4. When publishing changes, so does society. Investigate and compare the impact of two publication technologies, one pre-1900 and one post-2000, on a specific aspect of society (e.g. education, politics, creative industries, science, entertainment, social relationships).
When publishing changes, so does society. Investigate and compare the impact of two publication technologies, one pre-1900 and one post-2000, on a specific aspect of society (e.g. education, politics, creative industries, science, entertainment, social relationships).
The use of video, image and music within this video are for academic production only. All sourced material is referenced in the list below. I do not own, or hold any rights over the sourced material.
Music:
Be My Guest (Instrumental) Gaitana, 2012, online video, distributed by ontairo244, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUXdC-bGchY>.
Canon Rock (JerryC) –The Original, 2006, online video, distributed by Maes67, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8oyJztzwo>.
Euphoria (Instrumental) Loreen, 2012, online video, distributed by Lilyett, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOk47gFLypY>.
Video:
Evolution of Print, 2012, online video, distributed by BeauReseau4, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTox1pBMr0o>.
HOW HAVE YOU NOT?, 2012, online video, distributed by communitychannel, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCiJdpEhxfw&feature=plcp>.
New York City & Times Square Night Tour, 2011, online video, distributed by CosmoPhotography, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsec4hWZz2M&feature=related>.
PDF Reader Pro iPhone – Daily App Show, 2011, online video, distributed by dailyappshow, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDw1eShQbTY>.
Static TV effect 1080 HD Royalty Free No Credit or Permission Required!, 2012, online video, distributed by JaredRutter, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rewdtKlXkFY>.
This Week In…,2012, online video, distributed by charlieissocoollike, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/user/charlieissocoollike?ob=4>.
Time Magazine iPad App Demo, 2010, online video, distributed by thewonderfactoryny, accessed 5 June 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avM3Aor7Ptg >.
Images:
Blogspot 2012, Famosos Montesquieu Romadhon, pastel painting image by Blogspot, Google, accessed 1June 2012, <http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qdgb_8dVZK4/TtOXUv49OAI/AAAAAAAAASc/KpmFQvlf_Ak/s1600/famosos_montesquieu-romadhon_byar-ar310.jpg>.
Blogspot 2012, Writing By Candlelight, graphic image by Blogspot , Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRwff0HDF5E/Tdi7D3-RX5I/AAAAAAAAB1Y/XE1G2hE7g1M/s1600/writing-by-candle-light3.jpg>.
Computersmiths 2012, Chinese Invention, photographic image, by Computersmiths, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.computersmiths.com/chineseinvention/images/diamond_sutra_fronti.jpg>.
Deviant Art 2012, The Library, enhanced photographic image by Be-at, Deviant Art, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=library#/d2xblpo>.
Darwin’s Library, A Most Unhelpful Image, graphic image by Darwin’s Library, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://darwinslibrary.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/the-ascent-of-books.jpg>.
Excursuses 2012, Pages, photographic image by Excursuses, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://excursuses.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/pages.jpg>.
Frostburg Faculty 2012, John Locke, pastel image by Frostburg Faculty, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://faculty.frostburg.edu/mbradley/psyography/John_Locke.jpg>.
Globaia 2012, Athropocene Transport, graphic image by Globaia, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://globaia.org/en/anthropocene/transport.jpg>.
ITGSopedia 2012, The Internet, graphic image by ITGSopedia, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://itgsopedia.wikispaces.com/file/view/internet-pela-tomada.jpg/124641459/internet-pela-tomada.jpg>.
Macworld Production 2012, Macintosh Desktops, graphic image by Niche Macworld Production, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://niche-macworld-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/iMacs.jpg>.
MichaelMacdougall 2012, Printing Press, enhanced sketch by Michael Macdougall, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://michaelmcdougall.edublogs.org/files/2010/10/printing-press-uf4uwk.jpg>.
OnCriteria 2012, Giza Pyramid at Dusk, photographic image by OnCriteria, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.oncriteria.com/usr/img/Knight/giza-pyramids-at-dusk.jpg>.
TopNews 2012, Acropolis, photgraphis image by TopNews, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.topnews.in/files/acropolis.jpg>.
Overarts 2012, 18th Century Street Impressionist Art, pastel painting image by Overarts, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.overarts.com/8445-8445-thickbox/walk-on-18th-century-street-impressionist-art.jpg>.
