Essay

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Networked Media Analysis Essay

Amelia Hamra #S3543864

1034 words

Social media is a component of Networked Media which allows users to become active online by exploring “what can be done with online media” through various platforms (Gauntlett, 2015). I recall my first memory of social media as part of the World Wide Web was in 2004, at the beginning of Myspace and the early stages of Facebook’s explosion into society. Little did I know that this familiar term, social media, emerged in the sixties with Bruce and Susan Abelson’s creation of the “Open Diary”, a social networking site enabling online diary writers to come together online (Rehmani, Muhammad, 2011). Despite the fact that social media has been experimented with since this time, the concept of connecting with users online escalated to a new level with the upgrading of Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 in 2004. Web 2.0 is the result of various groups of internet based applications, representing the ideological and digital foundations, coming together in this next version of the web. Kaplan and Haenlein believe that Web 2.0 is “the platform for the evolution of Social Media” (Kaplan, Haenlein 2010), appealing to users creating blogs, social networking sites, content communities, virtual game worlds and virtual social worlds. Over the past six weeks I have developed an educational blog to document how I engage with online media on a daily basis. Through this I have been able to explore and analyse a range of media related topics including copyright, blogging, new media, social media, Web 2.0 and online media in general. Having spent seven days documenting my media usage through blogging I was able to come to terms with just how dependent I am on the internet. This inspired me to explore how social media has affected millennials’ communication online and how this links to reliance on smartphones in the digital era.

Gauntlett argues that for one to understand media they need to stop observing and start getting playing around with contributing and sharing online content (Gauntlett, 2015). After creating an educational blog and documenting my engagement with different social media platforms I have learnt how to author, publish and distribute content online. Not only has this broadened my knowledge on what we do with online media but it has also proven Gauntlett’s statement to be true. A topic of interest which stood out whilst analysing my media usage was how much time I spend communicating through social media as opposed to in person. Two online platforms I regularly use to contact my peers are Snapchat and Emails. Snapchat is strictly used to casually communicate with my close friends by taking “silly” snapshots which are edited with filters. In comparison to this I distribute emails to teachers and figures of authority, acting as my most formal way of online communication. Media researcher, David Buckingham stresses that “most young adults employ new digital media mostly for mundane forms of communication and information retrieval” (Botterill, 2015). I agree with this statement as Facebook Messenger has become the most dominant form of communication between my friends and family on a daily basis. With over 500 million users engaging through Facebook to socialise, Wasike and Cooke noted that ‘never before have so many people gathered to communicate through a single medium’ (Bundsgaard, 2005). This raises the question to whether millennials are becoming too dependent on communicating through their screens, making it difficult for some individuals to socialise face to face with peers. As part of new media, theorists believe that “faceless communication” constructs a social space for people who are alone (Eber-Schmid, Socha, 2016). By comparing my time spent socialising online to in person over the past week, I was surprised to discover how dependent I am online with creating conversation with my peers.

Smartphones have become our staple on-the-go tool we use to help track our direction, listen to podcasts, and catch up on the latest trends through social networking applications (apps). It has been predicted that by 2018 over half of mobile phone users worldwide will own smartphones. Not only does this enhance the power of owners like Apple and Samsung, but it also highlights how users believe their mobile phones to be a necessity in the twenty-first century. I relate to 93% of the 2000 people surveyed in 2016 who are constantly checking their smartphones whether it be in the restroom or bed (Barna, 2016). A main attraction to smartphones amongst millennials is the evolvement of “apps”, which have been escalating within Web 2.0 since 2008. These “apps” continue to grow on a daily basis to fit the consumer by providing such benefits as entertainment, digital news, social content and organising personal data. The apps which dominated my time within the weekly media usage were Maps, Podcasts, PTV, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Instagram played a vital role throughout my documentation as I was participating actively on my phone by authoring, commenting and publishing media online. A great deal of my free time was spent scrolling through images of high profile figures, prompting a parasocial relationship online. Originally proposed by Horton and Wohl, parasocial relationships characterize the more enduring, long-term, and usually positive, one-sided intimacy at a distance with users and media figures (Horton and Wohl, 1956).  I have found that by following celebrities on Instagram, I am able to gage an insight into their lives and develop an intimacy and distant friendship with them. I enjoy contributing online to “celebrities”, whether it’s by authoring a comment or liking a photo that has been shared.

