As the globalisation of technology continues to expand, the world trade in television programming has become the fastest growing media business throughout the world. One of the contributing factors to this phenomenon is the fast development and wide adoption of the new communication technologies (NCT).
As my title suggests, the adoption of NCT seems to be like adopting a dog or a cat. There are both advantages and disadvantages to accepting NCT into our lives. Increasingly, television markets worldwide are fueled by the proliferation of 1. New transmission and distribution of technologies 2. Capitals in search of new markets for cultural products. So, is NCT really good for us? Should we embrace its significant influences on our lives or should we avoid it at all costs?
The main benefits,that all of us are exposed to, are the usefulness of NCT. With the advancement of technologies, we can save a lot of time from doing our chores and unnecessary tasks such as sending letters by post (snail-mails). We can also get the most updated news and entertainment from almost everywhere, including toliets and buses. Media production companies can manufacture their products at a faster rate and at a lower cost. Government can convey its message to the people with different kinds of means so as to ensure a higher percentage of receiver rate as compared to using only a form of media. Even as you are reading this, you are already using a product of NCT – the Internet. The advantages of NCT are just too many to be covered.
Next, with the uprising of NCT brings better quality and higher affordability for all consumers. Cable and multi-channel media technologies help to create the provision of new media. Consumers can have a variety of options to enjoy media products. Examples such as Fibre-optics and satellites give us more choices to picking different television channels to watch. Handphones, PDAs and Ipods allow us to communicate and be entertained while on the go. Furthermore, computers are not just limited to individual usage; it can become a tool for interaction with the invention of computer tablets such as ITablet (Apple), Microsoft Courier and Crunchpad (TechCruch, Singapore) . The clip below shows Microsoft Courier and ITablet (it was one of my CSE research 
):
On the other hand, NCT may not necessary be always beneficial. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, many people will come in contact with the syndrome of ” Bypassi-ness”, of which we tend to bypass certain generations of technology. This is evident, especially for developing areas, which had limited connections with the world until recently. As such, people in rural lands of China may face this syndrome when they get faster access to the usage of handphone as compared to getting landphones. This is because a handphone does not need workers to construct underground pipes for connectivity as compared to landphones.
To add-on, our reliance on NCT may become our path to failure. With technology progression, we no longer need to have face-to-face relationships as we can easily get friends and the latest updates from the cyberspace. We do not need our traditional media products to fulfil our curiosity. We can literally find them in public toilets! So what if NCT goes awry from its original aim? NCT can also aid in bringing messages of imperialism and ideological propaganda. Our way of living may become homogenous as compared to people living on the other side of the planet as we are being bombarded with the same media culture every single day.
Moreover, NCT can also influence the demand for traditional media products. Younger generations may turn to new media for the latest news and entertainment such as the Internet.
Internet’s impact explored (heraldonline, 24/10/09)
What about the sales of newspapers and broadcast of radio stations? In addition, larger media production companies will start to acquire other media-related companies for vertical, horizontal and complementary expansion. Their ultimate goal? To lower their costs and increase their profits (sound anything like what you learnt in Economics?)
But alas, it may not be good for consumers like us. Without competition, the dominating company may not progress to search for better quality productions and the in-air programmes may be bombarded by long advertisements. Imagine how would it be if we watch a half-hour program for three hours due the interventions of advertisements in between. Exasperating, right?
It is one of the longest advertisments (3.30 mins) ever aired on TV (ITV1) 8th March 2009. So unless you are a MJ fan, I think most of us would have probably lose our patience long gone before this ad finishes.
Thus, my view is that since we cannot run away from NCT , we might as adopt it in such a way that it does not take over our lives entirely. Avoiding NCT in an extreme way is certainly being stubborn as NTC does gives us the benefits to comfort in life, while embracing NCT over-enthusiastically is not a good way either as we may over-rely on it.
Extra readings on impact of NCT: http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=52164
Chu Yuan
dolores Said:
on October 24, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Hello!
