My Two Minute Movie Assessment

ONLINE ESSAY

Essay Question: Does the extensive use of social media have a positive or negative impact on the health of young people? What are the most recent academic papers on this topic? Clarify what all sides of the argument claim and only then offer your reasoned opinion based on facts.

Extensive social media use has both a negative and positive impact on the health of young people. Social media is defined as a ‘form of electronic communications (such as websites for social networking and micro blogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content (such as videos)’ (Prasad 2013, p. 492). Recent academic articles suggest that there are multiple issues with mental health as a result of bullying, misleading identities and stalking on social media. Secondly, these articles also suggest that there are physical health issues among youth as a result of excessive social media use.  However, some academics believe that social media use creates positive health benefits both mentally and physically. Overall, an evaluation will be drawn from the evidence displaying how youth are affected by social media.

Academic articles highlight that there are negative mental repercussions for youth that use social media on a daily basis. Studies suggest, “the most commonly used media tools for personal use are social networking sites” (Barnes et al. 2011, p. 196). Firstly, youth are vulnerable and social media can take advantages of this vulnerability. For example peer to peer influence is common on social media sites such as Facebook and twitter. Dr Rosen’s studies suggest that teens that are persistently logged onto Facebook are more likely to show psychological disorders, including: mania, paranoia, aggressive tendencies and anti-social behaviour (Couts 2011, p. 4).

Next, cyber bullying is a constant issue putting youth at risk of mental distress (Barnes et al 2011, p. 197). Cyber bullying is an issue that an adolescent can never escape from, because of the rising use of social media. Just because each individual has a right to publication of their own thoughts and opinions does not mean they should always express their freedom of speech, because some comments can be damaging to particular individuals (Walaski 2013, p. 44). Racial harassing, obesity comments and unappealing photo shopped images are a few examples of cyber bullying. Originally, bullying was in the playground, but with the use of social media it is able to follow an individual anywhere they go. This constant affliction with bullying can lead to serious cases of mental instability and attempts of suicide (Kappos 2007, p. 557). However, suicide is the most severe outcome of social media bullying effects, it is a reality that social media contributes to these issues. On the other extreme the effects of constant cyber bullying can lead to out breaks of rage and temper issues associated with the victim. Therefore they can develop anger management issues as an adult, because of their issues with online bullying (Kappos 2007, p. 567). Mobile phones, laptops, tablets and even iPods can store social media applications meaning that the psychological impacts of bullying are everywhere and there is no regulatory body that controls abuse and harassment of peers (Bilandzic, Patriarche & Traudt 2012). Not only does a child have to face the trauma of bullying at school, but when they log onto their social networks there is a wave of opinionated and cruel comments on their sites.

Secondly, another psychological health issue with social networking is the isolation factor. As a result of connections online youth become distracted by technology and begin to ignore the world’s issues. Although teenagers may find themselves opening up to new people online they are becoming physically anti-social (Jones 2011, p. 185). It is noticeable in public that youth are constantly connected to their mobile phones. This makes it harder for youth to interact on a social face-to-face basis and creates issues for those working in communication roles within the workforce.

Issues with ‘unfriending’ on Facebook or ‘unfollowing’ on Twitter can create mental problems, because relationships can be terminated online with the click of a button (Bevan, Pfyl & Barclay 2012). As a result, youth arguments and online bullying can be sparked from these issues, or the ‘unfriended’ individual may be tempted to create a false account to regain online friendship with a past friend. Adolescents have the opportunity to create false identities and become their idealistic self. This can lead to split personality syndromes and issues for those they communicate with under the fake profiles (Maple 2013, p 5). Young people also create these profiles in order to follow their friends or individuals that they may want to know about. By creating a false identity they believe that they stalk another individual without personal contact or their peers knowing (Yang et al. 2012, p. 37). Most individuals do this so they can create a more appealing version of themselves, because they are pressured by the virtual world to look their best online.

Body image and physical comparison can create both mental and physical issues for youth. Those that excessively use social media are exposed to perfected images of models and fellow social media networkers. This constant exposure to modelled images creates a psychological idea that youth have to be skinny and beautiful. As a result of this subliminal social message many teenagers develop anorexia, bulimia, anxiety and depression (Kappos 2007, p. 559). Social media creates a platform that allows teenagers with body issues to compare themselves with their peers. Therefore, particularly young females that use social media on a daily basis begin to perpetuate physical issues because they are constantly contrasting themselves with fellow networkers (Kappos 2007, p. 561).

