The internet has such an integral role in our lives that we very often take it for granted. We forget that there is so much we don’t know about it. At the beginning of the semester, I wasn’t quite sure if I would actually learn that much about the internet that I didn’t already know. Even if I had no experience with certain tools and applications, I was certain that I would’ve at least heard of them. I was wrong. I’ve learnt a shocking amount from these lessons and it has only opened my eyes to much more there that I don’t know about the internet. It is truly amazing how the internet has shaped modern society. And unlike other major sources of influence, the ever expanding capabilities of the internet have been built and perfected, truly, by the people, for the people. So much progress has been made and it is so exciting to think of all the future possibilities of the internet. In order to turn these possibilities into realities, it is up to us to push the boundaries of traditional media and, as Captain Picard would say, “boldly go where no one has gone before”.
WEEK 11 – Internet & Journalism
Just as it has done with most other things, the internet has revolutionised journalism. These new approaches to news sharing have actually been a fairly recent development in the history of the internet. Now, more and more netizens are sharing their perspective of a news story and more news agencies, having to meet with the demands of their tech savvy readers, are including online articles as well, or even just switching to e-newspapers. The language used to share news has changed because of the internet as well. Citizen journalists tend to share their news on social media platforms, so have to use incite a response in readers through a limited number of words. Also, because their motives are often different from that of traditional journalists, the way they frame their messages differ as well. In this case, citizen journalists tend to favour a more empathetic, human interest approach, in order to point out injustices and garner sympathy. Traditional journalists however, are more objective in their news sharing efforts (most of the time). On the other hand, online articles also have to be heavily summarised to fit into the busy schedule of modern readers. People don’t want a detailed account of the news story, they just want to know what happened. They’ll have time to find out more, later.
While the influx of news from different sources and varying perspectives can help in painting a more complete picture for a news story, it can however, be difficult, muddling through the information to determine what is misleading and what can be trusted.
WEEK 10 – Internet & Politics
The interweaving of politics into a world where an increasing amount of communication occurs through digital media, has not always been a very graceful process. However, I think that it is a process that is crucial to the future of politics. Very quickly, the way we talk about politics and the information we get about politics is changing and this change may in fact be a good thing, as it could shape more socially responsible leaders and citizens. In the last General Election in Singapore, for example, there was a much higher interest in local politics among the youth of Singapore. This could have been a result of the increase in online political campaigning and discussions. As I have mentioned in an earlier post, the internet has in some ways revolutionised the modern power structure. More traditional tools of power, like money and legal authority, still have a hold on society and the actions and mind-sets of individuals. However, another tool of power, information, has started to become less centralised. So, anybody with the right information and the willingness to share it can influence outcomes. Because of that political campaigns have had to be designed more carefully in order to account for these changes.
WEEK 8 – Multimedia
Even before we had the technology for it, virtual reality had found a place in science fiction series and novels. However, even today, virtual reality has not quite made it into our everyday lives due to how expensive it is. Still, people are hesitant to give up on the dream of a successful and affordable virtual reality experience.
One such appliance is the Oculus Rift. Its motion and head tracking facilities allow for the user’s movements to directly affect what they see in the virtual world, such that the wall between actual reality and the projected image is blurred.
Another appliance is the Jaunt camera, a 360 degree camera that would allow movies to be filmed for VR headsets. So, while you are remain an observer and are not a part of the plot, just like in any other movie watching experience, you now get to be a part of the universe created in the movie. Just imagine how amazing it would be if the film was set in a post-apocalyptic world or even in space? This would indeed be an interesting area of progress for virtual reality, as VR has mainly been marketed as a gaming asset and using it for movies would allow more of the general public to experience it.
WEEK 7 – Internet Security
Trying to gain some form of advantage by hurting others has always been an option that people have been willing to take. This tendency has not stopped, even as new technologies which promise security have been introduced. The victims of the two cases mentioned today, had their privacy violated online and were harassed by criminals who, while have met their consequences, cannot make up for the damage their harassment has done to the victims.
