Week 11 Reading: Debating Identity

This week the reading focuses on the subject of identity. Your identity can be seen as anything from a physical characteristic, your hair or eye colour, to a personal trait. Your identity therefore, places you with people who share the same characteristics or traits. As During explains “identity is won at the price of reducing individuality”. Your identity does not define who you are as a whole, you don not posses just one trait at any given time. As During exclaims “identities are not given in terms of what individuals are as a whole, but in terms of more or less arbitrarily selected features that they possess”. 

Your identity is generally given to you from the outside. Socially, people identify with you in a certain way, whether your male or female, African or European. The concept of identity politics in simple words is united people sharing the same identity, examples being feminists, gays, African Americans, becoming political groups based on their common goals, rights. The problem with identity politics is that with sharing political goals for that specific group, other groups are ostracized in the process. Identity politics also erases “internal difference” within the group at hand. Although these groups identify themselves strongly with one characteristic, they can’t exclude the fact that they also belong to another. 

To address the problems identity politics brought about, the hybridity theory was developed. The hybridity theory focuses on the idea that your identity isn’t a solid “a stable trait shared across all groups” but rather something changeable, that constantly mutates depending on your context. 

As During explains, our identity is inescapable. Our identity is part of who we are, we use it to be part of groups and associations and it links hand in hand with our culture. Our identity mutates based on time and context and is greatly affected by social change. through the use of media and the convergence of different technologies, our identities are constantly able to change and acquire different traits. Within the country where we live, our identity is always reinforced with nationality, which is a major part of who we are. If we think about when the Olympic Games are on, and the amount of national spirit that can be seen across Australia, identity becomes all the more apparent. The media gives us the option to pick and choose parts of our identity. Whether your a fan of Harry Potter or you prefer comic book heroes, there is always someone else out there who shares that certain trait with you.

Week 10: The Children overboard affair

This week’s topic is about discourse and the reading focuses on the discourse used in the “Children overboard affair” of 2001. Mary Macken-Horarik focuses on how the media can use imagery combined with text to distort the truth and uses different meanings to evoke certain emotions.

In this instance the medi has been able to mend the truth and create a story based on no ground, which makes the people seeking refuge seem like absolutely inhumane by throwing their children overboard. The truth of the matter was that this wasn’t at all the real story at hand. The media was able to use the image to create negative feelings with readerrs about asylum seekers. The photo that was used wasn’t of children who were thrown overboard but rather of a rescue of asylum seekers whose boat had sank.

The media uses language in a way to make subtle suggestions as to what they believe or what they are trying to say and because we are presented with photographic evidence we are subject to believing it. This is the way media tries to control opinions and emotions about certain people, things or events.

Asylum seekers are commonly known as ‘boat-people’ or ‘line jumpers’ and when spoken about, journalists use ‘they’ or ‘them’. This distances this group of people from the rest of Australia and creates a feeling of unwant. The media doesn’t see that these people come from war torn countries and seek refuge and a better life. These views of them as being a problem for Australia are contextual and based on the party in power. As this scandal was during John Howard’s time and he was against refugees coming to Australia, it is easy to see why the media would take on such an approach in writing about it.

The media has the ability to twist and turn the truth as they sit fit. Depending on the context of the politicians in power and the viewpoint Australian’s are meant to follow, the media can create an emotional response with readers and viewers based on no facts at all. We consume the media from every direction but as I said in my previous blog, it is up to us to decide for ourselves what we believe and how far the truth can be stretched.

Week 9: Lessons in Grammar: How ideology shapes the reporting of war

In this reading, Lukin emphasises how in journalistic writing, the viewpoint can be completely subjective. What we read in the newspaper comes from one person based on one viewpoint and although we cannot always dispute the facts, what we are told and how we perceive it, all depends on how we are told it.

The exmaple used by Lukin is about a young boy who falls victim to a U.S. airstrike and loses his family and both his arms. Now, with this article the facts are there, but the way this story is written differs from one article to the other. They differ because the articles are written from different viewpoints and all aim to achieve different things.

The point Lukin is trying to make is hat when it comes to the media, language is very powerful. The language of media always has to be open fo interpretation and evaluation. We as consumers of media must always be aware of the undertones of media language. A good current example of this is the sex scandal allegations made at Mathew Johns and other former Cronulla players. The stories and journalistic writings that have emerged all share the same details however have completely different undertones. Although some offer different perspectives of the events that occured, all come from the viewpoint of whoever is writing them and aim to defend one party or the other. How we perceive this story is based on our own personal opinions as wells as the ability of the writer to reach us in their work. 

