Nine media trends to watch in 2015..

What are some trends to watch out for? Venturebeat gives us an insight:

Tech professionals have predicted what they believe will be the trending things to look out for this year, so isn’t it useful that we are all aware too?

1. Tech firms buying TV networks – there are speculations of Yahoo buying Scripps Network…
2. Programmatic video ads – placing ads via software that will guarantee optimum placement…
3. Way more connected cars – Apple, in particular, is planning to innovate new ways that users can listen to their music in the car, wiping out the traditional FM/AM…
4. Radio industry, revitalised – Podcasts are slowly becoming a viable business…
5. Optimised music licensing – The potential for the music industry is endless…
6. Facebook’s tightening grip on publishing – How will their barriers constrain us to be more careful about what we post online?
7. The ebook subscription fight will intensify – the problematic scenario between the creators and the companies powering the new generation of subscriptions…
8. Shrinking theatrical release windows – the fluctuation between big budgets and low budgets for film-making
9. More TV networks with online subscription services – Will there be more online subscriptions available and how will audiences respond?

All of these are interesting tech speculations for 2015, so share them with all of your friends to see what they think!

Andy Carvin launches social-media reporting team for First Look

This is an interesting blog post on a different dynamic to journalism and how it is steering in a digitalisation direction. Credit to gigaom.com linked to Andy Carvin who works at Reportedly.

Gigaom

There’s been a lot of news out of First Look Media recently, although not the kind that the site was hoping to deliver: instead of scoops, it’s been a stream of reports about mismanagement and departures of key writers and editors like Matt Taibbi and John Cook. But despite the turmoil, former NPR staffer Andy Carvin says he has been hard at work hiring social-media “anchors” for an innovative global reporting team at First Look — a team that he launched on Monday.

The venture is called Reported.ly, and in a nutshell it will be doing an expanded version of what Carvin (who I consider a friend) did for NPR during the Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt and subsequent news events: the half dozen staff he has hired will be embedded in a variety of social platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Reddit and using them to report in real-time on…

View original post 844 more words

Getting back into a routine

Sometimes we can get too used to ‘doing nothing’ and we can easily fall out of routine. This summer break at university, the students on my course for all I’m sure has had five months off too, and oh my it has been a long break! I mean, if you are working and keeping yourself occupied the time length isn’t so bad, but if you are quite easily-led you may of found yourself partying your nights away and before you knew it ‘academic life’ was just around the corner.

Personally I used my time wisely and managed to continue my blogging, continued to write for a newspaper and still got to travel the world and climb a mountain. It is all about being flexible and versatile with your ways, adapting and conforming as well as compromising at times when things may not be going your way. It is useful to obtain traits such as those just mentioned as it allows you to multi-task and be exactly who you want to be, whilst progressing and becoming a better person each and every day.

This world is undoubtedly accelerating and times have got harder in comparison to my parent’s days. It was so easy back then to get 100% mortgages, to get on the property ladder with little money, to get the desired job without finishing school, going to college or even university – yet now competition has rocketed and the generation of today do face a tough battle.

Perhaps technology has segregated society in a partial way by isolating people on their devices rather than focusing on one-to-one communication in what is known as ‘real life’. If someone were to ask me which day I would have preferred to live in I don’t know what I would say as I just take life for what it is and give it my best shot, but at the same time I would love to see the British people smile a lot more.

There really is so many unfortunate people all over the world and it really opens up your eyes when you see ‘poverty-stricken’ people who have to walk miles just to fetch a bucket full of dirty water.

So do I like being back in a routine at university? Well it certainly is testing my patience that’s for sure! It’s a weird transition bouncing from student life to working life and then mixing the two together, the demands are quite extreme and pressurising. But will I give up? Certainly not, not unless it’s the last thing I do.

Visibility of Online Users on the Internet in the Modern Age

It’s quite scary really, when you sit back and think about how many people actually log online every single day, all throughout the year, and navigate their way through the web. According to a website demonstrating Internet Trends, approximately 2.4 billion people use the Internet for their own specific needs. Do we even consider the amount of people who could be looking at our profiles, reading our online media content or ‘looking us up’. As part of human nature we are very nosey species: we search, we investigate and we analyse things based on our own perspective of things. We make ourselves visible to the external world: the world outside our window. But do we ever know at any one given moment just who might be looking through our stuff? I don’t think we do.

This raises the question about how we should represent ourselves within the online platform, and how we want others to perceive us, see us and judge us as an individual. It is a valid point when people say you shouldn’t really care about what others think, but when you look at it from a different angle: would you care if it was the employer from you biggest dream job that was reading through your profile and you had numerous amounts of inappropriate images, negative comments and showing a contradictory side to your personality, one that you haven’t excelled on in your original CV? I think then, just then we might care that little bit more.

