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