This interesting documentary is about the newly found species of human on Flores Island in Indonesia, the Homo floresiensis. Have a cup of coffee and enjoy the documentary.
1 June 2007
Reflection and Conclusion
According to Walsh (2006, p. 104) ‘multimodal texts are those texts that have more than one “mode”, so that meaning is communicated through a synchronizations of modes’. Blogs are non-print form multimodal texts and consist of a range of semiotic modes. In other words, text is not the only mode in a blog. Others semiotic modes (visual presentation of a text, pictures and different context) come into play as a whole at the same time (Kress & van Leeuwen 1998, p. 186).
Blogging is an amazing activity that allows bloggers to practice and use multimodal text to present an issue or a message. Through blogging, bloggers share not only their ideas or feelings in text form, but they can add videos, pictures, animations, music, and hyperlinks to enhance the content. They can raise issues for discussion and give comments freely without the restrictions which the traditional media (newspapers, radio and TV) have.
People view and perceive things differently because of the environment in which they have been raised. Social and cultural practices help people in making sense of their world. Different people may perceive and interpret the same content differently from their own cultural background (Schirato & Webb 2004, p. 16). Additionally, people within a society share the same meanings of certain words and beliefs (Schriver 1997, p. 364). So, dissimilar ideas between individuals will not result in common agreement on certain aspects of an event that is currently occurring or has occurred.
Issues relating to the media are topics that the blog ‘Gagpotatoes’ is concerned about and which have arisen for discussion. Some media practices in Australia are different from Malaysia. ‘Gagpotatoes’ find that the way the Australian media cover news is more interesting and open minded compared to the Malaysian media. However, ‘Gagpotatoes’ also finds that some media issues contradict his/her beliefs and learning because it is inappropriate to raise them in the media in Malaysia. Overall, blogging activities allow ‘Gagpotatoes’ to get in touch with the Australian media, which is still new to his/her. It is an opportunity for ‘Gagpotatoes’ to look at the media that is not what he/she is used to since he/she is from a different culture.
The same text or message may have different meanings and effect when it is presented on different medium. One example is one of the issues mentioned in this blog, “The use of multimedia in politics”. The same issue was published in The Australian newspaper as well as broadcast on the ABC radio. There are people who read the newspaper and listen to the radio, however, they might explore different things from the internet or weblog. They might gain information that was not provided by other media or they might have a clearer idea of what is that issue about.
It is not a difficult process to learn how to blog. Bloggers need only simple computer and internet browsing skills and the weblog software is user friendly. This blog site <http://www.blogger.com/>is useful for people who do not have experience of blogging because it is easy to use.
This is an online video teaching you step-by-step how to blog in the 'wordpress.com'. Try it out!
References
Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 1998, ‘Front pages: (the critical) analysis of newspaper layout’, in Bell, Allan & Garrett, Peter (eds.) 1998, Approaches to media discourses, Blackwell, Oxford, Chapter 7, pp.186-219.
Schirato, T & Webb, J 2004, Reading the visual, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Schriver, KA 1997, ‘The interplay of words and pictures’, Dynamic in document design: creating text for readers, Wiley Computer Pub., New York, Chapter 6, pp.361-441.
Walsh, M 2006, ‘The “textual shift”: examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal text’, Australian journal of language and literacy, Vol.29, No.1, 2006, pp.24-37.
Blogging is an amazing activity that allows bloggers to practice and use multimodal text to present an issue or a message. Through blogging, bloggers share not only their ideas or feelings in text form, but they can add videos, pictures, animations, music, and hyperlinks to enhance the content. They can raise issues for discussion and give comments freely without the restrictions which the traditional media (newspapers, radio and TV) have.
People view and perceive things differently because of the environment in which they have been raised. Social and cultural practices help people in making sense of their world. Different people may perceive and interpret the same content differently from their own cultural background (Schirato & Webb 2004, p. 16). Additionally, people within a society share the same meanings of certain words and beliefs (Schriver 1997, p. 364). So, dissimilar ideas between individuals will not result in common agreement on certain aspects of an event that is currently occurring or has occurred.
