Washing machines and Violence...

I think the key to thinking about diverse learners is to make sure that you do a lot of research. As Dr. Thornburg pointed out, we often take our technology for granted and it would be hard to understand a life without technology. The more research that we conduct and read, in order to understand where other people are coming from the better off we will be when we try to approach diversity within technology. There is a great Ted that this reminds me of where a man talks about the effects of having a washing machine, another technology that we take for granted.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine.html

A lot of times, I think that we are unaware of what we take for granted and it is not be an elitist but there is not a lot of interest in the news or television in talking about what other people don't use on a daily basis. If we educate ourselves and others on the technologies that other cultures live without than I think we can make better decisions that are aimed to meet the needs of all people.

Another Ted that this brought to mind was about how we are failing boys in our schools and how video games could really help mind this gap.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ali_carr_chellman_gaming_to_re_engage_boys_in_learning.html

I found this Ted very interesting and I think about it a lot when kids ask to write or perform different topics...even if I am not interested in violence, why should I stop them from writing or performing a piece that allows them to be engaged in my class.

Off with your head!!!

* When you decided to obtain a DVD for your science fiction assignment in Module 4, where did you go to find a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book? Did you rent or purchase a DVD, or did you view it digitally on your computer using Netflix or a similar vendor of video on demand?
I used Netflix streaming to watch my movie. About a month ago, I got rid of cable and started watching all my TV and movie content via Netflix and Hulu Plus. It has been an interesting adjustment but I am enjoying the cost benefits.



* Is the current competition between DVDs and video on demand an example of increasing returns or Red Queens? Justify your response with sound reasoning and specific examples.
I think that the competition between video on demand and DVDs is an example of increasing returns. I think this because of the recent articles about Netflix having to go through contract renewals with the big film industries. The same thing that happened with Panasonic could happen with Netflix if they do not negotiate a deal for content. I am enjoying my Hulu and Netflix accounts but there are still things that I want that they do not provide. DVDs have the market as far as content goes but now it is all about accessibility and that is a huge factor. I think DVDs will disappear and everything will be about VODs, this is why it is not a Red Queen, I really do not think that both industries will survive. The VOD industry offers rentals, on demand and permanent digital movies so the true test will be about who gets the most content licenses.


* Where do you think DVDs and video on demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad?

Enhances- instant sharing of media content
Obsoletes- TV Shows
Rekindle- Live performance
Reverses- all the content being available in one location