Creativity and New Media

For this assignment, I decided to use a different form of new media that we have yet to discuss in class and that was video games. Online video games offer a rich community composed of people from all different walks of life, who come together to share their interests in the latest games and trends. In order to complete this assignment, I signed on to my X-box 360 and created a virtual avatar (similar to what you do Second Life).

                Although a little difficult, I attempted to make my avatar resemble myself as closely as possible. After this I began to play games and tried to meet as many new people as possible. After playing with a few different people, I began using a great tool by X-box that allows you to see players who you have recently played with and either message them or add them as “friends.” Soon enough, I entered a chat room through the video game system and began talking to a group of gamers. One of the members suggested I try a game called “Crash Course.” In the game you use your avatar to compete against others in a challenging obstacle course, the idea slightly resembles the popular show “Wipeout.”  

                In this game I was able to meet and talk to a number of different people, as well as see and compete against their personal avatars. Soon enough, I added them to my network of video game friends. We also exchanged Facebook and Twitter usernames, so we were able to connect through more than one medium. This assignment was a lot fun to complete and much different from anything I was used to, as it allowed me the opportunity to do something that I enjoy.  I was also fortunate enough to meet a number of different people who introduced me to new games, ideas, and upcoming events and trends. This is a perfect example of how social media fosters creativity, as it creates an environment where strangers can become friends and ideas and information may be shared, expanded upon, and passed to all.

Creativity

New media has clearly had a major impact on society and has changed the way people live their day-to-day lives. Whether they are finding friends on Facebook, reading up on Twitter, or meeting people through online video game communities, new technologies have changed the way we interact with people and have opened up the door to limitless opportunities. In an online and virtual world where almost anything is possible, the boundaries of technologies continue to be pushed with each passing day.

Aside from the various benefits in communication and information processing , new media has also helped foster creativity as well. It enables everyone to be a contributor and lets anyone with an idea share their thoughts. Millions of ideas are shared across different mediums every day, and although some may not be thought out clearly, others have the opportunity to change the way we live. By expressing an idea on Facebook or Twitter, you are allowed the opportunity to spread the word on your thoughts.  Those who read it may pick up where you left off and formulate their own ideas and this pattern may continue exponentially. Technology and new media has allowed this world to become a smaller place, as it has bridged the gaps in communication across borders. The environment and processes in which new media create and allow undoubtedly help foster creativity and present the opportunity for the formulation of new and exciting things.

A perfect example of this was stated in in Claire Cain Miller’s article “Twitter Serves Up Ideas From Its Followers.” In it she talked about how most of Twitter’s innovations, such as lists, retweets, and hash tags were ideas that were actually proposed by users and consumers, rather than the company itself. By holding an open panel for the world in order to gain insight on how to improve the site, Twitter was able to gain points from various perspectives and was not limited to the ideas of only just a few internal technology experts. I believe other companies should start doing this as well. In the technological world we live in today, resources and ideas are vast, but it takes a good leader to recognize this. This example proves that the flow of knowledge is a continuous chain and the use of new media has enabled us to constantly add to it. 

Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

                Virtual worlds are gaining vast popularity in both social and corporate environments and offer and an infinite amount of opportunities that were unimaginable before. By taking part in a virtual world like Second Life, a user is free to do whatever he or she wants. People can socialize, enjoy a night out on the town, see new places, or partake in events that were otherwise inaccessible. Meanwhile, as stated in Mark Tutton’s article “Going to the virtual office in Second Life,” many companies have begun to use virtual worlds as a place to hold meetings and brainstorm. This helps to save on transportation time, while the unique environments help foster creativity. Whether you are just looking to pass the time, try something new, or hold an important meeting, the possibilities in programs such as Second Life are virtually limitless.

