Distribution

Distribute: "to disperse through a space or over an area; spread; to pass out or deliver to intended recipients" (dictionary.com).

When looking for a space to share my sister's new blog, I wanted to choose a space she was comfortable with. I decided to use facebook, which would allow her to first reach an audience that was already familiar with her but was still a place in which the project would have potential to spread relatively quickly.

"Social networking systems... require acknowledgment by the recipient in order to establish a connection" (O'Rielly). We can see that facebook, as a social network, fits into the realm of Web 2.0. It requires user interaction to continue. Without participation, it would cease to function. It is a dynamic and stimulating network that thrives on, and invokes, feedback. "Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life" (facebook.com). And the people in their lives, and the people in their lives, and so on. I realize that not everyone is connected to each other in this medium, but I'm counting on the fact that people like to connect with people similar to themselves - homophily - in getting this blog to spread. If it holds true for my sister, it shouldn't be too difficult to start a chain of "shares," "likes," and comments.

"From blogging to social network sites to media sharing sites to sites that provide social streams, we are seeing countless ways in which a motivated individual can make their personal content available. There were always folks willing to share their story but the Internet gave them a pulpit on which to stand" (Boyd). Facebook is ideal in that it is quick and easy to share within that space, and shares have potential to become viral. All that's required are folks who are willing to listen. Distribution has largely become about commanding attention. However, attention spans tend to become short when it comes to facebook. People look for easy and available amusement. In this way I face a slight challenge. Checking out my sister's blog will require people to actually leave the facebook realm and be wiling to content themselves with reading instead of something more passive such as listening/watching/etc. This slight step of involvement may prove to be a hindrance. Yet, I am sure genuinely interested people will be willing to take that step. And no matter how short their attention spans, facebookers are at least reliable in that they tend to continuously come back and be a potential audience.

Works Cited

Boyd, Danah. 2009. "Streams of Content, Limited Attention: The Flow of Information through Social Media." Web2.0 Expo. New York, NY: November 17.

Dictionary.com. " Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com."Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com>.

Facebook.com. "Welcome to Facebook." 18 Dec. 2012. <http://www.facebook.com>.

O'Reilly, Tim. "What Is Web 2.0 - O'Reilly Media." O'Reilly Media - Technology Books, Tech Conferences, IT Courses, News. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2012. <http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html>.

I've never been big into video games. It's just not my preferred method of entertainment and, I must admit, in the past I have looked down on people who commit extensive amounts of time to them. So this piece on gaming presented video games in a new light for me. I had recognized some of their potential for creativity, stimulation of the imagination, problem-solving, etc. But the whole concept of expressing yourself (identity anyone?) was something I hadn't considered before. I guess that can be the most addicting part about gaming - self-expression, along with community and just good fun. Video games encompass so much. I liked the reference to McLuhan's idea of technology being an extension of the body. Beyond being an extension of our minds, video games become an extension of our social spheres and interactions. People have a desire to express themselves and to form relationships with other people. Video games allow them to do this while stimulating their imaginations and allowing them to solve problems; and with the ever-increasing personalization that these games are attaining, one can see just why they are the game of choice for the younger generations.

Some thought this day would never come...

I finally did it.
              I caved.
                    I got a phone.

It's kind of a big deal, for me. According to my friends I have 'officially reached an entirely new level of cool' and am 'almost a real person now!' I'm not sure I believe either of those comments, especially the latter, but it certainly is different having my own phone. I've had it for less than 72 hours, and it's already become a major means of communication for me. The first couple of days, though, I would completely forget I had it within even 10 minutes of using it - that is, until an abrupt ring or vibration would politely remind me. 
When people ask me how it is finally having a phone, I usually respond with 'convenient.' By that, I don't mean to imply that I don't enjoy having a phone. In fact it's just the opposite because of the ways in which it makes life quite a bit easier - for both me and my family/friends. It is quite strange though, the oxymoronic feeling of freedom and captivation. I no longer have to rely on my friends and their phones to get ahold of people (or be reached by people, as the case may be). I can now contact people without being near my computer or home phone. It's rather fantastic. But at the same time I can hardly put it down. I'll keep checking and re-checking it even when I know I have no unread messages. I'll drop everything at a moment's ...(hang on a second)...notice to check a text. I wouldn't say I feel entirely dependent on it, but I would say I'm developing a sense of attachment.  In class we talked about how some people feel alienated by technology while others see it as an extension of themselves. It's still weird to think of my phone as a part of me, as familiar and normal, but I'm sure I'll get used to the idea.

