Global Media News

Environmental Issues: Only Online, Never On Cable

    When you bring up climate change or global warming to someone, they may make it into a controversial or debatable issue, but why? Well it could have something to do with mainstream media’s coverage of the topic, or lack thereof. In 2011, just before the EPA began to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, it seemed as if only new media was covering the new regulations. According to Pew Research, “From December 7-11, more than half (52%) of the news links in blogs were about global warming”. That sounds about right for an issue that would affect 100% of the planet, but how did mainstream media cover this important topic? Well according to PEW, “while mainstream media have generally covered the issue less than have social media, global warming filled 10% of the mainstream newshole last week, the highest level of coverage since PEJ's News Coverage Index began tracking it in January 2007.” Clearly that is a step-up from the nearly non-existent coverage on climate change in the media, but it still remains true that this issue is mostly relegated to the internet.

    Places like Europe, United Kingdom, and Germany have surpassed the United States in acknowledgment of such pressing issues. The organization Environment Canada said, “Legislative changes in Europe and the United Kingdom have been found to be directly correlated with an increased interest in developing a longer-term focus in the investment agenda.” They go on to say that the United States has more obstacles because addressing climate change is a conflict of interest to private businesses, specifically one’s with the largest greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Ben Marzeion from the Institute for Meteorology and Geophysics said, “Melting glaciers will raise the sea level between 15 and 22 cm until 2100. Where we end up within this range is up to us – it mostly depends on how much greenhouse gas we will emit.” Climate Change Reality Project’s website says “Despite overwhelming international scientific consensus on climate change, the global community still lacks the resolve to implement meaningful solutions.” Environmental Organizations have focused most of their attention on the internet as a means to get the word out, because mainstream media just isn’t providing the information.

Photographer Needed: Art Students Need Not Apply

    At some point in 2010, I began to see incredible pictures popping up on my Facebook feed. They had borders, blurred edges and filters. “Wow Cory’s a good photographer, I never knew”. Turns out Cory, as well over 80 other million users, have logged onto Instagram. Instagram.com describes the experience as “Snap a photo with your mobile phone, then choose a filter to transform the image into a memory to keep around forever.” These photographs continue to come up on my Facebook feed, and they certainly are beautiful to look at, but I wondered if this new advent would piss off professionally trained photographers.

    The art critic Michael Glover recently commented on the new user-photography phenomenon by saying, "Photography has become so thoroughly prostituted as a means of visual exchange, available to all or none for every purpose under the sun that it is easy to forget that until recently one of the most important consequences of fearless photographic practice was to tell the truth about power." He certainly won’t be logging into Instagram any time soon. And it doesn’t sound like Chris Ziegler of the site “The Verge” will either. “The Verge” is a website that covers tech, science, art & culture. Ziegler recently called these photos “damaged photos”. Maybe Ziegler will come around, but right now he sounds like a typical hyper-critical tech guy. There are those though, who embrace Instagram in the field of photography. I often log on to Scott Schuman’s fashion blog “The Sartorialist”, where he uploads portrait photographs taken with a Digital SLR, and Instagram. Both turn out beautiful, perhaps the SLR one’s more, but they are all produced from a professional. Another professional photographer, Peter Essick, who works for National Geographic recently said that he “looks at it as another medium to use as a photographer.”

    Whatever the “art world” has to say about Instagram and other filters apps, it doesn’t speak nearly as loud as the actual Instagram community. The creators of instagram said “We love taking photos. We always assumed taking interesting photos required a big bulky camera and a couple years of art school. But as mobile phone cameras got better and better, we decided to challenge that assumption.” That challenge has produced a simple way to produce unique images, after all, 80 million plus people are currently enjoying it.

Online Environmental Gaming

                          
     There are many environmental movements today, some being successfully executed, and some struggling to get results. One common saying to those who advocate progressive environmental measures is that it should start with the children. When I was in elementary school in the 90’s I remember that we planted one tree every couple of arbor days, ( this all being negated by the fact that our principal had the mature oaks taken down because perhaps their branches would fall on some shade-loving parents.) And other than the occasional thought, these were practically non-existent. Today in the school district that I work for, vegetable gardens have been created, and other types of gardens for study. Another form of this education that I found out about recently was environmental online games.

    Now I immediately become skeptical about this because while a child can learn about these pressing issues, and plant trees online, aren’t they better off going outside and planting? Either way maybe I can kind of agree that this is a step in the right direction. Regarding the medium of online gaming, makeuseof.com says, “Children can immediately learn that each action has a contributing effect. Plus, these interactive educational websites on the environment make both the teaching and learning enjoyable without losing out on the lessons”. One online game called the “Climate Challenge” from http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/climate_challenge/ , was actually pretty enjoyable and educational. It is perhaps for the tween to teenage crowd. It involves the player having to invest in environmental measures put forth by the government at the local, state, and national level. With each decision and subsidy, money is depleted and only a few measures can be taken each year.

