MODULE 5--RED QUEENS AND INCREASING RETURNS

Module Five

When you decided to obtain a DVD of Minority Report, where did you go to find a copy?  Did you rent or purchase a DVD, or did you view it digitally on your computer using Netflix or a similar vendor of video-on-demand?

When I decided to obtain a copy of Minority Report, I checked with a family member. Had I not borrowed the movie, I would used Comcast cable, and my final option would have been to rent a DVD from Blockbuster.

 Is the current competition between DVDs and video-on-demand an example of increasing returns or Red Queens? Justify your response with sound reasoning and specific examples.  

Competition between DVDs and video-on-demand is an example of Red Queens.  According to Thornburg (2008c) two forces prevail as a result of a competition among many. Red Queens edge out all other competitors so only the top two remain.  I believe NetFlix is the frontrunner because it offers video-on-demand services on televisions, computers, game systems, and phones. I believe Blockbuster and NetFlix are competitors because they offer similar services, although Hulu and YouTube are vying to improve their services.

Where do you think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad?

Currently, some users choose television whenever they want to watch live events such as sports and news shows; therefore, I believe video-on-demand will obsolete DVDs. For example, NetFlix users can access movies and current television shows on computers, television, and game systems.   There is a possibility that video-on-demand might obsolete television if streaming allows live events and television shows to be viewed online.

References

McLuhan, M., &  McLuhan E. (1992. Laws of Media:  The New Science. University of Toronto Press.

Thornburg, D. (2008c). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Five of the best streaming media services compared. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/02/14/streaming-media-comparison/

NetFlix:  The future is streaming. Retrieved from http://gigaom.com/video/netflix-the-future-is-streaming/

The Future of Streaming Video. Retrieved from http://finance.yahoo.com/news/The-Future-Streaming-Video-wscheats-357551159.html?x=0&.v=1

Is video streaming the future of television? Retrieved from http://blog.surpasshosting.com/2011/10/is-video-streaming-the-future-of-television/

Second Life-----A Disruptive Technology

How is Second Life a disruptive technology in education? 

Thornburg (n.d.) described a disruptive technology as one that comes out of nowhere and unseats or obsoletes an emerging technology.  Second Life is disruptive in the educational setting because it displaces traditional on-line learning as well as teacher-centered learning and encourages collaborative, creative learning.

How many years will Second Life exist before another emerging technology or disruptive technology replaces it?

According to Thornburg (n.d.) new technologies are not secure because it will just be a matter of time before a disruptive technology comes along and replaces the emerging technology. Second Life began its life span in 2003 and is still in its early stages of existence. According to Forward 150 Timeline, teleportation might be available by 2015 despite considerable criticism against such technology. Teleportation would allow individuals to enter any environment within a short time rather than having to wait to travel long distances.  Holograms might be incorporated to make Second Life more effective.

What are the social benefits of Second Life, and what might be the social implications of virtual worlds in your industry?

Some learners might experience difficulty expressing themselves in the presence of peers and educators. Second Life would allow learners to enter an environment that lets them express their thoughts and build creativity. Learners could transition comfortably and easily into a virtual environment where they are free to create and design extraordinary projects.  Second Life does not have language barriers; therefore, participants can interact freely. I believe Second Life could be advantageous as an instructional tool to teach concepts to children at all grade levels; however, Broache (2008) cautions against allowing young children to participate due to some violent content.

According to Rosedale (2008) Second Life could be used to spark creativity in participants to design things that are new and imaginative and could also encourage children to connect with other learners to exchange and receive information.  Wong (2006) found students can collaborate and create anything and become anyone by using Second Life.

References 

Bonser, K. (n.d.) How teleportation will work. How Stuff Works. Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/teleportation2.htm#cb=f128d556500dfb9&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fscience.howstuffworks.com%2Ff146045a95f0d8&relation=parent&transport=flash&frame=ff7f4283cd29db

Broache, A. (2008) Ban ‘Second Life’ in schools and libraries, Republican congressman says CNET.

Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9937956-7.html.

Rosedale, P. (2008). Philip Rosedale on Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.

