📰 When media bytes 📱

In this unit, 'When media bytes', we explore the definition and impact of digital media in our society. We investigate various types of digital media, such as text, audio, video, virtual reality, and augmented reality, along with their characteristics and potential dilemmas. Additionally, we examine how power is embedded within institutions, organizations, and governments, and how it influences political processes and cultural landscapes. Join us as we delve into the opportunities and challenges of digital media in our ever-evolving digital world.

🌟 The Big Ideas 🌟

• Exploring the convergence of computing, communication, and content that defines digital media
• Investigating the different types and characteristics of digital media
• Examining the immersive digital media of virtual and augmented reality and their associated dilemmas
• Analyzing how power is embedded within institutions, organizations, and governments in relation to digital media

❓ Inquiry Questions ❓

Content-based

📝 How do the different types of digital media (text, audio, video, etc.) influence the way information is communicated and received?

• Different types of digital media have distinct affordances and limitations, which shape the way that information is presented and interpreted
• Text-based media, such as articles and blogs, can provide in-depth analysis and context, but may require more cognitive effort and attention from the reader
• Audio and video media, such as podcasts and streaming content, can be more engaging and immersive, but may also be more passive and less interactive
• Multimedia and interactive content, such as infographics and games, can combine different types of media to create rich and layered experiences, but may also be more complex and resource-intensive to produce

🌐 What are some examples of editorialized sites and how do they influence the dissemination of information?

• Editorialized sites are websites or platforms that present information and content with a particular perspective or agenda, often reflecting the views and values of their creators or sponsors
• Examples include partisan news outlets, advocacy groups, and corporate blogs, which may selectively present or frame information to support their positions or interests
• Editorialized sites can be influential in shaping public opinion and discourse, particularly if they have a large and engaged audience or are seen as authoritative sources
• However, they can also contribute to the spread of misinformation, polarization, and echo chambers, as people may seek out and share content that confirms their existing beliefs and biases

📊 What are the different forms of digital media, and how are they distributed across various channels and platforms?

• Digital media can take many forms, including text, audio, video, images, and interactive content, which can be created and consumed using a variety of devices and platforms
• Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, have become major channels for the distribution and sharing of digital media content, particularly user-generated content
• Streaming services, such as Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, have disrupted traditional media industries by providing on-demand access to a vast library of digital content
• Other forms of digital media include podcasts, blogs, e-books, mobile apps, and virtual/augmented reality experiences, which can be distributed through a range of channels and monetization models

💻 How does the convergence of computing, communication, and content define digital media?

• Digital media is characterized by the convergence of computing technologies, communication networks, and multimedia content, which enables the creation, distribution, and consumption of information and experiences in new ways
• Computing technologies, such as smartphones, tablets, and cloud services, provide the processing power, storage, and interfaces for creating and accessing digital media content
• Communication networks, such as the internet and mobile broadband, enable the transmission and sharing of digital media across global distances and in real-time
• Multimedia content, such as text, audio, video, and interactive experiences, can be seamlessly integrated and remixed using digital tools and platforms, creating new forms of expression and engagement

Concept-based

🎨 What is the impact of digital media on the cultural landscape and popular culture?

• Digital media has transformed the way that cultural content is created, distributed, and consumed, enabling new forms of expression and participation
• It has led to the emergence of new cultural phenomena, such as memes, viral videos, and online communities, which can quickly spread and evolve across global networks
• Digital media has also disrupted traditional cultural industries, such as music, film, and publishing, leading to new business models and power dynamics
• The impact of digital media on culture is both empowering and destabilizing, raising questions about authenticity, diversity, and sustainability

🏛️ In what ways does power manifest within institutions, organizations, and governments in relation to digital media?

• Digital media platforms and technologies are often controlled by a small number of powerful corporations, which can shape the terms of access, use, and innovation
• Governments and political actors can use digital media for surveillance, propaganda, and social control, as well as for public engagement and service delivery
• Cultural institutions, such as museums, libraries, and schools, are grappling with how to adapt to the digital age and maintain their relevance and authority
• The power dynamics of digital media are complex and contested, involving a range of stakeholders with different interests and agendas

Debatable

🗳️ Is the power embedded within digital media institutions a threat to democratic processes?

• Digital media institutions, such as social media platforms and search engines, have significant influence over the information and content that people consume
• This concentration of power can lead to the spread of misinformation, political polarization, and the manipulation of public opinion
• However, digital media can also provide new avenues for grassroots organizing, citizen journalism, and holding those in power accountable
• The impact of digital media on democratic processes is complex and multifaceted, requiring ongoing research and public discourse

📰 Should social media companies be held accountable for the spread of fake news and misinformation?

• Social media platforms have been criticized for enabling the rapid spread of false and misleading information, which can have serious consequences for public health, social cohesion, and political stability
• Some argue that these companies have a responsibility to actively moderate and fact-check content on their platforms, given their massive reach and influence
• However, others worry that this could lead to censorship and the suppression of free speech, and that the line between misinformation and legitimate debate is not always clear
• There are also questions about the effectiveness and scalability of content moderation, and the potential for unintended consequences and abuse

1. Introduction

1.1 What is digital society?

• 1.1D Digital systems use binary digits to represent data and information (Binary, bits, bytes)
• 1.1F Digitization changes data and information from analogue to digital (Digital preservation, digital archives, digital reformatting)

2. Concepts

2.4 Power 🏰

• 2.4A Power is a feature of all social relations that involves a person's or group's capacity to influence or control the actions of others.
• 2.4B Power is structural and embedded within institutions, organizations and governments.

3. Content

3.5 Media 📺

• 3.5A Types of digital media
• 3.5B Characteristics of digital media
• 3.5C Immersive digital media
• 3.5D Digital media dilemmas

4. Contexts

4.1 Cultural 🎨

• 4.1A Arts, entertainment and popular culture

4.6 Political 🏛️

• 4.6A Political processes
• 4.6D Laws, regulations and policies