New Media Reader Intro and The Guild

The Guild-

Celebrities addicted to video games over coke was good enough, but now The Guild? Can't have too much of a good thing.... What struck me with this web sitcom was recognition of the new world we live in with alternative communications. Through games such as WOW, people are breaking down age, gender, and racial barriers. My best example come from watching my little brother. He and his friends have found solace in the video game world. I'm sure escapism is at the core of their addictions, but they have found something more. One night I came home and found my brother and two of his friends all sitting in front of the computer. Though, as opposed to talking with each other, they were talking into the mic. Soon I learn that they waited up late for their friend from Pakistan to wake up. They had known this guy for over six months. He was in his thirties, a muslim, married, and employed. My brother at the time was a 15 year old WASP from Middle America. Good things are happening.


New Media Reader Intro-

What strikes me here is the notion that the term "New Media" depicts our confusion of current media progress. Indeed, "New Media" is a vague umbrella term for many new communication and art forms. But what is probably at the root of this confusion is the fear caused by such a speedily developing technology. Scientists, artist, engineers, and philosophers have been collaborating on this "New Media" for decades, creating something that almost tricked the Turing Test, and through this expanded human ideals of identity and democracy. What's more, it has given us the locus point from which to analyze film, tv, and radio in a historical context.

In this brief outline of the history of New Media, we see new discourses develop, particularly around the gaming youth. We see a power struggle between corporate controlled TV and the genius of free information through new media. New market places have emerged, new academic institutions have risen, and a real hope for a more utopic society seems to be just over the next hill. But all of this has come from the tireless work of engineers and scientists and an evolving ethics surrounding individualism and information.

Though this intro challenges the fears of New Media instilled by some of our darker thinkers, I question if our obsession with, and reliance upon, this new media form will not create horrors as of now unmentioned.