Goodbye!

Hello!

Sadly, this will be my final blog for the semester. I have really enjoyed the whole Virtual Cultures experience, in particular learning about current debates surrounding new media technologies. Before now, I had never realised how much fan-created content actually spurs on sales of games like The Sims to generate profits for enterprise. I also had no idea about the significant financial and emotional investment MMOG players make when signing End User Licence Agreements. In addition, before learning about networked communities and the notion of proximity which has been revolutionised by Information Communication Technologies like the Internet, I never fully considered the world in which we live. Technology is changing and enhancing the way I communicate with my friends, colleagues and family on a day-to-day basis. It has also allowed everyday people like me to become active producers, or ‘produsers’ of content that can be distributed all over the world through the Internet.

However, with the development of such technologies and globalisation, also come negative repercussions like the “digital divide.” This raises serious concerns about the current legislation operating in powerful countries like the US who dominate global political discussions and controls The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers(ICANN). Issues also exist pertaining to who does and does not have access to new media technologies because they may or may not have the necessary resources or governmental infrastructure.

Although I don’t think these issues will be solved straight away, I believe that they are extremely important to consider and should be central to future technological developments around the world. I think Jackson’s suggestion about the way new media technologies are heading is apt:

While cyberspace may be an information super-highway, I suggest it also embodies the last terrestrial frontier for empire-building. While I am optimistic that new media technologies will continue to provide sites for subversion and ideological tears in the fabric of dominant culture, the cost of access to new media technology as a subject remains prohibitive to many, and may contribute to the enclaves of the technologically plugged-in surrounded by the technologically plugged-out” (2001, 349).

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my posts throughout the semester. I hope to continue updating my blog when I have more time! I hope you have a great day!

Take care,

Em x

References

Jackson, T. ‘Towards a new media aesthetic. In Reading digital culture, ed. D. Trend., 347-353. Australia: Blackwell Publishing.