#12 – Predictions about the Internet in the future?

Over the last 3 and half months, most of the blog posts that I shared revolved around the theme of Internet. The main thing that I observed is how pervasive the use of Internet has become into our daily lives, so much so that it has revolutionized the way we do things, gain information, learn and more. The impact brought about by the Internet would only expand for the better in years to come. What do you thing the internet would be like in the year 2020? Personally for me, I believe augmented reality will revolutionize the tourism industry.

We have heard of augmented reality and how great things will become. In case you have no idea what augmented reality is, explanation below might help.

However, this technology has not yet taken off as compared to technology such as tablet computer (think iPad). A few companies are still testing out the use of augmented reality in daily life and figuring ways this technology would revolutionize our lives totally such as how mobile phone and laptops have done. One example of the latest project is by Google – Project Glass.

So when or what will cause augmented reality to take off? The answer could lie in tourism. With the invention of smart phones, numerous apps have been released that promotes the use of augmented reality as part of tourism.

Aside from convenience when navigating in a foreign land, one can enjoy a unique form of vacation. With augmented reality, you can travel through time and experience a digital recreation of place and time in history. Augmented reality can enhance one’s experience through looking at real-time location with superimposed images of the past. The video below is a great example of how one can travel through time specifically how Museum of London used augmented reality for their new Modern Galleries.

While Augmented Reality in tourism is a not a fairly new concept, the idea has yet to take off. With the proliferation use of mobile phones today, it is only logical for augmented reality apps to be present in the app store or marketplace. Below is a list of best augmented reality apps that one could consider when on vacation.

While apps could/have revolutionize the way we travel in the near future, how about a GPS tour that transports you to another time? One that makes you truly experience being transported back instead of only looking at it through your phone.

The idea of augmented reality being the universal guide might change the way we travel in the future. While currently the idea has been introduced to the public, it has not been as widely used as one would expect; many still rely on books for research, bringing around a phrase book etc. In the future, we may no longer need tour guides, do heavy research, rely on travel books, learn a new language and many more as a preparation for our vacation. With Internet, a smartphone for now or maybe a new gadget in the future might be all that we need to start touring the world. Maybe a device being created that combines all the features of the apps we see today, that becomes the ultimate tour buddy?

So what predictions do you have for the Internet in the near or far future? What other aspects of our life could the Internet change? (previous entries have depicted how our lives have changed by the Internet) 🙂

#11 – Are you part of the Apple cult?

If you meet with a Mac user, there is almost always a smug condescending look on their face towards non-Mac users. While product evangelist is a person who promotes the product, the followers of the Apple cult takes on extreme to a whole other level where they are fanatical followers devoted to all things Apple, Macintosh, iPod, and iPhone.

Here is an example how “smug” Apple can be.

For Apple to create such a following for its product, the company must have done something right for the consumers. So why are Apple products so popular?

According to the article here by Tim Bajarin, people are keen to buy the products because the bought the vision of WHY Apple produced their various products, aside from WHAT it can offer – they follow leaders or buy products they believe in.

Apple also created products that can mimic that of the interaction between humans, providing a unique interaction and experience between machine and user.

Based on Steve Job’s biography, this author explained his understanding of why Apple’s products received such a huge following – Apple’s products provide an enriched experience to an already existing product in the market OR they were the first to introduce such product thus allowing them to gain a strong fan base from the very beginning.

Cult-like or not, no one could deny the success Apple has had for it various products. Below is a video (click on the picture!) of a business perspective on why Apple is doing better as opposed to their competitors, according to Ron Adner, author of “The Wide Lens: A New Strategy for Innovation” and strategy professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Maybe the reason why Apple has such cult-like following started with this 1984 commercial?

A friend once said, once you go Mac, you never go back (to PC), and that is especially true for me. So what are some of the Apple products you do own and what was the motivation behind purchasing it? What are your thoughts about Apple?

#10 – Is citizen journalism an alternative news source?

The Internet has changed how we consume news. In the past, we get our daily dosage of news from the newspapers or television where information was given to us in a one directional – from journalist to readers. Today, while journalism is an essence still delivers news, the source of news has changed. With Internet, citizens have now become the source of news, often even sharing news.

Jay Rosen, an associate professor at New York University, defined citizen journalism as, “the people formerly known as the audience employ(ing) the press tools they have in their possession to inform one another.” The main idea behind citizen journalism is to be an alternative option for people to access news. Its content is generated by non-professional journalist through the means of the Internet such as blogs. According to the document on EDUCAUSE, “citizen journalism encompasses content ranging from user-submitted reviews on a Web site about movies to wiki-based news. Some sites only run stories written by users, while many traditional news outlets now accept comments and even news stories from readers.”

One of the key strengths of citizen journalism is its ability to deliver timely news. The most recent example would be the news of the death of singer Whitney Houston. According to the site here, the news broke 42 minutes by a citizen journalism source before legitimate news agencies specifically Associated Press broke the news. Another example is how news of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks was first reported through citizen journalism. Watch the video below.

