The biggest challenge that print media faces when it comes to electronic media, in this question, would be the delivery of the media itself. How a Nook can carry 50+ books in an easily accessible compact tablet or the way your textbook excludes pieces of information that is easily accessible online in another informational source such as Wikipedia. Would you honestly rather carry 5 books to travel with in your bag? Would you prefer to only be educated through your textbooks which are fabricated as ‘Converging Media’ says, to only tell what authors are allowed to expose in educational settings? Technology makes the way we access the media so much more easier. Granted there are faults like technical issues and over priced products but I’d have to say that I prefer to find my textbook PDF and download it to my iPad or to type essays all day on a computer versus writing with pen and paper. The one thing I couldn’t agree with in the readings was that Harry Potter definitely didn’t downplay the roles of women; Hermione was the smartest wizard in her trio and Bellatrix was one bad ass villain!
Now staying on the track of things, content, when it comes to print or electronic media, in my opinion is tricky because electronic media is tailored to display your personal interests. Every touch of a button, every visited website, every liked post or shared article is used to decide what you shall be exposed to whether you be on your computer, phone, tablet etc. which print media can’t compare to do. On the other hand print media is likely to introduce articles, news and other events that you wouldn’t usually be interested in but should be informed about or must have some type of importance due to its more general audience. Print media lacks the kind of accessibility you have when you’re online. You can’t read an article in the paper or read a book and be linked directly to “similar to” or “you may also like”. You’d have to do your own research, probably go back to the library and read the blurb for each book under the “Teen Dramas” and find common readings. Although I feel that the importance of print is dwindling and it offers less than what it did in the past before we got digital, I personally love buying my paperback books because I love rereading my favorites and owning them makes the reading experience feel more special. So am I a hypocrite or just greedy?

Social Media is a key binding factor in today’s world; for better or worse people are more connected today than they’ve ever been. My generation is one that was brought up on the technological shift of the 21st century. I distinctly remember pagers, corded house phones, TV’s that weren’t flat, Aim, and even VHS tapes, things that would be phased out by newer and sleeker devices. So long story short I lasted about an hour or so after class finished Tuesday, before I mindlessly started scrolling through my Instagram feed. I don’t necessarily think its an obsession on my part, but rather a habit. As a Biology student I’ve conditioned myself to study with short gaps of free time in between cramming, normally rather than surf the web on my laptop or play video games, I simply kill the time on my phone. Also as a New Yorker with lengthy commutes on public transportation I find myself with tons of idle time on a daily basis. Now I mostly listen to podcasts and news feeds, but I usually end up on apps like Reddit or Twitter, trying to catch up on word events and pop culture respectively. Now this habit does extend to when I with people I’m able to talk to; family, friends, and etc. I don’t pull out my phone in the middle of a date and scroll through it, cause that’s just asking for trouble. Like all habits there are acceptable circumstances to be on social media, mostly when an individual is bored or in a situation with no pressing stimuli. Social media is filler, essentially what happens between the interesting or stressful parts of our days, the equivalent of a scene transition in film. So in a sense it’s not inherently evil, but moderation is key. Like drinking and smoking is is possible to have a social media intake that’s exceedingly high. Now in regards to an individual such as my self, who is in a constant state of stress, that it’s my baseline mood I think that is not a debilitating addiction, more of a mindless thing I do. The electronic equivalent of cracking your knuckles.

What is the “next big thing” in digital media!

My group consisted of Jason, Emanuel, Wilfred and myself. I think we worked collectively to gather as much information for the group final presentation. RFID Microchip is not a subject that many people are familiar with. Honestly I remembered when I first heard of people actually being microchipped it was the concept was quite frightening. However, when the question was presented to me I knew right away that RFID microchip would be a great idea for our group final project. Once I mentioned it to Wilfred he was on board, and soon later our group expanded and Emanuel and Jason joined us. The dynamics of the group was perfect. Everyone chose two questions for the final project to research, and write about. Once completed Emanuel transferred everyone’s question and answers on to PowerPoint. As a group we add our own unique way of presenting our thoughts to our fellow classmates, Professor and our guest Professor. The challenging part for me was to get up in front of my peers, and professors to speak about an idea that I myself was very conflicted about. RFID microchip is a touchy subject, however I felt my group and myself explained all sides of this very controversial topic. We were fully aware some of our classmate would probably think that it is a crazy idea, and we could we fault them? The idea of having a microchip implanted into humans that can track their whole existence. Everything from medical, financial even their exact location can all be detected through this tiny implanted microchip. We knew our idea to have all humans microchipped would not sit well with everyone, however we were prepared with our facts, statics, and personal experiences. After all the researching I did on implanted microchip in humans, I am determined to have my 2year old Yorkie microchipped, because I could not image losing him God forbid. I know I would feel more comfortable knowing he can be tracked down immediately. I felt by sharing my personal feeling towards my dog, the class would see that microchips can in fact be helpful. The example is of a dog much less a whole human being. The numbers of people across the world that goes missing each year (83,000 to be exact) is alarming and frighten. We spoke about how many sex offenders could become monitored through implanted microchip, we also address the fact that many of the unsolved cases could now become easily solved due to human microchips.

