Author Archives: Patrick Turnbull

The Media Industry

Posted on by under Life, Networked Media

Newspapers are beautiful, but are they redundant? Photo: Jon S

Really interested in Adrian’s latest post on Networked Media. It is truly worthwhile to note the current instability and uncertain future that faces traditional media, particularly print news. Where as radio seems to have flourished with new technologies (I’m only making an assumption, but I see more independent radio shows, online shows, podcasts and digital streaming popping up all over the web), print media seems to be falling short. Traditional media and journalism in particular is resisting change.

Adrian is exactly right:

“Model I single loop learning all the way along. At no point has ‘what is journalism’ or ‘what is news’ been reconsidered.”

Traditional media services are defensive and reactive, they aren’t innovating or making incredible groundbreaking use of technology that could be used to further their share of the news world and media market. Blogs are more trustworthy and respectable then ever, people are quitting their day jobs and turning to blogging as a steady, financially viable source of income (Even after years of law school in some cases).

If nothing is done, traditional media might very well run into the ground. That’s my question. What will happen to traditional media? Is there still a place for it in today’s society? (I think there might be, but they might not be so “traditional” anymore.) And what sort of things have to be done to reshape media, are we the generation to do it?

Three Weeks of Building

Posted on by under Networked Media, The Unlectures, Theories

The night sky is a great platform for speculation and imagination. Photo: SpeakerX

The unlecture is now sitting comfortably in its third week of running, perhaps not comfortably, but I’m hoping its going to settle. This week, I was a little disappointed, as I was impressed with the direction the sessions were heading in. The redeeming factor was the discussions and elaborations during the second half of the unlecture.

I don’t blame the unlecture for this stumbling block (although I’m not sure it was a stumbling block, more of a learning curve), I don’t blame the pessimists and haters either, it’s just unfortunate that some people are defensive towards change and won’t begin to explore and accept new horizons and possibilities.

To think that such a valuable time for learning and personal growth was spent addressing a question such as “Why should I attend this irrelevant spiel” is saddening to say the least. I was a little bit disappointed at the fact that Adrian’s response had to happen, I feel somewhat responsible, being part of the student body, but I think it was something necessary. Hopefully now after this happening people will loosen up a little and let Adrian and his methods swim around in their brains for a little while.

That’s the first really negative thing I’ve had to say about the course. That’s promising. But it wasn’t really a negative, maybe a blessing in disguise. With that in mind the discussion, by Elliot in particular, was a great platform for reinforcing what we talked about in our tutorial. That the aim of the course is not to teach a specific skill-set, but rather teach you how to learn and adapt to the new skill-sets required to exist not only in our contemporary world, but into the future and beyond.

Furthermore, the discussion from Elliot, Jasmine and Adrian about Design fiction and its relevance in our world was positive in helping reaffirm the idea of planning for the speculative future. The example of mobile phones really but into perspective just how widespread the effects and possibilities of technology can be as well as touching on exactly how different the advancements in technology could possibly be if the speculation happens during design, rather than after it.

Obviously this speculation is something that occurs, particularly with new technologies such as the mobile phone, smart phone, etc, but it is often not as liberal and free as the fictional world. This presents shortcomings and delays possibilities from becoming realities, as these new uses and methods relating to the technology are reactive, rather then proactive.

Right. That was a rather large one. I feel sound in my understanding of the concepts explored so far. Let’s wait and speculate as to what the future of Networked Media will hold for us all.

Rising Early

Posted on by under Life, Networked Media

The world is more prosperous and beautiful in the morning. Photo: Ferdi de Gier

Networked Media has had a positive effect on my life after not even three weeks, even if it is just being able to publish and create online media more effectively. The subject has invigorated my senses and enticed me to become more actively involved in my learning, rather than playing the role of the sponge (or in this case, a sea sponge). With my motivation levels at all time highs, I am bursting with useful energy and will power to do extraordinary things, the first of which is something I have never been able to do.. Study.

