Transformation of Media
Question One
In what ways do new media devices affect our communication activities and practices, as well as larger social arrangements and organizations? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.
In the modern society, it is essential to understand and note the role of technology in shaping and determining the lives of individuals and interactions within the society. It is also essential to illustrate on the message content as the main influence under the influence of the medium in relation to levels and types of interactions within the society. New media refers to the interactive forms or entities of communication that adopts and implement internet. These communication systems and aspects include podcasts, social networks, blogs, text messaging, RRS feeds, wiki, and virtual world (Flew et al, p. 17). The modern economy and society continue to adopt and improve the context of information and technology systems through implementation of various devices to enhance interactions within the society. The development of the new media devices has had an immense impact in relation to the interaction styles and aspects within the society. This is through various influences on the mode of individual interactions in relation to community members, social status, and organizations.
New media devices continue to lower the cost of communication and interaction through the implementation of the internet thus the concept of networking in communication. In the traditional aspect of communication with reference to the implementation of old media concepts such as letters, radio, and newspapers, it was difficult for the society members to receive relevant information in relation to the developments and events in their surroundings. This has undergone rapid transformation through the incorporation and integration of the internet and other new media devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Smart phones (Flew et al, p. 19). Individuals have the opportunity and enhanced ability to communicate through social networking platforms such as twitter on their phones. This is a reflection of the improvement in the forms of interaction and communication thus essential for the growth and development of the organization.
Adoption and integration of the new media devices have improved the rate and speed of transfer of information to the audiences. In the past scenario, individuals had to wait for publication and distribution of the newspapers in the morning in order to accessing vital information affecting or influencing the society. In the context of the new media devices, individuals now have internet at the back of their disposal. This offers the opportunity for improved accessibility of information for the events, developments, and news across the globe at a faster rate in comparison with the previous regime. The implementation of the new media devices also incorporates the element of the breaking news at the bottom of the television presentation. This offers the opportunity for audiences to access information at first hand thus improvement in the transmission of the information to the society.
New media devices and integration of technology also continue to shape the office or institution of politics in the modern society. Politicians now turn to the new media devices and components to interact with their followers effectively and efficiently. This is essential for the minimization of the cost of political campaigns like in the previous regime. Most of the society members across the globe have access to the new media devices and components such as social networking platforms and podcasts in order to air their views, policies, and manifestos within the political institution. The modern politicians consider internet as an incredible revelation in reaching the audiences thus the opportunity to interact cheaply, effectively, and efficiently with the target audiences (Flew et al, p. 18).
New media devices and components continue to create and develop new social status within the society. There is a growing gap between the rich and the poor because of the adoption and integration of the new media devices and components. The society continues to develop in different social orders and structures because of the accessibility and availability of the new media devices at the disposal of the community members. This explains the growth in the concept of capitalism in the technological sectors. Individuals who have accessibility to the new media devices such as Smart phones are classified as reach societal members.
New media devices also lead or contribute towards the improvement of revenues and profit levels for various organizations. This is through effective and efficient marketing programs by the organizations by incorporating new media devices into reaching consumers. This is an indication of cheap marketing process by the organization towards the achievement of the goals and objectives thus essential for the enhancement of products and service delivery. In the process, the organization has the opportunity to improve its interaction with the consumers thus an opportunity to meet the objectives and targets in the context of financial resources. This is vital for the achievement of competitive advantage within the industry and market of operation. The modern organizations also implement new media devices to execute quality and efficient research for the improvement of services. This is through obtaining feedback from their consumers on relevant ways of improving their products and service delivery. The adoption of devices such as Smart phones and iPhones also continue to transform the organizations in relation to the achievement and realization of their goals and objectives. This is through execution of effective and efficient advertisement programs thus the opportunity to improve their interactions with the consumers.
New media devices have enhanced connectivity between individuals irrespective of their locations across the globe. This is through implementation of internet services to enhance communication among relatives, friends, and organizations in the modern society. This is essential for the development of the society because of the accessibility and transfer of the information at a faster rate in comparison to the traditional media devices. Information is a vital tool for the development and growth of the society. This makes it critical for the modern society to maximize the transfer of information from one area to another region through incorporation and integration of the new media devices and components (Flew et al, p. 20).
New media devices also contribute to the increase in the cases of criminal activities through the aspect of cyber security threats. Criminals such as terrorists adopt and implement new media devices such as internet and other relevant hacking materials to execute terrorism. This contributes to the elimination of the innocent citizens thus inability to achieve or realize their potential. Political activists also implement the components of the new media devices to incite or provoke the masses. An example of this fatal or negative impact of technology is the case of the Middle East. New media devices also contribute to the development of unreal human beings (Flew et al, p. 20). This is immensely experienced in the case of the social networking platforms through the aspect of fake profiles and attitudes. There is no place for reality in the majority of the social networking platforms thus minimization of the dignity of humanity.
Question 2
Identify the main points made about selfies by each of the three guests and explore their arguments in the following ways:
How can we understand both the phenomenon of taking selfies and the arguments raised for and against the practices in terms of new media hype and counter hype?
