reflection on media culture class....

We're saved!!!! NICE GOING LECTURER RADZI!!!

Mr.Radzi mentioned regarding the theories. That kind of worries me because my essay was basically full of my own opinion supported by exampled...i do hope he accept it. The lecture was ...as....always.......sending me into the realm of thinking and guesswork...nice going with the workload we're having.

Mr.Radzi's explanation was jumbled up but its pretty interesting to figure what he was saying...(no offense given)

Topic 6- Media Effects Using McLuhan's "Tetrad of Media"

Using McLuhan's "Tetrad of Media" (see diagram below), choose a medium or media application or tool (e.g. newspaper, books, radio, tv, film, internet, computer games, handphone, instant messaging, blogging, online advertising, youtube, facebook etc.) and explain its media effects? Please refer to Week 9's lecture notes plus your own research to discuss this topic.

My, my, my fellow lectures all of you never ever cease to amaze me with the depth of your question every week. Ponder and reflect on the subject given...yeah that's it.

Anyways back to the topic at hand - Mcluhan's Tetrad of Media - the diagram above.

What does the medium enhance?

What does the medium make obsolete?
What does the medium retrieve that had been obsolesced earlier?
What does the medium flip into when pushed to extremes?

My choice of media is youtube.

www.youtube.com it near impossible for anyone NOT to hear of this link. Youtube is a free video upload database. It contains videos of almost ever genre......except for pornographic. Though there are some sensual and sexual themes available.

What does the medium enhance?

Youtube basically enhance the viewers and users around the world to freely speak their views regarding matters. Possibly posting some important events within their lifes or plain fun. Regardless to all that, there are some companies who received free advertising in youtube. It an indeniable that some products are futher advertized throughout the world in youtube. Especially movie trailers and pop star music videos.

What does the medium make obselete?

Youtube actually combined the functions of many other media. Its predecessors focus on a specific task....a radio plays music along with dj's views and opinions. A television shows movies, occasionally advertisement and news. Blogs and forums post opinions on specific issues. Youtube basically combined all of this functions. The existence of youtube encourages the entire world to speak their mind. And due to the fact that the videos covered almost every single aspect...the usage of televisyen had been reduced greatly. News limited to domestic issued is no longer abled to hold the interest of the younger audience whose interest are much broader and international. Youtube supplied the way out. Youtube smartly posted videos of interest related to the viewer in its welcome page...making it easier for the viewer to view current issues. Same goes to music and opinions from people. Educational purposes had also being enhanced. Books in libraries no longer received as much publicity as it used to be. Opinions from certain individuals can be easilly accessed through youtube. blogs and forums also being reduced. In every videos there are comments and rebuttals.

What is retrieved that had been made obsolete earlier?

Just like what most other technology had made obsolete....its human touch. Through youtube it kills the need of families siting together on the couch watching the news; or switching on the radio for some old and old dj's talking. Newspapers arent really needed anymore these days... Proper english reading is now becoming less and less important with the rise of Youtube. It may seem to go unnoticed but i personally realized that the english used in replies, or comments, or even in the video themselves doesn't really abide by proper english. Grammars are mixed up and unofficial internet languages such as LOL and ROFLMAO are becoming common.

What is reversed when pushed to extremes?

To be honest Youtube had already being pushed to an extreme far exceeding most media in the world. But if youtube were to gain much more power then what it already had...things might go bad. For one Youtube does not censor or delete factually wrong ideas and so-called fact based opinion. This might lead to heavy misunderstanding among parties. With the power of the media, many things can be perceived differently, and since youtube is like shoutout to the world, it is possibly one among the many media which is as strong as google. The effects of youtube promotes a much more international mind where aspects of all areas are considered. This is a double-edged sword however because there might be a risk of the certain individual to become twisted against their origin policies. Youtube if used excessively cultural heritage and identity might be wiped out in a long run.