The Times They Are a-Changin’

In this week’s reading, Gill (2007) touched on the age-old notion that “it’s not what you know, but who you know” and how this rings true now more than ever in the field of new media and communications. This was also reflected on by Martin and Lee but sorry guys, times have changed and you’re being left behind.

In the current world of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn knowing someone is only a click or two away. By liking a page, tagging a business or company in a post or tweeting a potential employer you appear on their radar but this places you in the same situation as dozens, hundreds, thousands of “communications professionals” vying for the same position.

This is the intriguing part of the change – it has gone full circle. With everyone connected in one way or another, the onus is back on us, the job-seekers, to stand out from the crowd. It is no longer what you know, or even who you know. What is now the most important element of finding work in new media is how you appear online, promote yourself and present yourself on social media. Set profile to PRIVATE!

REFERENCE LIST

Gill, R. (2007). ‘Informality is the New Black’. In Technobohemians or the new Cybertariat? New Media work in Amsterdam a decade after the web. Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures: 24-30 & 38-43. Accessed  April 20, 2011 from http://www.networkcultures.org/_uploads/17.pdf

Lee, F. 2011. “The Network Society”,  Faithchantal’s Blog- Everything and Anything. Accessed April 20, 2011.http://faithchantal.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/the-network-society/

Martin, P. 2011. “The Future is Free…lancing, that is!”, Numedia, Web2.0 and You-the Society and the like….Accessed April 20, 2011. http://pevamart.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/the-future-is-free-lancing- that-is/

Time to toughen up, you illness addicts.

In this week’s reading, Lewis (2006, 522-525) explores the development of online health information, advice and even live diagnosis for illness. Kyla Bridge took it a step further and admits, or rather boasts that she looks online for medical advice, takes it to heart but would never make any serious decisions without consulting a doctor in the flesh.

This is the problem with online medical advice! Any slight ailment has a cure. A cough, runny nose, paper-cut and bruise can be researched, diagnosed and medication prescribed. Sure the medicine may fix the problem fast but ultimately you will be worse. The human body is a fighter. It is made to fight sickness and recover from illness and injury. A couple of days in bed while we shake off the swine flu/bird flu/mad cow disease will mean next time the latest “super-virus” comes around your immune system is on its toes in the red corner ready to swing the knock-out blow.

Popping pills at every sniffle makes you a target for disease as the immune system has become the kid at high-school whose mummy still tucks him into bed every night. The doctors’ surgery being slightly out of reach is a health benefit as the inconvenience of getting there; waiting for hours and answering potentially embarrassing questions is enough of a turn-off for most to stay in bed and tough it out. Stay away from the people online pretending to be doctors, drink a glass of water and go outside to the sun and fresh air rather than adhering to their advice. Researching diseases causes illness, rather than stopping them. 

Trust me, I’m a doctor.

Reference List

Lewis, Tania. 2006. “Seeking health information on the internet: Lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondria?” Media, culture & society, 28 (4): 521-539. Accessed April 11, 2011. 

Bridge, Kyla. 2011. "Hi Everybody - Hi Dr Nick!" New Media Blog April 11. Accessed April 11, 2011 from: http://kyla-newmediablog.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-weeks-topic-has-so-far-been-my.html

Shake to Shuffle

In this week’s reading, Levy (2006) discusses the notion that one’s iPod playlist is a strong reflection of their personality and a key indicator to their level of “cool.” Being the first to like a band and stumbling upon a rare b-side place you at the top of the heap but whipping your hair along to Willow Smith will have your reputation falling faster than you can say Kings of Leon.

This is where the iPod’s privacy comes in handy. What you’re listening to is a deep dark secret and for fear excruciating, sometimes permanent judgement you choose to keep it that way.

I am prepared to go out on a limb and use myself as an experiment, by listing here the first five songs to appear on my shuffle playlist. Hopefully my faith in my library and the shuffle function pays off as this small sample (5/14540 songs) will now be public, but we all have our guilty pleasures.

Tame Impala – Lucidity

The Strokes – Metabolism

Nirvana – Negative Creep

Letter to Spain – Here Come The Capsize

TISM – Whatareya

That was a nervous few touches of the screen, but ultimately it portrays as accurate a reflection of my library as I could hope for. Thank God (or Jack White) that Ke$ha didn’t appear, or I would have to leave the country and change my name.

References

Levy, Steven. 2006. The perfect thing: How the iPod shuffles commerce, culture and                       coolness. New York: Simon & Schuster.