For Nev Schulman, one of the creators of the documentary Catfish, the whole experience began innocently enough. he had been contacted by an 8-year old girl named Abby via the Internet, requesting permission to paint one of his photographs she had seen in a newspaper. This is where Nev and Abby's relationship began. He continued to send photographs for her to paint.
Nev then began to form relationships with Abby's family, becoming Facebook friends with Abby's mother Angela, and Abby's sister, Megan. This is where the real drama started.
Nev and Megan's affair started over the Internet, eventually graduating to text messaging and phone calls. It seemed normal enough to Nev. Megan, a musician, would send her covers of songs to Nev so he could listen to them. But, when Nev was able to find the same songs on YouTube, he realized they were clearly not sung by Megan. Something was clearly wrong.
To make a long story short, Nev was deceived by Angela, Abby's mother. Abby was just a normal 8-year old girl, with basic artistic abilities. The whole family had not seen Megan in many years, as she did not keep in contact anymore. Angela herself was the artist, and was also the one pretending to be Megan, therefore having an odd love affair with Nev. She had created Megan's Facebook page as well as all of the friends "Megan" had on Facebook. She went to extreme odds just so Nev would believe her.
Stated in a review of Catfish, It's when the boys get to Michigan that the movie goes from being a clumsily constructed video diary to a fascinating exploration of the deceptions—of self and others—made possible by the Internet.
The whole documentary shows how truly anonymous the Internet can be. Fake accounts can be created by anybody at anytime, unknowingly to other people. It just shows how careful we have to be with who we talk to, and who can view our information.
I found Catfish very interesting though. At first, I thought it would just be about the relationship between a photographer from New York and an 8-year old painter from Michigan. But, as the documentary unraveled, lots of twists emerged. Nev and his friends trip to Michigan is what really made the documentary.
I'm sure there are a number of people who have experiences like this. Maybe not as extreme, but it could happen to anyone.
Here's the movie trailer.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Exit Through the Gift Shop
What does the anonymity of Banksy say to the audience and to the ideas behind his work?
The fact that British graffiti artist Banksy's true identity is still unknown blows my mind. This man has been creating street art for many many years; how is that even possible? His work captures the attention of many, including news channels, yet no one knows who he truly is.
It is quite a refreshing thought though, that he is still anonymous. It shows how unimportant the fame is to him. All he wants to do is get his message across, in as many cities as he can. It doesn't seem to be all about the money.
Though Exit Through the Gift Shop does show that Banksy has held art shows, and he does gain money and fame for his work, his choice to remain anonymous just shows he wants to stay out of the limelight. However, this could be due to the fact that graffiti is illegal.
Thierry first heard of Banksy through other street artists, and saw on news channels how he was adding his work to museums. His outlandish portraits and paintings and sculptures gained much attention. I'm not exactly positive, but adding your artwork to museums that house other art worth possibly millions of dollars does not seem like it would fly with the law. Maybe this is a major reason as to why he chooses to remain anonymous.
In an article in Time Magazine written in 2008, journalist Alex Altman claimed he found the true identity of the unknown Banksy. Altman claimed Banksy was actually Robin Gunningham, a thirty-four year old native of Bristol, England. The artist's agent denied the fact that one picture, of which Altman based his assumption off of, could tell Banksy's true identity.
Quoted from the article, "Anything that's ever bee written about him centers around the anonymity -- that he's this Batman, this cut figure." Though I don't fully believe Altman's story, what would happen if Banksy's identity were truly discovered? His art would lose meaning, he would be known by a face more than what his art depicts.
As we talked about in class, when you see a piece of art by itself, you are able to take your own perspective on it, and see it for what it really is. But, when the artist stands next to his or her piece of art, there is more focus on the person who created the piece than the actual piece itself. It takes away from the meaning behind the work.
