Who Am I?
by Shaun Buzza, 25/03/2010
Identity is a very personal concept; in the real world identity is vital to a person or person’s existence, portrayal and well-being. The compromises to identity including; theft and falsification, blur its integrity not only within the real world but virtual environments as well.
Public displays of connection, as they are referred to by J. Donath and D. Boyd, are the established links in the virtual world that help prove identity. They are most commonly expressed on social networking sites, though can be found on blogging and other various networking sites. These connections remain very broad and can include; links and references, status updates, photographs, blog posts, comments, friends etc., all of which can be assembled and translated into a virtual perception of someone’s online identity.
Of course we can only gather what people network, so our vision of identity can still be skewed by what information people allow us to see. There are obvious depictions such as photos and general posting online, but on a subconscious level there are virtual trails that people unintentionally leave behind that can also contribute to their identity. How we sculpt our virtual Identities is entirely up to us, though we must always be aware of the implications when our identities become public.
References
J. Donath & D. Boyd. (2004). “Public Displays of Connection”. BT Technology Journal, volume 22 (4): 71-82.
J. Donath. (1996). “Identity and deception in the virtual community”. Communities in Cyberspace, University of California Press: 1-25.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Week 4: "MyFace" or "Do you know what I did 5 seconds ago"
Facebook the New MySpace
by Shaun Buzza, 18/03/2010
When it comes to media; newer, faster, bigger and more accessible has arguably been seen as better. This ranges across a wide spectrum of everyday media devices including mobile phones and social networking sites. When deciding what the most optimal device to us is, there are a number of factors and feature in which we look for. The concept of convergence is when media tools such as video; news and information, web access are combined together with a greater level of accessibility. All our media devices are being driven towards this understanding of convergence, where we want all of these tools at our disposal 24/7. As well as convergence, the general public is greatly influenced by the world around them. We want to be able to use social networking sits, for example, that are being used by the majority of the people around us, and it is popularity and usage that will determine how successful an application is.
So when considering what mobile phone we will upgrade to, or what site we will use to keep in touch with friends or family, we have to ponder the pros and cons of each device or application and interpret this information to produce and outcome. An example of this can be derived from the mass population of Facebook, as opposed to its spiritual predecessor MySpace. Christine Rosen discusses in her article “Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism”, the evolution of social networking and in more detail the distinguishing features between social networking sites. Facebook was able to take they core features and concepts of what social networking consist s of and refined them into a more streamlined and accessible package that included a convergence of more extensive media tools. As long as these features received the continued support by users, you have the perfect environment for a successful social networking franchise.
References
Rosen, C. (2007). "Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism," The New Atlantis, Number 17, pp. 15-31
by Shaun Buzza, 18/03/2010
When it comes to media; newer, faster, bigger and more accessible has arguably been seen as better. This ranges across a wide spectrum of everyday media devices including mobile phones and social networking sites. When deciding what the most optimal device to us is, there are a number of factors and feature in which we look for. The concept of convergence is when media tools such as video; news and information, web access are combined together with a greater level of accessibility. All our media devices are being driven towards this understanding of convergence, where we want all of these tools at our disposal 24/7. As well as convergence, the general public is greatly influenced by the world around them. We want to be able to use social networking sits, for example, that are being used by the majority of the people around us, and it is popularity and usage that will determine how successful an application is.
So when considering what mobile phone we will upgrade to, or what site we will use to keep in touch with friends or family, we have to ponder the pros and cons of each device or application and interpret this information to produce and outcome. An example of this can be derived from the mass population of Facebook, as opposed to its spiritual predecessor MySpace. Christine Rosen discusses in her article “Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism”, the evolution of social networking and in more detail the distinguishing features between social networking sites. Facebook was able to take they core features and concepts of what social networking consist s of and refined them into a more streamlined and accessible package that included a convergence of more extensive media tools. As long as these features received the continued support by users, you have the perfect environment for a successful social networking franchise.
References
Rosen, C. (2007). "Virtual Friendship and the New Narcissism," The New Atlantis, Number 17, pp. 15-31
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Week 3: Branding Me: Viral Marketing, Buzz & Word-of-Mouth
All Eyes on You!
by Shaun Buzza, 12/03/2010
While we consider social networking sites such; as Facebook, MySpace Bebo etc, to be a recreational pastime, little do we realise the implications of what we do with our online personas. Every movement we make can be traced and tracked by our friends, family and colleagues. Goff man (1959), who studied career outcomes associated with IM (Impressions Management), was one of the first to acknowledge individuals to present themselves in an acceptable manor to others, stating that; “that individuals can be strategic in their impression formation”. If we are able to maintain awareness to the social factors that construct and preserve our personal image, we can presumable come across socially well perceived and of favourable appearance. While this may not concern a lot of people in regards to how their friends perceive them, it certainly plays an important role regarding of professional and business personas.
