In Ian Bogost’s article, he argues that “game is art” is an obsolete concept.  Instead, he advises that we coin a different term and argues that the word “proceduralism” appropriately represents innovate indie titles such as “Braid to Passage.”  Bogost starts his article off by tracing back some art movements in history.  He brings up localized movements in Europe, Futurism, Gothic style, Post-impressionism, Pre-Raphaelites, and the Renaissance movement.  In bringing up these movements, Bogost makes the point that the idea of art is ridiculous because it “means something monolithic.”

Bouncing off that idea, Bogost then talks about the innovations and art movements in games. Bogost talks about how one cannot merely look at the superficialities of “game art,” but much search deeper, towards the aesthetic games trends in game art development.  In this way, Bogost hopes that there will be more discussions of the developing conventions, styles, and movements of games that participate in a broader concept of art.

Bogost talks about “proceduralism,” and defines the word through the charactertization of the style represented through three individuals–Jason Rohrer, Jonathan Blow, and rod Humble.  These three figures, according to Bogost, define “proceduralism” because they have made a distinctive style that have “embraced deliberately and successfully” art in the form of games.

The elements that these three have in common include procedural rhetoric and introspection.  Bogot utilizes Rohrer’s Passage and The Marriage as examples of how these games post questions and simulate specific experiences that rarely point players to certain answers.  Moreover, Bogot talks about the abstraction of instantial assets, subjective representation, and authorship.  His reasoning states that player agency in games leads to distinctive interpretations of player experience.

In “proceduralist” works, meaning is generated through the knowledge that a human being set the work’s processes into motion.  Proceduralism, Bogot says, is a contradiction to the “conventional wisdom in game design.”  By stating this, he means that video games focus on the realistic simulation of experiences, but on the other hand, proceduralism offers the metaphorical treatment of ideas.  As a result, proceduralism allows for user introspection, thus it exposes the subjective truth of the individual creator.

In this article, there featured a study conducted at the Pennsylvania State University.  This study included the participation of twenty-nine individuals who were Second Life users. Second Life, a 3-D virtual online environment, is considered a site that deepens intercultural literacy which refers to the comprehension, views, language, and identity that is crucial for effective intercultural interaction. The researchers argue that Second Life users participate in what they call an “Activity System” in which residents “engage is myriad activities (e.g. language classes) which provide structured environments that generate both intended and unattended outcomes.”  Through their research, they have found that participation in Second Life has in fact enhanced user’s intercultural literacy.

Some of the research that went into this study included analyzing how the use of multiple languages, cross-cultural encounters and friends, awareness of insider cultural perspectives, and openness toward new viewpoints are contributing factors to the enhancement of user intercultural literary.  In Second Life, users are also given the option to transform and shift their appearance.  As many individuals tend to base their individual’s facial characteristics and features to resemble their cultural identity (a positive identity), they pave the way for cross-cultural exchanges (though it is not a guaranteed intercultural literacy).

Other factors that lead to this deeper awareness includes the fascination that Second Life users had with each other.  For example, in the study, researchers talked about their finding that users had a natural fascination with what is different with other users.  Comments that they gathered included openness towards greeting other users on Second Life that ultimately influenced users to feel comfortable in opening up, communicating, and approaching other avatars and learning about their cultural background.  Insider perspectives however, were the biggest factor, as users shared how in Second Life, they are able to encounter and learn about other cultures while also sharing their own national identities.

Other ways included through “small talk” among users, and even through the opportunity to enhance second language proficiency.  All in all, the researchers found out that participation in Second Life gives users the opportunities in order to gain deeper comprehension into second language proficiency, cross-cultural attitudes and views, and even cross-cultural relationships.  Though some Second Life users only knew one language and hence could only communicate in one language, they reported that they were nevertheless able to expand their knowledge about other users and their cultural backgrounds.

In conclusion, what researchers discovered about users and user participation in Second Life is quite interesting.  Researchers concluded that participating in this virtual world and interacting with other users lead to an increase in opportunities and an increase in a deeper cross-cultural understanding among users.  Furthermore, researchers deduced that these virtual worlds do in fact bring about intercultural communication.  At the end of the research, the researchers also ponder another element and wonder whether virtual worlds and environments such as Second Life “solidify First Life national, cultural, and economic boundaries, or whether they will create new cultures that transform First Life in ways we have yet to imagine.”

This article personally was quite interesting as I pondered the idea of intercultural communication when I initially started working with Second Life.  This idea came about as I had an inkling that Second Life was commonly used in Asian countries.  My friends who are from Indonesia and Korea immediately knew the game I was referring to when I mentioned Second Life.  Other clues that lead me to believe that Second Life had the potential to bring about intercultural communication was the fact that its avatars could transform and shift.  For example, while exploring the site, I saw that there was an avatar for an Indian human.  I thought this was really interesting because it showed me that Second Life is integrating other cultural backgrounds into their system.