Social media has created an online space where users can share their opinion and knowledge with others through various platforms. After analysing my media consumption, It’s evident how millennials are constantly engaging with online media to communicate with peers or tap in on apps. Upon creating my blog I have discovered how authoring, publishing and distributing contribute to developing my skills as an online content creator. Although I initially thought recording each way I used media would be irritating, I enjoyed answering what, how and why I use online media. This task has given me a reason to justify the purpose of being active online and challenged me to reduce the hours spent scrolling through my screen. Millennials are becoming too dependent on technology that it’s hard to imagine where we would be without? Who knows what the next online platform will bring to the upcoming generation, let’s just hope it doesn’t follow the footsteps of the 2013 film, HER, by creating a “computer operating system” to serve as an intimate companion for users.

Reference List

Barna, D. “Millennials Are More Addicted to Their Phones Than Ever”, MyDomain, 2016, http://www.mydomainehome.com.au/millennials-smartphine-addiction#VyqQaOOmmb6Amhz2.99, Accessed 1st April 2016

Botterill, J. Bredin, M. and Dun, T. (2015) “Millennials’ Media Use: It Is a Matter of Time”, in Canadian Journal of Communication, Toronto, pg. 537-551, Accessed 8th April 2017

Dibble, J. (2015) “Parasocial Interaction and Parasocial Relationship: Conceptual Clarification and a Critical Assessment of Measures” in Human Communication Research, Accessed 5th April 2017

Gauntlett, David. Making Media Studies: The Creativity Turn in Media and Communications Studies. New York: Peter Lang, 2015. Print. (Read p. 7-12), Accessed 5th April 2017

Horton, D. and Wohl, R. R. (1956). Mass Communication and Parasocial Interaction. Psychiatry, 19, 215-219. Accessed 4th April 2017

Huang, J. J. S., Yang, S. J. H., Huang, Y. M„ & Hsiao, I. Y. T. (2010). Social learning networks: Build mobile learning networks based on collaborative services. Educational Technology and Society, 13(3), 78-92. Accessed 4th April 2017

Kaplan, A. and Haenlein, M. “Users of the World, Unite! The Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media.” Business Horizons 53.1 2010. p. 59-68 Web. Accessed 8th April 2017

Miles, A. “Blogs in Media Education: A Beginning” Australian Screen Ed 41 (2006) p 66 -9, Accessed 7th Arpil 2017

Rehami, M. Muhammed, I. (2011), “The Impact of E-Media on Customer Purchase Intention”, in International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, Vol. 2 No.3, accessed 3rd April 2017
Subrahmanyam, K., Reich, S., Waechter, N. and Espinoza, G. (2008). Online and offline social networks: Use of social networking sites by emerging adults. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29(6), pp.420-433. Accessed 6th April 2017

Analysis Blogpost 2: Evaluation

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This task has allowed me to question the reason, very generally, is why use certain types on online media? Whilst observing my seven day documentation one thing that stood out to me was my regular pattern of using social media to communicate with peers. It seemed that the main platforms I used for the purpose of communicating with others were Snapchat (least formal), Facebook (most common) and Emails (most formal). After analysing the hours I spent contacting others online I began to realise how dependent I am on social media for my own personal use.

I guess you could say I’m a homebody and therefore have found the idea of “socialising” online in my own surroundings rather convenient. I often make contact with friends every second day by sending a few snapchats or Facebook messages rather than making a phone call or catching up in person. It wasn’t until analysing my documentation was I able to think about the affect this is having on not only me but millennials in general. I’ve realised that I need to reduce my “faceless communication” with peers and make more of an effort to see the people close to me. This is an observation that wouldn’t have been noted unless I hadn’t questioned my own media usage to get a better understanding of myself. Whether going online to communicate rather than dealing with others face to face means that I have anxiety with confronting people? If our generation keeps adapting to socialising in the online space, who knows where this may lead… maybe to social gatherings held over Skype? This is an issue I would like to explore more on and maybe find out whether other millennials relying on social media as much as I am for communicating with friends and why?