Lukin also notes that even though we live in an age of technology, grammar still plays an integral role in the way we interpret media. Whether it is an article in a magzine or and advetising campaign on the television, grammar gives us the basis for our media understanding.

Unlike journalistic writing, where generally the topics are stories about people, places or events, advertising media uses grammar for consumer purposes. Advertising on television uses language as well as imagery to reel in the consumer and give itself a good brand name and brand awareness.

Media language is a power force as it is all around us. We cannot avoid it, but rather we should always try to analyse and interpret it thoughtfully.

Week 8 Readig: Research Questions for Evolving Communications Landscpe

This reading focuses on the communication repertoire of practices. When we talk about the use of mobile phones we are not confined to only looking at the physical action of talking on the phone. The use of mobile phones includes the texting, voicemails, looking up on the Internet for functions of the phone, buying music for your phone, using the headset or blue tooth and so on. Haddon argues that there is more than one way to speak about mediated communication. The one sided view that the use of the media is just that, or that media use extends the physicality of the actual use. We live and breathe media in the way we use it, however sometimes we are just too narrow minded to see that. Our media use can extend from print to digital with not a thought in mind.

The example Haddon uses is the act of game playing. When we move past the idea that the user is sitting and playing the game, we start to see the different communication practices that begin to emerge. Talk about the games as well as computer related practices become social activities rather than creating anti-social behaviour. Online forums about games, new characters, any general chit chat about the game, as well as games made into movies, magazines and figurines are all part of that same media use. The video game becomes the catalyst for the overall media use. It triggers our likes and we begins the media use process.

In this reading Haddon draws the connection between technology based on pre-existing culture. The technology we use and how we use it is based on our context. Haddon explains the evolutioary process of technology and that new technologies are extensions of old technology. Nothing is completely “new”. From the video arcade games to sitting at home in front of the television and playing games, the evolution of technology is apparent.

Haddon asks the question of why we choose certain media, channels and  functions against other possibilities. Today we have so much choice in what we can use when it comes to media, so what becomes the basis of our choice. I think this is where context becomes an important issue. In the reading, Haddon talks about young males liking computer games because they “followed games as they developed into a cultural industry”. In a sense, males will always like video games based on how culture as well as media has evolved. The choices we are given in terms of media will always be affected by culture and society standards. There is always the notion of something is girly or manly when it comes to certain things. Video games were always perceived as a male past time however in recent times we have seen an increase in video games for girls.

Week 7 Reading: Programming your own Channel: An Archaeology of the Playlist

This reading focuses on the shift from the broadcasting system to creating you own playlists, which have come about in the last few years. Television was set on a routine, which was determined by the broadcaster and you simply watched what was on. These days, with the emergence of Foxtel IQ, YouTube and the Apple iPod, the consumer becomes their own broadcaster. With the emergence of the above three, the user is now able to become the creators and producers of their own playlists based on personal likes. What we see and what we hear is determined by ourselves and not by someone who believes it is for our better good.

With the emergence of Foxtel IQ, users/ consumers can control what they see and when they see it through the ability to record and playback certain material. Time shifting becomes simple, as you don’t have to be home to watch scheduled programs, as you have the ability to record them and watch them at a later time or date. As Rizzo states about the viewer, “they actively engage in structuring their entertainment desires”.  The second idea that Rizzo explains is the idea that pay TV uses personalisation because of the way it addresses its audiences. People are able to schedule shows and watch based on their own tastes, which create a personalised channel, which is the complete opposite of the mass audience orientated broadcast television.

YouTube is the second example Rizzo uses as part of creating your own playlist. With YouTube unlike Foxtel IQ you can also upload videos so therefore you can be the user, viewer and producer of the content that is on the site. As YouTube is part of Web 2.0’s development of the user becoming the producer, it allows you to create playlist again based on your personal likes and gives you access to films/ clips that go hand in hand with your taste. YouTube enables the viewer to take control of the schedule of programming based on what they enjoy rather than what is on. YouTube gives the user the ability to create a number of playlists based on different likes therefore creating more than one personl8sed channel.

