Where Old and New Media Collide, Essay Example

The difference between new media and old media

Old media communication dates back to the fifth century where it involved one-way communication. In these early days,theatre was the popular mode of communication used. In this regard, several actors, or messengers could be on stage performing live before the audience. This was the most popular mode of entertainment for centuries. In the year 1452, everything changed because of Gutenberg conception of the movable communication. He created a machine, which wasusing the wine press, and oil- based ink to print books. This innovation led to the propagation of scientific and academicprogress. In 1886, Hertz Heinrich discovered radio or electromagnetic waves by using his transmitter device. This was themost important bolt that boosted the media growth. This led to the introduction of the radio transmissions together with other innovations that led to the black and white televisions and radio signal transmissions.

Numerical representation is a major difference between new and old media. The old media constitutes continuous data while new media consists of numerical codes and distinct units. Digital codes allow the description and recognition of new media using the mathematical formulae. However, other forms of formulas (McCurry 273) can manipulate this. Forexample, in any entertainment industry, algorithms are applied to improve the appearance of the photographs. Without theuse of algorithms, the viewers may encounter unrealistic and distorted media objects. It is easier to transform the oldmedia to new media by using a process known as digitization. Digitization process samples the data and assigns them numerical values. In addition, digitization transforms continuous data to discrete data. Manovich explained in his articlesthat most media contain both discrete and continuous data. For example, in motion picture films, time is divided into parts. These parts are the frame, which is made up of the photograph, and discrete data, which is made up of manysamples. Manovich explained that new media contains discrete units because it began at the time of industrial revolution, when everything was done in a standardized manner. New media allows for extreme flexibility and ability to createimages, which are difficult, time consuming, and even impossible when using old media.

Modularity is another difference between old and new media. In the new media, media components, such as images andsound are independent (Keenan 104). This allows the editing and manipulation of one element without affecting otherelements. When editing films using Adobe Premiere, it allows one to work on sounds and images independently. Thechanges made on each of the elements do not have any effect on the subsequent element. Changes made on these elementscan be reversed when need arises. On the other hand, changes made in old media are irreversible and can even ruin thewhole object. It is noteworthy that professionals and artists can convert old media to new media. Therefore, they can experiment, edit, and improve their tasks without any risks. Internet is another example on this part since it permits independent editing and access of the web pages.

Automation is another crucial difference between old media and new media. Automation can be used to remove humanintentionality from the creative process. Artificial intelligence, artificial life program that is used by filmmakers, andautomatic filters on Photoshop are good examples of automation. It has become easier in the 21st century to locateexisting images than creating your own images. Now days electronic database like Google, flick, and Getty images havemade our lives easier. This is because we can access new media quickly and in an effective manner. In addition, digital arthas been more useful and discipline as it has boasted techniques and complexity, which are almost the same with traditional art. In most cases, this takes much effort and time like old media art (Jenkins 192).

New media has a conversation while old media does not have any conversation as it deliver a message or lecture. In theold media, the messenger was sent with a parcel from one destination to the other. On reaching the destination, he/she delivers the message and return without any other conversation. The messenger could not bring back any communicationor message from the other end. This is unlike the current situation where people communicate using phones, facebook, email, and twitter. The person sending the message will receive the feedback instantly without wasting time. This form of communication using the new media is much convenient as compared to old media. New media has some fun as compared to old media where it takes itself seriously. In the new media, the people communicating will have some funwhen they are communicating to an extent of playing some jokes. This is because the message is delivered and thefeedback is received immediately. On the other hand, old media does not give any room for fun. This is because thesender delivers the message and returns to his/her destination without having any fun with the receiver (McCurry 65).

The new media acknowledges criticism and tries to learn from the mistakes. This is because the new media gives roomfor discussion between the parties. The two parties can discuss their issues and arrive at plausible solutions within a shorttime. This will help both parties to learn, accept, and correct their mistakes. On the other hand, old media views thediscussion as an attack, which can extend to defensive leading to exact revenge. The old media is not acknowledging thepeer publications. These are publications, which are initiated by the youths. They are concerned on the interests of theyouth, which was not recognized by the old media. This is because adults treat the situation as a lack of respect from theyouth and they did not allow them to practice it. On the other hand, new media recognize the interests of the youth andallow them to exchange their publications without any restriction. This made the youth adapt the new types of socialcommunication such as facebook, twitter, and email.

Old media views the new forms of social communication as waste of time and resources. This is because the youths andother people who are interested spend most of their time on the internet. This will make them spend some money in buying bundles or going to cyber cafes to access the services. According to old media the youth and other people, should be discouraged from using and embracing these new media elements. The new media accept and encourage everyone to use the new media forms of communication. The new media does not explain the effects of the new forms of communication. They leave the individuals to decide on their own or learn from other people (Keenan 99). When it comesto old media youths and any other persons using the media are advised on the positive and negative effects of the media. The new media is accessible to many people and the information can reach many people within a short time. For example, the advertisements on goods and services by different organizations reach out to many customers. This is through radio, television, and even the internet. This is unlike the old media where the communication can be delivered to a fewindividuals who can access the old media forms of communication. In addition, the new media is useful and effective to the government when communicating to people in various locations. The information send is delivered to more than 90% of the population. This is unlike the old media where someone is send with a parcel, message, or signal. The message will reach few people and it will be ineffective. In addition, the message can be distorted on the way before reaching thedestination.

New media enables people to communicate in many ways. For example, a company can communicate to the customersusing displays as an advertisement. The customers will be viewing the displayed items when passing by and they will be attracted to the items that they can buy. The old media does not have any communication to be used by companies ororganizations. Instead, they are delivering specific messages to the receiver who will bring back the feedback after sometime. The new media enables the company to advertise their goods and services direct to the target populations (McCurry 231). For example, when the youths are targeted, social media is the best mode of advertising. This is because the youthspend most of their time on the social media and they will encounter the advertised items. In addition, when the itemadvertised is targeting the old generation, radio or television is the best mode of advertising. This is because older peoplespend most of their time listening to the radio. In the old media, there is no specific advertisement, as it is general.

Today reading magazines and listening to the radio has reduced significantly. This is because the current generations are reading their news online using the internet and the search engine. These are new forms communication and ways of accessing information associated with new media. Magazines and radios are damped slowly as they are associated with old media due to emerging trends associated with new media. Many people of frequent changes and improvements in technology increasingly adopt new media. Now days everywhere in the world any activity is becoming digital (Jenkins 152). Technology plays a crucial role in every activity that is performed. These activities include withdrawals and deposits of money, business transactions, management in learning in institutions, and medical examinations in the hospital among others.In the growing generation where everything has become digital, embrace of the new media is inevitable. This willmake work easier, save time, and improve the quality of services offered in various fields. Old media should be transformed to new media to bring all the people to the same level. These will break the variance, which exists between the people using old media and those using the new media.

Works Cited

Jenkins, Henry. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NY: NYU Press, 2006

Keenan, Thomas. New Media, Old Media: A History and Theory Reader. United Kingdom: Psychology Press, 2006

McCurry, Mike. Media Relations Handbook for Agencies, Associations, Nonprofits, and Congress. United States: The Capitol Net Inc, 2004.