technoculture203-09

I came across a website today that is called last.fm which is sort of a social networking site where you can share music interests with your friends. The website measures how often you listen to specific songs and how many songs you have listened to throughout your membership of the site. With this information the website can also recommend music to you and compare your music taste with your friends. It can be seen as a place where you develop an identity through your music, as people can see exactly what you are listening to at the exact time you are listening to it. I think this is a very interesting concept because this can connect people through music, which can be a very important thing in many people's lives. Many would probably think this is the same as just another facebook group, but it is actually not because the focus is not on socializing specifically, but rather on sharing music and to learn more about your own “musical identity”, which is why I found it quite unique compared to anything I have seen before.

After my computer showed me a lovely blue screen in the middle of writing my assignment, I have decided that technology and I do not have a good relationship. As was mentioned in our first lecture, relationships with technology can sometimes be irritating. However most of the time, I believe technology is truly marvellous.

For example, Skype an easy to use online video calling website, which is free, and designed to allow Skype members to keep in touch. Is an easy way to maintain long distance relationships and does not offer the extras that other networking sites require such as creating detailed profiles which in contrast social networking site Facebook does. Facebook allows relationships to be made or continued, and suggests that users create an extensive identity online as a way of expressing their personality, not just a means of keeping in contact.

Another instance of bad technology use for me was miraculously deleting 250 odd photos and please don’t suggest simply checking the recycle bin, it is still a tender subject. So, should I be ashamed of this relationship I have with technology considering I am a 21st century person living in the digital age? I consider how you use the technology you have to be of importance, whilst also allowing for good and bad days.

Creator of the above clip Max Rosen, runs a course at New York University on viral video production. He identifies some characteristics of viral advertising to ensure its success and generation of profit in these demanding times such as: