In thinking about inter-connectivity it always seems that there is a downside to technological advances. Not to say that I dont love the things technology allows me to do, stay connected across continents, have almost any information that I would want to know at the tips of my fingers. But with the world becoming more connected it is also easier to spread around the bad aspects of our society. With technology allowing us to connect from our computers, we are becoming more isolated and desensitized from each other; and it is becoming easier for people to bully and pressure online. People say things online through social networking sites that they would never say in person, and this can lead to depression or even suicide.
Bridge Fall Girl, 15, felt pressure from social networking sites.
Besides peer pressure and bullying social networking sites can be deadly in other ways. With all of our information available on the internet there is never any way of knowing who is looking at our information or what they will do with it. Its a testament of how serious and extreme some people will take what happens in the cyber world and apply it to real life.
When Facebook relationship status turns deadly.
Being the first post I didnt want to leave it as a Debbie Downer, besides the downside of social networking, you can find some of the most interesting, funny things posted on these sites. I have one friend who is especially prolific with the things that he posts, which are thought provoking or comical, and I wanted to share a few that he posted this week. These examples are a great testament at how quickly things are passed around, changed, and even re-appropriated.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
It's (Now) a Small World After All
We discussed the ideas of 'convergence' and 'connectivity' in class last Thursday which led me to the realization of just how certain technologies keep me connected with our society, and around the world. There are two forms of technology that I am very very fond of, and would not know how to live my life without: The iPhone, and my MacBook Pro. As Dan Cohen says in his post about the iPhone, " My iPhone is my phone, calendar, email device, iPod, video player, gaming machine, GPS … and the list goes on and on." there are sooo(ooooooooooooooooo...) many technologies and replacements for other devises, in this one little 'thing.'
Dan's article
I personally use my so called "phone" for everything Dan listed, and more. One of the only technologies that the iPhone is currently missing and REALLY should have, is video chatting capabilities. When I make a call to someone, it would be incredible to be able to see the face on the other end of phone. This would allow for a much more personalized conversation, on the go.
As Patrick Dubroy mentions in his article about the iPhone, some people argue that "divergence is the way to go...", using specialized devices for their single or limited, intended use. (Donal Norman, 1986) But this leads to the problem of storage and ease of transportation. I personally and thankful that this iPhone I have in my pocket is no bigger than the wallet in my other pocket, but can do ALMOST everything my computer enables me to do.
Patrick's article
As far as connectivity on my MAC, Skype strikes me as one of the most impressive technologies I've personally experienced on the computer. The fact that I can log onto my FREE (yes, free) account and click a little camera button next to one of my buddies names and talk/see them, is beyond me. I have a couple friends that are currently studying abroad and I am able to stay connected and in touch via this fantastic technology. The possibilities are limitless... and becoming easier and cheaper to access every day. Who know what we'll be able to do in 10, 20, or even 100 years from now.
--David
Dan's article
I personally use my so called "phone" for everything Dan listed, and more. One of the only technologies that the iPhone is currently missing and REALLY should have, is video chatting capabilities. When I make a call to someone, it would be incredible to be able to see the face on the other end of phone. This would allow for a much more personalized conversation, on the go.
As Patrick Dubroy mentions in his article about the iPhone, some people argue that "divergence is the way to go...", using specialized devices for their single or limited, intended use. (Donal Norman, 1986) But this leads to the problem of storage and ease of transportation. I personally and thankful that this iPhone I have in my pocket is no bigger than the wallet in my other pocket, but can do ALMOST everything my computer enables me to do.
Patrick's article
As far as connectivity on my MAC, Skype strikes me as one of the most impressive technologies I've personally experienced on the computer. The fact that I can log onto my FREE (yes, free) account and click a little camera button next to one of my buddies names and talk/see them, is beyond me. I have a couple friends that are currently studying abroad and I am able to stay connected and in touch via this fantastic technology. The possibilities are limitless... and becoming easier and cheaper to access every day. Who know what we'll be able to do in 10, 20, or even 100 years from now.
