Final presentations 475

Brent Rust-Online activities change us
Brent had some interesting ideas about online communities and how we don’t portray our real selves. His point about the older generation being different because of cultural issues is correct. And the younger generations have moved from guarding to let it all hang out is also a good point. I am not sure about businesses still being run by traditional models as thing change so fast. I do think there are many new innovated small businesses that are owned by the younger generations. But I do think he has a good point about the over sharing and transparency. I would ask what has changed and transparency is so prevalent these days. I think he did a great job in presenting all the issues surrounding security, masquerading as others, and sexting. On location awareness, I find that issue somewhat disturbing. He made a good point that by responding to marketing ads through mobile technology, they know your whereabouts. I am not sure if that is what really bothers me or is it that they can manipulate the medium. Culturally, I would also point to what is lost from the shift. Great presentation!

Cynthia-Race and ethnicity-Representations in cyberspace
This was the most interesting topic I found today. That cyberspace gives unrepresented groups more choice about representation through the medium than anywhere else. Cynthia is on target with the lack of minority representation in the media. I remember all the actors in old westerns who played Indians! Most, if not all were white people painted up to represent Indians. I feel her argument is very clear on this because there are so many examples of racism in media today. What I would like to see is her final paper on why this is so important. The need for representation is always rooted in culture. I think society cannot progress without inclusion. Also, what impact does this have on our culture? I would ask what change would bring and how does that affect the predominantly white media. Great topic!

Neil Fastabend- Advantage of smart phones-Narrowing the digital divide
I like how his presentation focuses on developing countries and how mobile phones are narrowing the divide. His stats are interesting showing how many people rely on mobile technology. I wonder how long it will be before the naysayers give up the dependency issue and just accept the technology. I like he presented it as a hybrid space. It clearly delineates the difference of how society views space. His example of the guy who organized for the food shortage is a good support for the paper, a new use for the technology. Good focus on mobility and great presentation! I like the prompt to type!

Josh Cook-Internet Activism\Why is it necessary?
It is necessary in the real world for communication technology and this new trend in shaping political agendas. It is used for fundraising, lobbying, forming protest such as the WTO. But it has a dark side as well. The WTO protesters took over private property and basically held the police at bay for several hours. It could have turned rather violent. But that is no different than any other political activists who have a propensity for violence. I like the examples of the 2008 presidential election—Obama used social media to help him win the campaign. That is an excellent support for the paper. I like the issues of how online spaces are being used for activism for rescue efforts-Katrina and Indian Ocean. The importance of the medium I think is how it works for collaboration and what makes it different. I think you’re on the right track! Good job!