What does "new" really mean?

We All Want to Change the World:
The Ideology of Innovation in Digital Media
By: Espen Aarseth

In this reading, Aarseth takes on the task of discussing the many terms related to new media that are problematic and seemingly indefinable. Since my first introduction to new media studies and technology I have been adding to and changing my personal definition of new media, interactivity, hypermediacy, and reality. In reading this chapter, I took comfort in the fact that defining these terms is just as difficult for those in the field as it is for me. At the same time, I take comfort in knowing that these terms are always evolving, I feel like the “shape-shifty” nature of these words requires me to constantly be analyzing my own understanding of them, which is a good thing for anyone. This essay really made me ask myself to consider how I conceptualize these terms, and how I can defend my definitions of them. In regard to new media, I prefer to think of the concept of re-design, and remediation of media to meet new needs as opposed to the creation of something truly “new”. What a way to the end the semester; we have come full circle with these questions again, and it’s still just as difficult now as it was at the beginning to define what new media really is…I love it.

Ethics in Cyberspace

Proper Distance: Toward an Ethics for Cyberspace
By: Roger Silverstone

In reading Silverstone’s essay, I was reminded of two things, first my love for the metaphysical and second, the fact the technology has changed the way I interact with others on a daily basis. Were it not for Myspace, Facebook and email, I would not have kept in contact with so many people throughout my life.

By leading us to look at ethics in cyberspace through a metaphysical lense, we are able to consider both the physical and virtual idea of reality, human vulnerability, and the finite vs. infinite. When I think the metaphysical in relation to cyberspace, the idea that reality is what we make it encompasses new meaning. Reality is truly what we choose for it to be in cyberspace. I can be, say, and do anything in cyberspace, which is why Silverstone’s discussion of ethics is so important. He clearly calls for us to take responsibility for others in these spaces. We have an obligation to look out for each other as if we were neighbors in the traditional sense. I really appreciate the sentiment Silverstone expresses here. Ethical action must not be based on the expectation of rewards, but rather on the fact that we should treat those in the cyberspace as neighbors. Through cyberspace we are able to go beyond physical distance to form relationships with “Others” all over the world with out the physical and social barriers of race, gender, age, and status. The only way we can move towards ethics on the Internet is through the spread of compassion and responsibility for others, an idea that I think is worth spreading.

Updated Definition of New Media:

I define New Media as media that is related to the digital world of technology and for that reason possesses multimodal qualities. According to Manovech, New Media can be represented numerically and is modular, meaning it is made up of many smaller parts.
Another defining characteristic of new media is its interactive nature, variability, and hypermedia. Users of new media have freedom to choose how they interact with a document or design. Questions of design and re-design also play an important role in determining what new media is.
I would also like to include the global aspects of speed of communication and mass production as defining characteristic of new media. New Media allows us the choice to react to and interact with the text in ways that were previously unavailable to us in traditional media. New Media makes it possible for anyone with access to technology the ability to create, manipulate, share, and participate in and with the world around him or her in new ways.