Where in the World is the World Wide Web?

Hey Fellow Techies and Technophobes!

Is it me or is emerging media evolving at a rapid pace to exclude the World Wide Web? These thoughts have rung heavily in my mind as I read many of the assigned readings this week. In the article “Who’s to Blame: Us” Chris Anderson brilliantly describes how we are near moving from the World Wide Web to the internet, giving me so much to think about.

So much so that I’ve had conversations with peers comparing what our daily activities consists of; and if I’m the only one participating in the media madness. Let’s do a rundown of YOUR daily activities.

• Facebook?
• Twitter?
• Instagram?
• Banking Mobile Application?

Surely, if you said yes to 3 out of the 4 applications, you too are participating in the downfall of the World Wide Web. As emerging media becomes a life line in our society, we hardly put any thought into how instant gratification becomes the killer of so many things we held near and dear to our techno-hearts.

Another question that I came to mind while immersing myself into the readings for this week is, “With the applications that are becoming increasingly available through the internet; does the thought of media convergence become a way to avoid the realization that our precious World Wide Web is dying?” I mean let’s be honest, business and organizations are simply using applications instead of using the HTML that we are use to. First. let’s define media convergence. Media convergence can be defined as phenomenon involving the interlocking of computing and information technology companies; telecommunications networks; and content providers from the publishing worlds of newspapers, magazines, radio, and television.

Will the Web end up with Carmen and Waldo?

As much as I want to agree that in order for businesses and organizations to remain relevant they will need to keep up with the “times”, I  also wonder if the growth of technology will have a negative effect on business and organizations that chose not to indulge in this phenomenon called media convergence. To some it’s simple but for others it becomes bothersome; sharing information becomes tedious; and browsing the web becomes eerily a bigger task than it was years ago.

An article entitled “Long live the Web,” describes how the invention of the Apple iTunes has isolated their users from using the web which is creating closed worlds. The use of Apples iTunes only allows you to access only iTunes information, such as identifying songs and artist. No need to look for any outside information within the Apple proprietary iTunes Program. There is no such thing! Although we think we are using the web, iTunes has completely walled off the web, making them centralized and a trap for all of their users.

These closed worlds are starting the spread in the media field, the same applications that are increasing convenient restricts the growth and the diversity we see in the web. Tim Berners-Lee better explains this by comparing the 1990 America Online dial-up information system to “walled off gardens” that can never compete in diversity, richness, and innovation resulting in delay of outside growth. Though the thought of being closed off from the web can be scary for my fellow laggards, it also offers hope for businesses that are losing customers because of their lack of progression.

As media continues to grow, it is also newspapers who find it hard to keep up with moving their print publications to online platforms. In the article, Newspapers can’t merely dabble at digital; Alan Mutter explains the hardships that the New York Times has capturing more of a digital audience. While the New York Times focuses most of their time on the print aspect of their newspaper, they are now realizing that while most of their publications are published during the evenings, most of the digital readers visit the website during the early mornings.

Though Times seems to be engaging in more digital publishing, they have not completely taken on the digital world by storm which shows lack progression (no pun intended), and giving more ammunition for other organizations to take over their audience. The lack of interest to revamp their practices will ultimately keep them from reaching the asset-lighters and the laggards who are now catching on to the new trend. It will be a sad day in print heaven for the New York Times when this happens. Yes, indeed.

To all the newspaper reporters, don’t fret! Television is also changing over to online platforms. Nielsen, the leading global information and Measurement Company, has also caught up with the times. In an article published in February of 2013, Nielsen realizes that the concept of television has changed.  Not only are we viewing shows on a over-the-air antenna or via a pay-TV provider such as a satellite broadcaster or cable company; we are also watching via Netflix, Hulu, and other online platforms. Furthermore, with the new tablet and iPad craze more people are pushing for Nielsen to measure ratings via these devices, which makes perfect sense.

With more media convergence happening over time, it is no wonder that most businesses and organizations are pushing for more of an online presence; and pushing out more applications that cater to their publications and merchandise. I wish I would’ve put more thought into offering ideas for this new media era a long time ago.  However, there are so many questions remain to be explored.  Will media convergence help or hurt traditional media in the long run?  Will the web need to come up with ideas to keep the consumers interested? There are so many questions that only time will tell, but in the meantime, this blog will ignite further discussion about emerging media. Hopefully, as the weeks progress we will understand more about emerging media; and what we can do to make sure we aren’t left behind when the new wave of technology hits.

Get ready because it on the way!!!…

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this week’s post! 🙂