VI159: WINTER 2003

MIDTERM EXAM

Question 1 (answer in a few sentences)
How does Eddo Stern uses "hacking from outside" strategy in his projects? Provide at least one example.

Question 2 (answer in a few sentences)
Provide another example of "creation by selection" common in computer culture which is not mentioned in the book.

Essay 1 (approximately 500 words)
1. The chapter "What is New Media?" introduces seven particular cases
of the principle of variability. Take one of this cases and present
an argument that it can also be found in old media, and thus is not unique to new media.

Examples of possible arguments to develop:
-a traditional book which has text and footnotes cab already considered hypertext;
-an architectural space such as maze is already based on branching interactivity;
-modern design of trademarks and logos and products is already scalable since a designer creates deferent
versions of the same trademark for different uses.

For extra credit:
In what other ways the principle of variability operates in new media? Discuss one or more
cases not mentioned by the chapter. Try to present a general principle rather than simply particular examples.

Essay 2 (approximately 500 words)
The section "The Language of Cultural Interfaces" discusses how new media to a large extent is dependent on the conventions of the older media: print and cinema.

Which type of new media, in your view, is the least derivative of older media?
Explain and argue your case.

Note:
old media in this case include cinema, print, music, architecture, dance theater, television, etc. - in short, all cultural forms which already established themselves before 1990s.. Examples of the types of new media are virtual spaces, VR, different genres of computer games (you can talk about a particular genre), Web sites, etc. - in short, all new cultural forms which require computers to run.

Grading crater:
Final exams will be graded based upon 3 criteria: originality, coherence; persuasiveness.
(1) Originality: how original is your thesis? Does it make sense?
(2) Coherence: is your essay coherent? Does the writing logically flows from one idea to the next? Do you clearly separate general ideas and particular examples?
(3) Persuasiveness: do you provide enough support for your argument to convince the reader?
You are also expected to cite all your references using one of the standard citation conventions.