The effects of New Media 8-33

The effects of New Media 8-33

McLuhan’s idea of content between two media, that is, the content of any media is any other medium and which older medium do extend is discussed in these chapters. The main idea here is the return to the basic form which is in written form despite the changes in the last decade where print and television was most prominent. Despite these changes, writing, though informal through text, tweets, blogs and email will form the basis to which the existence of new media will last, pointing to the fact that some new media is going to start from the already available medium. That is, enhance, obsolesce, retrieve and reverse the old media.

The interactivity of new media has brought about changes on the televised sector. One good example is Apple TV that allows people to view content from the internet using their television set connected to a set box. Some programs are free while others cost money to watch. One instance is watching videos on YouTube.

Another interesting fact is related to how advertisement and the way they are tailored around specific trends how a household watch television. The data is gathered and presented to an advertising agency that develops direct advertising campaigns directed to the person. In mobile applications and other medium, this technology is used to monitor location delivering a more personalized ad. This has raised concerns regarding privacy because every bit of information on the web is monitored. Although we lose the privacy, there are more benefits resulting from the way new media are used. The information in the past that was in older media is now public and easily accessible through new media.

Understanding New Media 1-7

Understanding New Media 1-7

In these chapters, there are different outlets mentioned in relation to new new media and new media. New new media seems to be relatively free than the new media, this is in terms of additional features that are found on new media.

In these chapters online friendship is discussed on the basis of the ‘friendship’ being real or not. We don’t really know these online friends, but we are linked by common interests that we know. In the reading, New New Media, the way we categorize friends in real life is the same way the reading explains how we categorize online friend. Reading these chapters gave a whole new outlet on these social media outlets and showing how their impacts have changed the world and how people interact in life.

Understanding New Media by Logan define the understanding of how new media is changing our world and how it is impacting older media studies by McLuhan. Among the issues discussed define how technology is an extension of the body and the media, both social and other types, as the extension of the psyche. People tend to carry their phones everywhere they go, using them to get in touch and leaving one behind feels uncomfortable and wrong. On the psyche, adverts usually persuade us to get the newer models of technologies that are developed.

Another point to note is that nothing is forever; this is according to the trend spotted on how websites can be replaced. Basing on McLuhan statement, “the content of new medium is another older medium” and relating it to Myspace and Facebook, it makes sense as to how content of one medium is used on another until users are able to manipulate the new medium formed.

Amazing Ourselves to Death Ch. 1-4

Two (possibly random) points stuck out to me in the first couple of chapters that I wanted to discuss this week. The first is regarding the fact that “there is a time for amusement and a time to be serious, and as our media and technology have expanded our ability to amuse ourselves, we have lost our ability to distinguish between the two, blurring the boundaries in favor of amusement” (Strate 4). In another class I’m taking we had a discussion about the reliability of news outlets today. Instead of focusing on serious topics, most news channels are filled with fluff pieces and entertainment stories. In brings into question, what is considered news today? In a society that is so focused on entertainment, the two have blurred together so much that it is hard to tell. We are more drawn to mystery, violence, and sex that to information and facts. Headlines and previews are getting more and more ridiculous and colorful in order to pull people in and increase ratings rather than informing them about what is actually going on. 

The other point I found interesting was that, compared to other forms of communication, writing is very impersonal. As a creative writing minor, I was at first taken aback by this point. For me, writing is one of the most personal things I can think of to share with someone. But after reading the section of the chapter I realized that I think it’s personal because it is -- but only to me. The person reading may have no connection to it whatsoever. They don’t know me or my background, and by only knowing me from what I write, can very easily judge and criticize me. It’s also much easier to make judgments or assumptions when the person is not physically there. For example, when people start fights over the internet that they would never do in person. It is easy to assume something about someone when all you have to go off of are the words in front of you, and it is even easier to judge them for it when you’re looking at a screen or a book rather than the person’s face in front of you. 

The effects of New Media on Old Media by Logan (8-33)

As we have learnt earlier, new media is an improvisation of old media. Chapters 23-33 talk about how the telegraph has been integrated into laptops and computers. Offcourse the device has become more sophisticated than before. The telephone has transformed into smartphones that are just like a mini computer in our pockets. The impact of old media has been more that what new media has on old media, since the human race strives for progress which means thinking about the present and future and lesser about the past.

