So far I have three articles reviewed and I'm in the process of three more. Right now my thesis looks like this: Online social networking tools lead to stronger weak networking ties in result creating leadership.
Quality of Relationships
In the article, “The quality of online and offline relationships: the role of multiplexity and duration of social relationships”, Gustavo Mesch and Ilan Talmud tackle the enormous task of bridging the gap between previous research in regards to the “effect of the Internet on existing relationships” and “online-only ties” (2006, p. 137). Mesch and Talmud (2006) argue, “that the quality of social relationships is dependent on duration and diversity of topics and activities carried together” (p. 137). Overall Mesch and Talmud (2006) discovered, “the closeness to a friend is a function of social similarity, content and activity multiplexity, and duration of the relationships” that “friendships originated in the Internet are perceived as less close and supportive because they are relatively new and online friends are involved in less joint activities and less topics of discussion” (p. 137)
Mesch and Talmud’s (2006) study was conducted as part of the annual national youth survey by the Minerva center for Youth Studies at the University of Haifa. The data for the study was collected between June and October of 2004 which covered a representative sample of 1,000 households. Of the 1,000 households contacted, 987 adolescents participated in the study. The average age of the respondents was 15.52 and the mix of girls versus boys was 48% to 52% respectively (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 140-141).
The survey used was constructed of questions relating to social and demographic characteristics of the individuals, sociodemographic characteristics of their closest friend, types of resources exchanged, and degree of perceived closeness to each friend. In addition, the survey asked for the names of six close friends as well as provide information on the friend’s age, gender, place of residence, and whether or not the friend was met for the first time at school, through extracurricular activities, in the neighborhood or online (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 140).
A few of the tools of measurement used to quantify the data was dependent variables of intensity of friendship, mulitplexity, strength of ties, and similarity. Intensity of friendship was determined by asking the “respondents to state how long they had known each friend” (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 140). Multiplexity was broken down into two parts, content and activity and two different scales were built to measure this. Content multiplexity was derived from asking the individuals to indicate frequency of topic of conversation between them and their friends on school, parents, family, friends, sports, personal problems, music and TV programs, romantic relationships, and dress and fashion. Activity multiplexity was indicated by asking the individual the activities they did with their first friend. Strength of ties was measured by questions on a 5-point Likert scale which referred to how close the individual felt to their first friend, how important they were to them, how much they would ask for help from them and how far they trusted them. Similarity was broken down into three parts and measured by propinquity, age, and gender. Propinquity was measured by place of residence of first friend and so was age and gender (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 140-141).
The findings of this study found, “partial support for the association of social similarity and various measures of relational intensity and content of relationship” (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 146). As previous studies had stated, Mesch and Telmud 2006) found, “that gender similarity and propinquity were positively related to the duration of friendship”, “adolescents of the same sex reported knowing each other longer” and residence “in the same location reported the same” (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 146-147). On the other hand, “in all the models measuring intensity and content of the relationships the origin of the relationship was found to be significant” (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 147) and confirmed their argument. Mesch and Talmud (2006) found, “Adolescents with an online friend reported that this friend was known for a shorter time than face-to-face friends, they discussed fewer topics, and they participated in fewer shared activities” (p. 147). According to Mesch and Talmud (2006), “The finding seem to indicate that online friends play a reduced and probably more specialized role in the lives of (the adolescents) than face-to-face friends at extracurricular activities and parties” (Mesch & Talmud, 2006, p. 147).
The Role of Strong and Weak Network Ties
Sarah L. Jack (2005) in the article, “The role, use and activation of strong and weak network ties: a qualitative analysis” demonstrates how the aforementioned aspects of both strong and weak network ties play out in an entrepreneurial setting. Jack (2005) uses a “qualitative ethnographic approach to explore in-depth the networking activities” and “aims to enhance understanding about the role of ties, how they are used and activated for business activity” (Jack, 2005, p. 1233).
Jack (2005) selected fourteen individuals, from the Highlands of Scotland, through the use of theoretical sampling from an initial group of forty. According to Alvesson and Skolberg (2000, p, 27) “theoretical sampling has two main steps” (as cited by Jack, 2005, p. 1240. Jack (2005) first minimized the differences between the groups by “identifying basic categories” and then maximized the differences “to enable the researcher to investigate these category properties in their greatest possible range and begin weaving them together into a more substantial theory” (Jack, 2005, p. 1240). The original forty respondents were interviewed and these interviews were used to “recognized and test emerging themes” (Jack, 2007, p. 1240).
The methods used by Jack (2005) were ethnography and interviewing. According to Gill and Johnson (1997) the ethnography used was “based on what are termed as ‘naturalist modes of inquiry’ such as participant observation and semi-structured interviews, within a predominantly inductive framework” (as sited in Jack 2005, p. 1239). According to Jack (2005) ethnography “allowed a rich body of contextual information to be collected from a wide range of primary sources and it provided a guiding framework for research” (Jack, 2005, p. 1240). In addition Jack (2005) states, “This material represented a resource for comparison with, and triangulation of, the emerging research themes and addressed the broader theoretical issues” (Jack, 2005, p. 1241). The interviews conducted were “based on a semi-structured schedule which contained specific areas on which respondents were questioned at length”. In order to keep with the ethnographic methodology, Jack (2005) conducted the interviews “wherever and whenever possible: chatting over a cup of coffee, lunch or a drink at the local pub, chance meetings on the street or in a local shop, community events and get-togethers” (Jack, 2005, p. 1242). All of the interviews varied in length from a couple of hours to over six and helped to “triangulate the data by clarifying meaning and identifying different ways in which the phenomena could be seen” (Jack, 2005, p.1242).
Once the data was collected it was sorted for analysis. The interviews were “taped and transcribed, field notes were collated and observations were written up” (Jack, 2005, p. 1242). “The ‘raw’ data was then written up in ‘cases’” which provided a way to “sort the rich data that had been gathered through documents, interviews, observations and discussion” (Jack, 2005, p. 1242). The cases were then analyzed and compared, “to determine categories and general patterns of activities; each incident was continually compared with others within the emergent categories to refine both description and explanation” (Jack, 2005, p. 1242). Finally, themes were derived from the literature and the data was examined for details relating to these themes.