Over the recent year I would say, I have definitely been more conscious about what I share on my social media sites, especially Facebook and Twitter. I use those two the most, as I generally have my main circle of friends on Facebook where I feel that I can easily communicate with them within the virtual arena, allowing that feeling of them never being a part of your life to run free. Twitter is a fantastic social networking site, in my opinion, as it offers short and sweet punchy news-hooked tweets to speculate everywhere, as well as acting as a basis for professional conversation and a way to build up your contacts.

I believe that brand awareness is a primary tool that each and every one of us needs to consider; when echoing our image into the universe. If we believe that we want others to vision us as a happy hard worker, then why would we post statuses about how depressed we are, and how we cannot wait to finish work because it has been such a boring day? The two just don’t match up. Nor do they replicate a very attractive appearance about whom you are trying to portray to the world. The bottom line is, you never know who is searching online and who may come across your page, but a lot of it is not what you know but who you know, so keeping that in mind should rigidly put us into shape when thinking twice about our next Tweet or Facebook update.

Personally, I monitor who I accept on my friend requests, and if I don’t recognise them or know them personally, I reject them. I think it’s about being aware and always questioning the true identity behind the virtual profile: people are not always who they say they are. We can control our privacy to some extent, but we cannot always be 100% accurate, as we may not know all of the required skills to fully protect ourselves from unwanted intruders.

When you look at the profound reason why most of us join these social networking sites, it is because we want to socialise and we want to connect with new, like-minded people, as well as staying in touch with our friends and loved ones. This can then make us question how far do we actually go with fabricating the truth? I think we need to remain true to ourselves and network as much as we can, because building up that circle is so important, but just bear the thought in the back of your mind at all times you never know who is reading: so represent yourself in the way you want to be seen.

Pressure for that ‘well-paid’ Job

From a young age many of us aspire to be like certain individuals in the limelight. We look up to our elders, older figures that surround us and, of course, people who are earning a lot of money. We look at celebrities who receive all of the attention in the media as some sort of royalty, and hope that one day we will make it just like them. And many earn fortunes; more than they can handle. But does money buy you happiness and complete abundance? I am not too sure.

It is a controversial discussion because money does buy you that comfortable life-style of not having to worry about things going wrong: materialistically. You can, generally, pay your debts easily, when commodities break you can replace them and when you feel like jetting off for a quick get-away you can do so, without having to think twice about it.

But is it all about that excess amount of money flooding your life? Most of the time, the more you earn and work hard, the bigger your responsibilities become. This equals more stress, and after everything, your health is your wealth! You need to be fit and healthy to enjoy your earnings after all.

Many, from a young age, sit there and plan what career pathway they can go down which will earn them the most amount of money. Without taking into account what it encounters they chase it with all they have got, all of their energy, time and efforts go into this career just because of the money factor. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be passionate about what they do; more will they love it, but it will offer them that financial stability. From my own perspective I believe it to be a higher importance to invest a large proportion of your life into a job that puts a smile on your face every morning you wake up. Life is about enjoying yourself, and if you have a deep-rooted passion or a huge dream that you once thought would be impossible to achieve, chase it. You need to chase at it with full speed. You can have and do anything you want in this world as long as you want it enough.

Many give up half way because they become impatient, but persistence and determination is key, and knowing that you will get to where you want to be. Make a career for yourself doing what you will make you happy. Do what you are. When I say that I mean most of us have that hidden talent deep down that we may be afraid of expressing. This could be writing, singing, being an athlete, being a footballer, helping animals or even flying an aeroplane. If you have that huge ambition then drag that inner-motivation out and begin working towards it. Dreams do come true!

Tomorrow never comes

Do you feel the frustration when you have to ask the same person time and time again to complete a task for you but all you get in return is:

First thing tomorrow, definitely.

Tomorrow never comes.

Why tomorrow? Why not now? Why not take more control over your time, utilise it to the maximum point and achieve far more than you originally anticipated?

Many people get too comfortable with working to the point that is expected, or average across the board of others. Pushing themselves is asking too much, plus what is the need when there is tomorrow? Time is very important, and as much as we shouldn’t allow time to restrict us, we should still structure our time to benefit the most from it.

It would blow your mind, my mind even, to know how much more I could be if I just shut away from social media on a regular occurrence and read instead, or enjoyed the ‘present company’ for a longer length of time instead of zoning out and getting caught up in the “distracted society” that the elites want from us. Watching the soaps and connecting to social media too much can narrow our minds, limiting our time to broaden our horizons on a daily basis by learning or conversing with other people.

