THE NEXT NEW THING

It is very hard to describe something that does not exist yet, but I am sure that there are many different form s of new media evolving into something as simple as we can imagine or complex to understand but simple to use.


Imagine this. You get at home, with your voice you turn on your computer which becomes your personal assistant. You ask for the temperature to be set depending on your current body temperature. You ask to be read the news headlines from your favorite newspaper, check all missed calls, play recorded messages, read your to do list, remind you your coming appointments, check how many people have commented on your blog, get a report of your financial investments including any sudden movements in the stock market. All of these happen while you take off your jacket, walk around your apartment, prepare a drink, select the ingredients from a recipe for you automatic micro wave/food dispenser.


Virtual reality is another area where new media could be heading. This new technology would be very beneficial especially for people with disabilities, allowing them to experience an almost there sensation or feeling, for example, a person assisting to a dance club and seeing the real people that are in the actual location, or even allowing a patient to virtually travel to hospitals for an examination

What is the New Media of the future?

OLD VS. NEW

What is old media?


The answer seems rather simple, TV, newspapers, magazines, radio, brochures. Basically any form of communication by which information was presented before the appearance of the internet and the new communication technologies. So, therefore we can define new media as anything that emerged after the introduction of the internet. A few examples are; blogs, social networking sites, You Yube, among the many other web-related communication technologies.

Yet another way to distinguish new media from old media is by looking at the way information is presented. With old media communication becomes one way, whereas with new media communication becomes two ways. That is to say, old media gave us the information that they thought it would be relevant to us; therefore we are just mere recipients of it. With new media, we not only receive information, but also create it at the same time; a simple example would be blogging.

Based on these statements we can also say that control of the message/information and the speed with which it is delivered becomes fundamental when distinguishing old media from new media.

MODELING REALITY WITH VIRTUAL WORLDS

Every time a new technology evolves, it is going to have its pros and cons, so is the case with virtual reality.

Modeled in the technology of video games, virtual spaces are today being used for many purposes. IBM for instance is using second life for training purposes, by using this new technology prospect employees are able to mingle, interact and get to know about the company before their actual first day of work. This approach is actually of great benefit for the company and its future employees, it helps the company to save in training costs and at the same time it gives the future employee an opportunity to interact/get to know in a more relaxed manner.

Another great example of how virtual worlds are being used is by organizations dedicated to help people with disabilities. For example; people that suffer autism are getting a second chance to get familiar with an environment similar to real life. Let’s not forget that given the condition of these people, they do not actually know how to interact in the real world, also people that are considered normal (us) don’t like to interact with people with such disability. These two factors make it very difficult for autistic people to integrate in society.

Of course as with everything else, there is a dark side of virtual worlds. One argument suggests that people can become addicted to it and never interact/socialize in the real world. Others argue about the inclusion of sex, drugs, suicide and bad behavior in virtual worlds. These elements can have great influence in real life. If teenagers participate in such activities online, they are more likely to want to do it in real life.

The future of virtual world is unknown. Researchers agree that virtual worlds are so new, but it can be developed into a powerful tool for educational purposes for instance.

References:
Nicole Saidi, “Naughty Auties” CNN, March 28, 2008. http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/28/sl.autism.irpt/index.html#cnnSTCText

Ed Frauenheim, “IBM Learning Programs Get a 'Second Life'”. Dec 11, 2006; p.6. http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/24/61/08.html

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Trying to measure the cost or benefit of social networking can be a very difficult task. Depending from the perspective we look at it, it can be bad or good for society. From a business perspective it can be a great tool, take the example of Nissan Motor and its N-Square site. For Nissan it has helped to create a new sense of community for its employees allowing them to interact and share interests and ideas work related or non-work related.

The issue of social networking and its benefits becomes more difficult when it comes to society. Opinions are divided. On one hand we have those that use networking sites to communicate with old friends and family all over the world (Facebook, Myspace). On the other hand, we have those that use it with bad purposes, sexual predators, stalkers, etc.


Can social networking be improved?

If we are talking in terms of security, the answer might be yes. However, that is not going to prevent the “dark side” of it, after all anyone can create a fake identity and pretend to be anyone, even a person with real identity can do everything right until that person gets access to a site and then later use it with a different purpose.

In sum, it is up to you to decide the benefits of social networking. For businesses it is a great tool, for individual it can be good or bad depending on who is using it, for society the answers seems to be unknown until today. You be the judge.


Hall, Kenji. "Why Is Nissan Mimicking MySpace?" Business Week 30 Oct. 2007.

What is New Media?

It seems that new media could be defined as anything that is not traditional media (print, TV, radio). Though, New Media is being used by traditional media as a complement. Basically, New media is anything that is out there in the net, blogs, networking sites, e-mail etc.

With the introduction of new media what has dramatically changed is the content of the information. Even though traditional media continues to provide what the public wants to hear, this information can easily disputed trough the use of blogs for instance.

Finally, new media has given rise to new opportunities to connect with others (social networking), to create information (blogs), among the many other applications. Let’s not forget that all of these would have not been possible without the internet. So, we can say that New Media is a product of the internet

New Media and the rise of the cyberspy

With the appearance of new technology and the so called New Media so did appear new threats and challenges. With the introduction of the World Wide Web almost every important government department, corporation, and private organizations opened a window to the world.

Though in today’s modern era of technology(internet) all of these institutions must be connected to the outside world, at the same time they all face the misuse of computer networks to steal from, to spy on, and cripple government operations.

One such problem that is rapidly growing is cyberspy. “Cyber spying or Cyber espionage is the act or practice of obtaining secrets without the permission of the holder of the information, from individuals, competitors, rivals, groups, governments and enemies for personal, economic, political or military advantage using illegal exploitation methods on internet, networks or individual computers through the use of cracking techniques and malicious software including Trojan horses and spyware.”

In this paper I will analyze some of the most common forms of cyber-attacks many of them perpetrated with the use of new media, social networking for instance.