Monday, April 6, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Digital Divide
In a world where technology is growing in many different directions, the ways of communicating with people seem to be multiplying. Unfortunately, some people are being left behind. When looking at information about the digital divide, I always think about the difficulties those who don’t have access to this new technology must have. However, according to an article in The Seattle Times, I should have been thinking about the difficulties that those people would have once getting their hands on this technology.
Many people of older generations are trying to acclimate to this new world of online communication. Many people find that their parents and grandparents are trying to communicate with them via this technology.
The author of this article discusses the difficulties they faced while having their father be his “Facebook Friend.” He put in his status on Facebook that he was engaged to a girl. This is a running joke on Facebook that nearly everyone of our generation knows not to necessarily take seriously. Unfortunately, his father was not privy to this information, and it caused him to yell at the author for not telling him about the “engagement.”
Having people who are not aware of the social implications that come with Facebook and other social networking sites doesn’t actually make communicating with them any easier. If anything, it can make the relationships more complicated and awkward.
The author uses the example of having their great-aunt friend request them on Facebook. On one hand, having your great-aunt see every bad picture, wall post, and other various awkward aspects of Facebook could be potentially mortifying, rejecting her friend requests could make family reunions very awkward. There is no right answer to this question (the author even points out that giving them limited profile access could make her suspicious).
This article made me more aware of additional issues that come with crossing the digital divide. While it is definitely important for everyone to be able to use technology, should these sites have to change in order to help those who may not understand it?
The author ultimately decided to delete their father as a friend on Facebook. He reasoned that his father did not grow up in the digital age, never having a digital representation of himself, hence not really needing one. Whether or not this is right, I do not really know, but this article definitely gave me a new perspective on this digital divide.
Many people of older generations are trying to acclimate to this new world of online communication. Many people find that their parents and grandparents are trying to communicate with them via this technology.
The author of this article discusses the difficulties they faced while having their father be his “Facebook Friend.” He put in his status on Facebook that he was engaged to a girl. This is a running joke on Facebook that nearly everyone of our generation knows not to necessarily take seriously. Unfortunately, his father was not privy to this information, and it caused him to yell at the author for not telling him about the “engagement.”
Having people who are not aware of the social implications that come with Facebook and other social networking sites doesn’t actually make communicating with them any easier. If anything, it can make the relationships more complicated and awkward.
The author uses the example of having their great-aunt friend request them on Facebook. On one hand, having your great-aunt see every bad picture, wall post, and other various awkward aspects of Facebook could be potentially mortifying, rejecting her friend requests could make family reunions very awkward. There is no right answer to this question (the author even points out that giving them limited profile access could make her suspicious).
This article made me more aware of additional issues that come with crossing the digital divide. While it is definitely important for everyone to be able to use technology, should these sites have to change in order to help those who may not understand it?
The author ultimately decided to delete their father as a friend on Facebook. He reasoned that his father did not grow up in the digital age, never having a digital representation of himself, hence not really needing one. Whether or not this is right, I do not really know, but this article definitely gave me a new perspective on this digital divide.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Networked Computing
An article at nytimes.com discusses the new innovations in consumer electronics and the internet, and how this will affect communication in the future. At the Internationale Funkausstellung in Berlin last August, several electronic companies came together for a convention to debut several of these innovations, including some that would allow TVs, computers, dishwashers and refrigerators to communicate with each other over a wireless home network.
For example, Phillips showed a new line of stereo systems that can wirelessly tap into music stored on your computer to stream the music into other rooms of the house. Other companies showed TVs that could hook up to the internet, even streaming high definition video.
These new innovations are creating an argument that the internet and wireless networks could represent a shift in home entertainment. Many are taking advantage of this shift, creating new technologies that can further connect the product to their consumer.
This is also creating new opportunities for internet companies like Google and Yahoo, who have said that they will produce new software that will make it easier to display the internet on televisions.
While many companies are excited at the prospect of this technological shift, there are some skeptics. Some worry that the consumers are not as interested in these new devices as their creators are.
Although adoption of these technologies is going to take time, the technology is ready. The issue with bringing this to the consumers is that it could potentially hinder their communication with the outside world if their technology is not compatible. People may not be ready for the repercussions of these changing technologies. Still, these companies are confident that this new technology’s convenience will appeal to the consumers.
Experts predict that soon there will not be any electronic device on the market that isn’t connected to the internet. Connecting these technologies through a network like the internet allows for many new technologies to grow from old ones. This could potentially make it more difficult for consumers to get away from data smog, because the internet would constantly be available and tempting to the consumer to use.
