Week 13-The intetnet of things

We talk about the internet of things this week. Internet is an intangible service offers users a virtual place allowed internet users to communicate to each other. I think it is an amazing thing that people can communicate through mass media platform, on one hand it is such a convenience for people that they can have chat at home without the trouble of physical distance. On the other hand, people would ignore each other in public because they are embedded into social network. Apple is a case in point, instead of commemorate Jobs’ past away, Gold queries that why Jobs’ past away could drew such attention. Gold mentioned that people start to routinely ignore each in public, rather they playing with them technology things such as iphone. (Gold 2011) Personally, I do not think it is technology’s fault; instead we benefit form technology rather than suffer from it.

Personally, internet is a virtual palace allowed physical information exchanged. The reason why we think internet is a realistic is because internet carries content which has exactly the meaning. Every single symbol has its meaning; it is the real reflection from users who form real world. Ted mentioned that physical objects be connected to the internet then those objects becoming tangible social actors. I agree with him, in a sense internet is a virtual conglomerates which carries narratives. Those narratives be encoded into different languages then be transferred to others.

I am interested in the reading of this week. The internet been defined as a tool to gather people. Also the differences between interne and blog been mentioned.

“the distinction between objects that blog, and human agents that blog is important to flesh out, starting with what blogger are ‘blogger’ loosely defined, are participants in a network of exchange, disseminating thought, opinions, idea-making culture-through this particular instrument of connection called the internet”.  (Bleecker 2006)

Personally, I think the significant difference between internet and an internet of thing is, internet just a tool been offered at the same time it carries symbols of language transfer to others.

Biography: :

Bleecker J 2006, “Why Things Matter. A Manifesto for Networked Objects”,

http://www.nearfuturelaboratory.com/files/WhyThingsMatter.pdf

Gold T 2011, “The Deification of Steve Jobs is Apple’s Greatest Marketing Triumph to Date”, The Guardian, 21 October, accessed 22/10/2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/21/tanya-gold-steve-jobs-deification-apple

wek 12 Apple vs Google

With increased technology products realised, the competition between companies is fierce. Typically, the competition between Google and Apple is a case in point.  It seems that, the competition is not only involved into technical products, also involved in ideas of products, advertising and customer’s services. Ted mentioned that Apple is a closed ecosystem, whereas Google is a free and open platform. Comparing with two companies through some dates and market researches, it shows that Google growth faster than Apple. Moreover, Apple gain huge profit margin from one product, but Google gains the small profit from one single product with long tail. The fact is, lots of friends of mine prefer use products of Google, they think Android system is more easy to use and it has strong connection with internet. However, we have to say Apple’s closed economy system draws much attention.

The reading of this week is interesting. Roth mentioned that

“Google didn’t care how any individual model was pimped out as long as he hidden Android DNA was here underneath, keeping everything tied to the internet and running smoothly”.

Different business strategies are used in Apple and Google. As Ted mentioned that, Apple is closed economy; oppositely Google is a free platform and make strong connection between internet and users. I am also interested in the question of what is money which was asked in the tutorial. I think money is not value when it can no exchange anything, it becomes worthy because it can exchange something useful such as food and car. Personally, I think if everything is free, it will lost its value.

week 11 #mena #arabspring: the social network revolutions

The case study provided in the lecture of this week is about Arab Spring, Arabians summed up through Facebook and Twittter and to exchange information.   Some claim that Facebook and Twitter boost the revolution, whereas it is just a media platform. Personally, the reason why it is an issue is because the vital role of media played in society.  Comparing with traditional media, audience are more active engaged within activities of new media. As Ted mentioned that audience do not have any power within traditional media. From that point, audience within new media is more creative and active rather than passive and controlled.  Ted mentioned that what was a permanent periphery can now become a new centre. In the other words, new media gives civilians power to distribute information and used them for democracy.

Networked computer allow social networks to expand and grow in ways that were previously unanticipated, social networking, as the phrase is being used in industry and in popular culture today. Also it allowed us focus on the creation and growth of online social networks which allows users to interact. (Coyle & Vaughn, 2008)I am also interested in the reading of this week. The same issue been discussed by Morozov, he portrays that internet is democracy, and also the internet can be and effective tool for political change when used by grassroots organisation. Personally, I agree with him. Whereas, the network revolution would not be happen in some countries, such as China. Because China has the great Firewall, it can filter anything. In a sense, internet boost democracy in some countries, mass media especially new media grant people power to against dictatorship.

