MCMLXXXVI

By James Miller

“It is all fun and games until someone loses an eye.” This proverb stems from Ancient Rome that was used during wrestling matches to ensure no one was disqualified by gouging someone’s eye out. Over time, this popular saying has been adopted by parents and teachers alike who issue warning to children’s rough play habits resulting in serious injury. I for one have heard this many time in my youth.

When I was not playing outside, scraping my elbow and knees, another one of my favorite pass time like most kids growing up in the U.S. was of course video games. The countless hours, nights and weekends spent mastering a video game is an indescribable feeling. Those themselves who have owned a video game console (or many) know this sensation quite well. This of course is nothing but a memory now that has been somewhat forgotten. Comparably, remembering how to have fun and play games has trickled off as well each year as I advance in age, career and other life’s choices that comes with maturity. I can say for certain that I, who is particularly not in the gaming industry itself is just simply too busy now with work, university and our career choices to play video games or any games for that matter. Additionally, the gaming industry is changing and evolving at a heart beats pace. The question now becomes, have we abandoned video games or have video games left us behind. In short, the answer is neither. Instead we are evolving simultaneously.  

  Gamification & Virtual Reality: Seeing a World Beyond

There is a plethora of opportunities outside of the gaming industry through what is called gamification. Gamification is described a process of enhancing a service with affordances for gameful experiences in order to support user's overall value creation (Kai Huotari, n.d.). This very application has changed the way we are learning overall as a society. Moreover, it has reached the private and public industries such as education, healthcare, financial services and military just to name a few. Workplace performance often suffers due to lack of motivation from employees. A 2015 survey conducted by Scottish-based Eden Springs, found that over half of men and women in the UK lacked motivation in the work place (talk-business, 2015). When it comes to motivational and productivity factors, gamification in the workplace appears to have a bright outlook in the in various markets. However, gamification sets to change these trends. In an article by Badgeville, it was reported that 91 percent of employees productivity along with work experience increased with the implementation of gamification across US companies (Badgeville, 2015 ). Justin Baird at TED Talks further describes the gamification in corporate America and how it corallites to help engage and retain employees (Baird, 2012).

Cyberspace is increasingly having an effect on the society. Long gone are the days of 2D and 3D models. Now, technology is moving at such a rapid pace that virtual reality is coming into realization. This of course is major for communications and interactive media/design majors like myself. Virtual Reality gives the ability to not only create but be in life size work. Innovated companies such as Tiltbrush and MasterpieceVR lets you create art and literally watch it come to life (Thompson, 2017). The possibilities are endless with where it goes.

 Game Over?

It is not a question of if these advanced technologies will come, but more so when? Not everyone is excited about the use of technologies and virtual reality in our day to day lives. Issues that are often raised include health, safety and human behavior. Since virtual reality is often associated with video games, the conversation of violence is usually not far behind. Flew states that the relationship between media violence and violence in society is the most researched topic in media and communications (Flew, 2014 ). There are no perfect answers to this problem, however one must take into account that poorly grounded academic research could lead to public policy solutions that are often ill-advised.  

  Thanks for playing

As we get older and become adults, we often inherit that sense of inability to explore things with a youthful and open mind. Although some may argue that there are unforeseen dangers in the future of virtual reality and gamification, there also its upsides. Education among children is one of the major benefits of gamification in any industry. Products such as Rosetta Stone Kids Reading is a perfect example of how gamification and technology is used to make interactive learning/reading fun through games and activities. As we move forward in society with augmented realities in enhancing experiences, while engaging in real world experiences, it is essential to recollect how excited we used to get over receiving that new toy or game. Lastly, remember to play rough, play hard, but don’t forget to play smart.

  Works Cited

Badgeville. (2015 , August 06). Gamification Improves Work Experience for 91% of Employees, Increases Productivity Across U.S. Companies. Retrieved from prnewswire.com: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gamification-improves-work-experience-for-91-of-employees-increases-productivity-across-us-companies-300124915.html

Baird, J. (2012, November 09). Gamification of Corporate America: Justin Baird at TEDxPhoenixville. Retrieved from YouTube : https://youtu.be/A7VFpPO6muc

Flew, T. (2014 ). New Media: An Introduction, 4th . Melbourne : Oxford University Press.

