The Next New Thing

The definition of new media originates from the evolution of old media in coherence with the Internet and social media.  In the future, new media will be redefined by technological advancements yet to be revealed.  I feel that the new focus is on individualistic needs such as social networking and personal entertainment.  Although Facebook and Twitter are still popular websites, I feel like users are tiring from countless updates and statuses from family, friends, and news networks.  I believe people want more for their intention spans such as discovering something new from Pinterest or Stumbleupon.  These websites have been around for a while now, but their audiences have expanded since then with smart systems that customize and recommend pages or content to our tastes/preferences.  Overall, I think the next new thing with new media is having information "discovered for you", not necessarily you searching.

Wiki-So Far

So browsing through the class wiki, I have been looking into new media and Education, especially with virtual worlds versus classroom environments.  I'd also like to contribute to Entertainment, considering I did a term paper on the future of old media and focused on each media mode (double checking statistics for updates).

P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the uploading, distribution, and downloading of digital content (such as documents, music, videos, pictures, etc.) between users online.  In the age of new media, distribution of content can reach larger audiences compared to physical distribution such as bookstores or libraries.  Peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing is similar to file sharing, only the transferring process excludes a central server.  The downside to file sharing is the illegality of it all.  Most content shared and downloaded are music and movies.  The entertainment industry continues to suffer profit losses due to piracy and copyright infringement(s) (Stelter, Digital Pirates Winning Battle with Studios).  Today, users prefer to stream multimedia rather than download bits by bits (Nuttall, File sharing joins the mainstream).  A few examples of P2P file sharing websites include BitTorrent, The Pirate Bay, uTorrent (recommended by download.cnet.com), HFS-HTTP File Server, etc.  Although some may argue that file sharing can lead to illegal sharing, NMA (Content producers should take advantage of P2P, not fear it) encourages producers to give downloadable access to users for free or donation, so for more exposure and online trafficking.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy and Confidentiality are difficult to protect in terms of the Internet.  Although every digital device enables users to customize their privacy settings, advanced system tracking has found a way around that.  For instance, a person that is "private browsing," is really preventing any history searches and data to be recorded on their computer.  But is it true the other way around with websites?  Caches and cookies are still recorded unless the user manually deletes them.  I am usually weary when it comes to downloading apps on my portable devices, buying things online, or signing up to a website.  Most of the time, providers will say they will keep your information private (and perhaps from third-party advertisers), but what is that to stop them from tracking you?  Google is guilty in this matter.  Their system tracking (as well as other websites) allows them to read your searches and post advertisements  based on those searches.

Bluntly, it IS the Internet.  Anyone can search your name and information, especially if you have a FaceBook, Twitter, Linkedn, etc.  Yet the Internet is a useful took for people that want to post their resume online even though they know the risks.  Any information you put out publicly, people will find (including uploaded photos and videos).  Employers will search prospective employees' profiles and photos to obtain better knowledge of their character.  Unless you ask your family, friends, and peers, anything posted or uploaded can risk your protection as well as your reputation.  Most socialites tolerate their lack of privacy, considering they constantly update their statuses, tweets, blogs, pictures, videos, etc.  Simply, if someone wants to protect their privacy, they should limit the amount of information they put out there, and consider other peoples' feelings and privacy next time they post something.

Advice

Let me first consider what Baruch is already implementing with new media.  A lot of material and resources can already be accessed online for Baruch students and professors, such as course registration and payment, Blackboard, Baruch Blogs, library informational databases, etc.  In addition, the student government sends tweets on campus updates and upcoming events.  In my psychology class, my professor would post a poll (via FaceBook) and students would send in their texted votes.  I just realized the college has a social media directory (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedn, etc.) found on the main Baruch website.  Also, students can now reserve group study rooms and access labs workstations online as well.

The main factors of new media are interaction, convergence, and the Internet.  So in terms of an enhanced learning experience, most professors do not take advantage of tools Baruch offers such as Baruch Blogs or Blackboard.  Since upcoming generations will be using and be more knowledgeable of digital technology, professors can try and hold discussions through private feeds (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) outside of class.  This would help students understand important topics or questions being discussed, as well as participate more rather than within a class setting.  For instance, a politics course could follow news broadcasting accounts.  Or a literature class can use blogging for discussions (I understand some classes already do this).  Also recalling an assignment on blogs and wikis,' professors can post their course material, instructions, or resources as an alternative to Blackboard.

Creativity and New Media

New Media allows plenty of ways for creativity.  We can create things on our own or be inspired by others' creations.

I recently opened a Pinterest account, so anyone is free to follow me (still pretty new at this).  Anyway, I'm using what others' have posted as inspiration for my girlfriends' hangout.  I call it the Dames Reunion. I find this website and app very addicting since it's easy to re-pin posts and upload your own. I have discovered ideas and things that I would have never thought existed or could be done.