The iPod is the last case study Rizzo uses and can be seen as the most advanced of the playlist creations. The iPod allows the user to create playlists in a range of different forms. As the iPod can now be used for music, photos, videos and shows as well as audio and visual podcasts, the user only manages the content. Rizzo states that there is now an increase in television shows becoming available to download on iTunes to your iPod. The popularity of the iPod is due to the mobility factor, which is becoming an important aspect of viewing. With the iPod, the content can be heard or viewed from anywhere and is not constricted to the space of the home, like a television is. As only the user creates the playlists, what is being played on the iPod will always suit the user. As the iPod can store many forms of media, the suer can also choose whether they want to listen to music or watch something, giving them the freedom of choice.

Week 6 Reading: Buying Into American Idol: How we are eing Sold on Reality Television

In this reading, Jenkins focuses on the concept of convergence in relation to reality TV show and advertising on television. Jenkins uses two main examples, Survivor and American Idol. Shows like American Idol have the ability to engage veiwers with the media through the interactive approach it uses, creating immense popularity. American Idol has “20 million” viewers a week, participating by voting for the contestants by phone or messaging. Viewers become emotionally envolved in the show as they become part of the process and progression of the show. The show isn’t the only avenue viewers can engage with its concepts, as the contestants and judges also do interviews, magazine shoots and radio appearances. These are all techniques the producers use to reel the audience in and make them familiar with what the show has on offer, creating a loyal fan base.

The audience feels as if they have control of what happens in the show. By voting they become enthralled in the process of eliminating and saving contestants. The truth of the matter is that the audience only feels like a part of the show through the way it is filmed and set up. The show, like So You Think You Can Dance, Big Brother, and Dancing with the Stars, is programmed the way it is to make a profit. The more viewers that call in or message, the more money the broadcaster makes. Even though the viewer believes they are in a sense controlling the media, the media is ironically controlling them.

The convergence of media forms in creating these shows becomes a profitable tool for broadasters, marketers and sponsers. Whether you are using your phone to call or message the person you want to in, whether you’re buying the cd of the next singing sensation, or buying a magazine with an interview of your favourite contestant, you are being sucked into the trap that these shows create.

As or advertising during these shows, think of the sponsers using Idol contestants to star in their ads. So You Think You Can Dance a perfect example of that where before and during each show, advertising for Optus occured on more than a few occasions, showcasing dancers.

Media convergence is used as a skillful way of creating links between all forms of media. By creating shows like these, business can effectively work together to create consumer related products, therefore always gaining a profit. The question is, if viewers/ consumers know that this is a profit game, then why do people still call to vote?

Week 5 Reading: “Mobile Phones, Japanese Youth and the Replacement of Social Contact”

This reading is a report, which focuses on the use of mobile phones by youths in Japan. It used ongoing ethnographic research about the use of mobile phones by youths in the home, at school, in urban spaces and the virtual spaces of mobile phones. It has been written in report format, made of an introduction, how the research will be carried out, background information, the research itself and the overall conclusion.

Through the use of other scholars and theorists, Ito examines how mobile phone use, including messaging, has become to social contact enabler for youths in Japan. This argument stems up from the idea that the Japanese youths do not like having friends around as they feel their parents are ‘intrusive’. As their homes are generally small, talking becomes censored and the youths feel as though they have to be on their best behaviour. The likelihood of having friends over is very unlikely and only occurs a few times a year if that. This makes the importance of the mobile phone all the more profound for youths and becomes the tool that gives them that sense of freedom and privacy. Even though the parents do not approve of the use during meal and study time, the youths use the mobile phones to sustain friendships; relationships and making them feel part of a group.

In the classroom, Japanese youths use the mobile phone as most other youths from anywhere in the world. The context of the messaging or emails is very colloquial language used to describe how they feel about school or that particular class. Messages about meetings or absent children asking for notes are also regular occurrences. The mobile phone in this sense becomes the tool for communication instead of talking or glancing at one another. This all happens with the intention of not making the teacher aware. Most schools ban mobile phone use however in the case of absent children asking for notes, the purpose of the mobile phone becomes a positive rather than just a distractive device.

As Ito explains, the public transport system around the Tokyo metropolitan area is safe even at night for young people, which enables them to travel around. Therefore mobile phones use is high in the epicentres of youth culture. Mobile phones are also used in urban spaces to keep friends and partners in the know of how your day was and your plans. Japanese youths use emoticons in their messages to convey how they are feeling. Small talk via messaging is used to fill in time in between travel.

Mobile phone virtual spaces constitute with the availability of the youths in responding and keeping in contact. There is an unwritten code of practice when it comes to the virtual space of the mobile phone. These are rules regarding when to reply and how to make yourself unavailable for chatting.