This article dealt with the emergence of new virtual world technologies and the couple of it with charity. It explained how in second life, nonprofit organizzations are forming and are becoming more and more prevalent. Also, the paticipants are increasing. I thought it to be astounding that there was actually a waiting list for groups to get on the island with their nonprofit organization! It is also really interesting how they found that people are more willing to sometimes donate online instead of in person because it is more interactive (like when they donate and a tree is planted, or they get a virtual ox to raise and then compete with). Also, it would be very interesting to do a study to see if events could actually raise more money in second life beacuse of greater exposer. Another question is do people find it easier to donate because it does not seem like real money? or are they fully aware?
Flash Mob March 26, 2009
The flash mob experience was very interesting. The turnout was not what I had expected but still, it was not a failure. I think that the most interesting part of the experiment was when people kept staring at us and saying “Why are they walking in circles?” people were so confused but at the same time they were intrigued wondering what on earth was going on? Also, my question is why was it not advertized more? I do not think that that many people knew about it and that if they did more would have shown up.
“Avatars, Second Life and New Media Art” March 24, 2009
This article explores the relationship between new media art and current culture. The argument made by the author is that the avatars and the art made in digital media worlds like Second Life are really a reflection of art in our culture as well as stereotypes. The part that was the most interesting however was the part about the “13 Most Beautiful Avatars.” The fact that in a digital world where people are free to create whatever type of image they want, including animals, some people worked to make theirs as beautiful as possible. Something that would be very interesting to find out would be who the people are who made some of these 13 most beautiful avatars. Are they beautiful people making a representation of themselves? Do they not resemble their avatar at all and are they simply dreaming up what they wished that they looked like? Or, was it an unconcious decision, just creating what was aesthetically pleasing to themselves like maybe a man creating a woman of his dreams or a woman doing the opposite? There really is no way to know this unless someone were to interview each one and even then who would really even know if they were telling the truth or fabricating it to fit the story they want.
“A Rape in Cyberspace” March 24, 2009
This article addressed the issue of a virtual reality (VR) user who used his made up character (as well as special programming codes) to make others in the same VR world do innappropriate things to themselves. At the conclusion of the article, the author makes the claim that he originally could not understand how people took the issue seriously, but after investigating it, he could not see how he ever thought that to begin with. Maybe it is because I personally am not that familiar with VR but, honestly if someone is bothering you, WHY NOT JUST LOG OFF!?!?!? That seems to be the most logical answer, but obviously many took it a lot more seriously than that. Also, the fact that no one realized the perpetraitor could just create a new account is ridiculous…really!? How could no one see that?!?! The whole thing was taken way too seriously, next thing people are going to start going after characters in online games where they kill eachother attempting t peg them for murder or what about the people who play interactive video games like xbox live are they going to start complaining because someone said something that hurts their feelings or offends them? No, and likewise those involved with the issue with Mr. Bungle need to give it a rest. The entire account was ridiculous and a complete waste of time from people who obviously had nothing better to do than to sit at home and try to make and solve problems in a digital world rather than attend to the issues that need to be addressed in real life. Once again, if it really bothers you that much, log off.
Flash Project March 5, 2009
http://keep3.sjfc.edu/students/amr02636/flash/classwork/thursproject.html
“Remixing Culture: AN INterview with Lawrence Lessig” February 12, 2009
The topic of pirating copyrighted music is one that many people find hot on their tongues. With the economy, these days more than ever people are doing anything they can to save an extra buck or two. When it comes to music, why pay $0.99 a song when you can download it for free? In this interview between Richard Koman and Lawrence Lessig, copyrights and websites that allow illegal behavior by not not allowing it are disscused. The main topic raised is should companies through which people are performing illegal activities (like downloading coyrighted music) should be punished or not. The verdict was that they should not be but the main problem is that people use technology for so much these days that it is difficult to draw the line on where to make the rules. For example, home movies do not have a copyright and can be displayed freely on the internet. On the other hand, a feature length film, say by Fox, does have a copyright and there are stiff consequences if someone gets caught using them inappropriately. I think that this is only going to become a bigger issue. Are kids going to have to cite every piece of clip art or every google image they put in their third grade book reports? Could I get in trouble for talking specifically of ipods, apple and google in my blog? These lines are very gray and it is going to talk a long time (if it ever happens) until they become black and white.
“Will the ipod Kill the Radio Star?” February 12, 2009
Although television had taken many avis radio listeners away from their weekly or nightly talkshow, radio next works still survived via the easy and instant access to music. As technology continued to advance tape players and CD players became more evident and music could be purchased and played on demand by the listener. The radio still survived as a talk show for the morning commute or for a way to discover new music that could be considered for purchase. Now that music is digital, things are changing. With the ipod and similar mp3 players, we can now download exactly what songs we want, make our own play lists and truly have all of our auditory needs on demand. All of them, except for the talkshows and the news…Not anymore. Now we have podcasts, something that anyone with garageband and an apple commuter can accomplish (there are probably also ways to make them on PCs). Now, anyone who wishes to can broadcast their thoughts, dreams and ideas to the world…for free. This new digital outlet may be the undoing of radio as we know it. Yes, there is still the older generations that somewhat fear technology, but the rest of us (who seem to thrive on it) are grasping this new advanment as something that we will use for the rest of our lives. They say that so far the “ipod has not killed the radio star”, but I say wait and see because eventually, I think the radio will become obsolete. Maybe not in our lifetime, but soon enough. A question this raises…What other technologies may come about? What will they replace? Will televsion be a thing of the past? Will land line telephones cease to exisit? As we wonder about approaching techologies in a world where everyday there is some new gadget to play with, all we can know for certain is that only time will tell.