And I just returned to a virtual world, smallworlds.com, where you can dress however you want, create a work of art, and make a video (not mine, but I'm "in-world" friends with the creator).  Like any virtual website, anyone can customize their avatar. In the first picture, I decided to go with royalty on skates, and on the second, it was a Carnival-themed Amazonian.  The last two pictures are pieces of art constructed through a sculpting widget, and can be sold or bought with the virtual money.

Creativity

Today new media immensely fosters creativity in several ways for not only professional creative directors, but also amateurs who simply want to showcase their talent.  In the world of interconnected socialization, millions of people have access to the Internet and unlimited tools such as blogging, uploading videos and music, and social networking.  As learned previously, blogging can be used for news, how to's, journalism, product/service reviews, planning, showcasing photography and art, etc. As long as it is free and accessible, someone is bound to come across it. 

Websites such as YouTube or Souncloud enable people to show off their video and music editing talent, uploaded and made public for the world to see/hear.  As soon as Gangnam Style became a viral hit on the Internet, people started recording their own versions inspired by the dance and beat (same with the Harlem Shake).  Also, several videos on YouTube are parodies or mash-ups of popular movies, music, televised footage, etc (Barnes, Disney Tolerates a Rap Parody of its Critters. But Why?).  I remember finding an Obama version of "Call Me Maybe," using snippets of his speeches and interviews.  And if that isn't enough, there are many ways to market a blog or video through social networking, in which businesses, television hosts, and politicians have been taking advantage of. 

Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds are 3D encoded graphics of digital realities accessible to anyone in the world.  Most virtual reality websites replicate several things of the real world, such as avatars, landscapes, furniture, clothes, etc.  Yet, there is no limit to what each website can create for users.  Developers can take their virtual realities into more fantastical, elemental, or supernatural worlds real-life people would only see in movies or videogames.

I used to sign into a virtual reality called SmallWorlds (smallworlds.com).  In my opinion, was better than SecondLife.  The website launched in 2008, accessible to users over the age of 13 worldwide.  It is a growing website where the developers connect to users' experience, comments, and suggestions through its forums.  The irony of the website is that it is not so small, but there are several activities users engage in between socialization and creativity (Social Influence and the Diffusion of User-created Content).

In virtual worlds such as SmallWorlds, people can easily communicate with others from different countries.  Players within the game are from the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.  The website fosters education and learning through "missioning," as in completing quests and receiving a reward upon completion.  Players can learn something from missions that teach history, or cancer awareness (CNN, iReport: 'Naughty Auties' Battle Autism with Virtual Interaction).  Also, the website fosters immense creativity where users can create paintings or graffiti art on a graffiti board widget, or sculpt furniture, decor, or structures on a sculptor widget.  Users can also sell their paintings or sculptures for virtual monetary value.  The possibilities to showcase individualism are limitless in virtual reality.

However, virtual reality has its disadvantages.  Constant engagement within virtual worlds creates distance from real-life and its priorities.  Players addicted to the website often find themselves playing more than 5 hours a day, sometimes neglecting work or communication with loved ones.  Also in relation to internet safety, not all virtual worlds are monitored to protect users from scamming, phishing, protection from sexual predators, and cyberbullying.

Overall, virtual realities has its advantages in which it fosters socialization with users worldwide, and incentive for creativity.  I can only imagine virtual reality gaining more popularity in the future, and perhaps businesses utilizing such tools to their advantage.  SmallWorlds.com is a business that engages players and gives them options for what they want to do.  If players want access to more clothing options, special collectibles, rooms or spaces, etc., the website allows them to pay a special fee as "VIP," to gain access to those exclusive options.  Currently, smallworlds.com is working with a popular action/drama series, The Walking Dead.

Blog About Twitter

My basic impression about Twitter is that it's used to give information and updates, with it's limited character count, re-tweets, and "@namehere's."  Twitter is like a person who makes a remark anytime he/she wants.  The tweet feed is continuously updated with new tweets (like a conversation interrupted with new information).  In-class discussions are conducted with order, where students take turns speaking.  On the other hand, Twitter conversations can continue or stop throughout the day, with random people jumping in with their say.  In a classroom as well as on Blackboard, the students are forced to talk about a topic chosen by the instructor.  On Twitter, people can search a topic and follow through.  But Twitter conversation is limited, like a person who cuts off what they're saying because they cannot say any more (140 character limit).  Can you imagine doing that in real life?  With the issue of tweet-ing limits, BlackBoard allows users to say more and elaborate their ideas.  Also, in-class and Blackboard discussions are conducted with caution and formality, whereas, Twitter discussions are informal and not monitored (unless you're following Barack Obama).

