RIP ‘RIP’: we need to be more creative with mourning in the digital age

Rest in peace. That three-word phrase, expressing a sincere hope that the dead will find peace in the afterlife, is a fitting inscription for a tombstone, and now a very popular hashtag on social media. The deeply sad news this morning that the actor Lynda Bellingham had died was met with a flood of tributes from friends and colleagues. Thousands of people who had never met her also joined in on social media networks such as Twitter, making the top trend in the UK.

This article focuses on the popularity of the word 'RIP' in the social media which means rest in peace which refers to the prayers of the dead finding peace in the afterlife. This article also mentions that the hash tag of RIP and the persons name that has died has had an increase in terms of the usage. I can see how “rest in peace” would be a desperate hope for the dead from the living, but we have more options. If the internet allows us all to participate in collective mourning, then it should also demand that we do so more creatively.

Build the Wall Analysis

Section one focuses on the pay wall to their audience and its targeted to New York times and Washington post.

Section two focuses on it’ll be effective and useful.

Section three focuses on the decline in newspaper and why they have appeared

Section four focuses on the times and post where going to become online basis

This newspaper article focuses on the online paywall and how it’s going to be successful.

 This discusses the effects if The Times and The Post were to move to an online basis. It also talks about the values and qualities of newspaper and how the newspaper will try to attract a bigger audience. It mentions how newspapers don’t take advantage of the internet and this has caused a decline in the newspaper.  Washington post and the times have learnt that if they put a higher price they won’t need to resort into a paywall. This can only become possible if the newspaper reaches a higher selling point and attracts a wider audience.

Comment 1)  Most of the folks writing about the paywall issue are assuming that because only 5-10 percent of the current online readership will sign up for web content, it will be a failure. Actually, the folks behind the paywall effort don't care if anyone signs up for online content. The entire point is to push people into print subscriptions. It could be that some newspapers or groups won't even offer an online-only option. It will just be a free giveaway with print. - See more at: http://www.cjr.org/feature/build_the_wall_1.php?page=all#sthash.wnwwtr7m.dpuf

This commenter talks thinks that this idea of paywall is waste. They argue that thinking that people will be singing up for news is a waste of time. They believe that the people behind pay wall don’t care if anyone actually signs up for they only care is to push people into print subscription.

 Comment 2) Dear Yelvington, Why do you feel the need to "reduce" anything? How about something that has gradations and nuances and some dynamic standing on its own, without being made a sound bite for the ignorant. I guess that's what the Internet is good for. Reduction to simple, monochromatic imagery and phrases. Congrats on rising to this new medium's current level of unedited, unchallenged intellectual mediocrity. #17 Posted by homer bigart, CJR on Sat 18 Jul 2009 at 01:14 PM - See more at: http://www.cjr.org/feature/build_the_wall_1.php?page=all#sthash.wnwwtr7m.dpuf

This commenter argues that there’s no point in reducing something that can stand on its own.  This commenter believes that if anything is going to be reduced it should be something that is of importance . This commenter goes to congratulating for the rise the levels of unedited unchallenged intellectual mediocrity.

Comment 3)  The reason why newspapers are struggling now is not entirely because of a free online product and low online ad revenue. The reason newspapers are hurting is because the car industry went kerplunk. I would guess that NY Times readership has increased since it went online. It's just waiting to find a way to capitalize on that readership. Once someone figures out a way to do that, then problem will take care of its self. Also if NYTIMES and WP start charging we'll all just go to CNN.com. We will be less informed but we will also not have paid for something we believed should be free. - See more at: http://www.cjr.org/feature/build_the_wall_1.php?page=all#sthash.wnwwtr7m.dpuf

This commenter argues that the reasons to why there is a massive decline in newspaper are different to what it is being argued.  They believe that newspaper is hurting is because of the ‘car industry’ went kerplunk.  They believe that NY times has increased readership since it went online and this is a success.

I personally believe that technology is increasing and due to this fact news paper is becoming neglected and decline more and more.  Placing paywall might help journalist get paid for their services as right now not many journalist are making as much as journalist used to make before. I don't believe this is a successful idea as news is exposed everyday on the internet for people so there is no meaning for them to be hiding their news and charging for it as people have different sources to receive news online as well as social interactions sites like twitter. From a personal point of view I would never pay for something that I can receive for free, that is just stupidity. His idea of charging for news is smart but it won't be effective unless the bbc leave the competition

Everyday sexism in freshers week: the fightback starts here

This article focuses on sexism and and sexism victims. A survey took place over 2000 students. It showed that 37% of female and 12% of male had experienced unwanted groping or inappropriate touching. 36% of women had experienced unwanted sexual comments about their body. Two thirds said they had seen unwanted sexual comments directed at other students.

This survey shows that three fifths of respondent were not aware of any reporting procedures at their university.

