Media Magazine reading
Media Magazine 55 has an overview of technology journalist Bill Thompson’s conference presentation on ‘What has the internet ever done for me?’ It’s an excellent summary of the internet’s brief history and its impact on society. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM55 and scroll to page 13 to read the article ‘What has the internet ever done for me?’ Answer the following questions:
1) Looking over the article as a whole, what are some of the positive developments due to the internet highlighted by Bill Thompson?
One of the positive developments due to the internet is being able to email people and communicating with other people which has been made much more convenient.
The network connects us to other people, it provides a great source of information, it
can be used for campaigning and political action, to draw attention to abuses and fight
for human rights. -MM
It’s a great place for gaming and education, which can also be used to make a lot of money (for a few people) as well as a place where you can meet your friends. -MM
2) What are the negatives or dangers linked to the development of the internet?
One of the dangers due to the development of the internet is that people abusing child abuse.
Another negative due to the development of the internet is that there is a lot of spam which is "impossible" to stop.
A lot of bullying and abuse takes place. -MM
There’s pornography that you don’t want to see, and illegal images of child abuse that you
might come across. -MM
Extremists and radicals can use the network to try to influence people to join their cause, and fraud, scams, ripoffs and malicious software are everywhere. -MM
3) What does ‘open technology’ refer to? Do you agree with the idea of ‘open technology’?
The idea of ‘openness’ lies at the centre of this debate: I believe that if we want an open society based around principles of equality of opportunity, social justice and free expression, we need to build it on technologies which are themselves ‘open’, and that this is the only way to encourage a diverse online culture that allows all voices to be heard.
4) Bill Thompson outlines some of the challenges and questions for the future of the internet. What are they?
One of the challenges for the future of the internet is privacy.
5) Where do you stand on the use and regulation of the internet? Should there be more control or more openness? Why?
I believe for regulation of the internet, there should be more control. Despite there already being control, inappropriate content is some how still being put out there which shouldn't be happening.
Clay Shirky: Here Comes Everybody
Clay Shirky’s book Here Comes Everybody charts the way social media and connectivity is changing the world. Read Chapter 3 of his book, ‘Everyone is a media outlet’, and answer the following questions:
1) How does Shirky define a ‘profession’ and why does it apply to the traditional newspaper industry?
To label something a profession means to define the ways in which it is more than just a job. In the case of newspapers, professional behavior is guided both by the commercial im-perative and by an additional set of norms about what news- papers are, how they should be staffed and run, what constitutes good journalism, and so forth. - MM
2) What is the question facing the newspaper industry now the internet has created a “new ecosystem”?
Shirky says that the internet has created a "new ecosystem" which has caused radical changes overall for everyone. The way information is now being passed around is completely different to how it used to be passed around.
3) Why did Trent Lott’s speech in 2002 become news?
Trent Lott's speech in 2002 became news because he praised for a racist political campaign. This caused a lot of controversy.
4) What is ‘mass amateurisation’?
Mass amateurization is a result of the radical spread of expressive capabilities, and the most obvious precedent is the one that gave birth to the modern world: the spread of the printing press five centuries ago. - MM
5) Shirky suggests that: “The same idea, published in dozens or hundreds of places, can have an amplifying effect that outweighs the verdict from the smaller number of professional outlets.” How can this be linked to the current media landscape and particularly ‘fake news’?
Shirky's idea links to the concept of fake news as it suggests that it'll be repeated throughout the media and this could also potentially link to the hypodermic needle theory as the media injects information to the audience.
6) What does Shirky suggest about the social effects of technological change? Does this mean we are currently in the midst of the internet “revolution” or “chaos” Shirky mentions?
The internet encourages us to come out of our comfort zone and make significant changes to our life style.
7) Shirky says that “anyone can be a publisher… [and] anyone can be a journalist”. What does this mean and why is it important?
Journalists would have to be qualified in order to publish and be a journalist however, nowadays anyone can be a journalist. There are people creating videos from their smartphones spreading news and creating videos which are being posted on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter etc.
8) What does Shirky suggest regarding the hundred years following the printing press revolution? Is there any evidence of this “intellectual and political chaos” in recent global events following the internet revolution?
The changes Shirky is suggesting due to the Gutenberg/Printing Press Revolution created a lot of anxiety for those who prided themselves.
9) Why is photography a good example of ‘mass amateurisation’?
It is a good example of mass amateurisation because people can nowadays take professional pictures from their smartphones and add it to the media (Social Media) themselves.
10) What do you think of Shirky’s ideas on the ‘End of audience’? Is this era of ‘mass amateurisation’ a positive thing? Or are we in a period of “intellectual and political chaos” where things are more broken than fixed?
In my opinion, I strongly believe 'mass amateurisation' is a positive thing because it is allowing people to be more creative and they're contributing to the community themselves.
