New Media and the Quality of Life

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-18
Author(s):  
Philip Brey ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
New Media ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Communication Media ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
The Future ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Contemporary Media

In this paper I evaluate the implications of contemporary information and communication media for the quality of life, including both the new media from the digital revolution and the older media that remain in use. My evaluation of contemporary media proceeds in three parts. First I discuss the benefits of contemporary media, with special emphasis given to their immediate functional benefits. I then discuss four potential threats posed by contemporary media. In a final section I examine the future of digital media and the possibilities available to us in shaping that future.

scholarly journals Acquisition of new communication media and social (dis)connectivity

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-593
Author(s):  
Jesper Tække
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Electronic Media ◽  
Media Theory ◽  
Communication Media ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
In The Beginning

The article discusses the relation between communication media and social (dis)connectivity. The question is how communication media provide society with different possibilities for (dis)connectivity in different historical media societies. The article draws on Luhmann’s sociocybernetics theories of social systems and communication media in combination with media theory (especially Meyrowitz). As a starting point, the acquisition of oral language made communicative connections and thereby society possible. Later the written media, print media and analogue electronic media opened up new possibilities for social systems to develop structures with new forms of communicative connections. Even though society is only possible because of communication media, which offer new ways of forming new structures that provide new connection possibilities, a new communication medium, especially in the beginning, causes problems and disconnectivity. After the introduction of the printing press in Europe, a great interpretation disagreement broke out and wars raged across the continent for the next centuries. Later with the invention of radio and film, dictators, especially Hitler, benefited from the new media situation. In the final section, the article analyses if we also in the present-day society with the acquisition of digital media see signs of new disconnectivity, and it discusses if we in the new medium society, like in the former, will experience permanent societal disconnectivity going hand in hand with new forms of connectivity.

Questions of Digital Power and the Re-animation of Critical Theory: An Interview with David Berry

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 323-328
Author(s):  
David Beer
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
New Media ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Future ◽  
Contemporary Work ◽  
Contemporary Media

Questions of power can sometimes be sidelined in contemporary work on new media forms. David Berry’s book Critical Theory and the Digital, which tackles such questions as power and capitalism, has recently been published by Bloomsbury. The following interview uses the book as a starting point for exploring questions of power in the context of digital media. It explores the potential role of critical theory for understanding contemporary media developments. The exchange explores some of the key themes and ideas from Berry’s book whilst also focusing on how this project might develop in the future. As such, this is an interview that is concerned with questions of digital power and the possibility of re-animating critical theory.

Digital and Technical Developments in the Amblyopia Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 237 (10) ◽  
pp. 1172-1176
Author(s):  
Charlotte Schramm ◽  
Yaroslava Wenner
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Technical Progress ◽  
Therapy Monitoring ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Technical Developments ◽  
The Future

AbstractThe digital media becomes more and more common in our everyday lives. So it is not surprising that technical progress is also leaving its mark on amblyopia therapy. New media and technologies can be used both in the actual amblyopia therapy or therapy monitoring. In particular in this review shutter glasses, therapy monitoring and analysis using microsensors and newer video programs for amblyopia therapy are presented and critically discussed. Currently, these cannot yet replace classic amblyopia therapy. They represent interesting options that will occupy us even more in the future.

Are Spanish public employees happier in their job performance in the era of Industry 4.0?

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-97
Author(s):  
María- José Foncubierta-Rodriguez ◽  
Rafael Ravina-Ripoll ◽  
Eduardo Ahumada-Tello ◽  
Luis Bayardo Tobar-Pesantez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Public Employees ◽  
Private Company ◽  
The Future

