fandomtownies | Community Center Class: 21st Century Social Media, Thursday Evening [08/30].

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Community Center Class: 21st Century Social Media, Thursday Evening [08/30].

Summer wasn't nervous. Really, she wasn't. She was just pacing a spot on the floor in between the time she'd shown up at the community center early to set up for her class and when the class actually began because of, uh, um...exercise. Yeah. That was it. And as the clock ticked closer to when the class would actually start, she knew she had to stop pacing and figure out what to do with herself while she waited for people (or nobody, it could be nobody, or at the very least just her and BDG because he promised and he wouldn't break a promise to her, but if it was just him then they could spend the whole time just dicking around on the internet and that actually wouldn't be that bad, maybe that'd be better, so hopefully maybe only he'd show up? But then...)

It went on inside her head like that for a while, so in the end, she decided to just lean against desk at the front of the room and cling to her pumpkin spice latte and nod at people as they came in. And once it was time, it was time. No backing out now.

"Okay!" she said. "Hey, everyone, thanks for coming, I'm sure some of you already know me, but I'm Summer Smith, recent Fandom High graduate and actual 21st century teenager, which makes me categorically certified to teach you all about the wild world that is the social media landscape of this particular moment in time. Some of you may be coming from different time periods or galaxies where this technology and the communication that goes with it haven't developed yet, some of you may be from time periods or galaxies where these little tiny phones, for all they can do, seem frustratingly archaic, and some of you may still just be old and don't get it. But whatever the reason, hopefully, by the end of this course, you'll at least understand what all this stuff is about, even if you ultimately elect to not use it and decide its not for you."

She was seriously hoping she ended up hooking up someone with a Tinder, she didn't know who, but it would be her personal goal int he end.

"So! Before we really get started, though, it's going to be important to know where everyone currently is. If you don't already have your own smartphone, I got some for you, so long as you don't mind being on this cheap ass family plan I got specifically for the class. I just kinda want everyone to go around, introduce yourselves, tell me a little bit about your experience with this current 21st Century's technology and social media, anyone who's already on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram can go ahead and add the others in the class who do, exchange numbers, all that good stuff, because this is definitely a class that's going to spread way beyond the classroom. You can all go ahead and add me, @summer4thewin, number four not f-o-r, across all platforms, because branding is important, y'all."

Once that was finished, Summer clapped her hands and moved around to behind the desk, where she had a phone all rigged up so that it would display on a projector screen so everyone could see what she was doing. "Okay, so, great, today's going to be an easy class, just because it's hard to plan without knowing what our baseline is, so apologies if this seems pretty basic, but, hey, not everyone's there yet, slow your roll. Also, side note: to those of you who have my actual number, the one I'll be using for this class is a different one, because there's no freaking way I'm displaying my personal phone up here for the whole class." And, believe her, you guys didn't want that, either. "So make sure you get that before you leave. Anyway! Today we're talking search engines, which isn't strictly social media related, but still important all the same, because the great thing about smartphones and the internet is that we have the world's entire database of available knowledge right at our fingertips. Of course, the real interesting part gets into whether any of that knowledge is actually any good or accurate, especially if we start talking about algorithms...that's a word you'll be hearing a lot of in this class, algorithms...and preferred content and things like that, but for now...Google!

"Google is, of course, the go-to search engine because they're a multibillion dollar corporation that knows how to market and basically became synonymous for searching. They're like the Coca-Cola of web searching, and it goes way beyond all that, but we're not delving into that too much yet. Basically, you don't even need to go to 'google.com' anymore to even search it; your search bar on your internet browser is already Google, and with it, you just type in," demonstrating now by typing in 'cute kitten gifs, "what you want, aaaannnd...voila! A repository of all the cute kitten gifs you need to completely kill your productivity for the entire day.

"Now, cute kitten gifs is a universally safe search to make, but keep in mind, especially if you're around kids or whatever, that there's a thing called Safe Search that you'll want to turn on if you don't want any surprisingly NFSW - that's not safe for work- content popping up. You do that by doing this," and she went ahead and showed them how, "but keep in mind that it's not entirely fail safe and you'll likely get a few surprises, but hopefully not some traumatic ones.

"Google is not the only search engine out there, either, but it's definitely the most domineering. They also use algorithms to track your search history, which will result on receiving ads tailored to what you usually search for and look at, almost entirely across all other social media platforms. You'll notice it the more we use it, and it's a big issue right now that will warrant some observation in future classes, but I will say this: if that kind of thing squicks you out pretty bad, social media gonna make you feel really gross. There are ways to minimize it, though, and one of the ways is using an alternate search engine. duckduckgo has been getting some traction because they don't tailor the results to your previous searches like Google does. Theoretically, if I search cute kitten gifs and Kanan searches cute kitten gifs, we might get some different results if we use Google, but duckduckgo should show the same stuff, among other things. I also will mention, because this is a No Judgement Zone, guys, that Bing, the search engine developed and owned by Microsoft, is another alternative that is famous for being significantly subpar to Google in all aspects except one: Bing's where you go to find the best porn."

