Saw this joke image on facebook, but it sums up the technological aspect of convergence pretty well.
http://www.haha-lolz.com/images/1320687867-91840.jpg
Essentially everything in the image can be done on a pc.
~ James
Friday 9 December 2011
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Old people Vs Technology; Generalisations and what-not
Hey, found an article about the benefits of technology with regards to old age. It's written by Simon Roberts (2009) on behalf of the International Longevity Centre UK and Intel Corporation.
http://ilcuk.org.uk/files/pdf_pdf_112.pdf
While it's not directly relevant to Media Convergence in the subject matter, the introduction puts forward some interesting thoughts about the Generalisation of technophobia in old people. I've included a few quotes regarding the issue.
It's widely believed, at any rate, that a large percentage of older people find it harder to adapt to ever changing technologies, and in particular, to keep up with the fast paced changes new technologies bring. This, if true, is an example of a challenge to society in regards to media convergence, as it segregates and discriminates against a potential audience. How does it do this? Because the potential audience, generally, will either not be able to engage with the multi-platform content (E.G Smart phone apps or the internet) OR will just not feel inclined due to not having the confidence or the knowledge to access additional content.
"More often than not we speak on behalf of older people... the sweeping generalisation or the personal anecdote." (Roberts, 2009)
Conversely, it is a generalisation - a stereotype. Stereotypes are not always true, and are mostly false and have little evidence. Again, this poses a challenge to society - If it's widely believed and accepted that older generations can't cope with the rapid technological change, then developers of said technologies risk over looking them entirely, viewing them almost as a lost cause.
"Sweeping generalisations by their very nature mask differences of opinion and experience, and in that way close down discussions. They do not allow for the existence of difference. Generalisations paint over the messy realities of everyday life." (Roberts, 2009)
~James
http://ilcuk.org.uk/files/pdf_pdf_112.pdf
While it's not directly relevant to Media Convergence in the subject matter, the introduction puts forward some interesting thoughts about the Generalisation of technophobia in old people. I've included a few quotes regarding the issue.
It's widely believed, at any rate, that a large percentage of older people find it harder to adapt to ever changing technologies, and in particular, to keep up with the fast paced changes new technologies bring. This, if true, is an example of a challenge to society in regards to media convergence, as it segregates and discriminates against a potential audience. How does it do this? Because the potential audience, generally, will either not be able to engage with the multi-platform content (E.G Smart phone apps or the internet) OR will just not feel inclined due to not having the confidence or the knowledge to access additional content.
"More often than not we speak on behalf of older people... the sweeping generalisation or the personal anecdote." (Roberts, 2009)
Conversely, it is a generalisation - a stereotype. Stereotypes are not always true, and are mostly false and have little evidence. Again, this poses a challenge to society - If it's widely believed and accepted that older generations can't cope with the rapid technological change, then developers of said technologies risk over looking them entirely, viewing them almost as a lost cause.
"Sweeping generalisations by their very nature mask differences of opinion and experience, and in that way close down discussions. They do not allow for the existence of difference. Generalisations paint over the messy realities of everyday life." (Roberts, 2009)
~James
Saturday 3 December 2011
Illegal downloads...
This was mentioned in a lecture Deborah was running a week or two ago, in which she stated Illegal downloads have hurt film, album and single sales, causing them to drop rapidly thus threatening the film and music industries. However I retorted with "Single sales have dropped, but album sales have increased, plus exposure to more music increases the sale of concert/gig tickets and merchandise" or something to that effect... That was met with cynicism, so here's the article I was referring to:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/illegal-downloading-what-happens-if-youre-caught-1736013.html?fb_action_ids=2636028975210&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_source=other_multiline#access_token=AAADWQ6323IoBAEKCIuL6xZBkZAHw0Ye2FAnYxJCE9CKHj7vJR6FybPalTYRxFMMCae98qJwO9VkhiLybAxZB6sNNNhVwwX24CjJc82FRFHOQd4uK4rv&expires_in=6976
And the quote:
And album sales aren't haemorrhaging in the doom-mongering way we have been led to believe. Single sales have dropped, but 28 million more albums were sold last year than a decade ago, including digital sales. Live performances, which account for more than half of the industry's profits, are unaffected by downloads – and may even be boosted by the opportunity they offer for young people on tight budgets to sample the music they might like to hear at a concert. These are not arguments embraced by the music or film industries, which retort that only a small proportion of musicians and film-workers make a comfortable living. Their industries should be treated like other businesses, where not paying for a product or service is not tolerated. Geoff Taylor, the Chief Executive of the BPI, says: "There is not an acceptable level of file-sharing. Musicians need to be paid like everyone else."
~James
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/illegal-downloading-what-happens-if-youre-caught-1736013.html?fb_action_ids=2636028975210&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_source=other_multiline#access_token=AAADWQ6323IoBAEKCIuL6xZBkZAHw0Ye2FAnYxJCE9CKHj7vJR6FybPalTYRxFMMCae98qJwO9VkhiLybAxZB6sNNNhVwwX24CjJc82FRFHOQd4uK4rv&expires_in=6976
And the quote:
And album sales aren't haemorrhaging in the doom-mongering way we have been led to believe. Single sales have dropped, but 28 million more albums were sold last year than a decade ago, including digital sales. Live performances, which account for more than half of the industry's profits, are unaffected by downloads – and may even be boosted by the opportunity they offer for young people on tight budgets to sample the music they might like to hear at a concert. These are not arguments embraced by the music or film industries, which retort that only a small proportion of musicians and film-workers make a comfortable living. Their industries should be treated like other businesses, where not paying for a product or service is not tolerated. Geoff Taylor, the Chief Executive of the BPI, says: "There is not an acceptable level of file-sharing. Musicians need to be paid like everyone else."
~James
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