Blog Post 3: Program or be programmed

As someone who came about in their senior year right when texting was a new technology, I can see how much it has effected people. They were texting one another during class and I just couldn't see the point of it. Fast forward to 2019 and I dread answering a phone when a simple text will do.

I think in a lot of ways I've seen this progress through the use of social media. I think people are too absorbed in their phones and need to detach themselves from that. I stopped using a smart phone 2 years ago to cut myself off from that absorption and get back to living in the now.

I don't have a Facebook or Instagram, don't really find the use for it. I would rather work on an art project, read a book, or do things that are more productive to my existence.

I think people have this false idea of who they are/who they want people to see them as, and they project that into the social media sphere.They would rather be seen as something great than work on edifying themselves. It's okay to be a work in progress and trying to better yourself everyday.

 I've been told before, much like Albert Camus character, The Stranger, that " I don't play the game" but shallow interactions are the bane of my existence. I'd rather connect with people on a deeper level.

Living without a smartphone has help me to see how much that can affect our existence and how much I don't want to be a part of that rat race.

If you read this post, I suggest you do the same, for the sake of your soul and well being. Disconnect and go smell a flower. Enjoy your love ones and find peace.

Response 2: Hypermedic,Remedation and immediacy.

I had never heard of these three terms(immediacy,Hypermedic,Remedation) before this reading. They intrigued me quiet a bit and can see their value.

This reminds me of Microsoft vs Apple. Microsoft feels more Hypermedic while Apple feels more immediacy. Microsoft feels like it's more based on the idea that it's just an engine on which different machines can operate. Apple on the other hand gives you the slickest machines to look at with decent operating systems. All their products are delivered to give interfaces which are easy to navigate and give a seamless experience. Windows is a bit cheaper and gives a clunkier interface. I don't know if Microsoft design intentionally follows the hypermedic model or is simply lacking in polish for the trade off of cost and integration. Apples Mac's are purposely crafted, every one of the their detail sthought out.  I find this stands out especially in details like  when you open apps. They embody the immediacy philosophy.

I see Remediation,the act of digital media improving on older techniques, in fighting games. Streetfigher 5 takes ideas from older versions of their game while trying new ideas and game play options. This Streetfighter is easier to access for new players. They made frame links between moves from 1 frame to 3-5 frame. This means the input timing for linking moves would have a much larger window in which to enter a move. This simple gameplay mechanic opened up their player base intensely. They improved their gameplay while still using the same basic gameplay ideas throughout their entire catalog.


Citations:

Bolter, J. David, and Richard A. Grusin. Immediacy, Hypermediacy, and Remediation. MIT Press, 1999

Blog Response 1: Medium is the Message

In the essay "Medium is the Message" by Mcluhan, he argues that the medium in which we receive information is as important, if not more important, than the message we receive. He used the example of the electric light to Illuminate his point. His argument was it did not matter whether you were operating on a patient in the surgery room or playing baseball at night, the light was the important element. It is  needed to effectively do both activities effectively. (medium is the message Mcluhan). It illustrated what he was trying to convey, but I think it is a weak comparison to make. Digestion of information and tools to do things are fundamentally different in every way.

. I thought it was an interesting point to be made, and do agree medium has an important power over the masses. I do not agree with the sentiment that it is more important than the message itself. I do agree that it will change how we will interpret that information, however, Ithink even the language in which we receive information will fundamentally change how we interpret the message. A famous example of this would be Nixon vs JFK. When they first debated, people who watched thought that JFK won the debate and those who listened on the radio thought that Nixon had one. This is a powerful example of how the medium objectively influenced people.


I believe hearing/seeing vs reading would be the greatest difference in how we received that info. I think reading puts the voice of the reader in place of the person who is speaking. I don't think Hitler for example would have been nearly as powerful if radio and film hadn't existed. If you simply just saw a picture of Hitler and read his words, the influence wouldn't have been as powerful. Mein Kampf was not a strong seller after well into Hitler's term as chancellor. When you hear him speak tho, and see his animations, they convey an energy of a higher caliber. It is easier to understand why he influenced people the way he did, he used the medium to his advantage.

As we journey further into the 21st century, it will be interesting to see how things like VR will become a new powerful medium. Maybe a holocaust museum will use this technology to make you experience that existence or the experience of the slave in america. I'm excited to see how this new medium will be utilized.