Jack (2005) findings “propose that it is strong ties that are activated by the entrepreneur to draw information and resources into the business” (Jack, 2005, p. 1252). In addition, Jack (2005) states, “the data also highlights the complex nature of networking. It seems that the nature of networks is about the links and bonds that form the foundations of the network and shape its actual structure” (Jack, 2005, p. 1254). Jack (2005) applies Granovetter’s strong and weak tie hypothesis to the findings and questions the way ties are defined as well as indicates the defiencies in this hypothesis. Jack (2005) writes, “for instance, differentiating ties in terms of interaction, looking to weak ties for diversity and opportunities in resources and information and perceiving networks built predominantly on strong ties to be inefficient” (Jack, 2005, p. 1254). Jack (2005) believes future research needs to be done in order to consider the “actual function and utility of network ties” (Jack, 2005, p. 1245).
Weak Ties in Networked Communities
Andrea L. Kavanaugh, Debbie Denise Reese, John M. Carroll and Mary Beth Rosson, (2005) in Weak ties in networked communites, explore how both strong and weak social networking ties across groups are more effective for collective action. Kavanaugh et al (2005) state, “Communities with ‘bridging’ social capital (weak ties across groups) as well as ‘bonding’ social capital (strong ties within groups) are the most effective in organizing for collective action” (Kavanaugh et al, 2005, p. 119). Kavanaugh et al (2005) believe using communication media such as the Internet enhances the capability to educate community members and to organize for collective action. Ultimately, Kavanaugh et al (2005) look to prove that people with weak (bridging) ties across groups have “higher levels of community involvement, civic interest, and collective efficacy than people without bridging ties” (Kavanaugh et al, 2005, p. 119).
Kavanaugh et al (20005) used a survey questionnaire to a stratified random sample of 100 households in Blacksburg and Montgomery Counties, Virginia. The households were stratified based on education level, Internet use, and location. When the household had accepted to participate, each member completed a survey questionnaire (modified for younger participants) and a group interview was conducted. The adult survey questionnaire inquired about community involvement, organizational memberships, level of organizational participation, Internet use, social circles, collective efficacy, psychological attributes, significant life changes and basic demographics. Out of the nine categories of questions used, six research themes emerged: community involvement, activities and/or interests, collective efficacy, Internet behavior and effects, social networks and psychological scales.
Community involvement was organized into three topics of community involvement, community attachment and local organization affiliation and roles (leader, member, attendee). Each topic used a frequency scale, ranging from never or almost never to several times a day, over the past 6 months. A typology of aggregating variables related to common constructs was created and then the correlations on the variables for each construct were run through reliability tests. The Internet use was measured including amount of use (number of hours in a typical day) as well as the type and frequency of online activity over the past 6 months. The use of measurement was a frequency scale ranging from “almost never” to “several times a day”. The participation in local groups and organizations was measured by asking the participants to write down the name of each local organization in which they were involved and then the role they served, choosing from a list given including attendee, member, financial contributor, and/or leader, within that organization. From this, the participants were then broken down into two categories of bridges (members or leaders into or more organizations) and nonbridges (members or leaders in one or no organizations). Lastly, community efficacy was measured by a 13-item scale where each item pertained to a key area of community challenge and/or achievement. The directions was to rate the community’s ability to achieve each goal listed and the 5-point scale used was not well at all, not too well, somewhat well, pretty well and very well (Kavanaugh et al, 2005, p. 122-123).
Kavanaugh et al (2005) found, after all data was analyzed, “the average number of local organizations with which respondents are affiliated is 2.4 groups” which was just above other studies and shows “two local affiliations to be about average” (Kavanaugh et al, 2005, p. 123). Kavanaugh et al (2005) also found, “just under half of respondents are classified as bridges” and “just over half of respondents are categorized as a ‘nonbridge’ (Kavanaugh et al (2005), p. 123). In addition, Kavanaugh et al (2005) found, “Leader bridges report a higher number of weak ties (acquaintances) than both member bridges and nonbridges, and they e-mail a higher percentage of acquaintances than either member bridges or nonbridges do. Member bridges also have a higher number of weak ties than nonbridges, and email a higher percentage of acquaintances than nonbridges” (Kavanaugh et al, 2005, p. 124).
Overall, Kavanaugh et al (2005) states, “the data show that people who act as weak ties (bridges) between groups are better educated, more informed, and more extroverted (Kavanaugh et al, 2005, p. 127). The research by Kavanaugh et al (2005) shows that individuals considered “bridges” have “higher levels of activism, trust, community involvement, participation, civic interest, and community attachment” (Kavanaugh et al (2005) p. 127). Lastly, Kavanaugh et al (2005) found, “Leaders or members of multiple groups, serving as weak social ties across diverse groups, use computer networking to exchange information an ideas across diverse groups, thereby increasing the pace and scope at which communities can educate and engage citizens and act collectively to solve problems” (Kavanaugh et al, 2005, p. 130).
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What is a glitch?
The article titled The aesthetics of failure: “post digital” tendencies in contemporary computer music, is about the mishaps in the creation of new music which has ultimately created the new music. Basically the by product of the invention is actually the invention. In addition to this the more basic something is the better it sounds and the more it catches on with others.
Three key ideas are the inspiration, the idea and the tools. The inspiration for the new art was looking past the subject and shifting the focus “from foreground to background (for instance, from portraiture to landscape painting), it helped to expand their perceptual boundaries, enabling them to capture the background’s enigmatic character”. The idea then became the glitch, which was an “emergent genre that consciously builds on these ideas”, the ideas being the expansion of perceptual boundaries. Finally the tools, “computers have become the primary tools for creating and performing electronic music, while the Internet has become a logical new distribution medium.
The most challenging concept form me throughout this article was the idea that if this new type of music is very hard to understand and accomplish in addition to each piece of music is very short what is the attraction to it?
Are these individuals who use these “ ‘devices’ such as absinthe, narcotics, or mystical states to help make the jump from merely expanding their perceptual boundaries to hoisting themselves into territories beyond these boundaries” leaders? Why? If these are not the leaders then who are?
