Out of all the lectures, one particular theory has stuck with me: Marshall McLuhan's "the medium is the message". McLuhan proposed that the media itself, not the content it carries, should be the focus of study.
I think I will particularly look at how his theories relate to societies current issues with media ie. is violence on television affecting children etc.
1.
Marshall McLuhan : cosmic media / Janine Marchessault. Author: Marchessault, Janine.Publication: London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif. : SAGE, 2005.
There is a chapter in this titled "Murder by television" which would be helpful in deconstructing his theory on how it does not matter if television broadcasts children's shows or violent programming, the effect of television on society would be identical. ** This article also includes some criticism of McLuhan - important to gather more than one view on the topic**
Title:
McLuhan: pro & con / edited and with an introd. by Raymond Rosenthal.
Author:
Rosenthal, Raymond B.
Publication:
Baltimore,Md. : Penguin, 1969,c1968.
Description:
308 p ; 21 cm.
Subjects:
McLuhan, Marshall, 1911-. Mass media -- Psychological aspects.
------As the name suggests, this would be important in gathering the pros and cons of McLuhans argument.
3.
Title:
Understanding Media [electronic resource]
Author:
Mcluhan, Marshall
Edition:
2nd.
Publication:
Hoboken : Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2001.
Description:
399 p.
Notes:
Electronic reproduction
**McLuhan's actual text where he explains his theory on the 'medium and the message'.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Scavenger Hunt
SCAVENGER HUNT: using www.yahoo.com
1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin?
1,502 pounds
"Coventry 'pumpkin king' grows mother of all pumpkins"
By NICOLE WIETRAK
10/14/2006
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1720&dept_id=74554&newsid=17324876&PAG=461&rfi=9
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
I could only find FAN websites!
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
A giraffe's tongue is 18 to 20 inches (46 to 50 centimeters)
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giraffe.html
4. How would you define the word 'ontology'? In your own words, what does it really mean ?
Ontology is the study of being or existence. To me, it means challenging the concepts of reality of the idea of 'self'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology
5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film?
Stereo (1969) (also writer, cinematographer, editor)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cronenberg#Bibliographies
6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written?
written January 8, 1986
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker's_Manifesto
7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'?
FOR MANY years, 555 was unassigned as a dialling code in the US and could thus be used to prefix fictional numbers with impunity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2357,00.html
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?
Flying is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way of getting to Crete to Rhodes.
http://www.statravel.co.nz/cps/rde/xchg/nz_division_web_live/hs.xsl/travel_guide_to_greece.htm?dest=131046&sec=transport.xsl
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?
I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers
http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm
10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?
Stephen played keyboard for Brisbane punk band, the Black Assassins.
http://www.griffith.edu.au/school/art/staff/stockwell.htm
- What is a search engine?
An online program that searches websites for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents where the keywords were found.
How do search engines rank the stuff they find on the internet?
Search engines rank sites in different ways:
some engines list sites by how many times your keywords appear. The more often a keyword is found, the higher the rank
some engines rank sites by counting how many other sites are linked to them
some engines put paid listings on top
http://www-navigator.utah.edu/module3/searchengines.htm
who, or what, makes one page (that you might get in your search results) more useful than another one, so that it is put at the top of your search results?
The relevance and if the word is being used numerous times or even in the same context.
what are some of your favourite search engines? why do you like one more than others?
I tend to use Google almost all of the time because it always seems to find whatever I need. It also it really easy to navigate, for example, looking for images is incredibly simple.
Can you find some current news stories about search engines? (for example, Google has been in the technology news a bit lately).
"Google has poured cold water on claims it is developing a mobile phone."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/mobiles--handhelds/google-quashes-mobile-phone-talk/2007/03/21/1174153139660.html
1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin?
1,502 pounds
"Coventry 'pumpkin king' grows mother of all pumpkins"
By NICOLE WIETRAK
10/14/2006
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1720&dept_id=74554&newsid=17324876&PAG=461&rfi=9
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
I could only find FAN websites!
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
A giraffe's tongue is 18 to 20 inches (46 to 50 centimeters)
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giraffe.html
4. How would you define the word 'ontology'? In your own words, what does it really mean ?
Ontology is the study of being or existence. To me, it means challenging the concepts of reality of the idea of 'self'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology
5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film?
Stereo (1969) (also writer, cinematographer, editor)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cronenberg#Bibliographies
6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written?
written January 8, 1986
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker's_Manifesto
7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'?
