The Next New Thing

What will the next new thing be? I haven't the slightest clue. However, following the current trends, I do believe that it will be something familiar, just even more accessible. As media outlets transport themselves to smaller and more portable platforms, I think the next logical step would be to expand on these strengths. On top of that, I'm sure existing services will continue to expand their scope. Increased connectivity and capabilities should be expected, and I'm sure it'll be faster as well.

P2P File Sharing

Peer-To-Peer (or P2P) file sharing is the technology that allows for users (peers) to distribute files directly amongst each other. Where as traditional file sharing involves getting a file from a server or some other intermediary, P2P cuts out the middle man.

One such P2P file sharing software is BitTorrent. Designed by Bram Cohen and based off a design for a "distributed data haven" (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.01/bittorrent.html), BitTorret allows for a file to be shared collectively. Instead of sending the file whole, BitTorrent works by " Breaking a big file into tiny pieces", downloading a small piece from a bunch of different users, simultaneously. These downloads run in parallel, making the process much speedier. Additionally, the relatively slow upload speeds of even fast internet connections are no longer a bottleneck, since each individual "peer" is responsible for far less. This was the case with other P2P networks, such as Kazaa, and as a result, BitTorret took the lead as the preferred P2P file sharing software.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Privacy is a huge concern when it comes to new media. The huge draw to new media platforms such as the Internet was its anonymity. This has its pros and cons - while on one hand, people feel freer to say whats on their mind, it's that exact freedom that can make parts of the internet.... difficult to deal with. A quick browse of almost any youtube video's comments reveals some of the most vulgar and ill tempered things I've ever heard a person say. Clearly, the anonymity afforded by the internet is a double edged sword. However, there are bigger concerns. With the proliferation of social networking sites such as facebook, as well as mobile platforms for them to run on - laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc... another privacy issue - what if one of the portable devices gets lost or stolen? It's a lot harder to keep track of and maintain these different accounts. But let me get back on topic.

If that weren't a big enough cause for concern, many of these social networking sites are allowing you to link accounts together. While sometimes the ease of use is invaluable, and I personally have linked this blogger account, my gmail account, and my youtube account, this makes it more of a security risk. Aside from that, linking all these accounts together reduces the anonymity that helped make these forms of new media so successful. While I think there's still plenty of room to be as visible or invisible as you want to be, I feel that we're slowly reaching a point where remaining completely anonymous will no longer be an option.