In the first case, the accused, Lim Siong Khee, was believed to have hacked into his ex-girlfriend’s email account and to have sent inappropriate and offensive messages to her friends about her alleged relationships. Some even contained pornographic attachments. After being found guilty, Lim Siong Khee was sentenced with a 5 month prison term.
In another, more recent case, a 24 year old undergraduate was found to have stolen and used the MSN IM identities of several women, to chat with people on their contact list. He also attached pictures of these women to pictures he found of naked women. He went as far as to threaten to publicise the image of one woman, unless she sent him photos of her breasts. The offender, facing 9 charges under the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act and one criminal intimidation charge, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, after pleading guilty.
What these people was wrong and they have to take responsibility for their actions. However, faced with such risky circumstances, we too are forced to ensure the safety of our online information and privacy. Pick strong passwords and get into the habit of changing them every once in a while. In the first case, for example, the victim email password had been her birthday. That would have been too easy for the offender. If a website asks for personal information, always make sure that the site is secure. Stay vigilant!
WEEK 5 – The Internet and Learning
“How can learning be made more effective with digital media?”
This was a bit difficult for me as I feel that a lot has already been done to facilitate greater learning through the use of digital media. So let’s approach this question from a different angle. What are some of the major problems with the education system around the world and how can we begin to eradicate or improve on them, through a more effective use of the Internet?
1) Cost
Education can be very expensive, especially higher, university level education. The ever increasing tuition fees and the overwhelming number of people around the world in the lower income groups mean that only a very small percentage of the global population is achieves some form of college education. While it is true that attaining a university education is not the only way to succeed in life, it is one of the most likely ways to do so. Also, since most employers demand a certificate of higher learning, a university education seems to be the easiest way out of the poverty cycle. Learning through digital media will eradicate a lot of the costs that come with traditional forms of higher education. Firstly, teachers will not have to work as long or as hard to teach such a large group of students. Secondly, there is no need to pay for the use of school facilities as the classes will not be held in a physical room.
2) Shared resources
With the overcoming of cultural and geographical boundaries, resources from students and teachers around the world can be easily shared and information can be more decentralised. Also, unlike in many schools across the globe, students will not have to worry about insufficient resources being available to them in order to gain a well-rounded educational experience.
3) Availability/Accessibility
With digital media, a large number people, across the world, can gain access to educational material. Because this material is always available, anyone can gain access to them, regardless of time differences. In order to ensure that even those without computers or access to the internet can be educated, free internet booths can be located around the world for them. This is a small price to pay to help improve the lives of individuals, and subsequently, the communities they are a part of.
4) Scope of subjects
Digital media allows us to recreate worlds beyond the walls of the classroom, thus allowing us to extend out learning environment as well. With information coming from different sources around the world, students are more likely to get an objective look at any particular subject. What we learn will no longer be clouded by political interests or local social standards, but be controlled by facts. This is especially important when learning History. Imagine how much more adapt at critical thinking we would be if we were given historical accounts from different perspectives and could therefore make a more informed opinion about the decisions made by past individuals and civilisations.
5) Hierarchy of subjects
Hopefully, by demolishing cultural and geographical boundaries when learning occurs through digital media, we can also begin to dismantle the often institutionalised hierarchy of subjects. In an ideal world where the opportunity to learn is no longer a luxury but a confirmed right, perhaps what we learn will not only be dictated by the achievements we need to acquire in order to earn a stable income, but by our own interests as well.
WEEK 4 – E-commerce
E-commerce has been advantageous for some businesses and has gifted consumers with a more convenient option shopping option. E-commerce looks great in theory, but it is important for any business looking to offer an online shopping service to take note of certain things, as many a business has failed due to their reliance on e-commerce. Here are a few ways in which e-commerce can be disadvantageous:
- Competition
E-commerce lowers barriers to entry due to low operational costs but that also means that you’re faced with a lot more competition from both local and international businesses. Many seasoned companies have the size and connections to keep low prices so a start-up online business would have to cut prices to maintain some advantage. Low prices mean low profits and this is not very likely to change in the future unless you’re able to expand and provide customers with unique and inventive products. But remember, anything can be found on the internet and extensive market research has to be done to ensure that customers choose you over another vendor selling a similar product at a similar or cheaper price.
- Poor user interface
If the website is not easy to use and reasonably attractive, potential customers are very likely to leave it. It takes less than a minute for someone to decide if they’re going to stay on the website and it is crucial to ensure that they stay long enough to look at the products, by designing a modern website, free of clutter and filled with well-placed (and well-taken) pictures to advertise your products. Organisation is key! Make sure that any information that might be needed by a potential customer is easily accessible and not hidden under poorly labelled links. Also, make sure to include sufficient information. Ensure that the colours used are easy on the eyes and that the fonts are easy to read. Use different fonts, colours and sizes to grab attention. We are visual creatures and a big red sales button will draw our attention. But remember to stay classy and keep away from garish designs! Walk the line between professional and well-designed.
- Lack of good social media presence
Establishing a good social media presence is advisable for any company, but especially crucial as a support for online businesses. Modern consumers are well connected and it is important that businesses keep up with that as well. Reaching out to your current and potential customers on other social media platforms mean that they now have another, convenient way to take note of promotions or ask for assistance.
- Slow growth
With the high level of competition businesses will have to face online, growth is often not a sure thing. Although it can be difficult, it is extra crucial that businesses start to grow early on, as they will be easily overwhelmed by the other online businesses around and are likely to crash and burn before their business even starts to take off.
- Lack of security and credibility
Identity theft is no laughing matter, and any website that asks for credit card information may be viewed with at least some amount of suspicion. Consumers have been taught to be very careful with their information; and with good reason too! So take the time to ensure that your payment process is as secure as possible and well encrypted, so that the personal details of the consumers cannot be leaked. Also, it would be helpful to build credibility by maintaining a more customer friendly business style. It is important, especially in a setting which lacks face to face communication, to make sure that customers feel that their needs are put before profit goals. So, provide them with good return options if possible and ensure that in the case of a product getting lost in mail, the customer is appropriately reimbursed.
- Lack of transparency
As I brought up in the previous point, consumers are bound to be wary of making online purchases, because of the risk involved in the money transfer processor because they fear that the product advertised may be different when they actually see or use it. Therefore, e-commerce businesses have to maintain a level of transparency that shows customers that they are not hiding any information. This will in turn build the customers’ trust in the product and the business, and is likely to encourage their subsequent purchases.
- Payment issues
While many of us do buy a lot of things, we don’t always want to think about just how much we’re spending. In fact, we would generally prefer to spend as little time thinking about it as possible, which is one reason why going to a physical shop may be preferable to some consumers, if they are faced with an overly convoluted checkout process. While it may be important to be thorough, do take note that a simplified payment process is more likely to make the transaction a stress-free one for the customer and also, maintain their trust in the business. It would be similarly helpful to offer a few different payment options as well, just to make the process as hassle free as possible and ensure that just about anyone can make a purchase.
- Poor technology
Running a business through a website means that technology plays a crucial part in the continued well-being of said business. Having a good technological infrastructure keeps the website from having to undergo too much maintenance and allows businesses to uphold the promise of a convenient and clear shopping experience.
- Lack of incentives
People go online not just because it’s more convenient, but also because they think they’ll be able to get products at a cheaper price. No matter what anyone might say, it cannot be denied that shopping online and shopping in person provide two very different experiences. Shopping in person allows consumers to test the product and gives them the assurance that they have made a fully informed decision before making the purchase. Shopping online however, does not always allow us to do that. Therefore, it is important to reduce this “risk” by supplying customers with sufficient sales and promotions, so that they feel that making the purchase might be worth their while.
WEEK 3 – Social Media Marketing
Everyone’s on some social media platform. Creating a social presence for a brand, gives the impression that the company has a youthful outlook, while providing it with access to a much wider reach. Why wouldn’t a company want to be able to connect with a free, international audience? Also, because information is easily shared through links, reblogging, retweeting, it can easily go viral. A social media presence also helps a company form intimate relationships with its consumer, as it makes the company seem less transparent. Because social media is so accessible to both consumers AND businesses, mistakes can be very easily made. So, many businesses approach social media marketing as a very precise science.
While this is indeed very wise, it can only be advantageous to cultivate a creative and spontaneous persona online. This does not mean that planning should be ignored. Many companies active on social media have their social feeds planned in advance.
However, to stay relevant and interesting, businesses have to be reactive to media activity and social issues. Also, it helps to be playful at times (while remaining tasteful of course). Consumers have a lot of power on the net and a poorly executed move can be labelled tacky or simply be ignored.
Domino’s pizza
Domino’s Pizza’s reputation took a nosedive after its social media crisis of 2009, when two employees took a video of themselves preparing food in an unhygienic manner. The video, posted on YouTube, was quickly shared amongst social media users on different platforms and the company was faced with the diminished trust of their disgusted customers. See, it didn’t matter if the video was a prank. All that mattered was that in just a day, people’s perception of the company had been damaged and business suffered. After the initial poor handling of the issue however, Domino’s realized that it was important to directly answer their customers’ questions on a platform they were comfortable with and created a twitter account.
Now, Domino’s Pizza has managed to turn their embarrassing past into a social media success.
How did they manage that?
As Nick Dutch, Domino’s Pizza’s head of digital marketing says, “It’s important to make social a focus, rather than just an add-on at the end.
Here’s an example of how Domino’s does that.
During the Valentines season this year, Domino’s joined the mobile dating app, Tinder, in a bid to offer those “matched” with them, a chance of winning special deals and freebies.
Domino’s Pizza also succeeded in their attempt at real-time marketing, when they creatively associated their brand with the New Musical Express Awards.
Oreo
Oreo is another brand that has been highly successful in creating and maintaining positive social buzz. With a strong presence on a range of social media platforms, including twitter, Instagram, vine and tumblr, Oreo is one of few brands willing to push the boundaries of customer-brand interaction.
Here is a look at some of the ways in which Oreo manages to stay relevant and in the minds of anyone with access to internet connection.
The company excels at real-time marketing, with Oreo’s marketing team always responding quickly and creatively to real-life happenings.
Companies pay big bucks to get advertising slots during large-scale events, so as to get the attention of a wider audience. Oreo went a step ahead. During the Super Bowl last year, Oreo designed and tweeted the ad above just 10 minutes after the lights in the Superdome went out. In doing so, Oreo impressed so many with their wit and their commitment to snagging any given opportunity. As an added bonus, tweeting the ad helped save on the cost of distribution, while allowing it to remain responsive to the social climate.
Oreo demonstrates its sense of humour through its playful interactions with customers
and other brands.
This provides the company with a friendly persona and makes it seem more approachable.
Leading up to the company’s 100th year anniversary, The Oreo Daily Twist campaign was initiated, which led to an impressive four-fold increase in Facebook shares.
The social media sphere is highly responsive and fast-paced. This might not be something businesses are used to in the traditional world as they had more power and there were fewer means for customers to call them out on any unagreeable practices. But this could be really good for businesses, as it can double as a tool for market surveillance.
WEEK 2 – Social Media
Social Media platforms facilitate a new form of communication between people, and have aided the formation of various distinguishable communities online, based on interests and beliefs.The first step to the seemingly spontaneous formation of any motivated group, is the existence of a leader who is confident enough (or rash enough) to start doing something new. Now, obviously, one person cannot form a group. Therefore, the next, and perhaps more crucial step to forming a group, would be the involvement of the first followers.
This guy would probably explain it better.
