On Using and Sharing Content, with Credit

As technology has advanced, our jobs and activities have presented ever-increasing occasions to contribute to the sea of media and content we see online. Our enthusiastic use of the internet has presented us with certain moral dilemmas in light of consideration that previous systematization to which we were accustomed has yet to make much of an impact in the yet-wild frontier of the Web. The referencing and citation of copyright material is one example.

Regardless how much writing or authorship we've done, it's likely that we have some instances of content usage that haven't been credited to their original creator. Whether done maliciously or by casual default, this newfound techno-cultural slight of propriety contributes to an ever-darkening economic outlook by denizens of that visionary world which lives on the images and perceptions of its creative output.

Merely benign oversight under most circumstances, lack of attribution could nonetheless put a damper on any fire that might have developed had proper credit been given to the source material developer(s). While it's a slim chance, it's entirely possible that an artist or creator could benefit, down the line even, from some piece of work they've shared (that's been credited to them). It's possible, for example, that an outstanding meme producer could land a permanent, recurring opportunity with a political magazine through a credit to some of their work that's been floating around online.

One way to think of it is that we'd surely rather be a bridge than a wall. As such, we should always seek to offer due credit to the content we share and which inspires us, when possible.

Trackbacks are Good - Enable Them, Use Them

A writer may, or may not, be aware of trackbacks. Trackbacks, in the form of linkbacks, pingbacks, referers, etc, have been a peripheral boost in the application of due credit through content sharing. Using trackbacks, bloggers know that all they need to do is link another blog in conversational reference. The automatic result (when blogs are set to allow trackbacks) is two-fold:

1. the link leads readers to further information (if they click it)
2. the link pings the author, creator or curator of the material from which they retrieved it.

At least this way, the source of a bloggers linked information can visit and review the way in which it's used. Were there any issue, it'd be easy to contact the publisher and request change. Otherwise, we may just say, "Hey- thanks for thinking of me and including me in your post!" 

Don't Rely Solely on Trackbacking

Such credit through linking isn't always automatic, nor is it always feasible. Plus, it's not always credit, per se. We're not always writing/sharing in links for reference, and when we do . . . we sometimes do a poor job of offering actual credit to anyone. Sometimes, our approach could even be offensive.

The point here is, we could do a little bit better in our referencing and linking. Maybe we don't have a quotation to cite, but maybe our entire post was spun off another post. Maybe one doesn't have anything to do with the other in any way that matters; or, maybe that other post deserves some sort of mention. Can we tie it in? If so, we should give some credit in the form of a written thanksgiving (or other gesture) to the author.

We can lead thirsty horses, but (you know the rest).

These are some thoughts on all the sharing we do, and how it relates to the end-game as far as the creatives may be concerned. Naturally, much of what we create is off the cuff and never intended for any return of appreciation, necessarily. There are countless memes and anecdotes that have never been attached to any signature. Still, there are innumerable instances of content that could have been credited and wasn't.

I Only Use Public Domain Content!

This post refers primarily to content for which the creators would definitely expect to be referenced. But, it's most useful to make the point of credit-sharing in relation to the free-for-all category of public domain content, a medley of content out there for anyone to grab and use. This category-- works of which receive very little in respect to any return acknowledgement per use-- is a hot spot for moral compassing, as users may be adrift of any protocol or standard in this area.

We should strive to know more about best practices of using public domain media and information. If you're new to blogging and social media, or just beginning to get a grip on the more professional ins and outs of these newer mediums of interactive mass communication, then set aside some time to review traditional citation guidelines as well as take a look at some basic standards in place across [most of] the board. A great place to do so is at Wikimedia Commons, where contributors are in constant watch and development of best practices regarding the sharing of public domain media and content. Be sure to bookmark their home page, where they post their picture of the day and media of the day selections. (For inspiration every day, try setting the homepage as one of your browser's opening home pages. Who knows, you might end up contributing!)

Do you use images and other content from the public domain? If so, do you always credit the source? Why, or why not?

This Season's Rhyme & Reason for our New Year's Facebook Resolution

Facebook Resolution 2017 - Reason

While our Copy, Edit, Etc FB page isn't new, it's also not been a priority, by any measure. It wasn't our ticket to attention, nor has it served any of our clients in any way. In all fairness, it hasn't had the chance. We just WANTED it!