While citizen journalism acts as an alternative news source today in providing timely news, issues of credibility and quality of news arises. Professional journalists are trained to provide factual news where facts are checked and presented in a proper format. This is unlike citizen journalism where content, more often than not, are discovered accidentally and snapped through the use of smartphone.

One important note is that the Internet is a crucial tool that helps in disseminating information for citizen journalism. With the Internet, a greater wealth of information is presented to us. However, it is up to us evaluate the information presented. Below is a video of Katie Couric’s Top Citizen Journalism Moments on YouTube, snippets of videos that have been catalysts of change to issues of human rights and more.

So do you think journalism has changed over the years? What impact do you think the Internet has on journalism?

#9 – Has the Internet revolutionized political campaigns today?

In the past, information with regards to political campaign were distributed via the news on television or newspapers. Today, aside from these traditional mediums, timely information can be found on websites of news agencies and disseminated via social networking sites or micro blogging sites. Whenever anyone mentioned a successful political campaign using the Internet, Barack Obama’s name is almost usually included.

In the past, aside from rallies, print and television commercials were also used to garner support. The video below is taken from a television commercial for 1952 political campaign in United States of America.

Today, audio, video and pictures are still being used. Aside from being catchy, other influential figures are also lending their support to the cause. One great example is the video in support for Obama’s campaign by singers in America. As reported, the Obama campaign had no role in the video. Check the link below for more details.

From the description above, we can tell that the Internet today plays an integral part in political campaigns. The question now is how has the Internet revolutionized political campaigns today?

Firstly, advertising is no longer restricted to traditional media. Today, almost every campaign uses social advertising to get their message across. Social advertising is important because of its wider reach and specific targeting.

Next, utilizing social networking sites on the Internet help to disseminate information in a timely manner and enhance interaction. Most common social networking/micro blogging sites adopted are Facebook and Twitter. Here representatives or the individual themselves can share latest updates and also interact with the users. One great example would be taken from the local context, during the latest election in Singapore. To connect and reach out to young voters, Nicole Seah who was representing the Workers Party for a seat in the Marine Parade GRC in the 2011 Singapore General Elections, utilized Facebook to update her activities as well as views that concerned her during the elections.

Today, political campaigns also uses multimedia on the Internet to disseminate information in interesting and engaging manner. The article by NY Times below showed how multimedia on the Internet played a role in the latest elections. In a country where there are 900,000 local users on Twitter and three million Singapore members on Facebook, the Internet is the new approach to garner interest and support.

The Internet has changed the ways people do things and political campaigns is one example where Internet has made an impact on. Today, social advertising has been utilized to reach readers in a timely and engaging manner utilizing multimedia on the Internet. An issue where many youths were generally apathetic to have been given a renewed interest with a newer approach to reach these target audience. So what do you think about political campaigns today? Has the Internet changed your views on politics making you pay more attention to it?

#8 – Utilizing multimedia as part of campaign

Today, many companies and organizations are using multimedia on the Internet as part of their campaign. Today, campaigns are all about being interactive in achieving its objectives. Two great examples are Cadbury: Olympic’s 2012 Pumped FB Parade and Kotex’s campaign known as Womens Inspiration Day by KOTEX.

The video above provided a summary of Cadbury: Olympic’s 2012 Pumped FB Parade. According to DigitalBuzzBlog, “Users can select their gender, choose an outfit and accessorise their avatar before they join the march. Everyone that joins is entered into a weekly draw to win tickets to the Olympics. Users are encouraged to invite their friends from Facebook and Twitter to help gain support for team GB, as well as posting pictures of their avatar during the parade to their Facebook wall.” Aside from using video that was uploaded on youtube for explanation, supporters go proceed straight to Cadbury UK Facebook page and explore the interactive site themselves.

Next is an example of Kotex using the latest social media tool, Pinterest, as part of the campaign. Kotex sent out 50 inspirational packages to different women based on their Pinterest Boards. These women would then take a picture and share it on Pinterest, Facebook and/or Twitter. The important thing to note is that with only 50 packages sent out, the were still able to reach a few thousand people with the same message merely using pictures and the power of social media.

Since the Cadbury campaign is currently in progress, it would be unfair to evaluate its effectiveness. However, both campaigns are interesting because it uses multimedia and also other tools found on the Internet to expand its reach to greater audience. Both campaigns focus on individualized experience. Users are able to go to the page and experience the interaction between them and the multimedia tools utilized. For Cadbury, users can create and personalize their avatar online while providing support to their team for the Olympics. Also, video was used to explain the process and garner interest to visit the Facebook page to create the avatar. For the Kotex campaign, it was more about allowing users to share the package received which was limited to only 50 women in the country.

