Category: Writing Interactive Media-506

For my freshmen year of high school I begged my mom to perm my Afro straight. I no longer wanted to wear kid braids, I wanted to be sleek and “in style”. I promised I would take over taking care of my hair, which would be easier permed than in my natural state. After a long campaign of barraging my mom with the pros of being permed, she finally bent the knee.

We went to the hair salon and for many years later my hair routine was as simple as: wash weekly, deep condition every once and a while and style. When my hair’s new growth would appear I felt inconvenienced from my straight hair agenda. I would hold out for a few weeks with twist outs that were successful due to the texture of my new growth. But once my curling cremes no longer gave my desired result, I was back in the salon, immediately.

THE END OF MY PERMS

This cycle came to an abrupt end a few months into our pandemic’s lock down. Life was unrecognizable and each day was filled with uncertainty. Being forced out of my routine of gym, work and distractions — my focus recovered. I suddenly had an abundance of time and I spent it looking deeply in the mirror everyday. My hair no longer complied with the regiment I subjected it to. My ends kept breaking and nothing I did to appease my hair worked. 

So I cut it all off. 

For the first time in my life I saw my curls grow and it was exciting. Or at least I thought the hair that was growing represented my natural curls. But I soon learned that what I was enjoying was just scab hair. Curly Nikki explained, scab hair is the hair underneath the scalp that has been affected by previous chemical treatments. 

Around month four my hair introduced itself. Its thickness took over and all of the products I purchased that promised ease, only upset my hair. They did not moisturize my hair and the ease of washing, conditioning and styling my hair vanished. After another failed wash day I googled why Mielle no longer worked. I was greeted by multiple articles announcing that the company was bought out. As a result of the buy out, all of Mielle’s product formulas changed. 

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND SO IS CREATING YOUR OWN PRODUCTS

After giving so many popular hair care lines a try, I learned that Mielle was not the only company that changed their product formulas. This realization changed what I saw when I viewed a store’s inventory. 

Our shelves are full of products that do not uphold the promises their advertisements sold us. A lot of the products that we are familiar with and trust in our homes are full of harmful chemicals and fillers. Our loyalty to brands stem from: familiarity, routine and ignorance. 

I am currently writing an article that addresses how consumers are being affected by corporate greed. Capitalism made it possible for companies to align their goals with profit versus consumer safety. It allows the FDA to make regulations a game and not a means of protection for consumers. According to Linda Katz, the former director of the office of cosmetics and colors at the FDA, the process of adding chemicals is long and bureaucratic. 

In my article, I also review a Jergens lotion advertising and its ingredients label. I want to show how the acceptance of harmful products was carefully curated by companies. But, I also introduce the benefits of breaking the cycle of passive consumerism by creating our own products.

When I cut my hair off five years ago, I did not know that I thrusted myself on a path of making my own products. I have enjoyed sharing my research findings with others and helping people protect their health. As well as being able to provide healthier product options to my community has been very fulfilling. 

SHARING MY FINDINGS

Due to the diverse way that we consume information I have created multiple forms of content to promote my article. Besides creating this blog post on WordPress I have created posts for other platforms to share my findings:

Linked In

LinkedIn is where all professionals gather and share information on job listings or projects that they are involved in. On this platform, potential employees may read this article and reach out to explore collaboration opportunities. According to the social shepard there are over 69 million companies on LinkedIn. Besides a possible business venture, LinkedIn offers a diverse age group of users. Millennials make up to 60% of users but every generation is accounted for on this app. My goal is to reach as many consumers as possible to spread awareness which is why this platform is a great first step in doing so. 

Instagram

Instagram has been the platform that users go to for visuals. In the self-care arena of the app all content is simplistic and exudes ‘clean’ aesthetics. There is a wall post that I created which prompts users to click my article’s link in my bio. I also posted this image on my page’s story once a day with my article’s link as the primary way to inform users. Users viewing my story would only have to click once versus if they view my post they would have to click my page then click the link in my bio. I will lose some users’ interest just because of those two extra clicks. My main goal on this platform is to get the attention of consumers to break their cycle of passive consumerism. I also would like to gain the attention of creators who focus on self-care products for possible collaboration projects or consultation ventures. 

X

I created my post to pop out against the sea of images and videos on X. Being able to add the article’s link gives X the edge on Instagram. Users can see this image and click on it out of curiosity and encounter my article. My goal on X is to get as many eyeballs on my article in the self care community. 

I hope that my article will inspire others to start to take a closer look at their self care products. It has inspired a series on Tik Tok that I launched that addresses whether heavily advertised products are safe for consumers. Knowledge is power which is why I intend to share all of mine with others.

