Creativity and New Media

Apple has created a tool where you can create a “Memoji” , it’s basically your own character and it can be personalized. You can only create one through an iPhone X or any phone that came out after that or an iPad Pro. Your Memoji can be used in your messages and on FaceTime! (It actually moves along with you when you move) The really cool part about Memoji’s is you are not limited, you can create as many characters as you like, which means there’s no limit to your creativity !
How to create your Memoji:

1. Open Messages and tap  to start a new message. Or go to an existing conversation.
2. Tap , then swipe right and tap New Memoji .
3. Customize the features of your memoji — like skintone, hairstyle, eyes, and more.
4. Tap Done.

Source;: Apple.com

Here is the one I created:  

HW Creativity

In the article “ Disney tolerates a rap parody of its critters. But why?”  We can see a perfect example of how New Media fosters creativity. This is an article that was written in 2007, where people were using media and technology to their advantage to create funny content of Disney and Nickelodeon characters dancing to Soulja Boys hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy). Not only is it funny content for entertainment purposes but it allowed people to use their imagination and expose their creativity utilizing a song that was popular during this time period. (It’s also a great way to promote the song!)

Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Different ways that these virtual worlds can be utilized is to meet people that you wouldn’t meet otherwise, as a delivery services, or as an advanced form of tele-healthcare according to “After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?”

The pros are that you can connect with people, you can exercise your creativity. An article written in Forbes named “ After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?” mentions that Minecraft is a virtual world and allowed younger kids to be creative and exercise their imagination, build and create. 

The cons are that some people can get addicted and isolate themselves from reality. An article written by CNN also says that although there are advantages, within the workplace these virtual worlds can eliminate the “water cooler “ conversations which allow employees to connect with one another and that the lack of human contact can lead to ‘feelings of isolation.” 

Virtual worlds foster creativity by allowing you to be in places that aren’t accessible to you and let you explore it.

I believe the future of virtual worlds will be common. Although it is currently something that is being developed. Just like computers were once rare and unique. Virtual worlds will go through the same thing. 

Links: 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/11/05/second.life.virtual.collaboration/index.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/#1ffd6a92735a

Social Networking Sites

Social Networking sites are a crucial part of todays society because they all play a different role in our everyday lives. Here I will share my impressions of four social networking sites.

Facebook: When I logged into Facebook, I see a lot of means and a lot of status updates of people expressing their feelings. To me, Facebook is a site where people can connect with their family and friends and acquaintances. It allows you to message people privately and have a full conversation instead of texting. It is a more intimate site because only people who add you as a friend can have access to you.


Twitter: I am fairly new to Twitter but from what I see so far, Twitter is more of a modern news reporter. A lot of o people post everyday news or current events happening wether it be with the government or with celebrities. I do think it is pretty cool that people can “retweet” post and make comments to begin a discussion.
Instagram: Is the new photography studio of the decade! I personally love Instagram because it allows you to share your photos with the public. Not only that but you get to know people through these photos as well. Instagram also allows you to directly message people and view “stories” of what the person is currently doing which I think is nice because it keeps you connected with people you know.
Linked In: Linked In is more of a connecting with people you don’t know yet platform. It looks more professional because peoples profile pictures is of them usually in a suit or a nice dress. This platform is utilized for jobs, and create a professional profile for yourself where everyone can evaluate your talents and skills. 

Blog about Twitter

A twitter discussion is open to the public, especially if you utilize a hashtag to which people can click on and refer back to. Twitter discussions are also reoccurring and it’s usually a discussion within people who have the same interest. Where as in a black board discussion, it can be closed down by the professor who creates the black board discussion, and it is limited to only your classmates. In a black board discussion you have more flexibility to write more words whereas on twitter you have a limit so you must choose your words correctly. In-class discussions also vary because your audience is simply the people within your class but in this case you are able to see the persons reactions/facial expressions face to face instead of it being unknown on a twitter or black board discussion. 

Blog Social Networking

Social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and many more platforms are used by many corporations as a form to increase brand awareness, build a brand name and for recruitment purposes. The major purpose though is to create personal communication within the corporation and the people who are they attempting to reach. The benefits of social networking allow the world to be interconnected. Communication is such an important aspect of keeping  and maintain relationships to build a company, partnerships and friendships. It has allowed the world to stay connected. Although there are many great benefits, there are a couple disadvantages such as bad publicity for politicians/celebrities and the rest of the world. People can utilize these platforms to criticize and bully anyone. As stated in the article " They are back and They are Bad: Campus Gossip Websites" the writer states that sites such as "Juicy Campus" are used to spread gossip and rumors. My opinion on how these technologies might evolve in the future is that there will be an enhancement of security so that is there is any negative content- there will be a way to have it reviewed before being posted on a social network platform. Especially for content that can harm someones image in the case of students who are affected by content uploaded on social networking platforms- in which the campus cant take any action. There also will be an increase in privacy settings since privacy settings are a current major concern and a state of confusion for many  years for users like stated in the article of "Facebook Privacy Is So Confusing Even the Zuckerberg Family Photo Isn't Private where everyone seemed confused about how really private facebook is including the family members of the Zuckerberg family. There will always need to be updates/innovation to satisfy quality of privacy.


Cited Links:

Greenfield, Rebecca. “Facebook Privacy Is So Confusing Even the Zuckerberg Family Photo Isn't Private.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 30 Oct. 2013, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/12/facebook-privacy-so-confusing-even-zuckerberg-family-photo-isnt-private/320164/.

Jeffrey, Young R. “They're Back, and They're Bad: Campus-Gossip Web Sites.” Chronicle.com, 31 Aug. 2009, www.chronicle.com/article/theyre-backtheyre-bad-/48220.