User:Alicia Michelle Machin

Annotated Bibliography

Changing Technologies, Their Affect on Society and Youth Culture.

Lam, C. and B. Tan. 2001. The Internet Is Changing The Music Industry. Association for Computing Machinery. Communications of the ACM., 44(8):62-68. (accessed August 6, 2005, from ProQuest: Media and Communication database).

The above article describes how new digital technologies have changed the music industry and it identifies how these changes have had an affected on society. It describes that with advances in technologies consumers today are now able to play and produce high-quality music in digital form directly from the net. It further describes how these new technologies are allowing more efficient ways for consumers to get their music, and as a result are 'redefining' the roles of traditional retailers within society. Also mentioned within the article is the emergence of new internet distribution channels which are dictated by consumers. These channels allow individuals to purhase single songs instead of entire albums off whomever they please.

The article concludes that society 'will be the biggest winners with the new music distribution paradigm', as key players in the music industry will be competing to deliver 'high-quality music in convenient or other preferred ways to consumers'. It also discusses the possibility that some of the key players within the music industry may offer songs for free to attract more consumers to their web site. The article then goes on to state that consumers will be able to, 'explore alternative music distribution channels available to them and purchase songs through their preferred channel' and get music 'anywhere, anytime, and anyhow'.

This article will aid my topic as it, using the music industry, demonstrates how advances in technologies have had a positive affect on society, in this case it is easier and more direct access to music.

--Alicia Michelle Machin 16:20, 6 Aug 2005 (EST)

Legrand, E. and M. Paoletta. 2005. Music Makes The World Go 'Round. Billboard, 117(18):32-33. (accessed August 6, 2005, from ProQuest: Media and Communication database).

The above article begins by discussing the recent lanch of 'MTV base', MTV Networks 100th channel and first Pan-African station. Following this the discussion turns to how today MTV is no longer just a broadcaster but 'a content provider for broadcast, online and mobile services'. The article then goes on to identify, for example, how changes in technology are resulting in wider access and availability for consumers in society. One example provided is the launch of MTV Overdrive broadband, this service (available through MTV.com) features programming and exclusive content, for example, news, music videos, live concert footage, movie trailers etc.

The article concludes by saying that, 'digital initiatives will provide a strong music outlet. By stepping into the technology stream, MTV could be available everywhere-on PCs, PDAs, cell phones, mobile devices, etc'. I believe this article will aid in my topic as it once more demonstrates how changes in technology are affecting those within society. The MTV network is especially relevant to the youth of today and thus is a great example of how new tehnologies and are changing youth culture.

--Alicia Michelle Machin 14:40, 6 Aug 2005 (EST)

May, C. 2002. The Information Society: A Sceptical View.Cambridge: Polity Press, ISBN 0745626858.

The above book argues that although there have been major changes within the ‘information technology revolution’ these were more so only changes to the type of activity instead of actual substance. The author Christopher May (Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, University of the West of England) describes that rather then there have been an ‘overthrow’ of the era before it, the information age represents a continuation of previous practices. Claims such as social transformations as a result of changes in information and communication technologies under go detailed critiques.

This book will be helpful to my chosen topic as it will provide a solid background for the ‘information technology revolution’ which has and is currently happening within society. It is also considered useful as it explores the ideas of changes in society very closely with changes to information and communication technologies.

--Alicia Michelle Machin 00:33, 12 Aug 2005 (EST)

Mazzullo, L. 2002. Drafting technology spurs youth movement in architecture firms. http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2002/09/23/focus1.html (accessed August 11,2005)

The above article discusses how young designers with experiences in technology are getting more recognition as valued employees. This relates to the fact that the youth culture of today have grown up with ever changing technologies and are thus able to use and adjust to advances in technology more easily. Within the article it is stated that, ‘ gaining the knowledge and expertise of the technology used in designing today is difficult…Many who haven’t grown up with computers may find it difficult to accept the new way of doing things, whereas younger workers sometimes have an easier job adapting’.

This article is relevant to my topic as it demonstrates how growing up with changing technologies are having positive effects for the youth culture of today. As it is shown and stated throughout the article, growing up with these changes in technology young people have the advantage as they are able to adjust more readily to introduced technologies (more so then older, less experienced people within the same field).

--Alicia Michelle Machin 22:13, 11 Aug 2005 (EST)

Miles, S. 2000. Youth Lifestyles in a Changing World. Philadelphia: Open University Press, ISBN 0335200982.

This book provides an insight into the changing nature of youth culture. It looks at key aspects in young people's lifestyles such as their relationships with technology, consumption in general and the media. Some issues addressed in this text include, ‘what impact has social change had upon young people?’ and ‘to what extent do consumer lifestyles play a key role in structuring identities?’. The author discusses how young people are faced with a greater diversity of risks and opportunities within the modern world, and further points out how traditional links between family, friends, work and school are deteriorating.

Steven Miles is a lecture at the University of Plymouth, he has published several journals (Journal of Youth Culture Studies; Youth Policy Consumption, Markets and Culture and Urban Studies) and has also written Consumerism as a Way of Life. His major research areas include youth, identity, social theory and consumption of media and technology.

This book provides a basic introduction into youth culture and touches on the affects changes in technology and society bring. The information contained within this book helps path the way for more research.

--Alicia Michelle Machin 21:37, 11 Aug 2005 (EST)

Rifkin, J. 2000. The Age of Access: How the Shift from Ownership to Access is Transforming Modern Life. London: Penguin, ISBN 014029547.

This book provides a solid introduction to changes in society and technology. It examines how society is moving away from the ownership of the materials of production and to the ability to access them. Rifkin points out how markets used to involve sellers and buyers, yet now its more so suppliers and users. He also describes the transformation towards a ‘weightless economy’. This is where instead of collecting physical capital and property, intangible forms of information and intellectual assets are of more value. He identifies how concepts rather than objects are traded within this new economy.

Through out the book Rifkin discusses the various changes under gone by society due to new technologies and also briefly discusses its affects on youths, therefore this book will aid in the above mentioned topic. Further more the book contains an extensive reference list if any additional research is required.

--Alicia Michelle Machin 01:04, 12 Aug 2005 (EST)

Sefton-Green, J. ed. 1998. Digital Diversions: Youth Culture in the Age of Multimedia. London: UCL Press, ISBN 1857288572

This book gathers together a variety of ‘empirical’ accounts and uses these to debate the meanings and uses of a range of digital technologies which are available in society. As well as this it provides a comprehensive discussion of the different ways that youth cultures are utilizing new technologies, while it also draws on a range of ‘theoretical perspectives’. The various authors offer interesting standpoints in relation to the impact of new technologies on different areas of society, with the main focus been youth culture.

One such chapter titled ‘Digital Culture – the View from the Dance Floor’, written by Helen Cunningham discusses how most young people have grown up with technology and technology based entertainment. Within this chapter the author examines how technology is used within club cultures while also examining the role of youth subcultures as a training ground for cultural industries.

The editor of these works, Julian Sefton-Green, was the Media Education Development Officer at Weekend Arts College and was also the co-author of Cultural Studies Goes to School: Reading and Teaching Popular Media, and Making Media: Practical Production in Media Education.

--Alicia Michelle Machin 18:56, 11 Aug 2005 (EST)