However, I don't think Banksy has to worry much about his identity being known. In another article by the same magazine, they identified Banksy by a totally different name then in the previous article: Robert Banks. For now, his anonymity is still intact, which I believe to be a good thing.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1825271,00.html#ixzz1K04yF2Vg
The fact that British graffiti artist Banksy's true identity is still unknown blows my mind. This man has been creating street art for many many years; how is that even possible? His work captures the attention of many, including news channels, yet no one knows who he truly is.
It is quite a refreshing thought though, that he is still anonymous. It shows how unimportant the fame is to him. All he wants to do is get his message across, in as many cities as he can. It doesn't seem to be all about the money.
Though Exit Through the Gift Shop does show that Banksy has held art shows, and he does gain money and fame for his work, his choice to remain anonymous just shows he wants to stay out of the limelight. However, this could be due to the fact that graffiti is illegal.
Thierry first heard of Banksy through other street artists, and saw on news channels how he was adding his work to museums. His outlandish portraits and paintings and sculptures gained much attention. I'm not exactly positive, but adding your artwork to museums that house other art worth possibly millions of dollars does not seem like it would fly with the law. Maybe this is a major reason as to why he chooses to remain anonymous.
In an article in Time Magazine written in 2008, journalist Alex Altman claimed he found the true identity of the unknown Banksy. Altman claimed Banksy was actually Robin Gunningham, a thirty-four year old native of Bristol, England. The artist's agent denied the fact that one picture, of which Altman based his assumption off of, could tell Banksy's true identity.
Quoted from the article, "Anything that's ever bee written about him centers around the anonymity -- that he's this Batman, this cut figure." Though I don't fully believe Altman's story, what would happen if Banksy's identity were truly discovered? His art would lose meaning, he would be known by a face more than what his art depicts.
As we talked about in class, when you see a piece of art by itself, you are able to take your own perspective on it, and see it for what it really is. But, when the artist stands next to his or her piece of art, there is more focus on the person who created the piece than the actual piece itself. It takes away from the meaning behind the work.
However, I don't think Banksy has to worry much about his identity being known. In another article by the same magazine, they identified Banksy by a totally different name then in the previous article: Robert Banks. For now, his anonymity is still intact, which I believe to be a good thing.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1825271,00.html#ixzz1K04yF2Vg
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Keen's "The Great Seduction"
1. How does Keen define Democratized media, and what are his main issues with this trend? use examples from the web in the form of links.
Keen defines democratized media as content that is generated by an Internet user, who may be just an average person. However, Keen has many issues with this trend. He feels as if people who have no credibility are taking over. This democratized media, Keen claims, is "disintermediating" the Internet, or getting rid of the middle man. This leads to a lack of quality; you can't trust anything anymore.
Such an example is wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org). Any Internet user can add information to this site, on any topic, whether it be true or false. This definitely backs up Keen's argument that people with no credibility are taking over.
2. Compare and contrast Keen's take on social media with Rushkoff's. Which one speaks to you and your own experiences and why?
The way they approach the topic of social media is different. Rushkoff is more a believer in the advancement of the Internet, while, obviously, Keen is not. In Rushkoff's documentary, he provides only a little of his own opinion, allowing us as the viewer to produce our own views on the topic. Keen is very specific in his argument that he does not like the advancement of the Internet.
As a journalism student, the advancement of the Internet scares me. The number of magazines and newspapers that actually print, instead of just appearing on the Internet, are drastically decreasing. What kind of job will I be able to get if there are no newspapers or magazines I can write for? Also, the increase in the amount of bloggers scares me too. These people have no schooling on journalism, and yet they report on different aspects of society like they do. It m akes me wonder, why am I getting schooling for something others do in their free time?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Partner Response
I responded to Tori Huntsinger's blog post in class.
In addition, I posted short responses to Katie Messina and Kelly Tranfaglia's posts.
In addition, I posted short responses to Katie Messina and Kelly Tranfaglia's posts.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Whither the Individual?