Project Tour

We talked a lot about identity during the second unit; the relevance and importance of having an online presence and how that takes shape. I found this section to be one of the most fascinating, and, therefore, it's not too surprising that the rhetorical situation I found for my project fit within that realm. You may recall from some of my blog posts, that finding a topic for this project was a bit of a struggle for me. I had some ideas about what media I might want to use, but I didn't have an exigence to propel my ideas forward. So in an effort to brainstorm, I went back through the previous units. With a little inspiration from some classmates, I decided to make identity the focus of my project.

I wanted to help my sister establish and develop an online identity through the means of a blog. I chose this particular medium because it would suit her semi-scatterbrained personality. She wouldn't be forced to categorize, label, or box the different areas of her life, but could allow it all to flow together naturally in a way that others could share in. The rhetorical situation here is not so much the presence of a problem so much as an absence of..well, her. Bitzer said that, “In short, rhetoric is a mode of altering reality... by the creation of discourse which changes reality through the mediation of thought and action” (4). Through the blog, she will be capable of changing reality through sculpting another side of her identity.

To examine the rhetorical situation further, we will take a look at content, audience, purpose and context. “Because communication is what binds us together and helps build...our communities, you are responsible for finding communicative purposes that respond to what is needed around you, that contribute usefully to the networks in which we all live” (Wysocki, 35).I already stated that the purpose of the project was to give my sister an opportunity to expand her online identity, and in doing so she would be helping build upon, or contributing to, an already existing community. The blog is a way for her to share her daily thoughts and activities with others, get feedback, connect with others of similar interests, and perhaps learn more about herself in the process.

As for content, I spent a lot of time on the visual format of the blog. This is the first thing that the audience will take in. The audience, in this case, would be anyone who follows the blog, allowing for a context that is undefined in breadth and nature because it is an ongoing discourse that each audience member comes across under varying circumstances. However, regardless of the individual circumstances, it was still important that the blog was visually inviting and that it be reflective of my sister. The color scheme I chose was one she was particularly fond of and it was rather warm and tranquil. Then there was the title – another prominent feature. The alliteration of “Everyday Effervescence” may have been a bit of a personal preference on my part, but my sister was on board with it. 'Effervescence' means “vivacity and enthusiasm” (Oxford Online Dictionary). It's to help reflect the way in which my sister finds joy in the little, everyday things, in simplicity and creativity.

The whole process, from brainstorming to my design plan to production, was full of unexpected changes and shifts. When I began this assignment, I certainly didn't expect it to end up where it has. However, the experience in manufacturing a digital media artifact and what that requires, all under a topic I was interested in exploring (identity), made this a personally beneficial and – I may say – enjoyable endeavor.

Peer Feedback

Sarah

Major Argument: Vocal Achord is an exciting and fun musical group.

Strengths: The logos presented a very clear message and helped portray a sense of liveliness. The musical symbols and references as well as the name of the group itself let the audience know what the group is about. The lettering as well as the orientation of some of the symbols helped present the group as fun-loving and exciting.

Things to Develop: Color will definitely help make the logo more eye-catching as well as help the words to stand out from the background and be more legible.


Charlie

Major Argument: Club Indigo is a neat place to learn about various cultures, experience community, and have a good time through food, entertainment, and social interaction.

Strengths: The presentation was able to stand on its own. It presented a clear message and was very informative. The text stood out well from the background and was easy to read. I definitely think that the pictures, when added, will help draw in the audience even more.

Things to Develop: Some of the slides had too much information on them and were hard to get through before the slide changed. One thing I noticed is that you say, "Why should I go?" on one slide. But then say, "Hope to see you soon!" on another. It might help if you changed the former to the second person 'you' instead of 'I' for consistency's sake.


James

Major Argument: Online piracy is a prevalent and serious problem.

Strengths: Statistics and numbers are visually represented well and help to make the message clear. The color contrast helps important information to stand out. Graphics help keep the audience engaged.

Things to Develop: This may just be a personal preference, but if you could lighten the background a bit it might make the black text easier to read. 


Cassandra

Major Argument: Greek life offers a lot of leadership opportunities.

