This document contains a series of posts by Erica Alves Barbosa discussing various topics related to technology, media, and society. The posts examine how #Web2.0 has given rise to new forms of entertainment and recognition for independent work. They also discuss issues like #piracy, #Marxism, #capitalism, public art interventions like #GorillaKnitting, the impact of social media and virtual reality, #surveillance, #mementomori, and the influence of socialization on norms and values.

1. Erica Alves Barbosa
0007837623
Week 10
#Web2.0 Provides larger chances for small independent companies to develop into something bigger
and gain recognition by growing a fan base online. http://bit.ly/OcqGLF
Before the media institutions, had the power to choose what kind of media was distributed to us.
Today anybody is able to upload and share their media using the interpersonal computing feature of
#web2.0.
#Web2.0 gave rise to new forms of entertainment such as reaction and game play videos, with some
having a view count of 40 million views. Will internet videos replace TV watching and will TVs still be
needed? http://bit.ly/1dPlqty
Today we are able to receive recognition for our work through #web2.0. We can now fulfil our desire
to design independently what we might not have the chance to do in our main paid job.
We have more freedom to design what we believe in and create something that is more successful.
We are now less constrained by the wants of a major company. #Web2.0
Week 9
It’s easy to download and share media with each other. Sometimes we forget the hard work and
effort put into making them. #pirating
Movies are now out on DVD after they have left the cinemas, faster than before to compete with the
amount of pirate DVDs. How much more will #pirating affect the filming industry?
Watching a film illegally in the internet because you can’t wait to see it. The company making these
films isn’t getting profit from it. So you could be preventing yourself from enjoy their films in the
future. #pirating.
Offers and freebies attract the public. In a way pirating is seen as a free way of accessing
media/designs. Creating free designs/media could be a successful way of building a fan base on the
internet and increase the profit with the paid work. #pirating
Most people unconsciously contribute to pirating. This wouldn’t be such an issue if permission was
given to use the material in return for credit. #Pirating would instead become a way of raising
awareness and increasing profit.
Week 8
#Marxism claims that major companies (bourgeoisies) hold power over us. Doesn’t the fact that
some people reject mainstream media and develop indie companies show a rejection of that power?
#Marxism ‘Technology is a ‘fancy distractions’ capitalism offers us to maintain power. This can be
seen through the way we are so pressured to buy items in order to fit in and keep up with the new
releases.
Being controlled by #capitalism would mean that designs have to only be a certain way. Likewise
today most phones look the same. If this continues differentiating between brands will become
harder.

2. Erica Alves Barbosa
0007837623
Capitalism teaches us to ´be passive and submit to authority’. In a way conforming to conventions
could be seen in that way. So why does breaking these #conventions sometimes result in a
successful and unique design.
Not all design needs to be targeted at #mainstream society. There is still a rather large audience
consisting of people that reject mainstream media. By working together the designer and the user
produce a unique design that isn’t constrained that capitalist values.
Week 7
If public space is truly public why not contribute to it and personalise it the way you would do to
your home. #GorillaKnitting brings the homemade cosiness and warmth to the streets.
Today we leave in a fast paced society, restricted by deadlines, and timetables. This prevents us from
fully appreciating our surroundings. #GorillaKnitting brings forgotten public spaces to our attention
and gives them life.
A gallery is everywhere and everyone is an artist #StreetArt. Anyone can take part. Public space is
what you make it.
Headphones serve as escapism for people, but it also isolates us from each other despite being
physically close, making us anti social. 3D Illusions #StreetArt encourages interaction not only with
the piece but with each other.
Designers should create designs that encourage human interact as well as present a healthy and
relaxing escape from the restrictions of work and the busy everyday life #GardenBridge
#ThomasHeatherwick.
Week 6
Before our first impression of a person determined what we thought about them and whether we
would engage in a conversation, now we turn to #socialnetworksites for more information, although
their online identity may not reflect real life.
We can easily find and buy what we need online without having to move around and risk not finding
it. But are constantly bombarded by imagery of things the website assumes we want in the process,
based on our history. #FirstPartyAdversiting.
Before Facebook there was MySpace. Now there are various social media. Trying to juggle all of
these accounts makes it hard to keep up with our history and content. How do we know what we
write today won’t cause us problems later. http://on-msn.com/1g93eGj
Encourage participation by challenging the user’s creativity and making use of current trends,
without requiring input of personal data. #thefirerises http://bit.ly/Mzg8Fy
#Word-of-mouth on social media works hand in hand with viral campaigns. Allowing the user to
share your product onto their personal online space, could be more effective at reaching more
people quicker than TV ads.