I agree that there will always be advantages and disadvantages to anything. But, of course everyone should adopt NCT because it has definitely helps to increase our standard of living greatly. I also agree that overreliance is bad and so there is a need to practise great self-control. With that, we will be able to get the best out of NCT=D
Sarah Said:
on October 25, 2009 at 2:15 PM
NCT Rocks!
I can’t imagine our lives without NCT. And being human beings, we are always on the lookout for better equipments to facilitate our lives so that we can get maximum benefits out of everything we do. With NCT, we are always connected to the world regradless of our locations.
Despite that, globalisation is never fair as some countries get to imporove faster than others. People living in less developed people may not benefit from this NCT as they don’t have the necessary resources. On the other hand, it may be a good thing as people can have a more relaxed pace of life and relationships are more valued.
Edmund Said:
on October 25, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Well, NCT may dominate a good portion of our lives in the future, but I doubt that we will be completely taken over by it. For example, would you rather watch a meteor shower live or would you rather watch it on the internet? As good as it sounds, NCT may satisfy our curiosity for a while, but it leaves our senses unsatisfied.
A Said:
on October 25, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Just pointing out some inaccuracies:
Have you done any research BEYOND that YouTube video about the tablets?
The Microsoft Courier and Apple’s iTablet specifically.
They. Do. Not. Exist.
At least not yet, in relative to the general public. That video is misleading; Microsoft Courier is one of the many prototypes that Microsoft are developing, and It is not anywhere mass production.
The iTablet rumour has been around since the year 2002. That’s seven years worth of rumours.
And either way, it’s not an invention by Microsoft, Apple or TechCruch. Tablet PC have been in existence since a while ago.
“Examples such as Fibre-optics and satellites give us more choices to picking different television channels to watch.”
Fibre-optics are glass or plastic cables that carries light along its length. Light is the storage medium for information in fibre-optic wires, instead of electricity.
What are you exactly saying with that sentence?
And lastly, what do you classify as New Communication Technologies?
Is television new? In relative to the world today, I have to disagree with you.
I find your definition of NCT rather loose. You seem to classify ALL forms of technologies that vaguely borders on “communicating” to be NCT. The Apple Tablet, the Microsoft Courier, how are these new communication technologies?
And I find a glaring omission in your article. What about the shift in the Internet paradigm called the “Web 2.0″? I know you classified them under “Internet”, but even then you didn’t elaborate on them, which I find weird considering they’re almost the poster-boy of NCT, whatever that term really means.
What I’m talking about is Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, Digg, StumbleUpon, etc. The social networking sites. These are communication technologies, at least far more than the tablets that you’ve mentioned.
Chu Yuan Said:
on October 28, 2009 at 10:50 PM
First, the tablets mentioned do exists, especially for Microsoft’s. They are on sale now, if you check the news. The Microsoft Courier is the newest version that is scheldued for release next year but the previous forms of tablets are already out in America. As for the locally-made crunchpad, its release date is this november, so do look out for it!
The social networking sites are actually categorised in another term called the computer mediated communications (CMC)- any form of communications using computers or computer networks. Whereas for NCT, it is more focused on the transmission and distribution technologies or,in layman terms, equipments that are used for broadcasting and receiving messages. Im not saying televisions are new, Im discussing more on the equipements that are used by the production teams and how the audience receive their mass media entertainments.
Have I answered all your questions?
A Said:
on October 29, 2009 at 2:24 AM
Possible for the sources for Microsoft Courier and the Apple iTablet?
I’ve been following the news ever since a month ago for Microsoft Courier, and over three years for the rumoured Apple Tablet, and I haven’t seen a release statement for either of them, by their respective companies.
As for the social networking sites, my apologies. I’m not aware there is such distinctions. Perhaps you should have stated it at the start of your article to spare such confusion?
Chu Yuan Said:
on October 29, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Maybe Im not making clear abt the tablets (sry!) There are tablet PC (original version of touchscreen tablets) in the market now. For Microsoft, the Microsoft Surface’s technology is almost similar to the Courier Tablet (difference in size). However, I must admit that tablets (as in the thin and small ones) are still not in the market. But if u like to know more on Courier, it was on an NY exhibition: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/courier/
As for my distinctions, I can’t really differentiate it at the time I wrote it cos it was only taught in this wk’s lesson. hahaha!
