WINOL SHOWREEL

*For Documentary Assessment.
Submitted 17/05/2014

INNOVATIVE JOURNALISM

*For Magazine Journalism Assessment.

Submitted 10/05/2014

Magazine Production And The Pivotal Role Of Social Media

I believe it was Gandhi who commended those to “live simply so that others may simply live.” When examined from this perspective, we can interpret social media as a rather existential form; constructed in mind of a complex mechanism which is necessary in maintaining the popularity of the print industry. In other words it’s a dependency, like Michael McFarlane pointed out in my interview; “you can never forget the print medium because everybody communicates in print… if you want lasting stories, lasting information; it has to be reinforced with print, so print will never die.” Consider the growing obsession of social media as a promotional tool for online publications or blogs, for example. How can we relate this to the more traditional form of print?

The introduction of the internet (not to be confused with the World Wide Web, created by Tim Berners-Lee in the late 1980’s) saw the vast interconnection of networks on a global scale, which has since been made readily available to the public through a range of different mediums, mainly computers, and more recently portable phones and tablets. The current figure of internet users around the world, according to RealTimeStatistics (09.05.2014), is a whopping *2,508,838,498 and increasing, with approximately six people linking in per second. This is said to constitute around *787,085,233 keyword searches via Google; reinforcing the importance of certain “tagged” words to promote the content of a publication. Contemporary networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter serve as aides in sharing and distributing content; with an aim to inform the public of current affairs. Each feature a ‘trending‘ section once signed in, with the additional option to tag or track certain posts to further expand an audience. But with such easy access online, would we be right in thinking such ‘specialised’ magazines are becoming a “dying art?”

Gareth Evans, Editor of Coach and Bus Week Magazine, comments; “social media is an invaluable tool to both source news and feature ideas and engage with readers… [it is] a key promotional tool to advertise the sale of additional copies on the newsstand or direct from our subscriptions team.” It has been argued that one feels comfort in placing an inanimate object. In relation to books for example, it is considered aesthetically pleasing from a voyeur’s perspective, with the object denoting an immediate fiction of the reader themselves. On the other hand, the substantial rise in technology (detailed above) paves the way for a new generation of readers. Prior experience with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) when actively editing an online only magazine, proved highly effective in increasing the daily pageviews of the publication; tracked via Slimstat. Twitter account's tailored to a title also proves successful in increasing the magazine’s current following, inviting a personalized “live tweet” format. Therefore, it can only be expected that more activity equals an invaluable increase in readership.

Interview With Editor/Professional Journalist.

*For Magazine Journalism Assessment.
Submitted 01/05/2014

Michael McFarlane is a former publisher/editor who has a vast amount of experience in the audio visual industry; having worked to produce a number of 'specialised' magazines in South Africa. 

Media Law Update.

*Hanna, M. & Dodd, M. “McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists” (2012) 

*For further information visit: www.mcnaes.com

Post to outline recent changes made to British Legal System and how it affects Journalistic practice as a whole. 

*“bloodhound as well as a watchdog.”

“Media Organisations” used to describe publishers of newspapers, magazines and broadcasters, etc. Now includes the likes of freelance journalists and bloggers and “tweeters.”

Journalists can lawfully “tweet”/text/email live from courtroom.

*Social media as online advancement of modern Journalism; applies to ‘live, text based communications’ only.

*Journalists no longer need to apply to court for permission to post from internet connected laptops or mobile devices within public proceedings.

*These rules do not apply to members of the public however.

*”An unobtrusive, hand held, silent piece of modern equipment for the purposes of simultaneous reporting of proceedings to the outside world as they unfold in court is generally unlikely to interfere with the proper administration of justice.” 

Law Summary.

In brief; key points will be built upon over the next couple days.

Introduction.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION (EU, ARTICLE 10)
Update: Leveson Inquiry.
Chairman of Inquiry: Lord Justice Leveson.

*Two-part inquiry launched on 13 July 2011 investigating role of press and police following phone hacking scandal at 'News of the World'

*"Who guards the guardians?" Aim to examine the ethics of the press.

*First part of inquiry published 29 November 2012.