Reference:

Coyle C L, & Vaughn H, 2008, “Social Networking: Communication Revolution or Evolution?”, Bell Labs Technical Journal, Vol 13, No 2, accessed 09/10/2011,  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bltj.20298/pdf

Morozov E 2011, “Facebook and Twitter are just places revolutionaries go”, The Guardian, 7 March, accessed 16/10/2011, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/07/facebook-twitter-revolutionaries-cyber-utopians

week 9: counter-network;online activism, whistleblowers, and the dark side of the net

Everything has two sides, internet gives audience power to control the information, at the same time it challenges the society. The question of what is the line between ethical and unethical been concerned in recent years because the line becomes blurry, hacking issue is a case in point. We argue that whether online hacking is an illegal issue, or it is expression of free speech. On one side, hacking is not challenge the legal system. Follow the hacker ethics which are information freedom, sharing, no secrets and humour, there is nothing could be judged. As Ted mentioned the substance of hacking is kind of crime activity,

“My crime is that of curiosity. My crime is that of judging people by what they say and think, not what they lock like. My crime is that of outsmarting you, something that you will never forgive me for”.

On the other side, hacking may construct threaten to administration. Wilileaks is a perfect case to show the relation between hackers and authority.  Personally, hacking is good for democracy, while challenge the propaganda.

I am quite interested in the readings of this week. E-democracy discussed by Crabtree, he portrays hacking reflect the political classes are hunkered down under a big tent marked disengagement. Hacking is an e-democracy activity, it is does not help democracy within entire political system, which means hacking only does matter to online civilians who interested in politics . As Crabtree said that,

‘if you are not interested on politics, electronic politics will not help”.

According to his argument, it is not necessary to punish hackers because they are target to small group of civilians.

Khatchadcurian sates the Wikileaks released a 2008 Pentagon report shows Wikileaks is a threat. Wikileaks criticise conduction of US military within war as investigate journalists, also he states that Wilileaks as a journalistic outlet protected by the First Amendment, the potential legal menace over above privacy. Indeed, US take this issue seriously because it construct threaten to its administration. Personally, democracy is relative to propaganda. Specifically, the content of democracy is already formed by authority; civilians could expand democracy within a very limited space

week 8 citizen journalism and new media audience

Compare with new media and traditional media, more power been controlled by audience within new media environment. News report increasingly tends to populism and amateurization, in the other words news report becoming unprofessionalism at the present period. We talk about citizen journalism and new media audience this week; I think new media completely change the way how audience reflect media organisations. For instance, audience exchange ideas through new media platform rather than accept perspectives through traditional media platform. The position of traditional media been changed since new media became popularity, changed from control position to a gate watching role. As Ted mentioned that the function of professional journalism is filter and distributes information within the public sphere. Audience become citizen journalism and self-report, as Ted mentioned that consumers becomes prosumers and the world where participating is its won reward.

Example provided within the first reading, the question of how Twitter will change the way we live has been analysed by Steven. He indicates that a single tweet from an event might be worthless; in the other words information becomes valuable when it is abundant and packaging.

“Yes, it was built entirely out of 140-character message, but the sum total of those tweets added up to something truly substantive, like a suspension bridge made of pebbles”

I agree with it. Network plays a vital role in people’s lives. Mass media especially new media industry becomes self-report and populism. The other reading which done by Axel portray journalism as a gatekeeper, but the productions of journalistic was controlled through the practice which the publication were considered sacrosanct whin domestic and international. He indicate that

“Compared to journalistic gatekeeping, gatewatching requires away different set of skills: it relies less on first-hand investigative research and the ability to compose succinct news stories, and more on information search and retrieval skills especially in online environment”

The role transform form controller to gatekeeping on mass media is obviously shown in modern society. Personally, I think new media become popularity does not mean professional journalism lost its value.  In the other words, in spite of citizen journalism become popularity within a past decade, professional journalism can not be replaced by them.

week 7 Into the cloud: the long tail and the attention economy

The topic of this week is the long tail and the attention economy into the cloud. As Ted mentioned that information wants to be free at the same time it is expensive as well. Information is profitable which means information transition in a sense is economic transaction. For instance, online users prefer do some reading through cloud rather than print books. Mass amateurization on the internet leads to decreasingly production in press industry. We argue that whether increasingly mass amateurs could directly impact the press industry. Personally, I think online amateurs indeed influence the production of press industry; on the other hand print books still have its value. In spite of I am enjoying online reading because it is very convenient, but I purchase books because of storability. Obviously, web blog publishing and any other forms of self-publishing attract lots of online users; it is however beneath the press industry.  

