Retweet Me, Follow Me, Like Me, Stalk Me

credit: lifescript.com

We have all done it... posted about a family vacation on Facebook, used Twitter to update what we are doing, and even accompanied a picture with duck a face on Snapchat. Social Media continually allows the outside world to have a look inside someone's life. However, with the constant updating of our lives on social media it brings one question to mind: How far is too far?

Increasingly over the years, more cases of people experiencing danger when it comes to being involved with social media have begun to show. When people go online to post about their lives to their friends, they may be inviting more than their intended audience.

Kardashian posts on Snapchat
hours before robbery, Monday, October 3, 2016.
Credit: nydailynews 

Breaking headlines this week was a clear example of the dangers of social media and allowing one's whereabouts to be known at all times. Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint early Monday morning in her hotel in Paris only hours before she posted selfies on Snapchat of her Paris adventures. Kardashian was reportedly held at gunpoint by five masked men who pretended to be police officers to sneak into the hotel. They ended up leaving with a variety of expensive jewels and still have not been identified

To read more about the Kardashian robbery case click here.

credit: nymag.com

While what happened to Kim Kardashian is terrible in itself, it can also raise questions about the dangers of social media given that she was posting her location just hours before. Does her use of Snapchat just a couple of hours before the incident warrant that it was the cause of the robbery. Maybe and maybe not. Until the police conclude their investigation, one can only speculate that social media may have played a factor into the robbery.

While social media should not be labeled as a bad thing, it does come with potential alarming consequences. Should there be a limit to how far we go to display our lives?

Social media will continue to strive for more intrusive ways to connect each other, but that does not mean one cannot protect themselves while still using social media.

Here are some ways to protect yourself when it comes to social media:

1. Do not post about any upcoming extended time you may be away from your house. 
2. Be weary of using apps that can reveal your location in real time (i.e. Snapchat, Facebook Live, Twitter, etc.)
3. Turn off your phone's ability to track your location. Learn how here.

credit: geoawesomeness.com

While the answer cannot be to stay off social media, because it is illogical given the decade we are in. However, one can use the tips above to protect themselves and can take steps to ensure that their use of social media will not put anyone in danger. 

Got some other thoughts on this issue? Leave a comment down below!

Peanut Gallery Reaction: First Presidential Debate

                                 VS. 

  Peanut Gallery Reaction: First Presidential Debate of the season

       I have officially lied to everyone.... I have claimed for years that I am a political junkie, yet.... I forgot that the infamous first debate between Clinton and Trump was even happening. Yes, I know it is terrible and I was equally shocked when I woke up after a four plane ride from California to Michigan (my sister got married, but no excuses!) to see the debate being watched by the passenger next to me. 

    While I was a little disappointed, I also noticed something very interesting: THIS DEBATE WAS EVERYWHERE. I saw it on the plane ride, on the big screens in the airport terminal, and even some were streaming it across their cellphones. Even when I was riding a bus to my car, there were people talking about the debate as it was happening. 

As soon as I got into the car, NPR (National Public Radio) was instantly playing in hopes of catching the tail end of the debate. 

credit: russiainsider.com

Here are some notes I mentally collected: 

1. Poor Lester Holt cannot seem to get a question in without Clinton and Trump continually talking over one another. 
2. Trump has never head the phrase "wait your turn" 
3. There seems to be more Trump supporters in the audience based on the amount of cheers each politician is getting
4. Hillary Clinton has nailed the "pause and then decimate your opponent with words" technique 
5. Reporters are clearly failing at their job, Trump "did not say any of those things"
6. Trump is capable of admitting Hillary has experience, but wait for it... "bad experience" *mic drop*

All these notes drew several conclusions in my opinion: 

1. The matchup of a career politician and a business mogul going head to head makes for very good ratings for networks. (I mean come on, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton fighting for one of the highest positions of power in our democracy, you couldn't ask for a better hook.) 
2. People are SCARED. (Now whether you are want to #dumptrump or are for #hillaryforprison, this election will decide a significant future for Americans.)
3. People want CHANGE. (It is becoming apparent that many are wanting a new face in the White House, regardless if it is the first female president or the first reality TV star gone POTUS.)

 credit: aliciajones.com

    Ready or not, November 8th here we come!

Peanut Review- Studying Abroad

Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica, July 13, 2014

This Wednesday marked another Study Abroad Fair looking to help students expand their learning in other countries. Going to another country is a huge step, let alone studying there for a prolonged amount of time. I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica during the summer of my freshman year here at CMU.

I have comprised a list of the pros and cons of my study abroad that I personally feel are justified.

PROS- 

• Seeing a whole different culture and country 
• THE FOOD 
• Weekend Excursions (I did everything from visiting hot springs to zip lining over a rainforest... definite bucket list check)
• Being able to communicate with Locals in another language (yeah it took me almost till the end of my study abroad, but it happened!)
• Mama Tica aka the sweetest woman you will ever know (pictured right) 
• Weather (Literally it can be thunderstorming and Costa Rica will still be beautiful)

CONS-

• Money (It is a tad expensive to study abroad... did not help that I lost my wallet the first weekend) **
• Language barrier (it is a tad overwhelming to be in a place where no one speaks English, but trust me, your ability to speak another language will develop fast in another country) 
• Picked up wrong suitcase at airport (yes it happened, yes it was scary, but I did manage to get it back thanks to my amazing Mama Tica) **
• Being detained in Costa Rica (My passport had incorrect information on it, so when I first arrived I was detained and sent back to the United States.) **

** Important- My experience in Costa Rica was very unique. Yes I was detained, picked up the wrong suitcase, and also lost my wallet the first week, but I want to emphasis that I still had a great time in Costa Rica. Part of being in another culture is adapting to situations and finding solutions to problems on your own. They all were scary situations, but I would  not regret my trip to Costa Rica at all. 

So whether or not you are ever considering study abroad in your future, take my advice- Just do it!

Oh and... PURA VIDA!

In case you missed it...

Central Michigan University faces UNLV, Kelly Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI, Saturday, September 18, 2016.

The Rundown:

Last weekend, the Chips faced against Oklahoma State University, a college that was previously ranked in the top 25 in NCAA football, 

Key word here is: previously. 

The Chippewas managed to score a win against Oklahoma state with a fourth quarter hail mary that allowed Central Michigan to score a touchdown even though the clock had already run out. 

The upset was a huge victory for CMU and a devastating blow to OSU fans as the loss kicked them out of the top 25 ranking and led CMU into their third game with a 2-0 ranking. 

The Controversy

Of course, the win did not come without some controversy.

Now there will always be fans who are disappointed or feel that the game was played unfairly and people will go home disgruntled and typically that is the end of it... or so we thought.

 Monday morning came as a shock to many when the Oklahoma State University's student run newspaper fired back with an editorial titled: CMU has chance to prove it's integrity. 

Essentially the claim was that CMU states they have integrity as one of their core values, now CMU should give up the win to honor their core values and prove they have integrity.

Your Turn 

While some may agree with the article and others do not, one truth is for certain, Central Michigan will have a win against Oklahoma State University officially. 

Read the article posted above and offer your thoughts on the issue down in the comments. 

Welcome to the Peanut Gallery... of news that is!

My name is Gillian and I am senior at Central Michigan University.
I also am a huge news junkie which is why this blog will consist of commentary on news stories that I find interesting. While I am by no means an expert or qualified to offer substantial commentary on news, I hope one can enjoy my outlook nonetheless. From stories about the 2016 presidential election to the latest celebrity controversy (don't lie to yourself, we all indulge in gossip), this blog will cover them all with special commentary from... (You guessed it)... the Peanut Gallery!