Thursday, October 22, 2009

Essay (Topic 4)

This essay explores the political and democratic uses of the internet and the implications that actions of globalisation and the creation of online communities have on society. There is not an instant solution for the political misuse of the internet. Kevin Rudd’s Clean Feed[i] is not viable solution, but either is doing nothing. This essay will conclude with an appropriate solution to the political chaos on the internet.
There are many uses and limits of the internet in terms of politics and democracy. The use of politics on the World Wide Web is a wide spread phenomenon. Some common political uses of the internet are e-petitions such as Justice for Michael Jackson[ii] and Save Steve’s Place[iii]. Both these petitions ask for your signature and support in preserving the memory of these much loved entertainers. E-petitions are a fast and simple way of collecting support for a political cause via the internet. Both official and unofficial government websites are another political use of the internet. Certified government web pages such as the Australian Parliament House[iv] and NSW Government Website[v] provide unbiased, truthful and current information on the federal and state governments. Politically biased websites such as KevinPM[vi] and Australian Review[vii] may be considered a misuse of the internet due to their persuasive content. Free speech and censorship has allowed political ideologies to be expressed that would have previously been considered taboo. Newspapers and television did not publish political views that were against the party in power. The internet allowed these opinions to be expressed. The limits of the internet, in terms of reaching people on a political level, comprise of the percentage of the population that have internet access, and the percentage of those people who actually connect to the internet for political use. (See Diagram One) Instances of the limits can be seen in those who choose to follow Kevin Rudd on Twitter[viii] or check when parliament is sitting on the Australian Parliament House Website. [ix] Another limit is the ease by which any individual can create a website and respond to information posted on other websites on the internet. As there are no restrictions as to who can create a webpage, and limited restrictions as to what they post on there, the flow of politically biased information is uncontrolled. The democratic uses of the internet include the ability to reach mass audiences with important current affairs. The democratic limits exist when trying to control and suppress the amount of politically based advertising on the internet.
The nature of the political, the political use of the internet, should be rethought. Politics can be defined as “activity in relation to power”. “Politics is a domain of its own – the domain of power. Thus it is not morality, it is not aesthetics, it is not economic. Politics is a way of thinking.” [x] Meyer’s statement reinforces that ‘we’ – as a nation – should rethink the nature of politics. “The way politics divides the world is into friend and enemy” [xi] The internet savvy population of the world is infact divided into friend and enemy, not as half and half, but into smaller groups, from nations at war to individuals arguing over political beliefs. Both the situations should make us rethink the nature of the political, of politics and how the world is divided as a result.
In the age of networks that have the potential to span the whole planet, globalisation has taken over. ‘Networks’ may be defined as “LAN – local area networks[xii]or “WAN – Wide area networks, a computer network that covers a broad area.”[xiii] These two types of networks have increased rapidly since the invention of the internet. “Globalisation involves the reduction of barriers to trans-world contacts. Through it people become more able—physically, legally, culturally, and psychologically—to engage with each other in “one world”.[xiv] Globalisation has resulted in more communication being engaged by less communication. This has essentially lead to less information needing to be posted on the internet as individuals from any country can access it. For example, a human being in Africa can readily access information on Australian or NSW politics. The result of these large networks on the nation of Australia and its states, is that communication via distance is shortened. Globalisation can be seen as both a good and bad phenomenon. In relation to politics it has transformed communication. Video conferences between leaders from countries of large geographical distance may now communication via technologies such as Skype,[xv] msn messenger and webcam, or on YouTube[xvi] and blogs via video posts. Therefore, the nation and its states are positively affected by globalisation.
The idea of community has changed dramatically in the age of networked digital media. Community may be defined as “a group of people living in a particular local area; common ownership; agreements as to goals; residential district”[xvii] traditional definition of a community has evolved into a blanket definition which now encompasses individuals that are not in the same geographic domain. Therefore, an online community may be defined as “a virtual community, e-community or online community which is a group of people that primarily interact via communication media such as newsletters, telephone, email, internet, social network service or instant messages rather than face-to-face for social, professional, educational or other purposes”[xviii] The idea of community in this age has therefore been transformed, it has changed with society. Examples of communities that match the more modern definition are Facebook[xix] groups, chat features in online multi-player games such as Age of Conan[xx] and actions groups like Greenpeace.[xxi]
The solution proposed for the questionable uses of the internet for politics is as follows: Firstly, restrictions should be made regarding both the nature of political websites and propaganda. Party alliance should be clearly stated at the beginning and end of all motion pictures, and a logo or fine print statement should be included in still images. This labelling of preference will aid the political confusion and undermining marketing tactics taken on by both political parties.









