Blogging, Mobile Hardware and Old New New Mediums

Looks like this weeks blog post is going to start off with the none other then growing phenomenon of New New Media , Blogging. The first chapter of this weeks reading assignment encompasses every detail associated with blogging. Levinson starts by explaining the core concept that distinguishes blogging from other forms of media by referring to bloggers as "citizen journalists." This title describes perfectly describes the position of the blogger who is able to write and publish about the news or any topic without any journalism credentials whatsoever. The beauty of blogging is that it is fairly easy for anyone to write about anything at anytime. Blogging also gives the writer a certain amount of control and power over the influence that their blog has on its audience. With hundreds of different blog based websites, blogging has become its own profession. Although as we saw in chapter 6 it is very difficult to make money through blogging,  many bloggers have mastered the art gaining popularity via blogging and have become financially successful through this form of New New Media. In short Levinson expresses the virtually unlimited power that blogging gives to any individual that is able to effectively utilize it as well as the the information needed to understand the mediums presence today.
One of the topics in chapter six that stood out to me the most is the concept of the "equalization of New New Media, in which famous and not so famous people can more easily be in touch." This goes way beyond the subject of blogging and into almost all New New Media outlets especially those based primarily around social interaction. The study of New New Media and its effects on older forms of media is presumably the
most studied subject in the world of communications. It is surprising that the effect that New New Media has on the popularity of celebrities and the power that it has to manipulate fans is rarely discussed (at least within the classroom). Growing up in this generation has allowed me to both watch and take part in this rapidly growing world of New New Media. As a dedicated music fan, I literally started using certain New New Media forms such as Twitter to follow and interact with specific musicians. I became part of the surprisingly popular and powerful "Fan Girl" culture that is greatly predominately based on this concept. An artists ability to utilize New New Media to connect with fans directly impacts their career and can dictate their popularity on many levels.
Before touching upon some of the older and currently less prevalent forms of New New Media, Chapter 7 discusses Four Square along with Hard ware which is an integral part of the evolution of New New Media.
It makes sense that Levinson would group the subject of hardware to Four Square because unlike the New New Media outlets previously discussed, Four Square and other similar applications would not be possible without the use of the mobile hardware it is used on. Four Square adds the location element to New New Media opening yet another world of opportunities. Levinson briefly discusses the "perks" of this new aspect as well as the ramifications of it. As Levinson explained, the user is responsible for controlling if/how they use this medium and the amount of privacy they give themselves.
The reading goes onto chapter 8 titled, Smaller Potatoes. This chapter discusses a number of New New Media sources that ironically are looked at as old. The concept of Old New New Media is an interesting idea in itself. Levinson brings up Myspace, Reddit, Podcasts and other mediums that seemingly began the evolution of New New Media. Although still around, the popularity of there sources have plummeted as newer sources came in.Chapter 1 describes one of the characteristics of New New Media as "Competitive and Mutually Catalytic." New New Media Outlets are growing and developing at an extremely fast pace greatly to to their competitiveness with each other, technology, and within themselves. As New New Media continues to evolve, newer forms have been able to build and learn from the original mediums and better understand how to keep themselves "alive".