Monthly Archives: March 2012

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Citizen Journalism: Empowering Individuals

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Mobile technology has given individuals so much power, some of which simply do not know how to wield it. Convergence within the communicative world through mobile technology is changing the way we interact with those around us completely, both professionally and personally.

Gordon in his article ‘The Mobile Phone and the Public Sphere’ draws to our attention how our mobile phones may one day become an important tool, used to report events from a first person perspective.  However, I feel that this occurrence has taken place since this article was written. A recent example would be the recent uprising of the people of Egypt, trying to overturn the regime of President Hosni Mubarkak.

When the riots commenced, the government shut down the Internet in Egypt, so people could not communicate and rally together further on the web. In this scenario, mobile technology was incredibly important as it was the only method journalists, and citizens could broadcast messages and stories to the outside world. Mobile technology allowed for citizen journalism to occur, empowering these individuals, essentially giving a voice, to the voiceless.

Reference List:

Gordon, J 2007, The Mobile Phone and the Public Sphere: Mobile Phone Usage in Three Critical Situations, accessed 23/3/2012, Sage Database.

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Coal Seam Gas In The Illawarra: The Mercury Scope.

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This week, continuing to focus on the coal seem gas issue in the Illawarra, I decided to take a closer look at local newspaper The Illawarra Mercury, which is owned by Fairfax Media Corporation. Mainly I’ve mostly been concerned with the frequency at of the Mercury’s ability to report on the issue in general, also looking at how the issue itself is portrayed by the newspaper.

My findings revealed that the Mercury generally reports on the topic when there is a new development or issue that arises involving CSG on both a local and national level. However, whilst it is a prevalent issue in the Illawarra region, this does not necessarily mean it will find itself etched on the front page of a newspaper. While the Coal Seem Gas issue in the Illawarra could be considered to be quite a high-profile story, it is not unusual for stories such as these to somewhat fade into the latter pages of print media. This way be due to the fact that print media in many ways relies on new and exciting stories that have the ability to draw readers in.

The Illawarra Mercury has seemingly approached the CSG issue with an informative style of sanitised reporting, allowing readers to remain up to date on the issue both at local and national levels. However, members of the local community truly looking to stay in the fold, are much better off subscribing to the STOP CSG Illawarra website, as it is centralised around the issue entirely.

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Internet Browsers: A Part of You, & Me.

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The ideologies surrounding Technological convergence has shaped the way we interact and share information with the world. The Internet has become a medium in itself, that has integrated all forms and methods of communication into one device, which has backed us into a corner, in the sense that it is now truly difficult to gauge whether we are online, or offline.

Shirky (2008) reminds us that that the Internet is nearing into its 20th year, and that anything with a life cycle that changes as rapidly as the Internet’s has, is bound to become somewhat an-equated. However, Shirky also draws attention to the fact that the Internet has done so much for us, and rather than fading into oblivion, the Internet browser is becoming the background and essence of user interfaces and even the background of whole operating systems such as Google Chrome.

Which leads me to ask the question, are we ever really offline? The introduction of smart phones and tablet devices have made it impossible to not be connected. Ultimately it seems like the Internet browser has become an integrated part of human life, leaving us forever connected and unable to escape the clutches of its grasp.

Daniel Barrett

Reference List:

Shirky 2011, The Communicators: HIgh Tech & Social Unrest, accessed 21/03/2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx4Yuu2hfP0

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Post-Modernity: The Apple Way.

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The iPhone 5?

 

Ever since that memorable day on January the 9th, 2007, the world has not quite been the same. The technological monsoon, comprising of Steve Jobs, Apple and its illustrious iPhone, forced their way into a market, which had enormous potential for growth (Zittrain 2008). This forced other companies such as Nokia and HTC to really pick up their game if they wished to compete at the same level as Apple.

It seems with every year that another iPhone is released on to the market, it keeps getting better, and better; and generally speaking, consumers have come to expect this of smart phone technology. These phenomenal advances are something we are now used too in the western world, meaning Apple’s constant bombardment of upgrades and modifications to its iPhone has left us normalised to this occurrence, leading us one step closer to the depths of post-modernity.

 

Reference list:

Zittrain, J L 2008, The Future of the Internet and How to Stop It, accessed 20/03/2012, http://yupnet.org/zittrain/archives/6

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The Coal Seam Gas Rush

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In a little more than a decade, coal seam gas mining has evolved into a major industry in Australia. However, I myself have only just recently been made aware of this industry. Whether that stems from the lack of coverage from the media, or my naivety is something I will be exploring through my research. Either way, the coal seam gas rush seems like it is definitely a cause for concern.

If you are unsure of what coal seam gas (CSG) is,  it is basically a methane found in underground coal seems, where it is trapped by natural water pressure.  It is then released by reducing pressure in the seam by drawing out contaminated water. CSG mining near populated areas is alarmingly problematic as it can threaten water systems and supplies, cause seismic activity, and can leave a permanent footprint on the land. Furthermore, the industry could produce as much greenhouse gas as all the cars on the road in Australia (ABC 2012)

Broadcasting corporations such as the ABC have maintained coverage of the issue since it first emerged on to the media scene, with regular articles being posted on their website.  They provide readers with an in-depth analysis, which highlights the key matters surrounding the issue. Their informative style of journalism portrays true projections and elucidates the harsh realities of the booming industry. The Coal Seam Gas: By The Numbers section of the ABC website, provides both maps and graphs that are interactive and informative. Ultimately,  I think this style of reporting enables readers to fully engage with the issue, as the information acts as a scope that viewers can utilise to easily and effectively understand the basic concepts of the issue that is coal seam gas mining.

