Network literacy.

The reading this week was by our very own lecturer Adrian Miles. He discussed the concept that is ‘Network Literacy’. Opening with an anecdote about a girl going to the library to borrow a book. This takes many steps. With the emergence of the Internet however, we have a much easier solution – just Google it.

 

Network literacy is, in a nutshell, having the knowledge to be able to participate as a peer within the emerging networks that are now the product of the Internet, and to have as ‘deep’ an understanding of the logics or protocols of these networks as we do of print.

 

All kinds of media, whether it be web pages, blog posts, photos or videos are weaved and interconnected throughout such networks. Where print literacy is a purely two way relationship, network literacy can grow and expand, extending itself between consumers through collaboration.

 

This is an interesting topic which I’m sure we will learn more about – this subject is Networked Media, of course.

Symposium 3.

In today’s symposium we firstly discussed a question raised by another student. It was: How much freedom do we have when writing critically of others work before we become liable for defamation or copyright infringement? This is something I have thought about also. You can’t exactly jump on your blog and badmouth whoever you please.

 

Someone asked if it’s okay to link a Youtube video to your blog, for example. Adrian answered that this is okay, as in most cases they (Youtube) are accepting the liability for that. He also mentioned that there is no such thing as freedom of speech in Australian media law. The only country that does have it is South America I believe.

 

There is a difference between opinion and criticism. Criticism is informed by a position of knowledge. So basically, “If you don’t know what you’re talking about, shut up.” Simple!

Ah, the life of the theatre.

So for all those who are unaware, which is probably everyone, I am in a little production called The Addams Family. I am Morticia Addams. Today I am stuck outside the theatre, where I have been for over an hour, waiting for the techs to let us in. Organization 101: Book the theatre for the correct time, not 2 hours after the actors are scheduled to arrive.

 

The show opens tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. And we are a little unprepared. However, we’re rehearsing 24/7 to get this thing on the road (stage). I had to miss last week’s tute due to desperate rehearsals and it looks like I might have to miss tomorrow’s (the tute goes until 6.30 and the show starts at 7.30, awkward). But I’m a little concerned because I think we’ve got an assessment in class the week after which I’m probably not going to know what to do without being there tomorrow.

 

Ah, the life of the theatre.

 

addams

 

Luckily, I’ve just checked and it’s week 5, so that makes it a bit better, I guess.