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AI with Mike Reilly

I am very grateful and lucky to have attended Mike Reilly’s workshop on artificial intelligence. Through this lesson, my class and other individuals who chose to attend the seminar learned all about the world of AI and how it is evolving at an incredibly rapid pace. I was excited and grateful for this opportunity because I feel too many people fear AI when it is something that we must come to terms with and embrace. As scary as the concept of AI can be, it is here to stay. It has left its mark on our society, and people are becoming increasingly aware of and confident about technology. The ways in which AI is used can be cause for concern as it allows students and individuals alike to cut corners. In this process, AI can also make mistakes individuals will take as fact. 

This seminar was very valuable to me as I learned much more about the different AI tools available. Reilly discussed multiple types of AI, including Claude, Gemini, Videofy.AI, and more. This was particularly useful to me because I had only been familiar with ChatGPT and Perplexity AI and had not used them to their full potential. I was able to gain knowledge on how to get the best information available out of AI, the best ways to ask questions, which platforms to use when, and more. I wholeheartedly believe that AI is the future and not a trend. This will change how we function as a society, and learning with it is the only way to grow alongside it.

[griffinmurphyjou4500]

Blog Post #3

The personal video project was a true challenge for me. Initially, when I brainstormed, numerous topic ideas flooded my head. However, I also struggled with knowing if each of these topics would be sufficient for this project.

Ultimately, I decided to go with my gut and original topic. I knew that by choosing to analyze the complicated yet loving relationship I had with my siblings, I could talk for hours. As I began writing, it was challenging to get myself to stop. This meant my original draft ended up being around six and a half minutes long. I knew this was far too much content, but narrowing it down was not an easy process as I was incredibly proud of my work and felt every word and sentence added significant value to the story. In the end, I was able to narrow it down to just over five minutes without compromising the content. 

Getting the media for this was not the simplest task either. My parents are not the greatest when it comes to technology, and many of the videos I was hoping to include in my final piece could not be found in our new house, or the videos that were sent were not of excellent quality. 

After viewing my classmates' videos, I was utterly blown away. I was surprised by how many of us were willing to get deep in front of the class and in front of the camera. Yesterday was a very inspiring day of class for me. I have not connected with my classmates in that way since high school. I felt like I really got to know them better and see a different side of them. Seeing my classmates tear up and get emotional when viewing their classmates or even their own stories was very moving. 

Also, after viewing these videos, I thought of tons of things I could have done differently or added to my video, but in the end, I was incredibly proud and happy with the work that I did. Editing has never been my strong suit, and I have always preferred to do the writing aspects, but I got to truly challenge myself with this project and put my skills to the test. 

[griffinmurphyjou4500]

Three’s a Crowd, Four’s a Family

In his mid-twenties, my dad fell in love and married a woman named Julie. She unfortunately suffered from a horrible lung disease called Cystic Fibrosis. During the 1990s, when they married, medical advancements were not at all at the level they are today, and individuals with CF, on average, only lived to 30-35 years old. While Julie understood the severity of her disease, she held onto one dream: to have children of her own. This dream was made possible when her sister generously volunteered to be a surrogate mother for her and my father, using the semi-new practice of in-vitro fertilization and risking her own life. What was the result of this, you may ask? Triplets. 

Sadly, following a failed lung transplant, Julie passed away when my siblings were only two years old. During this time, my dad showed an immense level of strength and continued to work and provide for three toddlers. Two years after this, my dad was set up on a blind date with my mom, and my family's life changed forever. After less than a year of dating, my parents fell in love and got married. My mom then adopted my siblings, who were five at the time. We then transformed into a family of six when I was born just a year later. 

When I tell people this story now, they almost always are shocked by it and ask something along the lines of “What was it like growing up with triplet siblings? Overall, I had a pretty interesting childhood, a childhood that most people cannot even begin to comprehend or relate to. Growing up alongside triplet siblings six years my senior in a blended household, meant my childhood was riddled with chaos. It is hard for me to remember a day in which I was not attending one of their seemingly countless sporting and academic events. As the youngest child, I really looked up to the three of them; they seemed like the most incredible people in the world to me and still do to this day, in all honesty. Each of them possesses such an incredibly distinct personality that differs entirely from one another, and these strong personalities, coupled with the relationships we have had over the years, have truly helped shape me into the person I am today. 

My sister Abi, the oldest of the triplets, has consistently exemplified an incredible level of love and determination. Her actions have taught me valuable lessons about kindness, respect, and how to be a true friend. She taught me to set goals for myself both socially and academically and has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to me. Whenever it comes to a friendship, relationship, or academic challenge, she is always there to lend a helping hand and listening ear, making her the first person I turn to for support and guidance. 

My brother Colin, the middle child of the triplets, taught me how to laugh and appreciate music and media. He is always his most sincere and honest self and has never been afraid to show his humor no matter who we are around. This confidence has always inspired me and taught me to forever be myself, as well as the useful quality of bringing my sense of humor to dull or tense situations. He also taught me to love art in all its forms and has consistently been someone I look up to when it comes to music taste. If there is a new artist, album, or song I love, I immediately send it to him so I can hear his thoughts. 

My brother Liam, the youngest of the three, has really played an important role in shaping my outlook on independence and the pursuit of my passions. Since a young age, he has shown a relentless dedication towards achieving his lifes goal of becoming an anesthesiologist, which has served as a consistent source of inspiration for me. I was able to witness his drive and dedication firsthand, and this sense of unwavering commitment instilled in me a true sense of determination to pursue my own personal interests and goals. Liam’s journey through college, med school, and his residency has showcased valuable lessons to me regarding of putting forth your best effort in order to get the most out of life. As I navigate my life now as a college senior, I am constantly reminded through his example to pursue my interests wholeheartedly and to aim for perfection or at least strive for excellence. 