The aspect of the episode of CBC radio’s the current focusing on the defense of the ‘selfie’ is an expression of the type of the world we live in the modern society. It offered the opportunity for the understanding of the concept of performing for ourselves vs. the gaze. Individuals are self-centered thus believe that they do things for themselves when it clearly illustrates the opposite. It is a comforting idea, but one of the dumbest things of the 21st century society. This is because it is not reasonable to put images on the internet for ourselves rather than the gaze. It is not a crime to execute things for others because of the world consisting of numerous people. Every action taken within the society has the other entities in mind thus making it ridiculous to defend the concept of the ‘selfie’.
In the vital debate, in relation to the CBS episode, Sarah Nicole Prickett, Andrew Keen, and Hal Niedzviecki were involved in a productive debate on the aspect of the ‘selfie’. Nicole indicated that the concept of selfie illustrates events or activities women and girls do for themselves. This is a reflection of exaggeration of the point of concern by the writer during this debate. Keen offers valuable point in the argument. This is through referring to the concept of selfie as a trend contributing to the ruining of an effective legacy. According to this argument, historians will have an easier time in passing their value judgment on the current society as the most spoilt and disgusting because of the concept of the new media and selfie. Keen goes ahead to note that the context of the society is narcissistic. Nicole counters this argument by illustrating the influence of the world on women and girls thus the significant involvement in the act of selfie in comparison to their male counterparts. According to Nicole, selfie is a gendered phenomenon. She argues that a man has to live in the experience of a teenage girl in order to criticize selfie act in the modern society. This is because the world offers valuable judgment on the teenage girls thus the need to show people how she looks through the concept of selfie.
The new media continue to transform the modern culture through influences such as selfie. The modern society operating on the aspect of selfie is under the influence of the concept of gaze. Male gaze plays a critical role in the application of female selfie culture. It is one of the negative influences of the new media in relation to the culture of the 21st century. Selfie is not about individualism because of the aspect of integrating internet and new media components into interacting with the world. It is not about the world, but others. Internet is an open globe indicating that individuals have the opportunity to access the images or objects in relation to selfie. This contributes to the increase in the judgment of the influence of the new media on the culture and determination of the lives of the individuals in the modern society.
Using McLuhan’s model of the tetrad (pp. 68-9 in Flew and Smith), what does this new communicative practice a) enhance b) erode c) retrieve from the past and d) reverse or flip? Be sure to explain the model and explore its usefulness in relation to the approaches to studying new media discussed in the text and in class.
According to the concept of McLuhan’s model of the tetrad, it is essential to understand the application of four vital phenomena in digesting the role of the media on the culture and interactions within the society (Flew et al, p. 41). These phenomena include enhance, reverse, retrieve, and obsolesce. McLuhan argues that individuals have the ability to shape their tools such as new media and technology, thereafter; the tools take the initiative of shaping the lives, interactions, and communications of the society and its contents (Flew et al, p. 41). According to the concept of McLuhan’s model of the tetrad, the aspect of selfie tends to enhance interaction between individuals and the entire world. This is through the process of taking the selfie photos then posting or sharing them with the world through implementation of the new media components and internet. This is an indication that the concept of selfie, in addition to the enhancement of the male gaze, contributes to the improvement of interaction and communication between individuals within the modern society. This is a development of a new culture focusing on the female members of the society more than their male counterparts do thus the dominant influence in the aspect of the male gaze.
The concept of selfie also plays a critical role in the erosion of the traditional culture. This is through incorporation of the influence of nudity in relation to the interaction with the world thus the concept of disgusting culture of the 21st century society. In the traditional aspect, the body of an individual was supposed to remain a private affair. This culture is slowly diminishing because of the influence of the selfie thus affecting the level and types of interactions within the context of the new media. The concept of selfie also adopts and integrates elements of the past into influencing the culture of the modern society. It is believed female members of the society are determined by the judgment of the world in relation to their feelings, looks, and interactions.
The world offers judgment on how these individuals appear to other persons. In order to appeal effectively to the world, female members of the society draw much influence from the concept of selfie thus illustration of the increase in the gendered phenomenon among women and girls in the modern society. Conclusively, the concept of selfie also contributes to the reversing of the norms, values, and ideologies with the aim of alleged empowerment of the women society. This is through incorporation of events, activities, and concepts that go against the norms, regulations, and beliefs of the society because of the influence of the new media such as Smart phones and internet.
McLuhan’s model of the tetrad is essential in understanding the role of the media in relation to the culture, interaction, and relationships between individuals within the society. This is through effective and efficient implementation of the four vital laws of the media. For instance, the media or technology must contribute towards the growth or development of an individual or event thus the concept of enhance. Media also has the ability to push aside concepts thus making them obsolete. In the same manner, new media has the ability to reverse concepts thus transformation of the original characteristics. New media also operates towards retrieving the ignored content in the modern or traditional societies. This is a reflection of the importance of the law in evaluating the influence of new media on the society (Flew et al, p. 42).
