· When you decided to obtain a DVD for your science fiction assignment in Module 4, where did you go to find a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book? I found the DVD, Next at Blockbuster’s store on their science fiction isle.
· Did you rent or purchase a DVD, or did you view it digitally on your computer using Netflix or a similar vendor of video-on-demand? I rented the DVD Next from Blockbusters.
· Is the current competition between DVDs and video-on-demand an example of increasing returns or Red Queens? I think the competition between DVD’s and video-on-demand is an example of Red Queens. As stated by Dr. Thornburg (2009), Red Queen is “A Huge competition between two technologies, in the process. All other competitors are left behind. Everything falls aside.” Unfortunately, video-on-demand has caused DVD rental stores to fall behind/become obsolete.
· Justify your response with sound reasoning and specific examples.
Last year, I remember quite a few of the Blockbuster stores closing. We are living in a time of convenience and accessibility. Some pros to utilizing video-on- demand are there are not any late fees associated, movies can be watched over and over for a low monthly fee, you can watch the movies anywhere, and there is not a need to leave home. HBO subscribers can sign up for movie on demand for free. I think this is Netflix completion, because instead of having two monthly bills they only have the one cable payment that provides customers the same options as Netflix.
· Where do you think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad? As of today, I would say that DVD’s would fall under the retrieval and video-on- demand would be Enhancement.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009a). Increasing returns featuring Dr. David Thornburg. United States: Walden University. Podcasts retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6200933&Survey=1&47=4862829&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009b). Red queens featuring Dr. David Thornburg. United States: Walden University. Podcasts retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6200933&Survey=1&47=4862829&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009b). Red queens featuring Dr. David Thornburg. United States: Walden University. Podcasts retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6200933&Survey=1&47=4862829&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
