New textual experiences :
New textual experiences derive from the development and growth of media technology and production. By advancing the world of technology around us we engage in new experiences.
Some examples are as follows;
Online gaming and Virtual worlds - not simply the creation of these new virtual worlds that we can be part of but also the merchandising of these products. On ebay we can now trade real/physical money in for virtual objects. This to me seems ludicrous, why would we pay for intangible objects that don't really exist and can be replicated over and over?
Itunes LP - Itunes and similar devices have been created in aid of recreating fandom. The first fandom (music orientated) was ignited by vinyl records. Now, vinyls are virtually unheard of and are classed as ancient due to new technology and new textual experiences brought to us by itunes and alike. One factor that fans argue is that when you buy an album you feel more part of the music, as you have access to album art and pictures however itunes have recently taken this on board and you can now download the album covers along with the tunes.
New ways of representing the world :
Networked media brings forth the concept of presenting our world in new and interesting ways. In some cases, this new ability is put to good use and has created some useful new developments such as google earth and Route planners, others in my opinion a little pointless such as something we briefly mentioned earlier, Virtual Worlds.
Virtual worlds are becoming more and more popular, partially because within this 'second realm' they can create their own profile and be exactly who they want to be. It allows for more choice and can also be away of communicating with different people.
"Escape to the Internets largest user created 3-D virtual world community. Who will you meet in the second life? Who will you be? Where will you explore? YOU DECIDE!" << http://secondlife.com/
Google Earth is an interactive, virtual globe that enables you to find and explore just about any location on our planet and beyond.
3. New relationships between subjects (users and consumers) and media technologies :
The obvious relationship that is being enhanced all the time is the relationship between the user (i.e.audience) and the media technology (i.e television.) Two very strong examples of this change in relationship are;
Iplayers/4OD - By having television on demand it changes the system of television as we've always known it. Certain programmes are no longer dedicated to certain shows nor any specific times. We can watch television whenever we want which is a very new experience but one that is proving to be popular. This certainly helps me at university, not having a personal television in my room or even my flat, 4OD and alike enable me to keep up with my key programmes (This is England '86,, Xfactor,, The inbetweeners ETC,)whenever i have time.
3D Experience - Lately, more and more films have been released at cinema with a 3D option. 3D films really allow audiences to feel connected to the film, having everything so close and clear automatically engages you more in the action being presented. I recently watched Resident Evil: Afterlife which was amazing in 3D and definitely added an extra edge which the previous 3 films did not have however certain films just seem unnecessarily in 3D for example; step up 3.
GO WATCH!
Just when you thought Resident Evil couldn't get any better, along came 3D and Wentworth Miler ;)
Other relationships created by networked media is LAWS VS OPEN NETWORKS.New forms of journalism via Twitter.
(i will later develop on these, after i have carried out more research.)
4. New experience's of relationship between embodiment, identity and community :
A good example of this is Online Call Centres. It is cheaper for businesses to hire staff who have access to their own laptops from home and therefore we have a totally new experience when we phone a companies hotline. It raises the question of their reliability?
Facebook changes the way we communicate with people. It offers us the chance to set up our own profile and talk in any which way we like to anyone we like. Social networking sites can also be classified as a form of virtual worlds. Facebook can raise the question of privacy? Especially when there are other sites connected to it, which invades our privacy such as, OPENBOOK.
Openbook enables the public(not just people with facebook accounts) to search through people connected to facebook and read their updated statuses and comments without them even knowing. No friend requests needed. I searched the topic 'noodles' and found everyone on facebook who had updated their status at some point about noodles. BRILLIANT.
5. New conceptions of the biological body's relationship to technological media :
This specifies that content of media isn't that important but that the relationship between the the consumer/user and the technology is important.
Some examples of biological relationships with media are as follows;
Pacemakers and artificial limbs.
Motion sensors.
Cloning.
Baby Monitoring.
OFF TOPIC; I can't believe that even air fresheners are using motion sensors these days :||
6. New patterns of organization and production :
Book culture - is threatened by new technology such as Ipads.
Twitter - Offers the opportunity of a more personal account with celebrities and events that happen globally.
Television production - Big Brother is a classic example of how television projects the personalities that the public like. Big Brother producers deliberately edit the footage so that viewers judge the situation, this is why you are guaranteed each episode of Big Brother to like and dislike certain characters. Their personalities are portrayed the way in which the producers want and ultimately the way the public want.
X Factor is another great example, I have personally auditioned for x factor (and got through the first round waheeey) and therefore have an inside knowledge to the auditioning process. Before you even meet the judges you have to go through three preliminary rounds, so how come there are still awful auditions on the live shows? Because they deliberately accept and stage awful acts because this qualifies as great television. I'm not complaining i love x factor but it still highlights how staged 'live' shows really are.
