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Category: Technology Articles

by Julian Cobb

May 29, 2014

Black Twitter

Social media is currently dominating our society today. This portable, handheld device called the iPhone has totally changed the way the world communicates. There is almost an app for anything you can think of. For my generation, I would say the most popular apps and social media sites are Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I want to focus specifically on Twitter.

Who would have imagined that one 140 character message, better known as a “tweet”, would become so popular. Twitter has become a place where people express their thoughts and even discuss their every move. Because this can get a little excessive, users have the option to follow who they desire. Within this twitter world, there are different “communities” per se.  These communities are usually based upon the twitter accounts that a user is following. This could range from celebrities, health magazines or musicians. I didn’t realize this before but there is something called “black twitter”. Yes, this does exist.

Black twitter is a virtual community that focuses on the issues surrounding the black community. Black twitter really made its presence during the George Zimmerman trial and the Paula Dean incident. Within this community, there is no limit on when an issue has been discussed for too long. If the topic is of a great concern to the black community, believe that it will be discussed. This could go on for days or even weeks. As a black man, I feel that my people utilize black twitter because that’s where our voices are heard. Sometimes hiding behind a computer screen or a mobile device gives people more freedom to speak what is on their mind without any accountability. This is where we as a people go astray. Needless to say, one’s online presence has the capacity to either hurt or help people in many ways. Employers are now checking twitter sites to see what type of conversation their future employees are having. Even though some argue that twitter is a means of “free speech”, in all reality how free is your speech if you’re being judged by it. I understand that within black twitter, African Americans feel free to voice their concerns. I would just be mindful of what I post on twitter because you never know who may be watching. 

 

                                       

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by Victor Ajewole

April 23, 2014

NSBE 40

This past month I had the opportunity to attend the 40th Annual National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) national convention which was held in Nashville, Tennessee. The purpose of the national convention is to attend useful workshops on becoming a better leader, attending the career fair for various job opportunities and most importantly voting on our new regional and national leadership positions. Throughout the convention, there was a reoccurring theme of women in leadership, which ties in very well with women’s history month as well as our theme of women’s health. I didn’t notice until the second day that we not only had a majority of women speakers, but a “Woman in Leadership” panel. This was a great experience and I’m glad I could experience with my chapter members.

Below are some quotable to wrote down during the conference.
“Don’t focus on success, but on significance.”
“Stop looking at the process of how we make something and look at the product.”
“Do nothing absolutely alone.”
“Treat everyone fairly; you don’t know who’s crazy.”
“Remember that relationships matter.”
“To use people isn’t wrong, to misuse people is.”

      

Follow @myhealthimpact on Twitter and myhealthimpact on Tumblr where women’s leadership is a recurring theme.

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by Ebony Baldwin

March 27, 2014

Spotify: Intro to Kid Cudi

No one truly understands my obsession with Kid Cudi. And that is okay. But music is in the ear of the beholder. After taking some time to listen to his new album, Satellite Flight: The Journey to the Moon”, released February 25, 2014, I have to say that I am truly impressed. Though not your typical rap album, Kid Cudi introduces his listeners to futuristic acoustic sounds, with an out-of-this-world experience. After taking a couple years off, Kid Cudi has return with an album that I said was worth the wait. After taking the journey into space with him, three songs stood out to me—Copernicus landing (instrumental), Troubled Boy, and Bailman Jeans. These songs demonstrate how versatile his musical craft is. Below are excerpts from two of the songs and my interpretation of the lyrics. I definitely think if you haven’t already, you should take the time to listen to this new album. When I need to get away from life’s unexpected events and troubles, I can always depend on a Kid Cudi song.

Troubled Boy

“So it seems

No one wants a troubled boy
Leave alone the troubled boy

I’ve learned”

For Troubled Boy, I believe Kid Cudi is realizing that nobody wants a “Troubled Boy” anymore. He is finally learning from all his experiences and mistakes, and finally making the transition into growing up and thinking at a higher level. Sometimes self-evaluation is essential for us to grow and develop into the person we are suppose to be. Our past shapes our future! To live a healthy and sane lifestyle, one has to be happy, first with oneself. That is so we can build healthy relationships with others.

Bailman Jeans 

“Hope you can feel the vibe
The vibes of the night
In my arms
We're under the stars

It's been so long, been such a hobby
Finding someone who electrifies my body
I need you to protect my heart...”

For Bailman Jeans, I believe Kid Cudi is letting his guard down and expresses his inner feelings and emotions for a woman he is involved with. Though he mentions it’s been a hobby for him to “entertain” multiple women, he has found something about her that electrifies him. Even though he also scared about exposing his heart, he wants to go to a place he has never been to, love. I think love is a remedy for healthiness too. Love brings out the best in people sometimes. You are able to face your fears and work through all your trail and tribulations. Love conquers all.

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by Victor Ajewole

February 16, 2014

Smart Condoms: Could These Be The Best Condoms Created to Date?

As we all know condoms do not prevent all sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexual transmitted infections (STIs) during sex. Well why not build a better condom.  Last November the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation received over 812 entries for the “Build-a-better-condom” competition.  A reported 11 entries received a grant of $100,000 to produce their condoms and hopefully bridge the gap for condom innovation. This is where tech meets health.

Over the course of a long history, the condom hasn't changed that much.


Talk about a smart condoms. Some of these entries range from polymer based composite materials to biologically engineering material for a “significant enhancement for male pleasure.” These “next-gen” condoms may be what consumers are looking for when taking safe sex more seriously.

Developer Lakshminarayanan Ragupathy from Trivandrum, India, has an entry named “The warm embrace”, which incorporates composites for high heat transfer, but also drugs that would enhance safety.  Not only is his design super thin and strong, it’s also very flexible.

Now here’s a question, how much would you pay for a condom that you couldn’t feel and worked 99.99% of the time?

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by KaMar Galloway

February 21, 2013

Tracking your Health with Wearable Technology

At the top of every New Year, there seems to be a fitness trend that propagates through families, colleges, and churches, alike. The notion that this year is the perfect time to get into the best shape of your life is evident on social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. Hash tags like #teamGetFit, #trainHard, and #bodyProud are a select few that are seen everywhere and even appended to statuses and tweets posted around the world. A lot of the time, the motivation behind this burst in healthy behavior corresponds with New Year's resolutions or the mere fact that some over indulged during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! However, as the months past by and the year gets old, fitness clubs and sport gyms see a constant decline in membership and weekly attendance. Whatever the reason may be, I set out to find if this year was any different than in year's past.

In comes CES 2013, the Consumer Electronics Trade Show where the biggest tech news is announced for those of us who have a deep affinity for smart devices and innovative gadgets. Originally seen as the place where power hitters, such as Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and Amazon, have unveiled new products, its recently transformed into the "IT" place where the little guys bring us the most joy. Welcome to the future, where your body is technology's new frontier. The mobile applications and computing power we've become accustomed to in our smartphones are starting to migrate into wearable devices. Whether it is the Nike+ Fuelband from our favorite sneaker brand, fitbit, the same company that added style to Bluetooth earpieces or the Fitbit Ultra by an upcoming start-up company focusing on health and fitness devices; the ability to upload and analyze your personal training sessions can now be done on the fly without the need of paper and pencil. Figures 1 and 2 show a quick glance of each company's wearable devices and corresponding mobile applications.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

 

POLL: Does being able to track your fitness activity and sleep patterns, interest those committed to fulfilling their New Year's resolution? Does mobile health “fit” into your commitment to your personal health and wellbeing?

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Figures 1 and 2 - FashioningTech

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In Partnership with: Poole College of Management, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Science Foundation, Penn State

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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