Black Mirrors

Black mirrors is a British show that in each episode, examines the impacts of technology and also how society interacts with it. The title Black Mirrors is meant to represent the different screens that are used on a daily basis. Director Charlie Brooker took a creative spin in getting a specific message across by making each episode unique. 

The first episode features the United Kingdom Prime Minister being stuck between a rock and a hard place when the royal family's princess is kidnapped, and he is asked to do a gruesome act with a pig in order to guarantee her release. In a crazy end to the episode he follows through with it, but throughout the episode you can see different instances of people glued to the TV screen and social media rather than addressing the main issue. Also when the gruesome act is finished, those close with the Prime Minister realize that the princess was released thirty minutes before the Prime Minister did anything, and people were glued to the TV watching it. 

The second episode, in my opinion was my least favorite out of the three. It showed a very technological based area where people have to earn their way to avoid constant ads and try to sing in a American Idol like contest. In this place people are constantly surrounded by screens and the main character, Bing, gets fed up with the lack of humanity and being able to feel something in the environment. And in the third episode shows people who have a small device implanted behind their ear, where they can replay their memories and can also access memories of other people like their children for example. This proves to be an incredibly piece of technology but comes at a cost when a couple is facing trouble, and it makes the viewer question how boundaries are established with this kind of technology.

All three episodes interestingly enough even though different in their own way address technology and how society uses it. Are these "black mirrors" having a positive impact? And do more boundaries based on the lessons and messages shown in these episodes? Is being connected being too connected, and is there trust with this? To be honest watching these episodes scared me in a sense because it's really a mystery what the future holds. We already have self driving cars that can parallel park for you, is the next thing really a computer chip implanted behind out ear?

Geek Heresy Chapter 3

In the third chapter of Geek Heresy called "Geek Myths Debunked: Dispelling Misguided Beliefs About Technology" it talks about human habits and adaptation to technology, particularly new ones. As students who study media, we hear time and time again the positives and negative that go into technology. It is a balancing act, which was very much reflected by Toyama in this chapter of the reading. A take away point from the chapter was how human usage of technology and how it becomes normalized in our everyday life is solely not the fault of the technology itself but is a part of our nature.

An example of this I have from my own life that comes to mind, even talking about media, is that of my baby cousins. I have two cousins who are older than me, and have two children each. One family lives in rural Kentucky on a farm, with no internet access and no cable. They spend a lot of time outside and even though they have DVDs and have an cell phones, they try not to spend too much time in front of a screen and want the kids to grow up having a good balance. In contrast, the other cousins tend to always be on their iPads, playing educational games and watching their favorite shows. One summer they came to visit Rhode Island on the same weekend, and my cousin from Kentucky (she was about 5 at the time) came to me upset saying that she did not understand why her cousins who were the same age as her did not want to play outside with her. They were inside spending time on their iPads which they know how to use well, and used to Skype their grandparents or even play games together on. But she didn't understand why they didn't want to come outside and play with her, and how they were having so much fun on their iPads. It makes you think, how is one child so focused on the technology and the other not? Especially at such a young age?

I always remember this instance because it shows how normalized technology has become in our day to day lives, both for older and younger generations. But as stated in the reading, is it the fault of the new mediums? Or at the fault of our human nature? Personally I feel it is a mix of both. We always get excited for the new phone to come out or the new app we found, but all of this was created by human intent and with the planning that these technologies would adapt to human tendencies. There is an "addictive" tendencies in human nature, and when we step back and take a look at how we use technology, this does indeed make sense. This is why there needs to be a balance in using these mediums, and not putting the fault on the technology solely but how we as people use them.

Opportunity: Geek Heresy Intro and Chapter 1

“Talent is universal; opportunity is not.”

This quote pulled out from the introduction of the reading not only opens an entire can of worms into the first chapter, but is a strong statement to open with as it is incredibly relate-able to the reader. The reading continues on to discuss the opportunity that is available with technology, and how opportunity is in fact the internet.  For example, in the first chapter they talk about some movements for social change such as the MIT movement to bring laptops in schools of developing countries. This shows a movement for social change through the internet, which can be seen through campaigns and content created then to be shared online. 

