"Strange Days," examines the position digital technology plays in everyday society- particularly as a medium for social interactions and interpersonal communication. In one section, Grazian discusses the various suggestions that digital technology expands and heightens learning skills. Video games, for example, can hone collateral learning, developing vital organizational and decision making skills ideal for positions of leadership (ie,business). Yet Grazian points out the downside to "online surfing" which reduces the ability to concentrate upon and analyze texts in a thoughtful and critical manner. This correlates to the current capsule nature of magazines, newspapers, and commercials. Digital technologies also create the zone; online gambling is an example of this and boundaries are blurred to the point where reality no longer exists and potential for addiction increases. The zone simply exacerbates the isolation, diminishes face-to-face interactions, and introduces and increases health problems. Grazian explores the porous wall between cyber and natural reality (ie, digital sweatshops and SL) and the impact the cyber world has on our everyday lives, particularly our identities and reputations. Though the future of online media is uncertain, Grazian suggests that the digital age is defined by the emergence of three phenomena: the convergence of content across various media mediums and industries; active participation of audiences in shaping their media experiences; and collective intelligence which challenges and produces new media forms. The chapter culminates with the assertion that popular culture in this digital age requires unfettered discourse in order to thrive.
I thought the Second Life portion of chapter ten was interesting. Seriously, trading actual money for cyber money to buy cyber things? I am shocked that online gamers spend over a billion a year on virtual assets!
Grazian quotes Klein's argument that "that culture is something that happens to you. You buy it at the Virgin Megastore or Toys 'R' Us and rent it at Blockbuster Video. It is not something in which you participate, or to which you have the right to respond. " Do you think Klein is correct?
-Lolia
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No I disagree with Klein because by bubying an item at one of these stores - you are participating in culture ... especially if it is something extremely popular.
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