\FrEdErIcK/ Said:
on October 25, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Hey!
I really like this discussion. Cos’ it is so totally something we should have talked about during our GP lectures. =) Very insightful opinion, especially on the part whereby NCT is not beneficial. Can be linked to current social behaviours among youths nowadays ie. decreased social interaction with one another in the off-line world.
Hmm…. Adoption sounds like a very crude word to use here. I would personally have preferred using transition. Cos it is more of a gradual shift towards NCT. I remember reading somewhere that the technology of it was just not commercialised or used on a wide scale. It was mainly used by office workers and programmers in the past, but as time passed, the wider community was also exposed to it and thus the era of NCT began. Hmmz….
Whatever it is, the use of NCT has far-reaching consequences. =) Maybe more points could have been pointed out?? =)
Good luck with the assignment! =))
Chu Yuan Said:
on October 28, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Thanks! But I’ll try to avoid this sort of questions cos it requires a lot of explaination for different terms.
Anyway, I used the term of adoption because it relates to the meaning of having a choice to accept or not. I feel that NCT is not that readily accepted although we are gradually shifting towards using it. Technology is everywhere and we are “forced” into learning it so that we won’t fall behind others in terms of compteting for jobs.
However, some people might choose not to “adopt” it in certain ways. That’s why post offices, publishing houses and radio stations are still relevant today. From that, it can be seen as we are still able to make a choice of accepting or not (adoption) and not just transiting over without any choice.
Jun Ying Said:
on October 30, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Hi Chu Yuan,
I don’t really think “adopt” is rather apt word to use. Personally I feel that in this ever changing world, in some way or another, everyone will be forced to accept this NCT. (intentionally or unintentionally) I don’t really see much of choice we have cause NCT influence a big part of our lives and whether we notice it or not, we are all gradually and subconsciously accepting these new technologies into our lives. Sometimes we don’t even notice that we will eventually be unable to survive without them.
JunYing
Li Yin Said:
on October 30, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Hello! How about the social impacts of NCT? For example, the increased opportunities for the committing of cyber crimes. Internet pornography, illegal music downloading, the stealing of confidential information to be used for selfish purposes, hacking into other people’s websites etc. . And the usage of NCT also compromises on national security. I mean, all of these technologies and applications, no matter how wonderful they are, are designed by humans and thus can be manipulated. It’s not so much whether NCT is beneficial or not, it’s more about HOW it is being used, and for what purposes. Yep! =)
Wen Jie Said:
on November 4, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Hi! In my opinion, there’s always a flip side to everything-the same goes for NCT. It is a double-edged sword that brings both benefits and harms. So, the question is whether the benefits outweigh the harms ot vice versa. And I agree with you that we can’t run away from NCT. Thus, the best way is to learn to integrate NCT into our lives to keep up with the times. Of course, we will have to find a way of dealing the problems arising with the use of NCT. So yup, just giving my two cents’ worth!=)
Nicole G. Said:
on November 5, 2009 at 11:30 PM
I feel that NCT indeed, helps to improve our lives in terms of information sourcing and transmitting information.
However, I do not agree with the point made on NCT making new media more affordable for all consumers and the example brought up on NCT allowing us to enjoy different television channels. This is because what if the service provider for the various television channels is one of a monopoly or is one who is in a competitive environment with another competitor. They will be able to exploit the consumers for more profit and in order to enjoy these channels, consumers may have no choice but to “be exploited”. If they are in a competitive environment, unnecessary bidding war can result, and in the end, consumer are the ones who suffer as they have to bear the cost of the extra expenses incurred.
