First Day Back - Introduction Lecture

Basically, we discussed what this course is about and what it means.

We talked about what the title of the course means. Self reflection is a very human thing - to introspect. Introspection is the contemplation of ones self - the ability to look inwards, to think calmly in an open, non-aggressive way.

This style of thinking will be able to help me learn more about my fundamental purpose in new media.

The idea of self reflection came from the philosopher Plato, who said:

"Why should we not calmly and patiently review our own thoughts and thoroughly examine and see what these appearances in us really are?"
- Theaetetus 155

The opposite to introspection is extrospection - the observation of things external to ones self. (looking at other people e.g. psychologist)

Cognitive psychologists use introspection with things like problem solving, language and memory. Piaget - the self development of children also uses it.

Geschtalt psychology is all about "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts", - about things or people having the "X factor".

Problems are also mediated via stimuli (visual/auditory etc.) and responses (in media terms - from the users)

Solutions of problems resolve in algorithms.

There are rules that might not be understood, but promise a solution. Unwritten rules for example, go without saying and aren't explained, but give solutions on how things are done.

Examples of unwritten rules in media include:
Some knowledge of the software packages is needed
Ideas are needed
(more added soon)

Heuristics are rules that are understood, but don't necessarily give a solution.
They are good for directing someone's attention to a particular thing.

Good heuristics for getting ideas down and solving some problems include:
Drawing pictures
Thinking aloud
Mind mapping
Research - look at existing examples
Solve a more general problem first, it may make it easier to solve the next one

Read - Donis A. Dondis - A Primer of Visual Literacy


Overall, a good first lecture back, got me thinking. This blog will definitely be a big help with showing my ideas and my thoughts about them.

Here are my lecture notes: