Andrew Robbins

The other day Joline dropped a bomb on our class, saying that we she was thinking about dropping the curriculum for the rest of the semester and offered us the opportunity to propose a project that we would like to work on for the last month or so of school. She told us that while we should keep in mind that it should relate to New Media, we should not let that define our ideas. I think that this is a unique opportunity that should not be wasted. However, I really want to keep my project related to New Media in some way. I have very much enjoyed my time-based classes at the university and I was thinking that I would like to do an animation of some sort. Animations can take a lot of time and work, and I do not want to undertake something to large for the time we have left, so I think the narrative should be short, but with a strong message. I really like mixing serious and or controversial issues matched with comical animation. I feel like with that sort of combination you are able to attract viewer attention while still getting your voice out there and if done in the right manner, these shorts can be come very popular and even viral- which would fit nicely with the NM many to many theory through social networking (much like the Kony video). As far as actual subject matter, I have yet to determine. I need to decide on a political or social issue that people, more specifically myself, are concerned and care about. One possible idea is that while social networking is very popular and powerful, we must not forget about the world around us and personal, face to face interactions- an animation illustrating the concern for real-world social interaction. Another idea would be an animation focused around some campus issue or event- maybe communication between majors or even the parking issue although I would hope for something slightly more important.

Anyways, the idea must be developed further obviously, but I appreciate the ability to decide for myself what is important and what I wish to work on. If class time is spent as a workshop in developing ideas and design, I believe it will afford us, the students, to truly break out our boxes and try new, exciting things that can be inspirational and informative.

Cyborg Manifesto:

Having read the ‘Cyborg Manifesto’, I cannot say I walked away with much. If anything, I left the page feeling more confused then enlightened. The words seemed very preachy and much of it was frilly to the point of losing my attention. I kept having to return to previous paragraphs and try to piece together what the author’s point actually was. By the end of the text I really did not have a concrete idea as to what the author was arguing. Also, I kept losing the connection between feminism and the cyborg theme. I do not doubt the author knew what they were talking about to some extent, but in my personal opinion, when someone rants right off the bat, it can be hard to gain support or even interest.

Edge of Art: Hacktivist Art:

One thing that I found to be interesting was at the very beginning of the chapter. The author was describing the difference between an ordinary hacker (if there is such a thing) and a ‘hacktivist’. From what I understand, a hacker is one who probes and obtains information over the internet. This is usually done just to see if you can, more sport than anything else…like a puzzle or a hunt. The hacking becomes hacktivism when there is purpose behind the work. Hacktivist are those who want to make change or boost awareness. Although it is not of a digital format, this reminded me of graffiti and one artist in particular. Banksy is one of the world’s most famous graffiti artists. Much of his work is of a political or social theme and almost always a criticism. His art resonates globally because of its subject matter and the messages he is trying to convey. While being popular and controversial, it is always illegal, which I find to be an interesting comparison to the digital medium. I think that this is very similar to what hacktivists are trying to accomplish when they intrude networks or pull stunt of some nature.

Theater of the Oppressed:

I have to be brutally honest on this post. I really did not understand much of what was said in the text. I could not really figure out what the author was trying to explain and how it related to New Media. It was interesting in the beginning when the author spoke about the man who ran for political office as an act of theater, then was elected. I also somewhat understood the different degrees of theater there were. I have never been to a theater where people interact with the actors in what the author calls spectating. Like I said though, I was having a very hard time following its connection to New Media.

Pariser:

Something that stuck with me while reading Pariser’s article was the idea that we must take action for ourselves. I think that it is true that a lot of people will tend to take the easy road and rely on others to make the world a better place for them. It is easy to get too comfortable with elected officials in offices making all of these decisions for us, but the truth is that we need to be involved or it will never be right. I have a good deal of respect for the girl who was killed keeping tallies in Bagdad.  She took it upon herself to try and correct the wrongs she was seeing in society. At the end of the day, we need to lead by example and if we don’t like something about the community we live in, then it is our responsibility to do something about it.

Crosbie:

            In Crosbie’s text, something that I found interesting was when he is explaining the idea of a New Medium and what made it possible. “In other words, the New Medium has the advantages of both the interpersonal and mass media, but without their complementary disadvantages.” I had never really thought of technology in those specific terms until it was spelled out for me. I think that it is a very simple but accurate statement. As young people soon to be entering some sort of career or industry, we should take care in remembering this idea of “uniquely individualized information” being sent and viewed by a “potentially infinite number of people.”

Gelder:

            I have not paid much attention to the Occupy movement. Since we have been discussing it in detail in class I have finally started to form my own opinion on the matter. And my opinion is this: I am sorta on the fence. I think that it is definitely hard to take a group seriously when they cannot even tell you what they want. In today’s world its common that you should either have the answers or at least act like you do. On the other hand, I can see that idea of point out that things are not how they should be, even if we don’t know what to do to fix them. I think that in the end it will be a positive thing for our country.

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