NOT THAT SHE KNEW OR ANYTHING SHUT UP.

"And on that note," flashing a grin because you're welcome, former teachers who may be in the classroom, "I'll open the floor to questions. I thought it might be kind of interesting if we wanted to throw out a few topics to search for and compare how they differ from one person to the next, but I know that's a pretty dangerous game to play. I'm game if you are, though, but if not, we'll open the floor and touch on anything you guys might want to, since it's the first class and all and we're all probably at way different spots."

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Phones: Show 'em if ya got 'em!

Edited 2018-08-30 14:22 (UTC)

Before Summer babbles her way into possibly confusing everyone, it's time to take a second to let her know who you are and where you are with smartphones, and, ohmygod, totally let her add you on whatever platforms you currently have, and you totally have add her, too!

Why, as a matter of fact, yes, Summer is clicking those cute kitten gifs as she talks, so that might make the info-dump a little easier...or just completely distract you.

Any questions? Suggestions for search terms to play around with? Other experiences with alternatives to Google?

For anything you might need from her specifically during class or after! Maybe before, but that kind of fudges up the narrative a little.

This would have been up sooner if not for a very demanding kitty needing to cuddle for half an hour straight this morning.

Kanan Jarrus

"Kanan Jarrus," Kanan greeted, holding up his phone. "And about far enough along with this that I can google most things I'm unfamiliar with and willing to risk being traumatized about."

But, as of yet, not on Facebook or whatever.

Amaya Blackstone

Fjord

"It's, ah, Fjord."

...

And then he just sort of stood there, looking like a big overwhelmed green guy in leather armor. Which probably said a lot all on its own.

If anything, Amaya being in the class only allowed her to feel confident that Summer would do just fine with the store, because she was a natural born saleswoman. She'd had no intention of taking this course until Summer began to ~~oh so handwavily~~ talk her ear off about it and convince her, but, ultimately, the girl had a point. If she was so keen on learning about modern technology, embracing the cornerstone of it at this point in time wasn't a bad idea.

"Amaya Blackstone," she said, nodding, lifting a hand. "Still working my way through anything beyond calls and, thanks to Summer," a nod toward her, too, "texting. Still not sure I'll use it much, though, if I'm honest, not until they make these screens a little more useful with gloves."

Easily her biggest issue with these darn things so far.

Fjord managed to follow, 'phones exist,' and 'kittens are somehow involved,' which was... better than nothing, anyway?

He was looking a little bit like he wanted to just slip out of the room while the instructor was staring at her little toy up there.

Summer grinned at that, a big old grin, because she knew she had been the source of at least one of those traumatizing risks in the past.

"Kanan," she said. "Welcome. Thank you for coming, and I'll try to keep the traumatizing risks to a minimum."

Notice how she said she wouldn't try to avoid them all together...

Oooh, new person! New, big, green person! New, big, green, handsome person!

"Hi, Fjord," Summer said, her smile much softer and less evil than the one she gave Kanan, by a mile. "I take it from that pretty...succinct greeting that this is...all pretty new to you, yeah?"

"You know they actually make gloves now that allow you to still touch the screen," Summer offered. "Mostly just winter gloves, not sure if they make work gloves like that, but I can check! We'll see if we can get 'em in at T&C!"

There was definitely a winking in that tone of voice.

Kanan would never trust hamsters again.

"Hey, said I'd be here," he replied with a grin. "And I might not be a complete lost cause, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested in learning more about this place. It works out, I think."

Even with the traumatizing risks.

Edited 2018-08-30 15:24 (UTC)

Fjord reached a hand up and rubbed awkwardly at the back of his neck at that.

"That sounds about right," he confirmed. "Still wrapping my head around electricity and all that entails. The most anyone's really told me about phones is that they place calls and send text."

And... do... games?

He still couldn't tell you how to do any of those things, though.

Steve Rogers

Steve waved his Starkphone at her. "I'm Steve Rogers and I'm pretty good with a phone these days because otherwise Tony cries. I found a whole Twitter feed devoted to really neat Jello recipes!"

Steve. Steve, no.

Peter Octavian

"Peter Octavian." He gave a little wave. "My world's a couple decades behind this one, so we didn't have phones like these when I left. I think I've figured out computers and things, but I could always use a bit more instruction."

Hera Syndulla

"Hi, Summer." Hera grinned. "I'm Hera," she explained to those who didn't know her. I've just kept my comm from back home and if I need a local phone for anything, I use Kanan's. I...should probably fix that?"

Lana Beniko

"Lana Beniko, hello." Lana nodded to Summer. "I've managed to get a local phone, but I'm not entirely certain what to do with it besides the basics, so this seemed like a good place to go."

Pastor Carter

"Pastor Carter," he said, smiling at... well, the rest of the class. How odd. But Summer had suggested that he show up. "Where I came from, the only phone in town was in the bar?"

That was still where he was likely to go if he ever needed to call anyone, quite honestly.

"Ooooooh!"

Summer. Summer, no.

"Fork it over," she said. "And your twitter, too." Because that had to be great. "Also, it's good to see you here today, Captain Rogers. The tables, it would appear, have truly been turned!"

