HCJ Statistics #2

The (BA Journalism) Philosophy Magazine has got off to a promising start this week with my first article submitted (no. 1/12) under the subcategory of “Computer Games and the Ideology of Nihilism” The magazine also now has its own individual Twitter account (see below) which has gained around 9 followers in approximately four days. I hope to increase this number to at least 100 by the end of the semester.

Circulation figures date from 19.01.2014 via alexa.com.

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,153,070	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	181,824	2,451 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	340,814	180,451 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,245,084	-

From this table, we can see that the main BA JOURNALISM site has increased in global rank by approximately *478,271 compared to last week. This may partly be due to improvements made within the philosophy magazine, in particular the focus on online promotion to this sector of the site, which should grown stronger in the coming weeks.  

The Representation Of Nihilism Within "Bioshock"

The first of a twelve part series. This essay will explore the conflicting viewpoints of both Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger in regards to nihilism. 

Since its launch in 2007, BioShock has bought a rather aesthetic feel to the gaming world that is near impossible to miss. Philosophical themes are evidently placed on a destructive path throughout the underwater city of 'Rapture' as the gamer has little choice but to become immersed in the abstract longing for a postmodern world. Players are free to alter their characters own biological structure with so called 'Plasmids' or 'Vigors' controlled by their own 'will to power' and are further encouraged to existentially determine their own good or bad ending. Amidst it all breathes the death of an Idealistic society, erupted in chaos due to its severely nihilistic outlook. 

According to the Collins Pocket English Dictionary, 'Nihilism' is the rejection of an established authority or institution. Friedrich Nietzsche, born in 1844 and a strong atheist, believed that Christianity was the root of all illustrious values that should be overcome by humankind being 'born again' Biblical references have been constructed throughout the video game, for example in "Eve's Garden" with its apple logo derivative of the forbidden fruit. But according to Nietzsche, Christianity isn't based on reason and therefore shouldn't reflect these kinds of values. 

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

HCJ Statistics #1

For the remainder of my final year at university and as part of my final year project I have acquired the role of Editor for the more academically based (BA Journalism) Philosophy Magazine. 

Over the next few months I will aim to raise the viewing figures significantly by subbing lecture notes, writing and commissioning articles for the site as well as performing regular SEO checks.

A record of the most recent viewing figures will be posted on my blog.

Circulation figures date from 12.01.2014 via alexa.com.

WEBSITE NAME	GLOBAL RANK	UK RANK
BA-JOURNALISM.CO.UK	4,631,341	-
NEWPHILOSOPHER.COM	184,550	2,292 (AUS)
PHILOSOPHYNOW.ORG	362,249	218,987 (US)
DIALECTICONLINE.WORDPRESS.COM	14,291,212	-

The table above shows that the more upmarket NEW PHILOSOPHER MAGAZINE succeeds in global rank. Updated quarterly in print and more frequently on the web, it demonstrates hot topics and controversial debates accompanied by uncanny illustrations that I think would do well to spruce up the HCJ section of the website.

Although ranking the lowest globally, DIALECTICONLINE is aimed at an undergraduate audience yet does well to stand out individually. As a university based magazine (produced by students from the University of York) it is written in the initial form of a blog with the website also offering an interactive print version for readers to skim through.

Number of pageviews recorded (below) date from 5^th January 2014 to 11^th January 2014 via Slimstat.

CRITICAL REFLECTION #3

The decision mid semester to combine each individual features magazine into one had a profound effect on my role as Editor of WINOL Travel and Adventure. In my previous Critical Reflection I outlined the pros and cons of maintaining a magazine in relation to it's navigation and target audience. With my initial struggle to manage and upload content on a regular basis, I supported this decision wholeheartedly.

Near the start of the semester, www.winol.co.uk ranked *1,309,425 globally and *38,579 in the UK [16.10.2013] peaking on Thursday 10th October with *67 page views. This was most likely the result of the weekly WINOL News bulletin aired on the Wednesday prior. Compare this to the end of the semester and we see a steep decline (see graph 2). According to www.alexa.com, however, WINOL's Global Rank has increased to *773,133 and *30,063 in the UK* From my point of view, "Here & Now" has played a specialised role in maintaining this. 

(1) Number of page views 9th-16th October (Google Analytics).

(2) Number of page views 25th November - 1st December (Google Analytics).

WINOL’s relaunched “Here & Now” magazine* has worked hard to improve the organisation of Features as a whole, with the installation of a modernised, user friendly ‘Gabfire Theme’ for WordPress (which I will have to be familiar with for my fast approaching Final Year Project). Each market now has its own subcategory, with the main slider situated at the top of the page. Being its most redeeming feature, this aims to promote some of the websites top highlights. Like with News, there is constant competition between magazines to get their pieces mentioned in the ‘barkers’ as they act as the highest form of promotion. You can see in the image below, both the Paintball package and the World Travel Market overview have appeared under the slider subcategory of “Events” and if you scroll over the “Travel” tab further above, invested in the world of adventure are a number of written articles, as well as a couple of video packages managed, produced and edited by myself*

Indoor Skydiving Feature.

Images taken with Canon 650D Digital SLR.

Watching Wind Tunnel.

The Adventure Team.

James In Flight.

Filming On Location.

Find below the final video package feature for WINOL Travel and Adventure Magazine. 

Also, some of the most recent Adventure triumphs have been mentioned in the "Best of" SUPERWINOL Features package, with Travel and Adventure in the Top 3 (17 mins 20 secs approx.)

Find more content here.

Adventure Podcast (26.11.13)

Check out the podcast below for an insight into some of Europe's most beautiful Christmas destinations and much more. I'm leading the podcast, along with special guests Andrew McHarg and Hannah Hayesmore.

See the original script below. This had to be tweaked to fit the less scripted and more spontaneous conventions of a radio features bulletin.

World Travel Market 2013.

[SLIDER IMAGE]

Caption:

WORLD TRAVELMARKET: 

A BRIEF LOOK INTO ONE OF LONDON’S MOST EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL TRAVEL EVENTS.

This year saw a variety of international tour operators and travel professionals gather in the confines of the Excel Exhibition Centre for World Travel Market; one of London's most exclusive global travel events. As my first time visiting, it was overwhelming to see its increasing popularity as a place to network with other like-minded experts within the field of leisure and tourism. The open area hosted uniquely stunning exhibits that had been divided up into different continents of the world and a mixture of sit in cafes and restaurants meant universal cuisine was readily available.

A range of educational seminars were held upstairs in a number of different conference rooms; including a lecture regarding the Youth Travel Industry. David Chapman, Director General at the WYSE Travel Confederation, outlined the company's most recent 'New Horizons' survey, that measures the travel profile of young people around the world, comparing the desires of an average "backpacker" to that of the more upmarket "flashpacker." He revealed "what we've seen is a very significant growth in the over 30 age group" whilst continuing to add "this reflects that the youth travel market is getting progressively older." Their findings showed that there was a decline in the original "backpacker" tradition, making way for the rise of the contemporary "flashpacker" as people look to find more value for money when it comes to planning their journey. "We're often asked, what is the difference between a hotel and hostel? And the answer is the 's' which stands for social" said Chapman. The report further states that youth travellers now make up 20% of international tourism*.