#internetselfbeyond

Modern media’s integration within western civilization’s lifestyle has been seamless and swift. There have been recent opinions that this immersion has given way to an “entanglement” or “hybridity” of technologies, affecting social practices and identities (Sauter, 2014). As Deuze summarized, our lives are “lived in rather than with media” (2011).

  The development of modern media and the infrastructures associated with them, is completely assimilated within our lives. Lievrouw and Livingstone have defined this new media as “Information and communication technologies and their associated social contexts” (2005). With the rapid technological development of smart phones and tablets, and the introduction of free wifi zones and 3G connectivity, we are now able to be contacted anywhere, at any time. We are more connected than ever before. We can tweet about how horrible a meal was, then tag friends eating at that horrible restaurant on Facebook, with a matching photo of the horrible meal on Instagram with a hashtag like “#sticktothewine”. “Followers” and “Friends” can see your activity on one, or all of these social media sites. And, depending on privacy settings, “Friends of friends” can see such activity.

  With the population’s complete immersion in social connectivity and associated technologies, we have developed new, online identities and ideas of self. Deuze discusses that this immersion has established technology as “invisible” from one’s consciousness, making way for these new identities (2011). Upon reflection of this theory, I considered how my own personality or online identity has transformed since embracing Facebook and Instagram. In particular, I remembered a time when I met members of a famous band, who were friends with my friends. We chatted and exchanged details. Following the accepted friend request, I was more inclined to post humorous statuses and flattering photos, therefore showing the more exciting or interesting sides to my personality. However, considering that “identity” is never stable, nor fixed, perhaps my identity simply molded to such a social situation along with my continual desire for self-formation (Sauter, 2014).

  Despite technological and social spheres previously existing independently, today, they co-exist and furthermore, are interdependent. Coincidentally, the modern social sphere not only grows on participation, it relies on it. There is a disintermediated process from content to user. The user now creates content as well as participating and contributing to existing content, giving rise to the term “produsage” penned by Axel Bruns (2008). This participation in the new social sphere raises issues of privacy and how to determine just how much of one’s self to divulge. As discussed in last week’s lecture, a user’s activity is fuelled by their desire to reveal such information. Furthermore, a user or participant in this social sphere must comparatively weigh up the loss of privacy with the gratification gained from such participation and communication as discussed by Taddicken and Jers (2011; 143-156).

  In the continually growing public sphere, it is important to completely understand your personal privacy and what may be the default settings on such sites. Despite the lines between public and private spheres blurring, media sites like Facebook and Twitter reflect what we choose to reflect and distribute. It is a personal choice to determine whether that reflection is genuine or not.

  References

  Bruns, Axel. 2008. “Blogs, Wikipedia, Second Life and Beyond – From Production to Produsage” In International Journal on Media Management, New York: Peter Lang

  Deuze, Mark. 2011 “Media Life.” Media, Culture & Society 33 (1): 137 - 148.

Lievrouw, Leah and Sonia Livingstone. 2005. “Introduction to the updated student edition.” In The Handbook of New Media: Social Shaping and Consequences of ICTs. 2nd ed, 1-14. London: Sage Publications

Sauter, T. 2014. New Media and Society New Media and Identity (lecture online) (Accessed: 11 March 2014). 

Week 1 Content Review and Discussion

Lecture and Tutorial Content

Week 1 of KCB206 Internet, Self and Beyond focused mainly on introducing students to the course and what to expect from the subject as the semester rolled on. In the first lecture we were provided with information on what New Media initially is touching on numerous sub categories from social to cultural, and economic to political. How New Media affects us in the now is simply astounding and when thought about critically, also a bit frightening. We looked at how New Media can be good in countless ways however bad in others, I found this interesting as I find people shy away from the controversial and negative aspects of social media instead of noticing them, I get the impression people are so attached to all that is 'good' about social media including it's social benefits that the threats New Media can harbor never cross their minds. We further looked at how Social Media is used along with how it continues to grow and expand.

Week 1 Reading Review  

The Reading for week one much like the lecture was initially an introduction to the concept of New Media, however it was incredibly detailed discussing why we call it 'New' Media. The reading also looked into convergence which is more or less "a coming together" it looks at how technology becomes more and more alike connecting to each other, it is the idea of numerous technological services forming into a singular network. The reading further looked at the very short but dense history of the internet, it looked at the practices and social implications of the internet and the subsequent communities that was spawned from them. I found the lecture and reading very interesting however encumbering the subject of New Media is one thick with information and academia, that almost anyone can find useful.  

References

Sauter, Theresa. 2014. "KCB206 Internet, Self and Beyond: Week 1 Lecture Slides." Accessed March 15, 2014. http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_4_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fcontent%2FlistContent.jsp%3Fcourse_id%3D_108110_1%26content_id%3D_5232443_1

Flew, Terry, (2014). Chapter 1: Introduction to New media. In Flew, Terry, New media, (pp. 1 - 17). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Liam Devonshire