Category: Bettina Johnson

Week 13: Augmented Reality

Wikipedia: Augmented Reality

1.  What are the differences between augmented reality and mediated reality?  Do humans tend to gravitate more toward realistic environments or situations rather than those that are clearly digital or virtual?

2.  In the future, will augmented reality lead to more scientific breakthroughs or will we continue to need actual reality to prove scientific research?

3.  Augmented reality is currently used in TV sport game coverage and marketing efforts.  Is augmented reality best suited for media and commercial tendencies?

4.  The main hardware components for augmented reality are: display, tracking, input devices, and computer.  What is it about modern smartphones that makes them prospective platforms for augmented reality?

Augmented reality using a webcam and Flash

1.  What are the advancements in augmented reality that surpass the capabilities of virtual reality?

2.  Is there still a use for virtual reality or has it been replaced?

Virtual societies are still a confusing topic for most people.  In a sense, these online worlds could encourage a further decline in real life social interactions among our already digitally crazed communities.  But virtual societies are an interesting phenomenon if studied closely.

We’ve all heard the stories of online world players being sucked into their games and devoting all of their free time (and even work time!) to progressing through the digital scenario.  This obsession has become so extreme in some cases that it disrupts not only the natural flow of the person’s day-to-day routines but also the people around them.  These virtual players are more a part of their online communities than the real world.  Food and sleep are the only elements of actual life that these gamers continue to resort back to in our actual human environment.  Otherwise, they have no use for reality.

It is interesting to note that virtual worlds compress human behavior by stripping away offline interactions and focusing on the core elements deemed important to its participants.  Virtual societies are not concerned with the day-to-day stresses of actual life.  Some may see these digital places as an escape from reality.  While online communities used to be seen as purely recreational, they are now being considered normal.  They are becoming ingrained into social situations outside of simple games by entering the corporate and educational realms.  Virtual classrooms and office meetings can now be found in virtual environments, allowing participants in any time zone and from any location.

We used to have the mindset of “I’m going to sit down and go on the Internet” during the 90s.  Today, the Internet is connected and always changing even when we may not be sitting in front of a screen.  This is now the case with virtual societies.  These are worlds that continue to progress no matter which players are online or not.  Nothing stops the progression just like in the real world.

By studying people’s habits, actions, and reactions to virtual societies, we can learn about basic human behavior.  It allows us to take away the burdens of our actual lives and see what truly motivates individuals.  Maybe we can learn a thing or two about ourselves from digital communities?  Or maybe virtual societies will become the only reality of the future.  Only time will tell.

Week 12: Virtual Societies

Why Virtual Worlds Can Matter
– Thomas and Brown

1.  Thomas and Brown explain while all games provide players with a context for experiential learning, only a few create a context for learning that is primarily social in nature.  Of those that do create this social context, only a handful have the special property to allowing the players who engage in the space to actually create and change and evolve the world they inhabit.  Therefore, since higher learning is a result of the games that allow for player impact on the world, shouldn’t more games of this nature be encouraged rather than deemed as a time-waster?

2.  The article states the visual component of virtual worlds has redefined the landscape of online interaction away from text and toward a more complex visual medium that provides a sense of place.  Should the internet as a whole take on more of this “virtual place” component through avatars to promote social interaction as though in the real world?  In other words, should all sites (search engines, news pages, e-commerce) require a users presence through an avatar.

3.  The function of games has always been to separate play from “ordinary life.”  However, in recent years we have seen many people feel more comfortable in virtual “game” worlds than our real world.  Games today have many qualities of the physical world such as economies, social institutions, reputation, governance, etc.  Should the notion of “separate play from ordinary life” be scrapped as our digital world evolves into a blend of reality and virtual?  Is it possible that our way of life may not support separate platforms in the future?

Ethical Issues in Second Life
– Botterbusch and Talab

1.  There is been endless debate concerning copyright in relation to our digital world.  Have we reached a point in human existence that requires a change in laws thanks to the digital technology now surrounding our lives?  The past 100 years has seen more growth than any other time in history and our way of life today is vastly different than centuries before.  Therefore, a change in traditional laws may be in order to fit our time.