It seems that most businesses host a Facebook page. Whether large or small, incorporated or independent (even sole proprietors), a business today likely has a Facebook presence. I, too, want to offer that social presence on Facebook. Although, originally, the plan was eventual advertising of services via Facebook- no more than that.

A following isn't necessary to begin advertising on Facebook, and up to now I've simply perused and shared items of interest to me . . . a means of acquainting with the way I want the page to feel. It's been a supremely casual, but eerily quiet process. No worries. The social return can be a long process. As it stands, a staggering 87% of posts to Facebook pages by users go unanswered!¹ With a response like that, it's no small wonder why pages have to work so hard to cultivate a following.

At this turn of the New Year, I'm reminded that this Facebook page could benefit from some worthy attention, regardless of whether I intend to run ads just yet. Surely, all who would post at the Copy, Edit, Etc. Blog shall be reachable via Facebook as the future unfolds. So, let's take care to make a space that will enhance our efforts as well as those of our peers and other industry members.

Facebook Resolution 2017 - Rhyme

The New Year is a cue to get our Facebook page in order for fans and consumers in a way that ensures they'll know what to expect as well as find something new and exciting every time they peep into this fold of our social experience. We need good reasons to share, that reach a bit beyond our interests, and have come up with one!

In 2017, we'll regularly share job ads in the fields of writing, editing and communication to our Facebook page. Emphasis will be on telecommunication and remote work opportunities.

Along with traditional writing jobs, we'll share gig ads for short-term jobs that seem to qualify as remote work opportunities. Job posts we find and share may be long or short-term outlook scenarios.

Facebook Resolution 2017 - Disclaimer

My greatest concern at this point (regarding this sharing endeavor) relates to the safety and security of any who would pursue such job post shares. Realize that, any shares we post are ads merely seen, possibly saved for our pursuit, often read once and unverified. Perhaps a job post grabbed an eye as a possible opportunity for any one of our peers or other interested parties. Either way, these will be UNVERIFIED job post shares.

Each job seeker is expected to be mindful of any possible issues and take appropriate responsibilities unto themselves as they follow through on any postings we've shared. Please be thorough and keep safety in mind while job-hunting. Because we are not affiliated with the creators of these ads to be shared on Facebook, we cannot guarantee any of the ad claims or vouch for their representatives.

More Rhyme for the Reason

By sharing industry job ads, we intend to support fellow service providers and workers of the gig economy. We're committed to reminding people of their inherent values in today's job market. The gig economy is a world of opportunity for job seekers of many types, and we hope to strengthen our community of service providers by sharing in this way. This is just one thing we can do!

We'll focus on writing-associated gigs, because these are where we operate; yet, we like to keep an open mind. After all, there have been many 'gig' jobs that helped to support students, writers, performance artists and anyone struggling to get by or who plainly enjoy gig work and are always on the lookout for such, often rare, opportunities.

For now, we'll go with a random approach to the day(s) of the week that we share this type of post, and we'll ask: Do you think there's a best day to share help-wanted ads? If so, let us know in comments which day we should try, and why.

Copy, Edit, Etc. Writing Services

Like our Facebook page today and let us know when you see one of our job post shares in your feed. 

By sharing these opportunities to connect with others who partake and deal in our fields of interest, we hope to instill a positive outlook among people who continue to find self-actualizing, appropriate ways to support themselves in any economy.

---

1 DMR Contributor. Facebook Page Statistics November 2016. http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/facebook-page-statistics/ December 2016. ^↩

Books and Social Media: Two Competing Communication Tools in the Battle of Knowledge

There should be no shame in lack of opportunity to expand one's literacy, and none when opportunity to read a book presents itself or can be taken.  Certainly, there's no shame in expressing results. You've heard that "communication is key"? The author of the following tweet gets it:

There's some truth in that tweet. Reading more books doesn't make one person better than another, no! Yet, benefits may befall oneself, thus society, through greater literacy & understanding. Don't you agree?

It's hard to say who the target was of this mysterious tweet, which seems to have been passively sent to the general reading audience. We're sharing it . . . with the simple intention of resistance! to attempts to diminish the desire (and right) to learn.

We learn about, possibly experience, new worlds and ideas through the further knowledge and refinement of greater literacy. 