 Physically youth that use social media on a daily basis are more vulnerable to obesity, back pains and physical issues when they reach an older age. “Sitting for a long time in front of a screen leaves less time for physical activity and playing” (Kappos, 2007, p. 558). Whether children are playing social games or talking on social media they begin to develop addictions and dependencies on electronic devices. Health issues can arise with sleep deprivation and dependencies, because there is an addiction to the media and youth are unable to determine when they have consumed too much social media (Vanderwater & Denis 2011).

Alternatively, social media creates positive health benefits for those that use media on a regular to excessive basis. Social media networks are largely utilised outlets for news and information gathering (Maple 2013, p.1).  It is therefore a tool that can be used by youth for educational purposes. In conjunction with this because it can become a healthy job utility as it teaches youth communication skills that most adults would only acquire after a lengthy period in the workforce (Lewis 2011, p. 1). Adolescents are also able to understand the world around them through the use is communication on social media, which is essential for the development of children’s minds.

Additionally, “the collaborative nature of social media allows users to connect with people they might not otherwise meet” (Walshe & Smith 2011, p. 16). Students can communicate with teachers and interact on a more one-to-one level, as well as collaborating with other students that they may not have talked to before. For that reason, it can be identified that social media is a modern technology that can enhance communication skills. Again, because social networks have the capacity to communicate to billions of people every day they have become tools for raising awareness of charities, organisations and causes (Norman 2012, p. 3). As a result, social networks are also a free publicity tool.

Recent studies also suggest that social networks and forums are commonly used for personal medical curiosity and research. Approximately thirty-eight percent of consumers use social media for health related matters, including medical symptoms and sharing opinions about their treatments. In addition, forty percent identified that they had used social networks to review treatments and doctors (Health chatter 2013, p15). As a result, health issues can directly be discussed and resolved online; youth are therefore more informed in medical issues that could potentially affect them in the future.

Overall, it can be suggested that an excessive use of social media creates more negative than positive impacts on a young individual. These major negative impacts include psychological issues, cyber bullying, isolation, false identities, stalking, exclusion (unfriending), body image, physical comparison, obesity and other associated issues. Despite there also being benefits to use of social media, there are issues associated with too much use of social media. While using social media adolescents need to monitor what they are using it for and how long they are using it. This will optimise time spent using online communication and deter individuals from excessively using social media or becoming addicted to it. Therefore health issues can be avoided by simply spending less time fixated on social media networks.

In conclusion, extensive use of social media has both negative and positive impacts on the health of young people. Recent academic articles outlined that social media can create various issues with mental health and stability. Secondly, these articles also highlight that physical health issues are common amongst youth that excessively use social media.  However, some academics believe that social media also creates positive health benefits both mentally and physically through the use of communication networks. Overall, an evaluation was drawn that outlined that youth should minimise their social media use in order to avoid health related issues involved with excessive use.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Andersen, K, Medaglia, R & Henriksen, H 2012, ‘Social media in public health care: Impact domain propositions’, Government Information Quarterly, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 462 – 469, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Antheunis, M, Tates, K & Nieboer, T 2013, ‘Patients’ and health professionals’ use of social media in health care: Motives, barriers and expectations’, Patient Education and Counselling, vol. 92, no. 3, pp. 426 – 431, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Barnes, M, Hanson, C, McIntyre, E, Neiger, B, Thackeray, R & West, J 2011, ‘Use and acceptance of social media among health educators’, American Journal of Health Education, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 197, viewed 11 September 2013, Francis and Taylor Limited.

Bevan, J, Pfyl, J & Barclay, B 2012, ‘Negative emotional and cognitive responses to being unfriended on Facebook: An exploratory study’, Computers in Human Behaviour, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 1458 -1464, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Bilandzic, H, Patriarche, G & Traudt, P 2012, The Social Use of Media, The University of Chicago Press, USA.

Byron, P Albury, K, Evers, C 2013, ‘“It would be weird to have that on Facebook”: young people's use of social media and the risk of sharing sexual health information’, Reproductive Health Matters, vol. 21, no. 41, pp. 35-44, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Couts, A 2011, Facebook may cause serious mental health problems in kids studies show, viewed 7 September 2013, via <http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/facebook-may-cause-serious-mental-health-problems-in-kids/>.

Eysenbach, G 2013, ‘Correlates of Health-Related Social Media Use Among Adults’, Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 15 no. 1, pp. 21, viewed 7 September 2013, PMC Database, DOI: 10.2196/imir.2297.

Giodano, C 2011, ‘Health Professions Students’ Use of Social Media’, Journal of Allied Health, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 78-81, viewed 7 September 2013, ProQuest Central.

‘Health chatter get louder on social media’ 2012, Medical Economics, vol. 89, no. 14, pp. 15, viewed 7 September 2013, ProQuest Central.

Jones, B 2011, ‘Mixed uptake of social media among public health specialists’, Bulletin of the World Health Organisation, vol. 89, no. 11, pp. 5 – 784, viewed 11 September 2013, ProQuest Central.

Kappos, A 2007, ‘The impact of electronic media on mental and somatic children’s health’, International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, vol. 210, no. 5, pp. 555-562, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Lewis, N 2011, ‘Most Health IT Pros Use Social Media', Trade Journals, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 1, viewed 11 September 2013, ProQuest Central.

Maple, C 2013, ‘Online Harassment and Digital Stalking’, International Journal of Computer Applications, vol. 76, no. 12, pp. 1-6, viewed 11 September 2013, Science Journals Database.

McKee, R 2013, ‘Ethical issues in using social media for health and healthcare research’, Health Policy, vol. 110, no. 2, pp.298 – 301, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Mester, R, Birger, M & Margolin, J 2006, ‘Stalking’, The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, vol. 43, no. 2, viewed 11 September 2013, pp. 11 – 102, ProQuest Central.

Norman, C 2012, ‘Social Media and Health Promotion’, Global Health Promotion, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 3-6, viewed 7 September 2013, ProQuest Central.

O’Keeffe, G & Clarke-Pearson, K 2011, ‘The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescences, and Families’, Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, vol. 127, no. 4, pp. 800 – 804, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database, DOI: 10.1542/pes.2011-0054.

Parkinson, J 2012, The Problem with social media and health, viewed 7 September 2013, via <http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2012/03/problem-social-media-health.html>.

Prasad, B 2013, ‘Social media, health care, and social networking’, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, vol. 77, no. 3, pp. 492-495, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Russ, S, Larson, K, Franke, T & Halfon, N 2009, ‘Associations Between Media Use and Heath in the US Children’, Academic Pediatrics, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 300-306, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Thackeray, R, Neiger, B, Smith, A & Wagenen, V 2012, ‘Adoption and use of social media among public health departments’, Journal of BMC Public Health, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 242, viewed 7 September 2013, BioMed Central Database.

Vandewater, E & Denis, L 2011, ‘Media, Social Networking and Pediatric Obesity’, Pediatric Clinics of North America, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 1509 – 1519, viewed 7 September 2013, Science Direct Database.

Walaski, P 2013, ‘Social Media’, Professional Safety, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 40 – 49, viewed 11 September 2013, ProQuest Central.

Walshe & Smith 2011, ‘Social Media’, Healthcare Financial Management, vol. 65, no. 10, pp. 16, viewed 11 September 2013, Health Reference Center Academic Infotrac.

Yang, Y, Lutes, J, Luo, B & Liu, P 2012, ‘Stalking online: on user privacy social networks’, Proceedings of the second ACM conference on Data Application Security and Privacy, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 37 – 48, viewed 11 September 2013, Digital Library, DOI: 10.1145/2133601.2133607

Week 7 - Gaming Issues

What was the first video game you played?

The first ever video game that I can recall playing was on the Playstation 2, back in 2003. It was a 'Hot Wheels' racing game that allowed you to race against other players in a competition process. It was a present that we had received for christmas and my little brother only wanted to play that game, so that was what we played for the entire first week.

What is your favourite video game?

My favourite video game would have to be Sims and then Animal Crossing after that. I like that in Sims you are able to build an entire life out of nothing and the cheats and fire codes are always interesting aspects to the game. On the other hand, Animal Crossing in a Nintendo DS game that is very similar and it has a town that you have to maintain and build around your human character.

Do you consider yourself a "Gamer"? (What is a "Gamer"? Do casual games on your phone count? How about indie games? Board games? Other games?)

I believe that there are different levels of gamers. For example, I am a gamer on a conservative level. I play games when I am bored or I feel the need to relax or entertain my mind with something other than reading and watching. I think that games on your phone do count, as long as it is defined as a game then you can be a form of a gamer. However, I think that my brother is more of a stereotypical gammer, because he knows just about every game there is out there and he constantly plays games all of the time.

Have you ever encountered a game that made you feel like you were spending too much time playing it?

I found that I seemed to play Sims on my laptop, on the playstation, on my phone and I would constantly spend weekends playing the game, because I wanted to achieve the goals for my character. I wanted to build up their life and complete the game, but in the end I realised that I was spending days on my bed playing video games and not getting anywhere in the real world. I realised that games do no personally benefit me in reality, only fantasy.

Sims 4 coming soon too! http://www.thesims.com/en-au/the-sims-4#/product. Hopefully I do not become addicted again. 

Do you know anyone who is "addicted" to video games?

My younger brother seems to be addicted to Call of Duty to the point where he never leaves his bedroom and he tends to record himself playing the game and then he will upload it onto youtube.