 

 

Week 7

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In the week 7 tutorial we were given the challenge of pitching our idea to the panel of experts (Christina, Nick and Robin). During the mid-semester break Bliss, Asha and myself made a conscious effort to come together and plan our pitch. We were eager to follow a similar path to our PB2 video which explored the experimental side of fashion films. To gather inspiration, we analysed a handful of online fashion films and agreed that the ones we found to be most engaging focussed on individual models walking the streets. We chose to encompass this idea of “individual profiles” and film four people who each have a risqué, bold sense of style. This would create an aesthetically pleasing video as different fashion looks would be intertwined against a green screen which we are hoping to experiment with further down the track.

Similarly, to our PB2 video we will still be obtaining the underlying message of having the confidence to express yourself through fashion and dress against the social norm. As our group is made up of women we feel that it would be ideal to focus on the empowerment of women. Therefore, our models will be confident women of the modern age who are fearless with their daily fashion choices. It has only become more apparent through the media that we are seeing females challenge societies expectations and feel confident showing off their voluptuous curves, funky hairstyles and natural body hair around the streets. This is shown in Lena Dunham’s HBO series Girls where the leading characters express their individual style despite what others may think.

After pitching our idea to the panel I was relieved to hear that the feedback given indicated that we were on track. Nick suggested that we experiment with vibrant background colours and patterns through a green screen to make the fashion film actively engaging. The panel also hinted that the choice of background music can easily shape the mood of the film and therefore perhaps including a strong beat may help express female empowerment.

Overall, I am pleased with how our group is progressing and look forward to creating the final video!

Analysis Blogpost 1: Evidence

Posted on by under Networked Media, week 5

Before taking part in Networked Media I wasn’t much of an active blogger and never took notice in how I used online media on a daily basis. This changed four weeks into the course when we were asked to document our media usage over a week by keeping a record of what we watched, listened to, read or used. This task opened my eyes to how dependent I am online, especially with my phone applications. Being born into a techno-driven era, it seems natural to be constantly checking social media or surfing the online web. After analysing my media usage within seven days and comparing it with others in the class, it’s evident that millennials would struggle adjusting to life without the internet.

It has been interesting to observe similar patterns with how I use online media each day. I feel that I am quite consistent when it comes to applying myself online and tend to mostly rely on phone applications for entertainment purposes (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat) or basic daily needs (Uber, PTV, Gym, Mail, Maps). Networked Media has allowed me to take a step back and analyse what I am actually doing whilst using these media platforms whether it be authoring, publishing or distributing online content. It has also made me asses each online action I do by asking the three questions, What, How and Why I am using the web.

It is evident that checking social media sites including Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram is an addictive activity for me whenever i’m bored. I often have found myself to be browsing my newsfeed of these sites when I’m patiently waiting for something or am on public transport as it’s a great way of distracting myself from the surroundings. I follow friends, celebrities and others that interest me, giving me a range of accounts to explore. It is evident from my documentation I enjoy engaging with online content by liking, tagging, commenting and reposting, highlighting how the roles of authoring, publishing and distributing are applied amongst my media usage. However, it is on the rare occasion that I actively participate online by uploading content to my profile as I prefer not to attract attention online. A few possibilities for my lack of day to day posts through Instagram and Facebook could be the pressure of likes amongst my peers or maybe that I struggle to capture an insta-worthy picture?

I tend to use Facebook messenger and snapchat stories over texting as my preferred way of communication with other millennials. The reason being that it is the most convenient approach of contact and I am likely to get a faster response given that we are always online. I use Snapchat as the least formal way of communication between my close friends, Facebook as the most common way between family and friends, and Email for formal communication through work, uni and with unknown addresses.

Another area to note is that I am a Film/TV fanatic which is why watching it via Foxtel play, Netflix or illegally streaming online is a daily habit of mine, the purpose being for entertainment.