Social Networking Sites

Social networking websites enhance our way of communicating with others around the world.  The launch of MySpace and Facebook allowed families, friends, and college peers to reconnect.  Socializing took a new form in the following years.  Now we're in a society speaking on social networking jargon, such as "tweets," "statuses," and "snapchat."

Myspace is very similar to Facebook.  I have an account, but never sign in (as Facebook is the preferred tool now).  From what I could remember, I was automatically friends with "Tom" when I signed up, and I was able to format the look (or "skin") of my profile.  Now, profiles are just as monotone as Facebook, you can blog, and stream music.  Looking back on my profile, it was not a stroll into memory lane, but an anxiety of finding inappropriate comments from strangers.  It's funny to see that you can sign into Myspace with your Facebook account.

Facebook is one of the most popular sites used by advertisers, app developers, businesses, family, etc.  It's easy to access and personalize so friends or family can find you, and businesses can see what you've been up to.  Yes, a good place to talk about your best qualities, and allow apps.  I like the Timeline feature, which acts like a biography.  It's also very easy to comment on others' profiles, pictures, and statuses.  Unfortunately, I also stopped signing in.  Yet, I found out about the status of the LIE from my news' network Facebook of the snowstorm.

I'm fairly new with Twitter, although it's been around for awhile now.  It's simple to start following someone and receive a new tweet every one to ten minutes.  It would be difficult to read every tweet if you followed so many people or groups.  I'm not fond with the lack of characters available, so to keep the tweet conversation ongoing, tweets need to be short and simple.  An because they're so short, if I'm following CNN, they can't give the full story, say, about the new Pope.  I would have to look for a link.  But that's the point of tweets, to quickly throw information or advertisements out there (as fast as how communication travels).

Pinterest is a photo-sharing social community that allows people to share photos and "pin"of interests, hobbies, new products, and events.  It is easy to follow others, re-pin, and post your own.  I like the subcategories of specific interests or preferences.  Just like Facebook, Pinterest is a tool for individualism.  When looking through Pinterest trends, many of the pins are photos of clothing, food, traveling.  Rather than commenting or blogging, users are "showing" their experiences and tastes.

The important factor(s) about these social networking websites is/are that they're free to sign up and available via Internet connection.  Phone companies are taking advantage of free access into the Internet on their data plans since people are always on their smartphones, updating or tweeting.

Social Networking

Social networking has become not only a community gathering, but also an individualistic process.  Social networking websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedn, Pinterest, and Myspace, are used by millions wanting to communicate with family, friends, customers, fans, and business associates.  Because the Internet is a big, individualistic medium, people are putting their information, pictures, and writing blogs to advance themselves into job recruitment, and vice versa with businesses looking for new recruits.  Dating websites are increasingly trendy, with people who have no time to mingle outside of work, but find a convenience in displaying their information and interests in hopes that someone else will share their same values.  Celebrities and powerful leaders connect with their fans and followers, gaining personal trust as well as insight on what the people want.  Barack Obama collaboratively used social networking websites to promote his "Change" campaign (profiles, media clips, updates, etc.), correspond with various masses (teachers, unions, other celebrities, organizations, etc.), and fundraise campaign funds (Carr, How Obama Tapped into Social Networks' Power).  Can you imagine where that got him?

The benefits to social networking are infinite.  It is simple to renew old friendships and make new ones.  In accordance to individualism, a person has a chance to build an image, displaying their best qualities and experiences, thus enhancing their reputation for prospective employers and peers.  Businesses are looking through Facebook pages and profiles to gain better intel of their candidates.  If they like what they see, they will hire the person.  On dating websites, individuals would want to meet someone with common interests, thus perhaps lead into relationships.  Organizations can advertise events or online contests that encourage community participation.  Generally, the more involved and dedicated people are, the more fun and enticing it becomes.

However, there are disadvantages to social networking.  Employers are overlooking candidates' social networking profiles and pictures, it could cost them the job, if there are posts or pictures that reflect a poor sense of character.  With the amount of networking online, it is difficult to monitor fraud or stalking.  There are several impostors posing as celebrities or political figures, or worse, predators with false accounts.  There is a risk to social networking, in which it is necessary to take caution with whomever we're networking with.  In addition, individuals can suffer from cyberbullying and harassment from peers as well as strangers.  Social networking websites are overly exposed to "hate" comments that are not always monitored nor filtered.  In reality, constantly venturing through social networking websites takes a toll on individuals' communicative or interpersonal skills, and it creates an addiction or dependence over smartphones (Stout, How Does Technology Affect Kids' Friendships?).

It is difficult to foretell the evolution of social networking.  Social networking seems to advance as fast as technology's changing.  Earlier, people would communicate through instant messengers and email.  Today, we have social networking widgets that are easy to use, so communicating with others is convenient and more expressive.  But I can see that more conference meetings or collaborations are happening online (Dubner, Is Myspace Good for Society? A Freakonomics Quorum), and possibly could be held through virtual reality.