Have you ever lost touch with reality while playing a computer game? Have you ever stopped playing a computer game and felt that you were still inside it?

When I intensely played Sims I felt as though I was losing touch with reality, because when I would finish the game I would not know what was going on around me, because I was so in tune with this game. I then used to have dreams that I was the Sim in the game and that there was no end to the game and there was no goal of the game, with no way out.

Essay topic must be approved in class and entered on your blog.

Does the extensive use of social media have a positive or negative impact on the health of young people. What are the most recent academic papers on this topic? Clarify what all sides of the argument claim and only then offer your reasoned opinion based on facts.

I will analyse both the mental and physical aspects of health that social media impacts and I will only then draw a conclusive opinion on whether or not the impacts are positive, negative or both.

Week 6 - Political Tasks: Politics and the Internet

As previously discussed I have had responses from my survey last week. The indicators suggest that there are a large sum of people with the same opinions and uses regarding social media.

My musical choices suggest that I am for equality and anti-right. I lean to the left at the moment because of their policies and my yearning for some form of marriage equality.

Although Hackers are commonly referred to in a negative context, 'white hat' hackers have a positive connotation addressed to them. They are security breakers that general hack into systems to protect the company or group at risk. They do a service to businesses that may in in danger or having information stolen by hackers.

On another note, Wikileaks is a force of good in the world, although it can be dangerous at times. As a journalist, I believe that the public has a right to know everything that is going on in their Government. The public own the Government, so they should have access to most information as long as it doesn't pose a risk to national security.

Surveillance is usually associated with security and I believe that internet and phone surveillance is a good thing. Anything that can monitor the good guy can easily catch the bad ones. Without police monitoring the social media sites there would be a lot more young girls and boys being taken by pedophiles. 

I believe that censorship has no place in democracy. The people have a right to know the truth, good or bad and in a democracy their should be complete freedom and no restrictions on what the public should and shouldn't see or know.

Online there are many opportunities for political participation. You can join certain organisations, sign up to volunteer at election campaigns and hand out flyers on the voting dates, or involve yourself in political debates and discussion via social media. 

According to the vote compass my political position is to the Left with Labour as my preferable vote. I would be able to sign an e-petition, depending on what it was regarding. I would happily communicate with fellow politicians on a regular basis about policies and informative decisions. I am not particularly supportive of any party, so I would be able to contact many politicians without it affecting my political beliefs.

The Australian Government plans to bring in new legislation for a "Clean Feed" of the internet, which would mean that they would develop censorship for Australian's internet access. The No Clean Feed Group of Australia is running a campaign to prevent this legislation from being passed in Government this year. 

I am unaware of when the new National Broadband Network will reach my place, but I believe that the faster data will improve my television Foxtel as it is connected to my Wi-Fi system. I will also have more time on my hands instead of having to wait for my internet to load my assessment pieces. It will be much more convenient for my purposes.

I believe that my local representatives are Christine Smith and Karen Andrews. I found documents that stated that Christine Smith had last spoken in Queensland Parliament in March 2011. Karen Andrews however had last spoken in Federal Parliament at the start of this year. 

REFERENCES

Famous White Hat Hackers 2011, viewed 29 August 2013, <http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0811/famous-white-hat-hackers.aspx>.

Hansard: Parliament of Australia 2013, viewed 29 August 2013, <http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard>. 

Pangburn, D 2011, Digital Activism From Anonymous to Occupy Wall Street: a Conversation With Gabriella Coleman, viewed 27 August 2013, <http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/157192/digital-activism-from-anonymous-to-occupy-wall-street-a-conversation-with-gabriella-coleman/>.

Record of Proceedings: Queensland Parliament 2013, viewed 29 August 2013, <http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/hansard>.

Stockwell, S & Muir, A 2003, 'The Military-Entertainment Complex: A New Facet of Information Warfare', Fibreculture Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, viewed 27 Auguest 2013, via WordPress. 

Week 5 - Media task: Social Media Impact

TUTORIAL TASK

I regularly use Facebook, but I keep connected to the media and current news on Twitter. I get information out of my social media and it keeps me up to date with what my friends and family are doing. It is a simple, cheap way to keep in touch and it can be used at anytime and any place or almost any device, making it a flexible communication technology.



I often see my regular University friends and work colleagues on a daily basis and I use Facebook to collaborate and organise study groups with them. I would see most of my online friends at least once a year. I do have friends that do not connect with me on Facebook, but these people are of an older demographic (parents, authority figures, grandparents). My usage of social media would most likely be going up since I have only signed up to Blogger and Twitter this year and they have a huge role in my studies and news gathering.

I believe that Facebook may break the barriers of the churn cycle, because it has reached such a large audience and it is constantly being updated with new add on applications and features all of the time. This will allow it to stand out as one of the largest media platforms in the world, which may increase its chances of beating the churn cycle.