It's interesting because "opportunity" can be seen in so many different ways, especially from what has come from the internet and what it offers. Certain figures have become successful businessmen/women as they have created opportunity through the internet. Some believe that media and technology is the best way to create social change.  When in reality it sometimes is over anticipated to create so much change and does not necessarily accomplish all that it is thoughtfully hoped. Technology and the internet are mediums and outlets to gain attention and awareness on certain issues that call for social change. These mediums however, are assumed as opportunities that can solve these exact problems, which is not truth. 

What this chapter pointed out especially to me was the definition of "opportunity" as it works hand in hand with technology. An expectation is that even though talent is universal, there is so much opportunity with technology and the internet. How much opportunity it offers though, does not come directly out of the internet itself, but it is a means to create opportunity. These mediums can be bought, donate and brought to people but the skills and tools needed to use or understand them is something that is not simply given from them. 

Chapter 3 of "Hamlet on the Holodeck"

This chapter added onto the content of the other section of Hamlet on the Holodeck we have read as it talked about digital environments. It pointed out key aspects of these digital environments, especially how they have developed. I personally really liked how the chapter was structured in giving a historical context to digital environments all the way back to when cinema was introduced in Paris. Its similar to the perspective of the presentation given by the guest speaker in class where our knowledge of advertising was put into a historical context that made us think about how everything has come to be.

I was taken back particularly by the Eliza example, which made me immediately think of Siri. Siri is a feature on the Apple iPhone which you can speak with and be given answers similar to the features of Eliza that relate to key words or that is connected to a search engine. Granted Siri itself is not a digital environment, but hearing the goose-bump story of Eliza made me realize how much we are heading down a road in our world that will contain a more advanced version of Eliza. Siri is more of a guide and does not have as much of a therapeutic tone as Eliza did, but still carries the same issue of having communications with technology. This kind of technology, may in the future become a digital environment we use everyday.

We were discussing in my global communications class about possessions that people value or hold as most important. One of the top items was a car, and we talked about a incredibly chilling thought that cars are turning into PC's, even with voice commands to make them "hands free". There's no argument that hands free technology in cars are safer, but they are a digital environment in themselves. The topic being brought up in class made me think of the reading. We can communicate in talking with the technology in our hands or in our vehicles. This ties back to Eliza in thinking how much do we need to rely on those conversations? Technology as the chapter points out, does not have human qualities or complexities. By bringing these technologies closer to ourselves and our everyday life, are we losing some of our value for face to face interaction. Inserting ourselves in these digital environments, whether they are video games or chatting with Siri for answers, can be handled in a helpful way but could also be handled in one that takes away from human aspects of conversation. As we have seen, digital environments can be ways to share stories and content but in the chilling case presented here they can replace face to face interaction or become seen as more convenient.

Blog 6: Transmedia Storytelling

What I took away from these readings was something similar to what I wrote about in my previous blog post. Transmedia storytelling, for me, means a way that the digital age offers to make a story be told and come to life in a whole new way. Aside from a story within a book, transmedia storytelling offers a multimedia and multi-platform way to engage the reader and convey a story. One of the main ideas that was in Transmedia Guide to Storytelling was how it let readers become immersed in the story, and allowed for more creativity as an audience can interact with a story.

I had talked about how the story of Harry Potter had expanded much farther from its seven books and has taken on a new way of storytelling through its website Pottermore, and the interactive nature of site which brings the story to life. If I had to dig into a more local example of transmedia storytelling, an example would be really through Rhode Island itself. One story I know took off was that of Viola Davis (fun fact, my best friend's mom went to high school with her!). The actress from Rhode Island has had a incredible acting career and is seen as a role model in Hollywood. This is from the films and shows shes done, in addition to the media attention as she has carried herself through her career having had noteworthy things to say that have made headlines. She has won multiple awards for her work and is currently in the series How To Get Away With Murder (highly recommended, my friends and I watch it every Thursday!). She is not a viral star but she is one who in her career has created her own story of how she started to where she is today.

A main part of her story was when she won her Emmy, and in her acceptance speech thanked the writers for giving her the opportunity to star in the show. She commented on race and how the only difference between color is opportunity, and how she was thankful for the opportunity she received. She has told her own story through her acceptance speeches, her performances and her career. Not similar to an online forum or a specific media, Viola Davis is a figure from Rhode Island who has made her mark on Hollywood already and who locally in Rhode Island is a big deal.