"Well, then," said Summer with a little wave back, "you've hopefully found just the right place. It's nice to have you in class, Peter, and to have someone who might understand at least half the things I mention."

"I got you, fam!" said Summer, bouncing at the chance to fish out one of the (admittedly not great, but more than functional for the purposes of this class) phones from the box on the desk. "Would you like...the pink sparkly one? This industrial-esque grey one? Ohh, this one's got a space motif cover for it!"

She held it up looking way too proud about fishing out that one, even though the covers could easily be changed to something else.

"Also, hi, Hera! Thank you for coming, I'm really glad to have you here."

She'd help balance out the Old Fart level.

Another new person! Summer had to admit, it did her good to know it wasn't just going to be her and Kanan and Hera. That would be dope, but kind of a blow to her ego for sure.

"Hi, Lana," she smiled brightly. "It's nice to meet you and have you here. I hope I can help you work your way around it and get some good use out of it."

"Awwww."

Okay, Summer hadn't meant to actually say that, just to think it, but small town pastor dude was too stinking adorable, she couldn't help it.

"Don't worry, Pastor, we'll get you all hooked up. I'm really glad you decided to pop in. You think you'll want..." She referred to the box again. "Hmm, you like blue, green, or red better?"

"That's not a bad place to start at all," Summer assured him. "I swear, that's all my dad can really do with his, and he's even from this time. We're going to open up a whole new world of stuff that these little tiny expensive pieces of technology can do. Most of them pretty stupid and useless, I'll admit that, but you might find some use for some of it. And if not...?" She shrugged. "Just toss it in the river."

Pause.

"Don't actually toss it in the river, that's actually really bad for the environment, please recycle your electronic devices responsibly at a certified electronics recycling location, people."

He blushed slightly.

"I do like green," Carter admitted. "But I am not sure it is necessary to, ah, 'hook me up'?"

Fjord followed most of that, actually, to his relief. He followed 'tiny' and 'expensive' and 'toss it in the river,' anyway. Everything about recycling managed to lose him all over again. He smiled awkwardly, mostly resigned to just rolling with this.

"Great. So, uh..." Awkward. "Let's assume I'm a total new hand at this. What sort of... maintenance would I be looking at, if I were to take one of those phone things?"

This was going to require an explanation of plugging things in. He was that bad off, Summer.

"That's actually an excellent question," Summer assured Mr. Tall, Green, and Handsome, "and I'm pleased to say that it's actually pretty simple. You just have to keep it charged, maybe wipe it off every once in a while, especially the screen, sometimes clean out the ports because they can get gunky. Now, you mentioned still wrapping your head around electricity, so I'm sure keeping it charged sounds like gibberish, but fear not! That's easy, too!"

She bounced around the desk and fished out a green phone (duh) and yanked out a charger, holding it up so that the cord dangled. "This," she shook the charger, "is literally your phone's life line. This part," she set down the phone so she could show off the plug, "goes right into the outlets on the walls of probably almost every building on the island," and now she bounced over to one such outlet, taking the phone with her, "like thus! And then this part," holding up the....other thing, whatever it was called, "goes into the phone! And ta-dah! Electricity's running right on through this cord from the outlet, and giving the phone the power it needs to work! Yeah! Science, bitches!!"

...she may have had way too much explaining that, don't judge her. Judgement free zone!

"It's going to be hard to really engage in the topics of the class if you aren't properly equipped with the right...equipment," Summer explained, fishing out a green one and a charger and going to pass it over. "You can consider it just a loan for the duration of the course if you want, but I seriously got a pretty good deal on them."

"Maybe about half of them," Peter agreed.

He took both items gingerly.

At least he was perfectly cognizant of electricity and how to plug things in, but all the same... well, if it was for the class, how could he argue?

It was probably going to live in a drawer whenever there wasn't a class.

"In that case, thank you kindly for the loan," he said, smiling. "I am once more in your debt."

"The space motif looks great," Hera said. "Don't worry, I wouldn't have missed this class."

Well... she was at least half as enthusiastic as Jester, so she wasn't terribly overwhelming yet, at least. Fjord gave a little sideways smile as he watched the entire presentation, and then nodded toward the outlet.

"Mind if I take a look, then?"

This was seriously the best explanation of anything relating to phones that he'd had yet. He was going to take full advantage of it, damn it.

"I hope so, too," Lana said. "I'm familiar with my own galaxy's comm devices, but these are a bit of a mystery."

"I'm Capsicle over there, but I mostly lurk," Steve said with a blush, "and the Jello place is 70s Dinner Party ~~and I'm sorry~~. It's fascinating."

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Community Center Class: 21st Century Social Media, Thursday Evening [08/30].

Sign In - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Introductions - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

During the Lecture - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Class Activity: Google and/or Other Search Platforms - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Talk to Summer - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

OOC - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Sign In - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Introductions - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Sign In - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Sign In - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Introductions - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Introductions - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: During the Lecture - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Introductions - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Introductions - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

Re: Introductions - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

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Re: Sign In - 21st Century Social Media, 08/30.

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