Social Media and Web 2.0

1.  Although it is popular for today's media to emulate a "homegrown" look, I do not think it is a trend that will last.  Since technology advances at such a rapid pace, the near future will bring about better production quality for the average person.  Therefore, I do not think professional production values will continue to drop.  I would say it is inevitable that amateur user-generated content will get better over time.

2.  The social media websites I find myself using the most are Facebook and Youtube.  I use Facebook the most above any other website because, for the most part, it is an online social life.  The website enables me to keep up-to-date on what is going on with my friends and family as well as even instant message anyone on Facebook.  In my opinion, Facebook is much more successful than Myspace primarily because of the social aspect.  Facebook draws things about your friends activities that it thinks you want to see and puts it right on your own news feed, this feature is what really draws people to Facebook.  Another major aspect that led to the "downfall" of Myspace is the advanced options and privacy settings that Facebook comes with, whereas Myspace had only basic privacy options.  Facebook is definitely here to stay for the "long term," I do not think another website would be able to compete with Facebook's rate of success.

3.  Transparency is an important topic of discussion for people who are avid users of online media and blogging.  It is hard to see someone's true motives when you think that there may be another underlying factor for whatever they are posting online.  If this is the case, then how can you trust what you read on the Internet?  This only makes people skeptical of the things they are reading and one may be forced to question: Is this person paid to write that on their post?  Does this person really feel that way, or is he or she just writing that so they will look good?  This issue poses many issues in the topic of online authenticity.

McLuhan Photoshop Final Post

The image I put together is a city of Blackberry cell phones.  "Blackberry City" represents our societies obsession with Blackberry and Blackberry Messenger in particular.  Blackberry Messenger, or BBM, is an instant messenger exclusive to Blackberry users that contains features that a regular text message does not.  BBM content includes features such as voice messaging, digital photo messaging, file transfers, multi-person chats, and broadcast messages.  The instant messenger also allows the user to see when messages are being typed, delivered, and read as well as the ability to personalize it with a status message and picture.  This is truly a revolution in the way in which we communicate.  Now, the average BBM user is accustomed to being able to instantly know the status of an incoming or outgoing message.  In relation to Mcluhan, this shows how communication within society is shifting from fast to instant.  The "phone" buildings in the image relate to Mcluhan's concept of a "global village."  Even though the city is such a massive and diverse place, Blackberrys make it possible for everything to be connected at the snap of a finger.  

The most prominent aspect of the image is the Statue of Liberty holding a Blackberry cell phone which symbolizes that a fundamental part of modern communication within today's society is Blackberry Messenger.  Another meaning the statue and the cell phone convey is that Blackberry Messenger as a medium of communication is so widespread and apart of today's culture that even a statue that represents American and modern society as a whole would be proudly holding one.  I think that this image portrays the message that mediums such as Blackberry Messenger have completely taken over the way we communicate, and for the most part, are everywhere we look.  

The work in progress...

This is my progress on the assignment.  I have decided to make a Blackberry city.  Much more work needs to be done to the photo.  I plan to add more cell phones to simulate a "city" of phones as well as work on fixing up the Statue of Liberty.

3 New Mediums

BBM (Blackberry Messenger)

Content: Instant messaging, voice messaging, photo messaging, file transfers, multi person chats, and broadcast messages
Message: BBM, or Blackberry Messenger, is exclusive only to people who own blackberries.  It allows the user to tell when someone is typing a message to them and whether that person recieved and read that message.  Also, BBM is personalized allowing a user to show a personal picture and status.  BBM has significantly changed smartphone communication in recent years.

YouTube

Content: Video & Audio uploading and sharing 

Message: YouTube has changed the way people communicate, seek entertainment, and educate.  People have even used YouTube to become celebrities or internet sensations.  Users may also comment on the videos and have the ability to add videos to a favorite list.  It seems that just about anyone can find YouTube of use.  

Twitter

Content: Allows postings for text and picture 

Message: Twitter essentially is a website based on updating a status and other people reading it.  Users can "follow" other people and basically subscribe to their postings.  Many people like to follow celebrities or other people of interest to keep up to date.  Many major businesses and organizations use Twitter to make communication and Twitter updates are often referred to in the news and media.