The earliest social media that I can recall would have been MSN or instant messenger. I remember everyone having it in 2007 when I first decided to sign up so that I could communicate with friends and family. However, according to Boyd and Ellison the earliest social media was SixDegrees.com that was launched in 1997. It allowed the users to communicate by creating profiles and developing friends lists. Another social media service, Classmates.com, was developed to help students find their high school friends.

Friendster was launched in 2002 and soon after became a victim of churn. It was originally created to compete with the dating site Match.com, but it was designed for people to meet friends of friends as potential partners rather than complete strangers. Due to fact profile being made and people using the site inappropriately it eventually became a victim of churn as the larger population forgot about it. Another more recent victim of churn was MySpace, it was one of the most popular social media networks, but with the introduction of Bebo and Facebook users began to switch over because Facebook was more internationally known. As a result MySpace users declined and Rupert Murdoch bought the network just before it collapsed, after this Justin Timberlake bought it and has since been trying to improve its image.



I have bought a few things on the internet, such as music, books, DVDs, make-up. Sometimes it is cheaper online, but I have never purchased anything on social media. I believe the difference in buying from a virtual store and buying from social media is that when you buy from a store you are returned with a good or service, when you buy from social media you generally only get a temporary service, depending on what is purchased.

Social media has a business model that is designed to find out what an individual, or a certain demographic may be interested in. For example, I was searching for a nameplate necklace online a few days ago and ever since I searched it in Google I have been spammed on Facebook with that company giving me $5 off vouchers to return to the checkout. The social media network is a way of business being able to get to the consumers in a more direct manner.

Big Data can be identified as a large sum of information that is difficult to process and organise. The major difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 is the interactive side of both. Originally, Web 1.0 was designed for the public to read information only. Web 2.0 brought a whole new meaning to the computer, because the public could read and produce content. I believe web 3.0 will be physically more interactive, it will become a part of the human body. We will be in the web rather than looking at it. There will be a higher level of connectivity, faster access and more applications.

SURVEY


I conducted a survey asking the following questions:

1. How many hours do you spend on social media each week?
Most popular answer: 10 or more hours

2. Why do you use social media?
Most popular answer: To keep in touch with people and up to date.

3. What Social Media do you use the most?
Most popular answer: Facebook, followed by Twitter.

4. When did you sign up for your first Social Media? Which year?
Most popular answer: 2007

5. Are you concerned about who has your online information and who can see it?
Most popular answer: Yes and I guess so.

My results show that my prediction that people spend a considerably large amount of time on social media and that impacts their social lives in the real world. There were also interesting concerns over who could have their information. In comparison to Yorston's larger test my results were a smaller sample of the same results found on the survey that was conducted by her organisation.

REFERENCES

Boyd, D & Ellison, N 2007, 'Social Network Sites: Definition, History, Scholarship', vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 210 - 230, viewed 20 August 2013, Wiley Online Library, DOI: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x

Sheehan, P 2012, 'Internet Giants can earn with ease, it is churn they must fear', Sunday Morning Herald, 7 June, p. 15.

Yorston, S 2013, Survey Results on Social Media Use, viewed 23 August 2013, <http://www.tas.relationships.org.au/news-and-events/archived-news-items/survey-results-on-social-media-use>.

Our world in glass...

What will our world look like in a few years time? Can we afford this new world? Is it a safe world?

A look at how Social Media controls technology.

Week 4 - Timeline Task:The Mobile Phone Timeline

PERSONAL TIMELINE: http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/the-mobile-phone--2

A brief history of the mobile phone throughout time. It looks at the original 'walkie talkie' system all the way up until the battle of Samsung Galaxy versus the iPhone. 

REFERENCES

Agar, J 2013, Constant Touch:A Global History of the Mobile Phone, Icon Books, London.

Ling, R & Donner, J 2009, Mobile Communication, Polity, United Kingdom. 

Meyers, J 2011, Watch the Incredible 70 year Evolution of the Cell Phone, viewed 15 August 2013, <http://www.businessinsider.com.au/complete-visual-history-of-cell-phones-2011-5?op=1#1938-1>

Week 4 - Tutorial Task: Cyberspace and Cyberpunk

Cyberspace is a collaborative creation of the imaginations of multiple human beings. It is designed as a whole new world in a digital universe. People are able to escape and become something new and someone complete different to who they are in reality. Cyberspace can actually become somebody's reality, because it can take over their life to the point where they only exist on the internet. To a certain extent Facebook can be a version of cyberspace. People are able to create a new profile and become somebody new, although on the other hand there are people that use Facebook to showcase their true lives and not the ones that they wish they had.