Blog v. Wiki

Blogs and Wiki are new forms of media introduced since the evolution of the Internet and old media.  Today, these web pages are heavily used for information and communication amongst various modes of other media.  They can be used for informational, educational, and personal purposes. Today, they can easily be published to the webpage(s), and accessed or viewed by others. Yet, there are differences in the how content is organized as well as presented.

Blogs, like journalism (news articles or reports), are formatted by posts marked by the author's post date and time.  Blogs can be used for brainstorming or collaboratively producing ideas.  In the field of education, teachers can use blogs to discuss topics, and gain insight on their students' perspectives.  Unlike Wiki's, blogs can be limited to one author who has control over the message and content.  Posts are then followed by comments that are opinionated or conversational.  The discussions on blogs are ongoing, and fresh or in-the-momnet. A collaborative effort , reported by the New York Times, revealed a drug raid in Brooklyn through conversations of concerned neighbors (Wilson, Brooklyn Blog Helps Lead to Drug Raid).

Wiki's, can merely be information-based and modified by more than one author. This form consists of content that is more organized and clean, in which contributors would edit the webpages (information, links, etc.) in order to keep information up-to-date and credible.  Information can be contributed over time (an ongoing process), whereas blogs present the latest news on the top of the webpage or archive list.  In education, teachers can present syllabuses and links to their lesson plans, accessible to students and parents.  However, in a network that enables anyone to contribute, there are likely to be inaccurate information and too much information flooding a topic.  It is a risk for viewers reading misleading content, as well as contributors presenting insightful and "helpful" content (Sutler, Wikipedia: No Longer the Wild West?).

I cannot think of a new way of using wiki's, yet I recently found an article about the Vatican using Wikipedia to catalog cardinals' biographies.  I was surprised in the fact that the Vatican was open to it.
Vatican Uses Wikipedia to Compile Cardinals' Biographies

Project Description

Hello.

Topic: The Future of Old Media

Summary: I will primarily focusing on old media that has changed over time. For instance, the evolution of newpapers, magazines, and books (perhaps include radio, but I am interested in the transformation of print to Internet).  Each form of old media will explore their historical significance to society (politically, economically, and socially), then explain how society changed to new media (politically, economically, and socially).  For example: Printed newspapers were professional mediums of plainly sending news to people (war, politics, and social movements).  Today, the news are presented via e-text, and can be seen by virtually anyone who has access to the Internet.  In addition, news has become more personal through blogging/vlogging, and journalism is done my both professional and amateur writers.  News can be provided at Live-stream (real-time) such as a speech by Barack Obama or the Superbowl.  Basically, I will distinguish between old media and new media, their significance to society, and end with how it will impact our future (creative thinking required).


-Jeslie Mae T. Clavo

My First Blog

Hey everyone,

Salut to my very first blog. The twenty-first century is a new era for all media, where blogging is the new convenient, personal way to spread news and stories around the world. So what to talk about?

Well recently my household had suffered a troubling snowstorm on Long Island that occurred between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.  For habitants living in the city, I commend your team of snow plows, otherwise... the people of Suffolk were trapped in their homes for about 3-4 days, and dozens of cars were abandoned on the Long Island Expressway.

I recall Friday night, amazed of how many cars were stuck on the LIE.  I attended class at Baruch College earlier that day and left around 4 p.m. as the snow was beginning to fall.  I did not predict the snow to fall so fast nor so much.  At the beginning of the trip, cars were running 10 mph.  Eventually, there was so much snow that cars started derailing to the curbs and everyone decided to make their own lanes just to get around the stalled.  I lost count at forty cars.  I thought to myself, "Fore-wheel drive, my @$$."

My car was on the verge of giving up when I met traffic.  Cars congested on a bridge and the snow continued to fall.  I said to myself, "We can't stop or we'll all be stuck in this snow."  I checked my news provider's Facebook on the status of the snow, and I asked my friends if they heard about any accidents on the bridge.  Finally, someone commented, "Actually yeah I'm on bridge too, there's too many cars getting stuck. No way around."  I was lucky to find an exit and leave.  And thank goodness for my GPS, I was able to find my way home, since it was difficult to see the street signs.

The only problem was getting up the driveway.  From that day, I was trapped within 3 ft. of snow for days.  I would often watch the news, check the Facebook status of my news provider, and keep in touch with friends.  It was suggested by the governor to fill out a form online on streets that weren't plowed instead of calling, since emergency lines were reserved to actual emergencies and reporting stalled cars.  It was helpful to see traffic updates of the LIE and transportation.  Eventually, my neighbors rallied together to plow our streets.

What's important from this experience is to keep contact with the news and with loved ones.  Also, practice defensive driving because not only does it pay off with your insurance provider, but also saves lives.


-Jeslie Mae T. Clavo