I know groups don’t always have to turn into movements but let’s just look at groups that are formed in order to incite social or political change. As mentioned in the previous post, social media has in many ways reassigned some power to the public. Previously impenetrable corporations and bodies of government, now have to worry about the leaking of classified information or online attacks from the general public. Even if individuals don’t have any juicy information on corporations, with the right connections, unfounded rumours can spread like wildfire on social media and cause significant harm to a carefully moulded reputation. Since this development is quite new, the legality of it is still pretty murky. The internet allows for a lot of flexibility and with the right motivation, people can be very creative. This results in the “commoners” finding tons of loopholes for every legal restriction put in place.
This “social media power” can leave people feeling untouchable and indestructible. Is this always a bad thing though? Sometimes, in a world so controlled by social expectations and corporate power, we need every ounce of imagined courage we can get. Not every netizen is trying to be a virtual bully. Some of them do want to help others and if the belief that they might just be little more invisible online helps them to do this, I don’t think that’s so bad.
The internet may also make local laws feel less concrete (geography does not really exist). Those from less oppressive societies can be more open on social media platforms. In turn, seeing repeated evidence of this might inspire those from more restrictive locations. When done right, positive change may get others used to rethinking the boundaries of what is possible, where they come from. They may get more support from the international netizens online than they do from the people in their own society, but this support might just be enough to carry the movement through and eventually change local mind sets.
(The Facebook campaign, “Women2Drive”, started by Manal al-Sharif and others in 2011.)
(Manal al-Sharif, in her YouTube video which encouraged Saudi women to go against cultural rules and drive.)
Now, let’s go back to how groups are formed. In an ideal world, a group is formed with equal give and take of information amongst all members. That’s not how it works in the real world though. In reality, there are usually “opinion leaders” who share what they believe in and “opinion followers” who agree with them and spread that belief. This may be why social media has worked so well as a tool for social activism.
With the ability to retweet and reblog posts, joining a movement and spreading its message has become so easy, that the simple act of clicking, can inspire the revolutionary in us. Social media activism also makes it easier for “opinion leaders” to share their side of the struggle, without fear of censorship. During the Egyptian revolution, activists were able to compete with local, official news sources and semi-independent news sources, by reporting on events from a human interest angle. For example, the information they shared included the tragic deaths of brave activists and violent retellings of police brutality. By doing so, the activists were able to separate the citizens from the government, garnering great support for their cause and inspiring a large group of volunteers. The activists’ effective use of social media also made the Egyptian revolution a highly organized one.
(The Facebook page moderated by Wael Ghonim, which turned into a venue for collaboration and the organization of protests leading up to the 2011 revolution.)
A lot has already been accomplished by social media communities but a lot more can be done. We are just now realising how powerful this medium is, and I am so excited about how such platforms can drive social change. But don’t forget, with great power, comes great responsibility.
WEEK 1 – The Internet
So. Let’s talk about the Internet. So much has happened to the internet in such a short span of time, pushed along by our preoccupation with excellence. In that time, humankind have embraced the internet quickly and with little apprehension, making use of it in largely creative ways, and in doing so, have propelled this era of innovation, even further.
While the internet had a rather altruistic birth, with Sir Tim Berners-Lee pretty much gifting his creation to the world, its conception had quickly opened up a valley of opportunities for financial gain. More commercial minds took over, perhaps something that should have been expected, as software companies formed to gain from this development. A medium that was meant to liberate the people from the drawbacks of more traditional channels, was starting to once again fall under the power of corporations.
Later, as the internet started to take on a more interactive role, it became a possibility for the public to etch a place out for themselves as well. Social media sites like Facebook, Live Journal, YouTube, reddit, and even torrenting websites have introduced a way for anyone to create and/or share information. The public have gained control over some of their information, which is actually a very big deal, as access to and control of information has been a major tool of power historically.
Is this always a good thing though? Does “bringing power to the people” justify online piracy of movies and music? Have the people even gotten more freedom? Or are they just answering to a new master?
While it has its iffy moments, I truly believe that a lot more wonderful things can arise from the internet and I look forward to witnessing them.
Here, watch a video! (if you want)
d125weekly 