MediaSystem
ThoughtStorms Wiki
JohnRobb asks whether anyone is applying SystemsThinking to the Media. That's a great idea. And I want to think about it too. (scroll http://jrobb.mindplex.org/2004/07/27.html scroll down)
So what are the systematic relations between media?
There are two kinds of analysis based on
- Media types eg. television, weblogs,
and
- Media instances eg. TheGuardian, BBC, ScriptingNews
Some thoughts ...
- Media types may be particularly suited to tackling certain themes. So when those themes become important, the media will benefit. Eg. 9/11 and WarBlogs could have been a major boost to blogging.
- Media types may convey certain messages or encourage certain attitudes. For example, I'm pretty convinced television is responsible for the world-wide resergence of religion in the late 20th century. Preaching doesn't work so well on radio, cinema or newspaper.
- Moreover, MediaAndMaterials, suggests we might assertain which properties of the media encourage these attitudes. Hence fast-media which cover a large distance encourage thinking about geography, media which stays in one place for a long time, makes you think about history. Compare also SpaceVsInformationFlows/WebVsPrint
- Media types and instances are in conflict for attention. (MediaInConflict)
- So there's some displacement of readers from one to another. Could be seen as inhibitory linking within a CompetitiveArchitecture.
- The NetoCracy claim : Media is a network organization in conflict with TheNationState and therefore is always attacking it. (NetoCracy/MediaAgainstTheState)
- Clearly need to read some more MarshallMcLuhan here.
See also :
- MediaAsFlowsAndStocks (more system thinking media)