BLOG 2 - Explorations 160

Meta-Aware Journalism

Do you think media is aware if itself as media?  That is, does the media in its delivery of content reflect a self-critical or self-aware role it has either in its constitution / composition or as part of an overarching genre?  For this blog, find a newspaper article (or any other media source around you) on a topic of your choosing and ask if it contains a metatextual component.  In this way, does it reconfigure or recognise itself as writing?  If so, do you think it means to subvert, satirise, or accurately depict the content?   This blog topic wants you to explore the different relationships that exist before our eyes in media, especially in relation to our role as reader/listener/viewer as well as to the role of the journalist or media source in general.  

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          Media occasionally is aware as itself as a media. Some, if they know be aware they’re a media and may use it as an advantage. An example of this is that in “The Hunger Games”, the Capitol or head of government know that it has such an influence over its people that they use it to help control and get what they want. Or in “1984” as we read it last semester, Big Brother holds power over its citizens and utilize this power to control the people in the way they wish.

Man Pretty Sure He Slept

February 17, 2012 | ISSUE 48•07

01.23.02

AKRON, OH—Following eight restless hours in bed, copy repair technician Jason Murphy reported that he was "80 percent" sure he had slept the previous night. "It definitely seemed like I was sleeping for a while there, though I don't really feel rested, so it's hard to say," a haggard Murphy told coworkers Friday. "I mean, when my alarm went off, I jumped, so that must have meant I was asleep, right? Then again, I remember looking up at the clock a couple times and it was 3:38, so I'm not quite sure what happened there." Murphy went on to tell reporters that, regardless, he will try to sleep again this evening.

 This article to me does not really recognize that itself as writing, it is more of a story, but this story did not need to be brought forward into the media. But this journalist or writer probably wanted to prove that any such story could be produced and displayed through this media outlet. But I think that this article is supposed to be comical or satirizing and I believe that it shouldn’t be taken that seriously. The writer is trying to make the reader laugh or question what some people may think is important or funny. It leaves the reader, confused as to whether or not this article should be taken lightly.

Radicalism in Printing

Radicalism in Print Culture

Your first blog/journal topic is on radicalism in printing. For this, you will want to think about how technologies of (print) production shape our access to information.  For example, consider  Gutenberg, Martin Luther, William Blake to SOPA and beyond in your responses.  Given our discussion on open-source, you may want to use "Wikipedia" as your first point of entry for each aforementioned person or political bill.

Your entries are due in two weeks (February 7th) either in class with your print version or online with your blog entry.

With literacy spreading and developing in universities during the 15^th century, it became more difficult for society to keep with the demand.  But change was soon to arrive.

In 1436, Johannes Gutenberg began his work on the printing press alongside Andreas Dritzehn; a man who had previously trained in gem-cutting. But in1439, a lawsuit was made against Gutenberg in which an official record showed that there was a witness’ evidence showing a discussion of the invention, by him. Although many have tried to create a metal type that could help to improve the printing development, Gutenberg, who was trained as a goldsmith was successfully able to produce such an invention.

Gutenberg’s metal types were made out of lead, tin and antimony, which were crucial for producing durable types that would help produce high quality printed books. These metal types were created using a “special matrix” that supported the quick but precise molding of this new type of blocks from a uniform template. His original type case was estimated to be made up of around 290 separate letter blocks.

            Alongside creating the metal types, he was also credited with introducing oil-based inks which are more durable than formerly used water-based inks. The water –based inks were used for hand lettering and block printing and would not bond will the metal type well, thus improving the ink was essential.

Although Gutenberg may have invented his metal types, a press was still needed to transfer the image from type to paper. Johannes was innovated to adapt already existing press into the printing press. An operator was needed to work the lever to increase as well as decrease the pressure placed onto the block that was against the paper. The printing press began a revolution that is still around today, to help improve our technological advances. His inventions allowed for our generations to modify and alter it, enabling our numerous technological advances.

CITATION

History of the Printing Press – Invention of the Printing Press. N.P. N.D. Web. 4. Feb.           2012.

Johannes Gutenberg – Printing Press. N.P. N.D. Web. 4. Feb. 2012.