When I initially started using the Second Life program, I honestly thought it was a bit freaky.  The avatar that I had chosen was a bit creepy looking–it was a girl with pale skin, dark hair, gothic clothes, and freaky makeup.  After exploring the site a bit more, I actually found out that I was a vampire, and that there were other options that one could pick their identity.  I ultimately chose a “human” avatar, and when I clicked on the girl that I wanted to portray who I was in this animated world, she transformed into the person that I wanted her to be.  The transformation too, was a bit interesting as she all of a sudden the avatar became a different person and then became naked, was stripped of her clothing, and then new clothing, a new face, and new hair appeared as quickly as I pushed the button for her transformation.

The Second Life program reminds me similarly to that of the Sims.  The avatars can interact with each other, can enter different worlds, and different settings.  Some of the teleportation settings include categories such as “What’s Hot Now,” “Editor’s Picks,” “International,” and “Newcomer.”  I explored some of these worlds, teleporting from one setting to the other.  The program suggested that I chat and talk with some people (other users in the program,) and it was interesting to chat with other avatars around me.

The settings and the program itself is very life-like and real.  It is definitely animated, but the way the program is set up makes everything seem as life-like as possible.  For example, when my avatar runs, her hair sways as if a real person’s hair would sway when they run.  Moreover, the avatar is like a human being in that it can change clothes, walk, run, talk to other people, interact, etc.  What this avatar can do that humans cannot do though, is fly.  (But I still think that’s pretty cool!)

All in all, I initially thought this was kind of a freaky program.  The avatars were a bit freaky, the worlds too were a bit weird, but after exploring it a bit more, it got more interesting and fun.  I can’t wait to interact with my classmates and see their avatars, what their identity on Second Life is, and see what else Second Life has to offer for me and my avatar!

In Elizabeth Drescher’s article, “Five Social Media Trends that are Reshaping Religion,” it came as no surprise that social media has slowly but surely trickled its way down to affecting religion.  Though some may view social media integration in religion to perhaps be a “sin,” (according to Drescher’s article, a Google search for “social media guidelines for churches” yields more than twenty-seven million results,) Drescher shares in her articles some of the benefits of social media’s presence in religion.

The two most intriguing trends of social media that I personally thought was quite interesting in Drescher’s article is the presence of religious apps now available to those with Adroids, iPhones, and other smart phones.  As a Christian, I currently have a “Bible app” on my phone that offers me access to an online version of the Bible.  When I need to look up a verse, it is so convenient to use the app.  All I have to do is open the app, type in the Bible verse, and voila, in less than ten seconds, I have the full Bible verse on my phone screen.

As I was interested in exploring what other apps are related to religion, I took it upon myself to do some research at the App Store.  I typed in “religion,” and got a few interesting hits.  Some included an app for religion books, Bible promises, iRosary, encyclopedia of religion, children’s Bible, Bibles in different languages, hymns, Bible trivia, Muslim Pro, etc.  I had never seen so many apps for religion!  It truly astounded me to see how much technology has integrated religion to allow smartphone users to have access to such apps.  As each app had approximately one hundred to two hundred ratings, I was shocked to see how many individuals had actually downloaded, used, and rated these apps.  Moreover, what was interesting was that many of these apps are free.  This observation showed me that the accessibility of these apps are definitely making it easier for this social media trend to spread.

Another interesting trend that Drescher talked about was “ministers-on-the-go.”  In the article, Drescher talks about how some ministers will “check-in” to places that they go to (through Foursquare) so that the individuals who see that the minister is around their area, will have access to him and his ministry.  I thought that this was such a creative idea as I never really saw the point in checking-in somewhere.  Even on Facebook, which recently included the option to check-in to places, I personally thought was pointless.  I thought, “Who cares if you’re at KFC?  Or who cares if you went to Starbucks?”  For some reasons I could understand, if one was at the mall by chance and wanted to see if anyone else wanted to hang out, or to show off that one was at a fancy restaurant with their friends.  But other than reasons such as those, I thought it was absolutely pointless to check-in anywhere (especially since it’s a bit creepy because people could be stalking you).

But after reading Drescher’s article, and reading the point of the minister and his reasons for checking-in, I have to admit that that is one of the best reasons that I think one should check in, and actually tried thinking of other justifications to check-in somewhere.  Moreover, this minister reminded me of my own pastor at my church who also utilizes Facebook and other social media sites in order to stay on track with those who attend his church.  Creating a Facebook page for his Bible study group is one way my pastor utilizes social media in order to further his ministry among those at his church.  In this way, I saw a real life example of Drescher’s article applied in my life!

