Understanding New Media: Chapters 16-22

In chapters 16-22, Logan focuses on the print, comics, the printed word and books, the wheel, bicycle, and airplane, the photograph, the press and the news, and the motocar. The New Media has definitely revolutionized the printed word and books. With the amount of digitalized information easily accessible on the Internet, there is concern that use of books amongst young people is rapidly declining. While this may be true, Logan claims that the Internet has also augmented the time spent reading. Another issue that arose was that New Media technology would eventually lead to the extinction of books. This idea was quickly dismissed because it is proven that the brain can absorb information more efficiently when read from paper as opposed to a computer screen. However, there is a possibility that paper-based journals could disappear due to monetary inconveniences from production and distribution. A major development in the New Media aspect of books is the e-book which gave rise to a new market. E-books are more portable, cheaper, more available, and are environmentally friendly. Now one can have access to several books all stored and available to read on one device. Although the e-book is convenient, there is a certain quality to paper books that is irreplaceable. Similarly to this evolution of reading mediums is the digitalization of photos. The Internet gives us access to a whole new photographic experience. Photographs are much more mobile and we also have the power to edit and enhance our photos. Now than ever before, our photographs are more public and easily shared. Websites such as Flickr and Picasa allow us to upload multiple photos for us to share or just to store as an archive. Furthermore, social networks like Facebook and Twitter have catalyzed picture taking. Now that we now our friends and family can view our pictures, we feel more inclined to take pictures of our experiences mainly to share with others. The New Media has also impacted one of the most important types of media- the news. News channels and even newspapers have been forced to adapt to the new technological age. In order to keep up, channels and newspapers such as CNN and The New York Times created digital extensions via the web. Now through their websites, they can give their audiences detailed articles just with a click of a button. They can even post interviews and short clips in order to enhance their stories.