That’s right, I’m one of those slackers who make it by cruising along without doing anything. I’ve tried to fix the issue before, but I have never been successful. This is different though. I’m feeling rejuvenated and energised. Regardless of other changes and possibilities, having an alternative method of learning introduced has simply increased my energy levels and made me interested in my learning.

What has this done for me? Well, I’ve started waking up earlier. I’ve started going to sleep earlier. My whole day has shifted backwards four hours. This morning I woke up at 530, and hope to do so every morning from now on. After honing in on my habits and my brain function and noticing, I realised that I do my best work in the morning. My brain is fresh and alert and has just come off a nice rest. Perfect for learning, perfect for remembering, perfect for creating. In the evenings, I’ve been through a day of trials already. My willpower is gone.

This morning, before I left for University, I managed to get done more work and note taking then I have achieved in the entire semester so far. Thinking, noticing, adapting, creating. Four things that are essential aspects of not just the world media, but life in general. That’s what I’ve got out of this so far.

Perhaps this style of learning is not for everyone, maybe it is when given a chance. It’s a kind of learning you have to want to do, and invest in. If someone else reads this and realises what I have too, then I guess I’m doing them a credit. Because it really is a positive change to life.

Here’s a bit of reading and advice that won’t go astray:

Morning and Evening Rituals

Arriving on Time

Posted on by under Life

Train train go away. Photo: Leon Rice-Whetton

For the first time this semester (on Monday), I made it to the train station on time for my 1030 Lecture. What was different? I had to get ready a little earlier to give someone a lift to work. But I woke up late.

Interestingly enough, I still made it there earlier than before. But why? I think it’s because I had an external source of motivation. Someone else was relying on me to take them to work on time. The increased responsibility allowed to me act more responsibly towards my own needs as well as the needs of another. Knowing this, perhaps I am externally motivated more so than internally. This is something that I can work on in the future and at the present.

For now, I can reap the rewards of getting to the train on time; sharing a seat with the Award Winning Youtube Superstar Comedian, Mark Koh.

Notice This

Posted on by under Theories, Theories and Philosophy

 

No nothing in this yard. Photo: Alist

As Researching Your Own Practice acknowledges, noticing is something necessary, as well as reflection, in order to behave and think in the best manner possible. In personal life, career life and education, noticing is something that most people don’t notice. Notice that is, that noticing is something we take for granted and don’t exercise complete control over.

So it’s simple, isn’t it? Just take more notice of your surroundings and your actions, your thought processes. But it’s not that simple, as John Mason discusses:

“Noticing itself is something that happens to us, not something we do deliberately, or at least, not something that the deliberate and conscious parts of us can decide to do. You can “decide” to notice some thing or some feature, but it may or may not happen.”

So what can you do? Discipline yourself and exercise your capabilities to notice and pay attention to detail. Mason suggests activities and exercises to practice and hone your senses. Theoretically, it makes sense. Put into practice it definitely helps to increase alertness and attentiveness to your environment and your own thought processes and methods.

For me, I am a perfectionist. I pay an incredible attention to detail that most people do not. I often catch people off guard, or surprise them with a specific detail or notion that I’ve stored in my brain. An example? I regularly attend AFL games (Richmond ones of course, I’ve been a member for 2/3 of my life) with my father. My father is a seasoned football spectator, but I notice everything around the ground, the movements of players, habits, action behind the play, injuries that occur, the whole lot. I often catch him off guard when I bring something to his attention.

“Look Dad, Daniel Jackson’s been hit in the head!” Maybe not a perfect example of noticing a minor detail. Photo: The Age

Noticing things in your environment is something, but noticing your own practice is something else. I also feel like this is something I excel at. I understand and notice how my brain works and the habits that I have. Personally, I feel competent in comprehending my behaviours, the only problem I have is committing myself to and creating a solution. Now this is another issue entirely, but it also comes back to noticing. Because to identify this issue and amend it, I have to take notice of it.