Diagram One: Proportion of Australian Households that have Access to the Internet
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter10002008


[i] No Clean Feed – Stop Internet Censorship in Australia 2009, Andrew Harrison, viewed 10 October 2009, http://nocleanfeed.com

[ii] Justice for Michael Jackson: Liars Must Pay! 2009, Petition Online, viewed 15 October 2009, http://www.petitiononline.com/MICHAELJ/petition.html

[iii] Save Steve’s Place, Australia Zoo Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve 2009, viewed 20 October 2009, http://www.savestevesplace.com/

[iv] Parliament of Australia 2009, viewed 21 October 2009, http://www.aph.gov.au/

[v] NSW Government – State of Opportunity 2009, viewed on 21 October 2009, http://more.nsw.gov.au/

[vi] KevinPM 2009, , Karl Bitar, Sydney Avenue Barton ACT 2600, viewed 19 October 2009, http://www.kevinpm.com.au/

[vii] Australian Review of Public Affairs, Faculty of Economics and Business at The University of Sydney, viewed 17 October 2009, http://www.australianreview.net/

[viii] Twitter 2009, viewed 21 October 2009, http://twitter.com

[ix] Parliament of Australia 2009, viewed 21 October 2009, http://www.aph.gov.au/

[x] Meyer, J 200, Environmentalism and the Interpretation of Western Thought, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

[xi] Meyer, J 200, Environmentalism and the Interpretation of Western Thought, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

[xii] Mitchell, B 2009, About: Wireless/Networking, LAN, viewed 19 October 2009, http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/lanvlanwan/g/bldef_lan.htm

[xiii] WorldNet Search 3.0, WAN, viewed 15 October 2009, http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=wide%20area%20network

[xiv] Microsoft Nine MSN Encarta 2009, viewed 21 October 2009, http://au.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1461500353/globalization.html
[xv] Skype – Make Free calls and Great Value Calls on the Internet 2009, viewed 22 October 2009, http://www.skype.com/intl/en/

[xvi] YouTube – Broadcast Yourself 2009, viewed 23 October 2009, http://www.youtube.com/

[xvii] The Free Dictionary, By Farlex 2009,viewed 20 October 2009, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/community

[xviii] Hyper Local Edge, Giving Small Businesses the Edge Online, viewed 16 October 2009, http://hyperlocaledge.com/online-community-management/

[xix] Facebook, viewed 23 October 2009, http://www.facebook.com

[xx] Age of Conan – Hiborian Adventures, viewed 21 October 2009, http://www.ageofconan.com/

[xxi] Greenpeace International 2009, viewed 21 October 2009, http://www.greenpeace.org/international/

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Week 10: Lecture Summary

Good Morning Elite Gold Coasters,
acoverdale here reciting what i absorbed from the New Communication Technology lecture on Thursday Morning. Josh was back with his perspective on "studying video games". He emphasised at the start that 'studying' was the key word, but not to be put off as it would be a fun lecture. He was right! This is what was said:

Why study computer games?

The demographic of gamers was up until 2005 not accurately measured. Traditionally, it was thought that 18-25 year old males were gamers. The Neilsen Active Gaming Study in 2005 confirmed that gamers are actually 25-40 year old males! (This is partly due to the fact that the 18-25 year olds are now grown up into 25-40 year olds).