Because geography and circumstances matter, we remember those communities and people without opportunity or choice of basic literacy. With that, we may perceive the tweet as a reaction to having been corrected in the midst of a heated argument . . .an inconsequential insult, or the beginning of an end-- the kind of reaction that can develop into a long-term, detrimental perception. So, we work to discourage bad information, like fake news for example. We encourage information sharing in good faith.

Benefits may befall oneself, thus society, through greater literacy & understanding

It's possible that the primary target of the publicized tweet was being anonymously called out in err despite their apparent knowledge via books, or of books. After all, there are levels of effort and comprehension literacy. The mere "reading" of a book does not guarantee a superior understanding of a situation. This is to point out, it's also not okay to diminish the less learned, or to assume any value. Again, there's no shame in lack of opportunity or need to expand one's literacy.

Either way, the tweet communication serves as opportunity to counter, and illustrate the importance of exchange in information-sharing and understanding. Modern technology and social media continue to add dimension to the sharing of experiences and information!

Our natural tendency is to communicate in an effort to avoid assumption or add to a conversation. Telling a story is one of the most effective methods of communication and relay of knowledge. Let's not underestimate the value of books, language and other communication methods, nor our interest in contribution to a discussion.

References & Related Links:

National Assessment of Adult Literacy (U.S.)

• encompasses 3 basic types of literacy

Media Literacy AwarenessHealth Literacy "
Digital Literacy & Digital Age Literacies
Financial Literacy

• Visa's "Practical Money Skills"
• According to Investopedia

Continuing Chase's Upcoming Holidays and Special Occasions via Rowman & Littlefield

Refer to your very own holiday/occasion calendar throughout the new year with Chase's Calendar of Events 2017. Known as The World's Datebook, Chase's Calendar of Events could be the answer you need for those holiday and monthly-planning queries.

Available in print and eBook formats, Chase's Calendar of Events is a long-established publication originally founded in 1957, since continued through various publishers and available today through retail partners of Rowman & Littlefield, independent publisher.

Follow Chase's Calendar on Twitter @ChasesCalendar.

The Day After Elections 2016: World Freedom Day

As U.S. Elections 2016 are closed, our calendar marks World Freedom Day. Ironically, this is a day of the celebration of deconstructed dividing walls.

November 9 celebrates the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, aka the Iron Curtain, which was erected in order to divide Soviet-occupied East Berlin from the Allied West and its accused "fascism". After World War II, the West did not impress the machine of Communism; the Soviet movement of which believed that riches of aristocracy and democratic hierarchy were a threat to their freedom, with capitalism being precursor to imperialism and specifically U.S. Capitalism being a uniquely powerful threat.

Before long, many Berliners of the socialist East would flee Communism, via Berlin's last gate, in defection from new leadership of the Soviets. The capitalist, democratic West simply offered greater promise of livelihood to these people who would only experience greater restrictions over a decade of increasing blockades to their freedom. Ultimately, the Berlin Wall was fully enforced and all movement Westward was stopped in an effort to maintain the working and productive populations of communist East Berlin.

After approximately 30 years of post-World War II strife that often resulted in death to those who would attempt to flee East Berlin, the Iron Curtain was taken down in the Revolutions of 1989 and the Fall of Communism. Spurred in part by the Chernobyl disaster, Caucasus, Baltic and other Eastern Bloc states desired autonomy from Russia and its single-party Soviet focus. Such social changes in politics eroded the power of the Soviet influence and, whether via the people or the system itself, the wall was  brought down.

Writing Prompt Questions:

• Was there victory in communism with the erection of the Berlin Wall? 
• Had the threat of communism faded at the time that the Berlin Wall was deconstructed in 1989? 
• Is there a threat of communism today? 
• How would you exemplify World Freedom Day?

Origin of National Author's Day & Our YA Book Suggestion

By now a good portion of us are aware that today, November 1, is National Author's Day. Did you realize that this annual recognition has been in play since 1928? For almost a century, Americans have enjoyed the occasion as a time to consider their favorite, most admired authors, and to somehow show their love.

The reasoning behind the day was born of the generosity of one author in particular, who went an extra mile for one of his readers. Thereafter, beginning with one woman, executed and continued by others, the popularity of National Author's Day grew to a degree that grabbed enough attention to claim official recognition and is today a widely supported event.