The tools in this concept is the computer and the internet which are the tools which are used in my topic of social networking. Without these tools this art form as well as my topic of social networking would not be in existence and it is important to see that. Sometimes the idea is not enough but the tools which lend a helping hand are very influential.
Loving the ghost in the machine is very similar to the first article in regards to the term glitch and how it is used to create. The difference being here that the glitch is something of a higher power and to catch it in all it’s glory, being that of it’s original state, is the only time in which one can experience it wholly. The glitch is to be praised and treated as sacred.
The three key terms in this piece are machines, refrain and deterritorialization. The machine is, “a system of interruptions or breaks” which is “cutting and redirecting the energetic flows of preconscious world, which can be thought of as an infinitely assemblage or machines acting upon other machines upon others etc”. All in all the machine creates the glitch which creates the art. Secondly, the refrain is the idea “that illustrates the constantly shifting nature of relations between territorialized or habitual milieu and the chaos of the outside forces”. All in all the refrain is the common factor which in music would be the rhythmic element. Lastly, deterritorialization, “flattens down the hierarchical organiaiotn of music into a rhizome” and this is done by recording. Recording of music or “sound processing technology” has “helped in breaking with the traditional musical notation and the ideal of a pure musical from”.
The most difficult aspect for me to grasp in this piece was idea of desiring a machine. I understand wanting the next newest and greatest piece of technology in order to create a new piece of art but can it be taken so far as to be called desired?
A few questions I would like to further explore would be if the technology keeps making it easier for people to deterritorialize the art will there still be leaders in the industry? What type of deterritorialization will it take to become a leader? Can there be too much deterritorialization?
I think this article is very closely related to my article in the same ways as the previous with the idea of the computer and internet being the medium for social networking. I also believe this now deterritorializes the idea of social networking both in time and over space making it a very accessible and easy thing to do. The question still arises though about the leader, who is now the leader of these types of groups? Is there even a leader?
Three key ideas are the inspiration, the idea and the tools. The inspiration for the new art was looking past the subject and shifting the focus “from foreground to background (for instance, from portraiture to landscape painting), it helped to expand their perceptual boundaries, enabling them to capture the background’s enigmatic character”. The idea then became the glitch, which was an “emergent genre that consciously builds on these ideas”, the ideas being the expansion of perceptual boundaries. Finally the tools, “computers have become the primary tools for creating and performing electronic music, while the Internet has become a logical new distribution medium.
The most challenging concept form me throughout this article was the idea that if this new type of music is very hard to understand and accomplish in addition to each piece of music is very short what is the attraction to it?
Are these individuals who use these “ ‘devices’ such as absinthe, narcotics, or mystical states to help make the jump from merely expanding their perceptual boundaries to hoisting themselves into territories beyond these boundaries” leaders? Why? If these are not the leaders then who are?
The tools in this concept is the computer and the internet which are the tools which are used in my topic of social networking. Without these tools this art form as well as my topic of social networking would not be in existence and it is important to see that. Sometimes the idea is not enough but the tools which lend a helping hand are very influential.
Loving the ghost in the machine is very similar to the first article in regards to the term glitch and how it is used to create. The difference being here that the glitch is something of a higher power and to catch it in all it’s glory, being that of it’s original state, is the only time in which one can experience it wholly. The glitch is to be praised and treated as sacred.
The three key terms in this piece are machines, refrain and deterritorialization. The machine is, “a system of interruptions or breaks” which is “cutting and redirecting the energetic flows of preconscious world, which can be thought of as an infinitely assemblage or machines acting upon other machines upon others etc”. All in all the machine creates the glitch which creates the art. Secondly, the refrain is the idea “that illustrates the constantly shifting nature of relations between territorialized or habitual milieu and the chaos of the outside forces”. All in all the refrain is the common factor which in music would be the rhythmic element. Lastly, deterritorialization, “flattens down the hierarchical organiaiotn of music into a rhizome” and this is done by recording. Recording of music or “sound processing technology” has “helped in breaking with the traditional musical notation and the ideal of a pure musical from”.
The most difficult aspect for me to grasp in this piece was idea of desiring a machine. I understand wanting the next newest and greatest piece of technology in order to create a new piece of art but can it be taken so far as to be called desired?
A few questions I would like to further explore would be if the technology keeps making it easier for people to deterritorialize the art will there still be leaders in the industry? What type of deterritorialization will it take to become a leader? Can there be too much deterritorialization?
I think this article is very closely related to my article in the same ways as the previous with the idea of the computer and internet being the medium for social networking. I also believe this now deterritorializes the idea of social networking both in time and over space making it a very accessible and easy thing to do. The question still arises though about the leader, who is now the leader of these types of groups? Is there even a leader?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
I Love Star Wars!
In order for any industry to survive there needs to be both a consumer and a producer and the film industry is no different. In addition to the consumption of a product or good there are always individuals who are trying to get the goods for cheaper and again the film industry cannot escape this. In the world of ever converging media the film industry has hit a wall when it comes to amateur film makers/fans wanting to take their creative energy a step further and immerse themselves in the world of what they are a fan of. Not only do they want to stifle the piracy and copyright infringement on the one hand but on the other they encourage the fans to continue to be fans. It cannot be said better than, “Marketers have turned our children into walking, talking billboards who wear logos on their T-shirts, sew patches on their backpacks, plaster stickers on their lockers, hang posters on their walls, but they must not, under any penalty of law, post them on their home pages” (p. 138).
This piracy and copyright infringement has become more of an issue due to mass media convergence. Within this convergence culture, “everyone’s a participant – although participants may have different degrees of status and influence” (p. 132). Although individuals may participate there is a distinction between this and interactivity. “Interactivity refers to the ways that new technologies have been designed to be more responsive to consumer feedback” (p. 133). This participation and interactivity would not have become such and issue if it was not for the Web. The Web, “has become a site of consumer participation that includes many unauthorized and unanticipated ways of relating to media content” (p. 133).
