Well connected

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 12:04 pm on Wednesday, October 9, 2013

In this weeks reading I liked the comparison of so called, ‘networks’. Say a phone network was compared to a computer network, they would seem to be a part of different realms. The vast difference between these two things hardly seem related let alone to be labelled as the same practice. I enjoyed the thorough definition and depth that Shultz delved into as he defined the common misconceptions of a ‘network’. Especially the fact that, ‘a network is never bigger than another one, it is simply longer and more intensely connected.’

He then goes into social theories and application of these theories in modern society but I was stuck on the definition of a network. By name, it a connecting source of information, Somewhere which things that are common, or simply have some sort of a linking element reside. Whether the link is physical or metaphorical or even verbal, depends on the specific type of network. This can then obviously be wound back in the spinning cycle of life to social networks and I can go back to spending 3 hours of my day on Facebook.

But my question is, have networks developed? Or have the vessels for their being merely shifted and morphed, rather than the concept itself changing? Who knows. Schultz, perhaps.

The full text is here. Happy reading.

Golden Ticket

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 11:26 am on Wednesday, October 9, 2013

While observing the selfish ways of my fellow 20 something year olds on public transport, and I realised just how bias and hypocritical I can be. When someone bumps me while adjusting their bag and says sorry, I secretly hate them. How dare you, middle ages woman who is probably going home to make dinner for her family and work up the budget for next week. How dare you interrupt Edward Sharp and the magnetic Zero’s welcoming me home on this commute. So reasonable, at the time.

But if I hop onto the tram after back to back classes or a full day at work, and bump someone with my elbow while looking for my head phones (my limbs resemble that of a baby giraffe’s, both in appearance and movement) I don’t even know if I would notice, let alone apologise.

This does not only apply to tram rides, but also things that my friends do or don’t do. I’m learning more about myself and my bias nature. This includes habits that people have, such as eating with their mouth open, speaking or writing with poor grammar and (perhaps a little harsh..) sniffing, that would normally irritate me. Though, when my friends have these habits I don’t even seem to notice. When I nit pick on people’s behaviour, it must usually be because I have some sort of deeper problem with them. Or perhaps, I’ve just had back to back classes or a long day at work.

Edward will cheer me up.

Our Niki

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 12:14 pm on Wednesday, October 2, 2013

New niki up for Myspace about how Justin Timberlake has changed it’s image and function.

Check it out here.

Richie Rich

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 10:47 pm on Wednesday, September 18, 2013

One of this weeks readings was by Albert-László Barabási, and it explored the connections between different networks within society.

The world wide web began with one page. One page that triggered the internet that we use today. This complex jungle of information, social media and online shopping was slowly collaborated by millions of people over time. It is fascinating to imagine the process of exponential uploads and site creations that eventually lead to what I’m using right now.

This is compared to the development of Hollywood and how initially, an exclusive group of silent movie actors and producers grew to modern day Hollywood, with the introduction of motion pictures perhaps making the biggest splash. The growth of this industry is somewhat similar to this insane boom, where anything is now possible, with the american screen actors guild now having over 44,000 members!
To read more..

Though all this talk of money just reminds me of Richie Rich. Which I may have to revisit this afternoon.
 

He’d bribe someone.

One at the front

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 10:52 am on Wednesday, September 11, 2013

This weeks lecture was about individual interpretation, and perception.

When an author writes, it is open to interpretation and the real, or intended, meaning might well be lost forever.

It’s risky to put words out there and not know how people will perceive them.

More on this later?

Maybe.

Tailored attire

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 10:11 am on Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Until recently I have been totally addicted to the TV show, Suits. Yes, this is the second time that I have brought up my obsessive nature when it comes to television, but with this particular series I’ve almost lost interest.

Suits

Robin and Batman

Each episode often contains a specific hurdle, sometimes one law suit spreads throughout the whole season, with different hurdles in each episode. The episode will begin with the presentation of the problem, often with complications due to whatever went on last week, which is followed by some personal drama, witness troubles, internal tension in the law firm and then the classic, ‘Ah ha’ moment. Then Harvey (main character, resembles Batman sans mask) solves the case with the necessary help from his Robin (named Mike) and they end with a minor cliff hanger often relating to the uncertain future of the firm or either Batman or Robin’s love life.

That’s the show. No need to watch it, I’ve just outlined it for you. You’re welcome.

Initially Suits was so captivating and exciting (I potentially need to get out more), that I watched episode after episode. Now, I find it frustratingly predictable and have pretty much given up on whatever drama they’re having this week.

This made me then think of my life, and how predictable it is. We are creatures of habit. Very few individuals genuinely enjoy constant spontaneity. Rapid changes in routines are reasonably disturbing, not just to those who suffer from autism or OCD, but also to just regular Joe.

Buying coffee in the morning from my usual little cafe and before I say a word, the greek woman behind the counter says, ‘medium late one sugar?’. I lead a predictable life, and for some reason that bothers me. I’m chasing the spontaneous people, saying, ‘wait up guys!’ Like Patty Simcox from Grease, bless her.

