"YouTube as a Participatory Culture"

1.     How does the interaction online become the key for Youtube video production community? Please use the media convergence concept to explain it.

The YouTube video production process in terms of media convergence, has a collaborative aspect to it. YouTube is technically defined as a "video-sharing web site". Users share video with others on the online community. Users of the site can upload videos, become a partner of the company, and interact with other users. Since its birth a few years back, YouTube has transformed social media and how users view media and how they interact with it. 

2.    The article mentioned that the teens are mainly passively consumers of Youtube being on the periphery. But seven out of 10 most subscribed partners are teens and young adults. How do you explain this use of Youtube in youth?

This trend of youth being the majority of Youtube partners deals with the fact that this form of media has low barriers of artistic expression. There are no restrictions on who can post, what the content is, or how to use this form of media. It is an outlet of free speech combined with technology; something that our youth is thriving incomprobly with. 

 3.    How does Youtube use different techniques to create an online community that is different from other websites?

sSome techniques YouTube uses to create an online community are incredibly creative. One method is using collaboration. Many YouTube partners and members have started collaborating with one another; users have created joint accounts and videos collaborating with one another. 

4.    What is the next step for Youtube development? Please use the concept of participatory culture and media development theory we discussed to explain your answer.

I think the next step for YouTube transforms on a global scale. Although the form of media has already has some international impact, YouTube will soon possibly will have cideo chat and access other users from all over the world. This will improve the number of users and increase collaborative efforts. 

Social Media

Social Media Use is Soaring—Tine to Reconsider Your 2013 Strategy

·      What did you learn about the growing trends in the use of social media?

The trends of social media have grown tremendously in the past decade. Social media as a trend has increased for two reasons: 1. More people are using mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets that have greater access to networks all over. 2. The proliferation of new social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Although social media is a growing trend, it continuously evolves. Now this media can be perceived as a “global living room” having multiple screenings and being considered a “customer care channel”.

·      What takeaways do you see from the data?

Looking at the data, social media is becoming a force to be reckoned with. I predict one day this type of media will be our main form of communication; eliminating everything else from looking at recent trends. Although the majority of social media use has been done on the internet from a computer, the use this media on mobile applications has rose dramatically to 34%. Today, most people are staying longer connected to the internet for longer periods of time thanks to social media. The most unique statistic supporting this claim would that Twitter has become a key player in driving social interactivity amongst viewers watching TV.

Technology & Internet:  10 Social Media Tips Every Business Needs to Know

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How does business uses social media?

Businesses use social media in a variety of aspects. Creating various accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest will create a wider and larger following for a company as a way of connecting and reaching different types of people. It is important to build a client base online.

·      Where you surprised by what “social media is NOT?”

I was a little surprised what social media wasn’t considered. I think the term has become so generic in our society that the true meaning is misconstrued. For business the meaning to use social media has a different idea than the intentions of a personal page. It is not a static platform like a website because its more interactive and dynamic which takes time to create.

·      Describe some of the things that “social media IS.”

Social media is the fastest growing trend in communication that our generation has. It is a place for companies and business to be seen in searching for a target audience. Social media is a small but incredibly powerful tool in marketing. It is free and has the ability to really captivate an audience and create a following.

·      What are the takeaways for business from this article?

The takeaways from this article are that social media is an important aspect for business to understand. If a company does not adapt and take advantage of this type of communication, they will fall behind. An important aspect of this article is what social media is defined as and what it isn’t. It is important to know the difference in creating various accounts, what to post, and how to target an audience. 

The United State's Place in the Ukrainian-Russian Conflict

With rising tensions between neighboring countries: Russia and Ukraine, a question that comes to mind is: does the U.S. have the right to intervene. As the Ukrainian military prepares for possible invasion of Russia, can and will the U.S. play a role in the dispute?

Republican lawmakers are urging President Barack Obama to begin taking actions to prevent the situation from becoming any worse. One of the GOP’s strongest supporters, John McCain spoke out as to why we as a nation should intervene:

"Every moment the United States and our allies fail to respond sends the signal to President Putin that he can be even more ambitious and aggressive in his military intervention in Ukraine," McCain said.

Tensions between these countries escalated due to anti-government protests that have been going on in the past 3 months in Ukraine’s capital, Kiev. The majority of the population has been in dispute with the government’s over its decision to make ties with Russia stronger instead agreeing with an accord from the European Union back in November 2013.  For the past few months, the country has been in turmoil; the Ukraine government has taken a violent retaliation against protestors. Police attacks on student protestors, abduction and physical beatings of activists, and several new anti-protesting laws have created a state of fear amongst the people in its country. Former President Yanukovych of Ukraine has made his ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin more public than ever before after being deposed. Protecting his stance and Russia as a global power, Putin ordered troops to Ukraine to defend “Russian-speaking citizens” in the ethnically divided country. On March 2, 2014 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev took to Facebook and called for a “seizure of power” from the Ukrainian new government. Additionally, President Putin declared war on Ukraine, claiming them to be “Moscow’s biggest confrontation with the west since the Cold War”. In response to this action, Ukraine is in process of currently mobilizing troops in anticipation of invasion.

So, does the U.S. have even the right to intervene what is going over in the east? Sanctions have been imposed on high-level Russian officials involved in the escalating crisis in Ukraine as well as the Obama administration suspending military ties with the country. Is this enough? The U.S. government released a statement claiming if Moscow does not turn around in the crisis, “officials said they would ban visas and freeze assets of select Russian officials in the chain of command as well as target state-run financial institutions.” Many republicans have come out with claims that Russia should be punished with action and force for their disruption with Ukraine. Yes, we ally ourselves with Ukraine, but do we need to continue the mantra of being the world’s superhero? Being the mediator for every single problem takes burden on the country’s wallet as well as resources. President Obama does have “deep concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Personally, Obama’s standing firm without any drastic action is appropriate for the current situation in the east. Unfortunately, like any other global political crisis, so many drastic actions has been taken by Russia, there are multiple theories as to how this could all end for both Russia and Ukraine; all completely plausible. The United States and the Obama Administration should watch from the sidelines; be ready to be an intervening force while patiently waiting for our cue to save the day. 

Can Blog Revolutionize Progressive Politics?

1.     Why do the Democratic leaders embrace blogging as a potential political communication considering the traditional media landscape in politics?

Democratic leaders embrace blogging because of “netroots”, “an online grassroots constituency that can be targeted through Internet technologies.” Blogs are most popular because they serve as organizing hubs for information on one specific topic. Blogging gives the everyday citizen to participate in politics.

2.     Blogging encourages a participatory culture. In what way does the participatory culture in blogging expand digital media convergence?

The participatory culture expands digital media convergence because of its ability to allow anyone and everyone share there ideals and opinions with the online world. Once it is on the web, its there forever; letting it be accessed to millions. Blogs can be accessed through various types of technologies as well, including mobile devices, tablets, and computers. 

3.     In the article, the author says: “The ability of the Internet to erase geographical distances can become a structural weakness in elections where district lines and eligibility are key.” How can blogging counter this weakness in the process of turning the netroots to grassroots?

Blogging can counter this weakness by having blogs appealing to the desired group of people. This Internet tool is an easy and accessible way to get out information to demographics of people other types of media would not hit. Blogging also has the ability of breaking down abstract ideas into simpler fundamentals for all to follow.

4.     The author spends the second half of the article discussing the lack of diversity in current blogosphere dominated by elite bloggers. Please use the concept of digital convergence to explain how blogs can become the real bearer of freedom, democracy, egalitarianism, and participation in the new media communication?

Blogs carry the principality of freedom because it gives anyone power to access a computer and post their opinion on matters for the world to see. It is the perfect place to expand on ideals and interact with others. Freedom of speech prevails within blogging because it gives the everyday man the power to speak freely without fear of being persecuted. 

Answers to the Virtual Revolution Documentary

1.     The web is celebrated as the revolutionary technology that is great leveling of humanity creating equal opportunity, equal access, and equal potential. However, there are only a quarter of people on the earth who can use it. How do you explain the controversial argument here?

The most important issue regarding unequal access in 3^rd countries such as Africa because poorer, less powerful nations do not have the financial capabilities that other global super powers have in the advancement of technology. 

2.     How is Wikipedia the best example to implement the leveling ideas of the Web rooted in the cultural revolution of 1960s, namely the Libertarianism in the counter culture? How does it explain some of the digital convergences?

Libertarianism, and ideal created by the counterculture in 1960’s blends left and right wing ideas that emphasize the individual free will. Wikipedia is a prime example of libertarianism on the web because it gives everyday people a voice to anonymously author and edit information. It undercuts authority and hierarchy by giving the average individual power.

3.     How does the Web make it possible for different kinds of digital convergence?

The web makes different aspects of digital convergence possible because it gives ordinary members of society to express their opinions, values, and belief through blogging, social media tools, and forums. The web’s malleability is helpful to convergence because the components listed above can be accessed from a stationary computer to a mobile device.

4.     How can the Internet become a challenge for traditional authority? Use the political landscape changes in some counties to illustrate your answer.

The Internet is a challenge to traditional authority. For example, Oly Okollah of Kenya began a documentary type of blog for everyone to participate in. This forum was created based on violent events following an election of the government. Average people were given the opportunity to post a play-by-play of the violence going on. This powerful blog then pushed and pressured the Kenyan government to put a stop to what was happening.

5.     Do you believe that getting information free can set us free eventually? Why or Why not? Do you see any concerns of the complete freedom or self-expression without limit on the Internet? Why or why not?

I do believe there are both positive and negatives in gaining information. For good, there is a certain freedom each individual should have in order to access what kind of information benefits and pertains to their own life. However, if information became completely free, society as a whole would collapse. People would question rules and authority established due to the freedom of total and complete access.

6.     In traditional media communication, it has the “vertical” authority. In the Web communication, it becomes “horizontal?” How do you explain the change? How does this create the possibility for digital media convergence?

Web communication has a more “horizontal” authority because everyone is credited as equal online. No one is higher than another and every individual is on-par with one another. This gives the possibility of digital media convergence because everyone and anyone can post believing each has their own equal opportunity on the web.

7.     Why is that the Web is free critical for the success of the Web itself? How does that clash with the corporate business ideology? How does that pose challenges for copyright issues at the same time? What will happen if the Web is not free?

The web being free is critical for its success and survival. This is true because, it is what drew users to it in the first. The web will continue to be a major player in our world if it stays free to the public. Online every individual is considered equal; the online world is blind to status, wealth, sex, and gender. This idea clashes with the corporate business world because people of higher standing do not matter compared to a stay-at-home mom whose popularity online is rising because of her blog. The corporate world faces immense competition thanks to freedom the web has given to the rest of society. Copyright laws are challenged by the average individual, who has the ability “pirate” information for free without any disregard. For example, you will frequently see in the description bar in YouTube, that the average user “does not have rights to following” because they are borrowing material from someone else. If this example isn’t followed, the creators of the material have the power to shut down who has pirated their information.