Thornburg (n.d.) Disruptive Technologies Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5701386&Survey=1&47=3419578&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Wong, G (2006).  Educators explore Second Life online.  CNN Tech. Retrieved from: http://articles.cnn.com/2006-11-13/tech/second.life.university_1_second-life-educators-virtual-world?_s=PM:TECH

RHYMES OF HISTORY

Scientists are researching and testing for methods to prolong life and clone humans. Cryogenics is a technology that represents a rhyme of history. The science of cryogenics allows an individual to have his or her remains frozen in liquid nitrogen until a cure can be found for the cause of death.

Cryogenics rekindles the ancient Egyptian mummification process in which Egyptians believed the dead would be transformed into an afterlife and would need to take material things with them. Individuals would bury their loved ones with their material possessions. Egyptians paid large sums of money to have their bodies preserved in tombs. Those who could not afford tombs were buried in the sand.

A technology that represents a rhyme of history is cryogenics/nanobots to preserve humans until a point in the future when they can be revived to live again. Scientists hope to use nanotechnology to manipulate atoms to build and repair human cells and tissues. Nanotechnology will be used to repair cellular damage and other elements that cause aging and disease. Although the number of cryogenics facilities and clients has increased, this is a controversial subject. Cryogenics has received criticism and opposition because critics believe this process is a waste of money and an injustice to individuals who will be revived into a society in which they will be maladjusted.

References:

Thornburg, D (n.d.) Rhymes of History. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5701386&Survey=1&47=3419578&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Ancient Egypt http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/egypt/mummies.htm

Cryogenics: Living Forever may come sooner than you think http://cryogenics-future-cryo-man.blogspot.com/2007/10/endless-possibilities-with-nanobots.html
\
How cryonics works. http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/genetic/cryonics3.htm

How Nanotechnology works http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm

Cinematography Motion Pictures Tetrad

CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE


The Cinematography Motion Pictures Tetrad:

Enhances:


Ability to allow more than one person to view movies
Allows viewers to congregate outside their homes—social connections
Brings reality into homes
Connects reality with fiction


Obsoletes

Traveling shows
Magic lantern (1800s)
Kinetoscope---(Motion picture projector-- allowed one person to view a movie
Live radio shows
Movies made exclusively for television


Retrieves

Greek and Roman Sports Arena
Live Theatrical Productions
Opera House
Circus
Saloon shows


Reverses/Replaces

Video Tape Recorder (VTR)
Video Cassette Recorder (VCR)
On-Demand movies—same day as in theater movies
Satellite movies
DVD
Blue-Ray
Digital films
Smart phones




References:

Thornburg, D. (2008b). McLuhan’s Laws of Media. Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Adventures in cybersound. Retrieved from: http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.acmi.net.au/AIC/MAGIC%5FMACHINES.html

History of Motion pictures. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CDyjMouQyc

Emerging Technology---Biometrics (Fingerprint identification in schools)

Module 1


Emerging Technology---Biometrics---- Fingerprinting identification in education

Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.

Biometrics has emerged in the last years to shape productivity in educational settings.
School officials used biometric fingerprinting in place of swipe cards to allow students to register, use the library, and purchase meals.

What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?

Although fingerprint identification is viewed as more efficient than swipe cards, some oppose the fingerprinting system because it breaches students’ security. Some believe this system is an invasion of one’s privacy. Some believe fingerprint identification has the same type of stigma that is associated with criminals. If full fingerprint images are used, this present a problem for theft so individuals must safeguard numeric templates and destroy information once an individual leaves a school. Some school officials often resort entering data by hand or scanning ID cards whenever this technology and/or software won’t work.

What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?

Fingerprint identification can be used to insure accountability and minimize errors. For example, students may attempt to use another student’s ID to access the library or computer system, but fingerprinting technology minimizes those risks.

What would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?

Designers might create efficient methods to safeguard data against theft, destruction, and damage. Fingerprint identification designers might safeguard data by selecting two people who could access the program. Either of the two could access the system at any given time. If anyone other than these two individuals attempts to access the identification system, the program would self-destruct. Educational officials would have a secret backup system to restore these files. Parents should be educated on the positive and negative aspects of using the identification system.

Biometric technology Fingerprinting identification in schools.
http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/detailed_specialist_guides/fingerprinting_final_view.pdf







Valeria Shanks