Well the problems have certainly been identified. It’s up to me to continue to develop my problem solving abilities and thinking strategies in order to enhance my practices and methods.

Learning never stops, we keep learning for the rest of our lives, so I might as well keep an open and active mind and try and make the most of it.

 

 

 

Brain Behaviours

Posted on by under Theories and Philosophy

Elizabeth Henry was kind enough to share her brain. I’m not sure who she is, but the credit goes to her.

I’m an anxious person. Adrian got me thinking. I’m also a terrible manager of time. Thinking about our default behaviours and defensiveness. I’m also abhorrent at organisation. See a link? I see it, I see it all the time and I’ve seen it many times before. Why don’t I fix it? Well, I try. But strangely enough it never works.

You see, I also have lacklustre commitment capabilities. Whenever I try and fix it, I give up. Generally though, it’s because something puts me off.

So, I take a few weeks and really endeavour to manage my time better and organise and plan my activities. I write things down, get everywhere on time and generally try and avoid any situation that will cause any sort of disorganisation, stress or anxiety. It all works great. Until I have to organise or plan something that’s anything bigger than a menial daily task. Because when I plan an activity that’s of any importance to me, it makes me anxious. Then I revert to my default behaviour.

Now I’m in trouble. I try and put it off. I try and get away from it. I’ll try and ignore it. Then I become unorganised, because at the last minute, I’m forced to rush (Assignments; for some reason that word comes to mind) after putting it away and out of my mind.   

From there, everything goes out the window. Then my brain thinks it’s best to simply avoid organisation. But then I get anxious from being rushed all the time. It’s a vicious circle. Bad habits are hard to snap out of. There’s something more to it.

Maybe I just have to commit myself to change better and become more adaptable. Easier said than done.

Kong Kong Live on Stage

Posted on by under The Arts

Photo: Theatrepress

Well, that was big and certainly spectacular. For a first time theatre experience (in the big league at least), it doesn’t get much better than that. The show was fun, entertaining, dramatic and to say the least; extravagant. One thing is for sure though, it definitely wasn’t traditional theatre.

Contemporary is the best word to describe it, and it took off with some great establishment of scene, 1930’s New York, packed full of cabaret dancers as well as references to the monumental construction of the Golden Gate bridge that was occurring as the original 1933 film version of King Kong was released.

As far as the technical competencies of the performers go, I couldn’t critique them as I have no experience with theatre. From the perspective of an amateur theatre goer, the performances were brilliant. Humorous at times, entertaining and quite outlandish (perhaps even risqué).

The review from The Age was right, there was a lot of tits and ass. Does it detract from the show? No. I think it captures the spirit of 1930’s America wonderfully. There were a lot of raunchy dances and revealing (yet glamorous) outfits, but not once did I hear the audience cry in disgust at the “exploitation of women”. All that came from the crowd were cheers and laughter.

A final point I’d like to touch on is the innovative and creative use of lighting and textures. Once we set sail to Skull island, not a single backdrop or conventional set piece was used. Everything was constructed using plastics, reflective surfaces, or even purely represented by light. It really created a sense of the unknown, conveying a sense of darkness and mystery that a traditional forest backdrop simply would not.

Through the whole show I only had two complaints. One, a petty complaint, was that there were no physical airplanes for Kong to strike down. In one of my favourite scenes from the Kong films, the US fighter planes circle the Empire State Building to try and dislodge Kong. It was a shame to not see this happen (they used light to represent the planes instead), but in all respects, it would’ve been very difficult to pull off.

The second issue was to do with the sound mix, at times the words of the songs were difficult to make out, but I guess that’s the pay off of having such a flamboyant and magnificent soundtrack.

In conclusion it was a great night out and well worth the price of admission.

 

King Kong is still playing at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne for a limited season. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.

 

 

The Significance of Networks

Posted on by under Networked Media, Theories, Theories and Philosophy

A Network. Photo Credit: Porter Novelli Global

Here’s another RSA Animate about Networks, taken from a talk given by Manuel Lima, a senior UX designer from Microsoft Bing, which I think could really help conceptualise the idea of networks, where they originate and why they are so integral to modern society, knowledge and technology.