For example, Starhub previously had the rights to the BPL ( Barclays Premier League). However, Singtel outbidded Starhub to the 2010/2011 season with an estimated RIDICULOUS winning bid of $400million. This is in addition to the Champion League rights which Singtel had already gotten, again from StarHub. Even though for the next season, Singtel has promised that they will not charge more as compared to the current amount, we will not know if they will increase their prices in the subsequents seasons! Thus, in the end, sports fans are the ones who suffer the most as they would want to continue enjoying the sports channels and would most likely give in to the price changes ( after much grumbling and complaining).
Justin Said:
on November 6, 2009 at 8:55 PM
there are many benefits to NCTs and we can only benefit from them. there are also disadvantages to it. what we can only do it to filter the beneficial ones out and apply them accordingly.
personally i feel we should embrace them. they are going to become part and parcel of our lives. no longer are people going to use TV or radio to promote their products but NCTs. NCTs reach out more to the masses and they are influential to many people’s lives. i got to admit i am a part of this NCT trend. however it is really up to the consumer to differentiate from right or wrong.
Nicole Said:
on November 6, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Hey!
I agree with you that NCT has a huge role to play in our society today. the benefis that we acquire from using the NCT is definitely very appealing and maybe thats why we are all so absorbed into the new media. I cant imagine living life without the use of such technology. We probably wont be able to function normally as an individual, let alone a country. As they always say, the world is getting smaller. Not geographically of course but in terms of how we are able to relate with one another within hours. Communications have indeed sped up very rapidly with such media.
However, could the NCT have brought along with it disadvantages that could harm us? It is said that our generation today has become less effective in terms of face to face communications. We are unable to express ourselves openly. Also, with the use of NCT, we have more reasons to be late. We can easily cancel off appointments or push back the timings of our meetings, giving no regard of time. Other aspects such as cyber bullying has also become a new crime and many have been affected especially when some comment and bully annoynomously. Such acts have very negative effects on those who are victims.
Taking a look at other less fortunate countries, where such technologies are not available, we can see how contented they are with life. Despite the lack of NCT, they are still living blissfully. They have nothing to compare and even the existence of NCT would not enhance their life.
I’m not saying we should totally do away with NCT. But maybe our perception of NCT has blinded us to many other alternatives and the “simple pleasures of life” We have been so caught up with the latest gadgets and being updated with the “media fashion”. Maybe we ought to view NCT with lesser importance. Just maybe.
I hope you get what I’m saying. Haha. I have a tendency to ramble on and lose track! Cheers!
commmediadiscourse Said:
on November 7, 2009 at 9:40 PM
hello chuyuan!
I agree with you that new communication technologies play a significant role in our lives today. And I also agree that it will lead to a reduction in face to face interactions.
I have many friends who enjoy using facebook to talk to one another rather than just using the handphone.
However, I do not agree that with the uprising of NCT brings better quality and higher affordability for all consumers. The uprising of NCT definitely makes the world more linked but it does not mean better quality nor does it mean higher affordability for all consumers. The advancement of NCT will lead to a rise in prices for the products. Thus, lower income families may then not be able to afford to pay for these NCT products anymore.
=) Kai Ting
Elieen Said:
on November 7, 2009 at 10:45 PM
HI!
yes, there are always pros and cons. maybe u can consider to bring in examples of facebook and twitter to better illustrate the point. =)
Zhi Ling Said:
on November 7, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Hi,
I agree with your views on the pros and cons of NCT. However i feel that adoption is not really a suitable word to use as in this developed world NCT is more of a must.
Maybe you can elaborate more on your definition of over reliance. To what extent is over reliance?
Lastly, good job. keep it up.=)
benn Said:
on November 7, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Well I guess its really all down to how you use technology. For example, a nuclear warhead can be used as a form of deterrence. However at the same time, it can be used as a devastating weapon. To me there is really no point in arguing if a new form of technology is good or bad. The nature of the technology really depends on how you use it.
Rachel Lim Said:
on November 8, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Hi Chu Yuan!
I agree with you on how we cannot run away from New Communication Technologies! We should all just be aware of the negative consequences NCTs may have on our lives and instead utilize it for its benefits. We should always be in control of technology, not vice versa.