Media Convergence...
media n.
1. (Electronics & Computer Science / Communications & Information) the means of communication that reach large numbers of people, such as television, newspapers, and radio.
con·ver·gence (kn-vûrjns) n.
1. Defined (according to the The Free Dictionary Online) as: the act, condition, quality, or fact of converging (to tend toward or achieve union or a common conclusion or result).
OR...
2. Physiologically speaking; defined as: the coordinated turning of the eyes inward to focus on an object at close range.
cross-eyed, maybe?
I've had a front row seat from which I've been able to witness The. Big. Revolution. I've watched the evolution of media as it were. I've lived through the technological advancements, economic convergence/consolidation, and convergence of cultures over the last 30+ years. The biggest and most in-your-face changes taking place in the form of technological advancements.
My first years of television were spent adjusting 'rabbit ear' antennas and finding the 'right click' in the control knob. If you didn't get the control knob set in the right groove, and the antenna wasn't in the right position, your picture looked like this:
I think you get the picture! Imagine the joy of better quality as technology advanced. Now, imagine how badly men in this world suffered prior to the invention of the remote control?!
And, along came this! The trusty VCR. Delayed gratification -- shows on demand... or so we thought!
For all of you 80s and 90s babies... man, this is depressing... I didn't own one of the first two cellular devices, but yes, my Dad did. He had to carry the big console to and from his car in one hand, briefcase in the other. Imagine the distraction of trying to make a call while driving with that?
Or, how about, "excuse me while I take this call... " while bending down to retrieve the device from it's secure place in it's suitcase case.
And... fast forward, or ff (as few ppl/people have time for anything more than an acronym these days!) -- VOILA! 2012, and the soon-to-be obsolete iPhone 4S.
I am a proud member of the convergent generation. While living through the technological evolution of every digital device known to man, I have lived to experience the benefits. The conveniences of such are difficult to verbalize, but given the short timeline via pictures, I'm sure you understand. How many of you would like to revert back to 3 major televisions networks: CBS, NBC, and ABC? Better yet, how many of you would like to tune in, and contend with a picture of any lesser quality than High Definition companied with internet connectivity?
My mind cannot fathom that which lies ahead. It seems as though the passing of time allows for the expedition of technological advancement. What was once a 5-6 year lifespan on a device, has now been reduced to 2 years at the most; not to mention the fact that everything we could ever need or want is now offered in ONE SINGLE DEVICE. Convergence. The Ultimate Power Shift. A topic for discussion in a future post!
