Week 2 -- 11 October - Communication Theories
Reading:
[Winston] "Introduction" and "Chapter 1: The Telegraph," from Media Technology and Society.
[SANMT] "Social Aspects of New Media Technologies," from Media Effects: Advances in Theory and Research, 1994. (eReserve)
[Economist] "How the Internet killed the phone business," from The Economist, 17 September 2005 (eReserve)
Blog Assignment: Two "ah-ha's" from these readings as well as how they might apply to your possible research interests.
Summary: Winston sets the stage for his book using a model for electronic communication change involving the past/future, competence/performance, science/technology and the social sphere. SANMT, the authors discuss new media as “extensions of older forms” with examples of cable TV, email and telephone. Economist, the author suggests “voice over internet protocol” (VOIP) as the future of the telephone, using Skype as the example.
1st Ah-ha: New technology is not as new as one may think? The opening statement in SNMT builds on the idea that new media is only an improvement on previous forms, which coincides with Winston’s model where he states “Information Revolution” is the wrong term to use for the current state of electronic communication systems. Both readings explore the reasoning behind new technology and why individuals choose to become users. Winston’s model where “ideation” transforms into “prototypes” or “inventions” of new technology makes sense – everything is an idea first in the mind and then reality. In order to become reality there is a process, the next step in his model are social forces and the need for something. With a social need, an invention or new technology can reach what SANMT refer to as “critical mass,” the point where something is universal. This would seem to be a clear and logical process but as Winston points out it is not a universal hypothesis where A and B lead to C. In both readings, new technology has many aspects to its creation from ideas and needs but neither is able to define into law the exact process of how new technology comes into being. Each can only look to back in time and the only constant in history is change which yes, includes looking to the past and improving on the present for the future, which is where the connection of something new not being that new can be made.
2nd Ah-ha: The future is free? The Economist could be an example of how SANMT is correct in stating that new media is not always as new as one thinks, if Skype is only an improved extension of the telephone offering free, accessible service. However, we have yet to see the effects of Winston’s “social sphere” and whether or not the necessity is there to bring it to reality and reach SANMT’s critical mass. There is a demand for telephone-type communication, free and easy-access communication, and profitable communication technology. Each demand has common and opposite interests. If one looks to the past for the future because technology is never that new, then the only thing certain is – nothing is free, but we can be optimistic.
Possible Research Interests: Solve the chicken and egg question – which came first, technology or the user?; What drives communication technology: imagination, need, profit or the four major gratifications as stated in SANMT (entertainment, personal relationships, personal identity, surveillance)?; Does the “Information Revolution” exist?; What is the future of the telephone? – How can free technology be profitable? – case studies Skype and email in the workplace.
[Winston] "Introduction" and "Chapter 1: The Telegraph," from Media Technology and Society.
[SANMT] "Social Aspects of New Media Technologies," from Media Effects: Advances in Theory and Research, 1994. (eReserve)
[Economist] "How the Internet killed the phone business," from The Economist, 17 September 2005 (eReserve)
Blog Assignment: Two "ah-ha's" from these readings as well as how they might apply to your possible research interests.
Summary: Winston sets the stage for his book using a model for electronic communication change involving the past/future, competence/performance, science/technology and the social sphere. SANMT, the authors discuss new media as “extensions of older forms” with examples of cable TV, email and telephone. Economist, the author suggests “voice over internet protocol” (VOIP) as the future of the telephone, using Skype as the example.
1st Ah-ha: New technology is not as new as one may think? The opening statement in SNMT builds on the idea that new media is only an improvement on previous forms, which coincides with Winston’s model where he states “Information Revolution” is the wrong term to use for the current state of electronic communication systems. Both readings explore the reasoning behind new technology and why individuals choose to become users. Winston’s model where “ideation” transforms into “prototypes” or “inventions” of new technology makes sense – everything is an idea first in the mind and then reality. In order to become reality there is a process, the next step in his model are social forces and the need for something. With a social need, an invention or new technology can reach what SANMT refer to as “critical mass,” the point where something is universal. This would seem to be a clear and logical process but as Winston points out it is not a universal hypothesis where A and B lead to C. In both readings, new technology has many aspects to its creation from ideas and needs but neither is able to define into law the exact process of how new technology comes into being. Each can only look to back in time and the only constant in history is change which yes, includes looking to the past and improving on the present for the future, which is where the connection of something new not being that new can be made.
2nd Ah-ha: The future is free? The Economist could be an example of how SANMT is correct in stating that new media is not always as new as one thinks, if Skype is only an improved extension of the telephone offering free, accessible service. However, we have yet to see the effects of Winston’s “social sphere” and whether or not the necessity is there to bring it to reality and reach SANMT’s critical mass. There is a demand for telephone-type communication, free and easy-access communication, and profitable communication technology. Each demand has common and opposite interests. If one looks to the past for the future because technology is never that new, then the only thing certain is – nothing is free, but we can be optimistic.
Possible Research Interests: Solve the chicken and egg question – which came first, technology or the user?; What drives communication technology: imagination, need, profit or the four major gratifications as stated in SANMT (entertainment, personal relationships, personal identity, surveillance)?; Does the “Information Revolution” exist?; What is the future of the telephone? – How can free technology be profitable? – case studies Skype and email in the workplace.
posted by Stephanie Wilder at
6:02 PM
1 Comments:
Solve the chicken and egg question – which came first, technology or the user?;
In a way, I'm not sure it matters. If we demand a technology, its usually created somehow. And if a useful technology is created that we didnt realize we needed, we'll use it anyway. =)
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