P2 Context

Music Addiction: Stimulation versus Segregation

Voodoo Prunes Members

Jennifer Chiu
http://chiu-l-2008cct205.blogspot.com/
Robert Hunter
http://hunter-r-2008cct205.blogspot.com/
Craig Rattos
http://rattos-c-2008cct205.blogspot.com/
Rebecca Rodrigues
http://rodrigues-r-2008cct205.blogspot.com/

Hypothesis

The overuse of Mp3 players has negative social and psychological effects on users.

Research
The video production consists entirely of primary data from interviews with members of the student populations and professional interviews with experts in the fields of psychology and communication. Research suggested that the overuse of Mp3 players was a strategy for creating a private personal space while drowning out the world, as opposed to a simple addiction to stimulation. This suggested a larger social problem caused by proximity in urban environments.
Secondary research was not referenced in the production, though it did narrow the field of research while providing greater insight into the issues at hand. Secondary research suggested that the extensive use of portable listening devices has been causing social transformation since the release of the Walkman nearly 3 decades ago, with physical concerns that included hearing loss and attention deficits, in addition to the loss of social interaction and awareness. Research indicated that some scientists felt that the modern world was defined by its “soundscape”. With personal listening devices controlling this soundscape, societal change would become a concern as players held more music, lasted longer, and operated more as organisms (with friendly interfaces) than machines.

Methodology
Interviews with normal subjects were random, while professional interviews were scheduled events. Question structures were rigid to allow equal treatment of subjects.
The video was rendered with Final Cut Express and re-rendered with iMovie. Due to several unforeseen software disasters, the team was forced to make the video minimalist, plain, and speech driven. While this did not fit the original plan, the effect may prove nearly as effective given the subject matter.

Conclusion
The hypothesis was disproved when research indicated that overuse is the symptom of a social problem, as opposed to the cause of one. However, the confessions in the video prove a powerful testament to unexpected findings about the state of the urban soundscape.


Works Cited (secondary sources)
• http://cdhi.mala.bc.ca/test/issue2/essay5.htm
• http://clearlyexplained.com/answers/ipodethics.html
• http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/07/ipods_could_mak.html
• http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/6679.cfm
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/jul/28/thisweekssciencequestions
• http://www.hunfi.hu/mobil/2004/Bull_webversion.doc
• http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/i-listen-therefore-ipod/2006/12/01/1164777785702.html?page=3
• http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/28/musical_hallucinations/
• http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2140422/ipod-help-produce-musical
• http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/news/2004/02/62396?currentPage=2

P2 Vodcast: Music Addiction: Stimulation versus Segregation

Week 10: Editing with iMovie

We caught our interviews on film with what we thought was great skill, but it turns out we left the camera on manual settings... lets just say we went for the "soft look".

Week Six: Project Two Proposal

Voodoo Prunes Productions

Project Two Proposal

Production Concept /Area of Investigation

It is clear that technological advancement in the twenty first century has brought with it several negative consequences. The video podcast composed by Voodoo Prunes will address the changing face of humanity in terms of technological impact on innate and learned social skills, in addition to the general formation of subjective social reality in a virtual world.

Working Hypothesis

The working hypothesis of the production will be centered on the distortion of reality currently taking place as a result of overwhelming amounts of information, convergence, and the rapid deterioration of social norms. Essentially, the production will deal with the information-driven technological and sensory bombardment of people in modern society, and the effect this is having on the human condition.

We expect to discover that people are finding themselves lost, alone, and unskilled – living an inept existence in a world that they cannot recognize, and are charged with redefining a world that is moving far too fast for them.

We will analyze this through the following subjects:

· The deterioration of language skills as a result of changing internet dialects.
· The deterioration of academic, social, and physical skills promoted by over-ease in technology. This topic will include an analysis of young people developing conflicting skill sets through gratuitous use of computer games.
· The paradoxical nature of social interaction online, in which friendship and family become the subject of popularity contests without real value or significance. This topic will include discussion of cyber personalities.
· The inability to venerate anything that is considered old or obsolete, creating and eventual loss of meaning in society, interaction, experience, education – essentially, the concept that if people and objects cannot keep up with the rapid changes happening online, they are left behind and forgotten. This will be an overarching theme of the production.

Research Approaches and Useful Links

The content and the above working hypotheses will be supported by survey, statistics, and interviews, in addition to relevant journal research. Most research will be primary sources obtained by Voodoo Prunes. Academic research, aside from statistics, will be used extremely sparingly. We are looking into conducting interviews with professionals in the field of psychology and sociology, as well as teachers in elementary schools, if possible. In addition, we shall conduct our own ethnographic observations within online communities.

So far, our sources include:

A specific study citing the ephemeral nature of internet friendships done by Sheffield Hallam University. [http://www.switched.com/2007/09/12/your-online-friends-arent-real-friends-says-study/]

Media usage statistics as they apply to children in North America. [http://www.frankwbaker.com/mediause.htm]

Articles and studies pertaining to social skills in computer gamers. [http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/Computer_Games:_Social_Implications]

Articles concerning the psychological impact of technological overload [http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/5/18/144041.shtml][http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN2221996620080123]

Articles on the technological impact on personal writing skills. [http://scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pdflinks/08012601321811100.pdf]

A case study about the impacts a new technology system had on a stable working environment. [http://scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pdflinks/08012601364511463.pdf]

A study about the impacts of information technology and telecommunication in regards to information circulation. [http://scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pdflinks/08012601411711756.pdf]

Treatment and Production Details

Researched information will be analyzed, edited and presented using sound, pictures, videos, and overarching emotion to convey effect. The production will do everything possible to avoid narration and cast narcissism.

