Executive Summary (Why I chose the television):
• The television has become an integral part of our current lives
• We will want to see how the television impacts us socially, politically and economically
• Determine the future of the television
Background
• The television has evolved from normal flat screen to HD and now even the 3D.
• There is a shift from the radio to the TV in being the main source of information and entertainment
Historical Perspective
• Before the TV, the most common source of information was the radio and the press
• Even without moving images, these were the main sources of entertainment, as well as political and social
• Eg. The radio was used by the Japanese to broadcast propaganda speeches during the war
• Eg, In the King’s Speech during WW2, the radio was used to broadcast wartime messages
• In the past, the radio was more of a necessity rather than a want
o Important information about the progress of war, for example, were broadcasted over radio to civilians (though the accuracy of the information is questionable)
Current
• With the invention of the TV, the value of entertainment definitely improved drastically
o Incorporated moving images with audio
o Could be positive as well as negative. If the increased emphasis on visual effects comprises the content, it could be seen as a negative implication
• Television still used for political reasons
o Rally speeches in Singapore broadcasted over the television
o Terrorists have also used the TV and video to communicate their intentions
o Depending on what political ideas are put across, it can be either positive/negative
• Social impacts of television
o Broadcast of programs such as Crime Watch raises people’s awareness about crimes and changes the social dynamics of people. (Positive)
o Change’s people’s habits into becoming couch potatoes (Negative)
• TV has also changed as an economical agent as many firms are advertising on it
o A change from newspapers to the TV
o TV taking over as the dominant source of information and entertainment
Radios in cars are gradually being changed to mini televisions
• TV is seen more as a want, rather than a need
Future
• With the invention of the internet, the TV is possibly facing becoming obsolete
• There is a need for more innovative purposes of the TV to be invented
o Ie. 4D TV where human sensation/interaction is also incorporated
o Virtual Reality (which is already in the process of being invented)
• However, TV is an important instrument to Government as they can exercise more control over it as compared to the internet
o Thus in the future, will still be seen as the main tool to achieve political and social objectives
Conclusion
• The TV has had major impacts on the human race ever since its invention during to its hand in political, social and economic aspects. However, it is facing being obsolete with the invention of the internet.
• Like the use of many other technologies, whether or not it positively affects our lives depends on both how the users use it and how the owners govern it.
Hi Matthias!
ReplyDeleteI'm here to give some comments about your topical review paper outline! Hope they will be of some help :)
Firstly, I was a little bit confused when you mentioned the role of the radio under the 'historical' section because your main topic was 'the invention of the television'. Perhaps you could consider researching on the revolution of the television, who founded it, what was the motivation/objective behind inventing the television other than acting as a source of news for everyone?
OR if you could change your main topic to 'the role of the television', what you described under the 'historical' section would be more relevant.
Also, I see that you are going to address the different impacts due to the invention of the television-economic, political and social impacts. I think the points you addressed are very interesting but maybe you could focus on just one aspect and do an in-depth analysis on it instead? That way, you can deal with the role of television that has changed one particular aspect of our lives today and you can think of how it may change in the future to improving/affecting our lives in a different way.(For instance, you mentioned that the television acts as a platform for terrorists to communicate their intentions--> elaborate (how so?)--> And perhaps include how/what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future--> include this under 'future' section)
Also,you may want to include the latest invention of 'Android Television' where the internet and the television are combined into one solo system and it serves all kinds of purposes!- from using the internet to watch youtube videos on a big screen TV to watching movies on a hard drive.
Overall: I think your topic is very insightful and I agree that the television has indeed become an integral part in our lives! Most of us probably can't survive without using the television to watch news and entertainment programs!
Hope my feedback will be of some help!
Cheers,
Neo Cherie
Hi Matt!
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I like your choice of topic cos it's something everyone can relate to and indeed, the tv is an important equipment in our lives!
Read from Cherie's comment about the radio part being confusing, but personally I think it's alright cos you are supposed to talk about what life was like before the invention of the television, and yes, the radio would be a valid point. But I do agree with Cherie that you could perhaps give more details about the invention of the tele in the background part.
For historical perspectives, I see that you focus a lot about the radio. Not wrong, but maybe you can talk about how the invention of the tele would actually fit in perfectly to the changing lifestyle of mankind. Which means you can talk about what was lacking in the radio that spurred the invention of the tele. Not sure if you get what I'm trying to say here. Feel free to clarify.
My suggestion for the body is actually not to label your points under social/political/economic but instead focus on how the tv has become the 'main source of information and entertainment' because that's what you have stated at the start. I think your paper will flow better.
Besides that, I think your outline is pretty decent :) Hope my comments will be of some help.
Goodluck!
Sam