Online Media Products and Services

Online Media Products and Services Napster is an online music store that was developed as an online file sharing service. Originally, Napster concentrated on sharing of music files coded in MP3 format. This service was pioneered by Shawn Fanning, and it was aimed at sharing music files among users.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Online Media Products and Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This marked a revolution in the music industry, thereby forming a platform on which online music services are based. It emerged as a powerful promotion tool for various artists and bands including the Dispatch band. Dispatch band is an American independent band that was formed in 1996. Previously, the band had neither experienced formal promotion nor radio play. Through Napster’s peer to peer file sharing services, the band promoted its music to higher levels. As a result, the Dispatch band toured and performed in many cities, which they had never imagined before (Biagi, 2012). The most significant aspect of Napster file sharing services is the active involvement of the audience. In this respect, many users or audiences were actively involved in receiving and sharing information. Napster technology facilitated easy sharing of music files in MP3 format among the users. In regards to Dispatch band, display of their music in Napster enabled the band’s music to reach many audiences. This was attributed to Napster’s interface that was user friendly. This allowed easy downloading of music copies that could have been hard to get. This included old songs, concert songs, and even the recordings that had not been released. In addition, the majority of users enjoyed downloading and trading music at no extra costs. In addition, Napster allowed users to create their music profiles where they could compile their own albums. However, users chose the music on the basis of their values, beliefs, culture, background, experiences , interest, and education. Through this strategy, users could develop their social constraints of reality (Croteau, Hoynes, and Milan, 2012).Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the contrary, the influence of the active audience on media can lead to harm. First, it can lead to the users narrowing and limiting themselves to certain dimensions. For example, users may isolate themselves and relate with only those whom they like. Through Napster, users may isolate themselves in sharing music to certain people or groups like the Dispatch band. Secondly, group polarization can be a common occurrence. This takes shape where a group with views attracting much attention tends to absorb even the minority. The Dispatch band’s popularity amongst the majority triggered its influence to the minority (Croteau, Hoynes, and Milan, 2012). As far as isolation of individual users is concerned, online media play a significant role. This can lead to various adverse effects. However, this is not common for all online media companies. As mentioned, the success of the Dispatch band group was attributed to Napster’s online services. This portrays that Napster did not contribute to isolation of users since the Dispatch band music reached many users prompting widespread tours and concerts. This shows that it contributed to bringing togetherness amongst the users. Despite the challenges, Napster ensured diversification of ideologies that promoted social construction. With respect to isolation, online media can overcome this challenge as in the case of the Dispatch band. The Dispatch band had no prior promotion or radio play that could have influenced polarization. Therefore, no dominant position influenced users towards them. Instead, it was at free will because the group was not formally known (Biagi, 2012). References Biagi, S. (2012). Media/impact: A n introduction to mass media. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Croteau, D., Hoynes, W., Milan, S. (2012). Media/Society: Industries, Images, and Audiences (4th Ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Online Media Products and Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

An analysis of the film Fight Club essays

An analysis of the film Fight Club essays For years, David Fincher has been turning out some of the most stylish and inventive thrillers to ever hit the American screens. In spite of critical and public backlash, his Alien 3 remains the most technically interesting of that series, and Seven stands as the suspense film upon which all other modern suspense films are based. With The Game, he proved himself more than a one-movie wonder and emerged as one of the most original filmmakers working in Hollywood. His new film, Fight Club, however, is his most challenging piece of work. It is a film that demands that its viewers look past what's on the surface and find something deeper. Fight Club is a multi-layered film with many subplots and multiple themes. Fincher delves into such topics as consumerism, the feminization of society, manipulation, cultism, fascism, and even the psychosemantics of the human id and ego. Primarily, it is a film that surrealistically describes the status of the American male at the end of the 20th century: disenchanted, unfulfilled, castrated and looking for a way out. It depicts how consumerist males have been emasculated by their modern life styles, by a feminized consumer culture that places more worth on nice furniture and nice wardrobe than masculine values like power and strength. The central character in the film, who remains nameless and who is played by Edward Norton, is very much like Lester Burnham of American Beauty. He is trapped in the corporate world and finds himself increasingly dissatisfied with the fruits it is supposed to deliver. Norton's character leads an unfulfilled and aimless life. Rather than masturbating as an outlet, he buys furniture from IKEA. It is by no chance that our Narrator is not given a name: he is the Everyman of the 90s, "a slave to the IKEA nesting instinct" (Fight Club) with an apartment that owns him more than he owns it. He also suffers from insomnia for which the only cure seems to come in the form...

The Course of Mexican History Research Paper Essay

The Course of Mexican History Research Paper - Essay Example The reflection specifically aims to address the following: (1) to provide a description of how the course has enhanced one’s understanding of the term "culture"; (2) to explain how historical and social contexts have helped to shape human belief systems and values; and (3) to evaluate how one’s own cultural perspective has influenced personal intercultural experiences. Description: Personal Understanding of the Term Culture One’s personal contention is that the term culture encompasses a collaborative learning and experiences of a particular group of people who have developed common sets of values, preferences, traditions, norms and practiced these as their way of life from generation to generation. This understanding of the term culture was reinforced by discussions on business culture (Unit 1), specifically how Mexicans value personal relationships, mix business transactions with leisure activities and continue to practice the manana habit that tends to delay a ctivities to a later time or date. Further, lessons on art and architecture from ancient times that marked the development of practices from the time of the Olmec and Aztec cultures, enhanced one’s understanding of how various religious practices influenced traditional beliefs and the way architecture was created and built (Unit 3). Culture, as a way of life, were discussed to be manifested and expressed through music (Unit 10) from the rule of the Spanish conquests to contemporary times in terms of the evolution and development of musical instruments, styles, and forms. Finally, one of the most evident cultural forms is exemplified through the way Mexicans enjoy and prepare their food (Unit 2) and how their eating habits differ from other cultures. Diverse historical timelines that aimed to trace the roots and evolution of Mexicans, as an indigenous group, presented more comprehensive discussion of how Mexicans were influenced by significant personalities from the time of Ki ng Charles V of Spain (Unit 5) to the restoration of the republic through revolt in 1910 (Unit 6). All these events helped shape and make Mexico a distinct and rich culture that have influenced other people through interactions and global connections through time. Explanation: Historical and Social Contexts that shaped Belief Systems and Values Human belief systems and values are likewise shaped by the historical and social events depicted through the rich experiences discussed in the module. One of the most pronounced social events is the use of musical instruments that were traced since the time of the Aztecs from their drums that accompany their ceremonies (Unit 10). The role of the church is also crucial in the development of a distinct musical genre focusing on solemnity, hymns and chants. Other historical events that significantly shaped beliefs and values of Mexicans were the art and literature expressed in architectural sites which were traced from their religious practices of worshipping gods and goddesses (Unit 3). The experience of Mexico is parallel with other cultures that exemplify religion as having shaped traditional values and beliefs. Most of these are handed from generation to generation and some remain to be practiced until contemporary times. Finally, the influence of other races: Spaniards, in particular, in their way of life, in political endeavors, and in fighting for national freedom from foreign rule and