Convergence in Technology and its likely effects on society.

Running Header: Visual Communications Convergence “Technological convergence is the trend of technologies to merge into new technologies that bring together a myriad of media. While historically, technology handled one medium or accomplished one or two tasks, through technological convergence, devices are now able to present and interact with a wide array of media” (WiseGeek, n.d.). I think we are almost there! SmartPhones, iPods, iPads, tablet computers, etc fit into this convergence technology currently. They all include computers and access to the internet, streaming technologies so we can watch our favorite television shows and movies, listen to our favorite music and chat on the phone to top it off. The executives where I work now have iPads with connectivity so they can share presentations and reports with accounts on the spot! Convergence is a great thing and can serve as a wonderful tool for personal use and business use alike. When technologies are completely converged, I think there will be even more changes in the habits of the people that use them. On one hand, users will be more informed and connected to the world in a virtual way. I see so many people that are constantly on their SmartPhones or iPhones currently and as the technologies continue to converge, there will be more addictions and disconnects from the real world that

  • Word count: 745
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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What in your view, are the main problems involved in attempting to produce policies and regulations for the Internet and other new media?

Internet & New Media What in your view, are the main problems involved in attempting to produce policies and regulations for the Internet and other new media? Douglas Brunton University of Leicester Tutor: Vincent Campbell 23 October 2012 ________________ INTRODUCTION The Internet and new media have changed the world. The Internet, “…the electronic network of networks that link people and information through computers, and increasingly through other digital media technologies” (Di Maggio et al 2001) is the fastest growing media channel in history and the most pervasive example of the new media. The new media can be positioned as the result of digitisation and convergence. The transformation of analogue, media specific texts into network neutral digital code has prompted the convergence of three traditionally separately regulated sectors of the global economy - computing, telecommunications and the information and media sectors. This convergence and the apparent ubiquity of the internet have led to profound changes in each of the sectors and the development of global information economies based on “the production of ‘intangibles’ […] code, media, content, design, information and services” (Coyle, 1999) and ultimately to the convergence of communication regulation. In this context, and for the purposes of this paper, Braman’s definition of new media

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Social networking and computer mediated communication

Minash Bablani B215448 Study Skills Word count: 2034 Assignment two: Literature Review Social networking and computer-mediated communication. This essay discusses the effects and social implications of, social networking and computer-mediated communication and how the ‘web culture’ has changed nearly everything in the Western world focusing on the youth of the population. Three insightful pieces of literature are referred to in this essay namely: “Wired Youth” by Mesch and Talmud, “Online Social Networking on Campus” whose authors are Alemán and Wartman and lastly, “Small Pieces Loosely Joined” by Weinberger. Information and Communication Technology facilitate the access to knowledge, resources, opportunities, and social capital, which might be difficult and/or expensive to acquire through other means. The Internet is a vast and intricate network that links and supports political, social and economic activity on a global level. Adolescence is a period of speedy biological, psychological and social transformation, which causes curiosity, and rapid expansion of social circles. The youth of this generation are growing up in a multi communication and multimedia environment. For many it is a form of information, entertainment and communication, either way it serves as a purpose for all. There is concern expressed that the Internet access in a household

  • Word count: 2549
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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What did McLuhan mean when he said 'the medium is the message'? Is this idea any use in understanding contemporary mass media?

What did McLuhan mean when he said 'the medium is the message'? Is this idea any use in understanding contemporary mass media? McLuhan was a world renown philospher, he earned his name in academia when he published the book Understanding Media: The Extension of Man, which made a sensation in the 1960s. During the time the book was published it was a best seller. After the coming years McLuhan published two other books The Mechanical Bride and The Gutenberg Galaxy (Finkelstein, 1968). However these books wasnt as successful as 'Understanding thie Media'. McLuhan was one of the first to glamourise technology and 'The Global Village'. The idea of the medium being the message is a contraversial topic, as it was once deemed usless by many academics and McLuhans style of thinking was frowned upon. Marshall McLuhan was a new type of intelectual, he had a mosaic approach as he would only create a small segment of an image in the viewers mind. He invited his readers to also be producers of the text. Marshalls approach to subjects rather than giving a straight answer he would often beat around the bush. But recently as the internet has been discovered his theories have been the centre of attention, his was has been ressurected and refers to many of todays contemporrary media. The medium is not longer indetifiable as such, and the merging medium and the message McLuhan is the first

  • Word count: 1137
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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New Media Review QR Codes

New Media Review QR Codes What is a QR code? A QR code is the abbreviated form for Quick Response which are square shaped codes that consist of black modules on a white background. The first QR code was created in 1994 by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave and was designed to allow its data to be decoded at high speed (Wave, 2010). A QR code is a type of matrix barcode which is now designed to be read by smartphones. The code is smaller than a normal barcode and can store more information (Wave,2010). The information encoded maybe text, a URL or other forms of data. Functions of QR codes There are enormous possibilities for using QR code technology and have been growing rapidly in recent years. It is most commonly used in marketing campaigns but more creative uses are being produced for things like social networking and learning purposes. To scan a QR code you need to download a QR reader application for a smartphone and take a photo of the code with your camera to retrieve the information stored in the code. Now days QR codes can be found on postcards, T-shirts, store windows, movie posters, business cards, magazines, direct mail pieces and many more other types of advertisements. Any digital content can be stored on a QR code. When scanning these codes with a smart phone some it can: . Direct the users phone to Facebook, Twitter and other websites on the internet 2.

