Reaction: Digital Movies

The discussion of the impact that digitalization has had on the movie industry is complex and profound, and certainly extrapolated to go on. From the specific technology in use to view film, to the massive impact it has had on society, digital movies are a cornerstone in the conversation of media convergence.

I will be summarizing, analyzing, and extracting insight from a presentation by a group of students in Dr. Xia's COM 264 Introduction to Media Convergence Class. The group in question did a marvelous gaining the knowledge and presenting it to their audience in true form: with the mantra of media consumption surrounding every clip, image, design, and formatted paragraph.

The group began with a history of cinema. The information flowed cleanly and demonstrated that society's demand for immersive and creative viewing pushed the envelope of innovation; that new technologies like a full-wall movie screen was a consumer-driven demand. Such small moves create lasting effects, like the pillar of media convergence: participatory culture.

Next, they mentioned the equipment used to make movies. They focused on the trend of expensive, high-resolution cameras. They used the example of Black Swan, and how a certain scene was shot with a camera that an eager consumer could purchase at any time. They rounded this example with a lesson in media convergence that society will always demand more surreal experiences from artificial interactions, like movie-viewing.

Then, they moved on to the global impact of cinema, movie technology, and the culture that it bore. They mentioned how industries grew from it, like video games and television. They were honest about the culture phenomena that appear when certain blockbusters hit the theaters, and how much money and discussion it creates, opening the door for civic exploration.

Lastly, the group dove further into the societal aspect of digital movies, citing plenty of examples of ethical issues. Their main example was that of editing and how it can create a false sense of perfection that leads impressionable people astray from a place on contentedness and fulfillment. They showed an engaging time lapse of the editing process that captured our attention and blew us away.

Overall, this group was very successful at teaching the class the evolution of digital movies and the impact they've made, all the while tying notions of media convergence to create a complete picture.

COM 264 Xia Podcast

Podcast URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/43256/265094-rider-u-communications-4-20-15

Podcast RSS Feed: http://www.buzzsprout.com/43256.rss

Citizen Journalism & aggregation

The concept of citizen journalism continues to confound journalists, academics, and students alike. All too often, the lines between the professional journalist and the ordinary citizen become blurred. Many would say this is a wonderful idea. Others disagree.

The more active the population is in publicizing information, the more the people are informed, and in a democracy, you can't have much better. While certainly idealistic, there is a purpose to professional journalism. Mainly: objectivity.

The more that the ordinary citizen becomes involved in producing news, the less trustworthy it become and the likelihood of bias heightens.

Last but not least, the professional and skilled journalists become packed in with the unskilled and uneducated citizens, effectively neutralizing their hard work. What about the credit they deserve?

One specific way that citizens become journalists, and the less skilled become noteworthy news producers is called aggregation.

What is aggregation?

Most buzzfeed and Huffington Post articles you read are aggregative journalism. They've taken content from different sources and published it as a single story. They make heavy use of links and attributions throughout the story as not to violate copyright laws. They get the benefit of producing content without having to find, organize and report the story.

Here is an example. The original topic span over a long time period. This piece is a large summary based on the reports as they were released by The Guardian. To give another example, I found this link by researching aggregation.

How can aggregation be ethical?

Aggregation is journalism, too. It must have an added value in order to differentiate from the original piece. If it didn't come in a new, transformed way, then it's theft.

Blogger Steven Buttry put it best: "link, attribute, add value"

In a further condensed version, blogger Mindy McAddams gave this guideline in her post based on Buttry's post:

"Always link to the original source.

Always include clear attribution (in addition to the link). For an example, see the first paragraph of this post.

“Attribution helps consumers evaluate the reliability of information.” (Buttry)

Always use quotation marks (as in the previous item) when you copy and paste someone else’s text.

Add value to the material — add original reporting, updates, analysis (see examples below).

Another way to add value is to summarize and/or compare reports from several other sources.

Do not simply copy information, especially from unknown or unreliable sources.

Part of the value that you add is that you are using only sources that you trust."

Aggregation may be under heavy scrutiny because it's new(er). But it has cemented its place in Journalism. Like all other forms of reporting: it must be done right.

Thus, the tide of citizen journalism continues to swell. Although unfathomable, Buzzfeed and Huffington Post will eventually fall and some other form of infotainment will take its place. Sites like these may fail to integrate the average person for the next big site, that takes citizen journalism to levels we cannot even imagine now.

