In this week’s lecture and seminar, we examined the relationship between the media, technologies and social change. The substantial development in technology and the way people use it has provided and assisted in social change throughout the generations.The way media is used and received has helped shape the way these technologies are used and has been a large impact on the growth of specific technologies. We had three readings, however I didn’t feel like I understood/engaged fully with any of them.

In our seminar session, we participated in two activities. The first activity was to name all of the apps we had used that morning. From banking to shopping to socialising, we had managed all of that from a single device, either that be our phones or our computers.

Our second activity was a debate focusing on whether or not the internet had extended democracy by enabling participation, access to information and expression for all. Both sides first discussed their ideas and constructed key arguments for the debate. Arguments were then presented to the opposing team who then produced a counter-argument. To conclude, it was established that there were more arguments addressing the fact internet has extended democracy. This was due to the internet producing a place where communities and like-minded individuals could come together, share opinions and views and reach others through multiple ways such as movements, petitions and the fact that access most sites on the internet is free.

Bibliography:

Lister, M, Dovey, J, Giddings, S, Grant, I and Kelly, K (2009) New Media. A critical introduction. Second Edition Routledge (pp. 44-52; 78-79).