Communication Technology

shift6

Shift6 (or ^6, the keyboard shortcut for ‘insert here) is a new blog looking at mobile device use, particularly among young people.  well worth a read or adding to your RSS feeds.

Highlights so far are some information on BLYK, a new invite only mobile phone network for 16-24 year olds, a great blog about why Radiohead’s digital back catalogue release is cool but way too expensive and some good stuff about iPhone, Google Phone, mobile development and all that stuff.

Professors Today

Following on from the Students Today video over at KSU a response came entitled ‘A Vision of Professors Today’.  Read it HERE.

I have to say that some of the people who have made the biggest impact on me are lecturers or professors.  I teach at ICC as an ‘extra’.  I have a job that lets me spend time on it but at the same time I’m doing a Masters and the people who teach me are great.  They are knowledgeable and inspiring.  I hope you find some people who inspire you.

advertising and web 2.0

This is an interesting post about how Eurostar have blogged their move to St Pancras and used some great user generated images on Flickr.  It flags up some of the control issues around using blogs rather than adverts.

Advertising, Gambling and Freedom of Speech

Earlier someone (one of the class, doesn’t matter who) made a post advertising a way to get a Wii for free.  The suggested way to get the Wii was to encourage people join an online betting group and bet at least £5.

Dilemma: I removed the post.  Should I?  Why?  Why not?

free speech?

I watched Louis Theroux’s documentary about the Westboro Baptist Church in the States a few month ago.  They are an interesting example of the right to Free Speech… having just been fined a huge sum of money for protesting.  Do you think they should have been? 

The BBC report the story HERE

Louis gives his opinion on the Church HERE.

Google Zeitgeist Conference 2007

Google’s Zeitgeist Conference is available on Youtube. 

Now in its third year, Zeitgeist brought together 400 of the world’s leading marketing, media and industry executives and thinkers to explore ways in which we can become more innovative in our professional and personal lives. This year we explored the ramifications of “Collaborate and Connect”, examining how we use the internet to communicate, create and partner at scale. We all know that the Net has changed our lives forever. You’ll hear a parade of world-class speakers help you understand how it’s changed, and how you and your organization can survive and thrive in this brave new online world.

It’s all well worth a look but this discussion between Tom Brokaw and Yvon Chouinard is fascinating.  Yvon is the founder of Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company and he lives an unwired life.

The Scary Guy

What we say, the words that come out our mouths, are our choice.  How we treat people is our choice.  Sound simple?  How come we call people names and say horrible things?

The Scary Guy talks to a group of teenagers in this short video to explain how we can make different choices.  Worth a watch, even if just to see his communication style.

Information

Y141 is about communication.  But communicating what?  Information!  So this week, while I’m in London being reviewed the Y141ers are looking for information to bring to class next week.

Last week was Mental Health week here in Scotland and the class task is to find information for teenagers about depression, self harm and suicide prevention.  As a starter for 10… check out the Scottish Association for Mental Health website…