The different types of games are PC games, Console games, Online games, Arcade games and Mobile games.

Neilsons study in 2005 revealed that while 59% of the market were still 18-25 year old males, 41% were females!

It is also interesting to note that mobile games are dominated by females - as a result of choice in genre.

Arcades are seen as a social phenomenon (a "date" josh joked) that both males and females participate in.

The genres of computer games are first person shooters, strategy, puzzle (moblie phone), fitness (wii) - these appeal to both genders.

In Joshs opinion, games are too much like everyday life in that you have to establish the objectives, learn how to do everything, and obey by the rules/constraints of the game!

"Work, earn, learn".

But, in all seriousness there are 3 different ways to study games:

1. Social Science Approach: Studying the effects of games on people (media effect = violence)

2. Humanities Approach: Studying the meaning and context of games.

3. Industry/Engineering Approach: Development of games and new technologies.

Week 10: Tutorial Task

acoverdale here with the week 10 happenings of New Com Tech 09.
This week students frantically finished their blogs, everyone swamped with up to 4 assessment peices due. I have chosen essay topic 4. It seems long, but with some word economy I can make it work. In a final evaluation of the course, I enjoyed it as it was mostly computer based, but i think marking the blogs every 3 or 4 weeks would have been more effective as students would not fall so far behind.
til next time,
XOXO
acoverdale.

Week 9: Lecture Summary

Good Morning,
Another exciting Thursday morning lecture with Jason - definetely worth driving an hour up the coast for!
This week we discussed how to use software, in particular Adobe Flash.
The steps:
1. Establish what you have to do (task).
2. eg MS paint wont do (explore indusry standards).
3. Begin by playing (make something).
4. Common features (eg arrow, magnifying glass, bucket)
5. Save your work continuously and under a differnt name eg 'Ass1, the Ass2'.
6. Use the help file.
7. If the above failed you, use Google.
8. If the above failed, use tutorial books/videos but DO NOT BUY THEM.
9. Don't take a course - teach yourself!

Week 9: Tutorial Task

acoverdale here with some artwork I did back at school: don't laugh I am proud of them!
enjoy!
XOXO



This is a still life of a green paint bottle, created with watercolours and charcoal when I was 14.




This is my year 12 textiles major - a memories wall hanging. The tree is made from felt and then leaves are made by layering fabric memories such as my dance costumes and primary and secondary school uniforms.














Week 8: Lecture Summary

Stephen Stockwell delivered this long but very interesting lecture on democracy, censorship and the concept of 'cyberpunk'.


Firstly we reviewed what democracy actually means:
Defining Democracy -
the end point of mankinds idealogical evolution and the final form of human government.... riiiiight. In my own words, democracy means freedom of choice, and a government/parliament that has been fairly elected.
E-democracy is the internet's intervention and contribution to real world politics.
Cyber Politics is the politics that exists on the internet (as opposed to e-democracy which exists in reality).
Representative Democracy is the product of nations alive in the industrial age. It has broadened in recent times, in terms of government in social and economic affairs, but has also become narrower in that there are fewer opportunities to have freedom of speech.
I honestly cannot express the following paragraph any better than what is said here:
"The gap between the simple promises of representative democracy and the complexity encountered in making it work may help explain why the near universal acceptance of democracy is accompanied by an high level of ambivalence about the political process: while around eighty percent of adults in Australia and the USA express an interest in politics no more than half the adult population of the USA follow public affairs in the mass media and where voting is voluntary (in parts of Australian local government for example) at most forty percent, and as few as five percent vote in elections."
Direct democracy is where all citizens have a right and a duty to participate in society, vote and to make the system work.

Next, we listened to the percieved flaws with society and how it is reported on.