Our National Author Day YA Book Recommendation

Acting along the vein of the nature of the day, we're recommending a favorite author with whom we're familiar, and one of her books: The Basement (Robbie's Rite of Passage), by Vashti Quiroz-Vega, is a young-adult (YA) horror fiction selection with intriguing illustrations. The theme touches on bullying and relationships, and is an inspiring tale of overcoming the all-too-common angst that can exist among this age group.

Inspirational YA Horror Fiction The Basement

In the spirit of the day, we believe and recognize that this author has worked to tap into the fact that there can be inspiration for young people in the popular genre of horror fiction. Further, she does a great job of delivering a uniquely Kingesque experience that is enjoyable to fans of the popular horror master.

Let us know if you decide to pick it up!

National Literacy Day: Prose Literacy's Neo-Significance in a Tech Society

When we think of literacy in a diverse society, we often relate it to a basic ability of employee job performance. This is especially true of those accustomed to diverse workplace environments that strive to include every demographic of a community with capacity for job performance, per job at hand. One is either literate or illiterate, according to their ability to do a job in a company. Also, one may be regarded as literate or illiterate according to their ability to interact with another person on the street.

Traditional Literacy

Such a narrow measure shouldn't be confused with one's total literacy, or potential for literacy. One important point is that literacy of any kind is typically a measure of the capacity to communicate in a particular language that is common between people. A person may be completely literate in their native language, but also illiterate in another.

If we want to continue to progress as a species, then we must realize true literacy for what it is. Literacy is not multilingualism; and one who is multilingual may not be literate in any other way, necessarily. In fact, literacy is a multi-faceted model that metamorphizes with time and culture. For example, among today's known global societal cultures, there are a number of digitally illiterate persons. Ironically, such persons may be significantly more prose literate than their digitally adept counterparts. So, which one is more important?

Other common literacy distinctions are: financial literacy, mathematical literacy (quantitative, or numerate literacy) and information literacy . . . to name a few. Prose literacy, however, is the root of most articulateness.

Prose Literacy

When we learn that it's National Literacy Day, we can generally be sure that what's in focus is one's general ability to make sense of various prose information. This is because-- traditionally-- reading and writing have been the standards of one's ability to collect, use and disseminate information. Prose literacy has been a basic building block of progress to humankind. Despite the advent of new forms of media against which to measure our level of literacy, we still generally must revert to good ole' reading comprehension and an ability to write.

While reading and writing are at the core of prose literacy, it must be understood that the entirety of prose literacy involves abilities to decipher and communicate styles of writing, such as fiction, news, poetry, etc. Such capacity ensures that a person is more readily able to identify things like propaganda. This consideration alone should illustrate the importance of literate comprehension.

Prose Illiteracy is in a Risky State of Development

In the face of so much technological progress made in such a short time lately, some mistakenly believe it no longer important to pass along the idea that reading and writing are critically important aspects of a complete literacy package. One might get by without them; yet, one's chances may be significantly improved through high levels of prose literacy. Certainly, when we consider more than one person, ability to read and write become increasingly important among a collective. Please refer to this 1994 assessment of adult literacy skills to get an idea of how percentages of people from various nationalities scored on incremental levels of literacy. Then, for a broader sense of national literacy rates, refer to a 2016 world ranking of general literacy rates.

Although it's been noted that a native U.S. ranking since undertaken has moved the U.S. from rank 11 to rank 7, (because 11 simply didn't sound right enough) isn't it still an alarming acknowledgement of our trajectory from the top?

A result of increased awareness, National Literacy Day was born. Officially, November 1 is to be known in the U.S. as National Family Literacy Day. Still, it's focus differs slightly among groups, while the essence of the event is that we strive to acknowledge measures and capacities of prose literacy, while we also strive to raise measures as we raise interest among the people to continue the legacy of prose literacy even as it's relevance seems to fade.

The significance of the national focus on "family literacy" is in the need for families to recognize the importance of instilling an interest in their children and commit to activities that support it. Also, the need is of a community at large, and communities are likewise encouraged to acknowledge the day with relevant activities and information in support of our need for the highest levels of prose literacy.

###

Let us know what you think about questions presented, about what kinds of things can be done to promote literacy, or about literacy in general.