Since the end of the 20th century, economists have been attracted to the study of the economics of happiness (e.g., Singh, & Alexandrova, 2020; Crespo & Mesurado, 2015; Ferrer-i-Carbonell,2013). The use of the term happiness characterizes an essential volume of this bibliographical production as a synonym for the words satisfaction, well-being, or quality of life (Teixeira&Vasque, 2020; Carlquist et al., 2017). Under this umbrella, the culture of happiness management teaches us that a management model or direction oriented to the holistic search for happiness or job satisfaction of its employees is one of the essential axial pieces that organizations have to increase the commitment of their human capital, and therefore, their productivity and business performance (Ravina et al., 2019). Public administration employees are not exempt from this reality, a group that is characterized by job stability compared to private company employees. This article is dedicated to them. The era of Industry 4.0 is a period that is characterized, among other things, by the high precariousness of labor that is originated by the implementation of management models in advanced economies. This phenomenon is derived from the technological point of view by the automation and massive robotization of production processes and the supply chain. Together with the digitalization of companies, both factors are very present in the ecosystems of the Covid-19, and have come, perhaps, to stay in the future (Bragazzi, 2020; Ghadge et al., 2020). In line with the above, a more holistic examination of this issue seems likely to show that there is a keen interest among people to enter into Work mostly in public administrations, in search of a permanent contract for their entire working life. As is known, this is especially true in countries with high unemployment levels, such as Spain. Its unemployment rate is 20.1% in mid-2020. In the collective imagination of these individuals, there is the conviction that this type of Work constitutes ambrosia of eudaimonic happiness, job security, and quality of life, especially at present, in times of the Covid-19 pandemic (Fernández-Urbano, & Kulic, 2020). In this sense, it should be noted that in the last decades of the 21st century, there has been a growing interest in researching public employees' job satisfaction (e.g., Ryu&Bae, 2020; Steijn &Van der Voet, 2019; Luechinge et al., 2010). Most of the studies carried out on this scientific topic to date show empirically that public sector workers are happier than individuals in the private sphere. It's basically due to the intrinsic benefits (flexibility, vacation, or family reconciliation, among others) that this type of government entity offers concerning for-profit organizations (e.g., Lahat&Ofek, 2020; Sánchez-Sánchez, & Puente, 2020; Danzer,2019). In this context, this article aims to examine, as a priority in the era of Industry 4.0, whether there are observed differences in the levels of congratulations between human capital working in the private sector and that working in the public sector in Spain, by analyzing a set of variables that define positions: hours, salary, stability, promotion, and stress. Finally, we must indicate, on the one hand, that the choice of this spatial framework is motivated by the scarce literature investigating the happiness of Spanish public employees in an economy with high levels of youth unemployment (Núñez-Barriopedro et al., 2020). On the other hand, the results achieved in this study may be useful in the future for the implementation of public policies aimed at significantly promoting the welfare of working citizens through the happiness management approach (Ravina-Ripoll et al., 2019), or for taking this management concept to private companies to increase the motivation of their employees (Foncubierta-Rodríguez & Sánchez-Montero, 2019). Keywords: Happiness, human resources, Industry 4.0, public sector.

Indigenous language newspapers and the digital media conundrum in Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 026666692098340
Author(s):  
Kevin Onyenankeya
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Traditional Media ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
The Future ◽  
Major Factors

The future of journalism is being shaped by the convergence of technology and societal shifts. For indigenous language press in Africa battling to stay afloat amidst stiff competition from traditional media, the pervasive and rapidly encroaching digital transformation holds both opportunities and potential threats. Using a qualitative approach, this paper examined the implication of the shift to digital media for the future of the indigenous language newspaper in Africa and identifies opportunities for its sustainability within the framework of the theories of technological determinism and alternative media. The analysis indicates poor funding, shrinking patronage, and competition from traditional and social media as the major factors facing indigenous newspapers. It emerged that for indigenous language newspapers to thrive in the rapidly changing and technology-driven world they need to not only adapt to the digital revolution but also explore a business model that combines a futuristic outlook with a practical approach.

scholarly journals Determining the psychometric properties of a novel questionnaire to measure “preparedness for the future” (Prep FQ)

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daren K. Heyland ◽  
J. Paige Pope ◽  
Xuran Jiang ◽  
Andrew G. Day
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Well Being ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Future ◽  
Quality Of Death ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Background People are living longer than ever before. However, with living longer comes increased problems that negatively impact on quality of life and the quality of death. Tools are needed to help individuals assess whether they are practicing the best attitudes and behaviors that are associated with a future long life, high quality of life, high quality of death and a satisfying post-death legacy. The purpose of paper is to describe the process we used to develop a novel questionnaire (“Preparedness for the Future Questionnaire™ or Prep FQ”) and to define its psychometric properties. Methods Using a multi-step development procedure, items were generated, for the new questionnaire after which the psychometric properties were tested with a heterogeneous sample of 502 Canadians. Using an online polling panel, respondents were asked to complete demographic questions as well as the Prep-FQ, Global Rating of Life Satisfaction, the Keyes Psychological Well-Being scale and the Short-Form 12. Results The final version of the questionnaire contains 34 items in 8 distinct domains (“Medico-legal”, “Social”, “Psychological Well-being”, “Planning”, “Enrichment”, “Positive Health Behaviors”, “Negative Health Behaviors”, and “Late-life Planning”). We observed minimum missing data and good usage of all response options. The average overall Prep FQ score is 51.2 (SD = 13.3). The Cronbach alphas assessing internal reliability for the Prep FQ domains ranged from 0.33 to 0.88. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) used to assess the test–retest reliability had an overall score of 0.87. For the purposes of establishing construct validity, all the pre-specified relationships between Prep FQ and the other questionnaires were met. Conclusion Analyses of this novel measure offered support for its face validity, construct validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency. With the development of this useful and valid scale, future research can utilize this measure to engage people in the process of comprehensively assessing and improving their state of preparedness for the future, tracking their progress along the way. Ultimately, this program of research aims to improve the quality and quantity of peoples live by helping them ‘think ahead’ and ‘plan ahead’ on the aspects of their daily life that matter to their future.