My personal opinion on this is that sexism has being on for too long and its good that someone has finally realised the big impact it has on victims. But to be honest, only doing a survey on this problem isn't really enough, people need to know about sexism. Something new that I learnt from this article is that males are actually targeted, I always thought it was only females as they are more fragile 

Twitter to target film advertising to users tweeting about related movies

 This article talks about how twitter is preparing a new kind of targeted advertising that has filmgoers in its sight with tweets relating to users taste. This article also mentions how twitter has become world wide and it has an influence on movie choices as people are most likely to mention what movies they've watched or planning on watching. Now twitter will show certain advertisement based on what movies they are talking about.  

I think that this is a perfect opportunity to use twitter and make more money. I personally tweet about what movie I would like to watch or have already watched so I'm therefore looking forward to this. Also, I think that this might attract people to join twitter as this project that they are in process of introducing seems like a very smart idea.

They used to say 'print or digital'. But do we need to choose?

This article focuses on how print has had a major decline in the last past years and how now people have the opportunity to choose between print or digital. It also talks about how news papers are becoming less and less used by people. John Ridding says "underscores our confidence in the unique and lasting value of print, which is profitable on its own, before advertising". This article also talks about how newspaper industries have started to expand the pages they had by adding television promotion to attract a wider audience to news papers.

In my opinion there has been a noticeable decrease in print. Now that people have access t the internet people don't feel the need to be wasting £3 pounds on newspapers when they can use it on other necessities. I personally think that the print industry needs to step up and come up with something that will interest their audience because currently the only people that would purchase a news paper is the older generation as they are used to it.

• 1 Public service broadcasters
  • 1.1 BBC
  • 1.2 ITV
  • 1.3 Channel 4
  • 1.4 Channel 5
  • 1.5 S4C
• 2 Multichannel broadcasters
  • 2.1 Sky
  • 2.2 UKTV
  • 2.3 Viacom
  • 2.4 Discovery Networks
  • 2.5 Disney–ABC Television Group
  • 2.6 A+E Networks UK
  • 2.7 Universal Networks International
  • 2.8 Turner Broadcasting System Europe
  • 2.9 Fox International Channels
  • 2.10 Sony Pictures Television
  • 2.11 AMC Networks International Zone
  • 2.12 Box Television
  • 2.13 Eurosport
  • 2.14 BT Group

Research task: institutions

Companies:  BBC, guardian, Sun, ITV

YouTube videos of the ice bucket challenge pass 1bn views

This article focuses on the popularity of the ice bucket challenge. It has officially hit 1 bn viewers on google. People have concluded that this has been searched more than the harlem shake dance back in 2013.Claire Stapleton and Kevin Allocca claimed that “Ice Bucket” videos have been posted on YouTube from more than 150 countries,US charity The ALS Association has so far received $110.5m in donationsfrom the challenge, which involves people pouring buckets of iced water over their heads, then nominating others to follow suit and/or donate.

in my opinion, I think that the ice bucket challenge has become international as everyone is doing. Its a good thing that an act for charity was able to become really famous, so I'm guessing charities have been receiving a lot of money.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/08/youtube-ice-bucket-challenge-videos

Five reasons why the Apple Watch won’t take off

This article focuses on the uselessness of the apple watch. Many people are concerned that apple items are too similar to previous ones, which causes people to think the same thing. Was there really a point in inventing it?  Many people have complained that the new apple watch has copied other companies therefore it lacks in originality. The new apple watch has been highly criticized in social media, many people questioning the purpose of the watch?

In my opinion, apple has disappointed me with their latest invention of apple. I think that they should be coming up with more original ideas that would surprise customers rather than making similar things. As the article says, many people who have already purchased have discovered that it doesn't even work. This is a huge disappointment from apple.   

Apple watch is very like the iPad. They've done the 'thing' very well, but is the 'thing' itself useful?- Benedict evans

http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/media-network-blog/2014/sep/11/apple-watch-wearable-technology-price

When taking selfies in Trinidad, it's what's on the outside that matters

This article focuses on how 'selfies' have officially become worldwide.  This article debates on whether social media causes their users to create an unusual self-obsession for themselves. The study that took place in Trinidad shows that Caribbeans are more interested in what is visible on the surface rather than whats actually buried inside. This could connote that Caribbeans are more interested in how they look in 'selfies' rather than how someone is actually inside.   “What you see is what you get” is what someone that was interviewed said. This shows why Carribeans are most likely to be trying to look nice in pictures rather than looking nice in real life.

My opinion: 

Personally, I feel like 'selfies' have become a worldwide issues, where it seems like people are wasting too much time taking selfies rather than keeping themselves busy with more beneficial things. A lot of people have done many research to why selfies have become an issue.  Many researcher claim that to due to the increase of social media, social media users feel the need to be taking 'selfies' that will satisfy their 'followers' or 'friends.'

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/11/when-taking-selfies-in-trinidad-its-whats-on-the-outside-that-matters