Transmedia Storytelling

After going through this reading, I am not going to lie I had mixed ideas about what transmedia storytelling was. I had heard of the concept prior to this class but had never actually looked into what it fully meant. I could see how it can be confused with marketing, and how trans-media storytelling can be seen as a way to promote content. Thinking back on the reading I wish it was more clear in summarizing what transmedia embodies, rather than comparing debating ideas about what people think it is. Even though there isn't a full definition of it yet, which makes me feel better as to why I didn't find this reading clear, it would have been helpful to someone who hasn't yet learned what trans-media storytelling is about to have had that clear summary.

The main take away I had from the reading was that trans-media storytelling is one that allows you in a way to bring a story to life through different platforms and mediums. In a way it does have a marketing component because through these different platforms and mediums it creates a way for content to be put out their and show to an audience. Oddly one of the main transmedia examples I had when going through the reading was the development of Harry Potter and Pottermore. We all know the seven-book series of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, but since the release of the series the story has expanded.

Pottermore is a online entertainment and publishing site that users can join which continues on the stories, culture and characters of the wizarding world. In recent months, the author J.K Rowling has released a book Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (soon to be a major motion picture) and is releasing The Cursed Child this coming November! On the site their are profiles and smaller stories that are within the wizarding world of the series. The story has come off the pages and has continued into this trans-media storytelling site. Users can read stories on the individual books, characters and figures who make appearances within the books. In addition to the content on the site, they have a updated social media presence that users can follow on their social media accounts involving new stories, fandom and announcements. A bit nerdy but when the world thought the Harry Potter series had ended after the seventh book and the eighth film, Pottermore and the platform it has created as opened up the wizarding world to transmedia story telling.

Overall in the reading I felt a clearer message of transmedia storytelling could have been expressed to the reader, even though there may not be a solid definition of it yet. I felt the examples that were posted on the Facebook page and even relating it to Pottermore helped me gather a better understanding of what transmedia storytelling is. Personally I am interested to learn more about because I like the creative side of how storytelling has moved onto the web and how transmedia storytelling has evolved.

Superbowl Advertisements and Social Media #SB50

I was able to watch a majority of the Superbowl, or as those like me who don't usually get into football would call "the game at the Beyonce/Coldplay/Bruno Mars concert". It is the biggest football game of the season and also the largest television event in the United States, regardless if you support football or not. And because of this, there is a heavy advertisement and marketing presence on the event. The slots themselves are millions of dollars for a number of seconds due to the high volume of viewers that tune into the game. The other reason there are many viewers is that the Superbowl is known for its creative, funny and joke filled commercials.

A lot of car and food commercials, celebrities chime in for different sponsors in Superbowl ads. This year for Superbowl 50 for example we saw Drake do a play on his song "Hot Line Bling" for AT&T which followed with a hashtag for members who use the company to share on their social media. Other commercials that hit the funny bone included Doritos who did a play on dogs trying to get into a grocery store. The Superbowl in itself is a huge advertising and marketing outlet for different brands, companies and even celebrities.  Overall the goal of these advertisements is to gain attention. By making them funny, unique and full of famous faces they try to do that in the expensive time they have on the air.

Marketing is meant to reach the consumer and to get their attention. The Superbowl advertisements ranged from musical guests advertising how to buy your next apartment to Heinz putting dachshund dogs in hot dog costumes running at people who are wearing ketchup and mustard costumes. In addition to this the use of social media within the ads, I talked about this in my paper as well because this is how marketing has free platforms to connect with consumers through social media. In general I felt the advertisements in the Superbowl got better as the game went on and got the attention that they had meant to receive. They remain my favorite part of the Superbowl and even for products that I personally may not have liked, I took note of them because of the catch their commercial ad had.

Chapter 4: Communications and Networks

In this chapter Baym talks about how online communities and networks are becoming social norms and a common way people connect online. I agree with a majority of what is stated in the chapter, and also can see how as discussed in class she writes in a un-bias style on the topic. She provides more facts rather than her own opinion, which allows you to form your own from the information she gives you. During the chapter she defines norms as "a framework through which people determine what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable," (pg. 87) while also touching on the fact that there is no updated definition of "community". Community can mean a variety of things, but in this instance it is the interaction of people or a group in the digital realm.

