Facebook Page

Here is the link to my Facebook page. For every negative story that mainstream media loves to share about athletes, the are a hundred more positive stories that they choose not to share. My Facebook page was created to try and get the word out there about those great stories.

Positive Playmakers

Our mission states: "We help spread positive stories about amateur and professional athletes. So many great stories out there are not getting the publicity they need!"

FB Plan, Personas, Mission and Approach

Our Facebook page will look to share stories that look at the positive effects of sports. It can be on the professional or amateur level, but we will only focus on the positive stories exclusively. Mainstream media shows way more negative stories than they do positive, and the positive stories far out number the negative ones.

John, 17, is a high school football player. He has dreamed about being a professional football player ever since he was a toddler. He has had some doubts as of late whether or not he wants to pursue a profession where athletes are represented in the media as criminals or "meat heads". He is just looking for a source of positive information there is out there about athletes. Our Facebook page will be a good source for him to look at, and be encouraged to keep working hard towards his dream.

Haley is a mother of two young boys, 7 and 5, and is debating whether or not to let her children play sports. She hears horror stories about hazing or bullying in sports and she does not want her children to be exposed to that. She wonders if the character they'll build playing sports is worth the risk of them having their feelings hurt by a teammate or  coach. Our page will help her calm down and want her enroll her kids into sports after seeing so many uplifting stories about athletes all over the world. It made her think why she ever thought sports could be more harmful than it would be fun for her children.

Danny, 35, is an assistant college basketball coach. There are a few players on his team who are about to enter the NBA draft. He wants to find some stories or videos about professional athletes who are being good role models in order to inspire his players to do the same. He does not want money or fame to go to their heads. He looks to our page in order to find great examples of all the good they can bring about, because of their professional status in the sports world. He wants them to know that anything they do can have a positive effect in someone's life.

My Thoughts About Diane Rehm's Thoughts

   I think it is pretty awesome that people can have their voice heard like never before. Millions of people can jump on the internet to connect with others all across the globe, from all walks of life, and with different points of view. It's amazing the rate of speed in which information can be spread around the world. Obviously, that comes with both positive and negative sides.    
On one hand, the negative, it has given the opportunity for people to interact digitally. Wait, how is that a bad thing? As Diane Rehm talked about it has caused a decline in face-to face interaction. I for one enjoy the company of an individual face-to-face, but obviously there are cases where distance or time can prevent that. Some people just get into that habit of digital communication, and it is hard to break sometimes. I have fallen into that groove a time or two. Instead of going to visit a friend you just send them a text message or some kind of message. It takes time and commitment to meet with someone face-to-face, but it just makes that meeting so much more meaningful. I think that could be why they talked about a number of individuals saying they don't have someone to trust. Nothing, at least for now, can replace the feelings we get when we can interact face-to-face with one another. We build more of an emotional connection with that person when we are together in real time, rather than digitally.

   On the other hand, the positive, the technological revolution has given us a chance to interact digitally. Wait, I already said that...but it's true in both cases. I talk to many friends I have made from all over the world over the years through digital mediums. It prolongs and even strengthens my friendships I have with them, and it allows me to communicate meaningfully with them. Facebook and other social media sites allow me to see exactly what they are up to. I think it's great. We can actually see what they are doing with their lives, and how they are growing. I can communicate with them instantly and this was something that wasn't so easy 20 years ago. I see that technology directly affects my friendships and interactions I have with these people, and I'm grateful to live in a day and age where this is possible through technology.       
    

Test Run

My name is Ben Wells-Longshore, and I am taking Comm 3480 this semester! I just want to see if this thing works!