Blog Assignment Topic 6

Critical Reflection 1

Using McLuhan's "Tetrad of Media" (see diagram below), choose a medium or media application or tool (e.g. newspaper, books, radio, tv, film, internet, computer games, handphone, instant messaging, blogging, online advertising, youtube, facebook etc.) and explain its media effects? Please refer to Week 9's lecture notes plus your own research to discuss this topic.

Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real time communication between two or more people based on typed text. The text is conveyed via devices connected over a network such as the Internet.

Enhance - you can send instant message anytime anywhere as long as there is an available network using laptop or mobile phone. Information can be delivered in a split second without delay and contain no mistakes.

Reverse - Many people misused the convenience of the instant messaging. Many spamming happens and this irritates the public. A lot of sensitive and critical messages are send because the senders do not need to be responsible and this make things worse.

Retrieves - Instant messaging evolves from letters. Nowadays, instant messaging has already became the mainstream in communication because it is free and convenience.

Obsolesce - Instant messaging obsolesce the traditional way in delivering information which is writing letters. Letters need to be deliver using few days causing the message being delayed but instant messaging does not has this problem.


Critical Reflection 2

A cellphone is a long-range, electronic device used for mobile voice or data communication over a network of specialized base stations known as cell sites.

Enhance - A cellphone makes life easier. You can call and receive calls from anywhere letting you to stay connect with friends and relatives. A cellphone is also a entertainment device containing mp3, camera, mini games and etc.

Reverse - Nowadays, people rely too much on cellphone making them unable to live independently without their cellphone. Other than that, cellphones release some microwaves that is harmful to our body which can cause cancer and other diseases.

Retrieves - Cellphones evolve from traditional home use phone. Home use phone has wire and it is very inconvenient and impossible to bring them along with us.

Obsolesce - Cellphones make public phone obsolesced. Everybody has their own cellphones and of course they prefer to use their own phone to make calls instead of using the public phone which sometimes had been vandalized.