Gaps in the Mass Media -
Concentration and commercialisation of mass media has limited opportunities for participation in present democratic governments. The public sphere is where public opinions are formed. It includes coffee houses and newspapers. The above mentioned commercialisation saw the transformation of the public sphere from the journalism of privat people to "the consumer services of the mass media". My Journalism Lecturer said that the 19th century changed news and the way it was reported on forever. Democratic possibilities on the Internet such as viruses and the free flow of information also occured. We then discusses audience reception and how the mass media impacts severly on what is reported on. My Journalism lecturer also says that it is the Fourth Estate Role of journalists to report on people, and keep the government in check. People report on the lives of people.


Free Speech and Sensorship -
"Is free speech a basic right?" was the most important point of this section. There is an ongoing battle between free speech and censorship.

Citizen Hacker: Doing Global Democracy -
Hackers have a bad name in society, for the things that have gone wrong (lost information, stolen information and interception of secret information). The word hacking has a number of meanings: cutting through thick foliage or coping with a difficult situation. Hackers seek to free information (see my week 4 post) and search for programming solutions beyond what others would.

Cyberpunk -
Cyberpunk is a genre based on the science-fiction and hi-tech world. William Gibson wrote fictional work conveying all the above concepts. His works are not always understood in the first instance but are remarkable nonetheless.

**Cyberpunk themes:
1.Technology and Mythology
2.Utopia and Dystopia
3.Cities as machines
4.Technological change
5. Modernism to Postmodernism

Week 8: Tutorial Task

acoverdale here, keeping her political beliefs!
this week i have:
  • signed an epetition called "Justice fo' Michael Jackson: Liars Must Pay!' - it claims with enough members, America will recreate Jacksons memory without the allegations and nasty memories.
  • Barack Obama hd his photo taken today!

Week 7: Lecture Summary

Good Morning and Welcome to Week 7!
acoverdale here recapping the lecture.
WOW.
Jason is a breath of fresh air!!
We discussed the concepts of open source software, portable applications, bit torrents, freeware, viruses and secret technologies.
This is write I can reveal:
Bit torrents are basically downloading software, but are considered more reliable than limewire or frostwire. Mini Nova was Jason's pick.
Open source software occurs when the software is not finalised, but is released to the public usually via internet, to add or criticise.
Closed software is like Microsoft Word, you have to buy and, cannot alter it in any way.
Portableapps.com was a recommended website for applications that you can store on your usb, for example gimp or blender.
Microsoft and Adobe are the monopoly or main owners and manufacturers of software.
Freeware is open coded software in which anybody can access the complete version for free, an exmaple of this is the word-like program Open Office. (Let me just add in my past experiences with open office word and powerpoint - the copy is never as good as the original).
Jason also let on a scary fact - when you delete a file, you are just deleting the file name and freeing up the space it was taking, you are not actually erasing the file from your computer.
His recommended websites are freewaregenuis.com, sourceforge.com and download.com.
This all sounds terrific. BUT (depressing piano do duh dum music).. there are problems; viruses!
Viruses can spread more freely in freeware software and open source software. Another problem or downside of using a software provider other than Microsoft is that there is no cutomer support or virus control methods.
Another new concept discussed at the end of the lecture was Microcharging on mobile cell phones. To play games, or go on some applications related to social networking sites you may have to pay by the minute.
til next week,
acoverdale
XOXO

Week 7: Tutorial Task

This week was our second week with JASON!
acoverdale here with the tasks set by Jason Nelson.
Freeware Apps.
I downloaded gimp, but found it frustrating as photoshop has so many more gadgets and filters. I will keep it on my usb though as a useful device for resizing photos or turning them into black and white... It make me think that having something like that for your phone would be amazing!
Next, I tried aMSN portable, to see if it was any different to normal msn. It failed miserably. After two download attempts it still did not seem to open properly or recognise my contacts.
Needless to say I was not very impressed with the apps I tried but will keep the website in mind for future software related dilemmas!
til next week,
XOXO
acoverdale.