Podcast Questions

1.  How does podcasting fit into the organizational communication in business, non-profit, and academic contexts?

Podcasting can be a very effective tool in communicating any message, whether it be business, non-profit, or academic. It is an opportunity for an organization to create a segment of short or sufficient time diving into a certain topic. This is beneficial for marketing or brand building. It can be crafted in nearly any way and has a wide-open opportunity for creativity.

2.  Why does the speaker say that podcasting extends message?

The speaker believes that podcasting extends the message to a more personal sound. It adds the personal element of voice to the communication. Different types of people will align better with listening to someone's voice, or, their availability is restricted to listening. Lastly, it allows for someone to speak at length about something, or have a real-time conversation broadcasted for someone to listen to at any time.

3. How does podcasting encourage participation culture according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, podcasting can encourage participatory culture in major ways. First, business and organizations can pay attention and read the RSS feed actively during their shows, analyze the data on those tuning in, and adapt their approach to better suit their customers. Second, like radio, it functions live in real-time, allowing for listeners to call in and engage with the show personally. 

4. What are the three critical elements of development for a successfully media when the speaker talks about email, blogging, and online ad? Why does podcasting have the three elements?

The three elements of podcasting are:

1. Episodes must be posted on a regular basis.

Listeners are eager and waiting for more. A podcast will lose their interest if it isn't posted regularly.

2. Don't overdue ad placement.

Blatant advertising attempts are annoying to listeners and disrupt the show. They must be placed infrequently and they must be subtle.

3. Tailor the show to the audience, not the product.

Get the audience to be personally engaged in the message of the show, not the product or brand it sells. They won't come back for the product, they will come back for the connection they felt. 

5. How does the concept of digital media convergence get applied in podcasting when the speaker discusses the compounding media?

Digital media convergence has a place in podcasting as well. Podcasts are accessible from multiple platforms and require that listeners have the technology to connect themselves to the media. It encourages participatory culture because the audience directs the show, not the producer. It also guides business models and has an active hand in the total communication of the company.

It's the Audience, Stupid! COM 264

It’s the Audience, Stupid!

What is the new approach to storytelling and how is it being used to broaden audiences?

            The new approach to storytelling integrates digital media. It’s fast-paced, relevant, and has to keep the audience in mind. Reporters and news stations listen closely to what the viewers want and deliver. This opens the content wide open and allows the audience to expand.

How is digital media being used to engage audiences?

            Digital media makes the news content easily available to all types of audiences. Anyone can read, post, comment, and share news. Better, anyone can call in, participate in a survey, or throw in their voice.

Give three specific examples of how you can incorporate storytelling into an article you write?

            Storytelling is necessary in order to engage an audience. First, It needs to have a narrative. There needs to be plot: first, middle, last. It needs to flow. Second, it needs to be compelling. Exploring the human condition is universal; recounting personal experiences easily pulls in an audience. Lastly, it needs to respond to current issues. Being a story requires relevancy. If there is an issue that people are talking about, then keep talking about it!

All the Aggregation That’s Fit to Aggregate

What does aggregation mean?

            Aggregation is the sharing of news stories and media.

Why does the author describe Arianna Huffington as “the queen of aggregation?”  Go to the Huffington Post and provide an example.

            Arianna Huffington is the “queen of aggregation” because her website, The Huffington Post, does not create its own material, but spreads others material. It becomes compartmentalized within categories within the Huffington Post, altered a little,  then shared massively. People trust the articles coming from the Huffington Post, too.

Is aggregation a threat to professional journalism – why or why not?

            Yes and no. Aggregation diminishes the creative work of the original writer by largely paraphrasing and removing “superfluous” parts. This is a disservice to the reporter and trains the reader to look for less from an article. It isn’t a threat because professional journalism can evolve with it, and it is likely that more money will be found in aggregation in the future.

Photojournalism in the Age of New Media

A professional journalist receives a photo captured by a citizen journalist….

·      What are the positives?

-       The journalist gets free media.

-       The citizen gets to help write the news.

-       The media is present and relevant.

·      Why does the professional journalist need to be careful?

-       The journalist wasn’t there to verify the situation.

-       The citizen may ask for compensation.

-       The citizen may have issues with their ownership rights.

-        

·      Why might the content of the photo be called into question?

- The photo could have been altered.

·     How does citizen photojournalist impact the job of the professional photojournalist?

-       Journalists get the help of the common citizen, who is eager to help.