--David
Dance Forever
I am not an avid blogger or youtube watcher, so this is all a bit new to me. My friend sent me this video from Australia, and I thought it would be a fun one to begin with.
The JK Wedding Entrance dance video is an example of the youtube culture. I am sure most of you have seen video because it exploded once it was uploaded. The video exemplifies convergence & collective culture. Julie and Kevin's wedding entrance became the talk of youtube and already has 25,041,507 views and 106,365 comments. The couple recorded their walk down the isle in the not so traditional way while dancing a choreographed dance to "Dance Forever." Soon after the video was posted, they became an Internet sensation.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
I-AM-BORED
The link in question is i-am-bored.com
This is a prime example of a Collective Intelligence at work.
Users of this site have the ability to access and/or suggest links in a database full of viral videos, internet memes, games and lists categorized by date of occurrence, popularity and other factors.
Also, the users can participate in social networking directly on the site with one another through comments, chat rooms, and posing questions to the entire community.
The navigation is set up to easily extract trends of this collective intelligence, such as most viewed/bookmarked/commented/rated etc...
The most popular & emailed link today is The Marshmallow Test.
"A handful of kids take The Marshmallow Test and you`ve never seen such cute willpower in your life."
The most bookmarked link today is a picture"The Lion King Happens In Real Life?" - "Is that Timon and Pumbaa?"
[edit: Due to bandwidth issues I am posting the picture from another source]
//dethouars
This is a prime example of a Collective Intelligence at work.
Users of this site have the ability to access and/or suggest links in a database full of viral videos, internet memes, games and lists categorized by date of occurrence, popularity and other factors.
Also, the users can participate in social networking directly on the site with one another through comments, chat rooms, and posing questions to the entire community.
The navigation is set up to easily extract trends of this collective intelligence, such as most viewed/bookmarked/commented/rated etc...
The most popular & emailed link today is The Marshmallow Test.
"A handful of kids take The Marshmallow Test and you`ve never seen such cute willpower in your life."
The most bookmarked link today is a picture"The Lion King Happens In Real Life?" - "Is that Timon and Pumbaa?"
[edit: Due to bandwidth issues I am posting the picture from another source]
//dethouars
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pop Culture - News, Satire, & Remediation.
There is a lot to be said about Kanye West lately, and a prime example of this in the youtube/digital culture is by this guy called Phil, who goes by "sxephil" and I'm sure there has to be someone here who knows who I'm talking about.
Phil hosts shows/short videos on youtube, delivering and satirizing interesting/popular news. This video is one of his latest vlogs and it mostly highlights Kanye and some kid who faked his own kidnapping due to a horrible grade report. His style in pretty intense because he talks so fast, but in a way that actually keeps my attention better. In the end of his videos, Phil encourages viewers to respond to a question or his video, which really shows the interactivity that is going on in this virtual community. There are also links embedded in the video itself that links to his other videos, which further encourages viewers to dig more into his content.
Phil also delivers layered content by providing links to topics that he spoke about in his vlog for those who are interested in getting more information. One of the links from this video is to his site where he posts up these pictures that were sent to him, showing that Kanye has apparently become a meme in our pop culture. (http://www.phillyd.tv/2009/09/15/kanye-west-is-a-meme-now/)
To sum it up, I believe that this is a prime example of what we were talking in class about the convergence of media where content becomes remediate almost instantly and constantly.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
syllabus
DMST 2200: Critical Approaches to Digital Media Fall 2009
Professor: Adrienne Russell
Sturm Hall Room 434, Monday and Wednesday, 2:00-3:50
Office Hours: Wednesday 4-5 or by appointment
Office: Sturm Hall 212 Contact: adrienneDOTrussellATduDOTedu
This course introduces students to the historical, economic, social and behavioral context of the digital media with particular emphasis on the Social Web—the so-called web 2.0 technologies focused on social interaction and community.
