Sonia Livingstone addresses that the internet may have "a radically new information and communication environment" when considering how people read from web pages.
I think that for many people, reading online is still a strange and uncomfortable thing to do. Likewise, writing and discussing subjects online can be daunting. Writing this blog, or a comment in a forum, I am unaware of who may come across my views and read them.
Hyperlinking makes reading online a completely different experience of reading for me. I find it hard to concentrate on a long piece of script online as it is, but having access to even more information can sometimes be overwhelming, allowing too many options!! I often print off a piece of online reading making it easier for me to digest and understand.
When it comes to writing online, be it in blogs or forums, at first I found it strange to be putting forward my views on topics in a more casual way than writing an essay. However, at the same time, the writing of these blogs are more formal than the style of writing I tend to use on a daily bases in instant messenger situations. This sometimes makes it hard to find the correct balance of appropriate writing style and expression. Talking in seminar groups, or conversations comes naturally, and I often find myself expressing views without even considering what I'm saying, however in a blog or forum situation I find myself putting a lot more thought into my discussion points. This is most probably a positive thing, as I find myself becoming more involved in the discussion.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Immersive Interactivity
Immersive interaction is explained my Lunenfeld as the in depth connection between a person and the virtual world. Lunenfeld suggests that many computer games, where the player becomes the character of the game, involve this immersive interactivity. The clarity and precision seen in some of these games allows a person to become immersed in the story and character they have "become". For many, playing these games acts as a cut off from the world, a chance to live as an action hero or to fulfill personal dreams. However, being immersed in a virtual world could be dangerous. There are already concerns of video and computer games becoming too violent and graphic, and children getting too engrossed in their chosen characters. For many people immersive interactivity is not necessary, many prefer 'extractive' interactivity, using chat rooms, forums and other hypertextual forms, each of these, however, can be just as addictive as 3D virtual gaming. With the Internet having so many choices, and different ways of interacting, people are free to discover themselves and what they like, whether it be through immersive gaming or forums and chat rooms.
Upgrade Culture
It is astonishing to think about how fast technology develops in our world today, when we consider that 100 years ago people had never heard of mobile phones. But will it ever stop? Will there ever be a time when we as a society decide that the technology we already have is enough for us in life?
We subconsciously know that every time we purchase a new phone, or up-grade an already perfectly good computer programme that another phone, ten times better than ours is being made and another computer programme has already been put into practice.
Is the reason behind this extreme up-grade culture, consumerism? Are up-grades designed for a money making purpose? We have become programmed to want the next best thing, to make sure that the programme for our computer is the fastest, most up-to-date programme around, and many people will pay a lot of money to make sure this happens.
I believe that as a technology reliant society we have come to expect upgrades, we know that within a matter of months or weeks something bigger and better will be available to us. Perhaps it is the greed of many of us which is causing this vast increase in upgrades. What would we do if suddenly the up-grades stopped, and we were forced to live with the technology we had at the time. Would we be able to accept what we have? I think that now we have seen the positive effects of 'up-grade culture' we will always be looking for more, 'up-grade culture' has become more than a money-making business, it has become a necessity for our technology reliant society.
We subconsciously know that every time we purchase a new phone, or up-grade an already perfectly good computer programme that another phone, ten times better than ours is being made and another computer programme has already been put into practice.
Is the reason behind this extreme up-grade culture, consumerism? Are up-grades designed for a money making purpose? We have become programmed to want the next best thing, to make sure that the programme for our computer is the fastest, most up-to-date programme around, and many people will pay a lot of money to make sure this happens.
I believe that as a technology reliant society we have come to expect upgrades, we know that within a matter of months or weeks something bigger and better will be available to us. Perhaps it is the greed of many of us which is causing this vast increase in upgrades. What would we do if suddenly the up-grades stopped, and we were forced to live with the technology we had at the time. Would we be able to accept what we have? I think that now we have seen the positive effects of 'up-grade culture' we will always be looking for more, 'up-grade culture' has become more than a money-making business, it has become a necessity for our technology reliant society.
Friday, 23 January 2009
The Internet and it's Impact on Society
Living without the Internet, for many, would seem impossible, and I can only agree. Once a person becomes reliant on the Internet for entertainment, researching information and to keep socialising it would be a disaster if that was taken away. For many people the Internet is a safe and exciting media concept however, with the Internet being open and available for everyone there is obviously a danger aspect.
I once was told that for every 'normal' website there are five pornographic websites available on the Internet. As well as these websites there is the danger of finding gambling websites, sadistic and cult chat rooms and other such websites which are causing the Internet to hold a negative image. This is worrying for many people who want their friends and families to enjoy the safer websites.
Society is also wary of the Internet and the way it forces many people to stay inside and glued to the screens of our computers. however, it can be argued that the Internet is not the only form of media causing laziness. And perhaps, if we are sitting at home doing nothing, maybe its a positive thing that we are still socialising and keeping up-to-date with the events of the world.
However, by using the Internet in order to know everything, are we starting to know too much when we come across websites about how to make an atom bomb?
I once was told that for every 'normal' website there are five pornographic websites available on the Internet. As well as these websites there is the danger of finding gambling websites, sadistic and cult chat rooms and other such websites which are causing the Internet to hold a negative image. This is worrying for many people who want their friends and families to enjoy the safer websites.
Society is also wary of the Internet and the way it forces many people to stay inside and glued to the screens of our computers. however, it can be argued that the Internet is not the only form of media causing laziness. And perhaps, if we are sitting at home doing nothing, maybe its a positive thing that we are still socialising and keeping up-to-date with the events of the world.
However, by using the Internet in order to know everything, are we starting to know too much when we come across websites about how to make an atom bomb?
