Social Media Survey Reflection

The results of our social media survey did not surprise me. Almost everyone said that they log onto social media sites more than once a day and that social media sometimes had a negative effect on their school work. Most students said that they use Instagram the most, followed by twitter, and no one said that they use Facebook the most. There was one student who said that they never use social media, which really surprised me because most teens today are glued to social media sites to a point that one might say it's unhealthy. When asked how often they witness cyberbullying, there was a large amount of students who said never, which surprised me, because cyberbullying has become such a major issue for teens today. The majority of the students who took the survey also said that they never treat people differently online. Most of these results were as expected, however, there were some that surprised me. Overall, it was clear from the survey that teens use social media very often, maybe even more than they should. 

Social Media Survey Link

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Gossip Girl Post #2

Critique and analyze Vanessa's decision to cast Marjorie as "Natasha" in her short film, instead of Serena.

It was foolish and immature of Vanessa for her not to have casted Serena as "Natasha" in her short film. During auditions for the role, Serena clearly did the better job at playing "Natasha". However, Vanessa casted Marjorie instead. She acted purely out of jealousy and by doing so, jeopardized her video project for class. The moment Serena began the scene in her audition with Dan Humphrey, there was immediately a major connection between. When Marjorie preformed the scene with Dan, however, she was constantly smacking her gum and not portraying the role that Vanessa had in mind properly, unlike Serena. Dan definitely noticed that Serena did the better job, but that could be the main factor why Vanessa casted Marjorie in the first place. She was jealous of the connection that Serena and Dan had. She was also jealous of the fact that Dan obviously had feelings for Serena. When Vanessa told him that she chose Marjorie for the role of Natasha, Dan had an opposing reaction. "'I really think this is a mistake. Serena totally ruled. I don't know why you would't want her. She's awesome" (110).  Vanessa was being immature to cast Marjorie instead of Serena out of jealousy.

Dan Humphrey and Serena van der Woodsen

Gossip Girl Post #1

Compare and contrast the relationships between Nate and Blair and Nate and Serena. What are some strong and weak aspects of each opponent? Predict how Nate's feelings for Serena will affect Serena and Blair's friendship.

Nothing good could come out of the love triangle between Nate, Blair, and Serena. Blair and Serena's friendship will never be the same after she finds out about Nate's feelings for Serena. Serena just wants her friendship with Blair to be repaired and for everything to go back to the way it was before she left for boarding school. They used to be best friends, since they were little kids. Being best friends with Blair is what Serena is used to; one could even go to the extent of calling it a way of life for Serena, so naturally she wanted everything to go back to normal. However, when she returned home from the out-of-state boarding school she had attended for her junior year of high school, she discovered that her best friend had changed. Without Serena, Blair was the center of attention, especially when it came to her boyfriend, Nate. With Serena out of the picture, Nate had no choice but to be with Blair. She was the next best thing. Nate was caught off guard when he found out that Serena came back to the Upper East Side. "Nate dropped Blair's hand and straightened up like a soldier called to attention" (15). He was and probably always will be in love with Serena. When Blair finds out about Nate and Serena, not only will it ruin Nate and Blair's relationship, but it will ruin any chance Serena and Blair ever have of being friends again.