technoculture314-09

A new television series, Reservoir Hills, is being advertised as New Zealand’s first interactive drama. Audience interaction is pumped up to the next level as audiences are able to actually interact with the characters on the television series and influence the characters’ actions.

This television series and what it sets out to do seem to be an extension of Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding theory. Instead of having traditional roles of maker=encoder and consumer=decoder, the consumer is able to exercise both powers of encoding and decoding. The audiences decode meanings of the actual television show, then begin the process of encoding as they text the main character Beth about what she should do. Although the producers of the show decide which text/idea to use for the next episode, audiences have more say in the plot of the story than ever before. Apart from texting, the show further invites audience participation with Beth’s Bebo. The production of a fictional character’s social networking profile (on a social networking site that is familiar to most, if not all, New Zealanders) is new and quite innovative because the character seems more “real.” This faked realness of the character has potential to close the gap of intimacy between the viewers and the show because Beth’s Bebo is no different from any other teenager, and sets itself apart from the Reservoir Hill’s homepage because it does not advertise the show. On the Bebo site, the main character actually writes blog posts and posts vlogs, and fans are able to “friend” her and comment on her posts.

Reservoir Hills has yet to be broadcast so no final word can be given on its effectiveness or the effects it will have on media. However, it does seem adequate to conclude that Reservoir Hills is a prime example of the fusion between traditional and new media.

Most concerns on privacy in the digital age tend to center around how we, as the users participating in the digital age, are under threats that we are no longer in control of our private information. The new technology does pose threats to consumer privacy if we consider how our intimate personal information can be used in an unpredictable way by an unknown party without our consent. However, technology is not the overarching determining force that makes information more accessible and visible. The success of News Feeds in Facebook and other new media that encourage us to share our intimate life and personal information is also fostered by the increased exhibitionism and voyeuristism in our society.

We are not really or entirely the victim of privacy invasion in digital age. We are also benefit from making our private individualism accessible and visible in some degree. From facebook to blogs, from webcams to Youtube, there are people who deliberately eschewing privacy by disclosing personal information, posting sexually explicit photos and confessing something most intimate and secretive about themselves.

Some of us are happy to mention we like film when we register online, and later are happy to receive a customized email that providing us latest screening news. Some of us capitalize on the online network to build up profiles that in fact work as our strategic self- presentation to advertise ourselves to potential employer, or to like-minders who share our lifestyle. We also find pleasure by actively involving in trading our privacy for the community. Some of us want to display, want to be noticed, knowing that there are voyeuristic parties in the community who might offer attention, feedback, appreciation or rewards for our ‘contribution’ - or someone who simply play their role as stalkers or listener to satisfy our desire for a catharsis channel.

The desire for individualism and connectedness fuels the culture of ‘showing yourself and your privacy’ in the digital world. It privilege those who want to escape from the cruel world with made-up faces and those who don’t want to shut themselves from the world with excessive bars, gates, and security systems.


The success of Filipine Paris Hilton – BrianBoy, is just another case of the rise of everyday celebrity. His case suggests it is possible for ordinary folk to be recognized by just not being afraid to put themselves, their private individualism and their own ideas out there. It also suggests that those who like to ‘peek’ are offered more source and freedom of entertainment that for too long controlled by the mainstream media. BrainBoy is in fact adding value to the fashion system by offering up his private individualism to the community. The fashion industry is watching on how ordinary people perceive their brand. Marc Jacob also response to BrianBoy’s active participation in the fashion community by designing and naming their bag for BrainBoy. It reveals something fascinating in the digital age that we don’t always want all kind of privacy. There will be time that we celebrate the participatory culture in digital age that our voices are finally heard and our talent are finally recognized by potential audience of millions.