3. Erica Alves Barbosa
0007837623
Week 5
#Antisocial people, we will increase the distance between each other and decrease the distance
between ourselves and the virtual. We will distance ourselves from fact and grow closer to fiction.
The #OculusRift Offers a VR world where you can be and do whatever you want without the
constraints of reality. But doesn’t this offer an easier way for people to replace their “unsuccessful”
realities.
People already commit horrific crimes. What would happen if we offer them an even more genuine
gaming experience? Since they truly feel a part of the game or that they have performed the action
with their own hands. http://bit.ly/1g9pvDR
Games for consoles such as #Wii encourage human interaction by allowing a larger amount of
participants. This can become more beneficial when discussions take place through playing
educational games.
Arcades allowed us to be outside with others. 1990s home consoles restricted gaming to inside the
home, in early 2000s online connectivity changed in-person contact with others to online friends.
How much further will gaming take us from each other? #VRGames
Week 4
We are unconsciously influenced by others. #Apple-headphones is the signifier for the phone in the
pocket. Is the ability to choose as consumers an illusion that what we buy are our choices?
Bernard London’s 1932 pamphlet blamed the global economical depression on thrifty consumers
"Penalise those who use what is legally dead.” Is that really different from the pressure and
judgement we face to consume and fit in.
#JockYoung “working class live in a bulimic society- bombarded with material goods which they
cannot consume causing them to starve”. Just working class? Why must we crave things that are
unnecessary? #culturejamming might be the medicine we need.
#Disposability we easily dispose of things that don't meet our never changing needs. Relationships
might have the same fate when the first problem occurs.
#2004 315 million working computers were thrown away. Why are products made to be updated
shortly after purchase? Are they made to improve user experience or compete with others in the
market?
Week 3
Isn't it ironic how institutions that constantly keep watch, feel uncomfortable when we point a
camera back. Why have we come to accept this? #GoogleGlassban
We feel uncomfortable, threatened and disrespected by # sousveillance. But we can adapt. In the
future we may grow to accept this the same way as CCTV.
Steve Mann “In the past the human eye was the camera and the mind the recording device” Now we
are able to record the unexpected and spontaneous events rather than a posed photo, more
efficiently #NarrativeClip.

4. Erica Alves Barbosa
0007837623
#Mass-Surveillance is often over looked while devices such as Google Glass are seen as intimidating.
Make it look “normal” like fashion glasses and they will be accepted as an extension of the eye.
Surveillance increases the chance of failure when committing a crime #socialcontrol. Sousveillance
technology can do the same and spread quicker news on #socialmedia. http://bit.ly/1eUKRZo
Week 2
Today’s #Modern-Technology not only improved the ways we record our existence but also how we
prolong it.
Memento Mori photos were easily damaged by the elements or finger smudges. But how durable is
our digitally stored photos, will their file types be compatible with future technologies.
In some ways planned obsolescence is the Memento Mori for designs. Or better, of the design for
the user. It is a warning that this object is not designed to last forever, it is “mortal”. So why do we
still buy them?
#MementoMori Modern technology offers us various ways of recording our existence, photography,
film and audio. But how much of whom we really were will remain behind, with the use, of auto
tune, filters and editing software?
Today, everything is instantly gratifying resulting in #wastefulness and materialism. In the past
families could only afford one photograph of the dead. We should not only take advantage of
modern technology but also appreciate it and what it now offers us.
Week 1
Right and wrong is neither right nor wrong. This is determined by the specific context and society.
Secondary socialisation is ongoing. We live in a #multi-cultural society that exposes us to different
cultures and traditions with their own norms and values. We learn that right and wrong varies from
place to place.
In the future, society will become even more diverse. Culture will be preserved through
#socialisation and with it the norms, values and individuality of each society.
Being aware of what is #socially-acceptable creates a design that is easier to be accepted by the
public, unless the intention is to create something controversial.
#Secondary-Socialisation allows you to be open minded. An open minded design recognises all of its
potential signifiers no matter what society it is in.