Web 2.0, podcasting, and now video podcasting. Well, it can definitely be asserted that these conventions of the World Wide Web aren't going away any time soon. In fact, they appear to be growing in numbers, seemingly in larger proportions than there are users to access them. But What is the future of these technologies? In my opinion, integration is path that Web 2.0 has begun to take, and it will continue along this path for some time to come. Web 2.0 has successfully become a part of cell phones, MP3 players, and other technological devices, so it seems fit for this trend to continue forward. Not only that, but because of the large wealth of information that Web 2.0 offers (just look at Wikipedia for an example), more will turn to it for advice, tips, and the like.
One of the important things to remember is that the internet is a vast place. Indeed, with the introduction of applications such as Second Life, and online banking, the Internet has become a place, and in my opinion can no longer be seen as a thing. It is quite possible to find a podcast on almost anything, from technology to knitting, but the limitation is always the computer. Sure, you can put your favourite podcasts on your iPod, but you need a computer to get them there. Soon, iPods will be able to download podcasts wireless, allowing you to access them whenever you want and from wherever you are. Indeed, as Barney states, "the network society is 'always on'... [and] human beings experience time in the network society as timeless and space as placeless." (29). So, if the network is always on, shouldn't we always be able to connect to it. And if it is indeed timeless and placeless, it shouldn't matter where and when we access it, so long as we are provided with this access.
Surely, however, a talk about the future of Web 2.0 would not be complete without mention of the big man himself, Tim Berners Lee. In his testimony before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Berners Lee mentioned the very topic of data integration, claiming that it is not only the general public that will benefit from this technology, but scientists and investors as well. As he says, "Successful investment strategies are based on finding patterns and trends in an increasingly diverse set of information sources" (Digital Future of the United States), and podcasting and video podcasting provide these information sources in innumerable amounts.
Web 2.0 is an ever growing creature, and given the right amount of time, will work its way into numerous other devices and technologies, be it a direct clone of Web 2.0, or an idea loosely based on it. Nonetheless, the success of this technology relies on the general public, so as long as we keep using it, it will keep working.
Citation:
http://dig.csail.mit.edu/2007/03/01-ushouse-future-of-the-web.html
Barney, Darin. "The Network Society". Malden: Polity Press, 2004.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Week 2: Seeking a best of...
...blogs.
This week, I focus on the best of the blogging world. Unfortunately, there's so many good blogs out there worth mentioning, but when it comes to the genre of war-related blogs, Army of Dude takes the cake.
In all seriousness, war is no laughing matter. Alex Horton, however, manages to make light of the hostile situation in the middle east and writes about his experiences as a soldier in the United States Armed Forces. Through the effective use of still pictures and videos captured while on tour, Horton conveys a brief glimpse of what army life is really like.
It is unclear whether the Army of Dude blog is meant to be actually document the life of a soldier, or simply to poke fun at the predicaments of one. It becomes evident after reading through several posts to the blog that this soldier did not exactly appreciate many of the situations he experienced. The blog itself does not focus on only the war in the Middle East, but also comments - rather sarcastically albeit - on the current political climate as well. The author combines elements of stories, news items, and personal opinions to create a thoroughly engaging blog, bereft of the mundane.
Is this the best way to approach such a sensitive subject though? To different people, different answers to this question will be given. This is only one way to look at the war. The United States Army recruiting website portrays employment in the armed forces, and the act of serving in foreign territories as glamorous and beneficial to the country, but the Army of Dude blog showcases this job in a new light. Does this blog contribute to the war effort? Not necessarily. Nor does it have to. In The Network Society, Darin Barney asserts that "the spirit of our age is the spirit of the network" (2), but perhaps this should be regarded in reverse. Protests of war are not a recent occurrence in contemporary society, nor will they likely have an end. War and the Armed Forces are occasionally regarded as negative aspects of our society, so it makes sense to see a blog that makes light of, and often criticizes, these very things. The spirit of the network should instead be seen as the spirit of our age, as it is created, moderated, and viewed by the people that make the network work. Alex Horton is but one of many with an opinion, and Army of Dude contributes this opinion very excellently through humour, wit, and simple creativity.
Citation:
Barney, Darin. "The Network Society". Malden: Polity Press, 2004.