I’ve anxiously awaited writing to you since my previous blog posts. I wanted to assure you that I have not lost my integrity as a writer–I will not use AI to create another blog post.After writing, The Content Creator’s Quest, I decided to conduct an experiment of my own. I wanted to see if I put one of my blog posts in Chat GPT, how would it write its own post. 

MY FINDINGS

After some minutes of analyzing my writing, it created its own post and image. I put the posts side by side on my dual monitors. What stared back at me, was a piece of writing that deleted my presence from itself. My word choices and the way I choose to express myself was replaced with a squeaky clean voice. Sure, it was grammatically sound and took no risks to convey my thoughts. But my mind rejected the post immediately because it was not of me.

I took some time to think of what are the factors that contribute to how I express myself. The first correction that AI made –was to change my time of employment at Enterprise from a short stint to a brief time. I chose the word stint because during my upbringing that’s how adults described work ventures that were a waste of time. It conveyed that it wasn’t a serious job and that it was transactional.

But how can I download my Caribbean heritage, my upbringing in New York and my coming to self in Connecticut? There’s no possible way that it can capture the many expressions I hold from international influences. All that it can do is apply make up and a waist trainer to my writing so that it can be visually appealing. 

AUTHENCITY CAN NOT BE REPLICATED

In Cassandra Rosas’ article she explained that AI produces content based on the patterns and data it has been trained on. This often leads to generic and repetitive content. She also shared that if two separate users wrote the same prompt, AI will share similar insights with minor differences in content delivery.

William Zinsser gave the advice to develop one voice that readers will recognize when they hear it on the page. The voice must be enjoyable and not cheapened by being inauthentic. AI is unaware that it is erasing creativity and authenticity with each post it creates. It is simply carrying out its programming as it was designed. 

Zinsser’s advice to writers holds the answer as to why AI can not replace good writing. It is because good writing comes from a writer sourcing their work from their life experiences and heritage. It is from a writer having good taste and instincts when choosing what words to deliver their message to their readers.

This is why I will not use AI to produce the content I create. I love the process of writing–reading for inspiration then mulling about ideas until my mind finds the direction I want to go in. I also respect the English language and my readers too much to settle for what AI has to offer.

During my brief time working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, I discovered something that changed the way I think about business forever — sales isn’t for me.

At first, I was drawn in by the promise of growth, teamwork, and success. Enterprise’s mission statement sounded inspiring — “serving customers.” But beneath the polished slogans and motivational meetings, I began to see the truth: profit came first, people came second. The higher-ups spoke of market domination and record-breaking revenue, yet I couldn’t help noticing how often customer needs were sacrificed for a few extra dollars on the balance sheet.

The Illusion of “Customer First”

From day one, we were trained to drive the sale before the customer even walked through the door. Every interaction was a carefully choreographed performance — introduce the vehicle, highlight the upgrades, emphasize the protection plans, and close the deal. It was less about helping and more about convincing.

Some people thrived in that environment. I didn’t. I saw customers not as transactions, but as people — people who didn’t deserve to be subtly manipulated or guilted into buying something they didn’t need. Respecting that boundary, however, wasn’t rewarded. In fact, it made me an outlier. Persuasion was prized; sincerity was sidelined.

After a year of trying to reconcile my morals with my job description, I realized there was no place for me there. The realization was freeing — and it led me toward something better.

Doing It for the Love, Not the Sale

When the focus shifts from value to profit, everything feels hollow. It’s the same lesson Bill Gates once pointed out about the digital world: when content moves online, it can lose depth unless it offers something real — something immersive, engaging, and meaningful. The same goes for any interaction between business and customer.

People can sense authenticity. They crave connection, not conversion tactics. When creators, brands, or even small businesses prioritize honest storytelling and genuine service, they build communities — not just client lists.

As writer William Zinsser said in On Writing Well, “Don’t become the prisoner of a preconceived plan.” The best work — and the best business — happens when we lead with sincerity, not strategy.

Because in the end, authenticity isn’t just good ethics.
It’s good business.

This post was generated through using Chat GPT.

During my short stint with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, I learned sales is not for me. I encountered a shallow mission statement regarding serving customers but learned profit was their true focus. Upper management gave sermons on market growth and shared their visions of world domination. But no matter how many company events and dinners were given, I still saw how our want for gross compensation caused us to fail our customers.

GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

We were trained that before the customer comes through the door, our job is to drive the sale. How we introduce the customer to the vehicle sizes, their prices and the protection options are all to persuade customers that they want what they purchased. This made sense when customers had a need for the vehicle and package I could offer. There’s only so much that can be offered before an interaction becomes forced and artificial.

