I think your choice of using video for this task was a very enlightened one for several reasons. Firstly, as an introductory post it, as you mention in your introduction, is a great way to not only see you, but also to get to know you as an individual. It creates a sense of connection that is not always possible with the written word. Secondly, the choice of video also increases the ability for most viewers to experience what she has to say – bodies of text can be intimidating for some viewers and WordPress’s, or at least the UBC licensed version of WordPress’s, lack of a screen reader function means that they often don’t have another choice. Thirdly, the choice of video, or at least the audio component of the video truly gives an authentic voice to what you have to say, far more than any text on the screen. It also allows for the photo of the contents to remain on the screen throughout, rather than the viewer having to scroll back and forth from the text to the photo as the different items are being discussed.
Your description of why you don’t typically carry a bag really struck me, not so much from the cultural presumptions of women carrying purses or bags, or the fashion industry that supports this practice by not providing functional pockets in many women’s fashions. But, rather from the fact that I typically carry a bag with me on workdays because I don’t have enough room in my pockets for everything, I think I need throughout the day. This is likely because I am not a minimalist person, and still have a bit too much of a Boy Scout’s mentality of being prepared, I might need this, so I better carry it with me. It also likely a result of the fact that I teach in multiple spaces throughout the day, so I need to carry the essentials from room to room or seem unprepared in front of my students.
I connected with the contents of your pocket as many of the cards she chose to share can also be found in my wallet from the drivers license and health insurance cards to the BCAA, Costco and More Rewards cards. Your preference for the physical cards over the use of an associated app also resonated as I too prefer to use the hard copy versus the digital version.
I also reflected on the mention of needing to borrow another phone to take a picture of the contents of your pocket as your phone was a content. I am amongst a shrinking group of people who prefer to take photos with a sperate camera versus just using my phone. I use my phone as a camera all the time and the thousands of photos in my camera roll will attest to this, but if I am travelling or intending to take photos, I will carry a camera with me to take those photos. Whether it is leading students through Japan or hiking in the Rockies I have my DSLR with me and constantly slung over my shoulder – the stereotypical tourist I know. The act of composing a photo through a viewfinder for me creates a much more intentional act and meaningful result than holding up the phone and snapping a quick shot.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your post and for watching my video. I noticed in several of our classmate’s post, they discussed all of things they have to carry for work. I work form home and before reading other people’s posts I did not consider how working from home has liberated me from carrying extra things such as a laptop, charging cords, lunches etc. I’m sure my video would be quite different if I had to commute to work every day. In addition, the workplace has changed a lot in the last 10 years or so. Before, I would not carry a laptop around with me but now with open concept offices, small laptops, charging docs etcetera there is an expectation that workers keep their devices with them at all times.
I appreciate your comment about carrying a camera around with you. I’ve noticed younger folks carrying around small digital cameras from the 2000s and using flip phones. I’m not sure what the reasoning is behind this behaviour but it does make me feel old, lol! Sometimes I think about how much of our collective photographic history is lost because of all the photos that sit in our devices that will b=never be shared or uploaded. I’m curious how this will affect our collective memory of this era.
Hi Liv,
I think your choice of using video for this task was a very enlightened one for several reasons. Firstly, as an introductory post it, as you mention in your introduction, is a great way to not only see you, but also to get to know you as an individual. It creates a sense of connection that is not always possible with the written word. Secondly, the choice of video also increases the ability for most viewers to experience what she has to say – bodies of text can be intimidating for some viewers and WordPress’s, or at least the UBC licensed version of WordPress’s, lack of a screen reader function means that they often don’t have another choice. Thirdly, the choice of video, or at least the audio component of the video truly gives an authentic voice to what you have to say, far more than any text on the screen. It also allows for the photo of the contents to remain on the screen throughout, rather than the viewer having to scroll back and forth from the text to the photo as the different items are being discussed.
Your description of why you don’t typically carry a bag really struck me, not so much from the cultural presumptions of women carrying purses or bags, or the fashion industry that supports this practice by not providing functional pockets in many women’s fashions. But, rather from the fact that I typically carry a bag with me on workdays because I don’t have enough room in my pockets for everything, I think I need throughout the day. This is likely because I am not a minimalist person, and still have a bit too much of a Boy Scout’s mentality of being prepared, I might need this, so I better carry it with me. It also likely a result of the fact that I teach in multiple spaces throughout the day, so I need to carry the essentials from room to room or seem unprepared in front of my students.
I connected with the contents of your pocket as many of the cards she chose to share can also be found in my wallet from the drivers license and health insurance cards to the BCAA, Costco and More Rewards cards. Your preference for the physical cards over the use of an associated app also resonated as I too prefer to use the hard copy versus the digital version.
I also reflected on the mention of needing to borrow another phone to take a picture of the contents of your pocket as your phone was a content. I am amongst a shrinking group of people who prefer to take photos with a sperate camera versus just using my phone. I use my phone as a camera all the time and the thousands of photos in my camera roll will attest to this, but if I am travelling or intending to take photos, I will carry a camera with me to take those photos. Whether it is leading students through Japan or hiking in the Rockies I have my DSLR with me and constantly slung over my shoulder – the stereotypical tourist I know. The act of composing a photo through a viewfinder for me creates a much more intentional act and meaningful result than holding up the phone and snapping a quick shot.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your post and for watching my video. I noticed in several of our classmate’s post, they discussed all of things they have to carry for work. I work form home and before reading other people’s posts I did not consider how working from home has liberated me from carrying extra things such as a laptop, charging cords, lunches etc. I’m sure my video would be quite different if I had to commute to work every day. In addition, the workplace has changed a lot in the last 10 years or so. Before, I would not carry a laptop around with me but now with open concept offices, small laptops, charging docs etcetera there is an expectation that workers keep their devices with them at all times.
I appreciate your comment about carrying a camera around with you. I’ve noticed younger folks carrying around small digital cameras from the 2000s and using flip phones. I’m not sure what the reasoning is behind this behaviour but it does make me feel old, lol! Sometimes I think about how much of our collective photographic history is lost because of all the photos that sit in our devices that will b=never be shared or uploaded. I’m curious how this will affect our collective memory of this era.