Week 8 - Big Politics

Media technologies have an abundance of uses, and are used to connect us to more accessible ideas while simultaneously exposing us to more information about the world we live in. This exchange of ideas is most noticeable in the areas of media, social and political change as these technologies allow us to exchange data that transform communications and the way we perceive something. The idea fits in with what we previously had discussed about framing; as a framework for how we understand facts and how they are exposed to us through how we perceive things. These media technologies help us to connect to complex relations of power involving politics and how through the media cycle the effects of media on state politics is evident as an influential tool within society.

Although, the hierarchy of media changes through the use of different technologies. Borders are broken and unrestricted, rather there is a freer flow of information and a higher degree of accessibility, through increased interactivity. This is visible through online websites that not only provide conclusive news stories but also have a designated area for user comments that are instant and give an oppourtunity for feedback and comments from users. These platforms of communication act as a way of opening up feedback loops for free speech from users, although only in the framework in which they have already set out. This is made possible through the use of tagging posts that are relevant to each other, by keeping content thorough while at the same time keeping posts relatable.

While media technologies allow an abundance of data flowing through different areas around the world and by doing this to keep informed, they can also provide new power to users and voters while maintaining a thorough framework for their content.