PRKorea 2012, 42 Line Bible, enhanced photographic image by PRKorea, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://korea.prkorea.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/%ED%81%AC%EA%B8%B0%EB%B3%80%ED%99%98_Lifetime3.jpg>.
RTNZ 2012, Digital World, graphic image by RTNZ, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.rtnz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/1788551-www.rtnz_.com_.jpg>.
Static Stuff 2012, Typewriter iPad, graphic image by Static Stuff, Static Stuff, New Zealand, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://static.stuff.co.nz/1332631838/368/6634368.jpg>.
Superstock, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, photographic image by Superstock, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/2102/PreviewComp/SuperStock_2102-983.jpg>.
TrueNorthQuest 2012, Constitution, graphic image by TrueNorthQuest, Google, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.truenorthquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/constitution.jpg>.
Wikipedia 2012, Godfrey Kneller Isaac Newton, pastel painting image by Wikimedia, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/GodfreyKneller-IsaacNewton-1689.jpg/220px-GodfreyKneller-IsaacNewton-1689.jpg>.
Wikipedia 2012, Voltaire, pastel painting image by Wikimedia, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Voltaire.jpg/220px-Voltaire.jpg>.
Information:
Age of Enlightenment 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment>.
Arrington, M 2012, ‘Facebook COO: 175 Million Log Into Facebook Every Day’, Tech Crunch, 1 February 2010, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/01/facebook-coo-sheryl-sandberg-world-economic-forum-davos/>.
Commoncraft 2007, ‘RSS in Plain English’ Commoncraft, <http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english>
Commons 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commons>.
The Daily Telegraph 2012, News Limited, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/>.
Dodson, W, 2009, ‘Dawn of the Systems Age’, Page 3.14, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://scienceblogs.com/seed/2009/12/dawn_of_the_systems_age.php#more>
Edwards, P.N 2010, A Vast Machine Cambridge, MA:MIT Press, pp. xiii-xxiii, 1-27, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=12080&mode=toc>
Electronic Publishing 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_publishing>.
eReaders TopTenReviews 2012, TopTenNetwork, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://ebook-reader-review.toptenreviews.com/>.
Facebook 2012, Facebook, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.facebook.com/>.
Gauntlett, D 2010, Making is Connecting, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.makingisconnecting.org/>
Guillaud, H 2010, (on Danah Boyd) ‘What is implied by living in a world of flow?’, Truthout, accessed1 June 2012 , <http://www.truthout.org/what-implied-living-a-world-flow56203>
History of Printing 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_printing>.
The History of Print from 1700 to 1799 2012, Pre Pressure, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.prepressure.com/printing/history/1700-1799>.
History of Publishing 2010, Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482597/history-of-publishing/28681/Developments-in-the-18th-century>.
Information Age 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_Age>.
Johannes Guttenberg 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Gutenberg>.
News 2012, News Limited, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://www.news.com.au/>.
O’Dell, J 2011, ‘For the First Time, More People Get News Online Than From Newspapers’, Mashable Business, 15 March, accessed 1June 2012, <http://mashable.com/2011/03/15/online-versus-newspaper-news/>.
Open Publishing 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_publishing>.
Propaganda during the Reformation 2012, Wikipedia, accessed 1 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_during_the_Reformation>.
Purdy, K (n.d.), ‘How to Filter and Manage Your Online Social Life’, Lifehacker <http://lifehacker.com/5234590/how-to-filter-and-manage-your-online-social-life>
Twitter 2012, Twitter, accessed 1 June 2012, <https://twitter.com/>.
An aggregate is defined as:
‘A whole formed by combining several (typically disparate) elements’;
‘A material or structure formed from a loosely compacted mass of fragments or particles.’
By this definition we can extrapolate that an aggregate is a synthesis of many interconnecting parts. Focusing this concept to our lives, we can thus devise that aggregates are all around us: from the circle of life, to the operation of machinery; even the interactions between humans. However, though these aggregates are all seemingly separate, they are in fact all active participants, creating and perpetuating the existence of an even greater aggregate - the biggest aggregate on Earth, in fact.
This aggregate, ironically enough, is Earth. From the interactions of nature, to the foundations and infrastructure imposed on Earth by human intervention, the Earth is made up of many millions of interconnecting factors, that all idiosyncratically effect each other.