I am very interested in the readings of this week. Within Weblogs and the mass amateurization of publishing, author portrays weblogs as efficient tool for distributing the written word rather than a new system of financial reward. Though a mount of self publishing been uploading online, majority of them are amateur. In the other words the competition between online publish and press publish is the struggle between amateur writer and professional writer. For instance, seems like pop culture and classic culture, pop culture can not replace classic culture. Shirky states that weblogs make a radical break for press industry. The other idea inspires me a lot which is mentioned by Anderson. He states that

“This is not just a virtue of online booksellers; it is an example of entirely new economic model for the media and entertainment industries.”

Indeed, online reading becomes popular in recent years, does it mean print industry lost its value? At least, I do not think so. Eight generative values are mentioned in reading Better than Free, which are immediacy, personalization, interpretation, authenticity, accessibility, embodiment, patronage and findability. I agree with it. Instead of online reading, I am more enjoying print books reading because they can be stored.

week6 transglobal entertainment and media convergene

We talked about transglobal entertainment and media convergence this week. Convergence has been defined by Ted as a process, interaction of content and flows of contents I am also interested in Ted’s the other idea which is convergent technologies are more than sum of their parts. Indeed, convergence media is difficult to define because it is very complex and diversity. Henry Jenkins defines convergence media is people responding messages in a new way and also it is kind of collective intelligence Speaking of the example which has been provided in the lecture, compare with different convergence media between previous and modern society in press industry Zero cost and low risk rather than high cost and high risk emerges within today’s industry. From that point, new media is a platform where offers a stage to audience to share and exchange free information. Personally, I think convergence media is a synthesis which service users to exchange information and communication. Convergence culture indicates users form their own culture through communication.

I am very interested in the reading of this week. Convergence culture has been defined by Mark as the new media ecology does give users increasingly control over flow of media-using. The other point mentioned by Mark is journalism is better described as a “gate watcher” and monitor rather than manage and filter information in modern society. I agree with it. Indeed, today’s journalism considers more entertainment rather judgement, more monitor rather than filter. As Henry Jenkins states that

 “Convergence is taking place within the same appliances”

Personally, I think convergence media raises the efficiency on transfer messages between individuals; it does not exactly changes the content of conversation.  Convergence media more service users rather shape audience.  The power of convergence media is not media itself, it is sort of ideology which formed by audience themselves.

week 5 Against the law--intelectual property and content control

We have talk about intellectual property and content control this week in the lecture. Copyright as basic guarantee for creators to creative and produce knowledge. Indeed, the purpose of copyright is to protect intellectual property right to prove the ‘knowledge’ is belongs to someone. Scramble for intellectual property right cases happen frequently in recent years; it is important to creators to possess their ownership. Whereas does it is necessary spend much money on sue someone because the idea has been ‘stolen’ or ‘borrowed’ by someone? Or does it is that important for users to know who create this idea?

Personally, I think the reason why people scramble for the intellectual property right is because it relate to profit, in some degree intellectual property means money.

I am very interested in the reading of this week. I agree with their opinions. Boldrin states that “intellectual monopoly is a double-edged sword”. Indeed, intellectual property is necessary to be protected to show the respect of knowledge production, on the other hand it could destroy the creative industry. As Ted mentioned that information wants to be free, I doubt whether the rules could destroy inspiration of producers. “Intellectual property is an unnecessary evil” sail by Boldrin

I am also very interested in Lessing’s example which is there are 40 percent of publications are comics and 20 percent of publication revenue derives from comics, this kind of illegal market exists and indeed flourishes in Japan. We can see that more creativity rather than protect in Japanese publication market.

“it is a creativity that we should remember and celebrate. There are some who would say that there is no creativity except this kind we do not need to go that far to recognize its importance”.

In my opinion, intellectual celebrate is not necessary, but over-protect leads to industry tends to negative and stagnancy. 

week 4: global media business and immaterial production

We talk about global media business and immaterial production this week. And we focus on the question of how did the advent of information networks effect organisation and new forms labour in the lecture. Basically, the internet is not only benefit for users; it brings lots of opportunities to businessman as well. Tangible and intangible goods have been served on the internet. Companies offer package information or service on the internet. For instance, customers purchase and download music from the internet, such as apple store. It quite convenient for consumers to purchases goods online. Also, unnecessary cost of corporations has been decreased trough online transaction. Above all, intangible products which alleged service instead of physical goods have been provided on the internet.  Specifically, as Ted mentioned that how did information networks effect organisation and labour is form industrial to knowledge production.  

I am very interested in the reading of this week. Peter Bradwell states the role of network citizens and the responsibility at work. He also mentioned that technology revolution is benefit for companies. Service and knowledge-based work substitute physical industrial work has been engaged in modern society.

