Stephen Stockwell, Friedrich Nietzsche and Communication Theory

"Where necessity and need have long compelled men to communicate with their fellows and understand one another rapidly and subtly, a surplus of the power and art of communication is at last acquired, as if it were a fortune which had gradually accumulated, and now waited for an heir to squander it prodigally."

Nietzsche, The Gay Science, 1882

Stephen Stockwell has been with Griffith University since 1996 and is currently an Associate Professor in Journalism and Communication. His most recent work consists of the manoeuvres of spin doctors, unconventional media in Brisbane, and new thoughts on deciphering communication theory.

Written in 2006, Stockwell's 'Theory Jamming: Uses of Eclectic Method in an Ontological Spiral' suggests the diversity and contrasts of communication theory can be used positively and provide certain coherence. This occurs when the collective of communication theories is considered as a form of expression of skill, like musicians who play together, unrehearsed, their melodies ephemeral and flexible, exploring ideas and moving towards an increase in feeling and knowledge.

I enjoyed the element of this work inspired by Nietzsche, who provides us with encouragement to leap forward with certainty, from possibility to possibility. Stockwell commends his bravery but realises the necessity for further guidance when dealing with the conflicts within communication theory. The article concludes with five thesis on theory-jamming which include: eclecticism requires ethnography; Enculturation and Enumeration need each other; Ephemera and Esoterica tell us the most; Experimentation beyond Empiricism; Extravagance and Exuberance.

Stockwell, S 2006 'Theory-Jamming: uses of eclectic method in an ontological spiral', M/C Journal, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 1-4.

 Below is a list of books by Stephen Stockwell currently in the Griffith University library:

• Stockwell, S 2005, Political Campaign Strategy: Doing Democracy in the 21st Century, Australian    Scholarly Publishing, Melbourne. 

• Stockwell, S 2010, Rhetoric and Democracy: Deliberative Opportunities in Current Electoral Processes, VDM Saarsbruken, Germany.  

• Stockwell, S & Scott, P 2000,  All-media Guide to Fair and Cross-Cultural Reporting: For Journalists, Program Makers and Media Students, Australian Key Centre for Cultural and Media Policy, Nathan, Queensland.  

• Stockwell, S & Isakhan, B 2012, The Edinburgh Companion to the History of Democracy, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS), Cambridge. 

• Stockwell, S & Isakhan, B 2011, The Secret History of Democracy, Palgrave Macmillan, London.  

What database would you use to find Stockwell's first academic article about Brisbane in a national journal? What year? Provide a full citation.

Database: Taylor and Francis Online; 

Year: 1995;

Reference: Stockwell, S, 1995, ‘The Brisbane Model: considering a unique experiment’ Urban Policy and Research, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 89-96.

Communicating with New Communication Technologies

Like most people, I have a strong relationship with my mobile phone, but rather than social media, I prefer to use the technology in messaging, email and phone calls to communicate. I actually severed my ties to social media a few years ago now and haven’t looked back. My life feels no better or worse. To be honest it is probably better because it is one less thing I have to worry about. Going ‘cold turkey’ on social media is a trend I have come to see more frequently among users, although new product trends can have a mighty polarizing effect on people. I do see the benefits from using those platforms, but for my purposes I couldn't be bothered finding what I need through all the noise. I am, however, an advocate for the cloud technology and its applications. I love using both Microsoft 365 products and Google Drive. I believe the best and most productive use for communication technology is for organizational benefit. Having the ability to communicate and collaborate with team members at any time and place can be very beneficial for productivity and efficiency.

Privacy and security in the technology context is an issue that I see as a continuously growing concern. The integration of technology in so many areas of our lives arguably creates higher risk for criminal activity and misconduct for both the individual and the State. Governments and policy-makers frequently encounter new threats that are not restricted by borders, which need to be prepared for with adaptable frameworks and infrastructure (Gürkaynak, Yilmaz & Taskiran, 2014). Simple measures such as learning how to develop a more complex password are worthwhile ventures. When people are trying to develop skills in a specific field or have aspirations for certain achievements, it is best to observe those people who have already accomplished what you are trying to achieve. In the case of privacy and security, we can observe programmers and cyber security experts. Many of these people are telling us to be careful and to mitigate our risk exposure.

