Depression on a sunny day

The title of this piece is called depression on a sunny day.  The reason for which being is simple, but depression is indiscriminate and knows no season.  We may have heard of seasonal affective disorder or SAD which causes people to fall into a more depressive state during the winter due to a lack of sunlight but that does not mean that once the winter coats go away so too does the pain.  The sharp contrast of a beautiful day and depression brings home a greater message than one of some depressed in the winter.  This is because we can not empathize as much with the person who is glum on a beautiful day because they are in a time where we would otherwise be happy, whereas during the winter the glum feelings are shared by us and we do not fully grasp the magnitude of the situation.  

Now the fact that we do not empathize with their emotions may seem to be counter intoative to the point but when we take a step back we realize the impact it has.  We all at times will feel down, be sad, or even just have a bad day so from that we try and empathize with depressed people and think that we are the same but in reality their situation is far more difficult. Depression is far more than feeling sad but so many other things wrapped up with it. For these reason the distinction is made between the shots of those who do and do not suffer from depression who seem to be happy while the depressed are shown in stark contrast.

This piece is many things but what it is not is subtle but that the point.  In reality depression is subtle in everyday life but it is there so in the form of picture it must be shown in its fullest form and shown for what it truly is. The contrast of the day, happiness and depression paints a full and vibrant picture of a dark and bleak reality.  The hope of this project more than anything is to raise both awareness and understanding of a concept so difficult to grasp in a visual form. This project and others like it are why i love media and the power it can hold.

https://sway.com/UzGOG9OIGDXZimL7?ref=Link

Net Neutrality: what is it and why should you care?

What is Net Neutrality?

To put it simply, Net neutrality is what allows you as a user to use the internet however you see fit.  Your internet service provider or ISP may be Version or Optimum etc., gives you acces to the internet and is held to give out the same amount of bandwidth, data through which websites are accessed, regardless of the site under net nuetrality.  If net nuetrality is taken away then ISPs will have the ability to decided who get more or less bandwidth to their sites. How the ISPs decide how to divvy up this bandwidth is left up to them and in doing so makes them de-facto regulators of the internet.

Why should I care?

The internet as it exists now is a free and open space where any group or individual with access has the ability to create a platform upon which information ideas and images can be shared and spread throughout the world instantly. The removal of Net Neutrality will change all of that by making the internet an unlevel playing field.  If ISPs are given the ability to decide how bandwidth is spread out between different websites. The first problem would come for the big websites like Facebook or Netflix who have the money to pay out.  This in and of itself shouldn't be allowed to happen but the bigger problem comes to the sites who can't pay out.  Smaller or up and coming websites who don't have the funds to pay off the ISPs and thus their websites will be less usable or they will have to make dumbed down interfaces that will in effect move the internet backward in it's evolution.

Who is fighting against net neutrality?

The simple answer is the republican party.  Generally Democrats are for net neutrality and Republicans are for it's repeal. Their reasoning stems from a belief that it would be good for business.  However, the individual who deserves the most focus in the battle is Ajit Pai. Ajit Pai is the current head of the FCC and is strongly opposed to Net Neutrality and repeated called for its repeal. His position of power over the issue is  a serious call for concern for the future of the open internet

So what can be done?

The answer may not be something new or something you haven't heard, and more likely than not, ignored but it is effective. The best way we can fight for the future of net neutrality is to contact our representatives in congress and the senate.  The best way for our voices to be heard is to speak to those who can affect change.  One phone call is not going to change anything but with a large and organized effort to make our oppinions known real change can be affected.  Let your representative that you support a free and open internet and that they should do the same.  if you are having trouble finding people one of the best ways to reach them is through the very thing you are trying to protect, the internet.

Sources:
https://www.velocitybroadband.co.zw/fact-friday-the-history-of-the-internet/
https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/7/15215316/fcc-ajit-pai-net-neutrality-title-ii-plans-roll-back
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdIaNUarhzLSXGoItz7BHVA

Why Iona College?

Was Iona even the right choice?

I am now in my senior year of college here at Iona college and I am able to asses my college experience for what has been available to me and to grasp what the future has in store for me after graduation.  With all that in mind, yes Iona was the right choice.  The classes at Iona have taught me so many real world lessons that i have already taken into my field both this and last summer having both interned and worked as a PA in television and film and none of that would be possible without my connections made through Iona and the resources the school has provided me.  On top of that, Iona has also been great for me socially since that in my time here i have made life long friends and I am a proud and active member of Delta Upsilon fraternity here on campus and i serve as the vice president of administrations. 

Why Iona in the first place?

The reason that I chose Iona in the beginning was a combination of many factors

1. Distance from home
2. The recommendation of friends who attended the school
3. The quality of the mass comm program 

This however, still did not make Iona my first choice. Initially i had my heart set on Brooklyn college and all other applications were more or less safety or alternative options should i change my mind or be offered a great amount of money. That all changed after i toured both Iona and Brooklyn college and was unimpressed by the later but absolutely fell in love with the Iona.  This coupled with the generous scholarship Iona offered me led me to look more closely at Iona's program and i was finally sold on Iona and i have not looked back since.

Advice if you are still unsure where you want to go

• Find what works with your major\
• Your first choice isn't always your best so consider other options
• Visit as many campuses as possible
• Apply to as many schools as possible
• Weigh your scholarships against each other and see what makes financial sense

Share with friends who are still looking for their school 

Share this with anyone who you think this may help in their decision. if you have any comments or questions for me you can reach me via the sources listed on my contacts page.

Whats the best Mexican restaurat in New Rochelle

MR. TACO, by far

If you are looking for affordable, authentic, and delicious Mexican food than you need look no further than Mr. Taco.  This local business is both a staple of the new Rochelle and Iona community, The next time you are in the area try the steak Burrito, you wont regret it. 

Contact

Email: jmadtes1@gaels.iona.edu
Follow me on Twiter @johnjack_jj1

About me

Jack Madtes
Iona College Student

Hi all and welcome to my blog.  I"m a student at Iona college and im hoping to break into production after i graduate.  I'm a prety normal guy with a good sense of humor and am interested in a variety of topics. I love television and film which you will be sure to notice if you follow.