Module 5 Posted to

Alexandra

http://edutechtalk.blogspot.com/

Sara Becker

http://enftechblog.blogspot.com/

Module 5 Blog

When you decided to obtain a DVD for your science fiction assignment in Module 4, where did you go to find a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book? Did you rent or purchase a DVD, or did you view it digitally on your computer using Netflix or a similar vendor of video-on-demand?

In Module 4 I wanted to re-watch Total Recall, but I could not find this to rent on Netflix or at the movie rental places unless, I had a VHS player.   So I looked at the list of movies and started looking around for one of the movies on Netflix.  I found Blade Runner on Netflix and watch the movie on my computer.  I could have watched it on the television through my Blue Ray player, but chose to stream it on the computer. 

Is the current competition between DVDs and video-on-demand an example of increasing returns or Red Queens? Justify your response with sound reasoning and specific examples.

 According to Thornburg when two focus each other to prevail then they are a Red Queen (2008).  The DVD or a video type of player has been around for quite some time, but with the new online streaming the DVD/video are being pushed out.   DVD will remain for a while, but for how long no one knows.  When it comes to online streaming I use Netflix, but I have found out they do not have as many new movie for online streaming.  I have recently stated using VUDU for renting moving for online streaming due to finding more up to date movies.  When it comes to offering videos on demand I still believe Netflix is the top runner, but Blockbusters is coming up beside them.

 Where do you think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad?

Currently I chose to watch most events on television or as my husband does when it comes to Nazca he uses Sirius, but as more and more on-demand become available I feel the local news will become obsolete.  It is as simple as my grandsons wanting to watch a movie or a television show, but it is not on television, they go to Netflix and pull it down.  I really believe one day television will have more on-demand then what it has today; I know my blue-ray player is set up to run Netflix, Vudu, radio, as well as Facebook.   The future for television does not look good, I know my grandchildren use the television for playing games more so then for watching it.  So as you can see in the future television as we know it might become obsolete.  

 Reference:

 McLuhan, M., & McLuhan E. (1992. Laws of Media: The New Science. University of Toronto Press.

Thornburg, D. (2008c). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.