Strengths: The presentation is informative and specific. The choice of medium is good because the movement it allows helps give a sense of energy and excitement to the presentation. Color contrast helped the text to stand out.

Things to Develop: There were a few instances where the text was hard to read because of the size and because there were too many colors going on at once. Try slowing it down ever so slightly to make sure the audience has time to read everything. I may have missed it if you already did this, but changing the orientation of the presentation (i.e. rotating or flipping it) might make it more dynamic and attention-grabbing.

Design Plan

Statement of Purpose: To provide my sister with a webspace for displaying, advertising, and, to an extent, documenting her variety of handmade crafts and projects. My sister is not, to my knowledge, looking to start up a business, however, this sharing of her creative outlets may eventually encourage her to do so; or it may just continue to be something she enjoys sharing with those around her.

Audience: Anyone interested in following my sister's work, particularly those who share similar interests or would like to purchase her work or commission her to make something.

Overall Strategies/Arrangement/Medium: I've decided to create a blog for my sister to accomplish this. I hope for it to be a rather visual blog that may even include tutorials and step-by-step instructions accompanied by a plethora of images. I like the blog because of the timeline setup, which will allow both my sister and her audience to see how her ideas and work have progressed and developed.

Here we go...

After much deliberation and topic-hopping, I have finally figured out how I want to go about this assignment...

For those who don't know me, I have a sister - well 4 in fact, but my only older sister is the only one relevant to this assignment. She's a much more creative and crafty person than I am. She crochets a LOT, especially hats, but also scarves and blankets. She's been doing this for about 2 years now. More recently she has been a bit obsessed with buttons. At first she began attaching them to the hats she was making, but then began making these very cute elastic bracelets and headbands that are simply covered in them. So those are the biggest things she's into making right now. She's given a lot of them away as gifts, and people will often ask if they can buy them from her or commission her to make specific items. So when this assignment came up and I was looking for a rhetorical situation, I proposed that I create some kind of webspace for her to advertise her work or just enjoy showing it off and letting people know more about who she is and what she enjoys.

This brings me to the choice of medium. I settled on helping her create a blog for a few reasons. First of all, with the way she hops around between varying types of projects and how they can evolve into other ones, I think a blog would be a good format. This way you can see how her work has progressed and changed in a timeline fashion. Secondly, she has never blogged before, and I feel like she would not only learn from the experience, but thoroughly enjoy it and take advantage of it as well. It's also a very laid back, accessible, easy atmosphere for both her and potential followers/customers, who would be the intended audience.

Wysocki-Lynch Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Wysocki and Lynch was all about further development of the purpose statement. I was a little discouraged when they stated right up front (on page 58) that it would be best to go through this chapter with a project in mind – because I had very little idea about my topic when I picked this up last night. However, I decided to plow through it anyway and hope that I could recall any useful information when I was actually working on my project.

There were two things in particular that I found rather interesting in this chapter. One was the idea that by presenting an argument you are, in fact, “designing futures” (p 60). The other is seeing arguing as a social activity, because you are trying to affect people’s experiences, attitudes, and/or opinions. We can see that these two views of argument directly relate to one another. “If we think of argument and communication as being about designing futures, then what argument can achieve is to give people ideas about what the future could be if their attitudes or beliefs were to shift somewhat” (p 60). Seeing argument in this light is mildly inspiring, but it also is a reminder to think carefully about what you choose to say and how you choose to say it.

The next portion of the chapter is all about composition and thinking. The authors encourage you to set aside time just to think about your argument and how you plan on developing and presenting it (Haven’t done that sufficiently either…it’s like these authors know me). They again come back to purpose, audience, and context. It’s important to make sure that everything you implement is working toward the overall goal. They remind you to consider your audience: their attitudes, priorities, and your relationship/experiences with them. Maintaining good standing with your audience is essential to an effective argument.  …So yeah, some of this was definitely review, but was still helpful in thinking about forming a more complex purpose statement.

Wysocki-Lynch Reading

This piece was considerably easier to get through than I was anticipating when I initially looked at the 59 page PDF. I think that was partly because there was a lot of review involved, at least for me personally. Wysocki and Lynch address 7 things to consider/develop between the stages of choosing and producing your argument.