To document my media usage I created tables for each day divided into three columns, What, How and Why. I then selected three key ways in which I applied myself online and explored them in more depth. This was a constructive way of approaching the documentation which helped me to analyse for the following assignments.

Day 7

Posted on by under Networked Media, Week 4: Documenting

FOCUS: CREATING AN EVENT ON FACEBOOK

The main social media platform which I have used today has been Facebook. I started by creating a save the date event on Facebook for my 21st birthday lunch. This is a common way for millennials to organise events as it’s the most convenient/reliable form of communication. Facebook sets up a basic structure for users to author events by..

  1. Titling the event and choosing a date/time/place
  2. Writing a brief description about what the event entails (authoring online content explaining the event)
  3. Selecting guests from your friends list (distributing online invites out to guest)

My purpose for creating this event was to allow for guests to save the date and post their addresses on the wall so I could traditionally send out hard copy invites. If I was creating a casual event I would just send invites via Facebook but as this is a formal occasion it is necessary to send via mail. This active online process of organising my event allowed me to apply authoring, publishing and distributing content through the web.

FOCUS: SHARED A LINK ON FACEBOOK

I am usually no one to share online content on Facebook but when I read the article about ‘Married at First Sight (MAFS)’ I couldn’t help not to. I’ve been watching MAFS this season and have found it to be so pathetic, which has only tempted me to continue watching my guilty pleasure. One of the contestants, Deb, wanted to marry a Polynesian man which she stressed multiple times on television, but unfortunately ended up with sweet, kind John. The amount of memes that have been made about Deb’s wish are hysterical, I felt the need to share one with my Facebook friends. By clicking share on the meme I was distributing it out amongst others to see, allowing others to see this humorous image. I wanted to share this meme amongst my friends who view the show because it was sure to make them laugh.

FOCUS: WATCHED LIVE TELEVISION ON FACEBOOK

I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed tonight when a streamed live video of Monday nights Q&A debate was brought to my attention. The discussion delved into the Sunday penalty rates being reduced within the next financial year. I could see that Facebook users were commenting passionately by the second about what was being discussed amongst the panel. The commotion unravelling in front of my eyes grabbed my attention and led me to watch the video live. I had rarely seen live video’s on Facebook so was excited to watch how others responded to the same thing you were watching. People were reacting with emoji’s, likes, comments… it felt as if everyone watching was contributing in some way. Although I didn’t participate by authoring online content, I felt as if I was having a group discussion by agreeing and disagreeing even though I was visibly alone. Watching live news on Facebook is social and beneficial because not only are you getting the presenters perspective but also the publics. Q&A is great for social interaction as they often include public comments from twitter on screen.

Week 4

Posted on by under More Than Fabrics

Working on PB2 with Asha and Bliss has been an exciting insight into what is to come for our assignments this semester. We managed to work efficiently in the time-frame given by communicating via a Facebook chat to organize when to shoot and edit our short fashion films. Everyone had input in how they wanted the video to look and what impact they wanted it to have on the viewer. Thankfully there were no disagreements within our group as everyone was willing to participate and produce a solid piece of footage.

On Tuesday afternoon we met in the city with the intention of filming a variation of sunglasses and hats in the Botanical Gardens. Due to the torrential rain which decided to fall at 2pm in the afternoon we were left to think of another possible location to shoot. Standing under the tram stop at Flinders station and watching the heavy rain fall down inspired us to work with our surroundings and use the rain rather than work against it.

We filmed Asha wearing a roast chicken hat in one single frame whilst dancing and posing in the city as people walked past, trying to avoid the rain. Our decision to revolve the video around a roast chicken hat sparked from the idea of individuality. Melbourne is full of experimental fashion which is often spotted around the trendy north-east suburbs. By placing Asha in the city we were able to experiment with the idea of childhood dress-ups and being yourself without the fear of what society may think. It was interesting to see how the public reacted to this fashion statement whilst Asha danced around in the rain. Most people were oblivious to our fashion statement and more focussed on finding shelter but there were a couple of eyes watching and taking pictures which was quite amusing. Despite initially thinking the weather had affected our film we eventually learnt that it had enhanced it with the visual motion of rain.

