Response to Postman and Twitter

Thompson and Johnson both write about the way in which technology and media (specifically Facebook and Twitter) have created a “new world” and “will change the way we live.” Indeed, the world is changing and these articles can be used to illustrate the eight trends or shifts that are taking place in our 21st century media culture, as recognized by ACME.
http://www.acmecoalition.org/files/ACME_shifts.pdf

1.Epistemological shift: From word to IMAGE
(symbol: TV/screens)
Although Facebook and Twitter involve reading to a certain extent, both revolve around a screen, which is the symbol that represents this shift.

2.Technological shift: From analog to DIGITAL
(symbol: personal computer)
Both Facebook and Twitter have further personalized the personal computer. Now personal information can be converted to a binary code of ones and zeros and then shared with the world via the internet.

3.Personal shift: From mass to PERSONAL/PARTICIPATORY – NEW media
(symbol: MySpace/Facebook)
Not only do Facebook and Twitter allow individuals to share personal information, but also this information can be changed regularly. It can be constantly updated by the user and responded to by the viewer. Thompson refers to this as “digital intimacy” and writes about how such constant online contact leads to an “ambient awareness” which gives you “a surprisingly sophisticated portrait of your friends’ and family members’ lives.” Johnson notes that it is this special awareness that gives Twitter “unsuspected depth.”

4.Aesthetic shift: From discrete to CONVERGENCE
(symbol: iTouch)
Different media technologies are coming together, which means that Facebook and Twitter can be accessed from a phone that also has the capabilities of a computer, radio, camera, and GPS.


5.Political shift: From regulation to DE(RE)REGULATION
(symbol: 1996 Telecommunications Act)
Almost anyone in the United States can get on the internet from anywhere to check Facebook or Twitter.

6.Economic shift: HYPER commercialism and CORPORATE consolidation.
(symbol: MTV and “Googlezon”)
Facebook currently includes advertisements and Johnson believes that advertising will soon become “Twitterfied” because “successful businesses will have millions of Twitter followers (and will pay good money to attract them.)” He writes that “a whole new language of tweet-based customer interaction will evolve to keep those followers engaged: early access to new products or deals, live customer service, customer involvement in brainstorming for new products.”

7.Discursive shift: From objective to SUBJECTIVE
(symbol: the “blogosphere”)
Rather than searching for information from objective sources, Twitter users are sharing links, tapping into the resources offered by their extended social network, and appreciating this subjective information. Johnson writes, “If you’re looking for advice on sibling rivalry, an article recommended by a friend of a friend might well be the best place to start.”

8.Cultural shift: From privacy to SURVEILLANCE
(symbol: MySpace to Homeland Security)
ACME clearly states that media user data, such as the information that is entered into Facebook and Twitter profile pages, is being “monitored, collected, and analyzed” by corporations and the government.



Although Postman does not write about Facebook or Twitter, he would agree with Thompson and Johnson that technology and media “change the way we live.” He writes that in the “Age of Show Business,” even politics and education have been turned into sources of amusement. Postman illustrates this with many examples. The following are three video clips of examples that Postman refers to in his work.

JFK



NIXON



VOYAGE OF THE MIMI




According to ACME, “media construct our culture and involve trade-offs (goods and bads).” Through their work, Postman, Thompson, and Johnson all touch on this theme that media construct reality. As an educator, it is my job to help students ask the right questions and deconstruct their reality in order to make informed decisions.
http://www.acmecoalition.org/files/ACME_questioningmedia.pdf