So today, I ordered a hot chocolate. Who’s spontaneous now?

Same old tricks

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 1:17 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2013

I’m in a rut of only doing things when they absolutely have to be done.

I just cruised through some of the other students’ blogs in my course and they post things constantly. You’re either suited to blogs, or you’re not. I’m suited to talking. Not always in a structured, informative way with a purpose, a lot of what I say are just musings or thinking out aloud. If I remembered half of the confusing things that I said throughout the day I could probably write a half decent blog about a whole range of things. But in stead I’m up at 11pm the night before this is to be assessed.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy it. I mean, I don’t dislike it, but some of the other blogs are amusing, concise, well structured, and the only reason I’m not linking you any of these is because it would make mine look worse that it already does. I feel as though I’m more suited to talking, though, potentially it’s just been filed away like everything else that I do, only to be done when essential.

Like emptying my bin. Only when it’s completely full, spilling out of the edges, will I empty it. And getting my haircut, every three months my hair is so riddled with split ends that I can no longer put it off (half of which is to do with the ridiculous prices people are charging these days). And walking my dogs, I won’t take them until 5pm, when I get back it has JUST become completely dark.

I can’t decide if I’m lazy, or enjoy the excitement of not knowing whether I’ll make the deadline. Though I do know, that many other students are making a greater effort than me, and I’m kind of getting FOMO. Who knew.

Finding the line

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 1:06 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Is it possible that interactive narratives lose the point of narrative? If its purpose it to tell a guide a story, and the viewer/reader chooses it’s ending, who is narrating?

Jane Douglas wrote Books without Pages, Novels without Endings and explored the realm of hypertext as a medium, and explains that it is only the beginning.

“If the book is a highly refined example of a primitive technology, hypertext is a primitive example of a highly re‹ned technology, a tech- nology still at the icebox stage. ”

This extract from her book also speaks of the beauty in leaving literature as just that. She speaks of the fact that the potential of some stories told, begin and end within the pages that they were first written. Hollywood tirelessly twists the words of literature greats, Jane Austin among others mentioned, in order to tell their version, when really, it’s better on paper.

Whether it’s because it gives us an opportunity to create our own version of the world, or simply because they word it so well, the movies never come close to being as satisfying as the pages they were based upon, (though, Harry Potter came close).

Though, Douglas does bring up an excellent point, that reading is directed creation (J P Sartre), and that the most beautiful thing about it is perhaps that it is a different experience for everyone. Each character has a different face, mannerisms voice to each reader, though the words are the same.

So how far will hypertext go in its development? Will it expand as much as the novel has? Or is it a different form of technology, simply existing in order to aid the novel and book form? And an even more intriguing idea brought up by Douglas, will books eventually die?

There is no specific need for books anymore, most people have a replacement tablet or computer and their production is detrimental to the planet. The book, may well be on its way out, book shops are dropping like flies around us. Personally, I don’t want to live in a world without books. I would find it very sad if, 20 years from now, we’re all sitting around the fire at Mt Buller reading eMags and eBooks. For me, the paper is a major part of the story.

Music + Christopher Walken

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 11:44 am on Wednesday, August 28, 2013

These are two of my favourite things. I think that anyone who dislikes Christopher Walken is dissatisfied with life. He’s like that awkward uncle, always saying inappropriate things and never quite sure if he’s being serious. He brings the nervous laugh out of all of us, and I think that should be applauded.

So does my friend, Jono. He happens to like both of those things as well, and has provided the world with a humorous review of a musical track. If you’re taking the time to read this, stop and read the review. It’s funnier, and more worthy of your 3 minutes.

Perhaps, it will make more sense if you watch this clip first though.

More cowbell.

If it ain’t broke

Filed under: Networked Media — erincollins at 11:33 am on Wednesday, August 28, 2013

There was a time when items were cherished until they grew mould. When cavemen had a perfectly good pair of wolf hide slippers, and killed more game, they didn’t say, ‘hey I should have a brown pair too’. When I used to visit my grandmother, she still used the scratched dinner setting that she was given at her wedding. Once, naive Erin asked her why she didn’t get a new one, and I can’t remember what she said because I was four but I imagine it to be some witty form of, ‘what’s wrong with this one?’. Yet now, we have this culture of replacing things that work perfectly well.

Literature has evolved a great deal in the last two decades. In the 1990s if you wanted a book, you would go to Dymocks and buy it in paper back. Today, you can download, buy, borrow or even stream it online. Adrian’s unlecture touched on this on Tuesday. The form of the book does not aid it’s story, article or information. The same text appears on the screen, as is in the physical book. The novelty is gone, but what can you use novelty for anyway?

The point however, that so much is changing in the form of what we are reading, therefore our reading habits will have no where to go but up. We will mould to our new experiences and adapt, as we have done with so many other things. It makes sense that what we get out of reading, will also alter, aided by hypertext, word of the hour.

The modification of our lifestyle is accelerating drastically, times they are a changing, and short of moving to Katmandu, there’s nothing you can do about it.

 Nike Airs, 1050 BC
Nike Airs, 1050 BC (brown with straw detail)
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