Image source: http://images.pictureshunt.com/pics/e/earth_spinning-2734.gif
Paul N. Edward’s journal, ‘ A Vast Machine; Computer Models, Climate Data, and the Politics of Global Warming’ exemplifies this with a series of examples ranging from theories of climate change, and observations and inferences on how societies interact.
He posits:
‘No system or network can ever fulfil all the requirements users may have. Systems work well because of their limited scope, their relative coherence, and their centralized (sp.) control’ (Edwards P.N 2010, p. 11).
In this he means that whilst the Earth cannot control the changes we apply to it over the span of human history, it can adapt itself to deal with the change imposed upon it. Here, the concept of Climate Change and other environmental factors come into play, showing how an aggregate functions with, or without, our entire knowledge on the matter.
Whilst the Earth, like our modern civilisation, is still relatively young, there are many things that still await discovery. Though at the moment many things seem to be non-related to each other, many scientists (‘users’ of the Earth) are hopeful to discover links between them.
‘Though users appreciate greater scale, they also want greater scope as well as custom functionality. Therefore, they continually cast about for ways to link incompatible systems and networks’ (Edwards P.N 2010, p. 11).
This is surmised concisely in the following:
System builders seek to find or create well-defined niches that can be served by centrally designed and controlled systems, but users’ goals typically include functions that may be best served (for them) by linking separate systems. The fundamental dynamic of infrastructure development can thus be described as a perpetual oscillation between the desire for smooth, system-like behavior (sp.) and the need to combine capabilities no single system can yet provide. For these reasons, in general infrastructures are not systems but networks or webs’ (Edwards P.N 2010, p. 12).
The below image is just a snapshot of the many interconnecting aggregates that are part of our current civilisation that shows how all these interconnecting aggregates help users to understand the even bigger aggregate that they are a part of:
Image Source: http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/chapters/0262013924chap1.pdf
Aggregates are all around us. Our very lives, and our day-to-day activities all play a part in affecting the biggest aggregate that we are knowingly (or not) a part of.
‘til next time.
References:
Edwards P.N 2010. ‘A Vast Machine; Computer Models, Climate Data, and the Politics of Global Warming’ , MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. pp. 1- 26.
Presentation alters a viewers or audiences’ perception by HOW the information gathered is conveyed, as opposed to just conveying the matter itself. This effectively allows complex messages to be received by a greater audience through using various techniques, be they through a physical or virtual realm. For the sake of this explanation, and ease for the user, only digital examples will be made (how does that fare as a stab at presentation!?).
An example of effective presentation, is to appeal to a person’s understanding of what they already know, and elaborate on that one thing. If we were to understand the scale of size between say, the Earth and the Sun, we could easily say, the Sun is 1.3 million times the Earth’s volume, but do we really understand in that?
Yes, the Earth is big, and the sun is indeed larger. So by saying the Sun is 1.3 million times bigger than the Earth, all we gather is, THE SUN IS REALLY BIG. But what about when the comparison gets more complicated, like comparing the scale of the Sun to a star such as Betelguese (approximately one billion times the size of the Sun)? It goes beyond our sensory perception, as whilst we understand it is big, we are only comparing this bigness in a relative manner.
(Open this link in a new tab, watch, and then continue reading).
http://esokiasarts2090.tumblr.com/post/22579279250/a-little-perception-show-to-give-you-a-little-idea
A presentation such as this, showing a comparative 3D scale of each planet in our Solar System, and stars in neighbouring solar systems, aids in giving us a better understanding than simply saying 1,000,000,000 times bigger than the thing which was already 1,000,000 bigger than the Earth.
Similarly, presentation can be used to express something largely unseen, or perhaps, unnoticed. The understanding and mutual global acceptance that we’ve become a technocentric world (the Western and some developing worlds, anyway) is nothing new. However, visualise this with a 3D contextualisation of our interconnectivity, and a shocking new level of perception is founded, as the following diagrams of Canadian anthropologist Felix Pharand show:
Air traffic routes across North America and Europe - showing the ‘hubs’ that connect the world, such as London’s Heathrow, JFK in New York and Frankfurt.
Air traffic routes over Eurasia - just one of the technologies Felix Pharand Deschenes has mapped over a night-time view of our planet
Global map showing major road and rail networks over land, along with transmission line and underwater cable data superimposed over satellite images of cities illuminated at night.