Kai Huotari, J. H. (n.d.). Defining Gamification - A Service Marketing Perspective. Retrieved from researchgate.net: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Juho_Hamari/publication/259841647_Defining_Gamification_-_A_Service_Marketing_Perspective/links/0c96052e13e865be00000000/Defining-Gamification-A-Service-Marketing-Perspective.pdf

talk-business. (2015, November 05). Over half of UK workers lack motivation. Retrieved from talk-business: https://www.talk-business.co.uk/2015/11/05/over-half-of-uk-workers-lack-motivation/

By James Miller 

By now you have probably heard the well-known saying: ‘your network is your net worth.’ With the ever-increasing presence of technology and social media in our day-to-day lives, these words hold more truth now, than ever. Having a strong social network can help you shape, not just your personal brand, but your professional development as well, opening new opportunities. However, this will require you to be and remain not only visible, but proactive in this space as well. One has to realize that the common theme with technology (and with all things) is that it never stays the same. It is constantly evolving and therefore, evolving us as a civilation along with it. You would not be wrong to even suggest that, we as a human-race play a role in shaping technology as we grow to fit our ever-constant changing needs. This idea is the very embodiment of what is called entailment, or something involved as a consequence of another thing.  

(Image source: http://www.funbodytherapy.com/sample-page/gallery/evolution-of-man-to-computer/)

Collective Intelligence

The idea and concept of collective intelligence play a critical part in solving some of societies important issues. At the very basic level, it applies to nature as well. In the example of ants working in an organized colony, they set out to accomplish an important mission, to reproduce and ensure the survival of their colony through the queen. This of course cannot be done individually. Through the efforts of teamwork and collective intelligence these ants are able to tackle a larger than life biological mission and goal.

In comparison, we as humans implement the use of collective intelligence in similar ways. Technological advances and the uses of online community resources have changed the way we deal with certain issues. For example, whenever an issue may arise with your MacBook or PC, we have the ability to use online community forms to help us navigate through common and not so common issues within the comfort of our homes. Additionally, this just doesn’t apply to technical issues. We can use collective online resources to give us advice from relationship issues to more serious world issues that affect the environment. In an online article discussing the use of online communities using collective intelligence to solve global issues, founder of Zerofootprint, Ron Dembo said: 

“by analyzing and visualizing and data sources submitted to the online community, Insight will create new models for helping to lessen environmental damage.” (Havenstein, 2007) 

This YouTube video below is demonstrating the power of what a collective community can do for you is just another example of how personal computers have integrated into our everyday lives.

<YouTube video: Collective Intelligence>

Social Networking Service

As I mentioned earlier, your network is your net worth. Social media has given the user the ability to exercise your power of interaction at an astounding rate. Capital comes in many forms. Whether it’s monetary, intellectual or in the case of networking, social. In my case, studying in the area of communications will require me to be strategic in how I go about creating a diverse network. In an article by Forbes, they give several healthy tips on how I can optimize social media to build social capital online. (Marcus, 2014 ).

·      Network Proactively

·      Create a Diverse Network

·      Leverage Relationships

·      Set Aside Dedicated Time Each Week to Network

LinkedIn

Professional career social media websites such as LinkedIn have forever change the way we brand and market ourselves. Relationships are now formed through simply reaching out and saying hello on these platforms. In 2017, LinkedIn had: 

+10 million active job listings

100,000 articles published weekly

+9 million companies and 

500 million users. (Rise of the New LinkedIn: By the Numbers, 2017). 

 In addition, in 2016 it was reported that 87% of recruiters find LinkedIn most effective when vetting candidates during the hiring process, according to Jobvite recruiter nation report. (Jobvite Recruiter Nation Report , 2016).  

(Image source: http://www.numbersleuth.org/trends/new-linkedin/)

Looking Forward

Like money, social media as a tool can be either beneficial or hinder your development, depending on how it is used. Putting yourself and your ‘personal brand’ into the spectrum of what is the online communities, such as: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn etc. is central in having a strategic plan in my professional growth. Furthermore, blogs and university group pages are yet another way to put myself out there. Sharing information is synonymous with problem solving and collective intelligence. It was reported that in 2018 that well over half of the world’s population are now connected to and using the internet. (Kemp, 2018). This means that more people are able to connect. This also means that the world is becoming a lot more social. Now more so than any moment in history, I am able to reach and optimize my full networking capabilities, on a global scale, with just a click of a mouse.  