Overall, I think that Drescher makes an excellent point about social media and its effects on religion.  After reading her article, I pondered what other trends I could add to her list, and more so thought of what the next social media tool will affect religion.

Elizabeth Drescher

As I was never good with technology (and still am not), looking up podcasting tips and tutorials will be good for me because I need all the help I can get with making my podcast project.

While exploring the web, I came across a site that offered some before, during, and after tips about recording a podcast.  There were some tips that I already knew (i.e. select a location to record instead of just randomly picking a place,) to some that I was like, “That’s a great tip!  I really should include that when I record.”  For example, one tip that was helpful included making sure that the recording device is on.  Making sure to do a test is always good as it would be absolutely terrible if at the end of recording the podcast, (especially if it includes interviews with other people,) one finds out that the recording device was not on the entire time.  Other tips included following the legal procedures when it came to recording.  Even though this is a small detail, one should always be aware that they need to receive permission if they are going to record music, or record an interview with an individual.

Some of the technical tips about podcasting that I found included tips such as using a “pop filter,” also known as a “pop screen.”  Using this in front of the microphone will eliminate the popping noise that comes with words that include the letters, “p,” “b,” and “f.”  Other tips included when recording, to make sure that the levels do not go over the 0-decibel mark on the DB meter.  If this does happen, the high end of the recording will be clipped off, and the sound will have very poor quality.  Moreover, other tips included using fade-in and fade-out effects at the beginning of the podcast to make it sound a bit more professional, and to use background music in order to make the sound more dynamic.

Some of my own experiencing with using and editing audio or video for podcasts is close to none.  I am currently taking the Communication 30 class, Intro to Digital Filmmaking, and have been using programs with Avid.  Other than that, I have not really used audio or video for podcasts.  I have however, used a digital recorder for interviews!  Hopefully, that will help me at least on getting started with my interviews for my podcast.

The California Legacy Project, started in Spring 2000, is a project designed to bring awareness for contemporary readers in California who think we have a dead culture.  This project is meant to prove that we do in fact have a “diverse and lively literary and historical heritage.”  As a result of wanting the same goal, Santa Clara University has teamed up with Heyday and has created the California Legacy Series.  These series, which now have more than forty printed books each strive towards the same goal of raising “public awareness and appreciation for our state’s cultural legacy and to encourage faculty and students in their creative and scholarly interest in Californian culture.”  Throughout the years, the project has also gone as far as to include public radio programs, a website, and new partnerships on top of continuing to print books.   This project firmly believes in bringing awareness and striving towards a “California Legacy for a digital age.”

 
The project as a whole is remarkable!  It includes media galleries, projects such as radio production, and even “The Big Read,” which offers communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate American and world literature.  This project also includes connections to the SCU English Department, the SCU College of Arts and Sciences, the Center for California Studies, the Center for Sierra Nevada Studies, the Inlandia Institute, and KAZU 90.3 FM radio.

 
While exploring the website, I listened to a few of their “radio scripts” (podcasts) on books that captured the culture of California.  One radio script I listened to talked about Gelett Burgess’ book, “A Gage of Youth.”  While listening to this radio script, (which actually read a bit differently than what was written on the site,) I found it was interesting to hear the introduction for “Ballad of the Hyde Street Grip.”  In the beginning, there was a portion that was read by Terry Beers, the Director and Series Editor of the project.  In the background was some fun and lighthearted music, while he briefly introduced the book.  After that, there was an excerpt from the book which was read by another individual, Kevin Hearle.  At the end of the excerpt, the lighthearted background music started up again, and Beers finished the radio script with a last bit of information about the author, and finally concluded with giving a citation and reference to the California Legacy Project and SCU.

 
After listening to that radio script, I listened to a few more and was definitely interested not only in the references to the books (which weaved and painted pictures of my head of the fantastic beauty of the California culture, molded by cable cars and whimsical three-eyed “Goops,”) but was especially interested in the format of how the podcast was made.  I was interested in looking into examples of the format of podcasts so that I can integrate some of what these examples do in their podcasts, to my own.  Other radio scripts that I listened to while exploring the site included “Purple Cows” (from “The Burgess Nonsense Book,) and “Table Manners and Window-Smoochers” (from “The Goops and How to Be Them: A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating Many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example, with Ninety Drawings”).  Similarly to the format of the radio script for the “Ballad of the Hyde Street Grip,”  these two radio scripts also featured a short introduction with lighthearted music playing in the background (all by Terry Beers), and then an excerpt read by a reader (Jessica Teeter for both “Purple Cows” and “Table Manners and Window-Smoochers), as well as a short ending with background music again by Beers.

 
From these radio scripts, I not only learned more about the California Legacy Project and more about California’s intricate and amazing culture, but I have also gained some insight into how I plan to possibly integrate some background music, an introduction, and ending to my podcast.