The decision to edit the footage together after Thursday’s class allowed our group to collaborate and make sure that we were all pleased with the final product. Bliss and Asha are quite skilled with editing which was great for me to learn some new skills when working with premiere pro. We recorded the sound of pedestrian lights and trams passing outside to recreate the sound of Melbourne’s CBD in our video. This sound was added to a recording of rain and a powerful beat soundtrack we sourced off creative commons. The combination of all three sounds complimented each other and made the video sound interesting and look aesthetically pleasing.

I’m really looking forward to working on the next two assignments with Asha and Bliss as we collaborated exceptionally well for this mini task. Even though our original idea didn’t come to life we all agree that the spontaneous idea to film in the rain was visually appealing and pushed our ability to experiment with the weather conditions.

I’m happy with the final product and pleased with how well we worked as a trio!

 

Day 6

Posted on by under Networked Media, Week 4: Documenting

FOCUS: FACEBOOK 1 MINUTE MEAL VIDEOS

This morning I woke up to a Facebook notification from my room mate alerting me that I’d been tagged in a 1-minute-meal video. I clicked on the notification and was taken straight to a video demonstrating how to make sweet potato salsa’s in under a minute. My room mate’s purpose of tagging my name in the comment section of this post was to show me this video without sending me the link via messenger. Tagging has become the fastest and most convenient way of communication whether it’s through a photo, video or any published content shared amongst social media. This video had me fully engaged throughout the whole minute as I was watching and absorbing the visual recipe unfolding in front of my eyes. I responded to my room mates tag by watching this video.

FOCUS: COMMENTING ON CELEBRITY INSTAGRAM

I still find it surreal that we have the power to become one step closer to those in the public eye through social media. Social media is used as a beneficial PR tool for many celebrities whether it’s endorsing products through Instagram, tweeting an opinionated opinionated opinionated opinionated opinionated sharing their current whereabouts through a snapchat story. I feel that through these platforms we as fans are able to become connected to their lives despite the distance. As I browsed through Instagram today I stumbled across a photo of Hamish Blake’s little boy, Sonny, looking super cute in his swimwear on Zoe Foster-Blake’s account. In love with the sweetness that surrounded this image I commented “adorable!” in hope that my message would reach Zoe Foster-Blake. By authoring this comment I was contributing to the several thousand other followers who too wanted to share their thoughts. Even though I know that my comment probably won’t get noticed by Zoe there is still a satisfying feeling I get by reaching out and complementing the photo. Social media allows us to become more involved in other people’s lives which is an interesting topic to explore in terms of fans connecting with public figures.

FOCUS: PUBLISHING A BLOG

Today has felt quite slow, probably due to the fact that it’s a Sunday! Whilst sitting on my laptop I had the urge to write a blog on health blogger, Jessica therapeutic. By authoring and publishing this blog to my personal blog account I felt a sense of satisfaction. Informal writing can trigger a therapeutic form of relaxation which is the main reason why I was eager to write.

Day 5

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FOCUS: GOODLIFE GYM APPLICATION

One application on my mobile phone which I am constantly checking is the Goodlife Gym timetable to see what time the classes are taking place. I often click on the classes I would like to go to which automatically are distributed on to my phone calendar, automatically reminding me to go. By downloading this application onto my iPhone I am able to stay alert and organised without having to keep a diary. There are several ways in which I am dependent on my phone to assist me on a daily basis and this is one of them.

FOCUS: LIKE PAGE ON FACEBOOK

Another way I have been active online over the past 24 hours is through Facebook by liking the Splendour in the Grass page. As the lineup for this music festival is revealed next week I wanted to be in the know for when it does come out. I often like pages to do with music, film, news etc. to keep me updated on topics of interest and provide my Facebook profile with more information about myself. By liking this page I was contributing to the tens of thousands of fans who had done the same, attracting more traffic to the festival. This online involvement with myself and the Splendour in the Grass page would have appeared on my friend’s newsfeed to let them know a hobby of mine. One of the many perks of Facebook is that it allows for people to build a personal profile to share their interests with family and friends.

