Discussion Questions

1.) I don't think professional production values will continue to drop over time.  I think there will always be a want for the amateur user-generated content but I think that will be along side professional production values. Using amateurish or "homegrown" television shows, or advertisements will cut out a lot of jobs in the television industry. When reality t.v started to come out there was big backlash because it was cutting down on jobs. Just like we still see reality t.v. today I think we will also continue to see these amateur user-generated things. I also do think that eventually they will get better over time.

2.) The social media sites that I find myself using the most are Facebook. I think I use this site the most because it is a way to stay in touch with friends. I find using Facebook as a way to stay in contact a lot easier than texting or talking on the phone. It is also a more constant source. Another reason why I use Facebook the most is because it is a way to store and view pictures. Pictures can be posted on Facebook by friends and I can save and download it to my iPhoto to save them on my computer.

I think Facebook has been a lot more successful than MySpace because I find it to be an easier site to use. When MySpace came out it was the newest and best thing. When Facebook was developed that became the new craze and everyone soon had it. Nothing has been created after Facebook to make that the new "must have" social media site.

I do think Facebook is "here to stay" for the long term. Very rarely do you meet someone who does not have a Facebook. At first it was popular with college kids. Now all different age groups have one. My sister got one when she was a sophomore in high school. My mom also has one as a way to stay in contact with her friends from grade school and high school. Another way she uses it as a free advertisement for her real estate business. Some people will get sick and get rid of their Facebook pages, but I just think than there will always be a new group of people who create one.

3.) Transparency is such an important concept in the Social Media world because it "implies openness, communication, and accountability." We have all learned since we were little not to lie. That same lesson should be carried over to the social media world. Social media is a way for people and companies to represent themselves honestly and to build real and lasting relationships.

I think transparency is just as important in the offline world. When you lie most of the time you get caught. In life you have to build lasting relationships. This relationships can be with friends, family, and co-workers. I think all of these people play a part in you being successful in life. If you lie and are deceitful you burn bridges and than are forced to do it on your own.

Why is transparency so important in Social Media? | Social Media Blog by Michael Brito

McLuhan Photoshop Final Post

The medium I choose was the iPhone. With the photoshop assignment I wanted to show how people across the world can stay connected. The content of the iPhone is a telephone, text messaging, video chatting, internet and more. These are all tools that people can use to stay connected. The medium of the iPhone is another tool that keep lines of communication open.

Photoshop Assignment Part 1

The medium I am choosing for this assignment is: iPhone

The contents it contains are: a telephone, text messaging, internet, iPod, email, GPS, camera, video, weather, calendar, and a bunch more.

The message is that it allows you to keep the lines of communication open. You can talk to one person or multiple people at the same time. This device also allows you to video chat instead of just hearing the person you can see them too. The iPhone is a small portable device that keeps the lines of communication open at all times.

McLuhan Assignment

The first medium I use is the iPhone. This is a picture of one of the older versions, but it still does a lot of the same tasks as the iPhone 4. You can text, email, Skype, browse the internet, listen to Sirius radio, and much more.

This is a Garmin GPS. Without this I would be lost in a million different cities. It’s perfect because it gives you turn by turn directions, gives you an arrival time, and says if there is traffic anywhere on your desired route. 

This is the Skype logo. It allows you to call anywhere in the world for free. All that is needed is to sign up for a Skype account. Skype allows you to call multiple people at once and also instant message chat with other Skype users.