Question 2. Essay

2. The idea of the internet as cyberspace has been a part of our contemporary culture for some time, particularly in the popular medium of film. But is the concept of cyberspace still relevant to our contemporary society? Discuss with reference to your own experience of contemporary media.

The term ‘cyberspace’ and the ‘internet’ are often interchangeably used; however this does not necessarily mean they are the same. By definition, ‘cyberspace’ and the ‘internet’ are remarkably different, raising questions as to why the terms are so frequently used as synonyms for each other. The term ‘cyberspace’ was coined by novelist William Gibson in his 1982 book Burning Chrome, further popularizing the term in his 1984 novel Neuromancer (Thrill, 2009) describing it as a ‘consensual hallucination‘ of data (Shachtman, 2008). The generally accepted definition is perhaps more elaborate than this, pertaining to a collection data floating around in a network of computer systems (cyberspace, n.d). The internet on the other hand is defined much differently to this and is generally described as a large network which is made up of many smaller networks (internet, n.d). With such different definitions, it is often questionable as to why these terms are used so interchangeably. Further questions have been raised as to whether this interchangeable use is relevant in contemporary society, with many examples of the ‘internet’ arising and allowing for ‘cyberspace’ to lose prominence in definition. This essay will discuss the relevance of the ‘internet’ as a ‘cyberspace’ and how it relates to a contemporary society.
While other examples of the ‘internet’ undeniably exist, the notion that the’ internet’ is ‘cyberspace’ certainly relevant in many forms of contemporary society. The modern phenomenon of social media is certainly a prime example of this. The basic concept of social media on websites such as ‘Facebook’ and ‘Myspace’ are that information is entered onto a personal profile which can be accessed by virtually anyone. While restrictions may apply, there is certainly a number of ways around them. This essentially means that information is thrown out into the computing universe known as the World Wide Web and is able to be retrieved by any other participant or user of the medium. This is essentially the basis of what William Gibson described as ‘cyberspace’. With over 300 million users of the medium ‘Facebook’ alone(Statistics, 2009), it is undeniable that this form of the internet still exists. This is quite concerning for many users as information is easily retrieved once it has reached ‘cyberspace’. Exceptions of this exist, primarily in private chats on such websites in which no record of retrieval exists.
Similar to private chat on social networking websites, private chat through the likes of Instant messenger are unable to be retrieved unless personally saved by one of the participants in the chat. This gives a different idea of the ‘internet’ which is truer to its definition. This ultimately means that private networks are connected and able to send and receive information, rather than uploading data onto a medium which can be accessed by all. The definition of the ‘internet’ is essentially this and shows a different side to the ‘cyberspace’ notion. Similarities to this can be found in use of email applications which like instant messenger require a password and username (email address) in order to be accessed. Problems of course do arise with experienced hackers being able to infiltrate such accounts; however the general web using community usually will not have access have to this. This is most certainly more accurate to the traditional idea and interconnected idea of the’ internet’. With such a vast majority of the western world having at least one email address, questions are certainly raised as to the strength of the idea of ‘cyberspace’ as the ‘internet’.
Whilst the use of private chat applications and email are certainly relevant to the defined notion of the ‘internet’, many other elements of what is known as the internet is certainly relevant to the notion of ‘cyberspace’. This is noted above in the form of social networking websites, however many forms exist elsewhere. Whether this be on uploads and comments on popular websites like ‘YouTube’ or comments on an article written in a newspaper, this information is thrown into the stratosphere which is generally referred to as ‘cyberspace’ and is able to accessed by all. This can also be found on personal blogs or websites. Often in these cases, information can be accessed after it has been removed. This has caused problems in the past, with many users posting regretful material only to find it is still accessible by those with the ability to find it. Many employers and schools have been known to search for this material, finding personal blogs, websites and social networking pages which display the applicants’ inner thoughts and activities (Wortham, 2009). In this sense, the ‘internet’ as ‘cyberspace’ is very much a relevant analogy.
Popular mediums such as film and television have often depicted the ‘internet’ as ‘cyberspace’. In modern society the terms are used interchangeably allowing for confusion to arise. Questions to whether the terms should be used interchangeably have also arisen. For the most part, the ‘internet’ shows more examples of its ‘cyberspace’ analogy. This is seen through the use of social media and general websites which are in a sense thrown out into the ‘web’ and able to be accessed by any user. Other forms of the ‘internet’ do however exist. This is particularly notable in the use of email and instant messenger applications. Ultimately the idea of the ‘internet’ as a form of ‘cyberspace’ is relevant to today society. Whilst the notion itself has existed for some time, it remains an a somewhat accurate analogy for the basis of the internet and will for some time to come.