Overall all the concepts in this reading were well thought out and explained thoroughly but the one issue I could not seem to grasp was that of the role the film companies play in all of this. On the one hand they say they want the fans to participate and be creative but at the same time the fans have to tread lightly as to how they actually portray their creativeness. I understand the issue with the piracy and copyright infringement but how can the film companies then state they want the full following of all their fans?
Are the film companies being too strict with their policies? Are the film companies too confusing to the fans? What is a better way to deal with this media convergence to make both sides of the fence happy?
The idea of fan clubs for different causes coming together online via the internet is a type of social networking group. This type of tie can either be considered strong or weak depending on the individuals who maintain the tie and how closely or how much distance they would like to keep from the other fans. In addition these ties whether they be weak or strong have a great significance in the formation of the group and how it is maintained through the individuals.
This piracy and copyright infringement has become more of an issue due to mass media convergence. Within this convergence culture, “everyone’s a participant – although participants may have different degrees of status and influence” (p. 132). Although individuals may participate there is a distinction between this and interactivity. “Interactivity refers to the ways that new technologies have been designed to be more responsive to consumer feedback” (p. 133). This participation and interactivity would not have become such and issue if it was not for the Web. The Web, “has become a site of consumer participation that includes many unauthorized and unanticipated ways of relating to media content” (p. 133).
Overall all the concepts in this reading were well thought out and explained thoroughly but the one issue I could not seem to grasp was that of the role the film companies play in all of this. On the one hand they say they want the fans to participate and be creative but at the same time the fans have to tread lightly as to how they actually portray their creativeness. I understand the issue with the piracy and copyright infringement but how can the film companies then state they want the full following of all their fans?
Are the film companies being too strict with their policies? Are the film companies too confusing to the fans? What is a better way to deal with this media convergence to make both sides of the fence happy?
The idea of fan clubs for different causes coming together online via the internet is a type of social networking group. This type of tie can either be considered strong or weak depending on the individuals who maintain the tie and how closely or how much distance they would like to keep from the other fans. In addition these ties whether they be weak or strong have a great significance in the formation of the group and how it is maintained through the individuals.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
What's dead?
Why the Digital Computer is Dead
In this article Chris Chesner shares his thoughts on why he believes the digital computer is a misnomer. Chesner goes in to explaining the definition of computation, “The suffix ‘-puter’ is related to the Latin putare, for pruning, cleansing or reckoning. So computing brings things together and cleans them up for use in estimations. It takes data – literally ‘givens’ – and extracts them from the contexts out of which they were gathered” (Chesner, p. 3). Chesner believes the more correct way to look at this medium is to see that “what makes new media new is that they media powers of invocation: powers to call things up” (Chesner, p. 1).
In order to justify Chesner’s new word for this medium, invocation, he goes on to write about the three orders of innovation which explain in more detail why this word is more applicable than digital computer. The first order is fetch execute cycle which, “abstracts switchings to a point where individual invocations interleave and merge into a constant stream. With millions of invocations per second, early 21st century invocational devices have become platforms for all manner of mediated events: well beyond calculating equations, invocational media are called upon to support an enormous range of cultural practices: reading, writing, viewing, playing, conversing, controlling and so on” (Chesner, p. 9). The second order is invocationary act and refers to the users of the invocational devices and are “largerly unaware of most of the lower level processes that allow them to achieve their tasks at hand” ultimately having to deal with “the trade off between power and precision” (Chesner, p. 9). Chesner articulates this with the following example, “When I start using a new program I have to take some time away from my immediate task to learn how to use its features” and “I am called away from my usual duties by the software until I become competent to invoke what I want when I want it” (Chesner, p. 9). The third order refers to a “collection of cultural assumptions, discourses, ideologies or symbolic and material resources” which provide great anxiety for individuals when concepts like “artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and artificial life” are thrown into the mix.
I believe Chesner makes a good argument as to why digital computer is dead but I would really like to know why this term has not caught on and would like to discuss further why this is. Could it be a cultural issue, an ethical one or is this too thought out and precise that individuals are scared of it and do not like the idea of change.
A few questions I would like to put forth are: Are we ready for a term as Chesner describes or are we too scared of it? If we where to change over to this term would we have to educate all as to why or would they be excepting enough to trust the new name was the best for this medium?
This topic brings great relevance to my thesis because I am dealing with online social networking and the ties it creates for individuals. It makes me stop and think if we were to deem the digital computer as dead then how does online social networking fit into this new term of invocation? What exactly is online social networking invoking and how does it relate to the data elements of invocation as discussed in the article? This is great food for thought.
The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction
Walter Benjamin writes a very difficult piece on how reproduction of art is producing new art. Benjamin is basically saying that technology lends a wonderful hand in reproducing art so now instead of having to travel to a certain city or spot to see a piece of art it can now be bought in a reproduction of itself and placed in a home. Even though on the surface this may seem like a wonderful thing Benjamin believes the more something has been reproduced the integrity of it or it’s ‘aura’ either lessens or transforms.
The aura of something, Benjamin explains, “We define aura as the unique phenomenon of a distance, however close it may be. If, while resting on a summer afternoon, you follow with your eyes a mountain range on the horizon or a branch which casts its shadow over you, you experience the aura of those mountains, of that branch” (Benjamin, p. 7). In addition the exhibition value of a work of art “becomes a creation with entirely new functions, among which the one we are conscious of, the artistic function, later may be recognized as incidental” (Benjamin, p. 10). The exhibition value of a piece of art changes depending on the audience in which is experiencing it and Benjamin believes this is due to the creation of photography and film because they make it possible to bring the art to the individual instead of making the individual go to the art. Lastly Benjamin believes the cult value of a piece of art “retires into an ultimate retrenchment: the human countenance. It is no accident that the portrait was the focal point of early photography” but “the cult of remembrance of loved ones, absent or dead, offers a last refuge for the cult value the picture” (Benjamin, p. 11).
One of the challenging aspects of this article for me was how do we encourage art and keep the original ‘aura’ of it but still make it possible for others to enjoy. With the reproduction of art at a vast rate and the creation of additional forms reproduction and sharing such as creative commons, which allows individuals to get around copyright infringement, how do we still get to preserve the ‘aura’?
