Our Knowledge - Their Knowledge - New Media

The importance of everyone understanding and using New Media.

As a student who is studying media communication and a heavy user of new media, I understand the role it has in our lives. We have come to a situation where new media is now a requirement rather than a form of entertainment. Gill (2007) states that new media workers "signify a future in which the need to update skills and knowledge will be a constant requirement". 

QG, 2011

If we consider the difference between the "Baby boomers", "generation X" and "generation Y" in terms of their use, experience and understanding of new media technologies, there is a noticeably large distinction. For instance, I am constantly asked by my parents, 'how do I attach a document to an email?’ where do I find my photos?' and 'how can I create more internet pages on this window'. 

                       

These questions suggest that a large proportion of the older generation lack the experience and thus understanding of new media. It also raises the issue of how the older generation or "Generation X" and the "Baby Boomers" will be able to work within any business without this new media knowledge. The Internet, IPods, tablets and mobile phones are all heavily incorporated into our business and personal lifestyle and thus the skills and knowledge of new media is a constant requirement.

References:

Gill, R. (2007). Informality is the New Black. In Technobohemians or the new Cybertariat? New Media work in Amsterdam a decade after the web. Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures: 24-30 & 38-43.

 

Is your Iphone your New Doctor?

Doctors were once our only source of medical advice, but as the internet has developed people are now turning to this free, world wide platform instead of going to seek a professional doctor.


Lewis (2006) in the article 'Seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of Cyberchondria' explains the implications of people using the internet to seek medical advice, whether its about lifestyle, health or well being.  This idea is very important but now travels beyond the internet to other media technologies, like the Iphone'. 


Iphone applications are now available and constantly being created. They provide owners with a range of lifestyle, health and fitness programs, including anything from diet plans, to period trackers, to exercise regimes to sleep trackers. This availability and easy access to data, although convenient may be harmful. Lewis (2006) states throughout the article that, consumers must note the source of the information they are reading to ensure that it has been written by a professional. 

                                           Iphone Application List, 2011, Instant Heart Rate - Calculate your Heart Rate

The risk of false or amateur written information is now suffocating not only the internet by our mobiles as well. I am a regular 'application downloader' and previously downloaded fitness and health applications like Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock and Couch to 5km. Although, these applications wouldn't greatly impose on ones' health, there are applications out there that may not be providing accurate information. 

I guess the questions, we need to ask ourselves is - 'how important is your health?' 'would you be willing to forfeit your health to save money?' 'can you trust someone that has made a web page or iphone application?'

References:

Lewis, T. (2006). Seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondria? Media, Culture & Society, volume 28, issue 4: 521-539.

Are you really who you say you are?

Do you update your online status every day?

Do you post photos of yourself online?

Do you use post false information online?

Have you created a ‘different’ you!?

Bell (2006), explores the idea that mobile phones in China have become more than just a communication tool but more of a multi-media platform where individuals can brand themselves. ‘In addition to their more obvious cultural functions as communication and information tools, cell phones also say something about who their owners are (Bell, 2006). But the question we need to ask ourselves is, is this representation true?

This idea can be related to many new media technologies. Facebook, for some, is an online, public dairy where users are given the opportunity to firstly create their own content and secondly use that content to brand themselves.

I personally am not a fond believer in posting my every move online through status updates or uploading photos, but for some, it provides a sense of inclusion and belonging and for some, it is all comes down to impressing the outer world. In creating and posting this information online, on ‘your’ page, can be seen as ‘branding yourself’, but is this online brand or online personality, a true representation of yourself?

(Dare Obasanjo, 2011)

Facebook is a prime example of where users can create a ‘fake’ online personality. Zuckerberg (2011, pg 98) states, “having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity”.  This statement reiterates my concern, that online, social networking sites are allowing people to create online identities, which may differ from their offline identity.

Therefore, is the ability to create a fake person and post fake information online, healthy, or is it allowing people the opportunity to pretend, lie and imitate something they wish to be?

References:

Bell, G. (2006). The Age of the Thumb: a Cultural Reading of Mobile Technologies from Asia. Knowledge, Technology, & Policy, Summer 2006, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 41-57.

Mark Zuckerberg, cited in Kirkpatrick, 2010, p.198. The Facebook Effect: the Inside Story of the Company that is Connecting the World