Dr. Internet

In the mediated society we live in today there is nothing left unthought-of. Instead of waiting in bacteria baths that are modern day medical waiting rooms we can now step into the role of doctor. More and more people are self-diagnosing illness and all with the click of a mouse.

“This is likely to be due in part to the fact that rates of broadband internet access are rising, although there is also evidence that, as people become more accustomed to internet use, they are more likely to use it for more sophisticated tasks such as accessing health-related sites.“ (Lewis 2006, 524)

With the focus today on the individual’s responsibility for their health it is no surprise that the use of the Internet has become such a recognizable helping hand. We are living in a society full of information ready to be absorbed.

Endorsed by non other than Oprah Winfrey I undertook a lengthy but intriguing survey and was offered health, fitness and dietary tips and given a “real age” of 15.5 (realage.com). With the click of a mouse I shaved 3 years off my age and was given healthy guidelines to follow to maintain my youth.

Test you "RealAge" at
www.realage.com

The Internet is revolutionizing the medical world and with 53% of adults using the Internet to retrieve health care information in 2002 (Lewis 2006, 524), by 2020 the days of visiting your local GP may be over. So embrace the gift of online knowledge and go forth and self help!

Reference List:

Lewis, T. (2006). Seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondria? Media, Culture & Society, volume 28, issue 4: 521-539. 

Caught in the Media Rip

It is not often that you read something that simply phrases your thoughts into a logically structured commentary. Deuze has done just that.

The world we live in today is submerged in the ocean that is media (Deuze 2011) and so it seems that we are no longer living alongside media but inside it. Everyday we are contributing to the global warming rise of the mediated ocean, until one-day media will have consumed every aspect of everyday life. Although this may seem dramatic, the rise of media in everyday life is a reality.

We may argue our use of media is not significant but our ability to construct our lives and identity through media is shadowing ones ability to recognize their media habits because they are a constitutive part of them (Deuze 2011). “Metaphorically speaking, we are now all living inside our very own Truman Show (referring to the 1998 movie by director Peter Weir): a world characterized by pervasive and ubiquitous media that we are constantly and concurrently deeply immersed in, that we are the stars of, and that dominate and shape all aspects of our everyday life.” (Deuze 2011)

The mediated world has a strong hold on everyday life and our ability as individuals to overcome this is difficult. Not only are we using it we are flaunting it. We live in a world where having the latest iPad is like wearing the Winter Gucci collection. Deny it if you will but first surrender your phone!

I am swimming in the mediated ocean and I love it!

Reference List:

Deuze, M. (2011). Media Life. In Media, Culture & Society, Volume 33, issue 1, pp. 137-148. Accessed April 4, 2011 from http://mcs.sagepub.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/content/33/1/137.full.pdf

Old Testament vs. New Media Testament

In our everyday communications we follow an unspoken etiquette, be it through our body language or the spoken word, manners go a long way. It is no surprise then that the term “netiquette” was formed, and from this, the Ten Commandments for computer users. The growth of the computer age has seen a religious like law on how to and how not to approach computer ethics.

Generation Y is new media, the Internet is our bible and Websites are the books of our bible.

Much like the book of Exodus, Arlene Rinaldi’s website offers us the “Ten Commandments for Computer Ethics” (Hamelink 2006). Although we have been given a moral code to follow both in our religious lives and mediated lives, it is not a necessary path we must follow. Are we breaking away from the ethical standards written for us and leading towards a life of lies and deceit?

“Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people”…enter cyber bullying.

“Thou shalt not use a computer to steal”…enter illegal downloading.

“Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness”…enter identity creation in social networks.

The Internets “anonymous nature renders lies and deceit easy and attractive” (Hamelink 2006) and so we as a society are steering away from the Ten Commandments for computer ethics. In traditional times this may be seen as failure to follow religious law, but with the growth of the new computer age is failure to follow an ethical standard becoming socially acceptable? My guess is yes. 