CIVIL LAW: Disputes between individuals.

CRIMINAL LAW: Against the community. 

STANDARDS OF PROOF: 

*"the balance of probability" (CIVIL)

*"beyond reasonable doubt" (CRIMINAL)

THREE SOURCES OF LAW:

*Common Law

*Statute Law (Parliament)

*EU (Human Rights)

RULE AGAINST PRIOR RESTRAINT

*Remedy to follow publication rather than proceed it.

Update: Injunction to undermine above (to perform/restrain against act)

PUBLIC INTEREST as common defence for Journalists.

*Regarding information that is valuable to society as a whole.

CRITICAL REFLECTION (FYP)

I approached my role as editor of the BA Journalism (Philosophy) Magazine a little later than expected but with an already distinct vision of how the product should function as a web based medium. It made sense to compare the site to higher-ranking magazines each week (as outlined in my proposal) with the site itself adequately functioning via a “Gabfire” theme generated for WordPress; which was pretty simple to navigate once I had the right tools. My new found familiarity with Slimstat for example was often challenged by questionable peaks in pageviews, which made sense once technological ‘spiders’ were taken into consideration. Unlike my previous experience, I found it a lot easier to organise myself in accordance to the content that had already been uploaded. My fundamental task was more to “tidy up” the initial site, which I admit perhaps didn’t take as higher priority as the weeks went on. A solid plan to include a ‘debates and discussions’ tab also took a back seat, as did actively editing the front page as a whole. Referring back to my FYP proposal however, I believe I did well to build upon each objective within this fully functioning website. 

*Increase All Social Media Relating To Website.

By the second week of active editing, a Twitter account had been set up under the alias @PhilosophyWinch with an aim to increase the magazine’s current following. Within four days the account managed to obtain *9 individual followers, which has now increased to a comfortable *19 dated 16^th March 2014. Experimentation with a “live tweet” format, where I proceeded to tweet mini tasters mid-semester, did well to increase social media hype.

*Edit All Existing Content.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day” so when considered in relation to all other responsibilities, subbing lecture notes was probably the least prioritized aspect of the project. I did however make the executive decision to begin ‘cleaning up’ the site, by setting all new content delivered via RSS feed to ‘pending;’ thus preventing automatic posting and promoting strict content regulation.

*Optimize Content And SEO Checks.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to grips with the varying aspects of statistical data through Alexa and Slimstat (amongst others). I would have liked to become more involved with Google Analytics specifically but a strict routine of blogging every week did well to motivate and keep me up to date with the magazine as a whole.

HCJ Statistics #5

The end of my previous post sparked the start of a definitive increase in pageviews which had peaked to a little over *2,000 on 17th February 2014. The past fortnight has seen this number continue to increase, with the highest amount of pageviews equalling *3,121 on 26^th February 2014. The magazine has also managed to increase its international audience, with approximately *50% recorded originating from the US. With this in mind, a French translation of ‘The Great Gatsby’ piece has been uploaded alongside the birth of a new tab, which is clearly advertised on the front page.

Circulation figures date from 04.03.2014 via alexa.com.

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	7,549,124	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	176,116	2,341 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	304,471	110,466 (US)
PHILOSOPHYBITES.COM	957,533	-
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	8,539,089	-

The BA JOURNALISM site overall has seen a steep decline in global rank, with a significant drop of minus *2,801,437 over the past couple weeks. I would like to think this decrease is a result of the expanding development of the site’s UK rank, which I will continue to monitor over the coming fortnight.  

‘Resident Evil’ And Post Apocalyptic Nihilism

Part four of a five part series. A film series based on the renowned video game franchise, this essay aims to explore the representation of “passive nihilism” within Resident Evil. 

This spine-tingling horror series has spanned almost 12 years, soon to welcome the franchises sixth installment in 2015. Set in a post-apocalyptic “Racoon City,” Resident Evil follows a story of salvation through the key character of Alice; the epitome of a “Martyr” within the post-modern condition. She opposes Nietzsche’s view to live a life based on impulse by instead existentially choosing to make amends for the chaos she feels she has created.