Chapters 16-22 tell us how exactly old media has influenced new media. Manuscripts, books and artwork have become an important part of new media. All these materials from the older times are now available online. This serves as business for the new media. Kindles have become the devices that basically act like a library and have all the books available. Photos can be photo-shopped and sold online, instead of just printing the pictures

New New Media (1-7)

As I have mentioned earlier, online relationships create an element of risk. One may not know who are your real friends and who are the fake one’s. These chapters discussed the different types of online friendships that are created and how some might be dangerous. In order to cope with these stalkers, creepers, wrong-reason followers, social media had to develop settings to reduce the dangers. The evolution of social privacy thus began. There are now age restrictions, viewership restrictions, blocks and reports that can be set by the user to control their privacy and safeguard their information. Everyone can now personally control his or her profiles, which is a good thing.

Media has become an identity of us that conveys the message when we cannot do it in person. Just as we grow and develop as a person, media has to be able to cope up with our changing identity. Thus there is old media and new media. Based on the newer requirements that are a part of an individual, the media has to develop features and tools that will enable the user to share this information. Logan has elaborated on some of McLuhan’s points, but in simpler words. 

New New Media (6-10)

Levinson states very practical life situations. Blogs, which are a new way of communication in the online media field. Bloggers post about something and other shares their opinions and their experiences. It can be considered life commenting to a question on Facebook or replying to a tweet on twitter. But journalists and serious writers who do this to get reviews and feedback of viewers use blogs. Although there are a lot of people whom blog, this I the first time I am actually blogging and also learning a lot about blogs. The good part about blogging what I’ve experienced is that I can do it from anywhere, at 2am in the morning lying down in my bed.

Blogs and social media are also susceptible to cyber bullying, as commenting is open to everyone!! It can be hard to avoid these comments but this is the opinion of some viewers. You cannot satisfy everyone and there are going to be those who post negative words, thoughts and ideas. Privacy is a way of solving this issue. No doubt the creator of the blog or question can delete it, but once it’s on the Internet it may take a while until noticed and taken down. In this time, the damage can be done. Privacy settings enable the user to choose who can view/comment on the post. Constructive criticism should be practiced rather than outright negativity and rudeness. Cyber bullying also are reaching creepy levels where people are getting stalked and followed for the wrong reasons and the wrong intensions. And this is one of social medias cons

Windows and Mirrors (7-9)

Terminal Time was the focus in these chapters, and the one that got my attention. Terminal time seeks to bond the relation between he user and the digital device through presentation and participation. One can either just have a superficial experience or a more conceptual understanding of what the media is creating. For example a game can be played just to view the visual features or there can be a purpose in playing behind the game that teaches the user something new. Digital art is the name given to the features and tools of an electronic. Digital art has the same concept as physical art and is meant to create the same effect as a live performance. Media also spread cultural knowledge about the past, the present and also a reflection of themselves (their culture). The visual and sounds is supposed to create an atmosphere to get the viewer interested in watching more just like they would in a movie. Being able to interact with the gallery enables them to share their thoughts and also view other people’s opinions.

Windows and Mirrors (4-6)

These chapters talk about how we can take online media to the next level. Bolter and Gramola discusses in detail the ways to make online media appealing to the people.  Attractiveness is an important feature even in the computer world. Just as a girl with more beauty is likely to become a model and get more attention, the same way a website with better features and user friendly tools is likelier to get more popular and famous with the public.  It also important how the authors point out that the websites should be user friendly and enable to make the user understand what he is doing. Making too many complex features may lead to complication for the user. I thought that the authors discuss a very valid point, although this was kind of known to me as I when you think of it as a computer user, you would go for a one that was appealing

Windows and Mirrors

Windows and Mirrors

I really liked the perspective that the book talks about. Computers are a world wide used medium now!! The difference in perspectives in the book id that of windows and mirrors; windows being something that you look through and mirrors being a reflection of an image. Coincidently Windows is also the name chosen by a Microsoft designer for their product. Applying the meaning of windows, which is to see through, to computers implies that the computer is a medium, which enable the user to easily get information, i.e transparency. The mirror is the impact that computers have on the user as they continue to use the interface. I thought that this was a great analogy and had a lot of depth in the meaning rather than just the superficial meaning of the 2 words.