Although growing up was not always the easiest, and fighting was a commonality in my household, my siblings hands-down shaped me into the person I am today. 

As I started middle school, my siblings embarked on their college journeys, each choosing a different university far from our hometown. At first, I was excited to have the house to myself and receive my parent's full attention. However, the reality of their absence hit me hard once they actually left for school. It was at this time I began to realize the profound impact they had on my life and how the three of them had become my best friends over the years. While they developed into young adults in college, I was left to navigate challenges on my own for the first time. I experienced a true sense of emptiness in the now quiet household. However, as time passed, I began to understand their significance and found inspiration in their journeys, ultimately leading me to follow in a perfect mixture of their footsteps. 

During their time away at college, I started to curate my own personal identity, taking bits and pieces from each of their personalities to form my own. As they returned home periodically on breaks, I found myself evolving into a more independent individual. While they expected me to remain unchanged, I found a new, more confident version of myself. In the place of their helpless little brother stood someone they barely knew or recognized. 

This shift forced us to reevaluate our relationships, gaining an even stronger bond than we had as children. As I began to understand and empathize with their successes and failures, I also embarked on similar journeys of self-discovery and evolution. Our shared experiences and growth deepened our connections with one another, strengthening our overall bond as siblings. In many ways, it has allowed me to feel like an honorary member of the triplets, a quadruplet, if you will.

[griffinmurphyjou4500]

Blog Post #2

A personal story that is still making a big difference globally. 

After we view this story in class, write a reflection on how this affected you. Think of these questions as you write your reflection. 

Did his story carry you through the complete video? Was it impactful? Were you moved to a personal feeling or emotion at any point in the video?  What part did you feel was most powerful? 

This video is a true whirlwind and makes viewers experience a variety of emotions ranging from sadness to hope. As someone who does not really know what the future holds for me, I find this video incredibly inspiring. 

He started off wanting to be a doctor to help people like his mom but found a completely different path in life. Although this was not a good route for him to take, it taught him about the world and showed him how much of a difference he could truly make. It is inspiring to see someone make mistakes, learn from them, and change their life along with the world for the better. 

Mr. Harrison used tons of shocking images that were, at times, difficult to view. These images, while uncomfortable, show what is really happening in the world around us. Without seeing images like this, it is easy to ignore this crisis. By using these striking images and videos, he evokes emotion in the viewers and adds a powerful aspect that it would lack without them. 

Another takeaway from this video is the fact that one person truly CAN make a difference. I so often hear, “There’s nothing I can really do,” “I am only one person,” and “Things just won’t change,” but this is proof of the opposite. Harrison started this company by himself with his own inspiration. He was then able to move people in a way where they would donate and work alongside him to truly make a difference. All it takes is one person with a dream and some passion to spark a change and leave the world different than they found it. 

[griffinmurphyjou4500]

Blog Post #1

How do you build trust with sources when reporting a sensitive story? What should you do if a source says "no" or pushes back on a question? As a journalist covering stories of trauma, how can you safeguard your mental health? "Building Trust: A Pulitzer Center Resource" aims to address these questions and more under the topic of covering sensitive stories.

Conducting an interview and establishing trust with the interviewee is inherently challenging but becomes especially difficult when dealing with a more sensitive story or topic. I have personally struggled with this in the past and learned a good amount from the Pulitzer video on how to improve my journalistic skills and navigate challenging topics and situations. 

As a journalist, a crucial part of the interview process is curating an environment to assure your source feels truly comfortable. A way this can be done is by ensuring the interviewee that the interview can be stopped at any time and not every question needs to be answered. Most importantly, it is okay for them to say no. It might feel uncomfortable at the time, but it sometimes reflects how much they trust you as they have the courage to set boundaries and actually say no. 

If a source declines to answer or requests not to elaborate on a certain topic, it is best to respect their wishes, move on, and take a break if necessary. At some point in the interview process, it is also helpful to explain your story and even show some past work to the subject so they can understand where you are coming from as a journalist. Offering to send the final product to the source before publication can also be beneficial as they then have the opportunity to approve it properly.  

It is essential to curate an environment that allows the source to feel their most comfortable. Conduct thorough research beforehand; do not go in blind on a topic. This will prove that you took the time to understand them and their story. An approach I learned from the Pulitzer video involves conducting the interview in an environment with others. Specifically to have women surrounded by other women and likewise with men. This can give them more confidence to talk to you as they can go off one another and talk to each other. 

It is also important not to rush an interview and truly allow yourself to connect with the interviewee. This might mean putting the camera or the recording device away so you can connect with them beyond the transactional for a more meaningful and authentic discussion later on. Generating a true relationship with the interviewee can also be beneficial down the line as they can connect you to more sources or even provide future stories. 

As a journalist, you must understand you are a stranger, and the mere title of journalist itself might raise red flags for potential sources. This means you must put in the work and, again, never rush the process of getting to know them and their boundaries. Retraumatizing someone is never worth a story. While it is important to be honest and straightforward with them, approaching them with kindness and humility is incredibly beneficial. Every person also responds differently to trauma, so never go into an interview with assumptions about the subject or the matter at hand. At times, it may be better to deal with an angry editor or boss than to push an interviewee on a topic they are uncomfortable discussing. This is why it is important to be thoughtful with your questions and, in more sensitive situations, cut back on the number of questions asked. 

It is also important as a journalist to recognize your own mental health. Discussing traumatic situations with victims can take a serious toll on one's mental health. This is normal and, in all honesty, should happen, as these stories are incredibly painful. You must be aware of your own emotional state and know when it is time to take a break or change story topics for a bit. Therapy and meditation are also beneficial tools that can help you reconnect. Feeling this is normal and healthy. It is important to let yourself feel it and work through it.