Interactivity

It appears that from the readings this week that the concept of interactivity can be defined in a myriad of different ways.  To begin with in defining interactivity, I tend to agree with the statement in the article Defining Interactivity.  It states, "The examining of interactivity must be narrowed to give a clear definition."  This is a critical point because according to the same article, at it's most topical level interactivity can be defined as face-to-face interaction or as a computer-mediated communication.  Clearly, for our purposes, interactivity is more of a computer-mediated communication, but this shows the huge definition that interactivity can possess.  The definitions on interactivity vary from Rice and Williams who state " Interactivity focused on real-time communication and suggested that media are interactive if they have the potential for two way exchange."  While in the article Interactivity: a Concept explication, McMillan writes "while some scholars see interactivity as a function of the medium itself, others argue that interactivity resides in the perceptions of those who participate in the communication."  The definition changes for everyone.  Personally, I tend to associate interactivity primarily with the Internet.  I agree with the statement "interactivity resides in the perceptions of those who participate in the communication."  For me the definition of interactivity is in direct relation to the timeliness factor.  I agree with the statement from one of the respondents in the article defining interactivity, "almost by definition, interaction requires immediate response."  For me a different sort of interactivity takes place when a person sends an email and doesn't get a response until a few days later.  This seems like more of a delayed interactivity.

In regard to the theory of the Long Tail, I think that the level of interactivity is exactly how I imagine it, which is that it is timely.  As soon as I search for one book on amazon.com, I immediately get a list of other books that are recommended for me.  Many of my amazon.com purchases have been a result of the personal recommendations list.  I definitely think that the Long Tail has viable expectations for future business models.  I agree with the article in that I think the personalization that it provides gives everyone a sense of uniqueness that other stores such as Barnes and Noble do not.  I also think that by taking the buying of books out of the bookstores and onto the internet it is easier to search for exactly what you want, instead of getting caught up in the placement and promotion of the "bestsellers" in a bookstore.  Even though there is still a bestseller section online, it's typically not the first thing I look for when I get on amazon.com, usually I do a search for exactly what I am looking for, and so far thats exactly what I've gotten.