Think about it, how relevant is it to you? How much time do you think you could save a day just to give your mind some time to breath, to stop, to learn?

Speaking up for those that can’t

A lot of people find it easier to conform than to reject. They follow the masses, like a herd of sheep following their shepherd. But is this okay? And will this give those who just accept the things that they really want and deserve?

There has been many times when I have been in the company of people who get embarrassed by their friends for complaining. “But I am paying it!” And they are right, they have, but a lot of us just find it easier to have a peaceful, complain-free life. This is where companies and individuals exploit their customers: most of them know that they can get away with poor service or propaganda posters describe something that they serve in a roundabout way, because a large proportion of their clientele will just bite their tongue.

Recently, I have learned how much you can get if you do speak up and ask for some sort of compensation – if you’re really not happy that is. At the end of the stick, the only person who you’re fooling is yourself. We should believe in ourselves more and stand up for what we believe in, fighting every corner that we know we have a voice in.

I watched a video recently and it was about the cutting-edge factor in society. It described how we shouldn’t follow the masses because then we stand a better chance of succeeding. It’s okay to be different, but many are scared to stand out but why? Be unique and love yourself! How can you expect anyone else to love you if you don’t even love you?

We was all born into a world full of injustice, destruction, corruption and crime, but it is our job to stay positive and happy and share that energy with as many people as possible. We each need to invest our time, time more than anything else, into the things that really matter and not be distracted by the technologically driven world we are all growing up in now. It’s also known as a ‘box’ society.

Were constantly trying to fit things into boxes, and materialistic commodities steer us away from the present moment; and the present moment is where true, real happiness belongs. For example, if we were to go on a camping holiday in the middle of nowhere with our family or friends and spend all that time without our mobile device, without the ability of being available to the external world. No tv, no Internet, no gadgets. It may seem impossible for many because it has become such a way of life. People literally stunt their conversations with their friends whilst out, just to rush home and watch Eastenders. A virtual programme with no real meaning or definition to it: just another distraction from the real world.

That is why I would love to go into I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. It would be such a real life experience away from everything. Just you and the real world in which we live in, surrounded by nature, good company and challenges that build you as a person.

Another way to look at it is the dummy. As a baby we have a tendency to cry to communicate to our parents, as we have no idea how to get through to them otherwise. The dummy is, usually, a great tool to stop the crying for a short while; again another distraction. Instead of facing problems and looking into the solution we push the problem aside for a temporary amount of time. But what most of us don’t realise is the problem is still there.

So let’s start enjoying right now, and not be so fixated on time boundaries, the virtual world and a lifestyle that is constantly accepting the messages that are given to us. Question what you see and hear, and then make your own mind up.

Creative Industries – Technological Takeover?

Yesterday when I was in a world of my own, I found an intriguing article that zoned me out for a minute or two.

Be creative if you want to outsmart the robots written by Amol Rajan, London Evening Standard. 

This article interestingly took me back for a moment, as I realised the simplicity of the subject matter, and how prominent and realistic it was at the same time. It outlines how computers/robots and technological devices can now perform a lot of the tasks that we, throughout our humanity, have been doing previously without their help.

Calculators, controlling, on-line shopping self-service checkout and banking on-line are just a few examples where work load and us, in general, do not need to use our brains as much or manoeuvre to the outside world; we can just sit in the comfort of our homes to perform the same task.

The exclusive angle to this piece that I enjoyed the most is his reflection on the creative industries in the world of work, and how these simply cannot be replaced by the robotic world, nor by technological advancement. Arts and Entertainment – definitely the right area that cannot be re-performed by anything other than a human being with a heart and soul.

Take a writer for example, the creativity explored is unique and original to that individual. Painting a beautiful, inspirational picture – with the free-flowing mind doing most of the work and strong poignant attention to detail.

Machines can’t do creativity. They’ll never produce great works of art, write memorable stanzas, design exquisite museums or compose beautiful symphonies. They’re utterly useless at sport.

And I couldn’t agree more with Rajan. The authenticity and real expressionistic creativity cannot be replaced. And that is a positive point for the artistic areas of career choice.

We have a huge heart with warm energy to give. We can build strong relationships, develop our networking-radar, inspire people, grow, adapt, negotiate, and lead the crowd. We have qualities that are irreplaceable and restricted to the reach of humanity.So progressively moving forward I would encourage anyone to stay involved and in-touch with their artistic side, develop their original voice and express that to the rest of the world.

Contemporary Living

Isn’t it crazy how quick things change? Transformations happen so rapidly it’s scarce to notice them, until we look back. It’s a heated topic as of course – technology has pushed our society forward – but is it all for the better?

