Enter World: exploring mediated cultures

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

taking virtual worlds f2f

There is a definite progression of virtual interactions, which began as plain text and have evolved to multi-sensory experiences, from what appeared (to outsiders) to be an anti-social experience sustained wholly in the ether to technology available for use IRL. We count on each other, through this evolved technology, for directions, advice, entertainment, problem solving, stories, warnings, news, photos, games, recipes, help finding ingredients in the grocery store ...

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Social goes for broke

Online social networking, social marketing, and social media optimization have been targets of organizations and businesses trying to harness the power of the web. And now we can add social pressure.

I grew up hearing that peer pressure was a bad thing, but it looks like the city of Pittsburgh is trying to turn this often lamented form of social influence on attitudes, behaviors, and values around to its positive side.

To bring some money into the city, they have decided to collect on old tickets. And what better way to do that than to shame those who have not paid publicly? check the online database to see if you (or someone you know) has been charged with a summary offense

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In other social networking news, a global survey showed Facebook as the most mentioned company. Can we finally say goodbye to MySpace? Here’s hoping ... 

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

A new journal

Some people I know through Fielding have started a new organization and are working on an online media psychology journal. It’s exciting to have two now, and it’s nice to see the older one publishing again. I hadn’t checked the site for years because the information didn’t change, now there’s all sorts of new tidbits, like the online gaming piece.

Media Psychology Review
Journal of Media Psychology

Saturday, October 13, 2007

comprehensive exams

After a lot of juggling dates and resources, I finally submitted the first attempt at my comps. I’m excited to move back to the concept paper, finalize that, and feel like I’m moving ahead again. I had intended to submit the comps before Summer Session, but the house sold after three days and we were busy for months. We’re still in limbo, looking for a new home to settle into where I can unpack my ton of books. For now, having them all in storage has been a good excuse to start exploring some new areas, and I’ve started accumulating a new mini-library here.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Beyond Applications

Moving virtual worlds out of proprietary applications has the potential to open online community interaction beyond anything we have seen thus far.

Metaplace is aiming for just that.

“We have a vision: to let you build anything, and play everything, from anywhere.”

I signed up for Alpha testing this morning.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Rethinking My Question

Working on whittling down my dissertation topic, I’ve begun wondering on what topic I want to be an expert. The question I have been focusing on is close, but I’ve realized it still focuses on dis-ease despite coming to the topic from a positive angle. Although the approach is not problem-centered, the background literature and general premise hover over typical negativity toward media. I do not want to spend my time rebutting other research, I want to research strengths and continue exploring applications. By strengths, I mean those applicable to individuals or groups from a positive psychology standpoint rather than strengths of media outlets, programs, or campaigns.

My topic now is something along the lines of whether the skill of media creation alters attitudes. I am still very interested in media creation as the foundation of my research, but rather than centering on attitudes toward media I may turn to media as a creative outlet. Self expression, self efficacy, creativity. Positive psychology studies those who are well to determine what makes them well. Do I study those who already use media in a positive way and benefit from it, or do I study whether learning to use media positively influences self efficacy or creativity. Playing with too many undefinable terms could make things messy ... media, creativity, healthy.

In any case, I am going to move into reading about creativity and art now, and away from media literacy and attitudes.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Summer Reading

Ever since there was a call for researchers for a documentary about Philip Pullman‘s The Golden Compass, I’ve been reading YA/mid-level books. Right now I’m hooked on a German author, Cornelia Funke. I’m reading the English translation of Inkheart and would love to find an original German version.

Although I will not stop reading, substituting fun books this month seems like an excellent use of my leave from Fielding.

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Passenger Bill of Rights

New York passed the first passenger bill of rights.

I am disappointed that they only require water after three hours ... but any future travel plans I make will surely take this law into consideration. When presented with the option of a layover there or anywhere else ... it will be New York.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Independent v. Corporate Media Agendas

Tonight I presented research comparing independent media agendas and corporate media agendas to a group at Fielding’s Summer Session.

Based on research comparing the media agendas in online independent and corporate news sources, I discussed social and ethical implications of media agendas. I was specifically interested in discovering whether the independent media source provided an alternative agenda to that of corporate media. Following the first phase of agenda setting research, the research was based on public issues to categorize headlines and compared three sources from Portland, OR.

Abstract:
The following paper presents an analysis of research conducted in early 2007 comparing the media agendas in online independent and corporate news sources. Following the first phase of agenda setting research, the author uses public issues to categorize headlines from the sources. Comparison of the issues covered by each source revealed statistically significant differences between the two corporate media agendas but no statistically significant difference between the independent source and either corporate source’s media agenda. The nature of and potential for independent media are discussed in relation to these findings.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

moving notes

No one seems to like people without addresses. The ultimate experience was trying to rent a storage unit (to store all of our homeless belongings) and being required to provide an address of residence to do so. And if I had an address of residence .... why would I need a storage unit for my belongings?