Introduction
Many refer to the current society as on that is 'plugged in'. People are always concerned with e-mails, cellphones, video games, or any other device that would keep us on the internet and away from others. This to me seems odd. If McLuhan said "the medium is the message", taken literally there is no room for free thinking, free being, or free personal conversation. According to this 'media mind', he insists that if applied to the century we live in we have become depersonalized and enslaved to the technology that gives us knowledge. In this author's experience there is no way that all people are refined to such a generalization. Yes, it is true that younger children, those born into such a technologized world are rather involved with their devices than with other people. And it is true that the older generations must adapt to the climbing technological world. There still seems to be the want for true interaction and relations. In a world where we can meet, play, marry, chat and have sex online there still are many who would rather do these things face to face. There are still many who wish to be 'old fashioned' and be able to experience thing in the real rather than the virtual reality. We are still, as a society very based and accustomed to the real reality we live every day. Virtual reality is great, but still not a complete alternative to a kind word or a warm hug. True reality seems to be the best reality, and yes technology is still involved but a kind balance between the two seems much more realistic.
Procedure
I will video tape a friendly get together consisting of many people who are of many cultures. Whether subcultures or racial cultures, these people will be asked to just speak their mind. The video taping will be casual, nothing formal as formalities often cause people to be biased. These people will also be of many ages - a stretch ranging from 20 to 30 with all different schoolings and occupations in mind. Why I chose to video tape a such an obscure setting, is because I wish to get honest answers and earnest conversation. When you have a person speaking in such a very comfortable way, they say what they want, not the right thing, or the best thing. By doing this one can procure a good video. Podcasts are supposed to be a visual way to speak your mind. This is what I am doing by making this into more of a video essay than a skit or a movie. Documentaries all have their own formats, thus I chose a format that best suits the topic and the people involved.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis, as stated in the video, is an anti-thesis to what is the common question. Instead of looking at actual teens, I am looking at the impact media has on the older generations. Capturing youth is one thing, capturing their older counter parts has proved more interesting and rewarding. My thesis stands on the belief that media devices and technology in general may have a great impact, but it still is only a shadow when compared to actual interaction. Most people in their teens are 'plugged in' to the internet in one way or the other. It is my belief that though devices were many made for the older generations, it is the older generations that keep technology on the backburner, only having it when needed.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Blog Video Proposal - Entry 1
As an initial concept I will use random clips from friends to example that media does not effect us, or even dominate us in the way many think. I will use excerpts from get togethers and one on ones to discuss the topic and their thoughts on the subject . Nothing too big, but enough that through different clips the message of a rather personal world still is in being over a totally technological one.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
PODCAST Review
After reviewing http://www.virtual-live.net.au/nationalpornographic/index.html on the Virtual Live Australia. It's a metal-alternative podcast which blends the latest music from Sydney with fun and different antics. They broadcast from what looks like an apartment where the broadcasters do whatever they want. This particular podcast the casters prouce for he viewers a rather catchy and impromptu song. Nothing flashy, well it it, they set up a psuedo stage and sound system with the fish eye lens.
This podcast is not making much sense out of any debate. Its created for entertainment only. I chose this over any political podcast because in my opinion, more people look at podcasts for funny and random purposes than they do for watching debates. That is of course from my perspective. However though this podcast says nothing in a debate way, they are saying a lot in the meaning of how they produced it. The producers put a lot in interest into creating something that is not a debate to procure a debate about how we use the internet. Many around the world use it for actual information and get less than desired results. For instance just searching for anything pertaining to metal music draws up sites for pornography podcasts. Everything becomes interrelated and everything becomes another chance to go somewhere else. And in the land of podcasts it seems everyone becomes popular with a drop of the hat. This podcast mocks that. Say nothing become everything. Virtual fame.
This podcast is not making much sense out of any debate. Its created for entertainment only. I chose this over any political podcast because in my opinion, more people look at podcasts for funny and random purposes than they do for watching debates. That is of course from my perspective. However though this podcast says nothing in a debate way, they are saying a lot in the meaning of how they produced it. The producers put a lot in interest into creating something that is not a debate to procure a debate about how we use the internet. Many around the world use it for actual information and get less than desired results. For instance just searching for anything pertaining to metal music draws up sites for pornography podcasts. Everything becomes interrelated and everything becomes another chance to go somewhere else. And in the land of podcasts it seems everyone becomes popular with a drop of the hat. This podcast mocks that. Say nothing become everything. Virtual fame.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Blog Review of http://postsecret.blogspot.com
This blog is just to review an existing and higher quality blog. Nothing huge, just enough to tell you what it is and why it is good. The blog I have chosen to review is Postsecret. It is an ongoing art project in which people mail in post cards with either humourous or horrible secrets written on them. The point is somewhat of a pseudo-therapy on a very huge level. The page reminds the viewer of an All American Rejects song entitled, "Dirty Little Secret" where the same type of element used with secrets imposed over personal pictures. The site is simple, just a bunch of these post secrets in succession one after another. There is little text but mostly the pictures which are the main attraction.