“Knowledge-base services grew 177 per cent between 1995 and 2005, compared with 52 per cent for non-knowledge-based service. Between 1996 and 2006 employment in knowledge-intensive services in the UK increased from 37 per cent of all jobs to 43 per cent” (Bradwell, 2008)

I am impressed on those data; it also shows that technology boost development of society. At the same time, information network change the behaviour and ideology of labourer. Online transaction also tends to worldwide popularity.

week 1 Information: engaging global networks

Actually, I missed the first tutorial. Then, I started to do some reading so that I can catch up. This subject is involved in terms of global communication, global network, cyberspace and online activities. We are looking for the history of internet and how internet interactive with people’s life. Obviously, people are in the cyberspace rather than just on the internet.  The reading of this week which wrote by Manuel Castells illustrates the power of networks. He point out that network could structure our society.

“Networks matter because they are the underlying structure of our lives.”

Indeed, networks influence on people’s life deeply on different aspects. For instance, we can pay our fees, rent accommodation and book hotel through the internet. Honestly, I did not pay much attention to the power of network; it is just a usual tool for me. However, I can not image if I live without internet and computers. Internet already infiltrates in people’s normal life, it is a part of people’s life and people can not feel it.

I found some good points which mentioned by Ted within lecture notes,he states that cyberculture is composed with internet and culture. He also said that impact of cyberculture on contemporary culture and social practices. Although the internet pervade worldwide, it still has many branches caused by culture variation.

week 3 the network society: narratives of global communication

The relationship between history of internet and human was discussed in lecture. Ted mentioned that computer more seems like a data processing units rather than a communication tool when it was first appeared in the world. And multiple terminals have to connect to the central mainframe at that time. What is the biggest change on computer today? Obviously, computers are not only used to deal data, and multiple terminals do not need have to connect to the central mainframe. Today, all nudes are created in equal way, as Ted said that each individual nude can broadcast on entire network. End users are not controlled by central mainframe any more; they have more choices to collect their information.

I am also very interested in Ted’s the other point which is global communication system is global nervous system. Indeed, internet is not limited by geography, time and space that means online communication are increasingly tends to globalization. Global communication system is like nervous pervade everywhere in the world and every single nerve could influence on the other. Internet not only contributes to people’s leisure life, but also social experience.

The readings of this week are quite interesting. John Perry Barlow create a ideal and surreal space where are not controlled by real government. Cyberspace is the other community without prejudice accorded by race, authority and military force, or station of birth. Personally, I do not agree with it. Cyberspace is a community where correlated and established upon to the realistic society rather than a fictional world. All the information is drew upon to the real social experience instead of a ideal perspective. Controversy, Kevin Kelly portrays a new economy system which established on the realistic situation. He states that high technology already infiltrate in human’s life. Media and high technology not only a sector of the economy, he states that communication is the economy.

In a sense, I do not agree with them either. Indeed, cyberspace is too powerful to shape people’s ideology and concisions. On the other hand, ideology is constructed by cultures. The central idea is culture construct people’s concisions rather than high technology.

week2-global connection:from the telegraph to cyberspace

This week we talk about global communication history from the telegraph to cyberspace. It has big change since 1837 when telegraph appeared in the world, it changed the way how people communicate. The other revolution has been started with the advent of computer and the internet which developed in later hundred years. Media is a powerful tool which could shape people’s conscious and ideology, and also it has long-term impact on society. Media including telegraphy, telephony, television, satellite broadcasting and the internet, not only the way how people communicate has been changed,   it already embed people’s life deeply. For instance, internet has been used for work, entertainment and study. How media especially internet could impact people’s life so much?

Cyberspace is not only an important physical tool to communicate, in the other words it becomes a part of people’s perception which people can not isolate it with normal life. Cyberspace also likes a huge data base where people could get any information from it. According to the reading ‘Information Ecology’ state that “people are becoming virtual but virtually all human actions rely, in varying degrees, on digital information networks.” (Stalder, 2005) It obvious that cyberspace could offer worldwide information, also it makes people’s life more efficient and colourful.

Conversely, cyberspace brings a lot of problems to realistic life. The “Four Puzzles From Cyberspace” state four problems caused by cyberspace. Personally, I am very interested in the gambling story; it shows that life on the net is less regulable than life off the net. (Lessing, 2006) Cyberspace is a community which could cross nations and does not limited by a nation of law.

In brief, people rely on networks because it offers a bit of information to the users. Indeed, cyberspace brings lots of advantages to us; but it caused some problems which are very serious among society. We argue that whether cyberspace community would threat to government to administrate.