THE INTERNET AS A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM: THE TEXTBOOK PROJECT
BACKGROUND: In 2012, I was recruited to Co-Author a textbook detailing the Internet as an organic and radical Communication System. For more details: Stay Tuned!
The masculine-feminine construct in cross-cultural research: the emergence of a transcendent global culture
BACKGROUND: I was invited to Co-Author an article on emergent trends related to gender, sexuality, and popular global media. The article will be featured in The Global Intercultural Communication Reader in 2013.
Dissecting social robotics discourse: An examination of the drift towards living with and for machines
ABSTRACT: Sociable robots are increasing in complexity, popularity, and visibility. With the rapid diffusion of digital technologies in contemporary cultures, there is often limited time for critical reflection. The purpose of this thesis is to critically dissect an evolving technology, social robotics, as it begins entering more and more modern contexts. Using an eclectic approach, this research examines social robotics discourse across THE NEW YORK TIMES (from 1986 - 2010) and popular fiction. Specifically, this thesis analyzes the media promoted appeal of social robotics, how social robotics are being presented to a general and specific audience, and evaluates how popular discourse on social robotics might be changing perceptions of communication and humanity. This research serves as a starting point for ongoing research into how new technologies and discourse on new technologies change, and attempt to influence, people, relationships, and culture.
BACKGROUND: This thesis was completed for my Master of Arts degree in the College of Communication, Information, and Media at Ball State University. A special thanks is extended to my thesis chair, Dr. James W. Chesebro, and my thesis committee, Dr. Michael Holmes and Dr. Joseph Misiewicz. This research was recognized in the spring of 2011 when I was awarded graduate student of the year in the Department of Telecommunications at Ball State University.
A contemporary portrait of information privacy: collective communicative consequences of being digital