This convergence could also encourage lazy habits by the consumer. If the internet is constantly communication with other technologies around the house, there is less need for the consumer to do tasks on their own or even think for themselves. They could become reliant on these systems for anything they are capable of.
These systems could work very well in a home environment if the consumer is knowledgeable enough about the technology that they could control the effect it has on their life. By being aware of this, the consumer can make sure that they don’t become reliant on this technology.
For example, Phillips showed a new line of stereo systems that can wirelessly tap into music stored on your computer to stream the music into other rooms of the house. Other companies showed TVs that could hook up to the internet, even streaming high definition video.
These new innovations are creating an argument that the internet and wireless networks could represent a shift in home entertainment. Many are taking advantage of this shift, creating new technologies that can further connect the product to their consumer.
This is also creating new opportunities for internet companies like Google and Yahoo, who have said that they will produce new software that will make it easier to display the internet on televisions.
While many companies are excited at the prospect of this technological shift, there are some skeptics. Some worry that the consumers are not as interested in these new devices as their creators are.
Although adoption of these technologies is going to take time, the technology is ready. The issue with bringing this to the consumers is that it could potentially hinder their communication with the outside world if their technology is not compatible. People may not be ready for the repercussions of these changing technologies. Still, these companies are confident that this new technology’s convenience will appeal to the consumers.
Experts predict that soon there will not be any electronic device on the market that isn’t connected to the internet. Connecting these technologies through a network like the internet allows for many new technologies to grow from old ones. This could potentially make it more difficult for consumers to get away from data smog, because the internet would constantly be available and tempting to the consumer to use.
This convergence could also encourage lazy habits by the consumer. If the internet is constantly communication with other technologies around the house, there is less need for the consumer to do tasks on their own or even think for themselves. They could become reliant on these systems for anything they are capable of.
These systems could work very well in a home environment if the consumer is knowledgeable enough about the technology that they could control the effect it has on their life. By being aware of this, the consumer can make sure that they don’t become reliant on this technology.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Blog 2: New Intimicies in the Media
With the economy in a recession, it is easy to see why people would be less interested in the more traditional ways of going out to meet people, like expensive bars or restaurants. Instead, people are now interested in the convenience of matchmaking services. Surprisingly enough, according to the New York Times, online dating is on the rise.
Due to the downturn in the economy, more people are losing jobs and trying to fill up their free time in the least expensive way possible. Using an online dating service, despite money fees, is still much cheaper than trying to find “the one” for yourself.
Also, because of these troubled times, people are realizing that they do not want to face the economy alone. People now want the comfort of a significant other more than ever, hoping that they will help get them through this recession.
People enjoy online dating sites because they are quick, easy and direct. They do most of the legwork in finding a mate, as well as tailor to the client’s specific interests. It allows the client to say exactly what they want out of a mate, without worry over being judged. For example, according to the New York Times, one match.com client expressed an interest in dating someone who was willing to split the check, another way that online dating helps to save money for their clients.
Although online dating has never been a particularly weak earner, the changes in online dating from before the recession to the present are still quite significant. According to the New York Times, online dating sites are receiving roughly sixty percent more hits since October 2008, and sites like Match.com are having their strongest quarter in over 7 years. They saw a similar spike in earnings during the economic downturn of 2001, and they eventually saw earnings level off.
This article also examines those who are getting to know new people through social networking sites like Facebook. Some claim that one of the benefits of these sites is that the user is focused on getting to know the person, not trying to impress them with wealth. I feel that this argument is flawed because of virtual identity. Although this identity can impact one’s reflexive identity, which can in turn affect one’s ascribed identity, it is still a different person that they are learning about. The way that people present themselves on line is usually 100% their choice and they do not necessarily choose to present themselves accurately.
This shows that even in the most difficult times, technology prevails. Using the most technologically advanced devices, even in leisure, is still important. Even in during the Great Depression, the sale of radios surpassed expectations. However, as online dating did in 2001, I feel that it will level off with economic change.
Due to the downturn in the economy, more people are losing jobs and trying to fill up their free time in the least expensive way possible. Using an online dating service, despite money fees, is still much cheaper than trying to find “the one” for yourself.
Also, because of these troubled times, people are realizing that they do not want to face the economy alone. People now want the comfort of a significant other more than ever, hoping that they will help get them through this recession.
