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Paper Topic:

`there is a danger that `convergence` will become a buzzword, thrown around casually in discussions of media, technology and journalism, with different participants using the same word to mean different things`(Gordon, 2003:57). Examine the different mea

'There is a danger that "Convergence " will become a buzzword , thrown about casually in discussions of media , technology and journalism , with different participants using the same word to mean different things (Gordon , 2003 :57 . Examine the different meanings of convergence that have been proposed , and consider which form of convergence is the most significant for the future of new media

According to Gordon the term "convergence " hails from science and mathematics , but the Oxford dictionary has mentioned that the word has been used in 17 /18th century to measure the speed of

sound and timing the interval in canon fire . He mentions that in the 21st century corporate world convergence has been applied in variety of way ranging from mergers of corporations to technological development or marketing efforts which makes it meaning quite confusing

In biology convergence is a meant an observance tendency of living forms which are unrelated phylogenetically . In simple words it is a mechanism built by nature for animals and plants , when faced with a problem , they develop solution . The same term has been applied in the 20th century for various political and economics systems (US and Soviet systems while in the 1960s and 1970s it has been applied in computers and technology gave it new meaning . The arrival of computer age also provided the understanding to store and retrieve information over the network . This change allowed news and texts to be delivered electronically . This term was further affirmed with the arrival of internet in 1990s and it was predicted that World Wide Web is one grand system making convergence an everyday word

There have been many predictions of digital age and science fictions environment all of which have not arrived yet , but in the past one decade the world has changed enormously . For example the success of Apple Mp3 player is its convergence making audio (data ) portable Similarly the online libraries arrival was unthinkable a few years ago but now it 's working . It is true that the real convergence of technology has not taken place due to several limitations such as slower internet connections , complex interface and expensive technology , but things are coming up . One major change is the arrival of digital TV which arrived sooner than later . For example mobile phone added with cameras , media players and other accessories all synchronized together , an idea unthinkable a few years ago . Today wireless communication is becoming more widespread than the tradition medium

The US wireless Communication Association has mentioned that the US wireless has generated US 118 million in 2004 with 3 .6 million jobs directly dependent on wireless communication which will rise up further in coming decade . This and many other possibilities exists in media technology especially after the arrival of cheaper VOD and 2 ways TV or mobile TV or interactive TV for future portable devices , there will be greater integration and convergence among various media . There are many implications for media technology . For example gamming industry is looking forward to create more realistic...

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