maria_homework_latish

Just finished reading and seeing the youtube videos from the wired article you tube vs boob tube.
And I have to admit I had never thought of it like that; that computer are taking the power away from t.v. I always thought that they sort of work together (zapping out the reality of our real lives). I agree that the lines are being blured between these two forms of semi mindless entertainment (that I love). I think that the computer democratizes who has the power in a way, we can post out own images or videos... but at the end of the day there is still a big boss making a lot of cash off the distribution of this stuff. It is google instead of cbs, who cares, same difference. Reality t.v. is t.v.s ansure and pop up comercials are the internets way to be competitive back. So we get to find a place to show ourselves off (other then public television) and that makes everyone happy, maybe 15min. of fame is not what we should be striveing for, I want real change, I wana go to the park! (but can't forget my digital camera, to upload my new photos onto facebook and share them with my friends)!!!

You Tube

I don't usually view YouTube, but after watching the video clips something strange happened. I became an addict. At first after watching "Boom goes the Dynamite" I was pretty horrified by this students presentation of the news, but then I saw the "History of Dance" clip and thought it was hilarious. I think videos such as these are good and bad. I think they are good because they allow another form of expression to the world. However, the instantaneous aspects of the media cause amazing improvisational pieces, as well as videos which should have been left out during editing. I work with ceramics and I have viewed a few really educational videos about technique. However I have also seen some pretty weird/gross videos on YouTube. Overall I think any media, video or other, if used in an inappropriate way does not speak with good intention. YouTube just makes the intention whether good or bad more instantaneous to viewers.

you tube vs boob tube

I don't feel there is really a big problem with the fact that you tube and other broadcasting websites are growing more and more each day. It brings a community of people to share things with each other, laugh, and broadcast themselves for the world to see. The only people who really don't benefit from this I believe is the advertising industry. Since youtube and the internet, more and more people are online browsing and looking at free advertisements online. Advertisers are losing money, and really don't have a way to advertise on places like youtube unless its on a sidebar somewhere. Most of the time, people are so flooded with advertisements on a daily basis that they become numb to it. I for one don't look at any of the advertisements I see on youtube, myspace, or anywhere else. I just ignore it. Eventually these internet things will be overcome by another type of advertising. Youtube already is in competition with other video sites like google, hulu, and one that MSN just created. Honestly, if you think about it, is this hurting anyone? Or just the big businesses?

Internet Art

After reading Introducing Internet Art to the Digital Art Curriculum, and browsing some of the sights suggested (Internet art), I was not surprised at the students difficulties in understanding this work. Although these students (teens) use the internet on a regular basis, I suspect their contact with conceptual and new media art must be limited. I often am confused when visiting Chelsea galleries, by some of the art I see, especially when looking at new media stuff, that I don't know how it was made, and sometimes am unsure of the message it is trying to convey, or even my reaction. As a graduate student, having gone to Parsons for Fine Arts, I sometime have to go home, digest the work, read the artist statement, talk about it over with a friend or read a review before having a more complete thought that I can verbalize, so if high school students have difficulties with this material it is to be expected. I think this is a great program to get students to think critically about art, and their society. I also think that the way she is going to present the project now, after doing this research, is going to be much more effective.

frontline

I just saw the PBS "Growing Up Online" documentary and I was impressed with that one teacher that was saying that you have to embrace that fact that kids are going to be using on line sources for writing reports, etc... and that those are the skills they are going to be using once they leave school. I agree with him because you can't expect students to ignore all the short cuts available to them. I know that I don't have the time to do all the reading I need to do, so I skim through things, and pay attention to what my class mates say and try to add to that, say something constructive and mildly original, but it is not always the most relative. Over all I thought the show was neutral, they gave both sides of the story, parents and students points of view. Some stories were sad (eating disorders, bullying, suicide...) but I think "Autumn's" father said it all with his final statement. You find what you want online, if you are looking for something good, it's there, if you are looking for something bad it will be there too, everything is accentuated and privacy is almost entirely a thing of the past. :(