Shhhhhhh!

I have a new campaign (or bee in my bonnet) that I want everyone to spread the word about... Silence in the library! Every time I go to the library to work, or attempt to work, I am guaranteed to be interrupted to some inconsiderate student. Even though there are clear signs informing people these floors are for SILENT work, students either ignore these, or are illiterate. Now I know I may sound like some moaning final year but I make no apologies for my rampage. The fact that the majority of people I have spoken to about this important matter are scared to tell someone to 'shut up', adds further fuel to my argument. If people do not tell others to 'please be quiet, and use group study rooms for talking, or go outside' then the word will no be spread. We are obviously all to blame for the situation. If we spread the word and politely tell others to 'please be quiet' then they will know, and hopefully stop. In a perfect world. Alternatively you can buy an I-Pod and block out all of those annoying noises!

The power of communication

This weekend my other half made the two hour journey to see me in my university town. This trip was his first, so as you can imagine I was fairly excited. Our relationship is at present long-distant. Phone calls, emails, texts and letters are the ways we communicate, until we see one another, usually every other weekend. Today, the day after he left, I feel like I have had this massive injection put into me and all the feeling I have for him have been heightened. Strange, but I guess understandable. Speaking to someone, or emailing, are great ways of keeping in touch but sometimes these aren't enough. When you do see this person face-to-face you feel and experience so much more.

I was thinking about this, and how I feel after seeing him. With all of these new technologies that exist and are evolving even as I type this, I believe that, powerful as they are, they will never replace face-to-face contact. I think practitioners know this too. Just talking to someone and being in their presence is much more powerful than an email. For PR. with a practice that is fundamentally based on this power, this has huge implications. As practitioners we must recognise the power new technologies have, but not forget our old practices. I don't think these functions have to work alone, though. They can both be used to harness the power they both possess into a campaign or meeting.

When it comes to my other half though, I'll always prefer face-to-face!

Are you up for the challenge?

I went out on Tuesday night and found myself talking about what I am passionate about; the environment. The party I was with have their own views on this topic, but I fought on to put my point across and answer whatever questions that came my way. One argument on why we shouldn't bother trying to make a difference and change the way we live, is because it won't matter. Me, as just this little person, living my little life, going about my business, can make NO difference to the environment at all. I say that this is rubbish! What is the world made up of? Yes groups, parties and the mass, but these simply consist of individuals. If everyone changed one thing for example walk to the corner shop instead of driving, then we harness that power to making a difference and trying to change the way we live our lives. We can't think of tomorrow and argue that we won't be around. Do you think people who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2 were thinking of today? I believe they were dying to protect us; the future. And it is our responsibility as citizens and users of this world to do the same. The problems is though, is who agrees with me, and who is prepared to make those small changes a reality?

Another challenge

I've been looking at graduate schemes and the applications process. I read in this month's PRWeek that at some agencies there are 600 applicants for one place, and how some agencies prefer those candidates who don't possess a PR degree as PR dgrees are far too theoretical! I know it's going to be very difficult to get an interview, let alone a job. However, I'm as good as anyone out there. I have to sometimes convince myself of this fact, but I think that the saying is true:%2