The read of the chapters can easily be associated with, just what the computer aims to do with the user. As I have used a computer before, I was able to associate with the 3 main points of the book “(1) the computer has become a new medium, a new set of media forms; (2) to design a digital artifact is to design an experience; and (3) digital design should not try to be invisible”. It also talks about connecting art and being able to create masterpieces via the computer.

New New Media (1-5)

This reading was very relatable. New New media is a part of today’s society. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MySPace, Pinterest, and so on are all social media sites that enable users to build relationships via the Internet. A lot of people become friends online and connect based on the chats and pictures that they share. Some chats might not be true but still there are a lot of people of resort to these kind of relationships dues to their busy schedules. Even marriage sites are now common, and this happens through social media.  Even employers use sites like LinkedIn to connect with employees and other organizations. The power of social media is enhanced so much that even an interview can be given through a vide chat which is incredible. Personally I have social media sites, which help me stay in touch with friends and family. I think that social media helps a lot of people to stay in touch, communicate, get jobs, find their soul mates and so on. This is an ever-growing field. As McLuhan would say “New New Media are nothing but an extension of the old media and the new media”. New New Media continues to build on things that the Old Media and New Media created. It's a continuity of features and tools. 

McLuhan and New Media

New Media helps deliver our messages and words to places that we physically cannot be present. New Media has helped us connect with people across the world through the computer, hence the Internet and devices that work with Internet are the carriers of these messages. Now as David says in one of his posts “Media is plural for the word ‘medium’, and there are multiple messages being sent via the Internet or letters/packages, they fall under media’s. Media constantly is seeking to improve. Technological scientists and electronic companies thrive on this and thus we are seeing rapid growth in the media field. It is also hard to say when the new era of media will dawn and there are constantly developing apps and tools being created on a monthly basis. The ones that are most popular and successful determine the revolution of the media. The article is interesting and makes you think how media has brought about social changes. I researched a bit more about McLuhan’s book and came across some surprising information. I always thought that the content of the media was more important than the type of media being used, but McLuhan says. “ That each medium develops an audience of people whose love for that medium is greater than their concern for its content. That is, the TV medium itself becomes the prime interest in watching television; just as some people like to read for the joy of experiencing print, and more find great pleasure in talking to just about anybody on the telephone, so others like television for the mixture of kinetic screen and relevant sound.

Cut, Copy and Paste and Counting Sheep

When one today is asked about ‘cut, copy and paste’, they quickly associate it to a computer function. The articles on this go further into depth than just the basic tool of the computer, which we think has been bought into existence because of the device. The introduction of comparing those media tools to our ancient ancestors is amazing. The people in the past used tools to cut and carve objects. People from the east copied art, culture and ideas from the west; and then applied or pasted these concepts to improve their lifestyle. When you think of it that's exactly what the computer tool does as well. It takes the idea from somewhere else and replicates the exact same thing where you want it.

The ‘Counting sheep’ article states a very important line “When a new environment is introduced, the older environment becomes part of its content”. This can be related to computers, communication, culture, language and so on. Media Ecology has enabled times to evolve and improvise different aspects of a man’s life. A bit more complex to understand but as explained “Meaning is generated, in part, by the grammar, rules,

structure, etc., of the medium, all of which are aspects of the code or form, and all of which place constraints on the information that can be transmitted or stored, thereby providing the needed redundancy to allow information to be meaningful, rather than being reduced to noise

Extending Marshall McLuhan (Chapters 34-51)

The internet has without a doubt changed the way we communicate and exchange information. In a significant way, the internet has, in a sense; reduce the Earth to the size of a marble. The internet has become a fundamental block in most first world countries and has become a permanent part of human civilization. When discussing the significance of the internet we often bring up the pros and cons of its relevance to our society. Most would describe the internet as double edge sword. On one side the internet is extremely convenient, since its conception, we have been able to do things we could only imagine: virtual reality, CGI, instant messaging, various types of remote control, etc. But with all of these technological advancements with the internet, we are introduced to new armies, new government functions, and crimes.

