Assignment One: Annotated Bibliography 
Name: Emily Conlin s3718148

I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the content and expectations of the assessment declaration – https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services

BLOG REFLECTIONS:

Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Selected Text One: Networks (word count: 601)

Lister, M, Dovey, J, Giddings, S, Grant, I & Kelly, K 2009, New Media: A Critical Introduction. Routledge, New York. (Sections:Networks, Users and Economics pp 163-169; Wiki Worlds and Web 2.0 pp 204-209; The Long Tail pp 197-200; User-generated content, we are all users now pp 221-232.)

Exploring multiple cultural constructs which have been established within the existence of ‘New Media,’ this article ultimately works to educate those interested in such ideas and developments. More specifically and in reference to the reading, these concepts include the internet, web 2.0, the long tail theory and user-generated content. These four elements are tied together underneath the heading ‘Networks, Users and Economics,” and represent the advancements resulting from the cultural and physical changes of media. This segment and the four issues which fall underneath it work to achieve a purpose; the outlining of how tensions between cultural and commerce environments have impacted the development of new media technologies. Delving deeper, each concept is broken into sections which allows the authors to go into detail and touch on specifics. While discussing Web 2.0, the authors analyse what makes up this term and what has led to its existence. The Long Tail theory is also analysed, but as a business factor which represents a change in the economy and the way upon which advertisers can appeal to niche markets. Lastly, User-generated content discusses new-media’s connection with its audience and the opportunities users have while operating new technology and a further advanced internet.The article consistently relies on research conducted by other scholars and professionals in order to build their arguments and support their points. Case-studies are also frequently included.

The article succeeds in providing a detailed and argumentative account on how exactly media has transitioned from traditional to new; their purpose in educating students (on how tensions between culture and commerce has impacted the advancement of new-media) achieved. The authors constantly question the new concepts in relation to the purpose and work to see from both angles, particularly when discussing fellow scholarly articles and findings and if they agree or disagree with their research. Through the use of adding case-studies, the authors have applied examples to allow students to better understand concepts which originally appear to be complex. The case-study discussing how players of Counterstrike led to its ultimate production is a great example in order to relate to a younger audience while improving understanding of user-generated content. Authors continue this approach through mentioning YouTube and video-blogging. However, case-studies were only used while discussing this standalone concept. It would have been beneficial for younger readers if case-studies were included while also discussing the long tail and web 2.0, as such concepts may be portrayed as complicated to students who don’t fully understand the concepts surrounding new media. Yet, this isn’t a big limitation as the authors work to properly explain each issue and ultimately founded their research on the academic findings of others. Developing the audience’s research is essentially encouraged through the use of including the names of articles in bubbles along the side of the reading. The detailed information provided by the authors can easily be understood if a young reader can apply it to their own media habits and obtain prior knowledge of the internet and social media networks. For someone whom only understands traditional media conventions, this may differ.

In reference to approaching my discussion of Instagram and understanding how it authors, distributes and publishes content, this reading was appropriate as it allowed for the basics to be understood first and foremost. In order to analyse Instagram as a product of new-media, the idea of new-media needs to be discussed. Ideas such as the long tail become key evidence which can be applied to analysing how Instagram as a social media platform allows users to not only produce user-generated content, but within a business standpoint, advertise to a niche market.

Selected Text Two: Affordances (word count: 557)

Norman, D 1999, ‘Affordance, conventions and design (Part 2)’, Nielsen Norman Group, viewed 29 March 2019, http://www.jnd.org/dn.mss/affordance_conv.html

This article is an excerpt taken from an original publication, “Interactions:” May 1999 issue. Throughout the duration of the piece, author (Donald A. Norman) works to identify his original and utmost important purpose in writing his publication, “The Psychology of Everyday Things.” One major theme is outlined as the wish for wanting a better understanding of physical objects upon which people encounter with in their day-to-day lives. Speaking rather casually in comparison to his academic novel, the author summarises the key points he wants his audience to understand, these being: the origin of affordances, perceived affordances and finally constraints and conventions. A concluded summary is placed at the end of the article in order to enable further comprehension of the content. The author constantly critiques and warrants questioning in regard to his novel, and discusses the response generated since its release. The author’s concern becomes founded on his issue with affordances and perceived affordances being entirely different. Connecting back to the author’s casual and personal approach to this article, an anecdote is used at the beginning; an introduction to set up what is to come.

