Session 2: Martin Lister

Hey, this is Alina and I picked Digitality and Dispersal:

1.) Digitality: In a digital process a certain input of data is converted into numbers and is thus compressed, dematerialised, it can be modiefied and accessed at a very high speed.

In my terms: Digital media is any kind of media that is converted into a numerical number. By translating the data into numbers, it disappears from the materialistic world as we know it. We cannot decode digital data into a message that we understand. We have to use a “translater” like a computer. The data is stored as a certain numerical code and it does not exist as a physical object. Therefore it is in a permanent state of flux.

2.) Dispersal: The prodcution and distribution of new media has become decentralised, highly individuated and woven ever more closely into the fabric of everyday life.

In my terms: The production and distribution of new media has never been easy and such a big part of daily life. The borders between consumption and production of media have become fuzzy and people who have only been consumers can now also be producers.

The distribution of media has also become very easy due to the Internet etc. A single message for a selected audience does not exsist any longer. There is rather large amount of messages that is targetetd at a large an not selected audience

Hi, this is Sascha (with a "c" - hope this is not too confusing)

I picked Digitality and Interactivity

1. Digitality according to Lister: "In a digital media process all input data are converted into numbers" and "this is in marked contrast to analogue media where all input data is converted into another physical form."

My understanding: Any physical data (be that texts, movies, music, etc) can be digitized, losing its physical form in the process. Once digitized the data can be modified, accessed and distributed in little time with little effort.

2. Interactivity accroding to Lister: "Digital media offer us a significant increase in our opportunity to manipulate and intervene in media. These opportunities are often referred to as the interactive potential of new media:"

My understanding: The basic idea is that the passive "viewer" becomes the active "user." Whereas a viewer merely receives the data given to him, the user has to choose from a wide range of data to find the information s/he wants, thus collecting information and ultimately creating a new, personalized text. Also, the user can add to a text simply by ,e.g. commenting on it.