CCT_109_Midterm_Study_Notes

Granularity Vs. Modularity

Granularity

• Definition: Granularity refers to any interaction with content posted on social media.

• Investment: It is the smallest investment necessary to participate in a project, which includes actions like liking, sharing, commenting, editing, and subscribing.

Modularity

• Definition: Modularity represents the smallest component that can be independently produced.

• Examples: Comparison between a nuclear plant (highly interdependent) and Wikipedia (collectively independent).

Knowledge Push & Market Pull

Knowledge Push

• Definition: This phenomenon occurs when people support research initiatives.

• Impact: It facilitates the development of new projects and can lead to advancements.

Market Pull

• Definition: This refers to the increased demand for specific products or research driven by competition.

• Example: The new UTM science building supports research (push), which, if it gains exposure, increases demand and attracts more students to UofT.

Benkler’s Network Information Economy (2006)

Key Points

1. Social Production: It is loosely collaborative and not directly proprietary.

2. Value of Knowledge: Knowledge is unique and valued by individuals.

3. Access to Media: Most individuals have access to the material capacity needed for content creation.

4. Media as Power: The removal of physical and economic constraints enhances media power.

• Examples: Online browsers (Firefox, Linux) and game engines (Unity) demonstrate this shift.

Creative Class — Richard Florida (2002)

Concept

• Definition: The Creative Class refers to a group essential for a competitive advantage in the 21st-century economy.

• Examples: Individuals like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk exemplify this class.

Sustaining Creativity in a Knowledge Economy

1. Financial Support: Invest in creators to enable their productions.

2. Promote Discovery: Sharing helps in promoting content that gains engagement.

3. Enhance Relevancy: Platforms like TikTok algorithmically display content to engage users more effectively.

Building in Triggers

Engagement Strategies

• Catchy Content: Content creators use “catchy” or “hooking triggers” to maintain audience engagement.

• Examples: iShowSpeed and clip farming practices; MegTheStallion's "Body-Ody" song.

Second Screen Content

Consumption Patterns

• Definition: Likelihood of consuming content on one screen and sharing it on another.

• Examples: UFC Livefight encourages live interaction via social media during events like Inside The NBA tweets.

Harold Innis: Time/Space Binding

Medium Types

Time-Binding Medium

• Characteristics: Mediums with great durability that carry messages across long periods.

• Examples: Statues, monuments, carvings.

Space-Binding Medium

• Characteristics: Less durable but easily transferrable across space.

• Examples: Text messages (SMS), paper, and telegraphs.

Technological Determinism

Overview

• Definition: A common perspective about the relationship between new technologies and societal interaction.

• Examples: Introduction of 3G technology led to smartphone adoption and enhanced daily interactions.

Social Shaping of Technology

Concept

• Definition: The idea that human actions, psychology, and behaviors influence technology creation and evolution.

• Examples: The radio's evolution and its impact on advertising strategies following smoking behaviors.

Network vs. Group

Definitions

Network

• Characteristics: Individuals are connected but do not know each other personally.

Group

• Characteristics: In a group, all members have personal connections with one another.

Application “App”

Overview

• Definition: A byproduct of smartphones, originally popularized in Japan.

• Impact: Increases phone usage and becomes a new revenue source for companies.

Mobility

Technological Trends

• Definition: The gradual miniaturization of computers signifies new media operations.

• Examples: Continuous reduction in smartphone size since the introduction of devices like the “brick phone.”

Surveillance Capitalism

Concept

• Definition: Companies utilize metadata about users to tailor ads based on individual profiles, generating revenue from targeting.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Characteristics

• Resource Management: Viewed as a shared resource with complexities around ownership and utilization. Excessive use can cause interference between existing technologies.

Convergence Culture — Henry Jenkins (2006)

Definition

• Media Blurring: Refers to the blending of amateur and professional content creation, as seen in fan fiction, reaction videos, etc.

Participatory Media

Characteristics

• Influences: Heavily affects political structures and promotes do-it-yourself media initiatives.

• Examples: Cosplay and YouTube content creation showcase public participation in culture.

Cultural Technologies

Definitions

• Definition: Technologies integral to human cultures (e.g., cars, trains).

Technocultures

Overview

• Definition: Mediated forms of technology that facilitate cultural expression (e.g., smartphones, computers).

Metcalfe’s Law

Concept

• Value Proposition: The network's value increases with the number of users, influencing social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.

Network Neutrality

Historical Context

• Common Carriage Law: Historically regulated railway fees; evolution towards preventing media monopolies and ensuring fair access for all users.

Diffusion Innovation Model — Norman (2006)

Components

1. Early Users: Focused on innovation and performance.

2. The Chasm: Represents a gap that must be crossed to reach mainstream users.

3. Mainstream Users: Value convenience and simplicity.

4. Late Skeptics: Often resistant to new technologies (referred to as Luddites).

Digital Divide

Overview

• Definition: The disparity in access to technology, particularly as it relates to globalization.

Web 2.0 — O’Reilly (2003)

Characteristics

• Evolution: Transition from a read-only internet to a read-and-write environment, establishing decentralized approaches enabling social networking.

Long Tail Economy — Anderson (2004)

Concept

• Definition: Business models offering a wide variety of niche products, especially in online marketplaces like Amazon.

Hypertext Principles — Bush (1945)

Explanation

• Functionality: Allows for easy navigation and exploration of information through hyperlinks, significantly shaping how we access knowledge online.

Political Economy Approach

Insights

• Analysis Focus: Investigates financial power relations in technology change, spotlighting who benefits and who loses from technological advancements.

• Example: Exploitation of workers in companies like Temu illustrates the sacrifices made for profit maximization.

Platform

Definition

• Meaning: Refers to a digital space facilitating interaction and social networking among users.