Parody or Projection

Instructions

Your job is to create a parody or a projection — one or the other, not both. For further details, see below.

As far as grading, I am looking for creativity as well as insight. If something is funny or visually compelling but it does not make us think, then it has not completely succeeded.

Please consult the Schedule to see when this is due. Create a new wiki page linked form your user page and post the assignment there.

Parody

Create a one page parody of a Web 2.0 or social media site.

A parody is a "work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule." A parody uses humor and wit to highlight the weakness or preposterousness of something, which the public has chosen to forget or ignore.

To create your parody, you can use the wiki, a program like Word or Photoshop, or even draw on a piece of paper, scan it, and upload it to the wiki.

Some examples of Web 2.0 parodies:

• First Life
• Enemybook
• Political Friendster
• Uncyclopedia

Projection

Look through the website Social Networking Watch to get a sense of the cutting-edge social media services that are emerging. Now, try to predict what's next. In other words, put together a mock up for a website that offers a service you believe will be available in the future. I'm not asking you to provide all the details, just to articulate the concept.

To create your projection, you can use the wiki, a program like Word or Photoshop, or even draw on a piece of paper, scan it, and upload it to the wiki.

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