Archive for the ‘not ninja-worthy’ Category

"convergence culture"

a€oeConvergence does not depend on any specific delivery mechanism. Rather, convergence represents a paradigm shift a€" a move from medium-specific content toward content that flows across multiple media channels, toward the increased interdependence of communications systems, toward multiple ways of accessing media content, and toward ever more complex relations between top-down corporate media and bottom-up participatory culture.a€A (243) thesis statement

a€oeWe are in a critical moment of transition during which old rules are open to change and companies may be forced to renegotiate their relationship to consumers.a€A (243)

a€oeRather than talking about personal media, perhaps we should be talking about communal mediaa€A (245)

a€oeJust as studying fan culture helped us to understand the innovations that occur on the fringes of the media industry, we may also want to look at the structures of fan communities as showing us new ways of thinking about citizenship and collaboration.a€A (246) BIG THESIS

a€oeThat is why it is so important to fight against the corporate copyright regime, to argue against censorship and moral panic that would pathologize these emerging forms of participation, to publicize the best practices of these online communities, to expand access and participation to groups that are otherwise being left behind, and to promote forms of media literacy education that help all children to develop the skills needed to become full participants in their culture.a€A (248) ADVOCACY THESIS

a€oeA politics of confrontation must give way to one focused on tactical collaboration.a€A (250)

a€oeConcentrated power is apt to remain concentrated. But we will see adhocracy principles applied to more and more different kinds of projectsa€A (256-7). Yes, but what about sabotage?

a€oeparticipation becomes an important political right.a€A (257). Yes. Why isna€™t there more of this in the book?

a€oeThe ideal of the informed citizen is breaking down because there is simply too much for any individual to know. The idea of monitorial citizenship depends on developing new skills in collaboration and a new ethic of knowledge sharing that will allow us to deliberate together.a€A (259). ok

a€oeOne of the ways we can shape the future of media culture is by resisting such disempowering approaches to media literacy education. We need to rethink the goals of media education so that young people can come to think of themselves as cultural producers and participants and not simply as consumers, critical or otherwise.a€A (259). Call to rethink media literacy

MESSAGE: rules redrawn. Negotiation. Resurgence of communal culture. Political implications. Key prescriptions = advocacy. Not sure how his corporate readers would react. Focus on negotiation, but doesna€™t jive with hardline advocacy. Convergence will save us all. We just need to help it happen.

too much information for one post at aramsinnreich.typepad

"Fury at croc-skin trainers"

ANIMAL rights groups were fuming last night after Nike unveiled A£1,400 trainers made from CROCODILE skin.The sports shoes a€" with 18-carat gold lace tags a€" went on display at the companya€™s flagship store in Londona€™s Oxford Circus at the weekend.

The trainers were made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Nikea€™s iconic Air Force 1 line.

Shoes are also being made from the skin of the worlda€™s largest snake a€" the anaconda.

Stores around the world are exhibiting the croc shoe in a glass case while stocking only one pair in each size.

But Nick Rudge, of the National Animal Welfare Society, said last night: a€oeWhat a horrific and objectionable way of making money a€" they are croccy horrors.

a€oeIt is fashion gone mad and no different to wearing fur.a€A

Clifford Warwick, a reptile biologist with the Animal Protection Agency, said: a€oeWild crocodiles are hacked up alive for their skins, while farmed animals are treated equally barbarically.

a€oeIf people knew, it would put a lot of them off buying these shoes.

a€oeIt is distasteful consumer excess.

a€oeNike has crossed the line.a€A

Poorva Joshipura, of ethical animal treatment group Peta, said: a€oeAnyone buying them is supporting cruelty.a€A

Andrew Tyler, director of campaign group Animal Aid, dismissed the shoes as a€oethe height of decadencea€A.

No one from Nike was available to comment last night.

thesun

Dude’s Guilty.

Which basically means Cheney is guilty too.

For links and info on the Scooter Libby fiasco, visit our politricks page.

British Crack Down on Ninjas

The sale of imitation samurai swords could be banned by the end of the year, the Home Office announced today.

Importing or hiring the weapons could also be made illegal following a string of samurai sword attacks in recent years.

Original Article

"Party-goer admits samurai murder"

news.bbc

ten misconceptions of islam

usc

a€oeThere will be nothing but baseball down there as long as I am mayora€A

ajc

top 10 most racist commercials

flumesday

Russian soldiers ‘used for sex’

As if being drafted into the Russian army wasn’t bad enough:
The Russian military is reported to be investigating claims that army conscripts were forced to work as male prostitutes in St Petersburg.

The command of the interior ministry unit denied the claims made by the Soldiers’ Mothers human rights group.

Recently, there has been increased attention on Russian military abuses. Last year, an 18-year-old soldier was so badly beaten that he had to have his legs and genitals amputated.

[BBC News]