In most developed countries now most individuals own a mobile phone. You will probably appear foolish to most if you declare the negligence of owning such a thing. It has become the norm, the ‘in thing’, the way forward – until you speak to your grandparents.I sat down not long ago and spoke with mine about how life was for them when they were young. “We never owned anything like you do today. We had no gadgets. At Christmas we hardly received anything. We were lucky to have food on our tables, but we were all happy.”

Something I picked up on whilst discussing historical, domesticated life was how people communicated in the open field much more compared to today. People got together, met up to have a laugh and played outdoor games. They enjoyed the now, the present moment, and rarely took things for granted.

I don’t think I could imagine a lifestyle now without having the internet by my side.  I remember back in the days when I was at school when we had non-calculator maths exams. We actually thought for our self! It seems like that was such a long time ago but I am only talking 6 years, and now I hear of exams, which allow you to take notes in.

Of course for most that use it for the right purposes benefit greatly from technology. We can now keep in touch with friends all over the globe via social media, see them in real time as though we are sat right with them. It’s a fantastic thing to have a search engine at the end of our fingertips, but my problem that I have noted is how the generation of today get so caught up in the virtual community.

You can be sat next to many people and you look around and everyone has their head down. They sit there in silence with fingers excreting more energy than ever previously known. Friends will sit together now not knowing what to say because they’ve said most over the Internet. They knew what they were up to an hour previous because of their updated Facebook statuses. Is this a positive? I’m not so sure.

Due to a paradigm shift we have to adapt. We are human beings who naturally adapt to what is around us, so it is only the acceptable way for us in a conforming society. Its become a race against time to get things done, move at the speed of light because of such a high competition. Everyone is after the same thing.

“We could leave our doors open when we were younger, with money in our draw. We knew our community and we could trust our neighbours.”

I looked at my grandparents in complete shock. It sounds like such a miracle to hear that things could be like that and that the trust was there. Trust is hard to find nowadays and just as you think you know someone you will be thrown by something completely out of character.

The Internet has been an amazing development in society and has given us many opportunities. We are more interlinked internationally and globally and allow us to learn many things instantly. An information-overloaded society is an understatement! Look at the news for instance, just as we learn about an event occurring in the world and get to grips we are told something else just a few hours later. Journalists are working all around the clock as they face the pressure to deliver news in real time as they happen. Life has become fast. What will be in the future? It’s scary!

One main premise is that people need to learn to shut off, when to say no, and focus on the present moment. Using the Internet and our smart phones to our advantage is a brilliant invention and gives us that stability to communication when we need it. Employers can search for us online. We put our information out there so freely everyone can know everything about you in just a few minutes! To know who you are, what you want and where you come from is essential when communicating in the virtual community, because you never know who is reading about you!

We are lucky to have that escapism online but I think a balance is definitely needed. Pick up the phone every now and then and ask to meet up with a friend more than you usually would – you’ll find it to be so much more satisfying to laugh and smile in reality rather than talking over Whatsapp of Facebook Messenger! We are all guilty of it but building more awareness and knowing when to put the phone away, I think, would make people so much more happier and would give people more to talk about.

Distractions: Getting the better of us

Are we surrounded by distractions, indirectly, controlling the way we think, act and behave?  It can be difficult at times to find time to yourself away from the fast-paced lifestyle that the majority of us are now subject to. The use of social media allows us to inter-connect with people thousands of miles away. We can stay in touch easier than ever before, get things done a lot quicker which, therefore, can entail many more expectations from those above us. It is an exciting transformation in society and we should be grateful for advanced technology facilitating our day-to-day tasks.

Not so long ago I bumped into someone who was talking to me about their kindle. It was explained to me that the ever-going improvements in the tablet makes it more and more harder to shut off from the outside world.

The newest kindle allows you to stay linked in and connected with social media. I know that self-control is important, but it can be so hard to stay isolated from social media without wondering what is the latest updates online, in the virtual community.

As things move along we are subject to changes and, we too, feel obligated to follow suit. This is a normal thing but it is about standing out from the rest, controlling your own actions and taking time out for yourself too. Social media is a way of being on the networking radar – you never know who is reading what you’re posting, so being aware of that is crucial! We can post things online without thinking twice, reflecting this negative image of ourself, but really that’s not the way we want others to perceive us.

Yes, more and more technological devices have integrated and converged with other online platforms but that is an advantage for us. It is, of course, a lot more difficult to shut off and not be distracted but I think discipline from within is most essential. Meditation can be a great way to calm your thoughts and put you in a stable frame of mind to make you think and feel clearly again, so always remember that.

Don’t be distracted. Be the one to distract with all of your positivity.