The rapid growth of participatory culture online through, for example, interactive news sites, community boards, bookmarking, tagging, virtual worlds, gaming, IM, social networking, and blogging has significant social implications and brings up issues of privacy, intellectual property, and the nature of community and public engagement. This class will explore these issues as they manifest in various cases including politics, youth culture, activism, news and art. Particular emphasis will be placed on the question of how new media differs from mass media across various fields of cultural production (music, news, advertising, for example) and on what influence new digital products and practices might have on these industries and on cultures and societies more generally.
The objectives of this course are two-fold: 1) to become familiar with the various cultural, economic, and political forces that help shape the digital technologies and practices and that vie to determine its future; 2) develop analytical and theoretical tools to examine a specific Internet space, issue, topic, or phenomenon. The aim of this course is not simply to accumulate facts, but to develop analytical and theoretical tools to examine digital media products and practices. We will use two methods in our research. The first centers on our own observations. Students are encouraged to bring to class on a regular basis digital media artifacts that relate to the issues and ideas being covered in class. The second method is based on close reading of the assigned texts. Students are expected to have read the assigned chapters and articles before the class period for which they are scheduled to be discussed.
Classes will combine lectures, student presentations, and discussion. We'll conduct discussions both within the traditional classroom setting and on a course blog. Please remember that discussion is a way of helping you to see different sides of issues and to evaluate different arguments. It is essential in the development of your thinking that you participate in discussions and that you work to express your thoughts effectively.
REQUIRED BOOK
Henry Jenkins. Convergence Culture. NYU Press. 2006.
ORGANIZATION OF COURSE AND ASSIGNMENTS
Blog
You will receive an invitation via email to join our blog group. Please follow the directions in the email. This is not an extended discussion format as much as it is a graffiti wall and an ongoing exercise in collaborative linking. At least once a week by Sunday at midnight you must contribute to our blog a link and a short review (1 paragraph) of a site, article, art project, news story, or other resource relevant to that week's reading assignments. Also you are required to comment on at least 2 other blog posts each week.
Presentation
In order to integrate diverse material into the course, each student will present in class a
digital media product (an ad, a website, a video clip, an article, a video game etc.) and present it, explaining how it exemplifies, problematizes, or in some way helps illuminate an issue or idea that we are discussing in the course. The assignment is intentionally not strictly defined.
Here are a few guidelines to consider as you plan your presentation: 1) you must show a digital media product in class; 2) be prepared to talk to the class about how your media product is related to a particular topic, issue, or theory; 3) consider preparing some questions for the class to encourage involvement in the analysis of your media product; 4) consider focusing on a media product you are particularly familiar with that others may not be (for example, if you are from a country other than the US presenting something from where you grew up, or if you are really into cell-phone ring-tones bring in your phone and some ideas about how ring-tones relate to the larger issues being addressed in the course); 5) be prepared to speak for at least 10 minutes and not longer than 20 minutes; 6) be absolutely sure to present on the day on which you signed up to present; 7) come talk to me or send me an email if you need help coming up with or refining an idea.
Exams
There will be two exams. They will be essay exams and you will be allowed to use any material you like to inform your work including consulting with classmates, the web, books, articles, email exchanges with your parents, whatever. You must, however, use your own words to craft the answers to the questions and you must do so in the time allotted for the exam.
Evaluation
Class discussion and participation 150
Blog (10 points each) 100
Presentation 50
Exams (100 points each) 200
Total possible points 500
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Please be honest in your work. You are expected to express your thoughts in your own words and to use citations when using other people’s words or ideas. Any form of dishonesty in this class will result in an F, either for the assignment or for the entire course, depending on the incident. If you have questions or are unsure about a particular practice, please ask me for help before you turn in the assignment in question.
Professor: Adrienne Russell
Sturm Hall Room 434, Monday and Wednesday, 2:00-3:50
Office Hours: Wednesday 4-5 or by appointment
Office: Sturm Hall 212 Contact: adrienneDOTrussellATduDOTedu
This course introduces students to the historical, economic, social and behavioral context of the digital media with particular emphasis on the Social Web—the so-called web 2.0 technologies focused on social interaction and community.