Cyberspace, viewed 11 October 2009 http://www.techterms.com/definition/cyberspace
Statistics, viewed 11 October 2009 http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics
Shachtman, N 2008, 26 Years After Gibson, Pentagon Defines ‘Cyberspace’, viewed 10 October 2009
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/05/pentagon-define/
Thrill, S 2009, March 17, 1948: William Gibson, Father of Cyberspace, viewed 10 October 2009
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2009/03/dayintech_0317
Wortham, J 2008, More Employers Use Social Networks to Check Out Applicants viewed October 12 2009 http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/more-employers-use-social-networks-to-check-out-applicants/

Lecture 8 - Political Possibilities (by Stephen Stockwell)

There was a strike this week so there wasn't actually a lecture, however lecture notes were put online which I will be summarising from.

This weeks lecture basically would have looked at cyber-politics and the work of hackers. The lecture would have looked at the Internets role in modern politics (Epolitics) and how it has helped shape and change democracy. It also would have looked at the medias role in democracy and what influence that has over such forms. This of course leads into a censorship debate which I discussed in my last blog, before discussing the role of hackers in democracy. It is suggested that hackers play a vital role in democracy through the assertion of information that regular citizens do not have access to. This is an interesting point. Often hackers are perceived with negative connotations, however when it is looked at from a different angle, you can see that sometimes hackers are quite important to maintaining transparency in governments. I think was perhaps the most important idea in this potential lecture.

Lecture 7 - Free Culture, Free Society (by adam muir)

I didn't attend this lecture and unfortunately my computer doesn't have the software to show me the slides uploading on learning-at-Griffith which is a bit of a shame. I think this lecture probably would have been interesting. The idea of Internet censorship is an interesting one, dividing many factions of society who are passionate about the issue. The arguments are pretty standard. Those who approve of censorship will generally raise the issue of child pornography and paedophilia, whilst those who oppose it will generally raise issues regarding freedom of speech and make reference to china. Generally I oppose censorship of the Internet. I think it's pretty bad when I government starts intervening on things like this. I have no problem with governments trying to restrict access to child pornography or the like but I do have a problem with governments filtering blogs and media outlets which may have an opinion contrary to theres.

Mobile Phone Video.

Okay, So I didn't make my own mobile phone video and upload it onto that website. Instead I decided to upload a clip of Flight of the Conchords making fun of mobile phone videos.

Lecture 6 - Video Production and Consumption (by Josh Nicholas)

Despite being aware of most of the material in this lecture, it was still pretty interesting. A division between the consumption and production is pretty self explanatory. We are for the most bit consumers. Even those who produce are still consumers in some way. Most of the lecture was basically just explaining forms of media consumption and production and the forms in which that is done. I was a bit new to the idea of fan films to be honest. That side of production has never really appealed to me so much. I must admit the mash ups where very clever, I had never really looked into that either but it is certainly something that I will be looking into in the future. I thought it was interesting that the discussion of music mash-ups and remixes didn't eventuate, I guess it wasn't as relevant..

Many thanks

Thank you to everyone who sent me their blog links. I owe you all big time.

LATFH

http://www.latfh.com/



Look at the F**king Hipster is one of my favourite websites at the moment. While it is highly offensive and makes you feel like a horrible person for finding it so hilarious, it shows how modern technology has invaded on people’s privacy. It is my true belief that camera phones were invented for this website and this website only.