Multimedia on the Internet is not limited to just interactivity, pictures and videos. One can use podcast, music, webcasting and more on the Internet as part of their campaign. The link here provide tips for amateur users to get started. Utilizing multimedia with social media would ensure that buzz can be generated quickly and reach can also be expanded. So what did you think about the 2 campaigns featured? What are the other campaign have you encountered that utilizes multimedia on the Internet?

#6 – Glee bringing sexy back

Recently, the sensational American hit series Glee featured the topic of sex and homosexuality in their latest episode, much to the dismay of The Parents Television Council (article here). Sexy, aired on March 8 featured the guest appearance of Gwyneth Paltrow (episode trailer here).

Firstly, the Parents Television Council is unhappy with Gwyneth’s character as a teacher, who rips her shirt with her students while dancing to ‘Do You Wanna Touch Me’. Next, the show mocked the celibacy club, defining it as a place only for nerds. Abstinence was deemed as un-cool in this school.

Lastly, they were also disturbed with the discussion of sex tapes. “Most notably was the discussion between a couple of students about wanting to become famous by making a sex tape,” said Isett, referring to Puckerman (Mark Salling) and Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink) — who decided not to make a tape after Paltrow’s sub teacher, Holly Holliday, informed them it would be child pornography because they’re under 18. “Exactly what kind of message is that?”

Aside from those scenes, I noticed 2 more scenes from the episode that were not deemed as appalling. One of which is when Santana (Naya Rivera) and Brittany (Heather Morris) were figuring out if they had feelings for each other, highlighting the issue of homosexuality (lesbian in this case). Another is when, “Kurt Hummel’s (Chris Colfer) father responsibly explained sex and the ramifications.”

Based on that episode, I observed the presence of cultural imperialism. USA is dominant in the exportation of their mass media products to all over the world. This includes their television series, which has a huge following and fan base worldwide.

Cultural imperialism is the one-way flow of international messages or media products that led to the dispute over cultural dominance. It brings about the messages of imperialism and ideological propaganda. One of the concerns is that it causes real damage through disruption of basic social and cultural institutions.

It seems that the USA is more receptive towards the exploration of homosexuality issues on television along with the ‘sex talk’. I observed cultural imperialism in place, where it is fine to talk about sex and homosexuality openly. Comparing the cultures of the West and East, the East prefers to discuss the issue in discreet. Are we supposed to accept this idea that contradicts with the Asian culture?

Then in this case, is cultural imperialism good or bad? Good in the sense that it is an outreach and opening our minds to touch on the taboo topic in the Asian culture or bad in the sense that we are merely accepting the ideas the West impose on us through the shows?

From my point of view, cultural imperialism need not necessarily be bad. I think the television programmes acts as a powerful tool that can help us learn about foreign culture but due to its ability to shape’s one mind, it can also be a harmful tool that cause us to merely follow what is seen. I do not think that we can resist cultural imperialism. All we can do is to stay open minded yet hold on to the values of our society.

What do you think about cultural imperialism? What are some of the shows in which you observe cultural imperialism?

#5 – Breaking the barriers?

With the Internet, we are fast becoming exposed to various cultures around the globe. There is much to learn about every culture and how things are viewed differently. Culture is defined as, “a system of ideas, values, beliefs and customs that is communicated by one generation to the next and that sustains a particular way of life.” (Spencer, 1982)

No culture is exactly similar to another. Due to the differences in ideas, values, beliefs and customs, communication that transcends across culture should either be universally understood (example in this entry) or cater to specific culture. Recently, yet another controversy erupted due to cultural barriers.

Iran threatens to boycott the London Olympic 2012 games, due to its claims that the logo spells the word Zion, “the stronghold of King David of the Israelites, also known today as Jerusalem, and by extension, the Biblical land of Israel.” Being an Islamic state, Iran is sensitive towards the word that has a religious connotation being represented unintentionally (or intentionally) as the symbol of London Olympic 2012. There are also videos to illustrate the different views of the logo.

Being the host of a major international sporting event with people of various cultures participating in it, London should be more sensitive of the issue. With cultural diversity, London should practice understanding (aware of the differences in cultural teaching and practice cultural relativism) and respect (acknowledge differences yet remain anchored in the values of own culture).

Personally, I did not see the word Zion in the design of the Olympic logo. It was only until the article came to my attention that I ‘see’ the word. As much as the issue might be a major concern to Iran, threatening to not participate seems extreme. After all, it is just a logo and the Olympic symbolizes the convergence of athletes from the entire world together based on sports.

In my opinion, the best way to solve issues that involves culture is by resisting ethnocentric bias, which is to put our own ethnicity at the centre of the universe and regard ourselves as superior to other people and other ways of life. Even though, we unintentionally practice ethnocentric bias, we should always be respectful of another and have an open mind. That is the first step towards understanding problems across cultures.

So, how do you feel about the controversy? What is it like for you when communicating with someone from another culture?