It's been a while.

We're now in January. That's a whole term undocumented. So let's take it from the top.

The first term was full of uncertainty for me. I couldn't think of a Major idea for a long time, I was dilly-dallying around the same idea and it took a long time to refine it. Now, I'm very happy with the idea and can't wait to get on with it. There was been an unforseen stumbling block which I'm about to overcome, and then the ball will be rolling.
Then there's the dissertation which I'm far from excited about. I've had a few meetings now and have gathered up the pieces I'm analysing - I'm just a bit behind on reading, not to mention I'm a slow reader, and don't have many juicy quotes from elsewhere to throw in. I hate writing, hard.

I've also had a very lazy Christmas break so it's about time I knuckle down and start putting in some serious work.
Yes.

Some more Marx.

Project two only got us a 58, for both production and the essay.
I was expecting a little better, but I was so glad for it to be over that I don't really mind. I never even thought I was capable of putting together a flash game, which I pretty much did on my own, so yeah I'm satisfied.

Media Theory got me 55 and 60, which aren't great, but aren't bad either. Considering my problems tackling theory, I am fairly pleased.

And finally the presentation, 72! Alriiiight! I think I took a lead role in the presentation and did really well, similar to the three-day-project with Thought Den. I've no doubt that my presentation skills have come on leaps and bounds; I was never able to do this. Awesome.

Now I've just got PDP to do. :)

MEDIA AND ACTIVISM

WAR PRIVATISATION
MEDIA AND ACTIVISM
THOM CURTIS, JAMES PEARMAIN, CHRIS WARD.



OUR AIM:

To raise awareness of the companies employed by governments to carry out numerous tasks previously carried out by the Armed Forces.

To raise awareness of the legal problems surrounding private security.

WHAT IS WAR PRIVATISATION?

Private security firms hired to work in zones of conflict.
Rapidly growing industry – Highlighted by the war in Iraq, estimated to be worth over £56 million per year.

PROBLEMS:

Many firms are unregulated.
These companies are brought into contact with people protected by the International Humanitarian Law. (IHL.) However the International Commitee of the Red Cross fear that many of these companies do not respect this law.
It really is a legal grey area. Why?
They're not quite civilians, and not quite soldiers. i.e. American Security Firms in Iraq – work abroad so largely beyond the reach of U.S law, but contracted by U.S Government so beyond reach of Iraqi law.
Ahu Ghraib – contractors involved in a 3rd of incidents – none prosecuted.

HOWEVER:

Privately hired firms essential to U.S & U.K War effort – could not fight without them.
Last year War on Want (UK Charity) reported three private security employees to every one British soldier.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE OUR AIM?

With a poster, website, and Facebook group campaign. The poster will feature little detail and will rely heavily on mystery and ambiguity to draw people to the website. The posters will be placed around the University campus. As the posters are removed/damaged, the Facebook group will be created, with a similar degree of ambiguity, purely designed to get people to the website.

MARKETTING:

As already stated, it's a poster campaign.
Placed at university hot-spots.
No flyering, for various reasons.
The image could break out into online communities and forums as an e-poster.
We will be able to evaluate the success via a hit-counter on the website.

EVALUATION:

4 posters put up: 10/03/09
3 remaining 11/03/09
One moved to another location, without us knowing.
Website hits 17/03/09: 42
Facebook group launched: 02/04/09
Website hits 02/04/09: 55
Website hits 03/03/09: 190
Website hits 05/04/09: 217
Website hits 22/04/09: 245

To evaluate, the campaign hasn't been particularly successful. The idea of ambiguous posters and such, doesn't draw in as many people as they would in an 'ideal' world, where people are driven by intrigue. That said, the Facebook group has no information on it besides the URL. The Facebook group did increase the number of website hits massively, but there were still few comments left. That said, people that visitted may well have read through the information, and so on that front, we achieved our aim of informing people.

It seems, from this project, that the only way to really inform people is to stick it in their face (i.e. inviting to Facebook group) or perhaps intrigue them with something more than a slogan – perhaps something hinting at a personal gain.

My Head At The Moment

These are currently my thoughts regarding Uni:

Media Theory - I am not very good. I kinda follow what's going on but as soon as I leave the room I'm lost. And I know that essays aren't my strong point so I'm not looking forward to writing two of those.

Project 2 - I'm getting to grips with the code, and taking a lead role in that. It's quite interesting but equally frustrating. But yeah it's coming along okay.
However, there is a certain member of the group who is holding us back greatly. As group leader, I feel it's my responsibility to say something. The other group members agree with me, so we're having to change roles and workflow to act accordingly without completely shutting the member out. I am looking forward to this project being over though, I don't think flash games are for me.

Activism: The Early Stages [Tres Basic]

For our media activism, we're going to make a poster, and put it online on a blank webpage. The final design is yet to be completed but we're pretty sure the subject matter will be Sky and BBCs choice not to show an appeal for Gaza aid.

As far as marketting, we'll be putting up lots of posters (again, designs yet to be finalised,) with catchy slogans and a web URL, which ends up at the first poster.

More details to follow.

On your Marx...

70 Production.
Excellent.
56 Essay.
Not so great.

I should probably not leave the essay until the last minute.
But, SEVENTY!
That's a first.
Yes mate.

T.

Media & Activism :: Online Assignment 1

Anonymous.
(Internet group.)

Examples of their activity:

1. (from Wikipedia)

A popular target for organized raids by Anonymous is Habbo, a popular social networking site designed as a virtual hotel. The first major raid, known as the "Great Habbo Raid of '06", occurred during 2006. In the raid (and most others that occur), users signed up to the Habbo site dressed in avatars of a black man wearing a grey suit and an Afro hairstyle (in style of Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Pulp Fiction) and blocked entry to the pool, declaring that it was "closed due to AIDS",, flooding the site with internet sayings, and forming swastika-like formations. When the raiders were banned, they complained of racism. In response, the Habbo admins often ban users with avatars matching the profile of the raiders even months after the latest raid.



2. (from Spotvilleradio.com)

The latest stunt from 4Chan was posting a bogus message on Oprah Winfrey’s website claiming to be a member of a secret pedophile group called “Pedobear”. The post claimed that there were “9000 penises” ready to commit acts against children. Oprah responded with a YouTube video calling awareness to the fictitious group. “Pedobear” is actually the name of a toy in a popular Japanese anime called, “Kodomo No Jikan”. A story about a school teacher who is constantly approached by an underaged girl.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2fiQcl7b0mQ



-----------------------------------



*
Influence(s/d) media content and practices;

The Habbo and Oprah examples feature the group directly influencing/creating content within the websites/forums, and in the latter example, Oprah's video response.

With regards to practices, their actions may influence tighter administrators. For example, any users logging onto Habbo Hotel and making a character like that used in the Anonymous raid, were deleted even months after the attack.

*
Advocate(s/d) for media policy/regulation reform;

Some of their activities serve as to hold a mirror up to media policy, others are just to cause trouble, or a stir. I think that the core members are out to make a point, and many have jumped on the bandwagon "for the lulz," and are responsible for the more offensive or dangerous attacks.

*
Help(s/d) the evolution of an independent and participatory media;

It helps itself. Each prank draws attention to it's own cause. For better or for worse. It has also started a participatory campaign against Scientology.

*
Change(s/d) the relationship of audience and media; and/or

Many of their "core" pranks open the audience's eyes to a media's faults, with the Oprah escapade bring a prime example.

*
Use(s/d) the media to affect ideological changes in everyday contexts.

Anti scientology. Perhaps pointing out flaws for a safer cleaner internet, although this is as the cost of freedom of expression.