nmr pp 515-598

Langdon Winner's essay "Mythinformation" looks into the vast social changes brought about by pervasive technology. For the most part, his predictions seem on the mark especially when he discusses the public's reliance on technology, and because of the need for it we begin to overlooks some of its potential flaws. Privacy is an issue that Winner discuses, "Unless steps are taken to prevent it, we may develop systems capable of a perpetual, pervasive, apparently benign surveillance" (596). This surveillance is what he believes society will submit to because of a collective feeling of "passivity" and "compliance." I think his words here are telling because I find myself in situations online where I enter personal information or details casually, without thinking of who is going to be looking at my information. So much of the web can be accessed only with an email address and user information, and we readily hand it out without considering the dangers of releasing personal details.

I really like his last line:
"Some observers forecast that 'the computer revolution' will eventually be guided by new wonders in artificial intelligence. Its present course is influenced by something much more familiar: the absent mind."

nmr pp 441-513

In my class Culture and Communication, we read an excerpt from Marshall McLuhan's "The Global Village." In the chapter entitled "Global Robotism: The Satisfactions," McLuhan writes that the model for easier instant peer-to-peer communication will foster coming together, of both people and companies. Today, we're seeing the rise of conglomeration and business mergers, with the online format making it easier to undergo this process.

Bagdikian predicted what has become a world where only a few companies own just about everything. They have stakes in both major industries and media outlets, which jeopardizes content because of conflicts with self-interest and biases. The internet, which has broken all the rules by being completely free and supported by its individual users has spawned giant companies such as Google, YouTube (now owned by Google), Blogger (also owned by Google) MySpace (owned by NewsCorp) and Facebook.

The internet can slowly turn into a network of highly-trafficked sites that own and record all of the information that is published on them. Google's searches are manipulated by clicks and dollars, but there isn't a search engine at the moment that would be an effective alternative. Being bought-out is often a dream for those who create internet-start ups, as they are awarded a lump sum for something that was first created with money out of their own pocket. It's important to be aware of these mergers and acquisitions in webspace, because we so readily assume that the internet is a perfect service, while in fact cyberspace can be very much privatized.

nmr pp 377 - 439

In this section of the New Media Reader, the computer is already a familiar concept (late 1970s) and people are beginning to envision a world that is increasingly reliant on these machines. Several chapters in this selection (namely Ch 25 "Responsive Environments" and Ch 28 "From Mindstorms Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas") introduce the idea of the computer as a teaching mechanism for children.

This concept is novel at the time, for media learning was limited to television shows such as Sesame Street, which began in 1970. The benefits of watching this program is debatable, as a child will stare at animated letters but might not gain an understanding. Both Krueger and Papert believe that the artificial realities and programs on the computer can stimulate the child's mind in ways that cannot be taught in real life. Being able to use the computer adeptly is a strong skill set to have, especially in these early digital days. However neither author examines the downsides to this method of learning. I don't think either of them support an education based around the machine, but rather to supplement learning.

A young child needs to develop socialization skills by playing with their peers and taking cues from adults, not spending hours on the computer. When I was younger, we used educational computer games both at school and at home. A Mario program taught me how to type properly, and Math Blaster taught simple algebra. These games were designed specifically for the single player, and would reward progress by granting access to the next level. Today these games are more advanced in stories and design, and can support multi-player formats. They are more addictive than ever, and educators and parents alike should be aware of the drawbacks of children who spend too much time in front of the screen, rather than outside playing with their friends. Experiential learning cannot be measured like a game can track progress, but I think the socialization skills become more apparent as the child grows older.

mcluhan's wake dvd

Reading McLuhan, his beliefs are strong but often disconnected between one chapter to the next. He devoted his life to creating awareness about the effects of media on our society, almost a warning to the future that is to come. "McLuhan's Wake," narrated by Laurie Anderson sheds light into the personal life of McLuhan in an attempt to understand his thinking. A notable feature of his life is his devotion to the Christian faith, a decision he chose to make later in life. This news makes me reconsider many of his statements. To choose to study the bible as the word of god and to let the writing dictate his life is very similar to the one-way transmission of television that he so adamantly warns against. In addition, he continues to fight throughout his life just to preach his message about media, despite university colleague's disapproval and major illness. His books and ideas seemed to him as a way to "save" the public from the evils of media.

It's interesting to analyze his thoughts now, in the internet age, as the democratized internet format turns the one-way television message upside down. Though, his concerns about advertising are still very relevant since agencies are increasingly trying to find more insidious ways to integrate their ads.

new media reader pp 301-375

When I stumbled across the chapter on Nicholas Negroponte, I was only familiar with his name from the One Laptop per Child campaign. This organization aimed to give children in developing countries low-cost, durable and wi-fi connected laptops. With this technology, these underprivileged children would be given an education previously unthinkable, and hopefully provide inspiration for them to better both themselves and their communities.

Reading the thirty year old article from the New Media Reader, I saw an underlying theme of user empowerment through software–a belief that ultimately led to the OLPC intiative. His architecture program made it possible for residents, not just the architects to have a say in the creative design and vision of the final structure. By adapting advanced procedural and often professional tasks to simple computer programs, it empowers the computer user (who is often self-taught) and makes it easier for individuals to achieve success and create change.

g.h. hovagimyan lecture + demo

G. H. Hovagimyan began his lecture by
distributing newspaper handouts. The papers described demonstrations by a group of artists (artistsmeeting.org) including G.H. that brought attention to the irony and injustice that is privately owned public space. Outside of every major office building is a space with benches and some neatly planted trees or plants. Very rarely does anyone ever use this space, to sit in or otherwise, even by the people who work in the overshadowing building. What G.H. and other artists try to demonstrate, or draw light to, the heightened security that these sites maintain in a post 9/11 world. Simple and innocent acts such as putting up posters, using a video camera, or conducting an experiment constantly draw negative attention by these guards. Herein lies the contradiction that is privately owned public space--where the private interests of protecting and safeguarding their property comes into direct conflict with the public who try to utilize it. By uploading videos of these accounts to YouTube, more people are being made aware of this irony and ultimate unfairness, leading to possible social and legal improvements.