Issues relating to the media are topics that the blog ‘Gagpotatoes’ is concerned about and which have arisen for discussion. Some media practices in Australia are different from Malaysia. ‘Gagpotatoes’ find that the way the Australian media cover news is more interesting and open minded compared to the Malaysian media. However, ‘Gagpotatoes’ also finds that some media issues contradict his/her beliefs and learning because it is inappropriate to raise them in the media in Malaysia. Overall, blogging activities allow ‘Gagpotatoes’ to get in touch with the Australian media, which is still new to his/her. It is an opportunity for ‘Gagpotatoes’ to look at the media that is not what he/she is used to since he/she is from a different culture.
The same text or message may have different meanings and effect when it is presented on different medium. One example is one of the issues mentioned in this blog, “The use of multimedia in politics”. The same issue was published in The Australian newspaper as well as broadcast on the ABC radio. There are people who read the newspaper and listen to the radio, however, they might explore different things from the internet or weblog. They might gain information that was not provided by other media or they might have a clearer idea of what is that issue about.
It is not a difficult process to learn how to blog. Bloggers need only simple computer and internet browsing skills and the weblog software is user friendly. This blog site <http://www.blogger.com/>is useful for people who do not have experience of blogging because it is easy to use.
This is an online video teaching you step-by-step how to blog in the 'wordpress.com'. Try it out!
References
Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 1998, ‘Front pages: (the critical) analysis of newspaper layout’, in Bell, Allan & Garrett, Peter (eds.) 1998, Approaches to media discourses, Blackwell, Oxford, Chapter 7, pp.186-219.
Schirato, T & Webb, J 2004, Reading the visual, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Schriver, KA 1997, ‘The interplay of words and pictures’, Dynamic in document design: creating text for readers, Wiley Computer Pub., New York, Chapter 6, pp.361-441.
Walsh, M 2006, ‘The “textual shift”: examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal text’, Australian journal of language and literacy, Vol.29, No.1, 2006, pp.24-37.
31 May 2007
Children are vulnerable to advertising
A current issue in the media is the protection of preschoolers against advertising by subscribed channels. Lately, pay TV has opted to focus on preschoolers as a targeted audience for advertising, it has been argued that the vulnerability of preschoolers towards advertising is such that they may be influenced by the roles of their favourite character. Preschoolers tend to listen and follow the advice of their favourite cartoon character. The majority of food companies are involved in advertising through pay TV because it is cost free. Compared to commercial TV, no restrictions are applied to pay TV channels such as ASTRA.
Further information on this issue is available from The Australian, 31 May 2007, Thursday, Media Section, at <http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21821952-7582,00.html>
I fully agreed that preschoolers are vulnerable to advertising. They are still young children who cannot clearly differentiate between good or bad. They may perceive something which is good according to their feelings or what they have learned from their daily life. Most children love cartoons and they admire many of the cartoon characters. These cartoon characters can effectively inculcate them with useful knowledge rather than promoting junk food or toys.
This video clip shows that the US government used cartoon characters from the movie, ‘Shrek’ in an advertisement to prevent childhood obesity. The cartoon characters encourage small children to have outdoor activities rather than staying at home and watching TV or playing video games. I think it is a good idea to put this kind of advertisement in the preschooler channels.
Junk food and toy advertisements may also add burden to the parents because children tend to be more eager to own something that interests them. The more they see, the more they want and the more their parents are pressured to spend. In fact, junk food is not healthy food for children and can cause obesity. Parents had to watch out for their children in terms of securing their health. The preschool channels also have to be careful in shaping the advertisement messages because they effect how children think.
References
Meade, A 2007, ' Toddlers need protection on subscription channels', Australian 31 May, p.16.
Further information on this issue is available from The Australian, 31 May 2007, Thursday, Media Section, at <http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21821952-7582,00.html>
I fully agreed that preschoolers are vulnerable to advertising. They are still young children who cannot clearly differentiate between good or bad. They may perceive something which is good according to their feelings or what they have learned from their daily life. Most children love cartoons and they admire many of the cartoon characters. These cartoon characters can effectively inculcate them with useful knowledge rather than promoting junk food or toys.
This video clip shows that the US government used cartoon characters from the movie, ‘Shrek’ in an advertisement to prevent childhood obesity. The cartoon characters encourage small children to have outdoor activities rather than staying at home and watching TV or playing video games. I think it is a good idea to put this kind of advertisement in the preschooler channels.
