There are five main categories of ethical issues in PR in Latvia, according to Zane Birkena. The first point she mentions, that journalists move to PR and PR people switch to journalism (and sometimes back again), is probably the least serious of the ethical issues and would only affect ethics in so far as if the former PR person now working as a journalist gives more importance to good stories of former clients, let's say. But that is more an ethical issue of truth and honesty than switching professions.
Her second point, however, is a serious ethical breach by PR standards, and I was surprised to hear it goes on in Latvia. I look forward to hearing more about this issue and hearing ways she thinks these issues can be resolved.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Issues of online identity
Vaira Avota brings up some very interesting issues around online identity, both good and bad points.
These are all very good points and the cartoon is a classic in Internet culture. Another interesting area to consider regarding the online world that is still primarily text is what is called the lack of social context cues. In other words, it is hard to tell exactly what someone may be feeling simply by reading what they write. In face-to-face interaction, however, we can tell if someone is joking by the expression on their face, and so on. That is one reason emoticons have become so popular online, because they add social context cues to what we are writing. It is also interesting to consider that a lack of social context cues also helps weaken issues of prejudice or sexism, precisely because they don't know who you are (which, as you mention, has good and bad points to it). What will happen as we move to a more video-oriented online environment, when Internet users expect to see (and hear) the other people online, not only in text? It could bring back issues of racism or other forms of discrimination into what are now relatively democratic forums.
These are all very good points and the cartoon is a classic in Internet culture. Another interesting area to consider regarding the online world that is still primarily text is what is called the lack of social context cues. In other words, it is hard to tell exactly what someone may be feeling simply by reading what they write. In face-to-face interaction, however, we can tell if someone is joking by the expression on their face, and so on. That is one reason emoticons have become so popular online, because they add social context cues to what we are writing. It is also interesting to consider that a lack of social context cues also helps weaken issues of prejudice or sexism, precisely because they don't know who you are (which, as you mention, has good and bad points to it). What will happen as we move to a more video-oriented online environment, when Internet users expect to see (and hear) the other people online, not only in text? It could bring back issues of racism or other forms of discrimination into what are now relatively democratic forums.
Kvass: The breakfast of champions
Yesterday morning, as I waited in the dark at a bus stop at 7 a.m. for the bus to take me to Riga, a watery-eyed guy emerged from a side street carrying a hedge cutter and backpack. He then pulled out a 2-liter bottle of kvass, took a mighty swig, and held the bottle to me and an elderly man who was standing by me. The elderly man took a drink, but I politely declined with a "Ne, paldies." I then asked, "brokastis?", but he didn't understand my accent and held the bottle to me again. I still refused, but had never thought of kvass as a breakfast drink before.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The importance of learning Latvian
Here in Latvia, they have really big, mean-looking dogs. It's hard to tell if they really are mean or not, because they look at you in a kind of cautious doggie way that could either mean "Please come and pet me" or "Hold still; I'm calculating the best angle to rip your throat out."
An important sign to learn to avoid the latter fate is "NIKNS SUNS", usually with a picture of a dog on the sign as well. I think the phrase would make a great name as a brand for an Extreme Sports line of clothing.
An important sign to learn to avoid the latter fate is "NIKNS SUNS", usually with a picture of a dog on the sign as well. I think the phrase would make a great name as a brand for an Extreme Sports line of clothing.
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