People enjoy online dating sites because they are quick, easy and direct. They do most of the legwork in finding a mate, as well as tailor to the client’s specific interests. It allows the client to say exactly what they want out of a mate, without worry over being judged. For example, according to the New York Times, one match.com client expressed an interest in dating someone who was willing to split the check, another way that online dating helps to save money for their clients.
Although online dating has never been a particularly weak earner, the changes in online dating from before the recession to the present are still quite significant. According to the New York Times, online dating sites are receiving roughly sixty percent more hits since October 2008, and sites like Match.com are having their strongest quarter in over 7 years. They saw a similar spike in earnings during the economic downturn of 2001, and they eventually saw earnings level off.
This article also examines those who are getting to know new people through social networking sites like Facebook. Some claim that one of the benefits of these sites is that the user is focused on getting to know the person, not trying to impress them with wealth. I feel that this argument is flawed because of virtual identity. Although this identity can impact one’s reflexive identity, which can in turn affect one’s ascribed identity, it is still a different person that they are learning about. The way that people present themselves on line is usually 100% their choice and they do not necessarily choose to present themselves accurately.
This shows that even in the most difficult times, technology prevails. Using the most technologically advanced devices, even in leisure, is still important. Even in during the Great Depression, the sale of radios surpassed expectations. However, as online dating did in 2001, I feel that it will level off with economic change.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Communications Revolution
The college scene is one of multiple technologies with great encouragement to use them. It is surprising to see another world in which newer technology is not only unused, but nearly unheard of as well. An article at yahoo.com discusses rural areas of Africa and their need to incorporate a technology that will allow the farming communities to communicate with each other in order to mobilize them in case of emergency. They would also communicate in order to better tend to their crops by discussing their work with the other farmers.
The author, Ken Banks, is asked to give his opinion to an international humanitarian nongovernment organization about which technology would be the best to communicate with. To their surprise, he chooses radio, a relatively traditional form of technology, but also feels that they would need mobile phones as well.
It’s interesting to see that a technology in its third stage of development could be new to another part of the world. Ideas like these prove that while technology is constantly moving forward in order to create new ways to communicate, the more traditional mediums may be the most efficient.
Banks felt that a wind up radio would be best because there is no need for electrical outlets or batteries, something hard to come by in parts of rural Africa. Radio’s ability to reach many simultaneously with low cost makes it the most ideal technology in order for the famers to communicate with each other. The delayed adoption of this media technology in rural areas of Africa shows that complete widespread adoption of all technologies is nearly impossible.
The drawback of the radio is that it does not allow the farmers to interact with each other, which is why Banks also suggested the use of mobile phones to further communication between the farmers in regards to their crops. A convergence of these two Medias would be ideal for living situations like these.
It will be interesting to see whether or not the African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI) will be able to successfully implement their technology into the African farmlands. If so, it will be exciting to see if the success of that technology in the farmlands will pressure their technologies to evolve. Metamorphosis, the second principle of mediamorphosis would lead one to believe that newer Medias would emerge from the success of this one, and eventually one would find communicating via text message instead of listening to the radio. Only time will tell.
The author, Ken Banks, is asked to give his opinion to an international humanitarian nongovernment organization about which technology would be the best to communicate with. To their surprise, he chooses radio, a relatively traditional form of technology, but also feels that they would need mobile phones as well.
It’s interesting to see that a technology in its third stage of development could be new to another part of the world. Ideas like these prove that while technology is constantly moving forward in order to create new ways to communicate, the more traditional mediums may be the most efficient.
Banks felt that a wind up radio would be best because there is no need for electrical outlets or batteries, something hard to come by in parts of rural Africa. Radio’s ability to reach many simultaneously with low cost makes it the most ideal technology in order for the famers to communicate with each other. The delayed adoption of this media technology in rural areas of Africa shows that complete widespread adoption of all technologies is nearly impossible.
The drawback of the radio is that it does not allow the farmers to interact with each other, which is why Banks also suggested the use of mobile phones to further communication between the farmers in regards to their crops. A convergence of these two Medias would be ideal for living situations like these.
It will be interesting to see whether or not the African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI) will be able to successfully implement their technology into the African farmlands. If so, it will be exciting to see if the success of that technology in the farmlands will pressure their technologies to evolve. Metamorphosis, the second principle of mediamorphosis would lead one to believe that newer Medias would emerge from the success of this one, and eventually one would find communicating via text message instead of listening to the radio. Only time will tell.
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