Despite how our classmates may feel about RFID Microchip we wanted everyone to try place themselves in the shoes of a missing person’s family, although it is very difficult to understand someone’s pain unless you actually experience it for yourself. My group and myself spoke very honestly about the pros and cons of implanted microchip in humans. Although we may not have convinced the class of the need for RFID microchip I do believe we did leave them questioning the future of “the next big thing” in our digital world. Overall I think we did a great job researching, and presenting our idea.

According to the article “5 Keys Viral Marketing Tactics Proven to Work “by Matthew Yeoman “if your video, idea, blog , tweet, post or email does not contain some aspect of a brand message it isn’t viral marketing” I enjoyed reading this article because of the well explanation of why and how things go viral. The example of how Kellogg’s UK messed up when their tweet went viral and actually send the wrong message. I totally agreed that if Kellogg’s would have explained the generous way they give back to vulnerable area across the world, people would not have taken offense to the tweet. The viral tactics were well explained, “Bring your marketing into the real world” I enjoy watching YouTube video of raw uncut footage. People desire to relate, sometime the big over the top corporate advertising are the one that people are not drawn to, but internet viral video’s like “Damn Daniel” people just gravitate to and just like that you have a viral sensation. I also like the “Reward your customers with your product” tactic, I love companies that gives back. I as a consumer I take into consideration of how much companies give back to their clients. It does not matter the size of the incentive the fact that something is given back is a big plus. Another tactic that as proven time after time is “Team up with unlikely partners” Pepsi did this in the late 1980’s by collaborating with a huge Pop Star like Michael Jackson. Today big companies like T-mobile and Samsung to name a few has collaborated with rapper like Lil Wayne and Drake to partnership.

“How Internet Marketing Will Affect various industries in 2015” by John Rampton makes mention to the big importance of social media to marketing. “Social Media is one of the best ways to make your brand seem real and accessible” Today with the help of social media people have accessible to celebrities, companies and organization. The public likes the idea of having fast easy access to any and everything.

In “The Mobile Browser Is Dead, Long Live the App” by Ewan Spence addressed how times are changing and people are no longer using web browser like before. According to the article 14% of people still use web browsers. Although I still use web browser, google is my go to for everything. I usually use Explorer then I log onto Google as my starting point and then from there I end up on YouTube or another app. Could it be that I have grown accustom to using my web browser, and app are still fairly new to me. Ewan Spence suggested “Where a mobile web promotes access for everyone, the app model hands the gatekeeper the power of access and discovery.” According to the graph 32% of people use their mobile device for gaming. That’s pretty high, but it does make sense. I have never been into gaming so I don’t fit into that statics, however I do know many people who spend hours on their mobile device playing games. When shopping I tend to look up deals and coupons on RetailMeNot App before making my purchases , I have saved so much money and found really great deals on RetailMeNot.

In “The Rise of Chat App” I use WhatsApp daily it helps me to connect with my friends and family. What I like about WhatsApp is there is no cost it is completely free, as long as there is web connection you can interact with video or audio chat. Chat App has made it convenient to stay connected with people all over the world. I am not connected to SnapChat , nor am I interested in joining SnapChat to me it just too invasive, however initially when Instagram first came out I felt the same way, and now I use Instagram to network and connect with people who have the same interest( fitness and healthy living) has myself.

“According to Nickelodeon’s research, 34% of children under 11 have a tablet , and they are now trending to get their first smartphone as they enter secondary school” These statics is a far cry from my days growing up. I was never a “gamer” growing up. However, I did enjoy playing Pac Man and Mario brothers. I remember visiting my best friend house and her brother owned a Nintendo     station. Sometimes we would play Super Mario Brothers when he was not home, but that was as far as my love of gaming would go. Today I am aware of the impact video games as society on children and adults alike. The evolution of gaming as changed so drastically. I remember the Atari, Nintendo, and Sega Genesis. Later came the Play Stations, Xbox and Wii. By this point I remember gaming became so much bigger than my childhood best friend little brother playing Mario Brothers on the Livingroom floor. Today gaming is a huge trend, bring in billions of dollars each. The interactive component has really capture a huge audience. After reading “16 trends that will define the future of video games” by Keith Stuart and Jordan Erica Webber, it is no surprise at the number of parents who plays video games with their children. The fact that a game console has the ability to bridging the gaps between generations is awesome my book.

After reading “How a videogame, God inspired a twitter doppelganger and resurrected his career” by Jason Tanz I learned so much more about gaming. I was really intrigued by some of Peter Molyneux concepts of gaming. A video game that allows the players to walk through the graveyards of the people they killed during the game is a brilliant idea. I can only imagine the impact such a game would have on the players. Especially with so much desensitizing in society a game like Peter Molyneux is needed. I hope more interactive games will challenge the players to become more compassionate individuals. I know it may sound Kumkum Bhagya but with the huge impact the gaming industry as on children and adults I believe it is quite possible.