RESIDENT EVIL (2002)

*Main character Alice as female “Ubermensch” with near-impossible combat skills. Feminist perspective indicates she is somewhat objectified, as red dress connotes seduction and lust. (1:40)

*Genetically mutated beasts as represented evil, referred to as ‘Lickers’ on account of their lengthly, outstretched tongues. (1:50)

*Metallic typeface connotes a sharp, edgy, clinical feel, derivative of destination ‘The Hive;’ an underground laboratory/“empty vessel serving as a vehicle for the desires of the sacrificer.” (30, 2 minutes)

*‘The Red Queen’ assumes control of the facility through technological advancements. Computer has been humanized; modelled on the daughter of an ‘Umbrella’ scientist. (2:05)

With its release, Resident Evil offered the audience genetically enhanced mutants through metaphysical means. Humans were developed as weapons-in-themselves with Alice, a rather Croft-like figure, becoming the exception to the rule as she successfully overcomes her newly found “superhuman” capabilities. As former head of security at totalitarian establishment “The Hive,” Alice represents Locke’s “blank slate” as she attempts to regain control; battling against modern humanized technology. “A human being, like a god, could be strongly or weakly charged, depending on how perilous, how respected he or she was.” (24) In Heideggerian terms, humankind attempts to overcome all in a battle against the rise of science and technology, even in death.

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE. 

HCJ Statistics #4

It is important for a magazine to stay ‘on trend’ when it comes to their content. One key example of this was my in-depth analysis of “The Great Gatsby,” complete with strong imagery from a philosophical photo shoot produced by the former WINOL fashion team. I believe this article in particular managed to acquire the magazine *1,000 pageviews three times in the week commencing 2^nd February 2014 (see table below).

This has been the highest target the magazine has achieved this semester; reaping the promotional benefits of its newly found social media. This post will mainly focus on the deeper aspects of statistical data, such as bounce rates, etc.

Circulation figures date from 16.02.2014 via alexa.com. 

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,747,687	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	172,268	2,231 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	318,424	113,577 (US)
PHILOSOPHYBITES.COM	1,002,378	-
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	8,659,763	-

It has been recorded that people currently spend an average of *5 minutes per day on the BA JOURNALISM site compared to the *6 minutes acquired by the more upmarket NEWPHILOSOPHER. In regards to bounce rates, BA JOURNALISM is practically non-existent; with PHILOSOPHYBITES taking the lead with an average of *70%. In response to these figures, I shall begin the “treatment” stage of editing; actively subbing lecture notes in an attempt to clean up the initial site. Regular SEO checks should also help to improve this aspect.

Number of pageviews recorded (below) date from 2^nd February 2014 to 15^th February 2014 via Slimstat.

Winchester Flooding.

River Itchen Bursts Its Banks. #WinchesterFloods

*VISIT MY FLICKR PAGE FOR MORE.

BioShock Infinite In Regards To Religion

The third of a five part series. This essay aims to explore the correlation between nihilism and religion within the world of BioShock Infinite. 

Socialism; “The harder this de-alienation of work tries to escape from the idealization of ‘artistic’ production, the more it must define itself.” (22)

Descartes; “aesthetic consciousness’ may be recuperated as an experience of truth precisely insofar as this experience is substantially nihilistic.” (114)

A floating city in the sky, idealistically “the city of dreams” forms the basis of the franchises 2013 installment. Much like its predecessors, destination ‘Columbia’ is a city in revolt, violently called for by revolutionary Daisy Fitzroy; who could be viewed as a Sartrean type figure. Father Comstock dominates as the so-called ‘prophet,’ dictating with the appearance of a Marxian character. He is however, counteracted by the otherwise controlled Booker DeWitt; labelled the ‘False Shepherd.’ This hermeneutic interpretation is wholly Christian with a Kantian outlook; if you can’t see it then it doesn’t exist. A theory mostly demonstrated in the games epic conclusion, with Elizabeth envisioning a key to open the door to the lighthouse. On a similar note, the quote (above) suggests existential ‘choice’ as a way to progress; old values become forgotten and thus replaced with modern ones.

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE. 

An Analysis Of "The Great Gatsby"

This essay aims to immerse itself in the world of Mr. Jay Gatsby from both an Economic and Marxist viewpoint. 

