But it was all good, the unit really made me think about how new media is affecting everything around us.

Understanding the implications on society only makes me wonder what kind of a professional environment I will be working in where the traditional communication models are being drastically affected and influenced by new media.

The week on mobile media worlds and Humphrey’s article made me realised what vulnerability I put myself into when the other person I’m with is on the phone and I’m ‘alone’??. It’s was like a glass shattering, there goes the naive-ness
I’m not going to be so courteous the next time that happens…
Especially if it’s a date.

Oh, and what about family ties?? Are we closer together because of Facebook?
Has Facebook made us more open?
What do you feel about adding your parents?

All in all, it was an eye-opener and widened my horizons. The next time I’m blogging and posting something on Facebook, I’ll be thinking twice…
Is this wise???

This article said that “Technology has sped everything up and, by speeding everything up, it’s slowed everything down, paradoxically”

I kinda agree with what she has to say that the introduction of technology has helped industries progress and develop.

However, in regards to whether we are working more or less??

I do agree with the article that we are doing more things at once, we are not concentrating and completing one task at a time but instead doing several things at once, and it forever seems like it never gets done.

This I think is the side effect of technology, it has permitted us to do more than one thing at a time. It has challenged our capabilities of multi-tasking.

As for not getting as much work done… Perhaps it’s not that we are completing less but there is more for us to do.

For example, a video editor… In the days of analogue tape, their specialty was only limited to editing the tapes using that old-fashioned VCR method. Special effects was another expert’s job. But now with technology, editors are expected to know how to do basic effects as well… and to some extent, animation too!!
 
So maybe we are working more… but I don’t think we’re getting less done…
But then again, 24 hours never seem enough… hmms…

So here are snapshots of my workspace.

• There are 2 printers - LaserJet for normal b & w documents. And the All-in-One inkjet printer which used for printing and scanning.
• There’s the woofer… which acts as a second bookstand.
• My CPU doubles as my notice board.
• There’s an extra table at the side for Dad to place his laptop.

And yes, my workspace is in the public domain. Believe it or not, it’s in the living room. My mom had it arranged like that so she could be sure we used the PC for working purposes.

Its way neater now, not so during assignment rush though.

So thanks for visiting my space.

There’s more than just gaming, or the virtual realities.
There are other passions in life that is appreciated and celebrated.
This is art. This is passion. This is life.

This week we were debunking the enchantments or the promises the Internet has so-called promised us such as less working time and more leisure time.

Personally, I sort of agree with that but I don’t disagree completely either.

I think that it has given us flexibility. Rather than a fixed 9-5 job at a desk, those who want to work at home can do so.  And they can also work according to their schedule and still get the job done.

But then again, workaholics who tend to work more than they should (which I have tendency of doing), the Internet makes it only impossible to ever finish our work. Being always connected, we might innocently check our e-mail and find out there’s something that needs to be done… and… next thing you know it…
we’re working.

Ultimately, I think it boils down to our personal choice. You can choose to not work more than you should. You can set a limit. You can prioritize which is urgent and which is important. You can choose to take a break.

It’s really beneficial economically and obviously it saves time and travel expenses as well. FYI, major reason why employers in U.S. endorses this idea is because they usually fly-in the candidates only to realise it’s not going to work out. So Skype kinda acts like a screen test (in the literal sense )

But like previous discussions regarding online identity, are employers getting the real deal?

Prospective employees might fake it to make it, however personally I feel that’s not the case. If you are truly a professional, you would approach it the same way you do in any other interview.

There are some interesting pointers on how to improve your interviewing skills (via Skype, that is) i.e. get your dog out of barking range before you start the interview.

Also, like any other interview you have to bring your resume, in this case, e-mail a copy. And just because it’s not face-to-face, doesn’t mean you don’t have to dress appropriately. Read about the interview one of them had with a candidate from Japan (at 1 a.m Japan time!)

Reading the article I was excited actually. Coz now geographical barriers may longer be a problem in getting a job off-shore, which I am enthusiastic about.

So here’s to the future working life.

I think I should setup a Skype account.

Humans are not meant to live life through a computer.

Have a wonderful and blessed day.

I read Priya Theivasigaiuany’s entry on SecondLife and I kinda agree that there can never really be a second life like what the game so-call promises.