Scouring around on the Internet, I was able easily find comprehensive amounts of information on CSG and all of its inherent and painfully obvious risks. Community based websites such as Stop-CSG-Illawarra  have been formed to keep locals in the Illawarra community informed and up to date.  Print media such as newspapers and news broadcasts on television does not seem to be as prominent as these news mediums mainly focus on shock headlines in order to draw their viewers in. Typically, stories such as the CSG one, tend to fade into the facets of every day life, and while communities may be aware of the issue, it will not be deemed as significant unless the media dictates it to be so.

 Reference list:

ABC 2012, accessed 13/3/2012, http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/coal-seam-gas-by-the-numbers/

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The Digital Age – The End Of Copyright?

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In recent times, it has become increasingly easier for public Internet users to access and acquire copyrighted media content such as movies, music, and games without purchasing them legally. File-sharing networks have challenged current copyright laws with the aid of public scrutiny, leading to the question as to what is fair in the digital age we currently live in (Collins 2008). Originally, the law of copyright (within the US constitution), was designed to protect culturally important created works, from being consumed by monopolies and the corporate world (Collins 2008). However, now in the digital age, the law of copyright seems to have spun wildly out of control. It appears that this law has morphed into a scaremongering like tool, that companies and individuals can employ whenever they feel their intellectual property is being used, without consent and/or compensation.

Professor Eric Faden produced this Disney “mash-up” video to elucidate how truly ridiculous the copyright epidemic has become. He does this by playfully using one of the biggest Production companies of our time Disney, to explain to us how copyright actually works.

Fair use is meant to be a wing of the copyright law used to prevent tyrannic monopolies. However, some scholars suggest that fair use has now become less of a defence, and more a right that that subordinates copyrights (Collins 2008).

References:

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/05/19/fairy-use-tale-amazi.html, accessed 13/3/12, http://www.youtube.com/

Madden, G 2008, ‘Recovering Fair Use’, M/C Journal, Vol 11, No. 6, accessed 9/3/12, http://journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mcjournal/article/viewArticle/105

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It’s Finally Here – The New iPad revealed.

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"The New iPad"

Apple recently revealed its third instalment of a device which is showing no signs of slowing down any-time soon. This stunning new device is packed full of new features such as the new Retina display,  5 megapixel camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video – surpassing many digital cameras currently on the market. The iPad also comes with 4G network capabilities while still managing to give users a solid 10 hours of all-day battery life.

This new product also supports dictation, allowing users to verbally direct the words to the iPad, rather than typing them on the touchscreen. This new feature will be compatible with text messaging, notes, browsing the web, and it will even work with third-party apps – allowing users to update their Facebook statuses, tweets and more.

The iPad 3’s Retina display also delivers four times the number of pixels on the iPad 2. To put it lightly, the 3.1 million pixels in the Retina display of the iPad 3, holds one million more pixels than a HD TV, which will revolutionise user experience.

Now I’m sure by now you’re asking yourself the exact same question that I am – will I be able to afford it? But as always, Apple provides us with the luxury of choice. Prices for the new Apple iPad 3 will start at $499 US for the 16GB model, $599 US for the 32GB model and $699 US for the 64GB model. Prices in Australia are yet to be released.

With the release date of March 16, 2012 approaching fast, this new iPad is certain to live up to the hype.

View the full press release here: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/03/07Apple-Launches-New-iPad.html

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A “Blockbuster’ Hit

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The term ‘blockbuster’ originally comes from a military background, and was originally used to draw attention to large scale bombs, which were employed during WWII (Cucco p 215). However, in the 1950s, this term made its transition in to film, and was used to help define the size and relevance of film productions, in relation to both financial investment, and monetary gains.

The film Jaws saw a new method of advertising introduced to Hollywood. It was the first successful film which was heavily advertised and promoted through television. And was also the first film which was premiered in a large number of theatres on the opening weekend. This film was the catalyst for the major rethink of how Hollywood products were exported.


Blockbuster films were originally born from popular US culture, and their success mainly stems from their ability to connect with the mass public (Cucco p 218). They are films which generally appeal to primary emotions such as fear, love, anger, happiness and sadness, and usually contain universal messages. These films are also packed full of spectacular visuals, often lined with epic battle scenes, war-torn cities & worlds and riveting shorelines. This further increases the viewer’s experience. It could be said that this is part of why these ‘blockbuster’ films are so extraordinarily successful, as society is able to connect with characters on an emotional level.

Top Gun (1986)

Another important element is the importance of image. As blockbuster films cost hundreds of millions to produce, the blockbuster has to appeal to the public audience in a way which they can immediately connect and understand (Cucco p 219). Movies such as Jaws, Top Gun, Independence Day and Titanic, are all examples of films which hold high-concept film characteristics which allowed audiences both domestically and abroad to instantly connect with the films; ultimately making them a success. (Cucco pp. 219-220).