This week, I focus on the best of the blogging world. Unfortunately, there's so many good blogs out there worth mentioning, but when it comes to the genre of war-related blogs, Army of Dude takes the cake.
In all seriousness, war is no laughing matter. Alex Horton, however, manages to make light of the hostile situation in the middle east and writes about his experiences as a soldier in the United States Armed Forces. Through the effective use of still pictures and videos captured while on tour, Horton conveys a brief glimpse of what army life is really like.
It is unclear whether the Army of Dude blog is meant to be actually document the life of a soldier, or simply to poke fun at the predicaments of one. It becomes evident after reading through several posts to the blog that this soldier did not exactly appreciate many of the situations he experienced. The blog itself does not focus on only the war in the Middle East, but also comments - rather sarcastically albeit - on the current political climate as well. The author combines elements of stories, news items, and personal opinions to create a thoroughly engaging blog, bereft of the mundane.
Is this the best way to approach such a sensitive subject though? To different people, different answers to this question will be given. This is only one way to look at the war. The United States Army recruiting website portrays employment in the armed forces, and the act of serving in foreign territories as glamorous and beneficial to the country, but the Army of Dude blog showcases this job in a new light. Does this blog contribute to the war effort? Not necessarily. Nor does it have to. In The Network Society, Darin Barney asserts that "the spirit of our age is the spirit of the network" (2), but perhaps this should be regarded in reverse. Protests of war are not a recent occurrence in contemporary society, nor will they likely have an end. War and the Armed Forces are occasionally regarded as negative aspects of our society, so it makes sense to see a blog that makes light of, and often criticizes, these very things. The spirit of the network should instead be seen as the spirit of our age, as it is created, moderated, and viewed by the people that make the network work. Alex Horton is but one of many with an opinion, and Army of Dude contributes this opinion very excellently through humour, wit, and simple creativity.
Citation:
Barney, Darin. "The Network Society". Malden: Polity Press, 2004.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Week 1: What is the biggest issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of new media?
So you go out and buy yourself a brand new computer, and realize that there's not really that much you can do without the internet. So you sign up for high speed internet service, and then realize that you need to stay connected. So, you start up a blog, just like this one, so your friends and family, distant relatives, and relative strangers can stay up to date with your life. For some reason, you no longer have that feeling of accomplishment unless you're connected in some way, shape, or form.
Is this what the future of new media is coming to? It has become hard to take a stroll in any downtown core, busy shopping mall, or high school hallway without spotting at least one person with a cell phone to their ear - or even worse, a bluetooth headset - or in their hands, pounding away on the keys to send a text message to their best friend. It seems as though we're no one unless we're connected.
Though, this though does have some truth to it. When was the last time anyone actually sent a letter through the good old (and mostly reliable) snail mail. It is much easier to type off an email, text message, or leave a voicemail. And lets be honest, without any of these, we become almost unreachable. As a society mediated by the media, we have reached the point where even cellular phones must allow you to send emails and even update your blog while you're on the road (because, lets face it: everyone wants to know what you had for dessert last night before you went to the local club). Take a look at the new Bell Double Flip, for example. It lets you stay connected while never missing your phone calls.
And this is what the new media is most concerned about: connectivity. Be it blogging, texting, or chatting, we're always connected through some form of technology. And without this technology, we feel disconnected, isolated, and removed from the world. Its a shame, really.
Is this what the future of new media is coming to? It has become hard to take a stroll in any downtown core, busy shopping mall, or high school hallway without spotting at least one person with a cell phone to their ear - or even worse, a bluetooth headset - or in their hands, pounding away on the keys to send a text message to their best friend. It seems as though we're no one unless we're connected.
Though, this though does have some truth to it. When was the last time anyone actually sent a letter through the good old (and mostly reliable) snail mail. It is much easier to type off an email, text message, or leave a voicemail. And lets be honest, without any of these, we become almost unreachable. As a society mediated by the media, we have reached the point where even cellular phones must allow you to send emails and even update your blog while you're on the road (because, lets face it: everyone wants to know what you had for dessert last night before you went to the local club). Take a look at the new Bell Double Flip, for example. It lets you stay connected while never missing your phone calls.
And this is what the new media is most concerned about: connectivity. Be it blogging, texting, or chatting, we're always connected through some form of technology. And without this technology, we feel disconnected, isolated, and removed from the world. Its a shame, really.
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