The biggest concern I would say most people have is the lack of privacy that comes with the internet. I believe this aspect of the internet is generational; the younger generations are exposed to the ways of the internet, namely social media, at an early age, and therefore are less conscious of the dangers older generation are concerned with. I find the internet’s growth to be exciting and terrifying at the same time. I enjoy how all of my Apple devices are completely connected. What I do one device can be reviewed or continued on another. However, I am also uncomfortable with how Facebook takes the initiative of recode my activity on the web onto my Facebook profile and thus onto people’s newsfeeds.  

New New Media 6-10

New New Media 6-10

In these chapters, Levinson begins by distinguishing the reason why blogging is very different from many other forms of journalism. With the modern age, there seems to be a limit to what people should publish in their articles, but blogging is not one of them. Blogging is where journalists have been allowed dot go as wild as they can get.  A person may just see blogging to be as any other social media out there but is in no way the case. They have many similarities but the freedom that many bloggers have is what sets them apart.

The media would be nothing if it were not for freedom of speech. If in any case, many countries have seen much success because of what social media can do. In war torn countries, many people communicate through the use of social media. Blogs have also allowed people to tell people what is truly happening in the world we are living without any red tape. A common scenario of where there is no freedom is in the Wall Street where in many incidents journalists have been arrested after being physically harassed by the police. They were not in any way allowed to express their free thoughts.

There is no denial that the new media such as Facebook and twitter in collaboration with blogging have changed the journalism world. People can sit from the comfort of their desktop and say what is right to the public. However, there are many instances of cyber bullying in which bloggers get to spread lies about celebrities, a thought which Sarah Palin shares on page 111. Apart from a few exceptions, blogging is the perfect new media.

 

New New Media 1-5

New New Media 1-5

One of the most intriguing topics about social media is how it operates. In Levinson’s “New New Media” the texts of how social media has formed part of our daily lives is captivating, giving a new perspective to how the evolution of personal relationships and, closely enough, the maturity of the internet in the past 25 years.

What keeps Facebook relevant is the ease at which you can find someone you need to contact. social media is relevant and plays a big role in the millennial age groups- early and middle twenties. Some are addicted and cannot do without using these social media platforms. Considering the Alexa program, they may not have considered mobile applications and their number of users, but only web accounts.

The best thing about YouTube is that older videos can be found within the site, but the downside is that copyright infringements are considered and this means some videos are uploaded on personal channels and can be removed if they infringe the laws. unlike the “New New Media”, YouTube lacks the space and time binding. The openness of Wikipedia makes it vulnerable, but it is one good source of content when referring to a vast topic while doing research. The combination of text and media seems to be the trend; this is where companies are investing in.

We live in a world where information is instantaneous-no letters, no mails just posts, tweets and video clips. This “New New Media” has made it possible to be included in one’s life through these posts and video clips. The evolution of this new new media will include more new media to be as time goes by.

Chp 8-33 & 34-51

After reading chapters 8-33, my understandings of many of Marshall Mcluhan’s points are much clearer. The concept of media as an extension of man is explained in greater detail throughout these chapters. During these chapters, author Logan pointed out the fact that language drastically changed with the invention of the printing press. I agree with Logan’s point and to add to it I believe with the addition of new media language usually tends to evolve to adhere to that medium, whether written or spoken. New media affects the way we communicate in today’s society, whether written or spoken. This is one of the many points Also Logan highlights the direct extensions of man that are prevalent in everyday life. discussed in these chapters that I highlighted because it extended my knowledge of media ecology. In Chapters 34-51, I found the sections on the Internet most interesting because it gave me insight on things I didn't know on very important aspects of life. The internet is a very important element of life and it is used for many different things. I judge the internet on a double edge sword, on one side I feel the positive aspect is that the internet has made many every day task easier than they once were. On the other negative hand, the internet has made the human race very dependent and lazy. Before the internet, in order to do research you had to open a book and read but now you can find any knowledge by just searching Google. And with the rise of social media the internet has made it much easier to socialize and communicate with those from all around the world. 

Extending Marshall McLuhan Ch. 34-51 & Appendix II

As a student, I can confidently say that the internet has drastically altered the way in which research and school work are accomplished. Even for this class, for example, we complete and hand in our homework via an online blog, which never would have been possible prior to the internet. Online blogs and discussion boards allow for further class discussion that would not be able to take place once the class period ends. Obviously class meeting times are limited, but by having the internet available 24/7, the class can always be “meeting” and conversing online. 

