Remediation

  

Eminado Cartoon Dance (Original Version done by Tiwa Savage)

Remediation is summarized most accurately with an example. You know that movie you saw last week that was based on a novel or a comic book? That’s remediation. It is essentially the appropriation of the content of one medium into another. Marshall McLuhan said it best: “The electric light is pure information. It is a medium without a message, as it were, unless it is used to spell out some verbal ad or name. This fact characteristic of all media, means that the “content” of any medium is always another medium”.

Remediation refers to the blending of old and new media, and not always unidirectional. Old media can remediate new media as well, as an attempt to reassert themselves in a world where digital media rule. Digital technologies don’t radically change the medias cape so much as alter and add to older media, as with the Web borrowing from television, photography, film, and print. The term can also refer to the blending of several different forms of media in one document, such as with the integration of a large, ornately decorated letter at the beginning of chapters in medieval texts; it is a fusion of images and words and yet they constitute parts of a whole. Remediation has not newly emerged along with digital technologies, but has existed for centuries.

One component of modern remediation is distantiation. This term refers to the individualization and deconstruction of mainstream media. This often happens simultaneously with remediation, and it results in the borrowing of form coupled with the subversion of content. The individual (a blogger, for example) comments on mass news media while imitating techniques used by those same mainstream journalists. Remediation does not refer to a fundamental opposition to the mainstream, so much as the desire of the individual to express themselves.

It is worth mentioning the concepts of immediacy and hypermediacy which figure into a “double logic” of remediation. Immediacy refers to the idea that our culture wants to erase all hints of mediation by making the medium invisible, while hypermediacy refers to the exact opposite – wanting to infinitely multiply our media and heighten our awareness of them. Every medium wants to improve upon older media through creating a more immediate experience. However, this promise of a newer and more authentic experience causes an awareness of the “new medium as a medium… thus, immediacy leads to hypermediacy”. Some examples of media that attempt to achieve immediacy are photography, linear perspective painting, and Hollywood film. On the other hand, hypermedia is exemplified by stage productions in popular music, the Web, and television. While this is not so much a problem in and of itself, it still speaks to our culture’s poor media literacy.

Additionally, McLuhan takes issue with the focus on content in studying media. When it comes to reading and consuming media, he calls us numb, technological idiots.  “The effect of the medium is made strong and intense just because it is given another medium as “content.” The content of a movie is a novel or a play or an opera,” he says, “The “content” of writing or print is speech, but the reader is almost entirely unaware either of print or of speech”. Essentially, remediation is a seemingly simple concept that still manages to evade us, and it has scholars frustrated.

Though the concept of remediation has been recognized for a long time, digital technologies are changing what it means. New media are and will continue to do precisely what their predecessors have done in the past. They will refashion other forms of media, presenting themselves as new, improved versions. Digital media “can best be understood through the ways in which they honor, rival, and revise” other media. Remediation, coupled with participation and “bricolage” will figure heavily into a greater sense of individual involvement in media. Individuals will contribute meaning, modify and reform ways of understanding media, and assemble personal versions of that media. Remediation therefore will not be left to a film re-presenting a novel, but will be a tool in the hands of individuals navigating the mediated world.

Data Mining

 Data mining (sometimes called data or knowledge discovery) is the process of analyzing data from different perspectives and summarizing it into useful information - information that can be used to increase revenue, cuts costs, or both. Data mining software is one of a number of analytical tools for analyzing data. It allows users to analyze data from many different dimensions or angles, categorize it, and summarize the relationships identified. Technically, data mining is the process of finding correlations or patterns among dozens of fields in large relational databases. 

Data mining consists of five major elements: Extract, transform, and load transaction data onto the data warehouse system; Store and manage the data in a multidimensional database system; Provide data access to business analysts and information technology professionals; Analyze the data by application software and present the data in a useful format, such as a graph or table. 

Although data mining is a relatively new term, the technology is not. Companies have used powerful computers to sift through volumes of supermarket scanner data and analyze market research reports for years. However, continuous innovations in computer processing power, disk storage, and statistical software are dramatically increasing the accuracy of analysis while driving down the cost. 