The three satellite graphically contextualised images and quotes are sourced from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2051314/The-incredible-diagrams-human-technology-taken-surface-planet.html
As expressed above, whilst it is simple to say: X-amount of planes fly between Europe and America over a span of Y amount of days, by presenting this information is a visually stimulating manner, the same message is reached, on a more intense level.
I hope my small presentation has made you further understand how presentation is vital in achieving an better rounded perception of the world around. Using technology is an added bonus!
‘til next time.
A little perception show to give you a little idea of how small we really are.
I had initially created a video blog, however due to technical difficulties, I’ll have to just type up an altered version of the manuscript and upload the video at a later date.
Image source: http://media8.connectedsocialmedia.com/07/PID_013684/Podtech_Joe_Rorke_interview.jpg
As their name suggests, Visual Media Forms are modes of media expressed in a manner that sparks a creative nerve. They give an insightful and succinct portrayal of information. Ranging from still images, to films, 3D models, graphs, charts and so on; they allow the viewer to visualise what was once too broad, or perhaps to complicated to understand with mere figures.
Visual media forms appeal to people’s emotions in the simplest way. They strike our emotions; play on our feelings and reservations. Striking images are more likely to be retained, as opposed to a lengthy report that delivers the same information.
By conveying information in a clever, and simplistic manner, one can convey even the most obtuse of topics, cleverly.
Image source: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/147937-struggling-polar-bears-put-on-endangered-list
As an example, the movement to save polar bears from extinction has proved most successful with the image of the polar bear struggling to stay sitting on a progressively melting ice-burg.
The message pertained in this image is clear and simple: the bear is in a precarious situation. With one look the image cries: ‘This creature needs our help’. Similarly, this image arouses certain emotions of sympathy, and a nurturing resolve to help the polar bear in its predicament. The oddity of the image is also effective in that it remains in people’s minds. For how often does one see a polar bear, let alone a polar bear balancing on a small iceberg?
Similar can be said for statistical data. Whilst it might not prey on emotions like the polar bear does, by using vast comparisons, statistical data, conveyed in graphs can prove effective.
Image source:http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/climate-change-deniers-vs-the-consensus/
Alongside still images is the power of the audio-visual film. If behind every picture lies a thousand words, then behind a film lies a labyrinth of knowledge. More powerfully gripping people’s emotions, with a synthesis of image and sound, film can convey messages in the most effective ways. Whilst static graphs and images can convey and allow one to ‘visualise’ certain progressions of events, film allows a real-time element. It is engaging in that it can both educate and entertain.
Image source: http://www.dchillier.com/expoextra/czech_media_show.jpg
Overall, Visual Media Forms create an engaging and interactive realm for the viewer. These modes effectively provide a field of visualisation to many dull and dreary concepts.
Piracy is defined as the unauthorised use or reproduction of another’s work. The definition of the term itself supposes the act of piracy as a condemning one. In arguing whether or not piracy should be allowed, or not, goes against the definition. So in arguing that piracy should be legalised, or condoned at the very least, it is to argue that an ill act should be legal to be performed.
There are a series of both government and non-government campaigns that reach out against piracy, two of the most common ones being ‘Piracy. It’s a crime’, and ‘stamp out piracy’, as seen below:
Image source: http://www.gameproducer.net/images/193.gif
Image source: http://etechmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/piracy.jpg
Reasons for piracy are largely due to two factors:
i) Cult followings of television series, and big-screen productions have a yearning to know ‘what happens next’, especially when delayed seasons are aired in countries different to that of their origin. A prime example are American dramas and movies being premiered in Australia, months after they have in America.
ii) The price asked from big media corporations for the legitimate, authorised copies of the production is often too expensive for the target audience it appeals to.
Piracy is an avenue for people who fall into either, or both of the categories. It allows them to watch and continue to follow their favourite programs without the hindrance of waiting, or at an economic expense.
The avenues are largely streaming episodes online, or purchasing pirated dvds. As the internet is increasingly becoming a large share-house of information, people are continually finding loopholes that effectively make piracy all that easier.
The implementation of SOPA is trying to combat this, through implementing the laws of copyright and infringement. The interent, I believe, is too vast for SOPA to police it all.
Image Source: http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2012/01/xlarge_93fd4bb194c012a812138c2383a2785d.jpg
Image source: http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=book#/d2c0o2x
A book is an archive of chapters. Each chapter is organised in a chronological order, where the previous chapter leads onto the information in the next.