Reference List:

Hamelink, C. (2006). The Ethics of the Internet: Can we cope with Lies and Deceit on the Net? In Ideologies of the Internet, K. Sarikakis & Daya Thussu, pp. 115-130. New Jersey: Hampton Press.

https://cmd.library.qut.edu.au/KCB206/KCB206_BK_313947.pdf 

New Media, New Distribution

What is it that makes new media stand apart from traditional media?

New media is the convergence of traditional media with those media forms underpinning contemporary society, computers and mediated communication. Ultimately, new media has created an intersection between different forms of media enhancing the individual’s ability to access such things as films through the Internet. Through the use of a mobile device it is as easy as ever for me to download my favourite film whilst watching an episode of Friends.

Indian film companies have grasped the simplicity of distributing pirated content and felt the effects this has had on revenue. Thus, Bollywood’s film industry is taking to the Internet to market and distribute content, aiming to reduce the negative impact of piracy. This initiative will not only incorporate Bollywood films but also allow “fans around the world to watch thousands of films, TV shows, music videos and more – much of it for free.” (Singh 2008)

Bollywood film industries have exemplified that working with new media and allowing the distribution of content online will only offer benefits. Rajshri.com “proved that producers are best off releasing their films simultaneously (online and offline) – this way you are essentially creating a new market that would earlier either not have watched your film, or would’ve watched a pirated CD.” (Singh 2008)

Ultimately, new media does not have to have a negative impact on the distribution of films. New media offers film industries the chance to expand their fan base AND revenue through the distribution of films online. It is inevitable, but how long will it be until we see the Australia film industry take this approach on board?

We cannot shadow the powerful effects of new media and thus we must work with them. 

Reference List:

Singh, M. (2008).  Bollywood's Viral Video in Time International (Canada Edition), Vol. 171, Issue 14 . Accessed March 20, 2011 from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1713342,00.html. 

Identity creation in a New Media World

Analogously, face-to-face communication and mediated communication both fuel stereotypes within contemporary society. As a run of the mill teenager walking the path of self-discovery, it is stereotypes thrown at me from a young age that have seemingly shaped how I am viewed by the world around me. With the rise of mediated communication the individual’s ability to express identity in new forms has simplified the act of self-reformation. We as individuals are given the opportunity to thwart stereotypes and reconstruct them to suite the person we want to be.

The connections one shows through new media outlets, such as social networking sites, are an expression of self that can be a defining characteristic of ones identity. “Seeing someone within the context of their connections provides the viewer with information about them. Social status, political beliefs, musical taste, etc, may be inferred from the company one keeps.” (Donath and Boyd 2004, 72) The connections one chooses to display ultimately shape the way the public views their identity. New media is an outlet for individuals to redefine their identity through self allocated connections, ultimately, providing a means to diminish unwanted stereotypes. “Online users…can deliberately choose to put forth identity cues or claims of self that can closely resemble or wildly differ from reality.” (Pearson 2009, 1)

With social networking sites storming the Internet, the intersection between new media and the self has expanded greatly. The rise of new media has provided a means for expression, recreation of self and divergence of media privileged stereotypes. Through the display of public connections we can now create our own identity and influence the construction of stereotypes in a positive and empowering manner. Go forth and create your identity! 

Reference List:

Pearson, E. (2009). “All the World Wide Web's a stage: the Performance of Identity in Online Social Networks”. First Monday, volume 14, Number 3. Accessed March 12, 2011. http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/contentWrapper.jsp?content_id=_3612480_1&displayName=Week+2+Readings&course_id=_74007_1&navItem=content&href=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstmonday.org%2Fhtbin%2Fcgiwrap%2Fbin%2Fojs%2Findex.php%2Ffm%2Farticle%2Fview%2F2162%2F2127      

Donath, J. and Boyd, D. (2004). "Public displays of connection". BT Technology Journal , volume 22 (4): 71-82. Accessed March 12, 2011. http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/contentWrapper.jsp?content_id=_3612480_1&displayName=Week+2+Readings&course_id=_74007_1&navItem=content&href=http%3A%2F%2Fsmg.media.mit.edu%2Fpapers%2FDonath%2FPublicDisplays.pdf