Question Three
What are the consequences of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication? What implications do these capabilities have for us socially, professionally, and culturally?
“Always on and always connected” capabilities in the context of the mobile communication continue to grow and embrace the influence of technology in shaping the lives and activities of humanity. This is through relevant importance and consequences in relation to their implementation in the achievement of the objectives of the user. Technological advancement and increase or improvement in the preference and obligations facing humanity at the societal, individual, and organization levels continue to drive the adoption and incorporation of the “always on and always connected” mobile phones in interactions.
One of the consequences of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of the mobile communication is the reflection of the interaction of the children within the community. Unlike in the previous regime, children in the modern society have increased access to the digital media life thus increase in the level of engagement (Flew et al, p. 21). The “always on and always connected” capabilities hook children within the modern society with the digital life rather than their books or reading materials. This is one of the essential reasons for the deterioration in performance by the modern schools. Children spend more time on the internet through the capabilities of their mobile phones thus the development of a new world contributing to the development of the incidence of the digital divide.
The adoption and integration of the concepts of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of the mobile communication contribute to the realization of effective communication processes. This is through minimization of interruptions while interacting or communicating with other entities within the society. The concept of “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communications enables users to minimize interference to the individuals within the communication perimeter. For instance, mobile phones have the tendency of ringing with irritating ringtones (Flew et al, p. 22). In the implementation of always connected and always-on capabilities of the mobile communication, users will communicate effectively and efficiently while minimizing the noise affecting the surrounding.
The concept of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of the mobile communication also contributes to the increase in the cases of road, industrial, and office accidents. This relates to the increase in the cases of distraction of the drivers and other workers while executing their duties and obligations in the context of achieving their goals and targets. There is also the essence of negative influence of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication of personal contact. This is evident in the family cases illustrating frustration of teenagers who would rather text or chat with friends than have dinner with the family members. The concept of the “always on and always connected” also contributes to the increase in the households’ spending in relation to technology. This is through acquisition of the components and systems of the mobile phones with the aim of enhancing interaction within the society (Flew et al, p. 23). This is essential in the development of the societal order and statuses thus generation of the class system within the modern technological world.
The aspects of the “always on and always connected” capabilities have immense impacts in relation to social, cultural, and organizational contexts within the modern society. In the context of the organizations, these capabilities in the mobile communication are powerful tools for the initiation and execution of effective and efficient communication with the relevant consumers. Organizations also adopt and integrate “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication to enhance the transfer of information within the entity. Information is an essential tool in the achievement of the goals and objectives. It is, therefore, essential for organizations to enhance the storage and transfer of information within its communication system to achieve competitive advantage within the market of operation and industry. Interactions with the consumers, employees, and other stakeholders are also crucial in the pursuit of goals and objectives by the organizations (Flew et al, p. 24). In order to achieve this aspect of organizational interaction and communication, companies or business entities implements “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication. This facilitates receiving of the feedbacks from the relevant stakeholders for the improvement of the products and service delivery.
The aspect of “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication affects culture in the modern society. This is through the implementation of new technological socialization process for the interaction within the society. This is essential in the enhancement of interaction through maximization of the cheap aspects of communication by implementing “always on and always connected” capabilities (Flew et al, p. 35). For instance, in the modern society, children of eight years have access and ability to implement these capabilities of the mobile communication thus a reflection of the development of a new generation. This is detaching from the traditional modes of communication and interaction within the society. It is the duty of the socialization process to determine the behavior and interaction patterns of an individual within the society. This reflects on the aspect of the adoption and incorporation of modern technological aspects to enhance interaction among the new generation. Another impact of “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communications on culture relates to the generation of new language for interaction purposes (Flew et al, p. 36). This is mainly associated with the teenagers as they interact with friends, relatives, and other parties through the mobile phones and aspects of the new media.
Adoption of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication also affects social interactions across the globe. This is through increasing the rate and volume of interactions among individuals unlike the previous regime characterized by traditional media components (Flew et al, p. 67). The new developments also reduce the cost of interaction because of the implementation of low charges for the community interactions. The aspect of internet communication is essential in the minimization of the cost of interactions or communications within organizations and societies across the globe. The course of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication determines interaction boundaries. This is through limitation of the communication exercises between parents and their children. The new developments also undermine the integrity and institution of humanity. This is through the development of the unreal world full of actors in the form of human beings. There is a negative impact on the course or development of personal interactions within the modern society because of the adoption and implementation of the concept of the “always on and always connected” capabilities of mobile communication. From this discussion, it is essential to note the aspect of positive and negative impacts of the implementation of “always on and always connected” capabilities on culture, society, and organizations.
Works Cited
Flew, Terry, and Richard K. Smith. New Media: An Introduction. Don Mills, Ont: OUP Press, 2011. Print.
“Selfie” phenomenon from CBC’s The Current
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2013/01/30/selfies-narcissistic-empowering-or- just-fun/