     A game that is for kids and tweens would be the game “Acid Lake” . In this game, you are taken through various stages of a lake with the pH scale. It gives children easily memorized facts, and has pictures that accompany the information. This is a simple and basic way for children to learn about one aspect of climate change.

Bringing Tech to NYC (We'll Provide The Space, You Provide The Genius)

    Technology is the greatest factor that is linked to economic growth. According to Oxford Economics emerging markets are increasing because digital technologies are growing consumer income and demand. As a result of these successes, corporations are investing in this industry in order to fuel economic growth.

            According to Oxford Economics, this is considered the “third wave of capitalism”. It is considered so because of the tremendous impact it is having on societies, governments, innovations and economics. With increasing technology, there is a need for new business models in order to evolve with this megatrend.

            The Aspen Institute believes that as the internet grows in scale and scope, it accelerates innovation in new and existing businesses, and enhances the creation and delivery of public goods. For example,  Etsy is a perfect example of a new, successful online business model, because its innovations allow for people to sell, buy, and trade their art and clothing. The simplicity of the site’s model has led to growth, and an interest in those who would like their sites to be interactive. The Aspen Institute believes that because the internet is run by the many, there are highly beneficial qualities that go along with that.

     New York City has recently become a new tech hub for computer geniuses. While the sector is growing, Tracey Samuelson of WNYC says that, “so too have the number of meet-ups, happy hours, demos and networking events – somewhere in the ballpark of hundreds a month are held throughout the city”. These events are producing new ideas through networking and ultimately revving up excitement for the New York tech industry.

Image Courtesy Of Wired.com

    There has been a shift from a rigid, and old Silicon Valley to the bright new economical process in NYC. One way in which office dynamic is changing, is through a new practice called “co-working”. According to Manoush Zomorodi of WNYC, it’s “a communal office space where freelancers, telecommuters, and entrepreneurs can come together to share a copy machine, avoid NYC’s high rents, and make business connections (and friends).” New York leads the way with the most co-working spaces of all the cities in the world. Co-working will no doubt save valuable capital for these up and coming businesses, while also providing a playing field for ideas to bounce around. 

Social Media Used in Preparation for Sandy

As the superstorm known as hurricane Sandy barreled America's east coast knocking out power and access to televised news, it also became the major trend on social media venues such as Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. These mediums became the 'real-time' news station for those attempting to track and prepare for the storm.

This Washington Post Article highlights how Hurricane Sandy became the favorite topic of conversation amongst social media users in the days before and during the storm. According to the article, discussing the natural disaster on social media became as much a part of the preparation process as stocking up on bread, water and batteries. In fact, as much as 10 images per second were posted on instagram with the hashtag #Sandy. These images were used to track the path of the storm, highlight its continuing destruction and alert citizens on preparation supplies and possible evacuation methods.  “I think this demonstrates how Instagram is quickly becoming a useful tool to see the world as it happens - especially for important world events like this.” Sandy also quickly became the topic of choice among U.S. users on Facebook, the terms “Sandy”, “Hurricane Sandy” and “Hurricane” were the most-used terms during the days of the storm.

This post hurricane news broadcast highlights how the power of social media became crucial to those in search of updates on the storm, as they attempted to prepare themselves.

Government officials also used social media to alert citizens on hurricane Sandy. This New York Times article discusses how Twitter was used as an emergency broadcasting service during the storm. According to the article, because of twitter; governors, mayors, and emergency management officials from North Carolina to Massachusetts were able to deliver vital and timely updates.  An example of this can be seen on the twitter of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York which was used to deliver hundreds of rapid-fire updates since late last week, becoming a must-follow for anyone looking for information about the recovery efforts.  It was on this account that Twitter users learned when  tunnels were closed, bridges opened, and commuter rails were shutting down.

In conclusion, social media networks undoubtedly stepped up during the time of need, providing vital information which aided citizens in preparing for the storm and recovering from the storms's devastation.

The Future of RFID Chip Implantation

 Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) devices are used to transfer data from a tag attached to an object for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking. In the past RFID chips have been used mainly in pets and livestock, however recently RFID implantation in humans has been advertised as being "the norm" in American Society. This implantation will supposedly enhance lifestyle through technology; giving ordinary citizens the magic that makes security gates swing open without swiping a card, and bridge and tunnel traffic flow smoothly without an E-ZPass. While also allowing individuals to log onto computers, open doors, unlock their cars, obtain access to bank account information, social security numbers, and other personal information all with the wave of a hand.