2.  As stated by Botterbusch and Talab, more than one author has noted that ethical issues in Second Life seem to be detached from the fear of consequences in the “real world” (such as illegal file sharing, spamming, multiple identities, illicit materials, etc).  Is this behavior being carried over to the real world by younger generations that seem to carry a disregard for online regulations?  Are games such as Second Life a bad influence and teaching disregard for regulations?

3.  Are the actions of avatars an indication of how that person will react in reality?  Or have people learned to distinguish between real world and virtual world behaviors or personalities?

Staging the new retail drama: At a metaverse near you!
– Papagiannidis and Bourlakis

1.  We all find advertising distracting and annoying, unless it happens to be one of the few ads relating to our likes.  Is it ethically wrong for advertisers to have information about your personal shopping habits in order to better filter ads that are more suited to your likes?  Would the more focused ads be positive (showing the consumer all the choices they have for products they would truly consider) or would it become negative (by overwhelming the consumer and not providing variety to items they may have never considered before)?

2.  There are many cases where avatars do not represent the actual person in real life.  Therefore, would the shopping habits of consumers in virtual worlds be a reflection of what those same consumers would purchase in the actual world?  Can marketers enter virtual worlds with the same focus as real life?

3.  Would shopping in virtual shopping world deem more profitable than simple e-commerce sites we see today?  Virtual worlds bring forth the social elements that people people enjoy about a shopping experience.

Virtual games are taking over!  In 2002, music was at the top of the money-making list followed by movies.  Games were at the bottom.  As of 2008, games moved to the top as the most profitable market with music and movies following respectively.  It’s also interesting to point out that 67% of all Americans play video games.

The world is a complex place and we have created games to help our species make sense of it.  In the early years of computers when they were only beginning to attract attention from ordinary citizens, one of the first things people did was create games.  We like to take our tools and make something we can play with.  But I wonder … have games helped shape society to what it is today?  Or has society played a part on our games?

Although most people think of violent scenarios when it comes to gaming, not all involve malicious combat and senseless character interactions.  PeaceMaker, for example, is a game that places players directly into the Palestine/Israeli conflict with the goal to create peace between the regions.  During the process, the game discusses actual events and facts about the situation and encourages players to seek a peaceful resolution.

Newer video game consoles are promoting health and family interactions.  The Nintendo Wii requires players to use their bodies in conjunction with the remote.  Physical activity can be fun again for younger generations that are used to sitting in front of a screen for hours on end moving only their fingers on a control pad.  Wii television commercials depict family members of all ages enjoying the games and socializing.  This brings about the notion of “family game night”, but adapted to a new digital era.

Although many people make the argument that video games are destroying minds and promoting terrible values, it seems that newer advanced technologies are now able to create more meaningful video games.  No more are we restricted to tiny stationary screens.  Games are evolving to incorporate the use of more senses and body movement.  Family game nights have now advanced to a whole new level.

Payne reading

1.  So many of today’s video games create realistic war scenarios in family living rooms through a gaming console.  Would video games be as popular as they are if they encouraged less violent conduct?

2.  Should the military keep it’s advanced technology to themselves?  Does society need to experience realistic war combat in the same form that the military trains with?

3.  The more realistic the video game, the more believable and entertaining the experience for younger generations of gamers.  Are warfare video games “unhealthy” and destroying our future leaders if wars are portrayed as “realistic fun”?

4. The gaming industry is now more prosperous than the film industry.  What is it about gaming that has more people hooked?  Is a video game version of “Netflix” (Gameflix??) a possibility for the future?

My view of WikiLeaks has changed.  Before, I thought it was a sketchy site that was only interested in digging up controversy and saw Julian Assange, the face of WikiLeaks, as a dangerous trouble maker.  I was unclear about their sources and how they acquired the information that has put the spotlight on this site in recently.  Basically, I saw WikiLeaks as a site that was trying to take down journalism.