Reading through the chapter it is interesting how many different communities actually exist online. Exploring the idea, you immediately think of online support groups, chat rooms and online subcultures. Other examples from the chapter include second life cultures on line such as Sims and World of Warcraft where people through coding are entered into another world, able to communicate with others. It is a interesting concept how you can escape reality and enter into a community online, for some it is supportive and beneficial while for others it can be more of a negative in preventing them from face to face interaction. Another idea that Baym reflects on is that in these shared communities and shared spaces, there is a shared sense of identity. People in these groups and communities related to each other over similar topics, issues, ideas and likes. The individual identities people may have can come together in a community to make a common shared identity. 

I find the points and ideas throughout this chapter to be incredibly valid. Just as anything with the digital age and being connected, there comes both negatives and positives. It is incredibly positive that communities such as support groups are created and there for those who feel they need someone to talk to. Particularly over tough times and issues, support groups can be a powerful thing. On the negative side being over involved and connected to these communities can take away from the benefits of face to face interaction. A face to face interaction and conversation in a supportive community can be intimidating, so for some an online community might be more comfortable. This is where the idea of "social norms" plays a huge role. I agree with this idea especially, that more and more society is finding these online communities and conversations to hold as much if not more water than real conversations. This has become a social norm today and its hard to think of how this in addition to these communities will impact our conversations and interpersonal relations in the future. 

The Wires: War and Peace in the Global Village

This reading I found interesting because it flashed back to a point in time where journalism was going through changes with this new communication technology. With the world as connected as it is now, its hard to believe reading the passage in the reading that discussed how news was transmitted through letters and could talk up to a week even to receive, let alone report. Its incredible how far technology has come and what even the communication through telegraphs created for the world. Especially during a time of war, it does not surprise anyone that the new technology was utilized. What caught my eye in this chapter was the author discussing the errors that came with the telegraph and using it as a new tool of communication.

There were messages misheard, and a stronger dependency on it that maybe should have been at the time. Comparing this with the attitude journalists had with the telegraph, its is understandable how in both situations there was an immediate rush to best make use of the telegraph and communicate important information to it. Especially after how slowly information traveled prior to this, news could be communicated and reported much faster than ever before. But with anything, its hard to say that the errors and miscommunication within the use of the telegraph wouldn't have happened. It was new, innovative and exciting so its understandable that there would be some trial errors as the fascination of the communication over wires grew. The interesting piece to this as well is that ever since then, there have been plenty of those moments with many new technologies throughout history.

Chapter 1: New Forms of Personal Communication

The beginning chapter of Personal Connections in the Digital Age already has me hooked, both in the different ideas it discusses and then also the topic of personal communication in the digital age itself. Its interesting to read about and analyze in relation to your own life. The topic of technology, the digital age in relation to personal interaction has been an underlining topic in a majority of Media Studies courses. This particular chapter goes over what in fact the digital age and technology has on relationships and connections. Granted technology is always updating and changing, and so does the dynamics of how we communicate.

One of the first points the chapter made was on how mediums and methods of communication have been traded for others, such as mailing letters has been traded for email. Almost a need for quicker access and quicker response, communication and connection is now right at our finger tips. The chapter hits the positive and negative side of this idea, but one perspective stood out to me the most. There was a paragraph towards the beginning of the chapter that talked about how being connected and being constantly online can take someone away from the present, physical environment. There are many examples of this from people on their phones at restaurants to a bad first date where the other person is constantly checking their phone. Can being on our phone take away from the now? Are we actually somewhere else rather than where you physically are? Does it manipulate our interactions and how meaningful they are?

Its a toss and definitely a debatable topic. Constantly being online and without face-to-face interaction does take away from the interactions someone can have in the now, but on the other side of the coin there are many opportunities that have come out of the digital age and being connected. This is another topic this chapter discusses which I am excited to read more about. There has been so much opportunity created from the digital age and being connected, and I am interested to read and learn more from this class about the balance of good and bad in relation to how personal communication has changed with the digital age.