The New York Times article entitled "High Tech, Under the Skin" discusses the trend of RFID chip implantation known as being "tagged".  Mr. Donelson, a 21-year-old computer networking student who has recently been tagged justifies this action by comparing the RFID chip to a cellphone stating; "People are already using their cellphones as an extension of their communication ability, it is pretty much a part of you anyway." The way these tiny silicone device's work is very simple, they come with an encoded string of numbers identifying your information, which are are read by a scanner  two to four inches away much like a bar code except the chips don't need to be visible to be read.

Other forms of publicity for the RFID chip include television commercials such as this one, which glamorizes and advocates the chip by showing ordinary individuals of different ages, and ethnicities accepting it.

Despite the potential benefits of the RFID chip there are various rumors of negativity associated with it. Conspiracy theorists suggest that in 2013 the chip will be mandated by Obama's healthcare plan, and will then be used as a means of control by the government. This Forbes article discusses the potential threat of the RFID chip. Privacy advocates have long warned that the chips could allow individuals to be tracked by governments and corporations, and they could possibly be accessed by scammers to obtain one's personal information.

What is your opinion on RFID chips? Do you see a future where being tagged is a normal practice amongst Americans? Will the RFID chip be beneficial or threatening to society? These are all questions which will be answered as the future of RFID implantation unfolds.

 

Marketing to the digital era child

 IS THIS WHAT THE NEXT GENERATION IS TURNING INTO?

The typical child, browsing through their parents computer, but is the computer browsing them?

No Escape: marketing to kids in a Digital Age by Jeff Chester and Katryn Montgomery " The new  “marketing ecosystem” encompasses cell phones, mobile music devices, instant messaging, video games and virtual, three-dimensional worlds. New marketing practices in these diverse media environments are fundamentally transforming how corporations — notably including food and beverage companies — sell to young people". Previously advertising and marketing to children was done purely through television, commercials, radio stations and the ads during a movie. But now everything is very different, in a time where your tracked through your interests it makes advertising to young people even easier.

 The companies know what you like and are now direly targeting that item to them instantly; because lets face it neither of us knows anyone over ten with out a cell phone; most likely a smart phone.   In this article is talks about the emotional effects of purchasing due to the growing use of neuro psychological research to have a buyer make a not real or subconscious decision, rather than rational because the advertisement is directed specifically to them.  For example, if a mother logs on to a computer and has recently been doing searches about baby products, advertisers are going to specifically put ads for the newest baby merchandise on her computer, whereas the 50year old sports fanatic next door, is not going to get baby ads but yankees, and giants, and rangers solicitations. 

"Because cell phones are so important to teenagers, mobil users are now being sent personally tailored electronic pitches, designed to trigger immediate purchases". For example, McDonald's urged young cell phone users to text a special code to a McDonalds hot line to receive free McFlurry deserts, which adds to another problem in its self , obesity! If you have McDonalds, and Coca Cola texting your phone how are you going to resist temptation, because i don't know about you but i would rather have a big mac with a free mc flurry than a boring lunch salad from the cafeteria.  

A big advertising scam now ( well the consumer doesn't know its a scam) " Marketers can compile a detailed profile of each customer,   including demographic data, purchasing behavior, responses to   advertising messages, and even the extent and nature of social networks.   Marketers use the information to create messages tailored to the   psycho graphic and behavioral patterns of the individual".  

 

web site accused of collecting dara on children "The law, the Children’s On line Privacy Protection Act, requires Web site operators to obtain verifiable consent from parents before collecting personal information about children under age 13. But, in complaints to the F.T.C., the coalition says six popular Web sites aimed at children have violated that law by encouraging children who play brand-related games or engage in other activities to provide friends’ e-mail addresses — without seeking prior parental consent". With websites like happymeal.com, reesespuffs.com, trixworld.com, subwaykids.com and nick.com All target children under a legal age with their personal online information, email address and hobbies; to solicitate them with food that interests their age group.

The digital world: How is information changed by search?

The digital era is composed of everything being within the reach or touch of your fingertips, information being number one. With almost everyone having internet access 247, you can research any search engine ; being google, yahoo, ask jeeves, Wikipedia, MSN, or any news channel through out any point of the day.

But with such access comes a price. How is our information being changed with an immediate gratified search, and  how much of the information we are receiving really true?

News and information is something that has always been accessible to the public but as of now, within seconds we can google or search anything that is happening anywhere.

A classic ongoing debate is weather or not websites or secure and accurate, weather .com, .org, or .nets really make a difference. And the big one with searching and research is Wikipedia.

http://www.wikipedia.org/ is an international site which offers information on pretty much anything, but here's the catch anyone can post on wikipedia, leaving one guessing is my search accurate. Especially in an educational setting, where most professors don't allow it as a valuable source. 