How do we preserve traditional art and it’s aura as well as exhibition and cult value but still be able to reproduce for all to enjoy?
Is it possible to make traditional art replicable without stifling it?
This is a relevant topic to my thesis of online social networking because many individuals may form ties between each other based on some type of art they have experience. If the art was examined in person and the individual was able to experience the aura first hand and go back to an online social networking group maybe this experience can be shared with others. There may be a possibility that if the art was not experienced the same way as others in the group that the ties between the individuals may be weaker. In the end the weakness of the ties may be a good thing but you will have to read my paper in order to find out why.
In this article Chris Chesner shares his thoughts on why he believes the digital computer is a misnomer. Chesner goes in to explaining the definition of computation, “The suffix ‘-puter’ is related to the Latin putare, for pruning, cleansing or reckoning. So computing brings things together and cleans them up for use in estimations. It takes data – literally ‘givens’ – and extracts them from the contexts out of which they were gathered” (Chesner, p. 3). Chesner believes the more correct way to look at this medium is to see that “what makes new media new is that they media powers of invocation: powers to call things up” (Chesner, p. 1).
In order to justify Chesner’s new word for this medium, invocation, he goes on to write about the three orders of innovation which explain in more detail why this word is more applicable than digital computer. The first order is fetch execute cycle which, “abstracts switchings to a point where individual invocations interleave and merge into a constant stream. With millions of invocations per second, early 21st century invocational devices have become platforms for all manner of mediated events: well beyond calculating equations, invocational media are called upon to support an enormous range of cultural practices: reading, writing, viewing, playing, conversing, controlling and so on” (Chesner, p. 9). The second order is invocationary act and refers to the users of the invocational devices and are “largerly unaware of most of the lower level processes that allow them to achieve their tasks at hand” ultimately having to deal with “the trade off between power and precision” (Chesner, p. 9). Chesner articulates this with the following example, “When I start using a new program I have to take some time away from my immediate task to learn how to use its features” and “I am called away from my usual duties by the software until I become competent to invoke what I want when I want it” (Chesner, p. 9). The third order refers to a “collection of cultural assumptions, discourses, ideologies or symbolic and material resources” which provide great anxiety for individuals when concepts like “artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and artificial life” are thrown into the mix.
I believe Chesner makes a good argument as to why digital computer is dead but I would really like to know why this term has not caught on and would like to discuss further why this is. Could it be a cultural issue, an ethical one or is this too thought out and precise that individuals are scared of it and do not like the idea of change.
A few questions I would like to put forth are: Are we ready for a term as Chesner describes or are we too scared of it? If we where to change over to this term would we have to educate all as to why or would they be excepting enough to trust the new name was the best for this medium?
This topic brings great relevance to my thesis because I am dealing with online social networking and the ties it creates for individuals. It makes me stop and think if we were to deem the digital computer as dead then how does online social networking fit into this new term of invocation? What exactly is online social networking invoking and how does it relate to the data elements of invocation as discussed in the article? This is great food for thought.
The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction
Walter Benjamin writes a very difficult piece on how reproduction of art is producing new art. Benjamin is basically saying that technology lends a wonderful hand in reproducing art so now instead of having to travel to a certain city or spot to see a piece of art it can now be bought in a reproduction of itself and placed in a home. Even though on the surface this may seem like a wonderful thing Benjamin believes the more something has been reproduced the integrity of it or it’s ‘aura’ either lessens or transforms.
The aura of something, Benjamin explains, “We define aura as the unique phenomenon of a distance, however close it may be. If, while resting on a summer afternoon, you follow with your eyes a mountain range on the horizon or a branch which casts its shadow over you, you experience the aura of those mountains, of that branch” (Benjamin, p. 7). In addition the exhibition value of a work of art “becomes a creation with entirely new functions, among which the one we are conscious of, the artistic function, later may be recognized as incidental” (Benjamin, p. 10). The exhibition value of a piece of art changes depending on the audience in which is experiencing it and Benjamin believes this is due to the creation of photography and film because they make it possible to bring the art to the individual instead of making the individual go to the art. Lastly Benjamin believes the cult value of a piece of art “retires into an ultimate retrenchment: the human countenance. It is no accident that the portrait was the focal point of early photography” but “the cult of remembrance of loved ones, absent or dead, offers a last refuge for the cult value the picture” (Benjamin, p. 11).
One of the challenging aspects of this article for me was how do we encourage art and keep the original ‘aura’ of it but still make it possible for others to enjoy. With the reproduction of art at a vast rate and the creation of additional forms reproduction and sharing such as creative commons, which allows individuals to get around copyright infringement, how do we still get to preserve the ‘aura’?
How do we preserve traditional art and it’s aura as well as exhibition and cult value but still be able to reproduce for all to enjoy?
Is it possible to make traditional art replicable without stifling it?
This is a relevant topic to my thesis of online social networking because many individuals may form ties between each other based on some type of art they have experience. If the art was examined in person and the individual was able to experience the aura first hand and go back to an online social networking group maybe this experience can be shared with others. There may be a possibility that if the art was not experienced the same way as others in the group that the ties between the individuals may be weaker. In the end the weakness of the ties may be a good thing but you will have to read my paper in order to find out why.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Podcasting
Reading 1
In the podcast, How creativityis being strangled by the law, Larry Lessig talks about how new technology is being brought about and it is unable to be used to it’s fullest potential due to the fact of the hinderance of laws. Ultimately, Lessig, would like to believe if all individuals were able to use their creativity in conjunction with the technology the possibilities would be endless. One of the key ideas brought about by Lessig’s talk was that of the ReadWrite technology and how the internet revives this thought. In addition this revival brings about the “amateur culture” which is not that of the inexperience but rather the production of something based solely for the love of it rather than the necessity of it. A second key idea was the law not greeting this technology with open arms but instead coining the individuals who are using the technology more as copy right infringers or better yet trespassers. Lessig believes that common sense has not been used to enable this new form of creativity. Lastly, the third key idea was the solution to technology advancing through creativity is the artists need to not be so private with their ideas and creations but allow others to use the ideas as stepping stones and go further with them to create bigger and better things.