Junk food and toy advertisements may also add burden to the parents because children tend to be more eager to own something that interests them. The more they see, the more they want and the more their parents are pressured to spend. In fact, junk food is not healthy food for children and can cause obesity. Parents had to watch out for their children in terms of securing their health. The preschool channels also have to be careful in shaping the advertisement messages because they effect how children think.
References
Meade, A 2007, ' Toddlers need protection on subscription channels', Australian 31 May, p.16.
26 May 2007
We are publishers now 我们都是出版家
在这发达的网络世纪里，，每个人都有机会拥有自己的网站或刊登自己的文章。不像其他媒体，只有有新闻价值或著名作者的文章才能登刊。除此之外，只有政府或有财势的人才能拥有媒体。网络的出现不但改变了这个现象，也改变了媒体的趋势及人们对媒体的看法。
在这新世纪里， 人人都能当作者，与其他人分享他们的观点与经验。有很多人在网络里找到了自己的梦想和出路，却有的人把网络当成了宣传工具。就以政治人物利用互联网来宣传他们自己的选举活动为例。
在现今的社会里，有很多的集团都拥有自己的网站，登刊关于他们集团的新闻与动向，例如，澳洲的电讯公司Telstra。Telstra垄断了澳洲的电讯市场而最近，它们也实行了网上媒体。它们认为公司与顾客之间应该互相联系，但是我的看法却认为他们的网上媒体是有助于它们灌输众人观念的最佳频道，也可以说这是荼毒人们思想的媒体。
虽然如此，Telstra也有自己的读者。它们的网站成立了18个月而在这期间，它们每个月的读者都高达100，000人。这证明了电子媒体在这市场上慢慢立足了而著名集团的势力也由于网络媒体的关系慢慢建立起来。
相关网站：
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/1923017.htm#transcript
有些时候我在犹疑这种现象是否是健康的呢？每个人都有自己的宣传管道，每个人都为自己的集团说话，那哪来中立的意见呢？很多时候我都在想，由于网络新媒体的新闻自由度比较宽，这等于可以滥用吗？Telstra势力已经很强大了，再加上它又拥有自己的网络媒体，这市场启不是只有他们一家公司在垄断。有很多竞争的对手都很想报道Telstra的丑闻，但是由些时候我们需要衡量他们所报道的是否正确或纯粹煲水新闻。
References
The spin cycle...and when it goes wrong, ABC radio, viewed 26 May 2007, <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/1923017.htm#transcript >
在这新世纪里， 人人都能当作者，与其他人分享他们的观点与经验。有很多人在网络里找到了自己的梦想和出路，却有的人把网络当成了宣传工具。就以政治人物利用互联网来宣传他们自己的选举活动为例。
在现今的社会里，有很多的集团都拥有自己的网站，登刊关于他们集团的新闻与动向，例如，澳洲的电讯公司Telstra。Telstra垄断了澳洲的电讯市场而最近，它们也实行了网上媒体。它们认为公司与顾客之间应该互相联系，但是我的看法却认为他们的网上媒体是有助于它们灌输众人观念的最佳频道，也可以说这是荼毒人们思想的媒体。
虽然如此，Telstra也有自己的读者。它们的网站成立了18个月而在这期间，它们每个月的读者都高达100，000人。这证明了电子媒体在这市场上慢慢立足了而著名集团的势力也由于网络媒体的关系慢慢建立起来。
相关网站：
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/1923017.htm#transcript
有些时候我在犹疑这种现象是否是健康的呢？每个人都有自己的宣传管道，每个人都为自己的集团说话，那哪来中立的意见呢？很多时候我都在想，由于网络新媒体的新闻自由度比较宽，这等于可以滥用吗？Telstra势力已经很强大了，再加上它又拥有自己的网络媒体，这市场启不是只有他们一家公司在垄断。有很多竞争的对手都很想报道Telstra的丑闻，但是由些时候我们需要衡量他们所报道的是否正确或纯粹煲水新闻。
References
The spin cycle...and when it goes wrong, ABC radio, viewed 26 May 2007, <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/1923017.htm#transcript >
21 May 2007
The use of multimedia in politics
Nowadays, the internet has become a medium for political campaigning and political advertising. This kind of online campaigning is gaining popularity among politicians and the internet is frequently used to propagate ideas and also to persuade mass audiences to vote for certain political parties or candidates.