-       The expertise of the journalist is underminded.

COM 264 "Youtube" Questions

1.     How does the interaction online become the key for YouTube video production community? Please use the media convergence concept to explain it.

Online interaction is paramount for the Youtube community. It allows for viewers to comment and provide feedback, and even allows the creator to then engage in dialog with the viewers. The creator can also use many tools like the "like v dislike" feature to get a general feel for how their products are being received. This is, in essence, the nature of digital convergence. It calls for an active participation and an engaged consumer, and Youtube delivers those concepts.

2.     The article mentioned that the teens are mainly passively consumers of YouTube being on the periphery. But seven out of 10 most subscribed partners are teens and young adults. How do you explain this use of YouTube in youth?

The youth on Youtube are not interested in providing that level of feedback. They go as far as subscribing, and then are reluctant to provide feedback. I believe this is because, to the youth, there are always more options. There's no point in trying to change one person's behavior when they may move to another YouTuber that better matches their expectations.

3.     How does YouTube use different techniques to create an online community that is different from other websites?

Youtube relies virtually only on their users to create their online community. They value everything and anything a user contributes to the community. They make these contributions clear and heard by the producer as well. At any time, someone within the community can use voices of their viewership to further develop their persona. The wide-open environment and plethora of content, threaded by constant dialog, has created a user-driven culture.

4.     What is the next step for YouTube development? Please use the concept of participatory culture and media development theory we discussed to explain your answer.

The next step, no matter how far-fetched it may sound, is to create the YouTube experience as immersive and realistic as possible. The media development theory dictates that we look for media to be as "natural" as possible. We want to participate in a culture that is streamlined by technology but does not lose any of the natural sensations from face to face communication. Therefore, the next step is to create 3-dimensional experiences. Or, further, dabble in virtual reality and other simulators.

community? Please use the media convergence concept to explain it.



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Web 3.0

Web 3.0 is the present evolution of the world wide web. In Web 1.0, the information was passed through one space and could not be returned in any form. In Web 2.0, information could be exchanged at a fast pace that allowed producers and consumers to communicate. Web 3.0 takes Web 2.0 and launches it into the future.

Web 3.0 is the concept of the computer processing thought as much as a human does. It makes assumptions, thinks ahead, organizes ideas, communicates them, all like a human would. It applies meaning to bytes of code and interprets it on behalf of the user.

Political Blog: Lethal Injection

The issue of Capital Punishment via lethal injection is causing a stir all the way up to the Supreme Court. They agreed to hear a case from three death-row inmates in Oklahoma that challenges the use of midazolam, the first of three administered drugs.

The midozolam is meant to induce a coma-like state. It is then followed up by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and then finished by potassium chloride to stop the heart.

The challenge comes from the claim that the midozolam isn't capable of fulling inducing the comatose state. Last year, on three separate cases, the executions encountered issues. In April, a man regained complete consciousness, which caused the White House to order a review.

The case the inmates make is that the use of midozolam is unconstitutional as it constitutes cruel and unsual punishment. They turn to the three recent cases and point out its flaws. Additionally, the European Union and many pharmaceutical companies recently banned the previously used drug, sodium piothental, and the choice to use midozolam was a scrambled effort on Correctional's part.

Opponents say the drug is entirely safe. In the vast majority of cases, midozolam has caused no complications. In fact, the review of the man who regained consciousness turned out to be the fault of a misplaced IV. There is no concrete evidence that indicates that midozolam doesn't work. Additionally, the inmates will likely be granted an extension of their dates while the case is under review.

In my opinion, Capital Punishment is all wrong. Using drugs to end a life is still murder. My opponents would say that due process has resulted in a death sentence, but I don't think death should have been an option from the beginning. I fully support the review of this and all drugs used for Capital Punishment. I hope they find out that no drug is perfect, and therefore without a viable option for the death, they ban Capital Punishment entirely.

"Progressive Politics" Questions

1.     Why do the Democratic leaders embrace blogging as a potential political communication considering the traditional media landscape in politics?

            Democratic leaders have come to embrace blogging as a potential political communication because it could help them win elections. It grants them access to the young people with new ideas and loud voices. It allows candidates to have a controlled online presence wherein to state their platform and interact with voters. It's the perfect place for their information to be disseminated, discussed, and returned with commentary as well. Young people and new voters are usually the target area for politicians, as older voters are usually stuck in their ways, so targeting them with software they already are adept as using is the perfect way to connect.