The most difficult concept developed in this podcasting was individuals and the law turning their heads to copy right infringement and laws. The laws were put into place for a reason and even though they may be hard to get around in order to use the technology to it’s best capability they are there to protect the individuals who were creative enough in the first place to create.
A couple of questions regarding this podcast are is there another way to get around the laws in order to still foster the creativity without being illegal and do the laws need to be changed in order to allow the creativity or is the creativity already brought about and we are not doing a good job to seeing it.
This reading does indirectly relate to my topic and brings more questions to mind for me to look into. In thinking about social networking and teenagers in regards to online relationships and how weak or strong the ties are maybe there is a missing link of creativity that is being brought about by these ties which is being overlooked. Maybe it’s not about the weak or strong ties between the relationships but more so how creative the individual is being and do these ties bring out more creativity because the individuals are now able to find others who have the same ideas and thoughts through the use of the internet and the online social networking sites.
Reading 2
The article, The Changing Face of Workplace Learning, speaks to the point of training in the workplace and how it is ever evolving. The new wave of workplace training is podcasting and or vodcasting. Podcasting is the idea that employees can download a training session straight to a their PC or in an effort to be more mobile the podcasts can be downloaded to a portable MP3 player such as an IPOD or in some cases a mobile phone or Blackberry. This change in training techniques enables companies to attack all angles of training needs especially in key areas such as the sales force whom are constantly on the go and outside of the office, ultimately unable to receive the traditional type of training in a classroom setting.
One key idea brought out by the reading is the notion of Tivo-ing the radio so anyone who would like to listen to a podcast can do it on their own time instead of at the specific time it is being presented. The idea of Tivo-ing the radio is brought about by the “format’s time-shift capability” which “enables more productive load-balancing during the workday, and the ability to listen on the go while driving to client meetings or work, walking the dow, or running on the treadmill, transforms downtime into constructive time”. A second idea is people being on the move and tailoring the technology to fit the need. Once the mobile learning strategy has been integrated then decisions like, “how long should the podcasts be? How frequently will they be produce? What format best addresses the audience, the company’s culture, and its business needs?” Depending on the answers to the above questions helps to define how the technology can be best used in each individual company’s learning experience in addition to tailoring it specifically to the culture. Lastly, a third key idea is creating a culture which promotes the idea of using podcasting outside of the workplace and on personal time. In order to adopt podcasting as a way of teaching the company needs to motivate the individuals to “devote their personal time to work” and this can be achieved by “a significant change in the company culture” which “means creating a completely new approach to learning”. This idea is a must if podcasting even has a chance of surviving as a way of learning.
The most difficult concept to grasp in this reading was the idea of turning the podcasting and vodcasting over to employees. I understand this approach brings about a type of realism to the employees but I can also see how this can be a liability to the company and would like to explore further how companies deal with this issue.
A couple of questions I would like to explore further is what type of culture does it take to adapt a type of learning technique as this and how would a company go about enforcing this technology on the individuals especially on the older generation who may not be as technologically savy.
This reading particularly relates to my topic of social networking in the fact that through this article a lot of networking takes place in this technology. Especially through the idea of doing podcasting with a follow up blog set up to address any additional questions or concerns an individual may have through listening to the podcasting. This would be a prime area of other individuals who have the same issues to talk them out through the blogging and then form a bond of some type. The point I would like to see through further is whether or not this bond is a weak or strong tie and is something I am currently investigating amongst teenagers but would like to seek out further in the future.
In the podcast, How creativityis being strangled by the law, Larry Lessig talks about how new technology is being brought about and it is unable to be used to it’s fullest potential due to the fact of the hinderance of laws. Ultimately, Lessig, would like to believe if all individuals were able to use their creativity in conjunction with the technology the possibilities would be endless. One of the key ideas brought about by Lessig’s talk was that of the ReadWrite technology and how the internet revives this thought. In addition this revival brings about the “amateur culture” which is not that of the inexperience but rather the production of something based solely for the love of it rather than the necessity of it. A second key idea was the law not greeting this technology with open arms but instead coining the individuals who are using the technology more as copy right infringers or better yet trespassers. Lessig believes that common sense has not been used to enable this new form of creativity. Lastly, the third key idea was the solution to technology advancing through creativity is the artists need to not be so private with their ideas and creations but allow others to use the ideas as stepping stones and go further with them to create bigger and better things.
The most difficult concept developed in this podcasting was individuals and the law turning their heads to copy right infringement and laws. The laws were put into place for a reason and even though they may be hard to get around in order to use the technology to it’s best capability they are there to protect the individuals who were creative enough in the first place to create.
A couple of questions regarding this podcast are is there another way to get around the laws in order to still foster the creativity without being illegal and do the laws need to be changed in order to allow the creativity or is the creativity already brought about and we are not doing a good job to seeing it.
This reading does indirectly relate to my topic and brings more questions to mind for me to look into. In thinking about social networking and teenagers in regards to online relationships and how weak or strong the ties are maybe there is a missing link of creativity that is being brought about by these ties which is being overlooked. Maybe it’s not about the weak or strong ties between the relationships but more so how creative the individual is being and do these ties bring out more creativity because the individuals are now able to find others who have the same ideas and thoughts through the use of the internet and the online social networking sites.
Reading 2
The article, The Changing Face of Workplace Learning, speaks to the point of training in the workplace and how it is ever evolving. The new wave of workplace training is podcasting and or vodcasting. Podcasting is the idea that employees can download a training session straight to a their PC or in an effort to be more mobile the podcasts can be downloaded to a portable MP3 player such as an IPOD or in some cases a mobile phone or Blackberry. This change in training techniques enables companies to attack all angles of training needs especially in key areas such as the sales force whom are constantly on the go and outside of the office, ultimately unable to receive the traditional type of training in a classroom setting.