 References:

Havenstein, H. (2007, May 15). Online community using 'collective intelligence' to solve global issues. Retrieved from ComputerWorld: https://www.computerworld.com/article/2545224/business-intelligence/online-community-using--collective-intelligence--to-solve-global-issues.html

Jobvite Recruiter Nation Report . (2016). Retrieved from Jobvite: https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RecruiterNation2016.pdf

Kemp, S. (2018, January 30). DIGITAL IN 2018: WORLD’S INTERNET USERS PASS THE 4 BILLION MARK. Retrieved from We Are Social: https://wearesocial.com/blog/2018/01/global-digital-report-2018

Marcus, B. (2014 , October 20). Your Network Is Your Net Worth: 7 Ways To Build Social Capital. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bonniemarcus/2014/10/20/your-network-is-your-net-worth-7-ways-to-build-social-capital/2/#76bfabc33c42

Rise of the New LinkedIn: By the Numbers. (2017, October 10). Retrieved from Numbersleuth.org: http://www.numbersleuth.org/trends/new-linkedin/

Written by James Miller

What do phones, computers, music, television and your local fast food restaurant all have in common? They have all experienced a massive disruption and convergence within in the last decade with technology sitting at the forefront of this cause. With the ever increasingly globalization thanks in part to technology, knowledge has become more valuable than ever. This ultimately leads to the question: What can you do as a knowledge worker to ensure you benefit from digital capitalism?

 Change is inventible. Whether it is in regard to our personal growth, businesses, career goals, place of living or even the climate itself. Unfortunately, change is what people fear the most, almost to the point of resistance. The security rug pulled from beneath their feet for most puts a strain on those who are ill- prepared and fell that they are no longer in control of their lives. Harvard Business School professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter stated that the loss of control, excess uncertainty and more work are just a few reasons out of many, why people resist change. (Kanter, 2012).

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is no longer just a concept or the thing of the past. It is coming and here to stay. Workers that once filled jobs such as the check-out attendant at your local grocery store and cashiers at fast-food restaurants, have now been all but replaced with machines and self-serve kiosks. The question now becomes, how do I not get left behind when businesses decide to go full iRobot on the rest of the world? Those who are concerned about the future and where they will fit into the grand scheme of it all, I would say that you already have arguably the most invaluable tool that will outlast any machine, and that is of course, your knowledge and ideas.

Education:

Education is key to anything that you do. Having the knowledge and understanding behind the reasoning and logic is crucial to your growth and development. Furthermore, it allows you to stay ahead of the curve introducing you to new concepts and ideas in which way the market and industries are headed. With that said, it also helps to have creativity and have a strategy in place. Mark Dodgson, Director of Technology and Innovation Management Centre at the University of Queensland said that: “Universities are central actors in the knowledge economy. Understanding the conditions in which they best perform this role and contribute to the industries of tomorrow is a critical input to future policy-making.” (Dodgson, 2012).

 Creates New Jobs:

It is not without a doubt that the new industry of automation and cognitive systems will open a door wide to new innovative industries and markets. With any new industry creates future jobs, at least for those who are in the know or that can implement their skills as a knowledge worker to good practice. With the slow introduction to robots and AI on the market, you of course need people who are knowledgeable to build and maintain our future electronic co-workers. Like the auto-industry, these machines will not work on themselves. Intellectual capital will become beneficial for those who move where the industry is headed, which is in machine learning and AI. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: employment of computer and IT occupations is projected to grow 13% from 2016-2026, faster than all occupations. This is expected to add over half a million new jobs. (Labour, 2018).

Companies like Google, Amazon and Facebook all thrive on ideas and knowledge applied to real situations. Think of how easier our lives have become since the emergences of the iPhone and the rise of smartphones. How convenient it has been to search all of your music on one platform called the mp3 player/iPod, or how quickly you can ask Siri for recommendations of the hottest restaurants when you travel and the navigation to get there when you are lost on your way to that restaurant. One thing for certain is that machine learning and AI is here to stay. Westpac bank is seeking to adopt a range of AI plans reiterating change within the business model.  All of these ideas were once just an idea, a spark of something that would later become greater than the person who initially thought of it. Perhaps instead of fearing and resisting change, we should embrace it and put our knowledge to a better cause that can maybe one day benefit us all, because what good is knowledge gained if it isn’t applied.  

Tell me what you think? Will you become a victim or beneficiary of this major technological movement that is set to disrupt our daily livelihood? The fourth industrial revolution is here upon us.

References 

Dodgson, M. (2012, April 10). A Smart Strategy To Drive Australia’s Knowledge Economy. Retrieved from The Conversation : https://theconversation.com/a-smart-strategy-to-drive-australias-knowledge-economy-6188

Kanter, R. M. (2012, September 25). Ten Reasons People Resist Change . Retrieved from Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2012/09/ten-reasons-people-resist-chang