Infinite Needs–Finite Resources: The Future of Healthcare

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-98
Author(s):  
Richard D. Lamm
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Competitive Performance ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Tensions ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Developed World

The single greatest challenge facing managers in the developed countries of the world is to raise the productivity of knowledge and service workers. This challenge, which will dominate the management agenda for the next several decades, will ultimately determine the competitive performance of companies. Even more important, it will determine the very fabric of society and the quality of life of every industrialized nation. … Unless this challenge is met, the developed world will face increasing social tensions, increasing polarization, increasing radicalization, possibly even class war.

The perspective of emerging adults with Down syndrome – On quality of life and well-being

2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952110300
Author(s):  
Kjersti Wessel Jevne ◽  
Marit Kollstad ◽  
Anne-Stine Dolva
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
Social Leisure ◽  
Information And Communication

This study explored the thoughts of emerging adults with Down syndrome on quality of life and subjective well-being. Eight 22-year-olds participated in interviews. Data was analysed with content analysis. Four themes were revealed: Work based on interest and capability, having an active and social leisure life, a safe place to live and the use of information and communication technology. Two context related patterns were identified showing that quality of life and subjective well-being were related to individualised support to enhance independency in work, social leisure and place of living. Knowledge of their perception of independency and their awareness of needing customised help and support is valuable. This study supports the proposed emerging Quality of Life Supports Paradigm in the field of intellectual disabilities, which integrates key concepts of quality of life and supports.

A metapsychological exploration of the role of popular media in engineering public belief on planning issues

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gunder
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Popular Media ◽  
Communication Media ◽  
Public Issues ◽  
The Future ◽  
Contemporary Media

The article considers how planning, in its various dimensions of engagement with popular communication media, plays an important role in helping to ideologically constitute a polity’s desired spatial reality. In doing so it will consider the historical deployment in public relations of psychoanalytical theory to facilitate the construction of public issues and beliefs, as well as to engineer consent for planning and related policy. The article will consider the role of contemporary media in shaping public aspirations as to what is desired for the future of our cities and settlements. The article will conclude that psychoanalytical insight gives us one effective handle from which to begin to understand planning’s ideologically shaping role in the formulation of our desires for our future communities.

scholarly journals Smart cities and robotic technologies for a model of integrated growth

2021 ◽  
pp. 237-252
Author(s):  
Elena Laudante
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Human Scale ◽  
The Future ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
The City

The paper focuses on the importance of robotics and artificial intelligence inside of the new urban contexts in which it is possible to consider and enhance the different dimensions of quality of life such as safety and health, environmental quality, social connection and civic participation. Smart technologies help cities to meet the new challenges of society, thus making them more livable, attractive and responsive in order to plan and to improve the city of the future. In accordance with the Agenda 2030 Program for sustainable development that intends the inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable city, the direction of growth and prosperity of urban environments is pursued by optimizing the use of resources and respecting the environment. In the current society, robotic technology is proposed as a tool for innovation and evolution in urban as well as industrial and domestic contexts. On the one hand the users-citizens who participate dynamically in the activities and on the other the new technological systems integrated in the urban fabric. Existing urban systems that are “amplified” of artificial and digital intelligence and give life to smart cities, physical places that allow new forms of coexistence between humans and robots in order to implement the level of quality of life and define “human centered” innovative solutions and services thus responding to the particular needs of people in an effective and dynamic way. The current city goes beyond the definition of smart city. In fact, as said by Carlo Ratti, it becomes a "senseable city", a city capable of feeling but also sensitive and capable of responding to citizens who define the overall performance of the city. The multidisciplinary approach through the dialogue between designers, architects, engineers and urban planners will allow to face the new challenges through the dynamics of robot integration in the urban landscape. The cities of the future, in fact, will be pervaded by autonomous driving vehicles, robotized delivery systems and light transport solutions, in response to the new concept of smart mobility, on a human scale, shared and connected mobility in order to improve management and control of the digitized and smart city. Automation at constant rates as the keystone for urban futures and new models of innovative society. Through the identification of representative case studies in the field of innovative systems it will be possible to highlight the connections between design, smart city and "urban" robotics that will synergically highlight the main "desirable" qualities of life in the city as a place of experimentation and radical transformations. In particular, parallel to the new robotic solutions and human-robot interactions, the design discipline will be responsible for designing the total experience of the user who lives in synergy with the robots, thus changing the socio-economic dynamics of the city.

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