Clearly, WikiLeaks is a whistle blowing site.  But isn’t that what the purpose of the Internet was intended for?  Although it is a complex phenomenon, WikiLeaks represents the evolution of the Internet and journalism.  It has become a platform that citizens are comfortable using to spread global issues and concerns while protecting themselves and remaining anonymous.  Journalism as an institute has come under fire in terms of trustworthiness in recent years and WikiLeaks is the global community response.  It is the modern day example of a true “free press”

WikiLeaks gives me the sense that we now have the power to watch “big brother” instead of the other way around.  Thanks to technology, people are gaining more of an individual voice and have media platforms that suit their needs to get their message out.  Never before have ordinary citizens had the opportunity to change the world in such a dynamic way.  It has given power to the people that was normally reserved for media agenda setters.  A topic may not be deemed newsworthy by a team of journalists, but they will sooner or later pick up on the story if there is enough buzz in the global digital community.

So will WikiLeaks take the place of journalism?  I think not.  A site like WikiLeaks can’t solve all of the world’s problems or cover everything that may need special attention.  That’s why we have investigative reporters.  Journalism can adopt some of the techniques and tricks that WikiLeaks has pioneered in relation to digital information gathering.  However, if journalism wants to compete they need to get on the bandwagon quickly and not let this opportunity pass them by yet again.  Journalism can survive if it embraces the new digital culture of the new millennium.

Where as I thought WikiLeaks was scum only a few days ago, now I have respect for the site and it’s mission.  This proves that we need to better understand our evolving surroundings and advancing tools to better serve our communities.  WikiLeaks took this step and created controversy along the way.  But we have to keep in mind that times are changing and radical ideas are bound to shake our everyday lives simply because they’re different than what we’re used to from the past.  We may not agree with them at first because it alters our view of what is deemed correct.  As we evolve our technology and information outlets, we need to evolve our minds and societies as a direct correlation.  Otherwise we will never see progress.

Week 10: Privacy and Information Ethics

Social Network Sites: Public, Private, or What?
– Boyd
1.  Online social networks have changed the world we know today.  What are some of these changes and are they more of a positive or negative effect on society?

2.  The article mentions how educators are requiring more help from their students than ever before when learning about new technologies and the Internet.  Of the educators that see social networks and our new online world as an evil, do they actually have enough background understanding to make this type of negative assumption?

3.  Social network sites are the latest generation of ‘mediated publics’ – environments where people can gather publicly through mediating technology.  Unmediated public spaces are like malls, cafes, and parks.  This article says, “public spaces have many purposes in social life – they allow people to make sense of the social norms that regulate society, they let people learn to express themselves and learn from the reactions of others”.  Can social networks correctly be classified as public spaces (mediated or not) even though most people’s social network personalities don’t accurately represent the real person?

Facebook privacy settings: Who cares?
– Boyd and Hargittai

1.  Is it possible that because younger generations that currently don’t care about the privacy setting controversies on Facebook haven’t had as many real-life situations (professional careers, marriage relationships, long term community reputations, etc) will change their minds when the effects of Facebook postings begin effecting their lives on a grander scale as they grow older?

2.  Is the flow of information on the Internet too free?  Has it gotten to the point that we need to enforce identity and privacy issues similar to those that outline most forms of information outlets?  Why has the Internet been branded the untouchable free information source if it has negatively effected out global community in so many ways?

WikiLeaks
1. Will WikiLeaks dominate this online niche or will we see new sites popping up that provide the same (or similar) service in the future?

2. Should WikiLeaks be allowed to continue?  Although the service exposes issues in our world society, should this type of detective work be left to watchdog journalism?

Online media has changed the game of politics.  New opportunities in relation to public promotion and branding have both helped and hurt candidates in recent elections.  “Infoenterpropagainment” is a result of when politicians and the media blend political information with aspects of propaganda, including media or political bias and present it to the public in a way that entertains.  Candidates that choose to ignore this new media platform have not made it very far in their respective run for office.

Everyone knows the great example of the Obama vs McCain campaigns.  Never before had a political candidate jumped on the online bandwagon so heavily and soared to the top as an underdog, eventually taking it all with a White House win.  Sadly, McCain stuck mostly to traditional advertising and promotions, which isolated him from the younger voters found online.