  • Word count: 1032
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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The Tragedy of the Commons - Examining the Free Internet

Media Economics – First Assignment – Helle Andersen N00216066 – Wednesday October 3rd Media Economics First Assignment The concept of commons was especially used in large areas of environmental science and the environmental movement, when Garrett Hardin in 1968 wrote "The Tragedy of the Commons". He created a very strong metaphor for how a common resource could be exploited and destroyed if individuals only pursue their private economic interests in the exploitation of this resource. Therefore, the commons concept and ideas of common ownership of natural resources was for many associated with a negative state and development, which could only be avoided by the creation of private property. In other words, if the individual farmer tries to maximize their usefulness, and they ignore and not expect to bear the costs incurred by their actions, this resource will slowly become over-exploited and slowly be destroyed. Hardin even goes so far as to call it an inherent logic of the system that creates the tragedy. It is also worth noting that he connects the commons concept to the concept of freedom. He believes that the character of the commons is an unlimited freedom for all that leads to destruction and ruin. A Common Tragedy? In 1964, the Canadian media philosopher Marshall McLuhan called the media an extension of our senses. Since then, its senses have become much more

  • Word count: 1853
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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How capable are you in terms of Howard Rheingolds five literacies for the 21st century? Provide an example from your life that illustrates either the challenge that each literacy poses or how you have coped with the challenge

Assignment 1. “How capable are you in terms of Howard Rheingold’s five literacies for the 21st century? Provide an example from your life that illustrates either the challenge that each literacy poses or how you have coped with the challenge. Or both.” Attention: As Rheingold considers attention to be the most basic and significant literacy of the 21st century, he explains how it is the fundamental building block for the way of daily life; with attention framing the way in which individuals think, create tools, teach, socialize, transform civilizations etc. multi-tasking would be considered a constant attention-splitting (or "hyper attention") action common in myself and many if not most students. The development of technology introducing us to smart-phones. wi-fi, tablets etc. allow us to have access to the internet or the "online world (facebook & twitter) almost anywhere we are. These vast amounts of freedom to be a part of social media anytime, anywhere make multi-tasking more common; thus, allowing the concept of focused attention to diminish. This awareness has made me become more careful of where I focus my attention and when multitasking is unnecessary I avoid it by putting away my phone where it is not visible and/or closing my laptop. Participation: Participation in the 21st century means that we are joining in as an active citizen

  • Word count: 711
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Going Viral the use of online (social) media for the spread of information, propaganda and current trends.

MED4101_Studying the Media and Communications ________________ Portfolio Part One: Media Interests ‘Going Viral’ – the use of online (social) media for the spread of information, propaganda and current trends. The Internet is a prime gateway for the media to connect with its audience. It is a tool that enables virtually instant access to and sharing of information; commonly referred to as the ‘information superhighway’ it is just that, a platform that processes and interchanges data on a rapid, mass scale. The use of the term ‘viral’ reflects the speed and scope of media text distribution to audiences/consumers. This has a variety of applications such as social networking, news, marketing etc. it is a redefinition of how mass media operates. The ‘Kony 2012’ campaign is a significant example of viral marketing; it revealed the potential social media has to reach a global audience quickly and more efficiently than traditional methods. The 28-minute documentary style campaign video averaged 16.5 million views daily over the first week, (visiblemeasures.com, 2012). Although there is controversy surrounding the ethics and legitimacy of this media campaign, this event is a testament to the true power of the Internet and an interesting study in active consumption whereby audiences are accessing media texts, appraising and then forwarding them amongst peers.

  • Word count: 647
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Online Journalism - I will look at the rising use of interactivity in news media and its affect, both positive and negative, on the modern journalist.

Interactivity: The new media boogeyman by Tim Nagle The internet has been a major revolutionary force over the last 15 to 20 years. News media has been as dramatically affected as any other industry. In many ways the media has struggled to adapt to the changing landscape within which it must now operate. While the internet provides a multitude of benefits for the user, such as interactivity, it also poses a number of problems for media organizations. Many news organizations would rather avoid online content all together but they no longer have a choice. They cannot be seen to be lagging behind the times and so must offer all of things which the audience now come to expect from new media. But what if these features compromise the practices or values of the journalists involved? In this essay I will look at the rising use of interactivity in news media and its affect, both positive and negative, on the modern journalist. Online news is now well into its 3rd generation. In the early 90s the first generation of online news consisted of simple pages filled with text, often taken directly from the newspaper edition (Kiousis, 2002). The second generation, in the mid 90s saw online news moving towards a more independent footing as websites began producing their own content (Bucy, 2009). During this period many news websites were set up that had no affiliation with newspaper or

  • Word count: 1795
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Nagoya, 2005 Aichi Expo

What Impact's Did The 2005 Aichi Expo Help Nagoya, And Help Japan Play A Leading Role Globally? History was in the making on this historical date March 25, 2005 for Japan and the city Nagoya until the pen stops writing on September 25, 2005. This was the new beginning for Japan and its fourth-biggest city Nagoya, which sits between the other two major cities in Japan, Tokyo and Osaka. 1 The main focus here is that, is the history going to be full of negativity or full of positives by the end of September of 2005. The new beginning and start for Nagoya is suppose to put itself on the map and for the rest of the world to know what a fantastic city it is to live in. Did the new beginning come with a price tag or was it a green light from the start? What were the conflicts and the controversial problems before the 2005 Aichi Expo began? What were the results and the impacts of the Aichi Expo and did it help Japan play a leading role globally? The 2005 Aichi expo had many obstacles to over come before the event can take place in Nagoya on March 25, 2006. There where many critics, environmentalist, and residential problems and issue that needed to be resolved and thought out before major construction of the area get started underway. The 2005 Aichi committee needed to deal with the on-going debate with resident and environmentalist and trying to convince them that by hosting the

  • Word count: 2970
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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