Having the ability to see customers as people is a gift for customer service, but becomes a burden in the sales arena. Respecting customers by not shoving a sale down their throat is not encouraged. The art of persuasion is taught, manipulation is encouraged and the culture revolves around how great someone can conceal their swindling.

After a year of trying to figure out how I could navigate the demands of sales I realized there was no space for me. 

DO IT FOR THE LOVE

After my stint in sales, I would love to make that industry illegal. Being focused on profit versus offering value to customers through our service felt unnatural. Forced interactions for the opportunity to make money gives off a cheap feeling that makes customers run for the hills. 

Bill Gates discussed the challenge that companies face when they take their print and move it to the electronic realm. Consuming written work electronically lacks depth, writers have to provide deep and extremely up-to-date information that they can explore at will. They need to have audio, and possibly video. 

What online audiences want are full experiences they can immerse themselves in. When our focus is on monetization and meeting platform goals our work loses value. Humans want a consistent stream of engaging content that they can buy into when they want. 

In, On Writing Well, Zinsser gave us the advice to not become the prisoner of a preconceived plan. What matters is that we are offering the purest form of ourselves through our content as creators. A genuine connection is what brings our audience back for more. Once this is established , consumers will then want to invest in our monetary endeavors.

Kellsie Phillips has served as an auto adjuster in the insurance industry for 7 years. Over the course of her career, she has received many industry awards for fraud prevention and extraordinary customer service. 

Her days consist of managing the chaos that ensues after a person is involved in an auto collision. She utilizes her Bachelors in Psychology earned from Quinnipiac University to lead customers through their claim process. For many customers, she is the centering voice that provides ease and solutions during an uncomfortable pivot of life. 

Growing up in White Plains, NY she was afforded with many experiences in the arts. She participated in concert band, playing her flute. In her art classes she created DIY crafts and paintings. She took many field trips to New York City Museums and exhibits which expanded her curiosity and creativity. Her English classes were where she developed her love for writing and enjoyed being immersed in the worlds of different books. 

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Kellsie created her small business, Space Cadets. While store supply chains were disjointed, Kellsie was able to provide homemade self-care products. This is when the pursuit of content creation began in order to reach potential customers. 

Four years later, after becoming Meriden Church of Christ’s social media manager she decided to pursue her Masters in Interactive Media & Communications. During her studies, Kellsie plans to hone her creative skills in order to positively affect her community through her products and social media content. She will be pursuing freelance work as a social media manager for clients who contribute to our social good. 

Catcher in the Rye was one of my favorite books in high school. The main character Holden struggled with the adult behavior he was surrounded by. He believed the adults to be shallow, hypocritical and inauthentic. Through this judgement he attempted to run away from his school’s environment to escape phoniness. He instead embarked on a journey that showed him his own struggle with being phony and the results of focusing on others more than himself. 

This is a life lesson that we all must learn, that the best thing we can do for ourselves is to focus on ourselves. When our focus is on ourselves we are able to develop and grow our sense of self. Fulfillment is able to be achieved when we engage in rewarding work, but that work must be specific to who we are and our skill set.

THE PRESSURES OF CONTENT CREATION

When I began creating content on Tik Tok for my small business I faced the challenge of worrying about whether it would be received. The lack of likes and comments after posting caused me to question whether my content was good. Many hours were spent looking at successful content which led to the debilitating trap of comparison. 

All of the trending videos sounded a certain way, they had certain dances, they lacked substance but I copied them and received my empty engagements. After a few months of this, I experienced creative burnout and took a break from my Tik Tok. In the creative world burnout has been accepted as a part of the process. Creators are encouraged to take breaks until their inspiration returns, so I leaned into my break.

SELF DISCOVERY IS A STRENGTH

During my break, I trained to pursue law enforcement and experienced the most grueling physical training. I ran up and down the streets of Hartford, CT drenched in distress sweat. Many days I spent doing ungodly amounts of push-ups, sit ups, pull ups and bear crawls. This process broke me into multiple pieces and did away with my ego. I was able to see what I was made of without my mind being able to fill in the blanks. I was happy to discover who I was after facing the challenges and hard work my sergeant placed in front of me. 

Writing is no different from being physically active. A writer expresses themself through their written words. This process can not be faked as a writer’s written work displays the writer bare for all to see. There’s no option to hide behind extravagant words as readers can sense insincerity. As well as taking shortcuts to finish written work hinders a writer’s growth and development of their self expression.

In Zinsser’s, On Writing Well, he stated that a writer’s style is as organic as the person doing the writing. He then proceeds to give the example of knowing when someone is wearing a toupee, it is noticeable because it is not of the person.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MY CONTENT?