1. Sense of Purpose: What are you trying to accomplish or achieve? Will it be worth the time to your audience?
2. Audience: Know them! You need to know what they will expect, how they will respond, and what will resonate with them, in order to communicate as clearly as possible.
3. Context: The time and/or location of your argument may call for different levels of formality or different media. The context will help determine what is appropriate and what will be effective.
4. Statement of Purpose (not to be confused with number 1): After taking into consideration your purpose, audience, and context, you can more concisely define or explain what exactly you want to do and why. This will perhaps be more helpful to you than anyone.
5. Strategies: What kinds of arguments are you going to use? Think about what is important to your audience. What are there concerns or presuppositions? Always be looking for different angles to work from.
6. Medium: How are you going to present your argument? Is it going to be spoken, visual, animated? Again, purpose, audience, and context need to be considered. Which mediums are appropriate? Which are more accessible and resonant with your audience? You also have to know what your limits are in terms of skills/competence, time, money, etc. Don't choose a project that you can't finish or that you can't do well.
7. Arrangement: Think about all the pieces of your project. Try mapping things out in different ways to produce a more powerful argument. You'll run into things that don't work, for sure, but this will help you better communicate with your audience. Consider how different arrangements add or detract from your message.

I really enjoyed the practicality of this piece, especially going into our third assignment. While some of it may seem obvious, it's a good reminder to always be considering, in particular, your purpose, audience, and context. You can have a fantastic mix of strategies, beautifully arranged and portrayed through an exciting medium...but if you have neglected your audience or forgotten the context, your purpose will likely find itself stopped cold in its tracks.

Bitzer Reading

Rhetorical Discourse is Not a Tree

First of all, you can ignore the title. I took it from the second paragraph of section I, "A rhetorical work is analogous to a moral action rather than to a tree" (p 3). The title I pulled from that sentence is virtually pointless (aside from the small amount of enjoyment I personally derived in forming it), however the analogy that IS present can help us better understand what a rhetorical situation is. Rhetorical discourse and moral action are similar in the sense that they are both a response to particular situations. Moral action is a result of an ethical situation that allows or requires a choice or an opportunity to change that situation. In the same way, utterance is rhetorical because of the situation that   allows it to be invited. "Rhetorical discourse is called into existence by situation; the situation which the rhetor perceives amounts to an invitation to create a present discourse" (p 9).

"[Rhetoric] functions  ultimately to produce action or change in the world" (p 4). Rhetoric is futile without an audience to sway or impact, because rhetoric must offer an opportunity to change the way people think or act. For this to be so, their must be a situation that brings about a desire for change; "a work of rhetoric is pragmatic; it comes into existence for the sake of something beyond itself" (p 3). This 'something' is the rhetorical situation. It gives the discourse not only purpose, but the ability to even occur. It demands resolution, and this need for resolve gives birth to the opportunity for rhetoric, which seeks to meet that demand.

Major Assignment 2

Hannah O'Connor

October 13, 2012

Call Me...Maybe?

            Cell phones, in our day and age, are considered a standard means of communication. This is particularly true of my generation. People are genuinely surprised (and perhaps occasionally appalled) when I tell them that I have never owned a cell phone. I see young people who are practically glued to these little devices and rely on them for a major part of their communication with family, friends, classmates, etc. Texting in particular seems to be an important form of communication to young people.

            So where does that leave people like me? My friends can make last minute plans, discuss homework, and keep up with one another throughout the day without seeing each other even once. I generally need to have access to a computer or face-to-face interaction to do so.

For a long time I was too nervous to even ask people if I could use their cell phones because I wasn't sure how to find the information I needed or execute the commands necessary to complete a task. Something as simple as sending a text would leave me feeling bewildered and embarrassed. Though my skills have improved since then, I still don’t know what it’s like to have that possibility of instant communication with me wherever I go.

            I realize it is by choice that I do not have a cell phone – don’t think I’m complaining – but having that diminished access, literacy, and fluency gives me a rather rare perspective on the subject. Since we are looking at the affects of such a lack, it behooves us to define the terms involved. Access sounds pretty straightforward. In class we discussed how it is the ability to be connected and involve. Access brings with it a digital presence, and therefore an identity. Literacy would be the knowledge necessary to take advantage of that access and operate the available media or technology. Fluency is related to literacy. Williams, while quoting the NRC’s Being Fluent with Information Technology describes literacy as a kind of “competency,” and fluency as “a higher level of competency” which allows the user “to adapt to changes in technology” and “acquire new skills independently,” that is, to still remain literate while following technological changes (Williams, pp 1-2). The most fundamental area that I am lacking in then, would be access. While I do have some literacy when it comes to cell phones, it is of little use without fluency and especially without access. These three work best when they go hand in hand. So what are the pros and cons to this lack of access, and does one side significantly outweigh the other?