· Interviews will be videotaped. Recorded segments will be included directly in the podcast.

· Quotations from research in the form of glorified scene transitions, with music in the

background and production-specific images in the foreground.

· Statistics will appear in small sections of the screen to accent points of discussion within interviews or commentaries. Surveys will be treated as statistics.

· Scholarly information if not in the form of quotations will be presented as voiceovers by a member of the cast, while relevant images and video material takes its place on screen.

· Commentary will not be talking head style. It will be filmed on location, and will be accented with facts and images. Cast members will be assigned a specific location, style, and approach.

The material will be tinted slightly, to match the images, colour themes, and mood set by the film – likely Indigo-based. The video will be presented in a cinematic style, with audio synchronization, smooth transitions, and dramatic flare. Music will be used to accent transitions, add dramatic effect to emotionally charged points, and will follow the style and mood set by the production. It is likely that sliced portions of only one or two songs will be used to promote continuity.

In essence, the mood will be entertainment and effect based, attempting to bridge a gap from academia to sensationalism. In addition to iMovie, we intend to use Final Cut Express, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Premier.

Cast time will be split as follows:

Craig Rattos: Commentator, Researcher
Jen Chiu: Interviewer, Researcher, Graphic Designer
Rebecca Rodrigues: Interviewer, Graphic Designer
Robert Hunter: Commentator, Producer

Week Five: My Team - Voodoo Prunes

For Assignment two, my teammates are: Jennifer Chiu, Robert Hunter, Craig Rattos, and myself, Rebecca Rodrigues.

Our team has decided to keep each other updated on a regular basis. Our divorce terms have not been discussed in depth however it will be based upon failure to contribute to the team.
We have decided to call ourselves "Voodoo Prunes" because it makes great conversation. Our initial concept was to analyze technology as a tool for human growth and development but also recognize skills that technology takes away. We will explore how abilities, and social activity are reduced when technology becomes the main form of communication. More serious subjects such as the recent epidemic of obesity in youth and the social ineptitude of computer gamers will be discussed. This podcast will be depicted in a satirical way with appropriate examples and humor. More will be discussed in next week's proposal.

Week Four: What Makes a good podcast?

Average Betty


Average Betty can be found at http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=b3psGgZSuZ4
This comedic vodcast combines a cooking show with a hilarious sketch comedy. Not only is it informational but entertaining and witty.
“Average Betty” takes takes an authentic and interesting approach to cooking. Each vodcast incorporates a sketch that is related to the featured tasty treat. This particular vodcast “Birthday Cupcakes” teaches the viewer how to make a unique dish while performing a sketch that mocks a modern birthday. Not only is the viewer interested in the comedy but the recipies are different and simple enough for the average web surfer to enjoy.
Although this vodcast lacks a professional appearance, Betty has done a very good job of making herself appealing to viewers. This type of genre certainly appeals to a specific type of audience but lucky for her many web surfers are searching for a good laugh. As far as meals go, Betty eliminates the boring aspects of cooking shows such as preparation and cooking time and gets straight down into the fun stuff. This video podcast stands out from the rest of the low budget videos on the web because of its tasteful quality. Betty certainly does a good job of showing rather than telling the viewer. Her not so serious approach to the subject allows people to reach a comfort level that turns viewers into fans. Betty uses quick transitions between the instructions and the skit to equally divide the information and entertainment. She has kept it brief enough for people to watch during a quick break and informative enough to create a level of understanding. Betty does not create morals within her vodcasts, the interpretation and purpose are left solely to the viewer.

Week Three: Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is a term coined by Tim O'Reilly to describe a an improved version of the World Wide Web. At this very moment, I am taking advantage of Web 2.0 by blogging. During the days of Web 1.0 people used personal web pages at domains such as Geocities or Angelfire. The concept of Web 2.0 allows for more 'collective intelligence'. This is especially evident through blogs, wikis, RSS feeds and podcasts. This collective intelligence allows for a collaboration of ideas from people all over the world. "The new Web is a very different thing. It's a tool for bringing together the small contributions of millions of people and making them matter. Silicon Valley consultants call it Web 2.0, as if it were a new version of some old software. But it's really a revolution" Time Magazine. So where is all this heading? With the convergence of media, will we rely on podcasts and blogs to update us on our cellphones as we wait for the bus? It is true that Web 2.0 is bringing us together as a community with no geographical boundaries.

Making a podcast is as easy as looking into a camera and talking. You're nodding your head if you saw my amature podcast in the last post. Web users can subscribe to podcasts, or watch them on sites such as Youtube. So where is this heading? Well some can say that Web 2.0 technology such as podcasts and blogging will make print media and radio news obsolete. I say although blogs and podcasts are popular among social networks, when it comes to academics, we will still rely on print resources as a credible source. After all, who would source an amature podcast in a second year CCIT essay? However, "that's what makes all this interesting. Web 2.0 is a massive social experiment, and like any experiment worth trying, it could fail."Time Magazine.

A great article courtesy of Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1569514,00.html