Although most aspects of online political promotion seems positive, candidates need to watch their digital reputations as much as any other medium.  Before, photographers and television crews could uncover tidbits a political figure would rather keep personal about their lives.  Now, anyone can post anything about political figures and the story (true or not) spreads faster than wildfire.  The web provides new channels that keep candidates on their toes.

The public now has a new line directly to those wishing to represent them.  They can post questions on websites focused around discussions held by political figures.  They can follow tweets or “like” fan pages dedicated to those running for office.  Just as society obsesses over the whereabouts of celebrities, political figures are beginning to reach that status as well.  Using online media to promote ones self in the political arena has proved a successful catapult that all candidates must embrace in the future.

Week 9: Politics

Social news, citizen journalism and democracy
– Luke Goode

1. What is metajournalism and how does it play a role in our society?  Does metajournalism or citizen journalism have more positive potential in our world today?

2. Will we see a time when citizen journalism replaces professional journalism entirely?

3. Are metajournalism and citizen journalism extensions of active audience engagement or a rupture in the previously settled producer-consumer dichotomy?

Interactivity and Branding, public political communication as a marketing tool
– Darren G. Lilleker and Nigel Jackson

1. After seeing the impact of social and online marketing during the 2008 presidential election, is is safe to say that future candidates will have no shot at winning without embracing digital branding?

2. When it comes to public scrutiny of political figures running for office, have we lost sight in today’s digital world of  what the politician actually stands for compared to candidates from historic times when media exposure was much more limited (mainly print)?  Has digital exposure of candidates done more harm than good or vice versa?

Shadow Governments: An Icelandic Experiment in Participatory Governance and Social Change
– Derek Lackaff and Gunnar Grimsson

1. Why have people turned to public actors of today to be the leaders of tomorrow?  Is this fair and a smart move overall?

As a student of journalism, it’s startling to think what lies ahead on the horizon for print media.  We could be facing a world that becomes entirely digital with no forms of media on paper.  Information and communication will be made up of ones, zeros, and bits.

Although the budgets and staff of traditional print newsrooms are shrinking in today’s digital world, 60% of all news reported comes from print staffers.  Yet they are the ones that are being the hardest hit.  At first I think it doesn’t seem fair.  These are professional journalists that stock the flow of information to everyone around the world.  But who knows how much longer their efforts will be needed.  What will happen when our main source of reporters is left with no funding to continue?  The only answer is for print to find a replacement for traditional print advertising that can rake in the same amount of profit as before the digital age.  But what is that answer?

When I first jumped into the professional field of journalism in the working world, many news sites were beginning to put up subscriptions wall to their online content.  This in turn drove reluctant readers away and didn’t help bring in any new profits.  As a result this idea was abandoned and all bets were placed on online advertising, or “pay per click”.  This wasn’t much of a success either.  As the print paper shrank, online content grew.  And money woes stayed the same … or worsened.

Today we hear of media sites thinking about the online subscription model yet again.  Maybe this time it will work.  Maybe society wasn’t ready for online payments a few years back when the online media boom was just beginning.  Statistics now show that online news is the most popular source for daily information.  The only problem is, will these statistics still be true if readers are required to pay for their online news consumption.  May people enjoy online news because it can be personalized to their tastes and is convenient.  These factors won’t change.  Media outlets are only asking for some compensation to their reporting.

Keep in mind that it’s not only the reporters that are suffering.  How do you think the paper is printed each morning?  What happens if one of those giant printing press machines breaks or the paper trucker needs to make an extra run for more newsprint?  Regular human workers run all these functions at a print institution.  Usually, the staff in the pressroom outnumbers the workers in the newsroom and advertising department of a local paper.  The reporters are not the only ones that are facing layoffs and company bankruptcy.

I hope society learns that media is an industry just like any other well-oiled machine in this country.  In order to stay afloat, profits need to be made and competition needs to thrive.  I hope I don’t see the day when professional journalism is swallowed whole simply because we want to save a few dollars a year on an online subscription to news.