Looking back at my first very blog post, I remember saying I'd never heard of the term 'Digital Culture' until I actually started university. I also mentioned that I chose this module to learn new things, and I must say I have learnt of hell of a lot!
Over the last couple of months I have been given the chance to explore a number of topics that I never knew Digital Culture would cover. Okay, so maybe I was a bit small minded in the beginning. I instantly thought I'd just be learning about Internet culture, but this module has covered numerous topics. From identity, to cyberspace, to blogging and even robots!
Studying this module has made me realise that the impact of technology on our everyday lives is bigger than I thought. As stated in may of my previous blog posts, technology is everywhere and we become dependent on it. As I stated in my blog 'Are we turning into cyborgs?'; In a way, technology is precisely what makes us human. Our dependence on technology has lead to us needing it to function in our lives.Looking back at last term, one topic I enjoyed discussing was old media vs new media and how it has changed. It was interesting to find out that an interactive power has been created due to digital technology taking over old media. Due to technological convergence we are now able to watch TV online, read books online and even make video calls online.
Here's an interesting video I found on YouTube which discusses the evolution of technology of the past century into our modern day and the transformation newspapers, TV and Internet has on our lives.
Another topic I found rather interesting was cyberspace and identity. It amazes me that we can become so immersed in cyberspace that we forget what is happening around us, we forget who we are in the real world. Why? Cyberspace allows you to create your own identity, it allows you to be that somebody who you've always wanted to be.
Moving onto this term, I must say that the topics we explored were a lot more difficult than the last. Globalisation was one area of digital culture that I enjoyed learning about. The whole issue with the global digital divide made me realise that not everyone is privileged to use technology. It also made me realise that we should count ourselves lucky that we have access to technology. However it made me question whether we are TOO Internet dependent. Yes, life has been made easier with the use of technology but it is as if we have become reliant on it.
There have been many areas in this module that I found difficult to understand, with open source being one of them. It took me a long while to grasp the whole concept of the topic.
Overall, Digital Cultures has been an experience and in my opinion, one of the most complicated modules I've ever come across. Saying that, although I am glad I chose this module I have realised this is definitely something I am not interested in.
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