Currently a big topic is the collection of data, and in Australia, meta data in particular. New security legislation on privacy has been drafted to give ASIO (Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation) more information for counter-terrorism measures. I personally do not have an issue with my basic data being collected as long as that data is being stored correctly and in the safest environment possible. Companies like Google give me peace of mind about the direction of data collection and storage. However, people need to be aware of the risks out there and not open their devices and infrastructure to avoidable risk. It is worthwhile doing background checks on companies who you might own or download products from and how they manage their data. 

Another interesting topic is the building of relationships over digital mediums which never constitute actually meeting that person face-to-face. The best example of this is an acquaintance of mine, Ray. He lives in the Philippines and we met through an online design website where I requested his design skills for some t-shirts I was doing. We have communicated various times and I have used his skills for various company logos, business cards, etc. We have never spoken to each other or met face to face, but have communicated purely through the internet. It is this technology use that makes the world a smaller place and provides people with the resources they need, and a choice of who will provide those resources.

Gurkaynak, G, Yilmaz, I & Taskiran, MP 2014, 'Protecting the communication: data protection and security measures under telecommunications regulations in the digital age', Computer Law & Security Report, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 179-190. viewed 12 August 2014, <http://www.sciencedirect.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0267364914000272>.

Someday, I'd Like to Learn How to Have a Conversation

Our relationship with technology is a contentious issue in today's world.  Are we more connected or less connected than in the past?

Sherry Turkle is a psychologist who studies how digital technology is shaping our modern relationships and ourselves. This video was presented at an official TED conference and explains the theory of being technologically connected but removed from human interaction. Turkle argues that "We need to make room for solitude in our life and we need to mark the difference between connection (of which we have plenty) and conversation (of which we don't have nearly enough)".

Knowledge Before the Known - Initial Thoughts on New Communications Technology

This blog has been created as part of a university course to explore communication in the Age of Information through the contexts of media theory and the history of communication technology. I myself have taken this course as an undergraduate for an arts and business degree, relishing the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in an area that is so very prominent the world over. I start my journey being asked these simple, yet sizable questions to one of the most important constituents of mankind, communication. 

What are the main issues in new communications technology from your point of view?
 
There is such a flood of information that stems from so many platforms that sometimes it is difficult to distinguish what information you need through all the noise. I think it is important to communicate in effective and efficient ways, using that technology to your advantage and not being caught up in menial tasks and trends. 

Another significant problem is security. However, I believe security issues with web-based technology can be mitigated, to a greater extent, with knowledge. The LinkedIn incident would have been far less severe if people had the knowledge of the security risks that simple passwords pose. Many of the accounts that were hacked used passwords like 'link1234' for example. Knowledge, skill, and risk mitigation are an essential element for anyone dealing with the technologies of the information age.

How do we distinguish between old and new communication technologies?
 
Two words instantly come to mind; digital and internet. With those two words comes a slew of imaginative constructs that I can only dream of or read about. Those constructs come from the comparison I draw from my lifelong exposure to digital technologies and that of a person still pushing the technological boundaries of the time, but eclipsed by the power of the digital age. 

Under what circumstances will new communication technologies become old communication technologies?
 
This is a particularly important question to the minds behind marketing teams of communication products, and any business that relies on innovative solutions to provide them with a competitive advantage. I believe it is a combination of the innovation and creation of new technologies and the appetite of the masses to adopt to that new technology. 

What is your favourite digital technology? Which analog technologies are still part of your life?

Without contextualizing this question it is hard to pinpoint favourite technologies. This question also makes you realize how many parts of your life are shadowed by some form of digital technology. The two that come to mind first however are the increased ability to make music, and the efficiency and effectiveness of team collaboration and communication. As a guitarist I can appreciate the simplistic methods we have been given in the way we make and change sound. For a few hundred dollars I can make my guitar do pretty much what a room full of analogue equipment and hundreds of thousands of dollars could do in the past.    

Having the ability to collaborate with teams anywhere in the world is a popular way of building competitive advantage. People are able to access skills and knowledge by communicating through various digital channels, then apply those skills and knowledge to projects. People no longer need to be physically present to contribute to projects which saves time and money, and in turn be invested in further innovation activities. These activities continue to be an essential component of business sustainability in the contemporary world.