This is my latest photo submission to JPG magazine:
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.
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.
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 ...)
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.
A mischievous sprite imagined to cause the inexplicable problems in the real and virtual machinery of technology.
Journey Home: a chronicle of our journey to and within Braddock, PA
Fremlin Vision: a collection of photography