One key idea brought out by the reading is the notion of Tivo-ing the radio so anyone who would like to listen to a podcast can do it on their own time instead of at the specific time it is being presented. The idea of Tivo-ing the radio is brought about by the “format’s time-shift capability” which “enables more productive load-balancing during the workday, and the ability to listen on the go while driving to client meetings or work, walking the dow, or running on the treadmill, transforms downtime into constructive time”. A second idea is people being on the move and tailoring the technology to fit the need. Once the mobile learning strategy has been integrated then decisions like, “how long should the podcasts be? How frequently will they be produce? What format best addresses the audience, the company’s culture, and its business needs?” Depending on the answers to the above questions helps to define how the technology can be best used in each individual company’s learning experience in addition to tailoring it specifically to the culture. Lastly, a third key idea is creating a culture which promotes the idea of using podcasting outside of the workplace and on personal time. In order to adopt podcasting as a way of teaching the company needs to motivate the individuals to “devote their personal time to work” and this can be achieved by “a significant change in the company culture” which “means creating a completely new approach to learning”. This idea is a must if podcasting even has a chance of surviving as a way of learning.
The most difficult concept to grasp in this reading was the idea of turning the podcasting and vodcasting over to employees. I understand this approach brings about a type of realism to the employees but I can also see how this can be a liability to the company and would like to explore further how companies deal with this issue.
A couple of questions I would like to explore further is what type of culture does it take to adapt a type of learning technique as this and how would a company go about enforcing this technology on the individuals especially on the older generation who may not be as technologically savy.
This reading particularly relates to my topic of social networking in the fact that through this article a lot of networking takes place in this technology. Especially through the idea of doing podcasting with a follow up blog set up to address any additional questions or concerns an individual may have through listening to the podcasting. This would be a prime area of other individuals who have the same issues to talk them out through the blogging and then form a bond of some type. The point I would like to see through further is whether or not this bond is a weak or strong tie and is something I am currently investigating amongst teenagers but would like to seek out further in the future.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Article 1
The Quality of Online and Offline Relationships: The Role of Multiplexity and Duration of Social Relationships.
The focus of this study was personal relationships during adolescence in which the thought was the social relationships outside of the family expand and their quality is linked to various behavioral outcomes. The study looked at the social similarity, homophily, and quality of social ties, the duration of the relationship, and the multiplexity of the relationship. The study was part of the annual national youth survey conducted by the Minerva Center of Youth Studies at the University of Haifa. The data was collected between June and October of 2004 and covered a representative sample of 1000 households in Israel.
The findings of the study provided partial support for the association of social similarity and various measures of relational intensity and content of the relationship. In addition the study confirmed the argument that adolescents with an online friend reported the friend was known for a shorter time than face-to-face friends, they discussed fewer topics and they participated in fewer shared activities. Overall the findings indicate that online friends play a reduced and probably more specialized role than the face-to-face friends at extracurricular activities and parties. Finally, the study found that online friends tend to be perceived as less close than face-to-face friends and this is due to the dimension of time and topic of discussion. The reasoning behind this is face-to-face relationships tend to be holistic and not restricted to particular activities and topics where as online relationships are restricted to nonpersonal topics and not everyday activities which causes the online relationships to be perceived as less integrated in the daily life of the individuals and as more distant.
This article will be a good basis for me to start my argument that online social networking has weaker ties and is not as beneficial as face-to-face relationships amongst teenagers. I plan to use this article more extensively in my final paper.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=20790468&site=ehost-live
Article 2
A Review of Online Social Networking Profiles by Adolescents: Implications for Future Research and Intervention.
The study implemented in this paper explored content posted by and interactions that took place by adolescents on online social networking profiles. The sample for this study was 100 randomly selected profiles authored by adolescents who where between the ages of 16 and 18. The content was coded by identifying rich thematic elements which were included family and social issues, risk behaviors, disclosure of personally identifiable information and frequent peer interaction.
The outcome of this study was very inconclusive because it raised more questions then answering the question it set out to prove or disprove. Observing the adolescent behavior within an online network supported the notion that profiles are rich in behavioral data as related to the development and individuation. The review of the profiles indicates the necessity fro more analysis on profiles to determine the importance of adolescent behavior and peer interaction as it relates to social relationships, risk behaviors, special interests, extracurricular activities and family dynamics.
Although this study had no profound or concrete findings on what I am trying to study it does show that further research needs to be conducted on this topic because it is not directly apparent.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=33026178&site=ehost-live
The Quality of Online and Offline Relationships: The Role of Multiplexity and Duration of Social Relationships.
The focus of this study was personal relationships during adolescence in which the thought was the social relationships outside of the family expand and their quality is linked to various behavioral outcomes. The study looked at the social similarity, homophily, and quality of social ties, the duration of the relationship, and the multiplexity of the relationship. The study was part of the annual national youth survey conducted by the Minerva Center of Youth Studies at the University of Haifa. The data was collected between June and October of 2004 and covered a representative sample of 1000 households in Israel.
The findings of the study provided partial support for the association of social similarity and various measures of relational intensity and content of the relationship. In addition the study confirmed the argument that adolescents with an online friend reported the friend was known for a shorter time than face-to-face friends, they discussed fewer topics and they participated in fewer shared activities. Overall the findings indicate that online friends play a reduced and probably more specialized role than the face-to-face friends at extracurricular activities and parties. Finally, the study found that online friends tend to be perceived as less close than face-to-face friends and this is due to the dimension of time and topic of discussion. The reasoning behind this is face-to-face relationships tend to be holistic and not restricted to particular activities and topics where as online relationships are restricted to nonpersonal topics and not everyday activities which causes the online relationships to be perceived as less integrated in the daily life of the individuals and as more distant.
This article will be a good basis for me to start my argument that online social networking has weaker ties and is not as beneficial as face-to-face relationships amongst teenagers. I plan to use this article more extensively in my final paper.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=20790468&site=ehost-live
Article 2
A Review of Online Social Networking Profiles by Adolescents: Implications for Future Research and Intervention.
The study implemented in this paper explored content posted by and interactions that took place by adolescents on online social networking profiles. The sample for this study was 100 randomly selected profiles authored by adolescents who where between the ages of 16 and 18. The content was coded by identifying rich thematic elements which were included family and social issues, risk behaviors, disclosure of personally identifiable information and frequent peer interaction.
