Whoops – forgot to post this!
ahh i can’t believe i forgot to post these two essays on here!
Content Essay
When discussing the content that’s delivered across this medium, please mention some of the issues that arise from the types of content available (think Howard Stern or Imus on Radio!). Also, it’s important you touch upon how the technology has influenced the style and design of the content distributed across the medium.
With music technology, in regards to content, a few issues arise. First, in terms of public forum, music is censored by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). They make it so that people in public forums (such as televised events, radio, etc.) are not allowed to use a list of words or talk about a number of subjects (for more – check out: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html ). However, this does not apply to personal websites and pages (such as MySpace pages), or satellite radio + pay-per-view television (such as HBO and Showtime, etc) – in which the user purchases the ability to listen/watch such content.
As far as technology’s influence on the content – there have been a number of technologies developed to further music distribution. Among these are MySpace.com musician profiles, Pandora.com (online personalized radio), bit-torrent sites (for illegal sharing), and iTunes/MP3 purchasing sites. These technologies have all developed to coincide with music’s transition from analog to digital. Content has also shifted due to the increase of music-lovers moving to online arenas, versus purchasing within a store or going to a concert.
Technological Examination Essay
For the technological examination essay, include information regarding the limitations of the technology, the unique qualities of the technology, the tradeoffs, the remedial technologies that have been created, the unintended consequences and how the technology has evolved and gotten better or more human (human replay). Discuss the competing technologies (ie for video – you’d discuss and survey the different tape formats – beta, vhs, dv. for video games, the xbox, playstation, atari) and compare this technology to other available technologies that might achieve the same result.
I will attempt to address each individual point in bullet form.
Limitations of the technology – there are no obvious answers. music can be streamed live, can be recorded, edited, manipulated and any number of other things. it is near reaching the imaginable limit of itself.
Unique qualities – music technology is a very unique technology as it allows on to manipulated the content rather easily. modifications can be made with the most remedial programs, allowing anyone to become a musician (in some sense). music technology is also one of those few technologies that just about everyone with the means to purchase it is an owner.
Trade-offs – though many might consider any trade-off involved with music technology a very minor thing – to some (most likely those born before the digital era), they would disagree. The fact that music is so available and accessible almost takes away from the uniqueness of each artist. artists become lumped together (such as by Pandora.com) based on what they sort of sound like. similarly, it is much easier to become a music success nowadays than before (depending how you look at it). the fact that ANYONE can post content to a world-wide audience really takes away from the specialness it would have taken artists before our time to capture the same audience. lastly, since music is so accessible through the web (as well as videos of live concerts), the motivation to go see an artist live has most definitely declined. with it being so easy to see a live concert online, it would make little sense to go see the artist in concert, unless someone was a die-hard fan. though the technology has really made music much more accessible and shareable, it has also taken away the experience that music once was to older audiences.
Remedial technologies – everyone who owns an iPod knows that there is that knock-off, off-name brand like Zunes or something there as a cheaper alternate. same goes for sound systems, headphones, anything. remedial technologies also include record players, tape cassettes, and any other technology that has become obsolete due to the latest products and trends.
Unintended Consequences – one unintended consequence equated with music technology is much like that of cellular phones. people can’t seem to put the technology down! people walk around plugged into their mp3 devices with no regard to the real world. (i even find myself victim to it occasionally, finding myself unable to make a couple hour drive without plugging in my iPod – as my radio + cd player in my car don’t work). modern life can’t seem to seperate itself from the technology!
Advanced? Became more “Human”? – this is the one thing that seems to NOT have happened. though music technology is always advancing and infiltrating its way into everyday life (atleast in America), it has not seemed to become “human”. though head phones now fit perfectly in one’s ear canal, and the music information is categorized for easier reading – it still hasn’t seemed to become “human” – though its advances are unparallel (ref. “How It Works” essay).
Competing Technologies? – music technology is one of those technologies that advances and older models are left in the dust. with the invention of the iPod and online mp3 purchasing, consumers have quickly moved away from analog devices (tapes and radio) and early digital models (such as CDs). though radio is debateable still around – it has also joined the online world for instant streaming. as far as competition – the hottest programs (generally thought of as Apple products) are the standard, and knock-offs fall in line behind.