The phenomenon of blogging is not restricted to internet users but is also well-known among politicians. Political blogsphere is increasing and politicians usually use 'to blog' and 'vblog' in order to spread messages to the mass audiences. 'YouTube' and 'MySpace' are two of the most popular websites politicians prefer to use to upload their speeches, make comments as well as answer questions that the voters ask.
Voters will post their questions through online video and the politicians too will use the same medium to respond to what they have been asked. In this case, two-way communication is achieved and a relationship between politicians and voters is also built up. By using these free videos, politicians can carefully craft their messages because there are no interruptions from other journalists.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2007/1924783.htm
In my view, online campaigning helps in saving money as well as saving natural resources, for example, paper. In Malaysia, loads of posters, banners and brochures are used in one election and these propaganda tools are going to last only for a couple of months. How many trees have to be chopped and how many human resources have to be used in order to fulfill the needs of these politicians? I think the Malaysian government and politicians have to consider this issue and online campaigning is a good ideas for them to practise.
Different media serve different needs. By using online media, politicians can reach out to those public who do not use the traditional media. In addition, online campaigning is also one of the most effective ways to spread the word and it has the same assumption of spreading viruses. For example, after a person watches an online video, he or she may spread their opinions or send the link to another person and this process will keep on going and growing. Moreover, peers have a great influence among each other; one thinks in a certain way and the rest will follow what that person thinks too.
The following are some interesting online videos from 'YouTube', showing how the U.S politicians, Hilary Clinton and Barrack Obama use free online video to spread their word to the public.
References
Politics and the Internet 2007, ABC radio, viewed 20 May 2007, <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2007/1924783.htm >
The phenomenon of blogging is not restricted to internet users but is also well-known among politicians. Political blogsphere is increasing and politicians usually use 'to blog' and 'vblog' in order to spread messages to the mass audiences. 'YouTube' and 'MySpace' are two of the most popular websites politicians prefer to use to upload their speeches, make comments as well as answer questions that the voters ask.
Voters will post their questions through online video and the politicians too will use the same medium to respond to what they have been asked. In this case, two-way communication is achieved and a relationship between politicians and voters is also built up. By using these free videos, politicians can carefully craft their messages because there are no interruptions from other journalists.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2007/1924783.htm
In my view, online campaigning helps in saving money as well as saving natural resources, for example, paper. In Malaysia, loads of posters, banners and brochures are used in one election and these propaganda tools are going to last only for a couple of months. How many trees have to be chopped and how many human resources have to be used in order to fulfill the needs of these politicians? I think the Malaysian government and politicians have to consider this issue and online campaigning is a good ideas for them to practise.
Different media serve different needs. By using online media, politicians can reach out to those public who do not use the traditional media. In addition, online campaigning is also one of the most effective ways to spread the word and it has the same assumption of spreading viruses. For example, after a person watches an online video, he or she may spread their opinions or send the link to another person and this process will keep on going and growing. Moreover, peers have a great influence among each other; one thinks in a certain way and the rest will follow what that person thinks too.
The following are some interesting online videos from 'YouTube', showing how the U.S politicians, Hilary Clinton and Barrack Obama use free online video to spread their word to the public.
References
Politics and the Internet 2007, ABC radio, viewed 20 May 2007, <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2007/1924783.htm >
19 May 2007
The aims of gagpotatoes's blog:
This blog aims to share ideas, opinions, commentaries and critiques of current media issues, especially issues published on ABC radio and The Australian Media sections on Thursday. In addition, gagpotatoes also looks at the media ethics involved in these topics and discusses further by stating her own point of view and share some interesting articles and online video with other bloggers.
Introduction : What is blog?
A journal plus a pen are the most traditional equipment people use in recording their daily personal experiences, feelings and observations. A computer plus an internet connection are the equipment people use in this era to share their comments, ideas, interests and experiences and this can be done through blogging.
What is a blog?
The term blog or weblog refers to the personal online journal or diary. Blogs are a medium for sharing personal diaries with the intended general public. They are regularly updated with the postings of the authors’ or bloggers’ points of view, experiences and commentaries. Blogs can either be used as a traditional diary which record things that happened for the day or for other purposes like discussing a particular topic (political, music, sports, movie and media) and promoting products. Other than text, a blog also consists of a collection of related links or websites recommended by the blogger. Additionally, other elements such as photographs, videos and audios can be uploaded into the blog.
