By undertaking this course, a greater understanding of the correlation and dynamics of media and technology, and social and cultural practices, was ultimately realised. Whilst a great deal of the course content was very contextually rich and often difficult to unpack and digest, engaging with the various topics definitely stimulated some great contemplation and realisations of the nature of our increasingly complex and dynamic media world. Here, an up close inspection of how new media technologies challenge existing cultural and social practices, and in turn, how new cultural and social practices surrounding media challenges traditional approaches to media was addressed. From my position, it was not until I undertook the research proposal and subsequent self directed research essay that I really understand the power of the media within our society, and its ability to completely transform societal norms and practices. This realisation was solidified as I undertook research surrounding virtual reality within our 2014 context, and its potential effect on communicative practices in the years to come.

As stated before, the aim of this course is to take a look at the way which “New media technologies challenge many of the givens of cultural and social practices. At the same time, new cultural and social uses of media challenge much traditional thinking about media. You will explore the nature of increasingly dynamic media technologies, and the new cultural and social practices alongside which media technologies evolve. You will consider key contemporary ideas about media, cultural and social change” (The University of New South Wales, 2013).  This approach to media studies was definitely realised throughout my research process as I examined the way in which the advent of more immersive virtual reality may result in a substantial, or even complete, demise of face-to-face interaction in the years to come.

Whilst virtual reality is not necessarily a new concept, progressive technologies have created a growth in interest surrounding the potential social impacts. The significance of Facebook’s purchase of Oculus Rift, whether or not face-to-face communication still demonstrates “better” communicative potential, and how a move towards virtual reality may resolve various real-world problems, and at the same time create all new problems, is explored. These areas of focus demonstrate the idea that progressive technologies effectively re shape society, and society also re-shapes our approach to technology.

 

Reference:

UNSW Handbook, 2013, ‘Advanced Media Issues – ARTS3091’, http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/2013/ARTS3091.html