The rapid growth of participatory culture online through, for example, interactive news sites, community boards, bookmarking, tagging, virtual worlds, gaming, IM, social networking, and blogging has significant social implications and brings up issues of privacy, intellectual property, and the nature of community and public engagement. This class will explore these issues as they manifest in various cases including politics, youth culture, activism, news and art. Particular emphasis will be placed on the question of how new media differs from mass media across various fields of cultural production (music, news, advertising, for example) and on what influence new digital products and practices might have on these industries and on cultures and societies more generally.
The objectives of this course are two-fold: 1) to become familiar with the various cultural, economic, and political forces that help shape the digital technologies and practices and that vie to determine its future; 2) develop analytical and theoretical tools to examine a specific Internet space, issue, topic, or phenomenon. The aim of this course is not simply to accumulate facts, but to develop analytical and theoretical tools to examine digital media products and practices. We will use two methods in our research. The first centers on our own observations. Students are encouraged to bring to class on a regular basis digital media artifacts that relate to the issues and ideas being covered in class. The second method is based on close reading of the assigned texts. Students are expected to have read the assigned chapters and articles before the class period for which they are scheduled to be discussed.
Classes will combine lectures, student presentations, and discussion. We'll conduct discussions both within the traditional classroom setting and on a course blog. Please remember that discussion is a way of helping you to see different sides of issues and to evaluate different arguments. It is essential in the development of your thinking that you participate in discussions and that you work to express your thoughts effectively.
REQUIRED BOOK
Henry Jenkins. Convergence Culture. NYU Press. 2006.
ORGANIZATION OF COURSE AND ASSIGNMENTS
Blog
You will receive an invitation via email to join our blog group. Please follow the directions in the email. This is not an extended discussion format as much as it is a graffiti wall and an ongoing exercise in collaborative linking. At least once a week by Sunday at midnight you must contribute to our blog a link and a short review (1 paragraph) of a site, article, art project, news story, or other resource relevant to that week's reading assignments. Also you are required to comment on at least 2 other blog posts each week.
Presentation
In order to integrate diverse material into the course, each student will present in class a
digital media product (an ad, a website, a video clip, an article, a video game etc.) and present it, explaining how it exemplifies, problematizes, or in some way helps illuminate an issue or idea that we are discussing in the course. The assignment is intentionally not strictly defined.
Here are a few guidelines to consider as you plan your presentation: 1) you must show a digital media product in class; 2) be prepared to talk to the class about how your media product is related to a particular topic, issue, or theory; 3) consider preparing some questions for the class to encourage involvement in the analysis of your media product; 4) consider focusing on a media product you are particularly familiar with that others may not be (for example, if you are from a country other than the US presenting something from where you grew up, or if you are really into cell-phone ring-tones bring in your phone and some ideas about how ring-tones relate to the larger issues being addressed in the course); 5) be prepared to speak for at least 10 minutes and not longer than 20 minutes; 6) be absolutely sure to present on the day on which you signed up to present; 7) come talk to me or send me an email if you need help coming up with or refining an idea.
Exams
There will be two exams. They will be essay exams and you will be allowed to use any material you like to inform your work including consulting with classmates, the web, books, articles, email exchanges with your parents, whatever. You must, however, use your own words to craft the answers to the questions and you must do so in the time allotted for the exam.
Evaluation
Class discussion and participation 150
Blog (10 points each) 100
Presentation 50
Exams (100 points each) 200
Total possible points 500
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Please be honest in your work. You are expected to express your thoughts in your own words and to use citations when using other people’s words or ideas. Any form of dishonesty in this class will result in an F, either for the assignment or for the entire course, depending on the incident. If you have questions or are unsure about a particular practice, please ask me for help before you turn in the assignment in question.
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