"She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. "All right," I said, I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." (16)

Image Courtesy of Sophie Webb

The front cover of the novella boasts privilege and seduction, replicated by a young and beautiful woman, most likely a flapper in her day, wearing glimmering white pearls and a feather hat. She is forefront and wearing black, which from a Marxist perspective could be interpreted as in 'mourning' to the material crisis of Capitalism; the rejection of Communism as "the god that failed" much like the character of Jay Gatsby himself. Author Fitzgerald is said to have lived a notorious lifestyle following the publication of his first and highly successful novel "The Side of Paradise" in 1920. A time when the economy was constituted by a state of equilibrium; but from a boom must come a bust. The outlook was highly Keynesian, with Capitalism being seen as a more efficient and effective way to progress. 

Before his anticipated appearance, expectations of Gatsby would amount to some "hot shot" revolutionary rich kid; an advocate of private ownership who hosts fancy parties at his monetary mansion in West Egg. "The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself." (80) Further suggested here that he acquires a kind of idealistic admiration for himself; characteristic of his 'old sport' nature. Instead, he chooses to diminish himself in the background of events and is therefore perceived as some sort of mythical creature. 

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE. 

HCJ Statistics #3

Over the past couple weeks, more content has been uploaded relating to popular culture (2/12) accompanied by illustrations generously attributed by a media production student at the University of Winchester. Also see the magazines latest article on Synaesthesia, which has brought a lot of traffic to the site, acquiring *148 hits since its upload on 1^st February 2014 (03.01.2014 via Slimstat).

© Illustration By Devan Fulham

These statistical blog posts have acted as a relative "diagnosis" of the website, detailing what should be improved in order to increase pageviews. This can also be demonstrated through the various plug-in "tools" used such as Slimstat and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). My "objectives" overall were outlined in my proposal; in which I am aiming to achieve around *1,000 pageviews per day. 

Circulation figures date from 02.02.2014 via alexa.com. 

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,735,852	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	168,583	2,623 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	335,741	166,631 (US)
PHILOSOPHYBITES.COM	1,041,512	419,276 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,156,941	-

 
The table above shows that PHILOSOPHYBITES dominates in global rank by approximately *3,694,340 compared to the main BA JOURNALISM site. The website features a range of in-depth interviews with experts in the field which can be accessed through the medium of podcast. This has inspired me to include something similar within the site in regards to a “discussions” tab, which will consist of a range of philosophical debates by students and lecturers alike. 

A Philosophical Review Of "Tomb Raider"

The second part of a twelve part series. This essay aims to explore the 'nihilistic devolution' of Lara Croft following the franchises 2013 reboot. 

Since the birth of Tomb Raider in 1996 we have seen Lara battle new heights, embarking on a journey of self-affirmation in an attempt to rediscover her "true" being. She constantly shifts perspective, thus being transformed according to Nietzsche, from a weak and inexperienced 'child' to a fierce and feminist 'lion.' The well renowned game, developed by Crystal Dynamics, acts as a prequel to the previous original series as we see Lara break with tradition and slowly develop into the female equivalent of Nietzsche's "Ubermensch." She represents great physical vigor, courage and strong will; pushing the limit of her comfort zone in order to demonstrate the highest moral standard for the good of the community. A hardcore heroine trapped inside a condemned world; destined to overcome it. 

Screenshots From Personal Gameplay. Image Rights Owned By Crystal Dynamics. 

"The most powerful individuals simultaneously 'give style to their characters, organize the chaos of their passions, and create a world of beauty here and now." (134) 

It becomes pretty clear through the course of the game that Lara’s character has evolved through a process of “Philosophical Nihilism.” She is no longer the idealistic “sex object” she was initially perceived to be and instead becomes actively detached from her roots; increasing her own element of freedom and overcoming personal self-violation. It was because of this quite obvious detachment that I didn’t particularly enjoy it as a Tomb Raider game, even though Lara remained to act on impulse much like a contemporary spin on Nietzsche’s “Good Man.” It was however enjoyable as a game-in-itself once you eventually learn to cut all cognitive ties to its predecessors. 

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE.