Enter World: exploring mediated cultures

Friday, June 01, 2007

A few participants in Fielding’s Second Life course have mentioned being “attacked” in SL. I know of griefing in PvP MMOs as a way of messing up a mission or asserting tribe dominance ... but I was wondering what the end result was for griefing in Second Life.

SL avatars don’t die (unless you go to a specific place where you expect to use weapons and participate in battles), I don’t think you can be “robbed” of your $L or inventory, and I haven’t heard of any viruses or other destructive methods of crashing SL or someone’s computer through SL. So I decided to look into it ...

The top Google result was a discussion from 2004 on why griefers grief, and the answers were broad. I also found a commentary on the link between those PvP MMOs where griefing is part of the action and how it is carried over into places like SL where it is not acceptable. So far things look like attacks on newbies for fun.

But then I came across a post about a calculated attack on Anshe Chung, SL real estate tycoon. I find it intriguing that this political/social dissent (reminiscent of the Boston Tea Party 3 years ago, but aimed at an individual rather than the system) is described with the same word as attacks on newbies that are done “just because.”

Since most griefing is aimed at newbies who don’t know how to respond, here are some useful tips from SL on defending your avatar:

Sit Down (you can’t be pushed)
Mute the other avatar
File that abuse report

Monday, May 14, 2007

Everything Bad is Good for You, by Steven Johnson

Overall the concept is a breath of fresh air, someone finally looked at media impact from a new angle.

As one example, he discusses TV shows with complex narratives and social webs that encourage audience interaction with the stories. Johnson points to cognitive challenges in modern dramas, and states that the good ones don’t “talk down” to audiences (referring both to the removal of blatant hints and the inclusion of technical jargon). However, he also refers to some of this language as above the audience when he discusses the “willingness to immerse the audience in information that most viewers won’t understand” (p.80). It is precisely this information that interests me. While Johnson covers social and technical skills honed by complex media environments, he overlooks the potential for learning specific information. That was an intentional separation for the purpose of this book, but something I’d like to see explored further in relation to the concepts Johnson presents.

These same shows that subject the audience to new information could be aiding the audience in understanding professional and academic fields as well as in developing their cognitive skills. All of the major networks seem to have more shows with problem solving by professionals or academics than sitcoms. Forensics, forensic anthropology, psychology, medicine, mathematics ... these are all fields that have played the background role of nerd or geek in past shows and are now the key roles. (Excepting computer science, which seems to still be represented by an off-beat character kept within the confines of the office to solve those truly complex technical issues.) By following these characters as they solve complex puzzles, the audience is introduced to the scientific process as well as specific terminology.

I read a wire story a while back that said Americans are more science literate now than ever before. It accredited improved understanding to the requirement of basic science classes in universities. But I would argue that the interest in science, and the willingness to read science news, also lies in the popularization of these fields through characters in television shows and the transformation of research from rigorous academic reading into hip, colorful, and fun formats such as Wired, Seed, and boingboing. Science information has become more accessible to the public through these popular media formats. And while hearing fictional doctors spout out medical terminology on TV is no substitute for studying anatomy or pharmacology, it does open interest in the field and make more people comfortable with the jargon.

Maybe Johnson’s assumption that it’s all in the way we think still holds true: it’s not so much which words the audience remembers or that they will be able to mimic the actions presented, but that they can wrap their minds around it and find it interesting. Just don’t throw out the message completely.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

This is my latest photo submission to JPG magazine:

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

An article today claims email is dying. And even though I use it daily, I say a hearty hooray.

One point I must argue against is the final question about whether millenials (yet another annoying generational term) will be forced to use email once they start working ... hell no. I see so many reasons we should move away from email in business, even as I use email to create this post.

IMs and SMSes are perfect for instant short info and I tend to use emails for cataloging longer pieces of information ... like organizing information so that I have access to it later from anywhere and my business partner receives a copy. But email is not ideal for that, I end up sending 5 emails on one topic with rewrites in later ones. My reliance stems from current lack of a better option.