            The advantages of owning a cell phone are generally self-evident to most people. Access to people through multiple means of communication, information, and data storage are just a few broad categories that scratch at the surface of a long list. And all of this can be carried around on your person 24/7. It grants you access into another layer of the digital sphere that seems to permeate our culture.

            Aaron Smith (speaking about internet access) says that the three largest reasons people don’t get connected is because they don’t find it relevant, they are uncomfortable, and/or they just have no interest in having that access (Smith 2010). Discomfort makes complete sense to someone in my position; but why, in today’s society of faster-equals-better, would people find owning a cell phone to be irrelevant or unimportant? There are those who would argue that the use of cell phones detracts from social experiences. A study conducted in 2008 on the subject of cell phones in public spheres concluded that cell phones and other interactive mobile devices “allow for distractions in public spheres…diffuses our responsibility to help those outside our social group,” and “function as masks that hinder active users form recognizing the needs of others” (Banjo, p 134).

            Is it not an ironic thought that a device that is supposed to promote connections and communication might actually be doing a better job of creating rifts between social groups? What becomes of McLuhan’s “global village?” McLuhan did also say, however, that “societies have always been shaped more by the nature of the media by which men communicate than by the content of the communication” (p 8). The nature of the cell phone is a paradox though. It provides nearly instant access to information and communication while simultaneously disconnecting us from our immediate surroundings. I guess one must decide which sphere of interaction they consider to be more important to help determine whether the pros or cons of this technology hold more sway.

            Having seen a bit of both sides of the coin, what could be done to improve this scenario? On the one hand, “perhaps we ought to develop a social code of behavior for proper cell phone usage” (Banjo, p 134). This would work towards solving the problem of disconnect from the world immediately surrounding us. On the other hand, the matter of discomfort and lack of literacy or fluency is, in my opinion, best solved through experience. It could just be a matter of taking that first step into a new digital realm, where, though we at first may feel out of place, we can begin to utilize (or access) a new medium that gives us a broader scope of connections.

            I can’t speak for the entire population of those who abstain from cell phone ownership, but I thought I’d explain a few reasons that I personally don’t own one. First of all, I don’t need the extra expense. I’ve survived this long without one, why start before I have to? Plus, I’m afraid that if I did get one I would become far too attached to it. This is especially not good because I find that it diminishes the quality of interaction with other people, for me at least. I also don’t think I would like being that accessible to other people. It seems almost like an invasion of privacy. However, I do recognize the value and convenience of owning one, and it probably won’t be too long before those outweigh the disadvantages I just listed.

Works Cited

Banjo, Omotayo, yifeng Hu, and S. Shyam Sundar. "Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model." The Open Communication Journal 2 (2008): 127-135. Print.

Mcluhan, Marshall, Quentin Fiore, and Jerome Agel. The medium is the massage: an inventory of effects. Corte madera, CA: Ginko Press, 2001. Print.

Smith, Aaron. "Home Broadband 2010 | Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project." Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.pewinternet.org/Press-Releases/2010/Home-Broadband-2010.aspx>. 

Williams, Kate, "Literacy and computer literacy: Analyzing the NRC's 'Being Fluent with Information

Technology'."  Journal of Literacy and Technology, volume 3, number 1, Spring 2003.  

Literacy and Fluency

There is a lot to be said about literacy and fluency in the Williams piece. I found the distinction between the two terms to be particularly interesting. The NRC's Being Fluent with Information Technology associates the term 'literacy' with competence and claims that it is "too modest a goal" (p 2). Fluency, on the other hand, is seen as 'deeper understanding' as well as 'a higher level of competency" (p 2). In a world where technology is rapidly becoming more and more complex, new levels and areas of literacy and expertise will become necessary.

Williams then begins to examine and discuss eleven theses regarding the NRC report. Only 5 of these were in some way a part of the original report, upon which Williams greatly expands. These 5 discuss Literacy as a technical skill, as conceptual, historical, and social, and as intertwined with power. 

