Alex Grunde's Online Portfolio: 2012

A panel of journalists and writers gathered last Wednesday at Brooklyn College’s Woody Tanger Auditorium to discuss “The Obama Phenomena,” a presentation on the Zeitgeist surrounding presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Race was the most prominent topic of the panel. During a clip played from a BET interview show, Obama addressed the issue of just how “Black” he is. “When people say, ‘is he black enough,’ I always have to ask, compared to who[sic]?” the Illinois Senator asked the interviewer, adding “I’m not running against Flavor Flav.” Keith Brown, the Vice President of News and Public Affairs at BET and a panel member, related how race affected him in the voting booth. “When I got there in the privacy of that booth, and got ready to pull the lever for Hillary Clinton, my hand kind of jolted back,” Brown said with a nervous laugh, as if voting for Hillary was breaking some taboo. “In the end, before I left, it was a vote for Barack Obama.”

Viral Marketing and the Art of Entertaining Deceit

Originally a class assignment (2008)

According to Marlena Diamond’s MySpace page, her primary interests in life are fashion, dancing, drinking, and shopping. Her favorite movies are a mix of cult flicks. She describes her relationship status as “Swinger,” admits her partying is “out of control,” and has no interest in ever having children. She states that “I’m the next big thing in fashion design, and it’s just a matter of time before the rest of the world figures that out.” She lives in New York City, but she grew up and attended school in Connecticut. In short, she sounds like a typical twenty-something New York hipster.¹
Except she doesn’t exist.

Facebook Changing

Originally published in Brooklyn College Kingsman (Oct. 22nd, 2007)

Social networking web site Facebook announced yesterday a new content control system, to be overseen by an independent observer, at the New York State Attorney General’s office.
The announcement was made by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Chris Kelly, Facebook’s chief privacy officer. “It started as an investigation, and it ended as a cooperation,” said Cuomo, referring to the complaints his office received from parents concerning Facebook.
The agreement contained three changes that Facebook will implement. Parents will be given clearer disclosure on the content advisory, including a warning that Facebook, like any website of its nature, “cannot guarantee that members will not encounter inappropriate... [or] pornographic... content.”

The Never-Quite-There Male Pill

Originally a class assignment (2007)

Side effects of condoms: possible allergic reaction to latex, desensitizing for both partners, friction burn for both partners. Side effect of the oral contraceptive, or The Pill: weight gain, nausea, mood swings, loss of libido, blood clots. Side effects of the contraceptive sponge: possible Toxic Shock Syndrome, not to mention a failure rate of 16 percent, according to the manufacturer of “Today’s Sponge.” The diaphragm, while devoid of side effects besides some vaginal irritation, has an even more abysmal 20 percent failure rate, according to the American Pregnancy Association. 
For supposedly being a liberalized, modern nation when it comes to sex, our country’s contraceptive options are awfully limited and redundant. The contraceptive patch and tri-monthly injections are just The Pill delivered in a different manner. The Sponge is really just a combination of the diaphragm and spermicide, and only came back on the market last year after being gone for 11 years. Condoms are overkill for people in long-term relationships who don’t have to worry about venereal diseases. And don’t even make me bring up the joke that is the vaginal condom.
  There is hope, though. The Dutch pharmaceutical company Organon is working on a male contraceptive, as effective as the female version, if not more, with many fewer side effects. If it comes to market, it could make other contraceptives look as outdated as the rhythm method.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

Friday, May 11, 2012

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday, April 23, 2012

Friday, April 13, 2012

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Love Exposure Review: Not Your Typical Epic

Friday, April 6, 2012

Obama Banter