So what is replacing email? That’s something that goes beyond IMs and text messages, beyond social networks like Twitter, MySpace, FaceBook, and SecondLife. (Beyond company names someday I hope, but that’s another post for another time.) And most likely the things that do replace email will interact with email. Tasks programs are still developing, they tend to be clunky and slow. But something like journal entry software would be ideal. Backpackit.com has a Mac widget that comes close, but it still only allows updating of existing pages rather than full feature control.

The point is, I don’t want to linger in email dependency. I don’t like spam, I don’t like getting sidetracked with listservs and personal notes when I have a mission to accomplish. I know there is another way. I also don’t want to open up a site and wait for all that loading, I’d rather just type directly into a program that syncs with a site. It needs to allow for full creation, editing, and notification controls. And yes, some of the notices may be through email—but take a note from Twitter here and let the receiver choose the medium.

So I may not be a “millenial,” or any of those other cutsie terms, but I’m all for living beyond email.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

It’s been a while since I’ve been back to my second life. I’m not really attached to it, but maybe that will come when I find a groove. In the meantime, here are some photos from SL reflecting my learning thus far. Although I haven’t built anything yet, I am definitely improving my ability to view things—from my avatar to change what she’s wearing to taking photos she’s not in. In addition, I think I finally get the inventory and how to wear/take off non-clothing items. I bought a Nikon ... but it’s so bulky and awkward, it does not flow with the avatar at all. So much for that.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

I started a Media Psychology, FGU group to connect with others at Fielding who are also exploring SL. When I made the group I didn’t realize that by associating myself with the group I would have the name show up in front of my avatar name. Had I known that, rather than Media Psychology, FGU Vivaine Vielle I would have added a little fancy and set up something like Rock Star Vivaine Vielle. (Plus the FGU almost looks like an insult ...)

Friday, April 06, 2007

JWF_PSY769_MediaSynergy_WEB.pdf

Preface

The goal of this paper is to establish Michael Moore as a force in the media who is able to use media synergy in a way typically seen in use by major media conglomerates. After establishing this, we can begin to analyze effects of crossing media formats and styles on audience interest and processing. To begin this analysis of media synergy, we need to establish how Moore is involved with media creation and promotion. Section I: Michael Moore and Media reviews Moore’s early and varied media experiences. His experiences, as well as responses to some situations, are important to understanding points made later in the paper. As we explore the implications of Moore’s media involvement it becomes clear that past experiences build toward his identity formation, integration of entertainment and information, and understanding of media promotion. Section I establishes Moore’s background in relation to media and media synergy.

Sections II and III detail the making and promotion of Moore’s two top-grossing documentary films, Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11. These sections explore the culmination of Moore’s media awareness and experience as well as his growth between the two films. It is also in these sections that we begin to explore how Moore interwove entertainment styles with the documentary format and how this might affect audience interpretation of his films.

Section IV: Promotion, Controversy and Media constructs a comparison of Moore’s on- and off-screen tactics to draw coverage to himself and his documentary films, leading into Section V: Media Synergy and Michael Moore. Having established Moore’s media background and successes, we are now able to begin exploring the connections between Moore and media synergy. This section expands upon the meaning of media synergy, how Moore aims for synergy in promotion and creation of his products, and addresses trends in media consumption.

Section VI: A Progressing Relationship Between Entertainment and Information takes the links of media synergy beyond the creation and promotion of media content and into an investigation of changing ideals in the media sphere. Using Moore’s documentary films as an example of the crossover between entertainment and information, we look more closely at various methods used to draw viewer attention. Finally, the paper concludes with Section VII: Implications for Media Psychology and Future Research.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

It seems I’ll be writing a lot about Second Life. There are many things there that I want to explore, and most likely will also want to document. So far I’m reading the book and not finding enough time to sign in and wander around. I haven’t bought anything, but I have a list of places to visit. And maybe I’ll live in a tent ... I don’t feel like paying real rent in a virtual world.

If you happen to be joining up, use the name Vivaine Vielle as your reference and I’ll send you some of the $L for the reference.

I am fascinated with the mediaverse within Second Life. There are classified ads for writers and editors, there are newspapers and magazines of all genres. There are also film contests and art galleries. Reuters is in SL, and like Jennifer Government employees have the last name of Reuters. Adam Reuters is the SL rep. And with all of the events hosted in SL, there seems to be a lot to cover.