Week 12: “I believe…”: New Media, Beliefs & Politics

Through the use of the Web 2.0 new media has facilitated users to free publishing tools. According to Leung, the web is seen as a ‘platform for service delivery’ which emphasizes ‘user control’, ‘participation’ and ‘emergent behaviour’. Throughout this blogging process new media has been seen as a platform in making social connections between people.

As this week is all about religion and computer mediated communication, one can question Leung in the role the internet plays with religion online. Citizen journalism may be “the act of a citizen or group of citizens playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information” (Glimore, 2006). However, does it seem offensive to ‘advertise’ religious institutions online? Should Australian Christian Churches be available to view in the blogosphere?

According to Ess, traditional religions and religious institutions were closely wedded to the communication technologies of print and literacy. ChurchSearch, is a comprehensive guide to Australian Christian Churches – it uses the internet to promote churches in any metropolitan or rural area. In answering if religion is too sensitive to be ‘advertised’ online; it was further argued that a radical migration from real to virtual. Traditional directories, such as church bulletins roaming to new media platforms such as guide sites from virtual directories are seen as a revolutionary overturning of traditional (modern) religious institutions.

Reference list

Leung, Louis. (2009). User-generated content on the internet: an examination of gratifications, civic engagement and psychological empowerment. New Media & Society, vo. 11, issue 8: 1327-1347. (accessed May 14, 2010).

Ess, C. (2007). Cross-cultural perspectives on religion and computer-mediated communication. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(3), article 9.(accessed May 14, 2010).

Week 11: Writing an Essay

"Knowledge comes by eyes always open and working hands; and there is no knowledge that is not power” (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882).





In writing an academic essay and communicating to an audience the importance of putting your understanding into practice is vital in academic writing. A famous quote used by Ralph Waldo Emerson, that knowledge is power was inspiring in blogging this week.

As discussed by Clanchy and Ballard the nature of university essays is underlined under four succinct points (1981, pp. 4-11).

1. Clearly focused on the set topic and will deal fully with its central concerns
2. The result of wide and critical thinking
3. A reasoned argument
4. Competently presented

The first point focuses on the constant use of key ideas and key concepts adapted throughout the essay. The second point really draws in the meaning of knowledge is power. In the essay a wide knowledge of academic and contemporary sourcing allows the writer to read with a “questioning mind” (Clanchy and Ballarad, 1981). Thirdly, a reasoned argue requires supporting evidence like any court case. “Ensuring each section of your argument is internally consistent, with evidence, examples and quotations clearly supporting or extending the central idea being developed” (Clancy and Ballard, 1981). Lastly, a well presented essay is formed on structure. A strong use of grammar and no errors free spelling is only one form of clean presentation. Including, using correct unit content and terminology is paramount is presentation thus, plagiarism should be noted in writing a well structured essay.

As writers we have the power to put forward ideologies and theories and a way of thinking effectively. Following the four points on the nature of university essays, when applied these techniques will make writing an essay flow and sound coherent. As a whole writing academic essays become effective when utilising the nature of essay writing.

Reference List

Murdoch University. 2004. A Guide to Essay Writing. (accessed May 7, 2010).

Week 10: Why and How to Blog Well

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I am going to take the opportunity to reflect upon my blogging process throughout KCB201. The most arguable question: Is blogging a waste of time? Is without doubt an underlining debate throughout the blogosphere. When our society has adapted this change to embrace the use of Twitter, Facebook and Blogs for the use of business and advertising purposes. How can one argue that the use of blogs and networking does not promote an individual or organisation to drive sales?

In reflection throughout my own personal blogging I can see how new media undeniably reflects why blogging has power change in the world of new media (Week 8: Getting Ahead: Working with/in new media). You don’t have to understand it, like it or love it but just like face-to-face networking, online networking has proven immensely valuable.

According to Weller, blogs are successful to organisations in providing a knowledge transfer route. “A organisation that has a good set of regular bloggers has an efficient means of knowledge sharing which might be time consuming to realise in other ways” (Weller, 2007).

