Being a child born in the late 80's I can relate to the massive transformation of communication that has happened over the past decade. The way we communicate today is quite different than what it used to be, however, we still have the need to send a message to someone and have that message be received. McLuhan (1964) had the right idea, "the 'content' of any medium is always another medium." In other words the same message can be sent in different ways, the important thing is that the message is understood, or that the individuals communicating are able to "reach mutual understanding" (Rogers, 2003).
This leads us to new media. According to the picture below, new media is what any form of technological, visual or interactive medium used in order to communicate or be entertained. I think the image below paints a pretty accurate picture of what new media can do for people. I think the important aspect to touch on is the fact that new media allows us to send and receive messages anywhere with the simple click of a button. For example, currently I am writing this blog post on my iPhone while sitting in an airport. My image below proves just that. Without these capabilities I would not e able to complete this assignment. Through the Internet, the blog and a smart phone (all aspects of new media) I can do pretty much anything.
The question that remains is whether or not these advancements are improving our lives, yes they certainly make thing easier. Many have researched the possibility that text messages and instant messaging has affected teens grammar. The following article is only one piece of the puzzle.
http://www.bamaed.ua.edu/edtechcases/Case%20Numbers/text%20messaging%20and%20grammar_Case%2011.pdf
Dennis (1999) points out the fact that there have been many changes to how people do the action of writing. These advances seem to come naturally to us and we advance as does technology.. The thing about new media can come down to the fact that we do now, love in a fast paced world, we needed a way for messages to be sent and received quickly. Englebart (1962) said that people always find ways to solve problems. New media was the solution the the speed of communication problem.
