Hyper-reality and the digital renaissance

1) Read the article from Media Magazine: Hyper-reality and the digital renaissance (Dec 2009). Use our Media Magazine archive, click on MM30 and go to page 59.

2) Create a new blogpost called 'Hyper-reality and the digital renaissance' and make notes from the article under the following headings: 

• examples

The invention of the telephone led to the creations of VOIP's like Skype, which form different simulations of reality like dinner parties.

Movies, in particular silent movies 

The Internet with all its social networks 

• theories 

Jean Baudrillard's simulation/simulacra 

• positive aspects of new technology (or 'digital renaissance' 

enhanced communication 

audience empowerment - UGC

escape from reality

• negative aspects of new technology on audiences and society

very different from reality

fantasy- people are unable to differentiate 

less communication- people become unsociable 

 

• wider issues and debates 

New media technology like social networks contribute negatively by being a medium to which bullying can happen

Skype and other social networks are unmediated, meaning anything can be said on them which may go against someone else's beliefs. 

3) The article was written in 2009. Offer three examples of more recent social networking sites or uses of technology that support the idea of a 'digital renaissance'.

Instagram, with the large picture and video sharing site offers people to like rate and comment on peoples content from around the world

Snapchat- offers short videos and pictures that are available for a set amount of time, have changed social trends among young people countless times

Twitter- acts like another news station and has changed the way breaking news comes around, stories can appear on twitter long before they appear on any news channel, however it does raise the concern  over the authenticity of the news as there have been a lot of hoaxes.

4) How do live streaming services such as Periscope or Facebook Live fit into the idea of a 'digital renaissance'? Are these a force for good or simply a further blurring of reality?

I do think anything that is filmed live and spontaneously does reflect some aspect of reality and it can be very helpful in helping less powerful people beat the system rightfully.
5) How can we link the 'digital renaissance' to our case study on news? Is citizen journalism a further example of hyper-reality or is it actually making news more accurate and closer to real life?

I do think that citizen journalism is making news more accurate and closer to real life, however by sending it to another media organisation could still distort the truth through editing and other gimmicks.