After fully embracing sharing my truest self, I will continue to create content from my need to create. Whether it is for social media or my written works, I refuse to assign the pressure of whether it is enjoyed by everyone. Of course that is my intention, but it is a fact of life that not everyone will connect with me and not everyone will like what I have to offer. I harbor no hard feelings if something doesn’t perform as I would like , instead I will take it as an opportunity for growth and development. 

I hold this position because it takes the weight off of myself when I am preparing to create. Zinsser gave great advice to relax and say what I want to say. And since style is who I am to my core, I only need to be true to myself to find it and cultivate it.

In 1962 the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims of Plymouth partook in their harvest feast. This feast is why many families gather together every year with one another. We know November as the time to practice gratitude, give thanks and come together. There’s always news of celebrities donating or giving back to their communities. People engage in volunteer work opportunities that support their local food banks, soup kitchens or shelters. Being that this is the usual mode our society is in at this time of year, our government shutdown has launched us into a Thanksgiving season we are not prepared for.

An expired bill that would fund government services, if passed, was used by our Democratic party to address expiring tax credits. These credits would cut the cost of health care for Americans. There was also a request to reverse previous cuts made by Trump’s administration to Medicaid. These requests are what the Republican and Democratic parties must find a compromise that our President would agree to. 

ASSISTANCE IS OFFLINE

Scott Horsley wrote on why grocery prices have increased and touched on how families have been scrambling to obtain food at affordable prices. The COVID-19 pandemic and our support in the Ukrainian War created the inflation that we are greeted by in grocery stores. Prices have increased while product quality has steadily declined. Families have been doing their best with the current obstacles stores have presented. Obtaining nutritious food became a stressful endeavor that seems to have no impending end.

On November 1st, 2025 SNAP funds would no longer be available if our government does not find a resolution. The BBC recently released an article which states 40 million Americans use these funds to feed themselves and their families. Without this funding many families will be entering this season of togetherness feeling abandoned. 

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps families afford energy costs. Without this assistance, families that use propane or heating oil will be facing potential service cut offs if unable to pay their bills. 

Many Americans will be facing financial challenges regarding feeding their families and keeping them warm. 

DO WE HAVE A PLAN?

NBC News reported that 26 states have taken the lead in finding some temporary solutions for their constituents. Many governors have found state funding, declared state of emergencies or increased support of their food banks to meet the incoming food assistance demands. A lot of the plans are to address the issues as best as they can through November but there is hope the shutdown does not continue into December. 

It seems as though we have been handed the altruistic opportunity to positively impact others who are in need. There are many options that can be pursued to help those in need this season. Whether it be donating canned goods to a local food drive or it could be volunteering at a local food pantry. It could be giving an online donation to support Feed America’s efforts. If you live near the Meriden, CT area you can donate jackets to Meriden Church of Christ for their winter clothes drive. Lastly, Connecticut Foodshare is asking for donations and volunteer help. 

Just as the Wampanoag people saw the Pilgrims’ needs and taught them multiple survival skills. We can intervene and assist our neighbors through their current survival crisis.

There was a time in the early 2000s where chatter about self check out machines was the only thing heard in the grocery stores. The idea of bagging our own groceries sent some customers into a tail spin. For some, their innate sense of not wanting change was being challenged. At some point the conversations did not ward off the inevitable change that the Great Recession solidifed. Businesses wanted to cut costs and saw the results from installing a few machines into their store locations. In some way our introduction to AI feels familiar to this past experience.

CAN AI REPLACE US?

In On Writing Well, Zinsser gave his answer that no matter what new marvels are made to make writing twice as easy it wouldn’t make the writing good. It is for the same reason that AI sourced content stands out during our scrolling. Whether the content is written or electronic, it still has to have a human pulse to it. 

Alvaras Tumas’s article touched on the disadvantages of AI in Social Media. He mentioned that due to AI’s nature to analyze data patterns and make data-driven decisions. AI is only as good as the data it is given. 

For there to be connection, creativity must be present. How well a creator masters their self expression is the spark that gains the attention of others. This can not be faked, it can not be replicated and it is something that consumers will not settle on.

INSPIRED NOT ANXIOUS

I just completed my research on how to combat creative burnout which revealed what profit forward values have made possible. Platforms rewarding “engagement” rather than how well a creator exercises their craft, makes the act of creating numerical. It is important for creators to engage in work that brings fufillment to their lives. This is why creating content that connects with consumers versus tricking them into engaging is the best edge for a creator to have.

There has been a call to action directed at creators to create content out of good will. This means taking into account how our work will affect consumers and doing what is needed to ensure it has a positive effect. The creators who answer this challenge, will be met with potential growth and an active journey along their creative path.