Why do we all want to move to the Matrix?

In the film, the character Neo tries to free people from the oppression of the Matrix. We all seem to be packed and ready to move there! This link makes a comical poke at what the future may look like, ( apparently we won't be wasting any time modernising the kettle) we still drink tea but will need help to make it and we still at least occasionally, leave the house.

 

Joking aside, this clip is always how I imagine the world appears to someone who is austisic. A barrage on your senses making it extremely difficult to process what is appropriate to you. In order to survive you extract precise information such as the tea making.

As peoples sensitivity drops under the constant barrage of communication, we are likely to be subjected to more extreme images. We know as this happens our sensitivity drops, making us less effected by the original level. However I think If I had to live like this, I would make a mental note of all the brands I would not be buying.  

How social is social networking?

How social is social networking?

How long is a piece of string? Likewise the answer to the former question vary, as does the vigour with which they are argued. What is more interesting to me, are our communications aspirations as a global community. How do we want to communicate in the future?

Effective communication is a two way process which involves both, speaking and listening.

In traditional conversations we teach small children rules for effective communication. We are all predisposed to being more accomplished at speaking or the listening and we strive to find a balance.

                                                                     

We do not really teach children (or adults) etiquette with regards to digital communication. Digital etiquette's and cultures have evolved  and are often rather vague. Communications don't have to happen in a set sequence. You can just post on twitter or face book with out reading or read with out posting. Time intervals are not set, people can respond immediately or at sometime in the future and multiple conversation or information transactions can take place at any given time. My interest here lies within weather or not this is an improvement?

 Example, at a recent transition event for primary 7 pupils, designed to give them a positive experience of the future high school and the future peers, it transpired they had already made up their mind to 'hate' some of their new class mates. A fight broke out and was immediately stopped. On investigation as to why two children from different schools who had never met could be fighting so quickly the child answered "I hate him". "How is that possible you don't even know him",was the next question. "Yes I do" answered the boy, "How do you know him"? asked the adult. The answer? Face book.

This was one of the many example of antisocial networking which are increasing. The lines of reality and digital communication are not as clear for everyone. Two children on separate occasions this week said "OMG" not not the words, the letters. Sadly it is not just children,  the recent case of two  Dunblane parents fight  prearranged on face book to happen outside the Primary school , highlights some adults have difficulty with the concept also. Are a certain amount of life skills required which prerequisite safe digital communication? If so how do we prepare future generations for safe use?

Supermarkets are criticised for displaying sweets next to cashiers, Toy companies are criticised for advertising during kids programmes but no one is really monitoring advertising on children's sites. Or worse still don't realise.  The Guardian highlighted this in 2009 after the  Byron  report in 2008. The reports was updated in 2010.

The final example I have from this week is a child from another group I work with. The child has a blackberry however is rarely appropriately dressed and this week had toenails, which were so dirty, I though they were bruised.  It is not an isolated case. For me, this highlights a lack of priorities. Why are communications devices priorities over basic care? There are many possible answers but no positive ones I can think of.

This brings me back to our communications aspirations. We know we are able to bring around huge cultural changes such as the smoking ban and that digital communications can be effective in helping us to do so. We know digital communication is here to stay. It can be used as a force for good or bad. What we don't seem to agree on or be discussing, is how we should aspire to communicate. Public relations is intrinsically reactive, we exist inside a given culture, but that should not dissuade us from having aspirational direction.

What are your communications aspirations? Where should we go?

Conscientious Objector

Conscientious objector                                 

If I’m honest, it's not just that I have never bogged or been on face book or tweeted because I did not know how or could not be bothered.  If I am honest I was kind of against the idea. I think it has contributed greatly to the continuing break down in the country’s interpersonal and social skills.  I have been up until this point a conscientious objector.

What’s happened to old fashioned conversation? What is  wrong with chatting to people face to face or speaking on the phone? Why does it happen less and less? When was the last time you were in a meeting or chatting to your friends that someone was not on their phone? Why do people text you when you are next to them? I am not against progress however seeing photographs of a night out I am still on does not really feel like progress to me. I prefer to regret my outfit choice, or realise I should drink less, somewhere in the future.

My views are split into professional and personal. As a profession I recognise that this is the way the world is moving so I can work with it or get left behind. I just don't necessarily agree it's progress. 

My work currently involves persuading people to be physically active.  It’s seems a little rich to use such an inactive medium to promote activity. I not above hypocrisy ,  I don’t mean I can’t or won’t use digital media, I just wonder wither ethically I should. I think we are all responsible for our own actions and those actions are what mark our contribution as a global citizen. If well all accept that’s the way it is then, that’s the way it will be.  It reminds me of being a child and watching ‘Why Don’t You’ ( it has not aged well!) during school holidays.

Even as a child I thought programme was a bit ironic. Was their goal to stop you watching all programmes, including theirs or encourage viewers to only watch ‘Why Don’t You'? or was it just Rhetoric?

To what extent does compromising the means of communication compromise the integrity of your message?

On Your Marks, Get Set, Blog!

Yes I know it’s ironic. I'm studying Public Relations. Taking a Digital Media module and yet I have never even had a Facebook account! I have never used twitter. I email a lot for work purposes but in my own time, nope. I don't really use apps and apart from iTunes, my smart phone is pretty much wasted and yes this is my first blog. Right so confessions out in the open, expectations of me should now be relatively low. My chances of disappointing you all should be significantly reduced.

Looking forward to learning about this whole new world of communication (well it will be new to me) and seeing all of your good ideas.

For my first blog I have chosen a link for no better reason than I like the video. Obviously Travis Rice is Crazy but how cool is it that this is actually someone’s Job.