FOR MANY years, 555 was unassigned as a dialling code in the US and could thus be used to prefix fictional numbers with impunity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2357,00.html
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?
Flying is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way of getting to Crete to Rhodes.
http://www.statravel.co.nz/cps/rde/xchg/nz_division_web_live/hs.xsl/travel_guide_to_greece.htm?dest=131046&sec=transport.xsl
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?
I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers
http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm
10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?
Stephen played keyboard for Brisbane punk band, the Black Assassins.
http://www.griffith.edu.au/school/art/staff/stockwell.htm
- What is a search engine?
An online program that searches websites for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents where the keywords were found.
How do search engines rank the stuff they find on the internet?
Search engines rank sites in different ways:
some engines list sites by how many times your keywords appear. The more often a keyword is found, the higher the rank
some engines rank sites by counting how many other sites are linked to them
some engines put paid listings on top
http://www-navigator.utah.edu/module3/searchengines.htm
who, or what, makes one page (that you might get in your search results) more useful than another one, so that it is put at the top of your search results?
The relevance and if the word is being used numerous times or even in the same context.
what are some of your favourite search engines? why do you like one more than others?
I tend to use Google almost all of the time because it always seems to find whatever I need. It also it really easy to navigate, for example, looking for images is incredibly simple.
Can you find some current news stories about search engines? (for example, Google has been in the technology news a bit lately).
"Google has poured cold water on claims it is developing a mobile phone."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/mobiles--handhelds/google-quashes-mobile-phone-talk/2007/03/21/1174153139660.html
Monday, March 19, 2007
Tutorial Task Wk. 3
Write a post about how you use new communication technologies to communicate with your friends and family:
Well, that above is really the main reason I use communication technologies. That and entertainment.
Whilest I'm not really into meeting completely random people in chatrooms or adding total strangers on myspace, I do think it is a positive way to enhance your social network (even though sitting at home on the computer doesn't always seem like a very social thing to do).
I mainly use MSN to communicate - sometimes its even easier then texting my friends.
But now MySpace has arisen, I'm pretty much addicted to that too.
Technologies like these mainly spread through word of mouth, and soon enough you get curious and join in to find out what it's all about.
It happened with Hotmail, MSN, and now Myspace. Soon I bet something else will come up that will no doubtedly make some techno-whiz a whole lot of money, and take up a whole lot of our spare time!
Some people say that things like Myspace are a "waste of time", "mindless entertainment", or just plain pointless. I disagree. Could anyone think of another program that could have millions of people around the world using html codes without a second thought? I thought I was a technical mess and that anything Tech i tried to do would fail horribly. But, through these new communicaton technologies I feel more confident, and no matter what anyone says, I think it's a skill!It's also a pretty big reflection on today's society too. I think it's a positive thing to adapt and accept new technologies and ideas; it's the only way we can keep up with things in this world.
Well, that above is really the main reason I use communication technologies. That and entertainment.
Whilest I'm not really into meeting completely random people in chatrooms or adding total strangers on myspace, I do think it is a positive way to enhance your social network (even though sitting at home on the computer doesn't always seem like a very social thing to do).
I mainly use MSN to communicate - sometimes its even easier then texting my friends.
But now MySpace has arisen, I'm pretty much addicted to that too.
Technologies like these mainly spread through word of mouth, and soon enough you get curious and join in to find out what it's all about.
It happened with Hotmail, MSN, and now Myspace. Soon I bet something else will come up that will no doubtedly make some techno-whiz a whole lot of money, and take up a whole lot of our spare time!
Some people say that things like Myspace are a "waste of time", "mindless entertainment", or just plain pointless. I disagree. Could anyone think of another program that could have millions of people around the world using html codes without a second thought? I thought I was a technical mess and that anything Tech i tried to do would fail horribly. But, through these new communicaton technologies I feel more confident, and no matter what anyone says, I think it's a skill!It's also a pretty big reflection on today's society too. I think it's a positive thing to adapt and accept new technologies and ideas; it's the only way we can keep up with things in this world.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
La Jetee
After the lecturer briefly introduced the the concept of French New Wave Cinema to us, the lights were dimmed and a dodgy quality film filled the screen in front of us.
Slightly confused, I watched as random black and white still images began to play, a French voice narrating - extremely grateful for subtitles.
I admit it took me awhile to understand that it was, in fact, a science fiction film we were watching, and not some Cold War biography.
Finally, the concept of the film revealed itself. It was about a post-nuclear war experiment on time travel. I was quite pleased that it didn't attempt to refer to the good old time machine idea, but rather explored the idea that we could travel throught time via our thoughts and dreams.
However strange the movie was, I still appreciated it.
From a technological point of view, the idea was groundbreaking. I can see why it inspired such films as Twelve Monkeys etc.
So apparently, the idea of New wave cinema is to use simple methods to tell challenging stories - to bring intellectual plots to the big screen.
Well, I guess I could certainly say that the topic made you think. Could it actually be possible to time travel...and in such a way that we could simply use our mind power to change the space/time continuim?
Personally, everything I've learnt in school as 'common sense' rejects this theory of time travel, unless there has been some sort of mind blowing technological advance.
But the thought that someone did come up with this idea, especially in the 1960's, just goes to show that although our minds may not be able to travel through time, they are capable of formulating ideas that will challenge society for years to come.
Slightly confused, I watched as random black and white still images began to play, a French voice narrating - extremely grateful for subtitles.
I admit it took me awhile to understand that it was, in fact, a science fiction film we were watching, and not some Cold War biography.
Finally, the concept of the film revealed itself. It was about a post-nuclear war experiment on time travel. I was quite pleased that it didn't attempt to refer to the good old time machine idea, but rather explored the idea that we could travel throught time via our thoughts and dreams.
However strange the movie was, I still appreciated it.
From a technological point of view, the idea was groundbreaking. I can see why it inspired such films as Twelve Monkeys etc.
So apparently, the idea of New wave cinema is to use simple methods to tell challenging stories - to bring intellectual plots to the big screen.
Well, I guess I could certainly say that the topic made you think. Could it actually be possible to time travel...and in such a way that we could simply use our mind power to change the space/time continuim?
Personally, everything I've learnt in school as 'common sense' rejects this theory of time travel, unless there has been some sort of mind blowing technological advance.
But the thought that someone did come up with this idea, especially in the 1960's, just goes to show that although our minds may not be able to travel through time, they are capable of formulating ideas that will challenge society for years to come.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Week 1; Tutorial 10-12
...How about I start things off by telling you all a little something about me?
My name is Keryn, fresh out of highschool - and therefore a first year at university.
I'm doing a Bachelor of Journalism hoping to major in the Popular Culture side of things.
Yes..that's right: lifestyle magazines and such..I think it's just as important as politics etc because popular culture has just as much effect on the world when you think about it.
That's why I'm so interested in this subject - New Communication Technologies. With society rapidly changing to adapt to new technologies, I think it's important to understand how it all works. Youtube is the new television, Blogs are the new diaries, and MySpace is the new way to do...well, almost everything. Whether you are for it, or against it, technology is gradually taking over every aspect of our lives.
So, my following blogs will cover my perceptions of this subject - ranging from relevant lecture notes and websites, to things I find interesting about the course...and I'll probably rant a little about the things I don't find so interesting. (Hopefully, there won't be a lot of that). For now, I'll leave you with my thoughts on it so far - a) the air conditioning in this room is quite nice, and b) I think it's pretty much awesome that we are getting assessed for writing a blog :)
Yes - as you can tell my thoughts are really deep at this point in time.
My name is Keryn, fresh out of highschool - and therefore a first year at university.
I'm doing a Bachelor of Journalism hoping to major in the Popular Culture side of things.
Yes..that's right: lifestyle magazines and such..I think it's just as important as politics etc because popular culture has just as much effect on the world when you think about it.
That's why I'm so interested in this subject - New Communication Technologies. With society rapidly changing to adapt to new technologies, I think it's important to understand how it all works. Youtube is the new television, Blogs are the new diaries, and MySpace is the new way to do...well, almost everything. Whether you are for it, or against it, technology is gradually taking over every aspect of our lives.
So, my following blogs will cover my perceptions of this subject - ranging from relevant lecture notes and websites, to things I find interesting about the course...and I'll probably rant a little about the things I don't find so interesting. (Hopefully, there won't be a lot of that). For now, I'll leave you with my thoughts on it so far - a) the air conditioning in this room is quite nice, and b) I think it's pretty much awesome that we are getting assessed for writing a blog :)
Yes - as you can tell my thoughts are really deep at this point in time.
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