It is not uncommon in modern society for potential and existing employers to acknowledge and individual’s online identity. While online employment and job posting has been made possible through web 2.0, it has been the expanding use of Social Networking sites in particular that has taken the world by storm. On one hand we can be dressing up our online CV and portfolio with all the gloss in the world, and on the other paying little awareness to the posts or pictures we upload on our Facebook account. Those with an understanding of the settings of Social Networking sites are able to apply bans and restriction on personal content, but where the general public is concerned privacy can become an issue.
References
Bardon, D. (2010). Online Social Networking for Business: An Interview with Konstantin Guericke, Marketing VP, LinkedIn. Information Today, Inc. http://www.infotoday.com/online/nov04/bardon.shtml
Chen, L. C. P. (n.d.). Individual Online Impression Management: Self-Presentation on YouTube.
by Shaun Buzza, 12/03/2010
While we consider social networking sites such; as Facebook, MySpace Bebo etc, to be a recreational pastime, little do we realise the implications of what we do with our online personas. Every movement we make can be traced and tracked by our friends, family and colleagues. Goff man (1959), who studied career outcomes associated with IM (Impressions Management), was one of the first to acknowledge individuals to present themselves in an acceptable manor to others, stating that; “that individuals can be strategic in their impression formation”. If we are able to maintain awareness to the social factors that construct and preserve our personal image, we can presumable come across socially well perceived and of favourable appearance. While this may not concern a lot of people in regards to how their friends perceive them, it certainly plays an important role regarding of professional and business personas.
It is not uncommon in modern society for potential and existing employers to acknowledge and individual’s online identity. While online employment and job posting has been made possible through web 2.0, it has been the expanding use of Social Networking sites in particular that has taken the world by storm. On one hand we can be dressing up our online CV and portfolio with all the gloss in the world, and on the other paying little awareness to the posts or pictures we upload on our Facebook account. Those with an understanding of the settings of Social Networking sites are able to apply bans and restriction on personal content, but where the general public is concerned privacy can become an issue.
References
Bardon, D. (2010). Online Social Networking for Business: An Interview with Konstantin Guericke, Marketing VP, LinkedIn. Information Today, Inc. http://www.infotoday.com/online/nov04/bardon.shtml
Chen, L. C. P. (n.d.). Individual Online Impression Management: Self-Presentation on YouTube.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Week 2: “Let me entertain you”: the New Media Amusement Arcade
Media Distraction
by Shaun Buzza, 05/03/2010
Technology has always provided us with an arsenal of tools developed to make our lives easier. Phone and communications technology provide us with a method of simple and instant communication, photocopiers allow the printing and distribution of multiple documents and microwaves can give us a meal in two minutes. New Media has benefitted greatly from technologies advancements, allowing us to read e-mails, IM (Instant Messaging), access to news and current affairs. From a productive standpoint all of these features mentioned above have indeed made our lives easier, but productivity isn’t the only thing we seek in technology, we also want to be entertained.
On trains and busses we plug in our earphones and listen to our iPod, at home we switch on the TV to watch movies or go on the computer to play video games and catch-up with friends on face book. So with all the tools that technology provides us for productivity, there is an equal if, not more excessive amount of distractions in the form of personal entertainment that is readily available to us. At work it is easy to go check your emails, see the new jokes that have been forwarding around in the office. In school kids can access the internet and games from computers. And even at home, the television becomes an easy distraction from chores and task, even homework. So while it’s important to note that technology has improved productivity and makes lives easier in some regards, we are also bombarded with the distractions that we face with devices we use in our everyday lives. The most sensible solution would be to find the balance between work and leisure, though distractions are called such for a particular reason.
by Shaun Buzza, 05/03/2010
Technology has always provided us with an arsenal of tools developed to make our lives easier. Phone and communications technology provide us with a method of simple and instant communication, photocopiers allow the printing and distribution of multiple documents and microwaves can give us a meal in two minutes. New Media has benefitted greatly from technologies advancements, allowing us to read e-mails, IM (Instant Messaging), access to news and current affairs. From a productive standpoint all of these features mentioned above have indeed made our lives easier, but productivity isn’t the only thing we seek in technology, we also want to be entertained.
On trains and busses we plug in our earphones and listen to our iPod, at home we switch on the TV to watch movies or go on the computer to play video games and catch-up with friends on face book. So with all the tools that technology provides us for productivity, there is an equal if, not more excessive amount of distractions in the form of personal entertainment that is readily available to us. At work it is easy to go check your emails, see the new jokes that have been forwarding around in the office. In school kids can access the internet and games from computers. And even at home, the television becomes an easy distraction from chores and task, even homework. So while it’s important to note that technology has improved productivity and makes lives easier in some regards, we are also bombarded with the distractions that we face with devices we use in our everyday lives. The most sensible solution would be to find the balance between work and leisure, though distractions are called such for a particular reason.
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