An example of a cybernetic product in my life would be my car. I am in control when I am driving, I can steer to communicate where to go, I can brake to communicate to stop and it communicates when to change gear based on the speed that I am going, because it is automatic. It is a machine that involves command, control and communication.

iTunes can be perceived as a cybernetic system, it has various functions of control by both Apple and by the consumers operating it. The music is where the communication comes into it, because music sends a message  to the receiver. The University is also a form of a cybernetic system, it is a research, education and communication facility with multiple students making up the body of the system.

An example of cyberpunk in my own media consumption would probably be the Terminator. The instance whereby a robot can live with a fully functional human membrane is extraordinary. It is a development out world is yet to see, but it is a futuristic idea that brought life to the cinema when it was released. It shows a world where computers are in complete control and they aim to destroy the humans that created them.

Hunger Games is a form of cyberpunk. It shows the world a possible future of the human race. The technology is advanced and humans interact in a war-torn society full of various districts. The actual games take place on a completely virtual platform and they are controlled by humans operating various virtual technologies. It could be considered a fantasy themed genre, but it is more about predicting the future of technology which makes it a cyberpunk genre film. Fantasy films are those with creatures that are developed to simply entertain and the stories generally don't involve the development of technology. For example, the Twilight Saga and Harry Potter are more fantasy genres, because they involve no new technologies and are set in the present time.

REFERENCES

Butler, A 2000, Cyberpunk, Independent Publishers Group, Chicago.

Lister, M 2009, 'New Media in everyday life', New Media: a critical introduction, Routledge, London.

Week 3: Referencing Task

Which of Stephen Stockwell's books are in the Griffith library? Give full citations.

Stockwell, S 2005, Political campaign strategy: doing democracy in the 21st century, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Melbourne.

Stockwell, S 2010, Rhetoric and Democracy: Deliberative Opportunities in Current Electoral Processes, VDM Verlagsservice-gesellschaft mbH, Germany.

Stockwell, S 2000, All-Media guide to fair and cross-cultural reporting: for journalists, program makers and media students, Australian Key Centre for Cultural and Media Policy, Queensland.

Isakhan, B, Stockwell, S 2011, The secret history of democracy, Palgrave Macmillan, New York.


Cite three academic books that might provide useful material for an essay about Jean Luc Godard's Alphaville. On which campuses do they reside?

1. Whitehead, P 2000, Alphaville: a film, Faber and Faber Ltd., London.
(Available at Gold Coast, Nathan and South Bank)
2. Sanders, M 2008, The philosophy of science fiction film, University Press of Kentucky, Lexington.
(Available at South Bank)
3. Meehan, P 2008, Tech-noir: the fusion of science fiction and film noir, McFarland, Jefferson.
(Available at South Bank)


What is a book that will assist you to find out about possible research methods to explore social media? Full citation.

Brown, R 2009, Public Relations and the social web: using social media and Web 2.0 communications, Kogan Page, London.

Week 3 - Reading Task: Mind Control and the Internet

COMPUTERS

Computers have come a long way in the 30 years. Originally they were seen as practically useless and in today’s society they are almost an extension of the human body. It was interesting that in an ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) census approximately 40% of people saw computers as having no use at all, however, the mind control reading has shown the creation of computers being used to restore communication to those paralysed by illness. This is a major development that could lead to the creation of whole new technologies of mind control and personal learning through microchips.

On the other hand, the lectures consisted of the development of the internet and how Apple products have come so far in such a short time. It was surprising how far the Apple products had come, from being almost non-existent to coloured computers and eventually the iPhone and iPad. As a result, it overtook the developments of Microsoft and created the long line of competition between Mac and PC. Also, Steve Job’s resignation when Apple first began was unknown to me, because I had always assumed that he had worked is way through the company with his multiple inventions.

THE INTERNET

The internet in particular is one of the most popular technologies in the world today. It has more users and webpages than there are people in the world. As a result of this there is so much information fed from humans to computers and vise versa. This means that people are consuming all types of information on a completely new platform and they are becoming more and more addicted to the internet and its multiple uses.

From online shopping to the physiological impacts of online gaming we are being controlled by a database. It knows what we want and so it gives it to us on a silver platter, making people want more and more. The advertisements stating 'once off sale' and 'only online' create the perception that if we don't enter our credit card details in now we will miss out. It is the idea that the consumer is a video game avatar and the computer is the gaming controller. Our expectations are met by a simple search and we have to have the latest technologies, because we are told they will make life much better for us.

It is believed that neural implants are the way of the future. People will simply be able to become the computer, it will be a part of their bodies. However, I would not agree to having a computer inserted into my brain. Extensive research and testing would need to be conducted of a period of time to assure me that it was safe to begin. I like to be able to think clearly and separate myself from technology when I want, so I wouldn't want it to be a part of my body (especially not my brain).