2.     Blogging encourages a participatory culture. In what way does the participatory culture in blogging expand digital media convergence?

            With a participatory culture imbued into the essence of blogging, it is natural for digital media convergence to expand. Blogs are marketing tools and vie for the most attention; the largest readership. Therefore, it is necessary for individual blogs to reinvent and converge old and new ideas. Adding images, video, audio, and everything in between is cutting edge: it will draw attention and increase readership. As the competition thickens, the blogs themselves will be generators of new media. 

 3.     In the article, the author says: “The ability of the Internet to erase geographical distances can become a structural weakness in elections where district lines and eligibility are key.” How can blogging counter this weakness in the process of turning the netroots to grassroots?

            Blogging can counter this weakness by being methodical about changing the locations of limited net access into ones of new access. If a party entered an area, say a poverty-stricken urban area, and funded a project that brought internet access to the area, they could create the conversation as they go. An election could be turned into a humanitarian pursuit. By converging grassroots and netroots, the weakness of lack of understanding and aptitude for technology could be combatted.

 4.     The author spends the second half of the article discussing the lack of diversity in current blogosphere dominated by elite bloggers. Please use the concept of digital convergence to explain how blogs can become the real bearer of freedom, democracy, egalitarianism, and participation in the new media communication?

            Digital convergence states that all forms of media synthesize, reinvent, and spread at unprecedented speed. Of course, in order to become a part of the river, one needs internet access and an education that teaches one how to use it. But, as time presses forward, initiatives will grant more people from diverse populations internet access, and bring them into the stream of conversation. This will be the movement away from egalitarianism. Of course, the elite will fight back, but when it is needed, freedom, democracy, and voice will all be level in the new media communication.

"Virtual Revolution" Questions

1.     The web is celebrated as the revolutionary technology that is great leveling of humanity creating equal opportunity, equal access, and equal potential. However, there are only a quarter of people on the earth who can use it. How do you explain the controversial argument here?

The purpose of the web is to have a ungoverned space for all of humanity to take what they need and give what they can. It is a large controversy and counter to its original purpose to not have every human connected to it. The largest issue at hand are amenities. Many places do not have the technological prowess to sustain the web. Of course, these are the places that could probably benefit from it the most. Of course, the web is now in the hands of corporations looking to make a profit. They cannot make it free to all without losing their primary motivation: capital.

2.     How is Wikipedia the best example to implement the leveling ideas of the Web rooted in the cultural revolution of 1960s, namely the Libertarianism in the counter culture? How does it explain some of the digital convergences?

Wikipedia is the best example of leveling ideas because it is built from grassroots. Anyone, with or without an education, can edit information. The battle becomes one of ideas, and the greatest thinker wins in the end, regardless of degree or status. No content is against code; everything may be written about. People with radical ideas have a place to explain themselves, rather than be explained, and vice-versa. Wikipedia also explains digital convergances because it relies on the idea of participatory culture and collective intelligence.

3.     How does the Web make it possible for different kinds of digital convergence?

The web allows for the convergence of various kinds of digital media by being a free-for all for pictures, videos, music, audio, text, etc. Anyone can post anything onto the web, which can bring about the convergence of ideas, systems, formulas, lifestyles, events, and just about anything else.

4.     How can the Internet become a challenge for traditional authority? Use the political landscape changes in some counties to illustrate your answer.

The internet challenges traditional authority because many authorities in power still use a despotic style. They don't want their subjects to come upon ideas that may challenge their rule. Worse, those that wish to challenge it don't want the ideas to spread, which is the first tool the internet has. On the other hand, many positive rulers are susceptible the the internet creating falsehoods. A bad idea or lie could easily proliferate on the internet.

5.     Do you believe that getting information free can set us free eventually? Why or Why not? Do you see any concerns of the complete freedom or self-expression without limit on the Internet? Why or why not?

I do believe that free information will set us free. That doesn't mean there won't be casualties, though. All information is good information. It is a long and arduous road to come to the truth, but the journey is just as important. My concerns are over privacy, freedom, hate, and just about all ideological sentiments. They are subject to destruction. But, the god will prevail in time.

6.     In traditional media communication, it has the “vertical” authority. In the Web communication, it becomes “horizontal?” How do you explain the change? How does this create the possibility for digital media convergence?