Blogs have a huge influence on individuals; they are conversational and direct dialogue. A personal example a close friend’s blog which has reached international success is Gary Pepper Vintage. This blog is an example of conversation and direct dialogue between Nicole and her many followers. As McIntosh explains, “individuals who are ‘part of the conversation’ because they blog themselves, and therefore control their messages, can also direct the dialogue if they feel an organisation is not telling the whole truth about its affairs” (2007).

As seen in my previous blog posts, I have used unit content and readings to reflect upon various topics in New Media. My blog is conversational and applies direct dialogue to my audience through asking questions and making sure I answer them. Through “standing up for my beliefs” as Mcintosh explains I make sure I have solid evidence from where I stand and where I am coming from. With that said, I would love to continue blogging after KCB201 and I hope you join me in following my blog posts.

Reference List

Weller, M. (2007). Is blogging a good use of time? (accessed April 30, 2010).

McIntosh, E. (2007). Just because you can blog in one click doesn't mean you should. (accessed April 30, 2010).

Week 9: “I feel better already”: New Media, Health & Well-Being

Inspired by Tania Lewis’ reading on ‘seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondia.’ This week I decided to investigate the availability of health information online. Realage.com is a website designed to calculate your real age through answering various lifestyle questions, the DIY website instantly supplies you with a health plan interacting with your lifestyle habits. Lewis argues, the internet provides a wide range of information easily tailored to a young person’s lifestyle needs as an active consumer (Lewis 2006). The reason why I decided to explore this website which Lewis recommended from Oprah Winfrey herself was because Lewis argued that youth are associated with high rates of internet usage and have a tendency to avoid dealing with the ‘mainstream’ medical system. I thought this was an interesting theory to investigate being a part of generation X I questioned my class tutorial to gauge their reaction of what Lewis was saying.

RealAge calculated my actual biological age as 25.5 years old. This was five and half years older than my actual age (20) and was attributed to certain lifestyle decisions. For example, I answered that I did not floss my teeth on a daily basis so my RealAge increased due to that lifestyle decision.

When asking, “Would you agree with Lewis in saying that our generation avoids dealing with the ‘mainstream’ medical system, preferring the Internet to self diagnose?” The class disagreed with Lewis’ statement. They seemed quite interested in the health plan on the RealAge website. Two members of the audience said they would rather be secured with a doctor’s diagnosis then just seeking out medical advice on their own online. Reasons for this included misdiagnosing because of online information. One would comment how interesting it is to test a theory into practice especially in the form of new media.

Reference List

Lewis, T. (2006). Seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondria? Media, Culture & Society, volume 28, issue 4: 521-539. (accessed May 19, 2010).

RealAge, 2010. http://www.realage.com (accessed May 19, 2010).

Week 8: Getting Ahead: Working with/in new media

Jay Rosen predicted a power change in the world of media industries, with the impact of internet in high regard to journalism. “In 2006, Jay Rosen penned an astute observation about changing power relationships in the media industries in general and more specifically the world of journalism regarding the impact of the internet” (Deuze 2009, 315). From the rise of the citizen journalist the evolution of traditional media into new media has meant that the workforce has needed to adapt also. Deuze (2009, 326) argues that the result of this contractual change in employment no longer exists, or not the same level, for those who choose to freelance. Gill (2007, 25) also explored this issue and he argued that these unregulated industries reinforce inequalities and “do not serve equal opportunities practices well” when compared with other regulated industries such as medicine or law (Gill 2007, 25).

This power shift between news users and producers comes with a large set of implications. Firstly, what does it mean for the future of ‘working’ journalists, or those that have completed a University degree in this field? When companies can receive information and articles for free from the public, then there is a risk that the traditional structure of journalism will collapse. In regards to companies obtaining news articles for free, it must also be considered whether or not these companies are exploiting their audience. Is it fair for an individual’s work to be exhibited without payment or acknowledgement of some form?In many professions, such as journalism, there may be no choice but to freelance. However, this choice presents many legal challenges. As Gill (2007, 25) notes, what happens if potential employers discriminate against you? If no one is being employed in the ‘traditional sense’ anymore, then ‘traditional’ laws will not serve and protect these employees. Finally, without appropriate measures in place, the devaluation of news content is likely to occur.