With the popularity of social media/networking, the speed of the Internet, and the integration of innovative smart phone technology, the world is becoming connected, updated, and informed no longer solely through journalistic media, but that of social media.

Speaking from personal experiences, when Michael Jackson passed away in June 2009, I did not initially hear it from the television news, or reading it in the newspaper.  Instead, I saw multiple Facebook posts and statuses that read “RIP Michael Jackson.”  After realizing that so many of my friends were writing these posts, I realized that the King of Pop had passed away.  I then saw multiple wallposts of links to news sites that were covering in live what was happening at the hospital in downtown Los Angeles.

As sites such as Facebook and Twitter can offer a smaller world and live feed, it is not surprising to learn that during the 2011 Tunisian and Egyptian revolution, there were snapshots and information that was consistently uploaded, viewed, and shared among all those in the Twitter world.  In Lotan et. al’s article, researchers study the two broad phases of research, which includes how journalists work within formal news organizations, and the second, the more innovative body of literature, includes how news is presented from networked individuals that include any type of professional and organizational background.

Defining and breaking down the categories of actors that were tweeting about information of the live feed of the revolution, researchers investigated the kind of individuals that posted and reposted content about the revolution as well as the content coming from journalists.  Seeing a trend in information flows, it was interesting to see that researchers saw that there was a low flow of information initiated by organizations compared to that of individuals.  Also finding that there was balanced distribution across organization and individuals in relation to flow size, the researchers concluded that “influencing audiences to participate on Twitter might be, in part, derived from individual personality, balancing out raw follower count in the flow size data.”

Ultimately, the researchers of this article concluded that their findings suggest that the news reports on Twitter, in particular during this revolution, individuals such as bloggers and activists constructed and co-constructed (through reposting) news alongside the journalists.  As a result, Twitter has become and created a kind of conversation among these actors and during this revolution, and had indeed played a role in the passing of information as it was one of the news sources that the researchers called a type of “hybrid and dynamic information network.”  Moreover, researchers also concluded that during monumental events such as the Tunisian and Egyptian revolution in 2011, Twitter did play an important role as “revolutions were, indeed, tweeted.”

In my opinion, this article can definitely be taken a step further asking the question of, “So, what’s next?”  This question refers not only to what the next historical event will be covered on Twitter, and what technology will be after Twitter that will also help different actors cover news stories, but also begs the question of what is Twitter going to be used for next?

As my personal hypertext page is about Hawaii, I thought it would be “appropriate” to listen to podcasts about surfing.  Though I do not personally surf, (I have a deep inset phobia of sharks,) about seventy-five percent of the people that I meet ask me if I surf when I tell them that I am from Hawaii.  Hence, this podcast is not only for our English 138 class, but is dedicated to all those who are interested in surfing and the people who wished that I could tell epic stories about surfing back home (haha).

The first podcast that I listened to included the podcast of the Rip Curl Bells Beach 2011: Episode One.  This particular podcast was about the fifty-year celebration of surfing at Bells in Australia.  During this anniversary celebration, which was held during the Easter weekend of 2011, all of the world’s best surfers came out to surf in this competition.  This podcast featured a live broadcast (that was recorded) of what was going on throughout the competition.  I also thought it was also hilarious that the announcer talked about the legendary parties and pubs along the coast that were also participating in the festivities of the competition.

It was interesting to hear all that was going on.  In the beginning, the announcer talks about how many people there are, and how there were spectators watching from the cliffs.  He also talked about how there were past champions and competitors watching as well.  I thought that this was great to include because it painted me a visual picture of what the scene looked like.  The announced also named a number of sponsors; in particular, he presented Ford (cars).

In this podcast, the announcer included a live feed about what was happening in the competition.  There were thirty-four of the best male surfers who were competing.  Defending Bells champ and legendary pro-surfer Kelly Slater was one of the surfers who attended.  Other competitors included a Rip Curl Wildcard surfer (one who was picked at random), as well as a local Victoria Wildcard (another surfer who was picked at random) from the Championship Moves Trials.

I also listened to two other podcasts about the Bells competition.  The second and third podcast included the highlights of round one, two, and three of the competition.  These rounds included live feedback of the competition, and talked about the high swells.  Kelly Slater was definitely one of the highlights of the rounds as announcers raved about his achievements, awards, and talked about how his performance in the second round will likely get him a top spot in the competition.  Other surfers included Australian surfers Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Dane Reynolds, and Owen Wright.

The podcast was really interesting to listen to because I realized that creating a podcast is not like having a conversation.  Podcasts are supposed to be instructive and in this case of the Rip Curl competition, supposed to be visual, so that the individuals listening can see what is going on by just listening.  I thought that these pod casts were awesome and exciting, and cannot wait to continue the Rip Curl surfing podcast series!