To answer what is “new”, I think that we need to concentrate on the main concept- Media first. So, what are Media? To me, basically, it is a kind of relationship between entertainer and audiences. A way we communicate within different topics and exchange our ideas. For example, when you go to watch a movie, the media between you and the publisher is the film; when you go to the gallery, the media between you and the artist is the artwork in front of you, which builds and connects a kind of relationship between yours. Therefore, media intend to be a kind of relationship.
But in terms of new media, we would raise the question that in which way it is new to us. As I thought, the media is a kind of relationship, so the new media basically give an opportunity to connect entertainers and audiences in a new way. Let’s get a close look at an example before we actually start to analysis how it is new to us. Facebook is absolutely a product of new media. It works to provide a free service to help users to find their friends and promote their relationship. Facebook establishes a computer based on network that virtually shows the relationships between people in the real world which explores it is new in the way it present itself. Moreover, the concept of network is just as what are new media in Tony Feldman’s point of view which he introduces in his article:” Introduction to New Media” Therefore, we could evidence again how the media make a “new” feeling to us is the new basis the media use to present itself. And which way it use? As Manovich said in her article:” Language of New Media”, “The popular definition of new media identifies it with the use of a computer for distribution, rather than with production.” As thus, she discovers the fact that new media is the media based on computer.
New media bring many opportunities as well as benefits to us. Due to the fact that new media is based on computer, so actually it serves people easier and more comfortable in the way that people communicate and exchange ideas with each other. According to Turkle’s belief, “The tools we use to think change the ways in which we think”. However, because it is virtual, changeable and simulate, which raise many problems at the same time when they provide services. The problems, just as Turkle said in her article, change the way we think. For instance, privacy and simulation and its discontents and so on are highlighted these days. Moreover, due to the convenience of the Internet, people could get any information just right away. Again, as Turkle’s point:” The idea of thinking ahead has become exotic.” which strongly support the idea that “ The tools we use to think change the way in which we think.”
As far as we analyze, so what are “new” media? In the second video I post, experts illustrate their own ideas. Some believes that “From marking to viewing to casting to publishing” are all including in new media. Some thinks that “ Text is the new media”, while one expert said “ New media every year means something different.” What they said are absolutely right, because new media create different atmospheres to every individual, therefore it should mean different things. Anyway, as far as I concentrate on this topic, I think new media are new technology-based products that provide different service to people. Because it serves people in different ways so it creates different feelings to every individual. It also develops relationships between entertainers and audiences, which up to what media we use. As long as we enjoy its service, problems are raised. In additional, because it is new to us, so we suppose to change the way we think. It happens automatically, the reason why we change our way of treating things is like human nature. We should make our surrounding more comfortable, so we deal with all the changes we suppose to face.
This is just a little thinking from what I have study, it maybe not correct. And there is a high possibility that I would change my point as far as I learn more things about new media.