Image source: http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=book+shelf#/d2aoqei
Books are archived into a shelf, where they are categorised into genres, volumes, and content.
Image source: http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&q=library#/d2xblpo
Libraries are have a large archiving system that is organised by the Dewy Decimal System, where genres, and types of books are categorised base don their content, author and content.
Throughout history technological advancements have created and propagated great societies- from ancient Egyptian sculptors, to Chinese block printers, from 15th century print, to the modern day digital realm. Technological advances continually impact society to such an extent, that they fundamentally change (and continue to change) the way in which societies function.
Over the course of human history modes of publishing have continually evolved. Each technological addition increases the reach and depth of information received by those in communities. Alongside scope and depth, advancements in modes of publishing have caused a shift in the balance of power between publisher, author and consumer/reader – not only changing the faciality of publishing, but its structure as a whole.
A brief historical overview of the evolution of modes of publishing is as follows:
Egypt circa. 3000 B.C.E Ancient means of publishing on a large scale was limited to sculptors carving stories of pharos, gods and goddess into large facades on buildings – a long lasting publication that has transgressed into today’s society millenniums later. Note that, all that was carved was authorised by those in positions of power – pharos and their advisors.
Image received from: http://www.ancientsculpturegallery.com/sitebuilder/images/2602-367x600.jpg
Arabia circa. 600 B.C.E The first real improvement in the means of publishing, with the hand-written recording of Jewish scriptures via ink on papyrus. Though mass reach wasn’t its prominent attribute, hand-written means of portable publication was a vast leap in comparison to large stone carvings.
Image received from: http://www.touregypt.net/images/touregypt/papyrus4.jpg
China circa. 200 B.C.E Geographically local, though hundreds of years apart, the implementation of ink block printing on small patches of silk was another leap in publishing. The transferring of spoken word to physical recording in a portable means was used in a much broader sense. Alongside historical documentation, the ink/silk printing was also used for poetry, songs, and stories, alongside the recording of spiritual and meditational guides.
Image received from: http://www.computersmiths.com/chineseinvention/images/diamond_sutra_closeup2.jpg
Europe circa. 1400 C.E For centuries the block printing method ruled supreme. It was a laborious and time consuming means of mass production, though was used across many communities in the world. The invention of Gutenberg’s printing press fundamentally revolutionised the way in which information was circulated within and across communities. Alongside this, the depth and speed in which such information could be processed was dramatically increased.
Image received from: http://michaelmcdougall.edublogs.org/files/2010/10/printing-press-uf4uwk.jpg
Over the next 600 years, printing evolved at an incredible scale, with circulation of printed texts being available to millions of people, as opposed to just small communities as with previous periods. A hierarchy of publishers and authors was established, and still exist today.
The reformed landscape of publishing:
Since the implementation of the Internet, the formal hierarchy of publisher, author and consumer/reader is shifting. No longer are institutions of publishing houses needed for mass circulation of information, entertainment etc. Social media platforms have crippled the hierarchical establishment of publishing.
There is a blurring between the distinction of professional and amateur writers due to the increasing prominence of digital publication. No longer is there an authorial figure, or editor, censoring and deciding what sort of information is released to a public. A new consumer of published content is emerging, one that both engages in, and receives information from media platforms: the prosumer.
There are no limits to the prosumer’s choice of content, or stance taken. The likes of Facebook, twitter, YouTube, and other various self-expression online domains have resulted in a torrent of voices, challenging a faltering hierarchy of traditional print publication.
It should be noted that all throughout history, there has been a hierarchy of those in positions of power deciding what and where something should be published. This method is becoming increasingly redundant in the evolving environment of the digital realm.
The most important factor of what makes the prosumer so powerful a contender in the realm of publishing, is the security of anonymity. Any means of information can propagate change, and those who wish to remain anonymous can do so, whilst speaking to masses.
Image received from: http://rinf.com/alt-news/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/anonymous.jpg
The faciality of publishing no longer lies with large corporations, but rather, conscientious citizens of a community, who actively seek to have their voices heard. The faciality of prosumers is shifting the foundation of the traditional mode of publishing. Physical printing is becoming a thing of the past. The rise of the eReader, and digitisation of information has moved the world of publishing into a completely new environment, one where all in a community have the right to be both a consumer and circulator of information.
‘til next time.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publishing