As we join groups and social networks from affinity sites to Facebook, are we extending and expanding identities, or increasingly conforming to the cookie-cutter profiles demanded of these interfaces? Is the loss of "personal space" and "reflection" so many users complain of merely the necessary surrender of "ego" as we learn to participate as members of a more evolved "collective organism" of "hyper-people?"
whither, v.
1. To move with force or impetus, to rush; to make a rushing sound, to whizz; to bluster or rage, as the wind.
2. To tremble, shake, quiver.
3. To strike or beat forcibly; to throw violently.
Derivatives
whitherer n. a vigorous person or thing
(- Oxford English Dictionary)
This seems like harsh wording to describe the effects of social media sites and online groups on an individual, specifically definition three. The Internet is always in constant development. No matter what, people will always question where it is headed, and whether the direction of new innovation is beneficial for our society. But, by no means does it cause a loss of personal space and reflection. And by no means are we, as members of this quickly growing technological age, forced to conform to social norms. It’s a choice.
Social networking sites, like Facebook, are used to connect people. These sites almost seem like a way of life, just a normal part of the average person’s everyday itinerary. As stated by Douglas Rushkoff in the PBS Frontline episode entitled ‘Digital Nation,’ “In the end, what I feel like I discovered in looking at so many different people using these technologies is when push comes to shove, eventually people will use these technologies to find other people, to connect.”
On these sites where a profile is needed, the site usually provides a template almost for how the profile should look. However, there are ways of making a profile to fit your individual “style.” No loss of identity occurs, it’s just that conformity requires a kind of sameness.
The Internet really is a part of life now. “I think the other thing people aren’t quite realizing is that the Internet really changed from this thing that you do to a way that you are,” Rushkoff also stated. “In other words, we have gone from logging in to always on. And when you’re always on, where are you not? That’s sort of where it gets strange and interesting. But how many people actually have the ability to unplug?”
With the number of people that use these sites, social consequences are almost inevitable. But extreme cases should not be applied to the virtual community as a whole. These extreme cases are what the users who complain about the loss of personal space and reflection see. These are the stories that stick with people.
This may be why the book The Dumbest Generation, authored by Mark Bauerlein, was published. The way Bauerlein sees it, something new and disastrous has happened to America's youth with the arrival of the instant gratification go-go-go digital age (The Los Angeles Times). Instead of using the Internet to learn, Bauerlein believes youth are using it for social reasons alone: to talk with friends, follow celebrities, and things along those lines. But what about right now? I am not talking to anyone, my Facebook page is not up, there are no distractions around me whatsoever. I am focused on this assignment alone, and am searching the Internet for solely academic reasons as opposed to social ones. Bauerlein is relating to extreme cases, those youth who are addicted to the Internet.
In the Digital Nation episode, a quote by Shakespeare was given: "We are consumed by that which we are nourished by." The Internet, these social networking sites and online groups, allow for us to fulfill our needs, whether they be social, or academic. At this day and age, the Internet is a necessity. It's just a way of life now, and there's no way around that. We are all part of a "collective organism" that continues to grow larger everyday.
Oxford English Dictionary: http://www.oed.com/
The Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-book5-2008jul05,0,6248930.story
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Social Media Questions
1. Today many TV shows and advertisements try to look amateurish or "homegrown" to emulate what is often seen on the Web. Do you think professional production values will continue to drop, or do you think amateur user-generated content will get better overtime? WHY?
I don't think that professional production values are dropping by any means. Some producers feel as if a "home-made" looking advertisement, movie or show is best for that certain media. For example, the eTrade commercials look "homegrown." However, the reasoning behind this is because it is supposed to emulate the recording of a video on a laptop. If the producers of eTrade commercials made the advertisement in high-defonition, it would not have the same effect.
2. What social media sites do you find yourself using the most, and why? In your opinion why is Facebook so much more successful than MySpace, and do you think Facebook is "here to stay" for the long term?
