Communications - My thoughts on JOUR 205

Other than my COMS 101 class, JOUR 205 has been my first look at the study of communication.  I was very skeptical when I started this class, nervous that it may be too difficult or that it might be extremely boring.  I found myself to be very mistaken.  I did not realize that the art of communication could go into such depth, and professor Gearhart has done an excellent job at giving us a wide spectrum of what the study of communications really is.  During one of our first lectures, we briefly went over some body language, and the ways to read someone just by the way they are sitting.  I was amazed at what you could learn about someone just by their actions.  During another lecture, we debated a political topic regarding proposition 2.  Although I did not have much information on the subject, the debate was so interesting that I am doing a school project on Prop 2.  I am only a small portion into this communications class, but it has been one of the first classes in some time that I really enjoy attending.  I am currently a 4th year on the verge of graduating, so it is too late for me to consider a major change.  I am taking this class to earn a minor in agriculture communications, and I am elated that I was able to take this class before I graduate.  I am excited for a great quarter, and cant wait to see what is in store!

COACHELLA

Coachella is a three day music and arts festival held once a year at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The event features a wide variety of unique styles including hip-hop, indie, rock, and electronic music, as well as large sculptural art. The event has several stages and tents set-up throughout the grounds that play music continuously throughout the day and night.  The majority of my friends are attending this epic festival, and I am extremely jealous.  To relate this back to class, the level of communication used to create this festival is astounding!  The festival is supposed to include close to 100,000 people, all packed into a huge park.  On top of that, the festival offers on-site camping for those that want the full Coachella experience.  It is incredible that an organization is able to plan an event of this proportion.  For the event to happen, thousands of security guards and police officers must all stay in contact with each other so they can avoid any problems.  They communicate through walkie talkies, cell phones, and a great deal of preparation for just about any scenario.  And from the festival goers perspective, they must coordinate with their friends and stay in close touch if they want to able to find each other in the huge crowds of fans.  My friends went last year with a group of twenty-seven cars, and they somehow all managed to meet up before the show and go in together.  None of this would be feasible without new communication technology.  We rely so heavily on our tools of communication that we are slowly forgetting how to function without them.  New technology has allowed us to pass boundaries we never would have thought possible, and the ability to communicate with each other will continue to grow as time goes on.