1st week in April readings: thoughts

I agree with certain ideas mentioned in the article. “Whenever citizens can exercise control, they will.” This is very true for software development, when computer enthusiasts were given the tools to program and create software they went crazy with it. Instead of just buying the normal software everyone was using they wanted to create something that was better than that software, or in many cases they write software that has not ever been thought of. When I was reading blogs, technology sites, and a book on playing around with my iPhone I found hundreds of new applications. These applications were created by random users whom wanted a certain program/game on their phone but Apple did not have it yet. Most of these free applications are open-source so that anyone can further enhance the product. The quote is also true for me in this same example. Although I do not have the knowledge or desire to write iPhone applications, I do have the extreme craving to upload those applications on my phone. I feel as if I am customizing, upgrading, and improving my phone despite the fact that Apple does not approve the software changes.

“We already own the eyeballs on the television screen. We want to make sure we own the eyeballs on the computer screen.” (NFL V.P. for programming)

This quote is upsetting, but the first part is true. Television programmers decide what we all watch on their network. They have the power to show us whatever low-brow programming that will make them the most money, feeding the weakness of many Americans. Are networks just giving us what we want? Maybe, but many networks stray away from such negative portrayals of humans to offer clean entertainment and still profit from it. The computer screen is not under the control of these programmers just yet at least. I believe that on the internet is when we have the most power of the media. However I do not think that we control the internet either, advertisements are surplus in all media especially on the internet. Whenever I talk critical about advertisements I always ask myself this question, Would I Rather Pay For The Program/Software I Am Watching/Using, or Would I Rather See Advertisements And Watch/Use For Free? My answer now is the free route, but after I graduate and start making money my answer may change.