Current research plan

1. Create a list of theoretical propositions / insights to work from and guide us.

After this, the project divides into two parts: (Target Dates in Red)

"The Bias of YouTube"	YouTube in the Mediascape
1. Build comprehensive list of YouTube communication structures. March 4th	1. Build a comprehensive list of media interacting with YouTube. March 6th
2. Build a comprehensive list of how YouTube is used. March 11th 2a. Simplify list into prominent categories. March 11th in class 2b. Datamine to build statistics on proportional use. March 13th	2. Try to build static 2D visualizations of this mediascape. March 11th
3. With a focus on most prominent categories, do participant observation to examine how communication structures of YouTube (the medium) may influence the content. (Note that this also depends on what we learn in the Mediascape project - as many will be using YouTube as a simple host to launch videos in other locations online) Spring Break - March 15-24	3. Assign further research into each interacting media community as needed (e.g. brief study of Digg community, etc.) Spring Break March 15-24
4. Build a comprehensive list of notable features of YouTube interactions & (if possible) cultural values and ideals of YouTube participants. March 25th SHIFT IN PROJECT: Each student will now do individual 5 minute videos. We will then build a collaborative video from these pieces.	Final Step: Build a video script that can represent "YouTube in the Mediascape" in a compelling way that brings "Aha" moments to those who watch it. First Draft March 27th
5. Analyze the list of "notable features" in relation to the communication structures to explore how the medium influences these values and ideals. (In class March 25th)
Final Step: Build a video script/storyboard that can represent "The Bias of YouTube" (First Draft April 1st)

Ultimate Goal: To promote a form of media literacy that goes beyond a critical understanding of media content, and brings a critical (and creative) understanding of the biases, possibilities, challenges, and constraints of the media themselves.



Various Priorities (possibly competing)

1. to create a compelling and insightful vision of the mediascape.
2. to focus on *people* not just technology
3. to illustrate the biases of different media
4. to demonstrate how our lives are pervasively digital
5. to gain research skills that will transfer to other projects / careers
   

Hooks (compelling visual ideas)

1. metaphors & the rear-view mirror - a history of the digital through the metaphors used to create & understand it
   
2. Where the Hell is Matt ... dancing through the mediascape
3. YouTube communication structures visualized in real life (the big stuffed mouse-pointer, etc.)
4. Create various google map mashups showing just how much data is being produced - to show how pervasively digital our lives are.

Insights we might want to express:

1. anonymity can produce a feeling of profound transcendent connection (not just the "hater" phenomenon)
2. new social media require ways for people to manage their identities in old and new ways (framing, fronting, etc. -Goffman style analysis)
3. Media as it is (re)shaping the way that we organize, distibute, sort, and create information and knowledge.
   

In class (Feb 21 '08), we thought the following 5 parts might be the baseline for our project:

1. History (Metaphors and the Rear-View Mirror)
2. Digitization of our Lives
3. Theory (Merging Media Ecology & Anthropology)
4. Case Study: YouTube (specifically the communication structures)
5. YouTube in the Mediascape

Questions / Reservations about these 5 parts:
* may be too focused on the final outcome than on the research itself
* may not be possible - too much
* How do we bring #2 together with the rest. Is it too broad / or irrelevant to #4 & #5?