Honestly, what’s wrong with real-life? I think that SecondLife seems appealing because of its marketing campaign. It sounds cool, it looks cool, a lot of people are apparently signed up in SecondLife… and everything else that sells the product. But that is not the case. Only a few thousands are really hooked to SecondLife, as compared to millions who are into WoW. SecondLife is not a representation of greater society, not everyone is doing it.
Therefore, don’t be deceived!

Ok, maybe the business prospects are a few plus points of SecondLife. Linden dollars to real US dollars and vice versa, that’s a good enough reason to invest your time, money and all… I guess.

But I am really turned off (if not disgusted) by the sex life in SecondLife. The reasons given like no STD or you can do it with whomever. What in the world?!!

Obviously people do not feel they need to adhere to morality standards just because it’s a virtual reality, but the point is, whatever you think or do in your mind is already accountable for morality’s sake.

What is it that SecondLife can really offer us? Love? Security? Fame? Fortune? Prosperity? Acceptance? Life?

What happened to family ties? What happened to brotherhood and sisterhood? What happened to bonding with friends and neighbours? Where has love gone? Where do we find happiness? Where do we find peace? Where do we learn to be patient and caring? What happened to kindness and gentleness to others? Where is our self-control? What is happening to everyone?

Has life become so bad that people need to start resorting to virtual life?

I think we need to stop and think. Stop following the trends and the hoo-hah’s. Stop and think – it is necessary? Is it worth it? Is this a good thing? How will this affect those around me? Will this make me a better person? Will this help the world?

Having read several posts of some saying that YouTube is alternative TV and YouTube is slowly killing TV, I was prompted to share my own view on the matter.

No doubt having watched the documentary on YouTube did share some insight, but I was in disbelief when some are saying the most people nowadays no longer watch TV but instead watch YouTube.

Firstly, I give credit to the creators of YouTube, it is truly a brilliant idea of providing a platform for people to share their creativity and indeed YouTube is one to watch as New Media continues to progress.

But to generalize and say most people no longer watch TV… can we really say that?

When you say most people, are we talking about most people you know or most people as in the general public?

[I'm taking a moment to apologize if this offends anyone. It's nothing personal, but I really would have to disagree.]

For those who have read my earlier posts, I think it’s kinda clear that I’m an advocate for TV… and film. I truly have a passion for the industry and my prior work experience only strengthens it. Thus, to hear people shun TV without a deeper understanding of the industry really saddens me.

TV and broadcasting, and even filmmaking is so much more than just entertaining content. TV and radio have long been a source of information and dissemination of message to the public, hence the term ‘mass communication’.

As for content, TV programs like dramas and also films are so much more than just pretty people on screen. The production efforts that goes into a show is a collective effort of the director’s vision and leadership, the screenwriters’ creativity for story telling, the technical and photography expertise of the technical crew, the intuitive and creative touch of the editor as well as the talented artiste that bring characters to life.
It’s an industry that provides jobs!

Personally, any noob can record a video using the mobile phone and upload it to YouTube. But it takes creative geniuses to produce a work of art.

Would you rather watch someone act like a fool dancing around in his underwear or would you watch an episode of CSI or perhaps Friends?

But I guess it’s true that no one gets why people work in the industry except those who are in the industry. Why would anyone want to work 16 hours a day, sometimes have no sleep, have their tears, sweat and have blood drained from them. Why? So that YouTube can take over?

I think not.

The industry itself has its own technological advancements as well. Screen technology is advancing to accommodate the new and now HD quality. Computer software are progressing as well to cater all this. No longer are films strips being cut and pastes together. It’s all digital! TV and film is advancing too.

Plus, the reason why the locals resort to YouTube is because the programs are not available here yet. But in U.S, even they have to wait for the latest episode to be realeased weekly based on the programming schedule.

But let’s just say if TV were to operate like YouTube whereby content is available accordingly to our needs. Will YouTube really kill TV?

Would you prefer to watch crisp clear quality shows on a big screen or fuzzy images on your computer screen?

We can’t say one will take over the other. They will converge, they will influence one another.

As of 2009, the ATAS had its 61st Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards it’s 81st. Do you think they will be so easily pushed out of the picture?

This hilarious… yet almost true.

Enjoy