Goebbel's Views Today and the Good of the Radio
It is clear from Goebbel's speech how enthusiastic and confident he was about the radio and its power. It is easy to understand why he saw the radio as such a positive form of media. The press, at the time was doing a good job at influencing people and delivering to the Germans the news from the world, however, Goebbel saw a newer, more exciting approach to the way the people received information.
However, today we are lucky to have such a wide variety of different shows and stations on the radio it is hard to see how the 'masses' can all be influenced in the same way. When the radio was first set up there was only one or two stations which meant that most people would be hearing the same things. This is not so today. His idea about letting the government control what is put across the radio, and using it as a form of propaganda may not be liked by many people today.
Radio today is a useful form of contact with the outside world, the variety of shows found on the radio mean that, somewhat like the Internet, you are able to listen for many different reasons, for company, for entertainment, for news up-dates etc.
Radio can be very influential, especially when a person only listens to one presenter and perhaps picks up their personal morals. However, I believe the radio to be a harmless form of entertainment and comfort for many people.
However, today we are lucky to have such a wide variety of different shows and stations on the radio it is hard to see how the 'masses' can all be influenced in the same way. When the radio was first set up there was only one or two stations which meant that most people would be hearing the same things. This is not so today. His idea about letting the government control what is put across the radio, and using it as a form of propaganda may not be liked by many people today.
Radio today is a useful form of contact with the outside world, the variety of shows found on the radio mean that, somewhat like the Internet, you are able to listen for many different reasons, for company, for entertainment, for news up-dates etc.
Radio can be very influential, especially when a person only listens to one presenter and perhaps picks up their personal morals. However, I believe the radio to be a harmless form of entertainment and comfort for many people.
Goebbel's Speech and Radio
For Germany during the 1930's the power of the media was great, especially when used for propaganda in the build up to the second world war.
Goebbel saw the radio as a new form of media which will be "for the twentieth century what the press was for the nineteenth century". He believed that radio would impact the masses in the same way the press did, using radio as a new form of gaining news stories and information. He claimed it should also be used to distract Germany from difficult times by using it as a form of entertainment for the people.
Goebbel felt that the government should use the radio to help influence Germans and to give comfort and keep them up-dated on news issues, claiming that he wanted a radio which "is an intermediary between the government and the nation".
Geobbel understood how radio can have power over people when finding a popular, trusted presenter, or selecting a frequently listened to time slot for an important show.
Goebbel saw the radio as a new form of media which will be "for the twentieth century what the press was for the nineteenth century". He believed that radio would impact the masses in the same way the press did, using radio as a new form of gaining news stories and information. He claimed it should also be used to distract Germany from difficult times by using it as a form of entertainment for the people.
Goebbel felt that the government should use the radio to help influence Germans and to give comfort and keep them up-dated on news issues, claiming that he wanted a radio which "is an intermediary between the government and the nation".
Geobbel understood how radio can have power over people when finding a popular, trusted presenter, or selecting a frequently listened to time slot for an important show.
Communication and the Internet
New Media is somewhat self-explanatory, the term "new" emphasises how recent this form of media is.
The Internet is expanding at such a rate and has quickly become a necessity in everyday life for many people.
The Internet is used for so many reasons, namely, in order to find sources of information, for social uses, entertainment, to order and control personal accounts, to learn, in order to purchase or sell and to keep up-to-date with current issues.
The speed and ease at which a person can obtain any of the above makes the Internet an increasingly popular form of media. Emails and chat rooms allow social relationships to form while websites allow purchasing and selling, or endless information to be required.
I find that certain people use the Internet for different reasons. For myself, the Internet is a way of finding information, whether it may be for my own personal entertainment or for a piece of work at university. I also use the Internet a great amount in order to keep in contact and up-to-date with friends and family. I use social networking sites, email accounts and messenger services to arrange contact with friends, or to help with organising meetings for work purposes.
I also find using the Internet to purchase a very quick and often cheaper form of buying, especially when choosing a holiday.
However, although many people, including myself, could not cope without the Internet, I feel it must still be used with trepidation. As the Internet expands so do viruses or unreliable websites.
The Internet is expanding at such a rate and has quickly become a necessity in everyday life for many people.
The Internet is used for so many reasons, namely, in order to find sources of information, for social uses, entertainment, to order and control personal accounts, to learn, in order to purchase or sell and to keep up-to-date with current issues.
The speed and ease at which a person can obtain any of the above makes the Internet an increasingly popular form of media. Emails and chat rooms allow social relationships to form while websites allow purchasing and selling, or endless information to be required.
I find that certain people use the Internet for different reasons. For myself, the Internet is a way of finding information, whether it may be for my own personal entertainment or for a piece of work at university. I also use the Internet a great amount in order to keep in contact and up-to-date with friends and family. I use social networking sites, email accounts and messenger services to arrange contact with friends, or to help with organising meetings for work purposes.
I also find using the Internet to purchase a very quick and often cheaper form of buying, especially when choosing a holiday.
However, although many people, including myself, could not cope without the Internet, I feel it must still be used with trepidation. As the Internet expands so do viruses or unreliable websites.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
First Blog
This is the first of my many blogs. I am still very confused about what exactly this is.
I am hoping that it will all become clear soon.
This type size is really cute!! I quite like it.....
This is the perfect opportunity to be good at computers as at the moment all I can work with is Facebook!?!
Much love guys. xXXXXXXXXXx
I am hoping that it will all become clear soon.
This type size is really cute!! I quite like it.....
This is the perfect opportunity to be good at computers as at the moment all I can work with is Facebook!?!
Much love guys. xXXXXXXXXXx
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