There are also reoccurring anonymous authors who mail in their secrets. It becomes a type of episodic following, awaiting to read the next installment of the 'secret' the authors want to tell. The postcard or picture snip-it always has a sort of ironic relevance to the secret itself. This pictographic-textual interplay which not only make a visually aesthetically meaning but a darker, deeper understanding of the author.
Blogs, whether public are private always has much to do with personal opinions and feelings about any subject. This blog in particular is a viewer driven site that has a 'feed' not based on any mainstream news but personal news. Visual representation seems to be a huge attraction that is the new fad when speaking about blogs. Making them better, more stunning and more personal applications is the new way to go. The blog has been transformed from a personal 'ranting' diary, to an integral part of modern society and a representation of that society's feelings.
There are also reoccurring anonymous authors who mail in their secrets. It becomes a type of episodic following, awaiting to read the next installment of the 'secret' the authors want to tell. The postcard or picture snip-it always has a sort of ironic relevance to the secret itself. This pictographic-textual interplay which not only make a visually aesthetically meaning but a darker, deeper understanding of the author.
Blogs, whether public are private always has much to do with personal opinions and feelings about any subject. This blog in particular is a viewer driven site that has a 'feed' not based on any mainstream news but personal news. Visual representation seems to be a huge attraction that is the new fad when speaking about blogs. Making them better, more stunning and more personal applications is the new way to go. The blog has been transformed from a personal 'ranting' diary, to an integral part of modern society and a representation of that society's feelings.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Blog Entry 1
What is the biggest issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of the media?
The Internet is a widely ranging resource. It has given us the ability to communicate, create, transform and transcend many skills. However it has also created more problems and dangers for those who lack the sufficient understanding of good from bad. The Internet has created a new cyber nation, which has learned to live life on the virtual side of things rather than in reality. This in itself has had an adverse effect on the population. Generations of children are now becoming less aware of their fellow man and more aware of their facelessness in society. Collectively the Internet has made people less reliant on one another. Instead of having breakfast together, the family is now checking e-mails, utilizing every moment staying connected to the school or business; instead of families seeking the importance of love and respect it is now about productivity - a true capitalists dream.
The Internet, or any technology for that matter has become the focal point in our existence. Talking is replaced by blogging, interactions by instant messaging, and life by cute little virtual icons that wave, smile and say hello. But with all of this comes a cost. These risks have not only taken a long time to figure out, but many lives as well. With facelessness comes the inability to know younger from older, good from bad, and friends from foe. The ever-expanding child molestation cases of instances where the paedophiles have met children online have been large and are growing. The hazards of this technological wonder involve mostly crime. Being able to break out of a shell is one thing, but when one is doing so with a criminal and has no idea, that is a totally different story. As well the chances of white-collar crime on a national scale increase. If even one person is able to hack into bank accounts or treasuries, it is enough to bring a whole nation to its knees. Technology has made us as a society vulnerable to everything and anything. It has made us dependent like an addict to heroine or cocaine. Though technology seems to be the beacon of achievement and evolution in this universe. Left to the unwise, technology – yes, beginning with a simple blog – can ruin an entire civilization. Think about that.
The Internet is a widely ranging resource. It has given us the ability to communicate, create, transform and transcend many skills. However it has also created more problems and dangers for those who lack the sufficient understanding of good from bad. The Internet has created a new cyber nation, which has learned to live life on the virtual side of things rather than in reality. This in itself has had an adverse effect on the population. Generations of children are now becoming less aware of their fellow man and more aware of their facelessness in society. Collectively the Internet has made people less reliant on one another. Instead of having breakfast together, the family is now checking e-mails, utilizing every moment staying connected to the school or business; instead of families seeking the importance of love and respect it is now about productivity - a true capitalists dream.
The Internet, or any technology for that matter has become the focal point in our existence. Talking is replaced by blogging, interactions by instant messaging, and life by cute little virtual icons that wave, smile and say hello. But with all of this comes a cost. These risks have not only taken a long time to figure out, but many lives as well. With facelessness comes the inability to know younger from older, good from bad, and friends from foe. The ever-expanding child molestation cases of instances where the paedophiles have met children online have been large and are growing. The hazards of this technological wonder involve mostly crime. Being able to break out of a shell is one thing, but when one is doing so with a criminal and has no idea, that is a totally different story. As well the chances of white-collar crime on a national scale increase. If even one person is able to hack into bank accounts or treasuries, it is enough to bring a whole nation to its knees. Technology has made us as a society vulnerable to everything and anything. It has made us dependent like an addict to heroine or cocaine. Though technology seems to be the beacon of achievement and evolution in this universe. Left to the unwise, technology – yes, beginning with a simple blog – can ruin an entire civilization. Think about that.
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