Doug Eyman, in “Digital Rhetoric: Theory, Method Practice”, discusses the varying definitions revolving around new media and how confusing it can be. Depending on the person, the definition changes slightly and pulls from different mediums. As Eyman does best, he uses the words of others in an attempt to encapsulate what it means.
Definition
One of the most prominent voices that Eyman highlights is Lev Manovich. Manovich uses varying media forms in order to create his theory. His theory really centers around pulling on older media and reshaping it into something new and, in a sense, ‘improved’. According to him, it separates itself from the old style because it is more computer-accessible and digital-orientated. In order to really cement his ideas, he creates his own five principles. These principles include numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability, and transcoding. These principles help to highlight the differences between old and new media and the fact that it is constantly changing.
Differing Perspectives
Eyman uses the voices of Parker and Jordan to depict a slightly differing perspective as opposed to Manovich. Parker and Jordan focused on five different elements including integration, interactivity, hypermedia, immersion, and narrativity. There are key differences between the two because Manovich focuses on formation whereas Packer and Jordan focuses on the terms of objects. Although there are differences, Manovich, Parker, and Jordan all operate under the assumption that new media is primarily digital and thrives in the digital realm.
New vs. Old
In my most recent blog post, “Content, Medium, and Rhetoric in Media”, I discuss new and old media and some of the stark differences between the two. It’s noted that new media is something that can be changed and it doesn’t lie stagnant. On the opposing side, old media is still and can’t be constantly changed. New media is looked at in a more digital sense because of the ability to constantly edit and modify content in a digital setting. If something was printed or even recorded (like a movie), it can’t be changed after being released. There can be new versions produced with edits, but the original can’t be edited and modified.
Leave a Reply