new media

Luddites beware!
For my first BitchTapes as the resident New Media Intern, it seemed only appropriate that my to compile some of my favorite songs about just that: media and technology!

Well, the verdict is finally in, and it looks as though it IS in fact possible to be a bizarro douche in 140 characters or less. Today's trending Twitter topics include #dontcuffhim and #dontwifeher, and both offer a shit-covered window into the minds of Twitter's best and brightest gender stereotypists. (You know, like a typist who only writes about gender stereotypes. Zing!)

If you aren't clued in to Twitter trends are about, (what, do you have like, better things to do?) they are basically prompts or topics that wind their way through the Twitterverse as more and more users respond (using the # symbol to indicate their participation).

Today's trends are all about marriage, and why certain men and women aren't worth the trouble. Hold on to your hats, folks. It's gonna be a douche-y ride.

One of my secret favorite things about the internet is the abundance of fan and homemade videos. I can spend hours watching low-budget versions of musical routines, celebrity reaction videos, and home movies featuring animals. As you may know, I am also a self-taught student of the Twilight craze, so fan-made Twilight videos are like the frosting on my internet cake. There are SO MANY. Here is one that I watched yesterday:

If you've noticed that our website looks a little snappier these days, it's not just your eyes playing tricks on you. We've added some new features that make it easier for you to interact with us, and vice versa! Let us direct your attention to the sidebar on the right side of the screen (---->) where you'll find our new Twitter feed, and an easy way to contact us with your blog tips!

Click through for some more info, and to let us know what other website upgrades you might like to see. Welcome to the 21st Century, Bitch!

Several months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Nancy Gruver, founder of New Moon, a magazine aimed at girls ages 8 to 12. New Moon is great – they're ad free, have girl editors and writers. They have a girl blog. Oh, and they're also based in Minnesota. 

Today in my inbox was a message from Nancy sharing the news that on September 1, they'll be launching New Moon Girls web community – like the magazine, it'll be ad free, girl-driven content. In the meantime, they're trying to raise money.  

Help them out, won't you?  It's a rare thing to find media aimed at building up girls' self-esteem rather than tearing it down.