Those theses added by Williams suggest more than just a definition and description of literacy. Williams discusses things such as "the literacy divide between school and home," (p 9) examining the four different kinds of school literacy (powerful, informational, functional, and performative) and how a difference can exist between community literacy and school literacy. She also looks at the desirability of connecting these different literacies.

Williams overall purpose in reviewing this report is to find the most effective way to gather further information and to determine which information is necessary to search out in answer to "the most important questions" (p 17).

Bourne Digital

Digital natives - they grew up immersed in technology and know no other way of living. They can't remember having to send handwritten letters or buy records. They tend to understand technology and how to use it more quickly than those who didn't grow up with it. Technology changes the way we study, communicate, interact, exchange information, and the list goes on. These digital natives have an advantage in this environment because they are so familiar with having an online presence, surfing the internet, texting, facebook, etc. 

However, there are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to the digital sphere of the internet. What about porn and online predators? Cyberbullying? Or something as 'simple' as illegally downloaded music? With its pros and cons, we must somehow find a way "to balance caution with encouragement: How do we take effective steps to protect our children as well as the interest of others, while allowing those same kids enough room to figure things out on their own?" (p. 9)

Major Assignment #1 - Final Draft

Digital Media Artifact: Skype

           In today’s technology seeped society we are constantly looking for more ways to remain connected with people, especially over long distances. ‘Snail mail’ just doesn’t cut it for most people anymore. We want instant contact, moment-by-moment updates, and immediate responses. The most widely used medium for such interaction is the internet. We utilize social networks such as facebook and twitter to easily get in touch with our loved ones and have a sense of involvement in their everyday lives. Another such means of communication is the service Skype. First created in 2003 by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, and now owned by Microsoft, this application software allows users to make phone calls to both mobile phones and landlines, share files – such as text documents, videos, and pictures - hold videoconferences, send instant messages and texts, forward or transfer calls, in addition to a variety of other useful features. Calls and messages between skype users are free, but features beyond that require various fees with options to pay as you go, subscribe, or buy the premium package and pay a reasonable monthly fee. (Skype Official Website)

            

            Manovich stated that new media had to meet certain criteria, such as numerical representation, transcoding, and modularity (p 20). When making a call using Skype, we begin with an analog voice stream that is picked up by a microphone. This is then transcoded into a digital format and broken into pieces that will be sent through the network and put back together on the other side of the call (Neagu). We can see then how from a technical standpoint, Skype falls into the category of digital media.

            It is also interesting to see how Baudrillard’s concepts of hypereality and simulations are demonstrated through Skype. For example, during a videoconference, Skype users can have face-to-face as well as audio communication. However, are these not merely digitized versions of real, physical interaction? A simulation? Users are only seeing and hearing representations of their contacts, yet they accept and treat it as entirely real, thus making it a reality (Baudrillard). We don’t even have to think twice about it. It is so natural for us to communicate and work through digital mediums. We rely on them every day, to the extent that they have become ingrained into our reality.

            “All media are extensions of some human faculty – psychic or physical. The wheel…is an extension of the foot” (McLuhan pp.26,31,32). We can see this concept played out in the case of Skype as well. Visuals such as video, documents, pictures and messages received would be an extension of the eye. Speaking audibly over a phone call or sending a text message would be considered extensions of the voice. Hearing audio stream would be an extension of the ear, and so forth. We expect to have the ability to access these means of communication. If that access, that extension, was taken away, we would feel somewhat lost and out of touch with the world around us.

            Anyone with computer and internet access can utilize Skype with relative ease. You can even forward calls to your phone when you’re out and about without your computer. Skype is especially great for avid travelers or college students, to help them keep in touch with people back home – I’m sure the parents love it even more than we do. I find it fascinating that maintaining some form of instantaneous contact has become so nearly effortless in our day and age. Skype allows people to keep in touch and up to date with one another in a way that, not too long ago, was impossible. Digital media technology has redefined how we interact with our world. Though we may be but simulations to one another from a digital standpoint, the thoughts expressed and the emotions felt are still very much human and very much real; and I am grateful to live in an era in which this kind of communication is readily accessible.

Works Cited:

Baudrillard, Jean. Simulacra and simulation. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1994. Print.

