Topics
Complete Selfies assignments
Introduction to the future of narrative
Examples of how new technologies are affecting narrative
Review of modules
"The Future of Storytelling" (2017), Video:
This video explores the evolving landscape of storytelling in the context of new media and technology. It discusses how storytelling has been transformed by digital innovations, focusing on the ways narratives are created, shared, and consumed in the modern digital era.
"The Future of Storytelling with Mariana Acuna, Guy Primus, and Jay Tucker" (Nov. 2018), Video:
This panel discussion features insights from Mariana Acuna (Opaque Studios), Guy Primus (Virtual Reality Company), and Jay Tucker (UCLA Anderson) on the future of storytelling. The conversation revolves around the integration of virtual and augmented reality in narrative creation, exploring the possibilities and challenges these technologies bring to the storytelling domain, including their impact on audience engagement and narrative immersion.
Kaye, D., Rodriguez, A., Langton, K., & Wikström, P. (2021), "You Made This? I Made This: Practices of Authorship and (Mis)Attribution on TikTok":
This research paper delves into the issues of authorship and attribution on the social media platform TikTok. It examines how content creators navigate the dynamics of creating and sharing material, addressing the complexities of originality, copying, and creative licensing in a digital space where content is rapidly and widely disseminated.
Arcagni, S., & D’Aloia, A. (2021), "VR Storytelling: Potentials and Limitations of Virtual Reality Narratives":
This article explores the potential of virtual reality (VR) in narrative storytelling, examining both its capabilities and limitations. It discusses how VR can create immersive and interactive experiences for users, transforming the way stories are told and experienced, while also addressing the technical and creative challenges inherent in this medium.
Parasnis, A. (Oct. 2018), "Adobe Previews Project Aero: Augmented Reality and the Incredible Future of Storytelling":
This article provides an overview of Adobe's Project Aero, focusing on its role in the future of storytelling through augmented reality (AR). It discusses how AR technology can enrich storytelling by adding layers of interactive and immersive elements to the narrative experience, blending digital content with the physical world.
Kramer, Bryan. (2018), "The Future of Human Experience is Narrative Input":
Bryan Kramer's article examines how narratives play a crucial role in shaping human experiences, particularly in the digital age. It suggests that storytelling is not just a way to convey information but is integral to how people understand and interact with the world around them.
The Module 9 readings provided a fitting end for the New Media Narratives course. This module was focused upon what narratives will look like in the future. I found it interesting that most of these articles focused upon AR (Augmented Reality) as the future of storytelling. This is an area of storytelling that I never really considered before now. I have had a few interactions with AR, and I can understand why this might be considered the future of storytelling. I think this provides a more hopeful viewpoint around the future of the human narrative than many of the viewpoints around AI that we have encountered over this term. While AI is not at the point where it can be completely without human intervention, it is at the point where AI generated narratives are being used as the basis for a wide variety of narratives and stories. I agree with Kramer about the importance of storytelling, however, I disagree with his positivist view on using AI in storytelling. I think that regardless of whether humans are needed for final touches, using AI in storytelling hampers human innovation and creativity. Needing less human interaction with story development does not mean that the jobs associated with human storytelling will still exist. If they do, they are likely to become outsourced jobs that capitalize on poor human labour conditions that are allowed overseas and the disintegration of support for the arts in North America. AR provides storytellers with new ways to share their stories. AI removes storytellers from the picture.
ReplyDeleteIn January 2024, the 170th Akutagawa Prize in Japan was announced, and 33-year-old writer Kuradan Rie won this honor with her work "Tokyo-to Dojo-to" (Tokyo Sympathy Tower). In her acceptance speech, Kuradan Rie revealed that approximately 5% of the content in her novel was generated entirely by the artificial intelligence ChatGPT, and used "verbatim" without any modifications. She added that she would confide some thoughts to ChatGPT that she would "never tell anyone," and "plans to continue using artificial intelligence in novel writing, while fully utilizing her creativity."
ReplyDeleteOn social media platforms, people's reactions to this event varied. Some expressed that Kuradan Rie's use of artificial intelligence made her work "Tokyo-to Dojo-to" even more captivating. Others believed that this reliance on artificial intelligence for creation constituted unfair competition for authors who adhere to traditional writing methods, potentially diminishing the value and status of human independent creation.
I believe that in traditional literary creation, originality has always been regarded as a core characteristic of works. It is inseparable from the author's unique perspective, personal experiences, and inner emotions. However, when artificial intelligence enters this field, the situation becomes somewhat like transitioning from a solo performance to a chorus. Literary works are no longer solely from one person's mind but may also incorporate the power of algorithms and data. Works begin to have the taste of algorithms, not just the fragrance of human emotions. In this scenario, the concepts of "humanity" and "originality" in works need to be redefined.
However, if the content is compelling enough, do we as readers really care whether the author is AI? Perhaps the answer to this question is not simple. It not only reflects our attitude towards technology but also touches on deeper reflections on art, creativity, and the essence of humanity. In this future woven by humans and machines together, whether challenges or opportunities, what we collectively face is the continuous exploration and understanding of these complex issues.
Module 9 really delved into the ways new technological advances will continue shaking up the way we tell stories. From virtual reality to the fast-paced world of TikTok, each reading or video a light on the different ways that narratives are evolving in the digital age.
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating to see how VR and AR are making stories more immersive, turning audiences from mere viewers into active participants. This module highlights how storytelling is moving beyond traditional methods to something that’s more interactive and engaging.
However, this shift isn't without its challenges. The research on TikTok brings up important issues like authorship and originality, which are getting increasingly complex in a world where content spreads and changes at lightning speed. Similarly, there is a very real threat that we lose human creativity and connection.
Overall, these discussions make it clear that storytelling isn’t just about telling tales anymore; it’s about creating experiences that resonate and engage on a whole new level. This is a thrilling time for narrative innovation, where technology invites us to not only witness stories but also step inside them.