                Of course though, just like everything else, virtual worlds do have their pros and cons. The pros as stated earlier, allow users access anything they can imagine. The limits and boundaries constraining someone in reality, no longer apply, as you may become whoever you want and go wherever you want. This may offer a whole new social experience for those with disabilities, who may no longer have the privilege of doing the many things most take for granted, whether it be dancing, swimming, or meeting new people.  In contrast the negatives aspects of these new technologies are that sometimes people become so involved in their alter egos and virtual lives, that they often ignore their own realities. So although virtual worlds may provide an escape and opportunity, they should be used in moderation. Also, a virtual world is just that, virtual. The joy of meeting new people and having intimate face-to-face relationships cannot be played out on a computer and the excitement of dancing or riding a horse in real life cannot be conveyed through a game.  Dave Itzkoff touched upon this in his article, “I’ve been in that club, just not in real life.” In it he stated that although virtual worlds such as VLES, which replicated New York’s Lower East side, were popular,  “No one expects VLES to replace the experience of visiting the real thing, nor can it possibly keep up with trends in music, cuisine and clothing that the scene is inventing in real time.”

                Virtual Worlds also help foster creativity. You may put yourself in any type of environment that you believe is comfortable and stimulates imagination, an environment you may not necessarily have access to in reality. As a result, you may think of things or ideas that you otherwise would have overlooked or not realized. Virtual worlds also allow users to create companies or own business that they otherwise could not operate in the real world. In a place where anything is possible, it encourages people to to think outside of the box.

                In the future I believe there will be virtual worlds that replicate our real one, down to the very last detail. You will be able to go into a virtual department store such as Macy's and purchase physical clothes. I also think there will be entire cities created from pure imagination. With advances in technologies during the upcoming years, I predict the line separating virtual worlds and reality will become blurred, as the two will become intertwined in everyone’s day-to-day lives.  

Blog About Twitter

                Although, I have only been using the site for about a week now, it is clear that a discussion on Twitter is much different from one on Blackboard or in class. For instance, in class everyone is present at the same time and all arguments and ideas are presented at once. Anybody can weigh in when they feel it is appropriate and debate is constantly flowing. Body language and emotions are also visible during in class discussions, which can help emphasize a point or make a statement stand out.

               

                In contrast, a Blackboard discussion, although somewhat similar to a Twitter one, is much different. On Blackboard not everyone is present at once, as users log on and off. If you pose a question or statement, you may not necessarily receive feedback instantaneously, instead you may have to wait for someone to sign on, read it, and reply. Not only that, but emotions cannot be displayed over the Internet, even though some may argue that writing in CAPS or using emoticons is a sufficient substitute, I have to disagree. =)

                Lastly is a Twitter discussion. This is very similar to one on Blackboard, but the one major difference is that the site only allows you to write Tweets up to 140 characters. Although this may sound like a lot, it actually is not. 140 characters comes out to be about one decent sized sentence and it took me a few minutes to post a Tweet on an article I read. I wanted to start the discussion and had a lot to say on the matter, but had to condense all of my thoughts into one concise sentence. Useful tricks I used were to abbreviate words and use less punctuation and commas. Hopefully as time goes by having a discussion on Twitter will become easier with practice.

Social Networking Sites

                 As an everyday Facebook and LinkedIn user, new Twitter member, and an ex-Myspace user, it was very interesting to see three different takes on social media. I believe that the four of these websites fall into a spectrum, with Twitter at one extreme, Myspace at the other, and Facebook and LinkedIn somewhere in between.  Although I just posted my first tweet a few days ago, it is clear that Twitter provides a quick, short, and to-the-point way to access your friends and celebrity updates. According to the video "Twitter in Plain English," the site allows you to share your real life, which occurs between blog posts and e-mail. There is a very simple background and a live stream of information constantly being updated. Unlike Facebook or Myspace, Twitter allows users to see not just the updates of their friends, but gives you the opportunity to view everyone's tweets. Tweeting is also very user friendly as well and it only takes seconds to post anything you have on your mind, as long as it is under 140 characters of course.               

              In contrast MySpace is very different, upon signing onto the site you are shown music albums, videos, and promos. At the bottom of the screen you are also provided with several links to celebrity trends, movies, and games. I would say the site has changed a lot during the past four years as it tries to keep up with Facebook and is much more media oriented. Based on the design and layout of multiple links and videos, I would say it is attempting to apply to a teenage demographic and holding their attention through humorous and entertaining footage. I personally closed my Myspace account four years ago and will most likely not return.  

                Facebook, is somewhere in between Twitter and Myspace. It is a simple layout of constantly streaming posts, combined with the ability to access pictures and videos of your friends. The downside of putting down your personal information and pictures of course, are the privacy issues that may arise, so one should always be careful before posting something onto the internet. It is also very easy to find people from around the world, by just typing in their name into the “Search” box. Facebook’s popularity is continuing to grow, as it is constantly adding new features and adapting to people’s changing attitudes.

                Finally, LinkedIn is somewhat similar to Facebook and is sometimes said to be the corporate version of the site. LinkedIn has a very elegant white layout and is used by millions of professionals. Although similar to Facebook, the website is geared more towards an older and more professional demographic. On this site, you will not find any silly YouTube videos, inappropriate comments, or embarrassing pictures, but instead savvy business men and women with well-polished resumes. Because of its ability to connect individuals, build professional networks, and recruit employees I believe this site will remain in demand by the business world.

                Social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter have become popular destinations for millions of users, because of their mass appeal and ability to constantly innovate. In comparison I believe sites like MySpace have passed their prime and failed to maintain their once bustling internet traffic.   

Social Networking

                With its recent explosion in popularity, social networking sites have changed the way people communicate. The benefits of websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are numerous, as they bring together people from all over the world with just the click of a button. Realizing the potential advantages that new technologies such as these offer, many companies both big and small have begun incorporating them into their corporate strategies. For instance, various companies have setup Facebook accounts for their products and brands. In doing so, they have the opportunity to obtain a larger following, create brand awareness, offer discounts, and even promote their values and long-term goals.  

In comparison, many employers and employees have also registered with social networking sites such as LinkedIn, which is sometimes referred to as the corporate Facebook. Here, members can post their employment history, experiences, and job credentials. Frank Langfitt, discussed the numerous benefits LinkedIn has offered since its inception, in his article “Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting.” According to Langfitt, by using new technologies such as LinkedIn, recruiters can quickly and easily find matches for job openings and vacancies. The site also allows users to build a comprehensive network and connect with people from around the world. Recruiter Maureen Crawford-Hentz even stated “Social networking technology is absolutely the best thing to happen to recruiting – ever.” 

The benefits social networking has had on society are numerous. Aside from the advantages gained from the corporate world, new technologies have also brought people closer together and created virtual communities, where people can share interests, ideas, experiences, and thoughts. Even online dating has become common practice, thanks to websites like  e-harmony. Of course though, just like everything else, social networking also has its downsides. In her article “Antisocial Networking,” Hillary Stout discusses the downside Facebook and cell phones have had on children. She reported that teenagers spend more time talking to their friends through a technological medium, than they actually do face-to-face. She and many psychologists have begun to worry about “whether technology may be changing the very nature of kids’ friendships.” They fear that the quality of interactions among children is becoming diminished and contains less intimacy and emotion as a result. Other pitfalls of social networking include privacy issues and social repercussions as well, such as cyber-bulling and sexually explicit messages. 

It is clear, that social networking is here to stay, but like all technologies, will constantly change and evolve over time. For instance, perhaps sites such as Facebook and Twitter will incorporate more intimate means of communication into their websites through the use of webcams and other devices. I also believe that in the future, social networking sites will provide a one place stop-and-shop location to find whatever you are looking for, whether it be a product, service, idea, or relationship. I would imagine it being a combination of Facebook, Skype, Craigslist, and e-bay all in one website, but until then we will just have to wait and see.