Data mining is primarily used today by companies with a strong consumer focus - retail, financial, communication, and marketing organizations. It enables these companies to determine relationships among "internal" factors such as price, product positioning, or staff skills, and "external" factors such as economic indicators, competition, and customer demographics. And, it enables them to determine the impact on sales, customer satisfaction, and corporate profits. Finally, it enables them to "drill down" into summary information to view detail transactional data. 

With data mining, a retailer could use point-of-sale records of customer purchases to send targeted promotions based on an individual's purchase history. By mining demographic data from comment or warranty cards, the retailer could develop products and promotions to appeal to specific customer segments. For example, Blockbuster Entertainment mines its video rental history database to recommend rentals to individual customers. American Express can suggest products to its cardholders based on analysis of their monthly expenditures. 

Data mining process

How data mining works

While large-scale information technology has been evolving separate transaction and analytical systems, data mining provides the link between the two. Data mining software analyzes relationships and patterns in stored transaction data based on open-ended user queries. Several types of analytical software are available: statistical, machine learning, and neural networks. Generally, any of four types of relationships are sought:

1. Classes: Stored data is used to locate data in predetermined groups. For example, a restaurant chain could mine customer purchase data to determine when customers visit and what they typically order. This information could be used to increase traffic by having daily specials.
2. Clusters: Data items are grouped according to logical relationships or consumer preferences. For example, data can be mined to identify market segments or consumer affinities.
3. Associations: Data can be mined to identify associations. The beer-diaper example is an example of associative mining.
4. Sequential patterns: Data is mined to anticipate behavior patterns and trends. For example, an outdoor equipment retailer could predict the likelihood of a backpack being purchased based on a consumer's purchase of sleeping bags and hiking shoes.

Cartoon network

Students "terrorized" by a lecturer

Fourth year students from publishing and Media Studies class were on Tuesday morning subjected to shame after one of their lecturers threw heavy words on them.

The act , which occurred during the controversial class presentation, left students with many rhetoric questions and divided feelings about the lecturer and the course. It was reported that the lecturer had passed by the venue in the morning not to find students in. He then proceeded to his office and came back frustrated.” This is a silly behavior that you are developing… students coming to class after the lecturer is something so stupid”, exclaimed the lecturer. This was normal to many since it was not their first time to be mocked. However, according to a minority group who seemed to be pissed off by the lecturer’s comments, students had decided to assemble outside so as to pave way for the workers to clean the room.

                                                  

                                        Group four members consulting each other during the class presentation  Photo: Ednah

Presentations kicked off as normal with group one members missing in action. Group two members could not believe the way they were being diminished with questions. They hardly answered a question before being informed that their time was up.” I can’t believe this! He has indicated “poor” presentation yet he didn’t give us time to present”, marveled one member.

Group three was the next devil’s snare. The members were attacked severallywith complex questions. No sooner had they began than they were told to present logically! “How can you jump from section one to seven yet section two addresses your question properly? You are journalists”, exclaimed the lecturer. In a bid to respond, a member of group three was silenced not to utter a word again. “Don’t teach me how am supposed to teach you. In fact, check your words”, pointed the lecturer. To the class, this was undermining the rights of students. “Allow them talk, they have a freedom of expression”, said one student. 

 

Group four members were shocked after being informed that their answers were so irrelevant. They remained glued on their seats trying to consult each other on the way forward. Unfortunately, their time was up! “That means you didn’t study the constitution”, said the lecturer.

The end matter left students with doubts of the final results. “I only need 40% and that is it”, said one student. To others, it was a tragedy. “I don’t even know why I am studying law and the constitution when I came to Moi to study media”, marveled one student. The debate struck some heat in the social media, but still the students could not fathom the whole episode.

Mainstream media abdicating their role as agenda setters

By Allan Kipchirchir

I was shocked this week after reading an embarassing post on facebook from a reputable media establishment.They, along with other niggardly blogs and news websites were propagating a story, which to my opinion, and you’ll agree with me, should have been left for racy pullouts such as crazy Monday and pulse. 

You’ve probably heard the story , a county ICT minister caught pants down with a married MCA from the same county. Is that really a news story you’d be proud as a leading mainstream media be posting on facebook and twitter for all and sundry. I am not saying that they should ignore such stories, most, if not all newspapers are multifaceted and usually have pullouts with such stories to supplement their audience' appetite.