So here's the question, How does A source that is highly reliable upon, ie Wikipedia; undermine a traditional, reliable source like an Encylepedia. 

So when SEARCHING, why is Wikipedia not a reliable source ?? "“[W]hile some articles are of the highest quality of scholarship, others are admittedly complete rubbish. … use [Wikipedia] with an informed understanding of what it is and what it isn't.”

... and here are ten reasons why, Coming from Mark E. Moran in The top ten reasons students cannot cite or  rely on Wikipedia 

1. It says so on Wikipedia 

2. Accurate contributors can be silenced

3. It has become harder for casual participants to contribute

4. The number of active Wikipedia editors had flat lined

5. There is little diversity among editors 

6. Sometimes "vandals" create malicious entries that go uncorrected for months

7. Individuals with agendas sometimes have significant editing authority

8. The contributor with an agenda often prevails

9. You especially can't rely on something when you don't even know who wrote it

10. You must never fully rely on any one source for important information

 To read more check out,  Mark E. Moran in The top ten reasons cannot cite or  rely on Wikipedia. If Wikipedia has so many flaws why are people not searching Encyclopedia more?

Encyclopedia Britannica ends print, goes digital. In yet another sign of the growing dominance of the digital publishing market, the oldest English-language encyclopedia still in print is moving solely into the digital age. By Christine Kearney "Britannica was one of the first company's to really feel the full impact of technology, maybe twenty years ago, and we have been adapting to it, though it is very difficult at times," 

Although both Encyclopedia and Wikepedia are Search able on line sources, what makes the not reliable Wikepedia used more often?

 Specialized Searches , as listed in a New York times article, allows you to use short cuts to pin point certain information that are more relevant to your search. And how through you can use certain key words to find the specific key words you are looking for, and than since Wikepedia is used more often your results will come up with Wikepedia. 

But how do you know if this information is accurate, especially after reading the ten reasons listed earlier. In  New York Times article What "Fact-Checking" Means Online, explains how facts can be mistrude. "Not infrequently, these imposing-looking books were as wacko as anything now on Wikipedia, as many of them made “facts” of off-the-wall data that hardly seemed to be proper objects of empirical study".

So whats the bottom line?? make sure that your source is actually is source, many people post things where ever they want on the internet. Kind of like this post, and for someone to use it can lead to a miss use of wrong  information.

Global Media News #8: December 11, 2012

  Wealth of Networks: Digital Economics 101

Global Media News for December 11, 2012

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media & technology news from around the world.  This webcast is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury.

This week on the 'Digital Revolution' edition of  Global Media News we are presenting a webcast topic that was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy:

"News from the Digital Economy"

• Ways to Pay: eBay and PayPal
• Square:  New Ways to Pay
• Raising Funds with KickStarter
• Will Paperless Newspapers turn a profit?
• Online Banking Makes Change
• Etsy:   Niche Crafts Go to Market
• NYC Tech Hub Economy

This is the final webcast of the fall season.  

See you in February for more Global Media News !

Can't listen live? Suscribe now for the spring season:

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Kickstart Your Project

Kickstarter is a new way for people to get there business known and funded. It had a recent boom and with that many new small online businesses popped up where as before the digital revolution small specialized stores and shops wouldn't be able to start the digital revolution has allowed these small businesses start and flourish. Anybody who has ever thought about starting a business knows that getting funding threw a bank is very hard to do thats why a site such as kickstarter is a very valuable tool for those looking to start a business.

Basically if you didn’t know kickstarter is a website in which people looking to start a new business or project get direct funding from people who would like to see there idea come to fruition. Unlike banks or loans in general with kickstarter you get funded with people not looking for a return or for you to pay them back.

The funding is basically donations for you to put towards your small business or project idea. Some things that kickstarter helped were clothing lines and even funding a small budget film based on the character slenderman. According to Jay Yarow of businessinsider.com “Visitors to Kickstarter's site have pledged $53 million for 20,371 projects. Of that, 7,496 projects were successfully funded, collecting $40 million. Kickstarter takes a 5% cut off the money raised, which means its revenue to date is just $2 million.” http://articles.businessinsider.com/keyword/kickstarter#ixzz2EhA6NM28. Kickstarter is very helpful for those with bad credit no credit or no collateral to get started with what they want to achieve.

 

kickstarter is reffered to crowd funding. Much like crowd sourcing crowd funding is 100% done by the people with no banks or higher powers involved. Kickstarter has proven to be very helpful to people who would have never gotten funding in any other way. I personally think that kickstarter is an awesome idea I'm thinking of starting on myself for my projects.