"Vertical" authority refers to the media outlets' control over all forms of news and information. A consumer had to pay to access information that is told entirely from another source. Now, with web communication, this appears horizontal, not vertical. Now, users and consumers can create the media they want each other to consume. The web looks more like a gigantic network rather than a pyramid structure. Now, all forms of media technology and all aspects of the human condition are up for grabs (and shares, likes, favorites, etc.) from anyone plugged into the web.

7.     Why is that the Web is free critical for the success of the Web itself? How does that clash with the corporate business ideology? How does that pose challenges for copyright issues at the same time? What will happen if the Web is not free?

The Web must be free in order to fulfill its purpose. It must break all chains on communication and allow there to be a space of absolute free communication. Businesses, hoping to make money off of everything, are inherently against this. They would need to control the web in order to make money off of it. This is entirely possible and hopefully unlikely. Copyright laws may benefit from the web control, but, there must be an alternative outside of abandoning net neutrality. If the web is not free, the door swings wide open for corporate interests to dominate ideology and thought no longer becomes free.

COM 264: "Digital McLuhan"

1. What are the differences between the pre-literate acoustic world and the alphabetical visual world? How does the media of television become a part of the acoustic world?

In the pre-literate acoustic world, messages were exchanged predominately through sound. While this tended to lend more control to the speaker - reducing bias and misunderstandings - the messages would die as people died. In the alphabetical visual world, messages remain broadcasted through a variety of channels in recognizable forms. While they do not die, they are more susceptible to ailments like misunderstandings and manipulations. Television combines the two, synthesizing audio and visual into one element.

2. Why does the alphabet have the segregating tendencies? How exactly does the printing press reverse the segregating tendencies?

The alphabet has segregating tendencies because, during media infancy, very few people were literate, and even those that were could not scramble around a book and all read it at once. This caused the rich elite to process the alphabet slowly, hardly close to the masses. The printing press sends the message out to the population. Although it is susceptible to classist machinations, it has developed over time to reach the vast majority of the population. Lagging behind, literacy moved faster to catch up with the spreading printing press.

3. How does the alphabetic communication in online communication make cyberspace acoustic? How is the online acoustic world different from the television, radio, or print acoustic world?

Online communication is truly acoustic not because digital messages appear as a visual, but, the message exchange is nearly identical to an acoustic exchange. Real-time live chatting allows people from any corner of the globe to have a conversation as if they were in front of each other, exchanging acoustics. The television, radio, and print acoustic world is entirely different because they are controlled mediums. The internet is free flowing and contingent only on choice. No one can have a conversation with a new anchor, radio host, or talk show host in real time when engaging them through their respective acoustic worlds.

4. Not only do we invent media and media technologies but also we select their uses in different contexts. What are the two selection criteria? According to the selection criteria, please discuss what will happen to our online communication in 20 years.

The two selection criteria lie on the belief that we can become greater than our human limitations. First, the media must be larger than our given senses. Second, we want the exchanged communication to be as close to an organic exchange as possible. People want to experience the human condition to the absolute maximum, which we believe is possible through media. Therefore it must feel like we genuinely are visiting the Grand Canyon or Paris. Online communication will steer towards virtual reality components, allowing people to (artificially) feel the senses of being in certain places or having certain experiences.

Questions for Introduction

1. Convergence occurs in the communication and mass media field because these fields own and

operate the majority of mediums used to communicate. The two conditions that lead to convergence
 
are participatory culture and collective intelligence.

2. The three kinds of The three kinds of digital convergence discussed in the article are social media converging with news media, grassroots media converging with mass media, and new media converging with old media.

3. Convergence has created many different social impacts. The power of public opinion has increased ten-fold, so, being able to control it is imperative. Ideas flow at a faster rate and images and stories are shared in an instant. Companies and industries have to reevaluate their positions in society, merge, hire new specialists, etc., which all have an impact on the job market.

4. No, the two converge. These mediums will always exist, just their form will change. They may try to gather functions of the new media in order to stay relevant. No matter what, the synthesis that occurs never completely eradicates old media.

5. The producer and consumer now work together to create mass communication. The producer must cater and bend to the will of the consumer, or else they will find a producer that will. Therefore the producer loses a lot of power and control over how they operate. Media consumption must now be marketable; pure existence isn't enough.

6. Communications and journalism professionals must adapt to all forms of digital communication. They will have to learn how to write in smaller bytes, navigate many stories quickly, and offer tricks that pull in the consumer. It must span all of the media formats, whether identical or tailored, and must be immediate.

Hello, world!