Today Show gave me pause.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

At 5:50 in, the discussion turns to an analysis of what happens when success comes to someone who has known only failure for so long, and the following was said:

Addicts relapse when things are going well for them, afraid of failing or being found out a fraud, not comfortable with success, comfortable with chaos and things falling apart. Success can trigger a relapse.

So, I ask myself and you all reading this, what do you do when life finally hands you what you say you’ve been wanting? How do you become emotionally ready to accept that success you’ve seen others accept with ease? How do you stop yourself from thinking it won’t last? For someone whose narrative has become I can’t, I won’t, and I don’t, when does the expectation of a different narrative come? When does “Yes, I can” become an internalized belief?

Filed Under: Advice Tagged With: get there from here

Mentors: Boomers, Gen X, and Gen Y Discuss Benefits on GenYChat 1/12/11

January 12, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider Leave a Comment

GenYChat Topic 1/12/11

#GenYChat is tonight at 9pm ET. We will be discussing mentorships with a specific focus on their benefits to each generation. With the evolving workplace many professionals are scrambling to understand, train, and retain new talent. Mentors are the key to that process. Without someone experienced in the company to provide insight and guidance, new hires are left to find a way on their own, which can have advantages and disadvantages.

A 2008 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study found that only 43 percent of workers felt job satisfaction. Further,

Training and continuing education are cornerstones to retaining top talent. Workers’ success depends on how many new skills they can develop along their career path. This may include classroom instruction, lunch and learns, or mentoring programs where workers can learn from one another. Mentoring can also be a part of the on-boarding process, which can kick off a new employees’ educational path, and allows mature employees to share their knowledge and experience with future leaders of the company.

The Spherion Emerging Workforce Study reveals top drivers for retention, and although healthcare benefits (78%) and compensation (75%) are viewed as the most crucial to retaining employees, according to surveyed workers, retention is more than salary and benefits. Employees need to believe that they are part of the fabric of their employer’s workplace culture, while achieving their career goals and building a satisfying career path.

Special Guest Host!

Mark Babbitt is a passionate advocate for emerging Gen Y talent, entrepreneurship and mutually beneficial mentor relationships. Babbitt is Founder and CEO of YouTern where future business leaders find mentors among today’s dynamic innovators. A lifelong entrepreneur, mentor and speaker, Mark’s diverse background includes two successful online recruiting start-ups and a decade of experience as CEO of a Silicon Valley marketing firm.

How to Participate in #GenYChat on Twitter

If you haven’t participated in the chat before, but have insights to share, please do the following to participate:

If using Twitter.com:

Type “#genychat” into the search field
Reply and ReTweet but add “#genychat” onto your tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets

If using TweetChat:

Sign in through OAuth. (note: Please read this information about using OAuth to give third party applications access to your account)
Type “genychat” into the search field (The “#” is already provided)
Click Go
Reply and ReTweet. TweetChat puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to

If using TweetDeck:

Click the + symbol to add a column
Type “#genychat” into the search field. A column will appear as the last column in your TweetDeck
Using the left arrow button, move it next to your Mentions column to better see and respond to your replies while in the chat
Click the Settings button
Click on the Twitter tab
Click on Auto include hashtags when replying
Click Save settings
Reply and ReTweet. TweetDeck puts the hashtag in for you so you don’t have to. (Note: You still have to add “#genychat” onto your own tweets in order for everyone participating to see your tweets)

Filed Under: GenYChat Topics Tagged With: genychat

Enough Already: Controlling My Own Clutter

January 11, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider Leave a Comment

Taking time for myself makes me feel like I’m being lazy.

With so many GenY critics blasting my generation for being lazy, it’s a label I strive to avoid.

A couple months ago I started asking friends to hold onto their cardboard boxes. I intended to use these boxes to finally organize my room. I still haven’t done it.

I have clutter. Worse, I have memory clutter. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advice Tagged With: get there from here, OWN

Haiti365: Remembering the 2010 Haiti Earthquake One Year Later

January 10, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider 1 Comment

The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately 25 km (16 miles) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time (21:53 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded. An estimated three million people were affected by the quake;[8] the Haitian government reported that an estimated 230,000 people had died, 300,000 had been injured and 1,000,000 made homeless. They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.

One of the best aspects of Twitter is the ability to gather voices globally on one topic. Many events have brought together my oft divided Twitter timeline, but the 2010 earthquake in Haiti was especially unifying. Nowhere but on Twitter could you find so many people discussing the tragic events of that day. In order to stay up to date, I followed @RAMHaiti that day. I never stopped following and feel as though Haiti has always been in my thoughts.

There is so much that still needs to be done for the people of Haiti. How many more donations to Yele will it take? How did the donations help?

It’s easy to be skeptical of online activism campaigns, though. Some will argue that it’s taking the easy way out. Some will say that someone who goes to Haiti cares more than someone who texts in a $5 donation. They may have a point, but I believe that it’s better to have many $5 donations that can provide the aid needed than a few people on the ground.

UNICEF is promoting the Haiti 365 program to give a voice to Haitian children, the next generation who are taking on adult responsibilities now. Many have uploaded a video message pledging their support.

DONATE

$10 – a year’s supply of water purification tablets

It can be difficult to have politically charged conversations on Twitter. Objectivity is not always present. I hope the one year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake doesn’t devolve into battles of words and is, instead, remembered with reverence.

Filed Under: Random Thought Of The Day Tagged With: Haiti365

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network First Day Ratings

January 4, 2011 By Chanelle Schneider Leave a Comment

Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network channel replaced the Discovery Health Channel on January 1, 2011.

Despite the inability of many people to view the cable network, OWN netted 1145.6 percent higher daily average prime time viewership than Discovery Health in its first day.

It remains to be seen how the network will fair in the coming weeks. The infographic below I created based on data from TV by the Numbers and trending topics I captured shows the success of different shows by the hour and the OWN network’s popularity on Twitter.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Media Analysis Tagged With: OWN