Digital Media Part 1

Digital Media: Overview of digital media's evolution and prevalence in modern communication.
- Major developments include transition from Web 1.0 (1990s) to Web 2.0 (early 2000s) with the advent of social media.
- Analogy was used comparing string and cans to explain analog communication methods.
  - Analogs: Mediums convey information through physical phenomena (e.g., film capturing images).
  - Examples include old cameras, film projectors, and phonographs.
- Analog media had various industrial contexts and economic models which have been disrupted by digital advancements.
Transitioning to digital media resulted in convergence: integrating various functions (video, audio, text) into single platforms, like smartphones.

Polarization: Discussion on selective exposure and echo chambers and their consequences on society.
- As digital media allows individualized content exposure, it presents challenges that traditional media did not.
- Analog media exposed audiences to diverse content, fostering a shared cultural knowledge base which has diminished.
The Digital Divide: A significant point of discussion requiring elaboration, focusing on disparities in access to digital resources across different demographics.
Advertising’s Role in Digital Media: Explore how advertising has shifted with digital transformations and its influence on content delivery and culture.

Analyzing a commercial featuring Aaron Rodgers to discuss selective exposure in advertising.
- The ad claims Bose headphones eliminate undesirable distractions, focusing on enjoyment and familiarity.
- Symbolism of the ad demonstrates that while distractions are removed, it selectively maintains enjoyment with familiar elements (e.g., loyal fans).

The promise of tailored content leads to selective exposure.
- This allows users to filter out unknown but potentially interesting content due to targeted algorithms.
Echo Chambers: Users inhabit information silos that reinforce known beliefs, particularly in politically charged environments.
Discussion regarding social media's role in perpetuating or disrupting this phenomenon.

Algorithms analyze user data to refine content accordingly.
- Example: Changes in Twitter feed from chronological to tailored content based on user behavior, increasing user retention but creating isolated media experiences.
Political advertising strategies can manipulate to reinforce user beliefs through targeted ad placements.
- Example involving advertisement strategies used by political campaigns to reach different voter bases without them necessarily recognizing the manipulation.

Class ends with reminders about Thanksgiving plans and continuation meeting after the break.