Reference List

Deuze, M. (2009). The people formerly known as the Employers. Journalism, Vol. 10, issue 3, pp. 315-318. (accessed April 16, 2010).

Gill, R. (2007). Informality is the New Black. In Technobohemians or the new Cybertariat? New Media work in Amsterdam a decade after the web. Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures: 24-30 & 38-43.(accessed April 16, 2010).

Week 6: "Tell me more, tell me more": Information, Education & Work

In a new economy many of us are faced with the numerous questions about the information age, and the revolution of technology. One of these questions is the future access in an Australian perspective to the future evolution to the Internet and Television. “In a culture organised around electronic media, including in this communication system the computer mediated communication networks cultural expressions of all kinds and are increasingly enclosed in or shaped by this world of electronic media” (Castells 1999, 403).

In comparison to Castells, Genevieve Bell, Intel Director of the User Experience Group notions that the digital economy sees aspects of the internet in a global perspective. “The future of technologies is changing for users with a great amount of force” (Bell, 2008). Bell points out that there is a strong press for consumers to become a part of a dead zone that being a zone where users can’t be contacted or make communication from any technical device. “Desire to connected and unconnected... 60% of users lie about their whereabouts on mobile phones in the past 6 months” (Bell, 2008). This identity in devices is changing transformation in what consumers think and will happen with change. With that said the future of technologies is changing, with consumers having the desire to be connected and unconnected, one can question Bell about consumer connectivity.

If the future of the Internet is revolutionising to more interfaces will consumers ever become unconnected? The emergence of Internet and broadcast television has already been successful and shaped to see versions of the ‘iplayer’ in Great Britain (Bell, 2008). “Imagine if television becomes an important media hub in the home in a way that puts it into direct competition with a PC” (Bell, 2008). With the future prominence of television, what is its position in the new economy? I would agree with Bell that the television and PC would become competitors in the home as a more or less important media interface. Castells concept of our ‘culture’ being organised around ‘electronic media’ (1999, 403) queries the future cultural shift of television will have socio technological concerns in an Australian perspective to the equity of access to the Internet.


Reference List

Bell, G. 2008. Digital Economy forum Presentation. (accessed April 2, 2010).

Castells, M. (1999). 'An Introduction to the Information Age' in The Media Reader: Continuity & Transformation. Howard, P. N. and Massanari, A. (2007). Learning to Search and Searching to Learn: Income, Education, and Experience Online. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(3), article 5. (accessed April 2, 2010).

Week 5: "Vital Signs of Life" or Maintaining Visibility on the Social Stage

For this week’s blog I went under investigation of the social networking site Friendster. According to Donath and Boyd (2004) social networking sites create a network of personal connections in which their network of connection is displayed as an integral piece of their self-presentation. After creating my own personalised profile I put Donath and Boyd’s theory into practice. Why do people display their social connections in everyday life – and why do they do so in these networking sites? I think every user creates a profile to self publish themselves to build and gain potential networks. The reason why people do this on Friendster, Facebook and MySpace is to publicise themselves whether they admit this or not. What do people learn about another’s identity through the signal of network display? According to, Donath and Boyd “The public display of connections can help verify that you are who you say you are. But it can also help someone else establish that they are you, too” (2004). Referring to online identity representations, a public display of connections is an understood confirmation of identity. People learn and discover that the identity of a person is reliable through the predictions that can be made about the effect of a public display of connections. Anyone, who has a social networking site, is aware that “one’s connections are linked to one’s profile which they have presumably viewed and implicitly verified” (2004). Therefore, through the signal of network display one learns that the identity of a person isn’t fraud and in fact a true representation of their online identity.

Reference List

Donath, J and Boyd, D. 2004. Media and Communication: Public displays of connection: BT Technology Journal. Volume 22 (4): 71-82. (accessed March 26, 2010).