Blog 3: ARTS2090: Come sip on a cuppa with me!

The traditional coffee house has been an important space for society. It is a “public sphere,” that not only stands to create a warm, intimate and interactive social space, but also calls for a connection and attention to traditional activities, publishing and traditional communication. The assemblage, the bringing together of social life with a connection to media is an important tool that has been utilized for a long period of time. By placing an old bookshelf in a room filled with warm drinks, cozy couches, dimmed lighting and old books, we might be able to create a feeling of nostalgia, and in turn remind ourselves of the good, simple old days. We might be able to re-form a healthy bond with tangible publications, and maybe revive the struggling publishing industry! Maybe we could hold a conversation between two people, possibly one influenced by the publication we’re reading, that is in real time and space, a conversation that is published only between the people in the space, rather than to the rest of the world, as the Internet so easily allows. The coffeehouse can create a shift in culture. We have an over determined idea of community due to digitization, therefore, this shift is much needed. It is still ok to incorporate digitization, however, it should not take over! The Guardian editor in Chief said, “It’s not a ‘digital trend’. It’s a trend about how people are expressing themselves.” Maybe this can be a new way for people to express themselves and to find a space to explore.

 

We have lost touch of what it’s like to turn the page of a book and the feeling we get when we get lost in its plot. We have lost touch of sitting around and conversing about the daily happenings as we read in the newspaper. Possibly the coffeehouse is a communicative action.

 

We are too caught up in the hustle and bustle of society. The easily accessible Internet and social media have almost taken over our being. It has become a prevalent, and in my opinion, dangerous move from our natural ways. Possibly a cool, hip environment that encourages a reigniting of a love, respect and need for traditional publishing’s can bring us back to reality and move us away from becoming robots. Let’s face it; we’re pretty much acting that way!

 

These coffeehouses are cool, they’re hip and they embrace traditional publishing in all its forms. They embrace traditional books, live music, films, newspapers magazines etc. In this, memories and history are created! Having tradition publications are important for the creation of these memories. E-readers don’t allow for history to appear. In theses coffee shops, I can drop my coffee on the book and look back on it in a year’s time and have a memory. If I were to drop coffee on my computer, the only historical moment I would have is the moment I realized I was out hundreds of bucks.

I’m A Publisher, You’re A Publisher, We’re All Publishers! (ARTS2090)

Publishing has evolved over time in reference to both the act of publishing and those involved in the process. In the simplest form, publishing began as sharing news and stories orally. We then learnt to write the alphabet, which transformed into writing on stones and then in books. Publishing allowed for messages and professional material to transform through either time or space. The material and those who publicized held exclusive positions, due to its general ability to influence and shape the nature of both society and culture. Today, however, this is all changing. With the help of web 2,0 and other digital media outlets, everyone has a voice and an ability to put forward information, whether it be through blogging, social media or the more accessible ability to interact with professional publishing organizations.

At a conference, Alan Rusbriger, The Guardian editor in chief said; “It’s not a ‘digital trend’. It’s a trend about how people are expressing themselves, about how societies will choose to organise themselves, about a new democracy of ideas and information…., about the releasing of individual creativity.”  It is important for the publishing world to work hand-in-hand with these changes. They need to embrace the changes. Business models should be the least important concern for publishers, but rather a focus on the industry itself and its ability to maintain its position in society and have its voice heard!

Teen Vogue, a well-known magazine has begun listening and focusing on how they can work with, rather than against these changes.  They have now added their publication digitally, have numerous staff members on social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and have staff members working on their own blogs. This isn’t necessarily helping them bring in instantaneous profits; however, it is helping to ensure a loyal audience.

Click here to explore Teen Vogues blog. http://fashionclick.teenvogue.com/users/top.

Further, Teen Vogue is keeping a close eye on numerous bloggers and incorporating many in their publications. Teen Vogue vice president stated that the blogging trend is “bringing us closer to the Democratization of Fashion, by breaking down the barriers of exclusivity.” This comment only stands to extenuate the strong hold that members of society have. The every-day person is becoming very influential and powerful in the realms of media and society itself. These bloggers views, and the views of those on social media are becoming important sources of information.  She went further in saying; “Bringing in outside bloggers only enhances what we do as a brand. We function as a filter for broader content.”

Visit http://www.teenvogue.com/careers/fashion-careers/2012-07/blogger-views-of-now-profile/?intro  to see the “Teen Vogue Blogger of the moment.”

These bloggers give information on how and why they started their blogs. They are now apart of the Teen Vogue group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuZA1n3hNQc

It is important, more than ever before, that the publishing industry keeps a close and watchful eye on society and its ever- growing influential bodies.

What do you have to say?

ARTS2090: Blog 1. Will We Miss The Nostalgia?

In this new technological age, there has become a downfall in the publishing industry, as we know it. This is not necessarily to say that it is because society is consciously moving away from the traditional means of publishing, in my view it is based on the dissemination of new media. Web 2.0 and other forms of digital media are almost impossible to hide from as they are continuously breaking down spatial and temporal boundaries and making their way into the palms of our hands as seen through numerous ereaders such as the Apple ipad. Publishers are trying their best to keep up.  I think Sachin Camdar put it best in his publication Why Publishers are about to go data crazy,  “Publishers have been running a marathon in a pair of shoes that are four sizes too small.”

Looking closely at one particular niche of the publishing industry, journalism. I hope that journalism does not fall flat in the face of the digital age. There is nothing like a hard copy book or magazine. There is an authenticity in their smell and feel, specifically when they have history, something that cannot be reproduced online. I have a great love for magazines such as Rush, Vogue and Oyster. I love how I move into my own little space with my magazines, having a connection that I could not have online with adverts flashing in my face. Traditional publications allow for “immersive reading experiences”, something that the web could not provide.” (John Naughton, The guardian, 2012.)

There are now numerous threats from web 2.0, specifically from bloggers with not only their ability to gain a lot of the publishing power traditionally held in the hands of publishers, but also their ability to connect to audiences in all spaces and times. 

 

These are old Vogue magazines from the 1950’s and 60’s. I know that it is hard to tell from these images, but if you look closely, you can see the change in colour and effects of age on the paper. 

The industry is fighting to find a way to adapt. “It’s not the publishers that aren’t adapting — it’s their tool belts that haven’t evolved to meet most acute needs.” (Sachir Kamdar, Media Shifts.) Many publications have merged with the online world to enable a constant interaction with subscribers and to try keep up with the online world.  Many have online publications such as Vogue http://www.vogue.com.au/ and Rush http://www.russhmagazine.com/. All allow for an interactive experience with other readers, editors, and the publication itself. As John Lehrer has said; “The words will shimmer on the screen, but the sentences will be quickly forgotten.” (Lehra, Wired Science blogs.)

Vogue has also created a Youtube channel inviting their followers into their actual space:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cytfJSL47Bw&playnext=1&list=PL35039A1063D2CA53&feature=results_main

Whose to say what the future holds for the publishing industry, but I hope its one filled with lots of coffee stains, rips and rich memories!