LIVE TRACE:
RECREATED VECTOR IMAGE:
ORIGINAL IMAGE:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Keen/Rushkoff
1. Keen defines democratized media as user-generated content on the Internet. His main issues with this trend are generally that user-generated content is not reliable and it undermines professionals. Another point Keen made was that he feels democratized media is inhibiting our societies creative minds and essentially "dumbing us down." Keen feels that democratized media is the worst thing to happen to the Internet because the sources of information cannot be trusted. "Disintermediation" is the cause of this problem because there is no one to check the information to make sure that it is legitimate.
2. Keen and Rushkoff have differing views on Web 2.0 and some are similar. For the most part, Rushkoff believes Web 2.0 is beneficial and helping our society advance. He sees the side of Web 2.0 that in fact enables creativity rather than inhibit it. However, Rushkoff does admit there are some problems with Web 2.0 dealing more with legitimacy of information. Keen on the other hand, is completely against Web 2.0. Keen feels that Web 2.0 is the downfall of our society and ultimately making people less creative. I definitely agree more with Rushkoff''s view than Keens. I think that user-generated content has made our society more creative than ever before and enables us to do things that mankind has never experienced. Additionally, I do see problems with legitimacy of information, but I do not see it as a problem because there are ways to tell if things are accurate. Furthermore, Web 2.0 makes information quick and at hand which I think makes society smarter.
2. Keen and Rushkoff have differing views on Web 2.0 and some are similar. For the most part, Rushkoff believes Web 2.0 is beneficial and helping our society advance. He sees the side of Web 2.0 that in fact enables creativity rather than inhibit it. However, Rushkoff does admit there are some problems with Web 2.0 dealing more with legitimacy of information. Keen on the other hand, is completely against Web 2.0. Keen feels that Web 2.0 is the downfall of our society and ultimately making people less creative. I definitely agree more with Rushkoff''s view than Keens. I think that user-generated content has made our society more creative than ever before and enables us to do things that mankind has never experienced. Additionally, I do see problems with legitimacy of information, but I do not see it as a problem because there are ways to tell if things are accurate. Furthermore, Web 2.0 makes information quick and at hand which I think makes society smarter.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Comments
My main post was a response to Mike Hsu's blog: http://hsumedialit.blogspot.com/2011/02/web-20-and-digital-nation-essay.html?showComment=1299178093089#c980728557655885436
I also commented on Jessica Francia's blog: http://jessicafrancia.blogspot.com/2011/03/whither-individual.html?showComment=1299167276726#c2326496349490929534
and Nicole Trapani's: http://nicoletrapanimedialit.blogspot.com/2011/02/whithering-individual.html?showComment=1299178678940#c4978958944022386171
I also commented on Jessica Francia's blog: http://jessicafrancia.blogspot.com/2011/03/whither-individual.html?showComment=1299167276726#c2326496349490929534
and Nicole Trapani's: http://nicoletrapanimedialit.blogspot.com/2011/02/whithering-individual.html?showComment=1299178678940#c4978958944022386171
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Whithering the Individual
Over recent years, groups and social network websites have revolutionized the way our society communicates and interacts on many different levels. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have become major aspects of everyday life and without a doubt expand our identities and self-expression in ways that were previously impossible.
I disagree with the notion that these social websites have forced us to conform to “cookie cutter” profiles. I believe that without regulation and order, a social website would limit the users it draws in and would ultimately hinder our societies newfound connectedness through a singular medium. The basic fundamental layouts help make these websites quick and easy to use. This is one of the contributing factors to Facebook’s favorability over the once top social network, MySpace. As a result of the efficient balance between personal space and “cookie cutter” profiles that social networking sites have created, I would say that society is beginning to move towards a “collective organism” of “hyper people.”
I disagree with the notion that these social websites have forced us to conform to “cookie cutter” profiles. I believe that without regulation and order, a social website would limit the users it draws in and would ultimately hinder our societies newfound connectedness through a singular medium. The basic fundamental layouts help make these websites quick and easy to use. This is one of the contributing factors to Facebook’s favorability over the once top social network, MySpace. As a result of the efficient balance between personal space and “cookie cutter” profiles that social networking sites have created, I would say that society is beginning to move towards a “collective organism” of “hyper people.”
Facebook is popular among all types of people within a society whether it be college students, parents, businesses, and even the elderly. My grandma for example, who can barely navigate her way through a classic flip phone, is now an avid user of Facebook. I think that Facebook allows us to expand our identities more than ever before. Users have the ability to “like” almost anything and in turn, Facebook provides advertisements that relate to the things that one “likes.” Additionally, Facebook uses social software and enables users to express their identity through status updates, photos, video postings, and a personal information section of the profile. YouTube has enabled our society to generate a mass collaboration of not only user-generated content but has created a means of sharing content for personal, educational, and business use. Twitter allows people to express their thoughts and actions as well as view updates from people and entities of interest.
The documentary Digital Nation by Douglas Rushkoff and Rachel Dretzin brought different aspects of today’s computer culture to light. One example in particular, Bubbie the grandma who has her own online cooking show, truly exemplifies how the web does not limit creativity but enhances it. Bubbie is 83 years old and has become an Internet sensation just like many other people who post user-generated content. This goes to show how the new digital age is opening new doors of opportunity for the average person.
The game World of Warcraft was another thing that Digital Nation explored. World of Warcraft has drawn attention because players have become completely immersed in the game and are often unable to use it in moderation. It has become a topic of concern because players are developing addictions to the game and in many cases it has resulted in a loss of social life, interest in education or anything else besides the game for that matter. Digital Nation also discusses the game Second Life. People that virtually create a new life online use mediums such as Second Life which poses addicting habits for the people who are seeking an escape.
However, I feel that this is a separate part of the “Web 2.0” and it cannot be judged on the same level as social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. These games that create new realities can allow for identity expansion in ways that one would not necessarily expect. Some businesses, for example, use Second Life to organize meetings without having to make people travel out of the comfort of their own homes. Moreover, some people use Second Life to meet others or look for romance. On the other hand, users can take advantage of the new reality to create a false identity that does not accurately reflect who they are. This is why one must use discretion when using these types of mediums.
The game World of Warcraft was another thing that Digital Nation explored. World of Warcraft has drawn attention because players have become completely immersed in the game and are often unable to use it in moderation. It has become a topic of concern because players are developing addictions to the game and in many cases it has resulted in a loss of social life, interest in education or anything else besides the game for that matter. Digital Nation also discusses the game Second Life. People that virtually create a new life online use mediums such as Second Life which poses addicting habits for the people who are seeking an escape.
Conclusively, the Internet has become a place to explore and express ourselves through mediums that allow society to connect and instantly generate content. Technological innovation combined with new forms of creativity have constructed a unique environment for individuality and virtual identity. Web 2.0 has changed the way we communicate, learn, and entertain as a whole. Therefore, I disagree with the notion that Web 2.0 is “whithering” the individual because I believe that it does the complete opposite. Web 2.0 allows people to reflect who they are and expand their interests in networks that are becoming more advanced and catered to the user by the day.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
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.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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: 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)