FOCUS: WATCH MOVIE ONLINE

Before going to sleep I watched the film, An Education, on my laptop by illegally streaming it on Putlocker. I often use the internet to watch films as I find it a quick, easy, affordable way of entertainment. The process of finding a good quality film online can be challenging, therefore time was spent into surfing the internet to trial a range of links which were of poor quality. Another challenge with watching a film online is the reliance of internet connection. If you have slow broadband internet, the process of waiting for the film to load can be absolute hell. Luckily, I watched An Education quite late at night so no one else in the house was relying on internet connection, I had it all to myself. I was actively involved online by consuming and absorbing the content that had been uploaded to the internet.

 

 

Day 4

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FOCUS: AUTHORING & PUBLISHING A PHOTO ON INSTAGRAM

This morning I uploaded and published a photograph on my second Instagram account to share with my followers. I have two Instagram accounts which serve different purposes. The first is my private account where I post personal pictures designed to be shared with my friends and family. The other is an account I set up at the end of last year which focusses on sourcing vintage images, a personal interest of mine, to share with the public. I enjoy the freedom of having a second account to not have to worry or feel embarrassed about what I post as my name is not revealed. I can also post several times a day without being judged by people close to me which is a satisfying feeling. It’s been a while since I’ve used this account so when I saw a glamorous monochrome still shot of Brigitte Bardot in her prime, I felt it was my duty to share it with the followers!

FOCUS: AUTHORING A PROFILE ON NEED A NANNY

My friend recommended for me to create a profile on the website ‘Need A Nanny’ to seek work in the field by young families in my suburb. I wrote a summary about myself and published it on the website with a photo and my availabilities in hope to find some work. By creating and publishing this short self advertisement online, I am responsible for dealing with any interested parents via phone or email. This is a great way for young people like myself to reach out to young families seeking a part-time Nanny.

podcast FOCUS: LISTENING TO A PODCAST

This year I have become obsessed with listening to Podcasts on a daily basis whilst I walk to work. My favourite Podcast lately has been Mia Freedman’s Mamamia Outloud. I usually download a episode the night before to make sure I can walk to work, listening to it without the reliance of internet connection. I enjoy listening to this Podcast as it covers issues about women that I relate to and is a great alternative to listening to music whilst walking. This morning’s episode discussed topics including marriage equality, Trump and London’s terrorist attack. By listening to this Podcast I was an active participant consuming the information being provided.

Day 3

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FOCUS: UBER

After work on Thursday night I ordered an Uber on my iPhone to get home as there was no public transport on route for a while. Uber is a cheap, convenient form of transport which requires no cash in hand and just a charged mobile phone which thankfully mine was. I often use the Uber application on late nights to get home by typing in my location before clicking “Request Uber”. The application has my home address and bank details automatically saved so there is little effort to go through as oppose to catching a taxi. I feel safe catching an Uber because the details of the driver and tracking of the route is provided for the passenger.

FOCUS: RENT A DRESS

Another way I was interactive online today was by using the internet to hire my clothes out to others interested. I have recently paid $10 to become a member on the Australian website, Rent a Dress, to help hire a few items of clothing out for some extra money. I took a few images of the clothes I wanted to hire with my iPhone and airdropped them onto my computer to upload to this website. This site allows for others to browse through pictures of clothing and contact the owner via text or Facebook for hire enquiries. By publishing these images on rent a dress I had to act as an author to describe the details of each product in hope that someone would want to hire it out.

FOCUS: SNAPCHAT

I am constantly using the application ‘Snapchat’ to send images of myself to others and watch snapchat stories of friends and celebrities. This afternoon I sent a snapchat of my iPod to one of my close friends with the caption “Can you please bring my speakers tonight?” via the application on my phone. The purpose of this snapchat was to casually ask my friend a question by including of a photo. It is common for my friend and I to communicate via snapchat as it sparks more creativity as oppose to just sending a text message. By creating this snapchat I was authoring a direct message to my friend.

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