A a focus on the smartphone-telecom industries offers several frames for assessing the impacts of the entertainment industries on consumers, workers, the environment, and social change strategies and tactics.

The Teledemocracy blog posts by Selic Borden (now working at MIcrosoft in Boston, previously at Oracle)  were done for this class, Spring 2013.  They preview the blog posts we’ll be doing.

READINGS —  Make sure to watch all embedded videos, including Annie Leonard. The Story of Electronics. in reading #3 and the varied short documentaries in NYT articles.

1.  Educardo Porter. With Competition in Tatters, the Rip of Inequality Widens. New York Times. July 12, 2016.
2.  Selic Borden. The Common Carrier. Teledemocracy. April 4, 2013.
3.  S.B. Planned Obsolescence, Teledemocracy. April 15, 2013.
4.  The Alternative. Teledemocracy. April 30, 2013.

5.  View video:  Protesters Take on APPLE!  SourceFed on Feb 9, 2012    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACduEDl9UlI [/youtube]

6.  Charles Duhigg & Steven Greenhouse.  Electronic Giant Vowing Reforms in China Plants.  March 29, 2012.  New York Times.

READING QUESTIONS — WRITTEN RESPONSES REQUIRED

1. For reading #1, summarize the critique offered by this journalist of inequities caused by the capitalist system.  How does it apply to other entertainment industries we might study?

2. The (3) blog posts (readings #2-#5) by Selic Borden follow a praxis model: 1) naming the problem; 2) analyzing systemic root causes; 3) offering an alternative vision.  What are your responses?  How does it resonate with your smart phone/telecom experience?

3. What is your sense of democratic agency in relation to these issues?  Are they issues of of everyday cohort discourse?   What might be some first steps in addressing such issues?

Written assignments are single-spaced & typed in Times New Roman or Arial (size 12 font), 1-inch margins all around. Remember to proofread. First page should have a heading (single-spaced) with name, date, assignment title.