The phenomenon of blogging is becoming increasingly popular. According to Dvorak (2002), there are five possible reasons why people blog, which are (1) ego gratification, (2) anti-depersonalization, (3) elimination of frustration, (4) societal need to share, (5) wanna-be writers. At the same time, they are communities who blog (PCMAG.com 2002).
“Ego gratification” refers to the people who want to be the centre of attention. They want people to realize who they are, what they think and what they have done in order to grab others' attention. “Anti-depersonalization” means people blog to differentiate themselves from the majority. “Elimination of frustration” means the elimination of frustration through blogging. People complain and comment on things that frustrate them in their lives, for example jobs and relationships. “Societal need to share” refers to those cynics who share. Finally, the “wanna-be writers” refers to those who wish to be a writer in publishing media and the blog has become the medium for them to write (PCMAG.com 2002).
A weblog is a new form of media publishing. Any person can publish their views and comments on blog via internet access. This is compared to other information media, for example, books and newspapers where not everyone has the ability to publish what they want to discuss or talk about. These media have more restrictions compared to the weblogs. In a weblog, anyone can be an author and write as they like. Furthermore, one of the advantages of the weblog is the ability to get immediate feedback from the those who read the blog.
Following are some links for some weblogs to give readers a further idea of what weblogs are and the phenomenon of weblogging today:
<http://technology.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=28229>
<http://blog.jackvinson.com/archives/2006/06/26/blogging_and_communities.html>
<http://www.blogarama.com/>
<http://blog.canadianjournalist.ca/blog>
<http://codex.wordpress.org/Introduction_to_Blogging>
<http://www.blogpulse.com/>
<http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-blogs.htm>
<http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,81500,00.asp>
<http://www.ajy.net/jmb/blogphenomenon.htm>
References
Dvorak, JC 2002, The blog phenomenon, PCMAG.COM, viewed 19 May 2007, <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,81500,00.asp>
What is a blog?
The term blog or weblog refers to the personal online journal or diary. Blogs are a medium for sharing personal diaries with the intended general public. They are regularly updated with the postings of the authors’ or bloggers’ points of view, experiences and commentaries. Blogs can either be used as a traditional diary which record things that happened for the day or for other purposes like discussing a particular topic (political, music, sports, movie and media) and promoting products. Other than text, a blog also consists of a collection of related links or websites recommended by the blogger. Additionally, other elements such as photographs, videos and audios can be uploaded into the blog.
The phenomenon of blogging is becoming increasingly popular. According to Dvorak (2002), there are five possible reasons why people blog, which are (1) ego gratification, (2) anti-depersonalization, (3) elimination of frustration, (4) societal need to share, (5) wanna-be writers. At the same time, they are communities who blog (PCMAG.com 2002).
“Ego gratification” refers to the people who want to be the centre of attention. They want people to realize who they are, what they think and what they have done in order to grab others' attention. “Anti-depersonalization” means people blog to differentiate themselves from the majority. “Elimination of frustration” means the elimination of frustration through blogging. People complain and comment on things that frustrate them in their lives, for example jobs and relationships. “Societal need to share” refers to those cynics who share. Finally, the “wanna-be writers” refers to those who wish to be a writer in publishing media and the blog has become the medium for them to write (PCMAG.com 2002).
A weblog is a new form of media publishing. Any person can publish their views and comments on blog via internet access. This is compared to other information media, for example, books and newspapers where not everyone has the ability to publish what they want to discuss or talk about. These media have more restrictions compared to the weblogs. In a weblog, anyone can be an author and write as they like. Furthermore, one of the advantages of the weblog is the ability to get immediate feedback from the those who read the blog.
Following are some links for some weblogs to give readers a further idea of what weblogs are and the phenomenon of weblogging today:
<http://technology.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=28229>
<http://blog.jackvinson.com/archives/2006/06/26/blogging_and_communities.html>
<http://www.blogarama.com/>
<http://blog.canadianjournalist.ca/blog>
<http://codex.wordpress.org/Introduction_to_Blogging>
<http://www.blogpulse.com/>
<http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-blogs.htm>
<http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,81500,00.asp>
<http://www.ajy.net/jmb/blogphenomenon.htm>
References
Dvorak, JC 2002, The blog phenomenon, PCMAG.COM, viewed 19 May 2007, <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,81500,00.asp>
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