The Process Model

Lecturer: Daniel ; Media Cultures and Histories

Topic of Discussion: "THE PROCESS MODEL"
Post no. 4

From what I understand from the slides and lectures, this Process Model is a communication theory of the work of Shannon and Weaver during the World war II.

This theory works is very technical as it involves only transferring information from one end to the other. AND, during the process of transferring information, there would be noise as well. Allow me to give an example that could relate itself to the process model.

INFORMATION SOURCE : Myself

TRANSMITTER: My desktop

NOISE: Slow loading speed of my blog page

RECEIVER:Blog reader's computer

DESTINATION: Blog Reader

I have read that this flow of information has its drawbacks. It does not have any denotations or meanings as it only does a straight, calculated job. It also does not require or give any feedback between users or computers. However, these matters would not be necessary as WWII was taking part at the time. Efficiency and accuracy of information was much more needed than a feeling based system. This flow could also be considered as a strategy to win the war at the time. You'd never know?

I noticed how noise is apart of the flow. Somehow, to Shannon and Weaver, information transfer would most definitely involve noise. Is it true though? Looking at the technological advances these days, with noise being tackled and troubleshooted after years and years of research and development, should noise still be compelled to be present in the flow? I'm sure not every single form of information transfer involves noise all the time.

Take Facebook chat for example. Two users could be back and forth without noise for a period of time. Thus, eliminating the 'Noise Source' in the Transmission Model. Of course, there would be a chance that one of the computers would get struck by lightning, exploding the internet modem and cause a whole lot of noise. But to think, maybe this transmission model could only apply to that particular era, at that particular time.

Next, what interests me is the way information in categorized.
It is divided into two forms. Entropy and Redundant Information.

Entropy was new for me so I was a little excited to know what it meant. To my knowledge, I took the definition of redundant information as boring, useless, or something not really needed.

It was surprising to learn that redundant information according to the T>R module meant predictability and conventionality and Entropy, the contrary of it. In my opinion, redundancy in information would be dull and boring for me. Like reading the Terms and Conditions of any programs I download. I don't do that! No one ever does. However, it could be useful at times. I learnt from my first semester in Icon Designing that having a redundant, conventional and recognizable icon would help the usability and comprehension towards my User Interface. So that's a plus point for redundancy!

Entropy information sounds more interesting. It's defined as new, something out of the blue and unusual information. Somehow this reminds me of Extroverts like how redundant information would remind me of Introverts. There's some Binary Opposition happening there. *laughs*

New information could be entertaining, could be otherwise. As for icon usability, I don't think its a very good idea to be creating something so abstract no one else but myself could understand.

So, this transmission model just works to deliver entropic or redundant messages straight from the transmitter to the receiver without any feedback or emotions.


-Charissa ONG

References: CommunicationTheory.org

A short Film for my AVP assignment.

Intertextuality

Lecturer: Daniel; Media Cultures and Histories


Topic of discussion: "Intertextuality"
Post no. 3


Intertextuality! Its strange how the the word is underlined as if its an error. I found today's lecture rather intriguing. It made me excavate the different, uncharted corners of my mind. What I have been exposed to all my life, shed in a different light.


The word 'intertextuality' is defined by the shaping of texts' meanings by other texts. I have realised that one of my favourite forms of entertainment; parodies on Youtube as well as the parodies DJ's perform on my local radio stations have a great intertextuality element to it. As mentioned in the lecture, intertextuality plays with the familiarity and common aspects from original texts. And by modifying them ever so slightly, they trigger humor facets in those parodies. 


For example, one of my favorite youtubers, RyanHiga does a parody on the occurrence of the Rihanna and Chris Brown incident.

The reason why that particular video has a smashing 23 Million views is that it had great intertextuality and reference to the singers' songs in the script. What made the video even more relevant is that those lyrics and songs do come together in a nice little package that could convince the audience of its story. The other reason would also be that this video was uploaded at the right time the incident happened, when no information was out in the news regarding the incident. Hence, this video somehow feeds the hungry mass with the title, 'Why Chris Brown beat Rihanna'.


However, these intertextualities would only have effect on a certain target audience that has lived, or experienced that text during that era. What I found most interesting is about how intertextuality can be perceived as 'creative bankruptcy'. I think if intertextuality is used in the right way; with new creative input that would mesh together in harmony, it could be considered as creativity. On the other hand, intertextuality with an idea of plagiarism would definitely fall under 'bankruptcy' of creativity.


What I'd like to conclude is that intertextuality is used as a form of personal and internal connection between the user and host. It builds a form of trust as conventional and familiar aspects are being used in those experiences.


-Charissa Ong

My take on Plato's virtues

Lecturer : Daniel; Media Cultures and Histories

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Topic of discussion: Plato's "Allegory of the Cave"

Post no. 2


When I first encountered the idea from Plato; as well as the Googled images related to this,

I have concluded that it has a strong relation to the definition and effects of media to the subjects exposed to it. The prisoners being the mass public and the puppeteers representing the Media. The fire, is used as a medium to communicate what the puppeteers want to show to the prisoners through shadows. By doing this, the puppeteers could manipulate the images and thinking of the prisoners. 

Hence, this could create a false reality for the mass.

This was actually the first essay topic which I have chosen to do. I actually downloaded Second life to analyse this theory! 

Speaking of Second Life, it actually adopts the same principles of Plato's Allegory of the Cave. This internet social medium is capable of recreating the perfect avatar, character and location of any person's dreams. This, somehow gives a second chance of life, or as I might add, an escapade from the cruel realities. Programmers paint the perfect world for the users that would indulge them, chain them to the seats of their computers. 

According to Allegory, the prisoners that climb out of the cave are shocked in afraid from what they have been told which was real, isn't. Metaphorically this could be applied to hard-core gamers that would hide in their 'cave' for long periods of time, unexposed to the world. Upon escaping the habit, they would be experiencing new realities and understandings of the real world.

This could also be applied to the local newspapers or entertainment tabloids that have the capability of transforming normal issues into misconceptions that could blow the sales off the stands. 

Therefore, this is what I think about Plato's Allegory of the Cave. It pretty much aligns itself with the original theory.

-Charissa Ong

A charcoal portrait I did for my dad like an hour ago. Happy Fathers Day and Happy Birthday dada. =D

I have added gifs of my bored self to make this blog look more alive. Fiddling around with Adobe. Kelvin thought us a bunch of adobe stuff and I have chosen to abuse that knowledge for my own pleasures. =D