I find Facebook most addicting of all the social media sites, and it is definitely "here to stay." More and more people join Facebook everyday, and the age of the average Facebook user continues to grow younger as time goes on.
I think Facebook is more successful than MySpace because it is safer. There are ways to block unwanted people from viewing your profile, and you can even be "unsearchable" from everyone. I feel as if MySpace profiles were always just out in the open for everyone to be able to see.
3. Why is transparency such an important concept in the Social Media World? Is it MORE or LESS important in the offline world? Why?
To be honest, I don't really understand what transparency is. But, according to the article, it is defined as openness, communication and accountability. It seems an important concept in the world of social media because online, a person blogging can be whoever he or she want, and can share whatever he or she wants, being ultimately open. As a result, it seems transparency would be less important in the offline world. Transparency online is used for self-motives and social gain, which is not something that would occur in real life.
I don't think that professional production values are dropping by any means. Some producers feel as if a "home-made" looking advertisement, movie or show is best for that certain media. For example, the eTrade commercials look "homegrown." However, the reasoning behind this is because it is supposed to emulate the recording of a video on a laptop. If the producers of eTrade commercials made the advertisement in high-defonition, it would not have the same effect.
2. What social media sites do you find yourself using the most, and why? In your opinion why is Facebook so much more successful than MySpace, and do you think Facebook is "here to stay" for the long term?
I find Facebook most addicting of all the social media sites, and it is definitely "here to stay." More and more people join Facebook everyday, and the age of the average Facebook user continues to grow younger as time goes on.
I think Facebook is more successful than MySpace because it is safer. There are ways to block unwanted people from viewing your profile, and you can even be "unsearchable" from everyone. I feel as if MySpace profiles were always just out in the open for everyone to be able to see.
3. Why is transparency such an important concept in the Social Media World? Is it MORE or LESS important in the offline world? Why?
To be honest, I don't really understand what transparency is. But, according to the article, it is defined as openness, communication and accountability. It seems an important concept in the world of social media because online, a person blogging can be whoever he or she want, and can share whatever he or she wants, being ultimately open. As a result, it seems transparency would be less important in the offline world. Transparency online is used for self-motives and social gain, which is not something that would occur in real life.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Extra Photoshop
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| Figment is an online site where unknown writers can post stories and poems and receive feedback from other aspiring writers. As McLuhan stated, a medium is any new technology. As opposed to, let's say, writing in a journal, writers can now type up their works and post them online. |
McLuhan Photoshop Final Post
 |
| In The Medium is the Message, McLuhan described a medium with two definitions: any new technology, and any "extension" of ourselves. An extension occurs when an individual or society makes or uses something in a way that extends the range of the human body and mind in a fashion that is new. Music can be considered an extension of the senses, in particular hearing. And, music has transformed over the ages, from the phonograph, to 8tracks, an online website in which people can make mixes of music for others to enjoy. This photoshop document shows the transformation of music technology. |
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Current Mediums
BlackBerry is a smartphone device developed by the Canadian company Research in Motion (RIM). The BlackBerry consists of a long list of capabilities, including e-mail, BlackBerry Messenger, Facebook and Twitter notifications, and many others. BlackBerry s were originally popular amongst businessmen and people who needed access to e-mail and internet wherever they went. However, lately, it seems that wherever you go a majority of people, no matter what age, own one.
Figment is an online community where people can share their writing, connect with other readers, and discover new stories and authors. It allows you to follow authors you enjoy reading, and allows others to follow you. As a journalism major, I enjoy reading the short stories and novels on this website.
8tracks is a website in which people can create mixes of music, including at least 8 tracks, to share with others. Through this site, you can find mixes of all different genres which align to your music likings, and can save them as your favorites. Users can also create mixes of their own, of which others can enjoy listening to and save to their favorites. You can also follow people who created a number of mixes you enjoy.
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