Norman notes how the concept of affordances can be challenging to understand and argues that the original invention of the term was difficult for even him to comprehend. Through short summaries of the three concepts (affordances, perceived affordances and constraints), the author generates useful discussion surrounding the misconceptions related to them and aims to educate and inform. Norman consistently uses the example of a “touch screen” which helps to not confuse readers and keeps his ideas succinct. By challenging how graphic and industrial designers have adopted his ideas, the article works to help those who are viewing the concepts from a design standpoint. This suggests that the audience for this article is to be made up of designers. The author is aware how his original novel has confused these concepts/terms and claims to want to revise “POET” in order to make his ideas clearer. Norman ultimately takes blame for how his book could have contributed to the misunderstanding. While this aims to fix issues in his novel, it leads readers to question how much of POET is accurate, particularly if those reading the article have already read the novel. Furthermore, this reading is quite brief in its entirety. For those struggling with the concept of affordances, further reading would need to be conducted away from this article. Yet, with the constant critiquing of fellow articles and scholars (including his own work), the author make’s it challenging for the audience to understand the best options in regard to further research, almost as if he is implying his opinion and work is the most fundamental.

From a student standpoint, this article works extremely efficiently in discussing the concept of affordances and its concepts in a concise and detailed manner. In reference to my prompt regarding Instagram’s affordances, this reading helped in assisting me in my understanding of the difficult topic and helped me question vital ideas. As Instagram isn’t an “everyday object,” the author’s example of a touchscreen device/ a computer was ideal. However, further research will still need to be conducted as this article alone doesn’t generate enough information and is quite brief. For someone who is new to such a complex concept, this article alone isn’t detailed enough to enable full comprehension.

Selected Text Three: Social Media (word count: 553)

Siapera, E. 2013, Understanding New Media. SAGE Publications, London (Section:1-16).

Focusing primarily on the term “new media” and what it represents, the author (Eugenia Siapera) goes beyond analysing characteristics and traits. Throughout the duration of this chapter, Siapera’s main objective is clearly outlined, this being that to understand new media, humanity has to be understood. The objectives of this piece are clearly stated at the beginning: (in summary) to understand the terminology and approaches regarding new media, to critically comprehend the link with society and lastly, to understand viewpoints and positions from media theorists. The author aims not to confuse readers with the claim that new media has a connection with society, as they reiterate new media has not caused shifts but instead evolved alongside humanity’s progression. The purpose behind this book is repeated again in the conclusion of the reading: “Structure of the Book.” Siapera wishes to simply present an introduction to the concept instead of covering every aspect of new media in extreme detail. Analysing and examining the work of four theorists (Marshall McLuhan, Friedrich Kittler, Bernard Stiegler and Manuel Castells) takes up a majority of the chapter, the author going into depth how each major media thinker views this concept and how their views may be opposing and generate different ideas.

The author effectively achieves their aim in defining new media as they constantly bring up different mindsets and approaches, whether that be through the ideas of theorists or kinds of terminology. Breaking down how the word “new” is most appropriate; the author doesn’t overlook other terms such as “online” or “digital media.” Siapera invites her audience to see from each angle, showcasing how different terms exhibit different meanings without deeming them as incorrect. By comparing terms, the author builds a convincing argument as to why new media is labelled as “new.” Siapera uses the same technique in examining new media further, her framework for the second half of the chapter involving the four theorists. The author’s discussion and comparison of each professional’s theories invites readers to understand different approaches in discussing media and its relation to our lives, culture and society. A clear point is made in the discussion of the first two theorists, that media has become an extension (and a limitation) of the ability of a human being. Instead, the point made in the last two theorist’s arguments is focused not so much on technology but the co-dependence of humans and media and its sociology. Siapera doesn’t dismiss any of these theories, which gives the impression to readers that each argument is plausible. Yet, this could also be seen as a limitation; the audience finding it hard to come to a conclusion as the author never comes to one themselves.

In order to comprehend Instagram as a social media platform, it is vital to first understand social media and how it’s existence is framed under the term: new media. This article contributes well to my research in discussing a product from the age of new media as it effectively breaks down how society and media developments are interconnected. This also becomes related to my first annotation of the reading by Lister, who also discusses the likes of new media. Yet, unlike Lister, Siapera connects the term to humanity rather than commerce. Putting the two readings together, my research is enabled to be built on a stronger foundation.