Definition. Media ecology is all about understanding how people interact with media and how those interactions shape our culture and our daily experiences. (Griffin, Ledbetter, Sparks, 2015, pg 317)
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The MEDIUM* is the MESSAGE...
which means that media shapes our experiences and create change in our world. (Griffin, Ledbetter, Sparks, 2015, pg 316-17)
which means that media shapes our experiences and create change in our world. (Griffin, Ledbetter, Sparks, 2015, pg 316-17)
According to Lance Strate, media ecology is "the study of media environments, the idea that technology and techniques, modes of information and codes of communication play a leading role in human affairs." (Strate, 1999)
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Diving Deeper...
The word ecology "implies the study of environments: their structure, content, and impact on people. Media ecology is the study of media as environments." (Postman, 1980) |
Now that we understand the definition of Media Ecology,
there are 4 ages to keep in mind...
there are 4 ages to keep in mind...
Tribal Age
In the beginning, the ear was the dominant sense. Using the ear instead of the eye creates a holistic view of the world.
Literacy Age
Hearing is no longer trustworthy, now it's all about "seeing it in writing." Since tribes no longer needed to come together for information, proximity became less important.
Proximity is "closeness" ("Definition of PROXIMITY", 2017)
Proximity is "closeness" ("Definition of PROXIMITY", 2017)
With less proximity, interpersonal relationships became impersonal.
Print Age
The visual era; mass production of books now able to efficiently reach their audience, mass production of newspapers would spread word of the biggest news and stories.
Electronic Age
The world is now a global village. With the help of electronic media, we are now constantly in touch with everyone, everywhere.
Examples Include:
Television
Radio
Cellular Phone
Video Camera
Personal Computer
Copy Machine
Fax
Video Game
Printer
Television
Radio
Cellular Phone
Video Camera
Personal Computer
Copy Machine
Fax
Video Game
Printer
Example of a form of electronic, the Apple iPhone. Electronics make the world seem smaller because of the ability to connect to our interests easily.
Lastly...
Digital Age (?)
The digital age is fully electronic. Digital technology is altering the electronic environment with the emergence of digital tribes forming around ideas, beliefs, values, interests, and fetishes.
(Her, 2013)
This video example portrays the most extreme example of the possibilities of the digital age, with a man falling in love with a personal computer's operating system.
Never forget...
"the MEDIUM is the MESSAGE" (Griffin, Ledbetter, Sparks, 2015, pg 316)
Medium- Specific type of media, i.e. books, newspapers, radio, television.
Media- Human-invented technology that extends the possibilities of communication.
Medium- Specific type of media, i.e. books, newspapers, radio, television.
Media- Human-invented technology that extends the possibilities of communication.