Google's personalisation of an individual's internet searches is a method of gate keeping. It keeps people from seeing things outside of their regular information. It narrows down what they are searching for and makes it more difficult to find conflicting arguments on various issues. It is inappropriate for Google to collect information about an individual and then only allow them to receive search results that relate to their own views. They are only allowing people to search within a bubble by doing this to their searches.

Commercialisation is a continuous issue for consumers, because there are constant irritating advertisements all over the net. At the same time small business and big business are able to connect with the consumer no matter where they are and certain programs cater individuals with personalised advertisements. This means that the consumer can actually benefit from these advertisements and commercialisation may not necessarily be such a bad thing.

Moore's law is predicted to give out in 2015, but these predictions are not always accurate. There may be a development in the next few years that brings out a new type of internet and we may need faster processing system whereby the number of transistors or integrated circuits continues to double. It has hard to say what will become of his law.

REFERENCES

Grifantini, K 2009, 'Moore's Law', Technology Review, vol. 112, no. 1, pp. 30-39, viewed 9 August 2013, via ProQuest.

Halpern, S 2011, Mind Control & the Internet, viewed 3 August 2013,  https://bblearn.griffith.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_group=courses&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fcontent%2FcontentWrapper.jsp%3Fcontent_id%3D_530301_1%26displayName%3DLinked%2BFile%26course_id%3D_18082_1%26navItem%3Dcontent%26attachment%3Dtrue%26href%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nybooks.com%252Farticles%252Farchives%252F2011%252Fjun%252F23%252Fmind-control-and-internet%252F>

Swalwell, M 2012, Question about the usefulness of Microcomputers in 1980s Australia, viewed 4 August 2013, <https://bblearn.griffith.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-502011-dt-content-rid-896290_1/courses/1501HUM_3135/Swalwell%2080s%20Oz%20Computers.pdf>

Week 2 - Communication and Me Task: My experience with new communication technologies...

I personally come into contact with new communication technologies every single day. Each morning I wake to the sound of my iPhone's alarm. It is one of the most remarkable technologies in the world. It has the power to transmit text messages, make phone calls, schedule dates and even surf the web and it is the size of a human hand. It is the only thing I can use to keep in contact with my family on the other side of Australia and those down south. 

I have only recently purchased the iPhone, but I have been using the internet and mobile phones for a long time now. From what I can recall my first memory of using the internet was in grade 4, we were in the computer lab and we were shown how to open a webpage and go to Google. Since then, I have been using the internet and mobile phones, they have been part of my life for over 8 years. 

I am quite protective of my details and I always try to put as little information online as possible. I have the maximum security settings on my Facebook account and I don't accept or add people I don't personally know. I believe that certain companies that use people's information are suspicious. They may be using the information for statistical analysis, but there may also be an ulterior motive, because after all information is power. 

The influences of my family and job aspirations influenced me to purchase an iPhone. As a journalist, the applications and functions of an iPhone are a necessity to work in the field. In addition, almost all of my friends and family members have iPhones, so it made the decision of buying one much easier. The television advertisements and online advertisements also contributed to my interest in this technology. 

As previously mentioned I do not have anyone on the internet that I have not met, I may know some people through friends, but I know that they are real people. I do not have any random people that I communicate with for safety reasons. I believe that if you know them in person you get to see for yourself their gender, their skin type, know their name and hair colour. However, online anyone can write anything and say they are anywhere. It is not the same as seeing someone face to face, it is more truthful to talk to a person face to face rather than over the net, because responses can't be changed and you can get to really know people in person. 

Week 2 - Application Task: Bitly

The application 'Bitly' is used to help you share links through social media (Facebook and twitter). It may seem simple and straight forward, but there is a lot more to it. Not only can you share links, but you can monitor how far they are being shared and determine who is looking at them through the use of statistics. You are able to make the links shortened and share your link to multiple social media accounts. This allows the publisher to have a much larger audience base, especially if you need to promote something to the world of consumers, It can be used as a tool for public awareness, marketing and personal sharing. In addition, you are also able to create your own personalised URL name.

REFERENCES

Bitly 2013, viewed 03/08/13, <https://bitly.com/>.

