Lessig:

In Chapter one Lessig describes a system that both threatens creative control for artists, while enhancing enjoyment and participation for consumers. It seems like he is presenting a case for a moderate system of network control over artistic forms of media. One which protects artists, but not to the point that it restricts others from using art to create their own. The internet has provided liberation for many who wish to re-mix the artistic achivements of others into their own masterpiece and expression of their own individuality. To me this provides an obvious link to Nietzsche's quote. The chaos and energy of many creative minds and works can create ones own personal dancing star. Of course pride, money, and copywrite laws have a significant effect on this. Who decides how ridiculous copywrite laws can be? Is it creative collaboration in a world of free and tradeable ideas when we sample others work. It seems like Lessig believes sometimes it is and sometimes it is not. Where is the line drawn, and how will the law and the media proceed from here?

__Understanding Media__:

Mcluhan evokes some interesting thoughts about human perception and how it relates to both historical cultures and modern media. Naturally the idea that our Wiki page allows us to manipulate others interpretation of our writing came to mind. Our clothes, hair, style, stature, posture, expressions, ect. can manipulate the interpretation of the words we speak. Technology is a new way to market our image, and create perceptions of who we want to be. If the medium is the message than who we want to be is who we are. The idea the content is helpless without the framework of how it is transmitted could send my mind spinning if I thought about it too long.

What pre-conceived notions do we carry into watching a movie vs. reading a book? How were they advertised, and presented? And if it is the same story why do we react differently? Furthermore, the internet provides us an outlet to interact with the story, change it, copy it, send it, add it to our own works, and share it.

I like the idea that social norms even in ancient societies frame our perception. I liked the example of early cultures viewing a murderous criminal like a disease stricken individual deserving pity.

Technicolor:

Hill analyzes the effect government programs, ethnic content sites, community technology centers, and minorities access to capital have on the technology gap.

To me it seems like this is far more a class issue than a race issue. Technology can be one of the tools used to help poorer communities prosper regardless of the unfortunate fact that minorities are still economically less prosperous than whites in this country. I guess there is a fine line between being discriminatory and helpful. It just seems presumtuous and counterproductive to equate minority with poor when adressing this issue.

Patti's Peer comments

Race, Rhetoric and Technology:

In the opening chapter Banks summerizes the ways in which he will describe the current racism in modern technology through articles, speaches, and studies. I found some similarities to "Technicolor" in that he will investigate not only limited access to technology, but also the misrepresentation, or lack of representation regarding black culture in technology. He briefly explains the avenues he will travel in each chapter in order to expose this modern form of racism, injustice, and repression. I found this to be the easiest read of the four, and really like his voice compared to the others.