The outcome of this study was very inconclusive because it raised more questions then answering the question it set out to prove or disprove. Observing the adolescent behavior within an online network supported the notion that profiles are rich in behavioral data as related to the development and individuation. The review of the profiles indicates the necessity fro more analysis on profiles to determine the importance of adolescent behavior and peer interaction as it relates to social relationships, risk behaviors, special interests, extracurricular activities and family dynamics.
Although this study had no profound or concrete findings on what I am trying to study it does show that further research needs to be conducted on this topic because it is not directly apparent.
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=33026178&site=ehost-live
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Article #1
1. What does the author mean by political polarization?
Political polarization, to the author is the idea that the web provides so much information an individual is now capable of finding information on any topic therefore creating more of a divide between all sides of the issue.
2. What are your thought about the statement, "Governments feel they are royalty to some
degree"?
I think there is a certain air of royalty that emits from the government but royalty is established based on blood lines and even though in the government many of the individuals come from blood lines in which have ties to government in the past there is always a chance of a non-blood line individual making it into government. I think the government is charged with a big job of keeping the people protected and in doing so they have to make very difficult positions and are held responsible to know all sides to every issue in order to make the best decision. I think because the everyday people may not be as educated on all topics and issues they are quick to judge the government and it’s decisions.
3. Do you agree/disagree with the statement, "We've literally experienced an information tsunami-but more information does not mean better decisions"? Why?
I completely agree that we have experienced an information tsunami and that it does not mean better decisions. When a person is faced with a choice between black and white they have to choose on or the other but when there is black, white, grey and red how do you know which to choose? The more choices and information given the harder it is to figure out which one is the best.
4. The author states that "the very technology that is meant to solve problems merely makes people more emotional-not more reasonable". Give an example of a real life digital convergence that can be viewed to make people more emotional.
Blogging is a perfect example of people becoming more emotional due to digital convergence. People can start a blog for any reason, for example a former co-worker of mine had triplets three years ago and she started a blog so everyone could follow the progress of the triplets. It turned out one of the triplets was diagnosed with being profoundly deaf and had cochlear implants. Through her blog she was able to express all the feelings she encountered during the journey she has embarked upon and was able to gain support from other people who have children with the same condition as well as others who could not be near to her but could show their support through blogging.
Article #2
1. The Web has been a platform for the creation of a wide and unanticipated variety of services. Name one of the commercial services and how you apply the service to your daily/weekly routine.
I use Google on a daily basis in both my work and home environment. I use it to search for answers to questions I may have or to search for help on applications I am using in the business world that I may be unfamiliar with.
2. What does the author mean by "Semantic Web"? How does this effect the future of convergence?
The Semantic Web is a way to link data from web pages more effectively. This way pages can be linked based on the data they hold not necessarily on key words like how it is today. By linking the data in a more effective way the web will be more able to converge and become a very powerful tool.
3. The future of the web has created substantial privacy challenges which are barely addressed by our current privacy laws. What are your thoughts on new data integration? Is the thought of this legal?
The new data integration will cause more transparency for the individuals who produce and this leads to a big privacy issue. On the other hand it may lead the individuals to be held more accountable for the information which is published by them and in the end making the web a very powerful tool. I do not see any legal issues behind making the web and individuals who post more transparent unless you get into personal information. I know I would not want all my personal information out there for everyone to see so I would like to think that type of information would stay protected, if not then the legality of it would kick in.
1. What does the author mean by political polarization?
Political polarization, to the author is the idea that the web provides so much information an individual is now capable of finding information on any topic therefore creating more of a divide between all sides of the issue.
2. What are your thought about the statement, "Governments feel they are royalty to some
degree"?
I think there is a certain air of royalty that emits from the government but royalty is established based on blood lines and even though in the government many of the individuals come from blood lines in which have ties to government in the past there is always a chance of a non-blood line individual making it into government. I think the government is charged with a big job of keeping the people protected and in doing so they have to make very difficult positions and are held responsible to know all sides to every issue in order to make the best decision. I think because the everyday people may not be as educated on all topics and issues they are quick to judge the government and it’s decisions.
3. Do you agree/disagree with the statement, "We've literally experienced an information tsunami-but more information does not mean better decisions"? Why?
I completely agree that we have experienced an information tsunami and that it does not mean better decisions. When a person is faced with a choice between black and white they have to choose on or the other but when there is black, white, grey and red how do you know which to choose? The more choices and information given the harder it is to figure out which one is the best.
4. The author states that "the very technology that is meant to solve problems merely makes people more emotional-not more reasonable". Give an example of a real life digital convergence that can be viewed to make people more emotional.
Blogging is a perfect example of people becoming more emotional due to digital convergence. People can start a blog for any reason, for example a former co-worker of mine had triplets three years ago and she started a blog so everyone could follow the progress of the triplets. It turned out one of the triplets was diagnosed with being profoundly deaf and had cochlear implants. Through her blog she was able to express all the feelings she encountered during the journey she has embarked upon and was able to gain support from other people who have children with the same condition as well as others who could not be near to her but could show their support through blogging.
Article #2
1. The Web has been a platform for the creation of a wide and unanticipated variety of services. Name one of the commercial services and how you apply the service to your daily/weekly routine.
I use Google on a daily basis in both my work and home environment. I use it to search for answers to questions I may have or to search for help on applications I am using in the business world that I may be unfamiliar with.
2. What does the author mean by "Semantic Web"? How does this effect the future of convergence?
The Semantic Web is a way to link data from web pages more effectively. This way pages can be linked based on the data they hold not necessarily on key words like how it is today. By linking the data in a more effective way the web will be more able to converge and become a very powerful tool.
3. The future of the web has created substantial privacy challenges which are barely addressed by our current privacy laws. What are your thoughts on new data integration? Is the thought of this legal?
The new data integration will cause more transparency for the individuals who produce and this leads to a big privacy issue. On the other hand it may lead the individuals to be held more accountable for the information which is published by them and in the end making the web a very powerful tool. I do not see any legal issues behind making the web and individuals who post more transparent unless you get into personal information. I know I would not want all my personal information out there for everyone to see so I would like to think that type of information would stay protected, if not then the legality of it would kick in.
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