breakdown of “As we may think” by Vannevar Bush
Posted by sspaht1 on May 1, 2008
In his essay entitled “As we may think“, Vannevar Bush addresses the meaning of “new media”. He defines new media as computer based artistic activity. It is a placeholder until a more accurate term develops and something new takes on the identity of “new”. I agree with this definition. It seems that it is the best way to make sense of the term, because after all, “new” is never permanent description. Bush came up with eight propostions to answer the question: What is new media? They are as follows:
1. New media is cultural computing whereas cyberculture is social computing.
Bush says that the study of cultural objects is the domain of new media. Hasn’t that been the domain for art in general for centuries?
2. New media is computer technology used as a distribution platform
That is to say that according to popular press, new media is cultural objects which use computer technology for distribution and exhibition. This leaves out paper-based publications. Included in new media is the internet, websites, computer multimedia, computer games, CD Roms, DVDs, virtual reality, and special effects. Not included in this definition are television programs, films, magazines, books, and other paper-based publications. This seems contradictory because the latter group uses computing technologies for production and storage, but this definition is referring to final distribution, to which they do not conform.
3. New media is digital data controlled by software
An example of this is that it is easy to find a word in a text through a simple search, but it is difficult to find an object within an image.
4. New media is the mix between existing cultural conventions and the convenetions of software
An example of this is a clickable image map.
5. New media is the aesthetics that accompanies the early stage of every new modern media and communication technology
Everything is new media at first. Examples are photography, t.v., cinema, telephones, and the internet.
6. New media is faster executions of algorithms
Algorithms were previously executed manually, but thanks to technological advancement, it can be programmed and solved in a fraction of the time.
7. New media is the encoding of modernist avant garde/ metamedia
8. New media is the parallel articulation of similar ideas in post WWII art and modern technology
The proposition of #5 is a redundant statement, but makes the most sense to me. Every new media is “new media” in the beginning. “Media” refers to the medium by which art is created. Digital art and art that is conceived through technology is the conception of our generation. The medium of technology in art is relatively new and constantly evolving, so that leads me to believe that it will be considered “new media” for some time. When compared with classical art of ancient times, the technology and digital art of the even the last 50 years still feels “new”.