 But really, they should use social media cautiously. Majority of browsers online use such posts entirely, and links, especially if they don't have the newspaper's app on their phones and PC's. Profesionalism and ethics is quickly being tossed out of the window, and is being replaced by shallow sensational news stories . It’s preposterous!

They are even lowering social media, by competing with those callous blogs like ghafla and crazy Nairobian, who convincingly seem like they fabricate stories just to get readership. With the advent of internet technology, the number of blogs in Kenya has increased, and have even become popular, nearly superseding the traditional media in terms of readership. Top blogs record nearly half a million hits, a far cry from leading newspaper circulation. Fearing to be wiped out of the industry by these new kids on the block, they’ve followed suit, and they are even using such blogs as their blueprint, to catch up and remain relevant.

With scores of Kenyans embracing new media, there have cropped up numerous blogs and tabloids, who rely on such sensational news to get their ratings over the roof. Social media has also opened up avenues for various stakeholders to advance their cause, media not exceptional.Instead of undermining morals and decency, they should use facebook and twitter to leverage their role as agenda setters

ONLINE ROOM BOOKING, NOT AN END TO CORRUPTION

Relief dawned on Moi University students as the institution launched the online room booking system. The system which went live in July 2013 allows students to book rooms online and the relevant offices to approve payments and allocate rooms. This is to ensure transparency in the accounting system.

However, critics have pointed out that its major aim has not been achieved. Even though it is faster and efficient as compared to the long queues and paperwork, the process has been riddled with cases of corruption.

For instance, several junior students claim that they had to bribe the system administrators to secure rooms in senior hostels. Others said that they were allocated rooms that already had occupants. Students even had to dig deeper into their pockets to secure big and sizeable mattresses.

As much as the University is shifting to the digital era, it should also consider the long term effects of the whole process. The room booking exercise needs more streamlining, proper organization and consultation. The administrators also need to revise the booking rules in order to give all students equal opportunities. This can only be achieved through understanding of responsibilities among students, housekeepers and the administration. The online booking system and process is a noble undertaking, however, if the current level of corruption is not addressed the system will end counterproductive.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

By Ednah Ombaso

With new media taking root in our society today, technology has changed the way we do our business, pursue education and interact with everyone from our families and our surroundings. It is hard to imagine life without computers.

People with higher income are able to access technology whereas people who are on lower incomes are not able to as they cannot afford the technology that is left behind in terms of digital supremacy. This has constituted the rise of digital divide.

Digital divide is an economic and social inequality according to categories of persons in a given population in their access to use or knowledge of information and communication technologies. It is used to describe a gap between those who have already access to information and communication technology and the skills to make use of those technologies.

A theoretical distinction exists between the first level and the second level digital divide. The first level deals with problems of computers and access to the Internet while the second level focuses on the user profiles of new technologies.Many people have been continually isolated from our digital society because they lack access to the internet and the skills to use it effectively. The divide can be characterized as poor, less, educated and older.

 

However, the issue of the digital divide cannot be ignored. In our society, wealth is already unbalanced, just like the access to computers and the internet is unbalancing. Digital divide impacts some of our most vulnerable populations making it necessary for us to find solutions.

In order to shrink the already large digital gap in society, a number of things ought to be put into consideration. There is need to discover low cost offers and configure out which ones work best for the people being served. It is evident that many people miss out on opportunities to benefit from technologies by accessing information, learning valuable computer skills and communicating to others. Therefore, by so doing, it will be easier to plan and devise the best possible ways of eliminating the gap between them. 

Although access to technology is ever increasing, public computers in libraries and schools are not enough. We need to work with leaders of a variety of organizations from governments to non-profits, to work on getting computers in homes and developing service plans that families can afford.  Many NGOs, government agencies and communication organizations are already working towards closing the digital divide by offering internet access, computer training and low cost refurbished devices. Supporting these organizations by utilizing their services, spreading the word about their programs and collaborating with them on projects that align with their mission will help in bridging the gap.

Mapping communication assets is also vital. Understanding your communication resources ,for example how many people lack the internet, where to learn the skills, WiFi hotspots etc can help lay aground of tackling the issue. This will allow you to identify your communication needs and develop programs to target underserved populations.

Understanding individual content, gender and educational levels of the society is helpful in designing appropriate policies to constitute a plan of action. That is, providing high speed internet, computers and training to all unconnected residents. Policy emphasis ought to focus on skills and usage access besides infrastructure.