10 Twitter Tools used by Social Media Experts 2011, KissMetrics, viewed 03/08/13, <http://blog.kissmetrics.com/10-twitter-tools/>


Gianoglio, J 2010, Using Bitly for Spying, Link Building and Happiness, LunaMetrics, viewed 03/08/13, <http://www.lunametrics.com/blog/2010/02/12/bitly-education-advanced/#sr=g&m=o&cp=or&ct=-tmc&st=(opu%20qspwjefe)&ts=1377781790>

Week 2 - Video Task: An Ever Changing World

The attached video describes how the technologies we use today are of extreme importance in everyday life. New communication technologies are developing all of the time and becoming largely widespread at the same time. Audiences can now be reached on a larger scale in a quicker time period than ever before. This means that a message is able to be read by billions of people every day, by simply advertising it on Facebook or Google. The video shows that there billions of searches on Google every single day and this is all due to the development of the internet. It is a simple video that depicts a stage of technology, which is constantly changing. Again, the end of the video develops a small timeline from the expansion of radio audiences to the large number of Facebook accounts, showing how much society has changed in such a small amount of time. In spite of this, the video ends on an important message stating that anything is possible, and when it comes to technology anything really is possible.

REFERENCE
Creative, A 2009, An Ever Changing World, Video Recording, viewed 03.08/13, via http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuKu6PZXCIY.

Week 2 - History Task: History of Communication Technologies

TUTORIAL DISCUSSION
A major turning point for communication history was the development of the first walkie-talkie that eventuated into the creation of the mobile phone. Again, the development of the first computer processing device set up the first stages of creating the computer technologies that exist today.

READINGS COMMENTS

This week the lectures and tutorials particularly focused on the history of communication technologies. The first reading identified the following details: Since the 33^rd Century BC there has been a constant change in technology and the way in which we communicate with each other. Originally, writing was invented for commercial inscriptions in the 33^rd Century BC. At a later time, in the 16^th Century BC the first alphabetic script was developed. Furthermore, critical developments in technology saw the creation of newspapers in 1609 AD. From then, there were discoveries and the creation of: photography (1553), television (1861), radio (1873), tape recordings (1877), telephones (1876), calculators (1617), and computers (1835). However, the second reading also showed a timeline of developments in technology; although it was not as reliable. The second source on About.com was very brief and disconnected, whereas the first was more detailed and on what seemed to be a more reliable website.

REFERENCE LIST

Some dates in the history of cultural technologies 2005, viewed 28th August 2013, <http://www.worldhistorysite.com/culttech.html> 

The history of communication 2013, viewed 28th August 2013, <http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bl_history_of_communication.htm>

Task 1 - Week 1: Introduction...

Hi all,

I am a journalism student at university. I have a passion for gathering information and presenting it to an audience in the forms of published articles and blogs. I love to read and write and basically produce creative work. I have currently started the new communications subject, because I want to understand the cyber world and how it will impact my world in the future.

TUTORIAL DISCUSSION
I believe there is a major issue with humans becoming physically anti-social beings as a result of these new communication technologies. We live in a world where we interact with technology on a daily basis and as we interact more and more often with this technology there is no need to interact with each other face-to-face. This can be detrimental in the communication industry, because we are slowly losing personal connections and becoming new people that live in a cyber life.

Distinguishing between new and old technologies can be complex, however the new millennium  has given rise to many new technologies that have modernised the world. Therefore, we could suggest that new technologies are those that we use in the present and the old are those that sparked the technologies we have today. On that note, when these 'new technologies' become outdated or useless to the next generation they will become the technologies of the past, and symbols of communication history.

Personally, my favourite technology is my iPhone. I have loved having a phone since the day I got my first in 2007, on my 12th birthday. I have updated to an iPhone and it does everything for me. I have so much new technology that I have forgotten the old devices I used to love. I think the only analog technology I have now would be my watch, it is the only non-digital electronic device in my life.

READINGS COMMENTS
Firstly, there has been a revolution in technology since the first computer was invented. As a result of this new methods of communication have been developed using these new technologies. First of all, we were originally able to communicate via home phones and through emails on bulky computers with external hard drives attached to them. However, now we live in a world where computers are in our hands, in the form of an iPhone. Now we can call, text, email and even tweet using a device that is the size of a hand. New developments in technology have created the new-age world we live in today.

On the other hand, there is a belief that new technologies are sometimes floored in comparison to the old technologies. For example, when comparing digital and analog technologies there are both benefits and disadvantages to each technology. Since the switch from analog television to digital television there has been a growing popularity for digital technology. Although, analog technology is not outdated when it comes to playing vinyl records and getting reception with radio stations. Overall, digital technologies may be a large part of technology for the future, but analog technologies still remain relevant today.

REFERENCE LIST

Analog vs. Digital n.d., viewed 26 July 2013, <www.diffen.com/difference/Analog_vs_Digital>

Stockwell, S 2013, '1501HUM New Communication Technologies Week 1 Lecture: Introduction', Retrieved from Griffith University, School of Humanities, Learning@Griffith Website: <www.griffith.edu.au>