Further, online libraries and engines like Google Scholar greatly enhance research possibilities. The FDU online library not only searches the library on the Metropolitan campuses, but all FDU campus sites to enhance your chances of finding the information you need. It also searches for online journals that might not be physically available in the library. Using digital libraries and journals also saves time and energy by saving a physical trip to the building. Also, as Logan mentions, online articles and books (which he calls SmartBooks), may include hypertext and simple search tools. The addition of hypertext allows for the possibility of further research to be done as the text links you to additional information. It can also aid in further expanding your knowledge on the topic by clicking on certain words or concepts you did not understand. Most of these also have an easy-to-use search feature in which you can easily navigate the section of the reading you are looking for. For example, if you know the quote you want to use but cannot remember what page it is on, you can just simply type it in the search feature and it will bring you to that page. With a regular print book or article, you would have to continuously flip through pages until you came across the page you were looking for. 

Chapter 34 - 51 and Appendix II

Chapter 34-51 mostly comprises of the topics we have covered earlier in other book. However, I came across some striking concepts about World Wide Web and how its working and life is parallel to Charles Darwin's model of evolution. The World Wide Web, just like the humans emerge, evolve, and grow, and die or become extinct. The dying and the extinct part however, depends on the success of a particular web site. Just like the humans, the web sites which fail to evolve over time or adapt to the changes, face dearth.

FaceBook is the most apt example for this. Over the years it has kept evolving not just its page layout and the design, but also has made necessary collaborations with Instagram and more recently Occulus to retain its existing user base and attract new ones. Evolution is thus the key. I guess the websites such as Google, Yahoo mail, and YouTube are not even slightly closer to how they all started. This has also been addressed in Darwin's terms as descent, modification, and selection. The descent of the website usually comprises changing the structure, modification includes changes made based on the user feedback and the response the website has garnered. And, this is how the site that undergoes all the necessary modification is selected for longer survival.

The book discusses how BlackBerry pioneered the real time readability of e-mails on phone. Here, I would like to say, even though I was not dealing with big honchos then, I was really attracted to this device and hence got one for myself. But, it only led my bosses to think that I was available to read their work mails just any time.

'Totalitarian regimes cannot exist on the Net. The Internet, in fact, is a safe-guard of democracy because it cannot be controlled by the state or the wealthy, in contrast to the press or the broadcast media. You cannot buy the internet or censor it as you can a newspaper. If freedom of the press belongs to those who own one, freedom of the Internet belongs to those who have access to a compute and can afford an account with an access provider'. (page 242). I think internet to an extent has helped us get news that are not altered or modified. In short they are not always paid advertisements of any politician party etc unlike the broadcast or newspaper news. Certain TV news stories and newspaper reports are modified to increase the ratings of the show or generate buzz among the viewers.

Yet another interesting point made in the book is, 'McLuhan used to enjoy quipping that executives drive downtown to use the telephone. Nowadays one has a lot more communication and information processing power at home, making the drive downtown even less necessary'. This is so true considering the fact that everything we want is just a click away. Whether its viewing your near ones who are in the other side of the earth, or holding meetings or conference with people in other country, or simple things like shopping without having to waste time and gas.

Extending Marshall McLuhan Ch. 8-33

One of the most interesting posts that I think Logan makes in these chapters is his comments on language. Of course it makes sense that with every new influential medium, spoken and/or written language has changed because of it. Growing up and going to school during this computer-based, digital age, I have heard time and time again how students’ spelling and grammar have suffered due to computer technology. However, as Logan points out, language also took a dramatic change with the invention of the printing press, so perhaps this is just another period of language transitioning. It is ironic, though, that this “digital era” language is almost undoing the structure and grammar of written language and moving backwards. 

Logan also mentions that new media may also be a key factor in the globalization of the English language. With the popularity of American music, television, and movies being streamed and viewed in other countries, I can definitely see the global spread of English being possible. America has a “soft cultural influence” on many other countries through movies, fashion, and music. Musical artists from other countries sing their songs in English even when their native language is something different, and American films are shown all over the world. These facts alone make it easy to see why one would believe that English would be the dominant language of the Internet. Not only are other countries learning the language from films and music, but they view it as universally accepted since these English films and music are streamed everywhere. 

