Blog Post 6: Mass Communication and Social Media

Previously in communication studies, mass media was one sided, where owners of communications, talked to--or at-- consumers. Today, the consumers are the biggest communicators. The breadth of people that average folks can reach with a single tweet is incredible. The technology of such media available for free to users is changing the landscape in how we communicate. Not only are we generating search-ables with hash-tags, and tagging people in photos-- we are also connecting through very apparent and track-able networks of people.

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These networks have changed the ways in which mass media is utilized, no longer are owners of communication networks speaking to or at consumers, but rather consumers are communicating to each other by their own series of networks. This has allowed for new societal norms of expertise, and new methods of becoming a renowned communicator. Instead of navigating through old means to be a powerful communicator (education, wealth, ability) now anyone who can master the skills of new technology can accomplish this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U-tOghblfE

Blog Post 5: New Technology and Easy Information

Consumers of communication want their information and ability to share that information quickly. This means that communicators within culture need the most user friendly tools to be able to connect with others. Communicators of all types crave information in the palms of their hands, literally. With the emergence of tablets, and smart phones communication became as constant as the information we can access. A click of a button means communicating to millions of folks, and all this information to communicate is at our fingertips.

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What does getting information at any instant mean for communication? It means that social media is more important than ever. Social media sites have to be user friendly for folks to communicate within the cultures of said sites. There are folks who use Twitter and folks who use Facebook and the two sites do not have the exact same culture, despite their basic functions being so similar! The most important fact is that because they are easy to use, they are easy to adopt with new technology like mobile phones. A vertical swipe means scanning communications from everywhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A1LvXRnpVg

Blog Post 4: Communication, Culture and New Media

Communication has been an important aspect of community life since the beginning of time. With the emergence of language, and the changes and adaptations of it since its birth has created cultures and ideas. Communication creates a camaraderie between society members. These tools or forms of communication make that society a culture around the way they communicate. There are many languages and forms of communication around the world, and they correlate to each regions culture.

http://www.lausti.com/articles/internet/languages.jpg

New media has altered the landscape of communication and culture. Technological advancements have created a larger culture that is more global. Many have the ability to connect twenty-four hours a day 365 days a year to the internet, and to anyone in the world. New technology, all fueled by the internet, make reaching across geographical and cultural divides and provide opportunities for new cultures to be made. Cultures around blogs, interests, forums etc. This is how New Media has changed the way we communicate, and its impact on our culture. Technology is only going to continue to change the way we communicate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJjvsGBjy2U