While all the concepts covered in this video are useful and worth considering, I think the take away idea from this, is that all the knowledge and everything in the world is interconnected in some way via a complex system of networks. It is useful to think of knowledge in this way and to apply this logic to ourselves, especially as we prepare ourselves for entry into a work force that requires and promotes multi-skilling and creative thinking.

Here’s some more information on The RSA: http://www.thersa.org/about-us

 

 

Design Fiction

Posted on by under Networked Media, Theories, Theories and Philosophy

Startling Stories from the land of fiction. Photo: G. Crombrugg

Design Fiction has an important role to play in learning and enhancing our mind’s ability to adapt and create in the present and future. It can best be described, as Bruce Sterling said in this interview with Slate.com, as: “the deliberate use of diegetic prototypes to suspend disbelief about change”.

While this idea has been around for a while and has played a major role in the Sci-Fi genre over the years (Think 2001: A Space Oddyssey), the idea of incorporating design fiction in a pedagogical (educational) sense is something that is relatively new. There seems to be many arguments for utilising this sort of design in education. It teaches students the fundamentals concepts behind design, rather than teaching them the skills required to design. With these concepts, students are capable of designing and constructing medias and ideas well into the future. This is a perfect example of equipping individuals with the ability to adapt to change and any skills or disciplines they wish to partake in, rather than simply teaching them a skill-set that must be advanced when it expires, or is replaced by new technology.

Networked media at RMIT seems to allign very closely to the goals and reasoning behind design fiction. It’s obviously something that Adrian has looked into and watched closely.

After reading Matthew Ward’s, “Design Fiction as a Pedagogic Practice“, there was one point I took away that really stuck with me. I think it’s something that is important in all aspects of life if one is to be creatively free and possess freedom:

“1. All design is ideological

The social, cultural and political basis of those ideologies need to be exposed, interpreted and explored. In DF the ideological drive is laid bare for all to see. Deconstructing the economic and political underpinning of design is an essential skill to develop.”

The deconstruction and analysis of ideologies allows a proper understanding of why people act the way they do and why the world operates in the way it does. Understanding this allows you to break free of these boundaries and the shackles that are chained to your wrists and feet as a prisoner of society, and with this comes extraordinary creative freedom and possibility. That is not to say that ideologies are not important parts of society. They are. It is impossible to live without ideology. But it is important to understand and explore the possibilities that ideology presents.

Adrian Miles and Networked media aren’t the only things heading in this direction though. In my second semester (1st Year) at RMIT I have already been exposed to this idea of exploring and interpreting ideologies through the class Communication Histories and Technologies.

Aside from this idea, the other message that I am absorbing is to freely experiment and speculate. There’s no way to be innovative and creative without the freedom to speculate or explore new and untested ideas. There is a certain element of risk that needs to be accepted if one is to be creative.

The future of media and communication professionals seems to be pointing in a direction based around this sort of education and schools of thought. The people of the media will have a greater mental capacity for creativity and design that has never been experienced in such force. I’m excited to be part of this movement.

 

 

 

Trying New Things

Posted on by under Networked Media

Look, the future is friendly. Photo: Honda News

While I am certainly not the first to jump right into new things and I know that not all methods work for everyone, the systems in place for RMIT’s networked media course are definitely worth giving a shot. From what I work out the only catch is the premise that you only get out what you put in.

Understandably a lot of people are quite apprehensive and sceptical about the concepts being introduced, because it’s not something a lot of people are used to being part of. I think the key is replacing scepticism with speculatism(?).

Who knows, maybe Adrian really is crazy and we’ll all learn nothing. I doubt it though. So far, this course has already encouraged me to push my boundaries and try new things, it’s given me a new lease of education and what you can get out of it. And it’s only week 2. Let’s hope the rewards only get richer.

Disclaimer | Background image: Emma Gawen
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