Leah Johnson

Chapters 8-33: The differences in the spoken and written word are by the tone or medium in which it is delivered. I agree that “new media” affect the way we speak and the way we write. New media creates a culture in which we have become consumed into and have changed our modes of communication. Logan also discussed a few examples of extensions of man. The extensions of man can be many objects in our lives, but these very extensions prove how new media has integrated everything to become apart of our lives as second nature. Not only have objects around us become extensions of man, but also advertising companies have conformed to this new technological age. Advertisers are forced to integrate ads into these new media outlets to appeal to everyone. Most of these new media environments are hybrid from old media. This will create an ongoing system of advancement and we will eventually conform to a new media environment. A lot of the points Logan raises are a refresher from a lot of what we learned in Media Ecology class. Chapters 34-51: These chapters continue the discussion of hybrid and convergence of technologies. It is quite fascinating to think of the convergence of many technologies that we use everyday. Much of the old media has been integrated and is now known as new media today. These chapters encouraged me to analyze what technologies are actually within the new technology and media we use today. For Example; I have a copier, printer, scanner, and fax all in one machine at my house. This technology is clearly a hybrid of many different old technologies. It also has access to connect to the internet. This is an example of some theories Logan discussed. The hybrid and convergence of technology and the media have affected businesses especially as companies have to conform and develop the way the business is ran through certain technological systems. The chapters were particularly interesting, because we are watching these occurrences happen with businesses today.

Varieties of New Media (Chapters 34-51 & Appendix 2)

The most interesting part of these chapters was the section on the Internet and World Wide Web.  I believe kids of this generation take the computer for granted. When I was younger in school, we had to go to the library to do research. We couldn’t just sit in front of a computer and do research that way. I’m not sure if kids these days even know what the library is.

The Internet and World Wide Web is a very important part of modern life. The Internet is so much more than just an “information superhighway.” The Internet is used for a variety of different things. People can find almost anything on the Internet. So, I ask myself, how has the Internet helped me? For me, it has changed my shopping habits. I have always hated going to the mall, driving around for about 20 min. to find a parking spot, only to go into the crowded mall and then have to wait on a long line. Now, with the Internet I can easily go online and do my shopping. There are also more options to choose from online than in the store. The Internet has also helped me get jobs. When I was growing up I had to fill out the job applications on paper and either mail it in or go into the business and hand-deliver it. The Internet has made it SO much easier to apply for a job.

The Internet has impacted the business community. Websites have increased the sales of businesses and it is a great way for a new business to advertise. The Internet has also become a medium for artistic expression. I just learned about The Net Art Museum is a gallery of artists internet projects. This is a fantastic idea for artists who want to share their artwork globally.

Along with everything I mentioned, the Internet is a platform for people to be more social. With websites like, Twitter, Facebook, Meetup, and many many others, people have a way of connecting with other people. It can be used to stay in contact with family members, or connect with people out of the state/country or just being able to meet new people. There are so many possibilities with the Internet, it is quite fascinating. 

"The Extension of Man" to "Extending Marshall McLuhan" (Chapters 8-33)

Studying McLuhan’s theories, I have come to understand that media as an extension of ourselves. In chapters 8-33, McLuhan’s ideas are taken even further as media begins to extend itself. Most people might refer to the past 14 years as the computer age, which is a true statement in its own right. However, I believe we are entering a new age within the computer age; social media. Technological advancements like Google, the iPhone, and Twitter has changed the way we communicate and receive information completely. A better way to say this is that computers are evolving.

Video sharing functions from when YouTube was first introduced have become nearly obsolete. This is to say that, video sharing has become a standard for social networking sites. Video sharing within a social networking site has the potential to cancel out the middleman, which in this case is YouTube. Search engines have even gone as a far as tracking users’ Internet activity, in order to reflect their interest. For example, I intern at Marvel Entertainment, LLC., so a lot of my time spent on the web is related to comic books, specifically Marvel Comics. Instead of random advertisements about stuff that may be uninteresting to me, I get advertisements about Marvel Comics.

Observing functions of the Internet like this is also comical, because it has pushed advertising companies to be creative and overall pushy more than ever. Nowadays, you can’t even watch a simple YouTube video without first watching a commercial; or experiencing that feeling of being stalk, because the search engines are recording your every move just to send you advertisements from visited sites (“Internet billboards”); or email subscriptions that come in by the dozen on a daily basis.