Manovich, Lev. "Chapter 1 What is new media?" Web. 26 Sept 2012.   <http://www.manovich.net/new_media_images.html>.

McLuhan, Marshall, Quentin Fiore, and Jerome Agel. The medium is the massage: an inventory of effects. Corte Madera, CA: Gingko Press, 2001. Print.

Neagu, Stefan. "How Does Skype Work? [Technology Explained]." Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2012. <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-how-does-skype-work/>.

Skype Official Website. "Free Skype internet calls and cheap calls to phones online - Skype." Free Skype internet calls and cheap calls to phones online - Skype. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2012. <http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home>.

Major Assignment Number One

Digital Media Artifact: Skype

           In today’s technology seeped society we are constantly looking for more ways to remain connected with people, especially over long distances. ‘Snail mail’ just doesn’t cut it for most people anymore. We want instant contact, moment-by-moment updates, and immediate responses. The most widely used medium for such interaction is the internet. We utilize social networks such as facebook and twitter to easily get in touch with our loved ones and have a sense of involvement in their everyday lives. Another such means of communication is the service Skype. First created in 2003 by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, and now owned by Microsoft, this application software allows users to make phone calls to both mobile phones and landlines, share files – such as text documents, videos, and pictures - hold videoconferences, send instant messages and texts, forward or transfer calls, in addition to a variety of other useful features. Calls and messages between skype users are free, but features beyond that require various fees with options to pay as you go, subscribe, or buy the premium package and pay a reasonable monthly fee. (Skype Official Website)

            Anyone with computer and internet access can utilize Skype with relative ease. You can even forward calls to your phone when you’re out and about without your computer. Skype is especially great for avid travelers or college students, to help them keep in touch with people back home – I’m sure the parents love it even more than we do. I find it fascinating that maintaining some form of instantaneous contact has become so nearly effortless in our day and age. However, there is no adequate substitute for real human interaction. Even so, Skype allows people to keep in touch and up to date with one another in a way that, not too long ago, was impossible.

           

            Manovich stated that new media had to meet certain criteria, such as numerical representation, transcoding, and modularity (p 20). When making a call using Skype, we begin with an analog voice stream that is picked up by a microphone. This is then transcoded into a digital format and broken into pieces that will be sent through the network and put back together on the other side of the call (Neagu).

            During a videoconference, Skype users can have face-to-face as well as audio communication. However, are these not merely digitized versions of real, physical interaction? A simulation? Users are only seeing and hearing representations of their contacts, yet they accept and treat it as entirely real, thus making it a reality (Baudrillard).

            “All media are extensions of some human faculty – psychic or physical. The wheel…is an extension of the foot” (McLuhan pp.26,31,32). We can see this concept played out in the case of Skype as well. Visuals such as video, documents, pictures and messages received would be an extension of the eye. Speaking audibly over a phone call or sending a text message would be considered extensions of the voice. Hearing audio stream would be an extension of the ear.

            Digital media technology has redefined how we interact with our world. Programs such as Skype give us the ability to reach across long distances to loved ones. Though we may be but simulations to one another from a digital standpoint, the thoughts expressed and the emotions felt are still very much human and very much real; and I am grateful to live in an era in which this kind of communication is readily accessible.

Sources:

Baudrillard, Jean. Simulacra and Simulations.

Manovich, Lev. "Chapter 1 What is new media?"

McLuhan, Marshall. The Medium is the Massage.

Neagu, Stefan. "How does Skype Work?"

Skype Official Website

Wikipedia - Skype

Baudrillard

I'm not going to pretend that Baudrillard wasn't particularly difficult, or that I was put him down still quite confused. From what I DID understand though, I will try to make some coherent thoughts. Baudrillard focuses on representations and simulations in relation to reality. He talks about how images reflect, mask, and pervert reality; but also how they mask its absence and are in no way related to reality.
He is continually drawing the conclusion that the simulation replaces reality, and that reality becomes the simulation. One of the examples he used was Disneyworld. "Disneyland is there to conceal the fact that it is the 'real' country...Disneyland is presented as imaginary in order to make us believe that the rest is real." Another example is illness. One feigning illness is simply pretending to be ill. One simulating illness, however, is producing symptoms of that illness. So are they actually ill or not? Who is to tell the difference? Baudrillard follows that if it can be simulated, then it becomes real, replacing the formerly recognized reality.

Welcome

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