need help defining thesis subject ...

farrah · Oct 27th, 2009, 06:57 PM

ok people ..

now i am in the phase of finalizing the thesis topic for my Master's (networked-media design) ... and i am going through such crappy shifts in my head that it's insane. i really need to bring it down to a precise topic, and i need you guys' help!
to make a little clear of what i am studying ... the degree is a mix of art and technology, and works on an open-source mentality.

topics that are of interest to me:

1. cults and occults
2. secret societies
3. fake promises of the open-societies (as opposed to open-society and it's enemies, by karl popper)
4. feminism
5. religion
6. illusion art
7. graphic design
8. virtual vs substantial (impact of online worlds on the real world)

my problem is that i can think of something that can perhaps write a good essay, but i cant mould it into a "practical project"

for example, if i am interested in comparing the cult systems of shrines and fake-saints and it's melas (carnivals) as a classic example of a closed working system with a open-system outlook to that of the prostitution network ... then how do i do make a practical project out of it that is relevant?

i am extremely open to ideas .. even those that have nothing to do with the list that i have written ...
i am in serious need of help, i feel completely lost!

farrah · Oct 27th, 2009, 08:19 PM

no one?

NaMaan · Oct 28th, 2009, 01:21 AM

Moderator's Note:

Farrah I moved this thread to 'All Views'. I hope you will get better help here.

Lucid Chaotic · Oct 28th, 2009, 01:29 AM

Farrah, when you say practical project, what's the scope of your research. Is it going to involve empirical research and if so, what types of methods for data collection and analysis do you have training in / will you use?

I know that ideally, these questions follow the topic of thesis, but many times I've seen reverse engineering helping define the scope of research.

Your topic #8 is somewhat related to the type of research I'm engaged in myself, and I can brainstorm more with you on it if you like.

NaMaan · Oct 28th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Choose a topic that is more applicable in real world and can buy you a better job . I think if you concentrate finding some topic related to technology then it will help you a lot .

You might want to research on online communities . Just an idea

farrah · Oct 28th, 2009, 12:02 PM

data collection and analysis has to be based upon existing theories on socialism/politics/philosophy/fiction/wikipedia/etc that is related to my project ...
i am basically a (print/front-end)graphic designer, so its a challenge in itself to be in a program heavily relying on programming.

as for no.8 ... my interest in the topic is how virtual identities are shutting down human contact and change the way we live and experience life, and it effect human physical behaviour. (i am a conservative romanticist i guess) ... have you seen the vdo by the MIT lab where they've created a sixth sense portable something:

" Computer scientist Jeff Han intends to reinvent computing by replacing traditional point-click user interfaces with dynamic touch screens. Robert Full wants to enhance transit and robotics by studying the motion of animals whose system of locomotion can adapt to nearly any surface. And Juan Enriquez discusses oil energy -- derived, ultimately, from ancient plants -- and wonders why we can't develop methods to "grow" energy as efficiently as we grow wheat.

Blaise Aguera y Arcas demonstrates his powerful new software, Photosynth, which fuses digital photographs from unrelated sources into fluid, three-dimensional tapestries of real environments. Alan Russell wants to use bioengineered tissue to regenerate damaged body parts. And Chris Anderson of WIRED discusses how emerging technologies -- matched with the right business model -- can make an impact of perhaps surprising magnitude. Email to a friend "

saw this vdo on ted(dot)com ... what's next in tech

Ahsan111 · Oct 28th, 2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farrah

data collection and analysis has to be based upon existing theories on socialism/politics/philosophy/fiction/wikipedia/etc that is related to my project ...
i am basically a (print/front-end)graphic designer, so its a challenge in itself to be in a program heavily relying on programming.

as for no.8 ... my interest in the topic is how virtual identities are shutting down human contact and change the way we live and experience life, and it effect human physical behaviour. (i am a conservative romanticist i guess) ... have you seen the vdo by the MIT lab where they've created a sixth sense portable something:

" Computer scientist Jeff Han intends to reinvent computing by replacing traditional point-click user interfaces with dynamic touch screens. Robert Full wants to enhance transit and robotics by studying the motion of animals whose system of locomotion can adapt to nearly any surface. And Juan Enriquez discusses oil energy -- derived, ultimately, from ancient plants -- and wonders why we can't develop methods to "grow" energy as efficiently as we grow wheat.

Blaise Aguera y Arcas demonstrates his powerful new software, Photosynth, which fuses digital photographs from unrelated sources into fluid, three-dimensional tapestries of real environments. Alan Russell wants to use bioengineered tissue to regenerate damaged body parts. And Chris Anderson of WIRED discusses how emerging technologies -- matched with the right business model -- can make an impact of perhaps surprising magnitude. Email to a friend "

saw this vdo on ted(dot)com ... what's next in tech

interesting

farrah · Oct 28th, 2009, 05:01 PM

yes ahsan ... indeed it's very interesting ... but i REALLY need feedback and help ... my problem is that i am scared to get stuck with something that i will get bored with by february ... or will not be able to accomplish, or something that i wont be able to turn into a good practical project ...