The Three-Dimensional Concept of New Media: Notes on New Media Studies

MACEK, Jakub. The Three-Dimensional Concept of New Media: Notes on New Media Studies. In Channels of Transition: 2nd Czech-Polish-Slovak Communication Conference. 2009.

Basic information

• Original name: The Three-Dimensional Concept of New Media: Notes on New Media Studies
• Name (in English): The Three-Dimensional Concept of New Media: Notes on New Media Studies
• Authors: MACEK, Jakub.
• Edition: Channels of Transition: 2nd Czech-Polish-Slovak Communication Conference, 2009.

Other information

• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: Conference slides
• Organization unit: Faculty of Social Studies

Abstract

New media studies have undergone a significant development during last two decades. From mostly hyped, futurologist, techno-deterministic and obviously ideologically oriented discourses they have turned to normalized, multidisciplinary field of research, which is significantly and closely related to the theoretical and methodological heritage of media studies. New media studies have employed very critical relation to theoretical reductionism, they accepted multicausal, symbolically oriented approach to media technologies as social phenomena and they also opened themselves to a historicizing view of new media. However, ongoing criticism within new media studies repeatedly reveals and underlines the fact that the field still lacks a basic conceptual kernel. That theoretical core is necessary for many reasons – mainly because it 1) offers an answer to still “open” question what new media “are”, 2) consequently, it has significant theoretical and methodological implications, 3) and, finally, it gives us a comprehensive view of the terrain of actual and possible research agenda. This paper contributes to the debate about the issue – it offers three-dimensional theoretical model of new media. The model is based on non-deterministic, multi-causal approach to new media as socially constructed phenomena and evolves discussion about holistic conception of media technologies. New media are thus conceived as complex of mutual relations between technological artifact, social actions and institutions (uses) and surrounding sociocultural, political and economic contexts.

Abstract (in English)

New media studies have undergone a significant development during last two decades. From mostly hyped, futurologist, techno-deterministic and obviously ideologically oriented discourses they have turned to normalized, multidisciplinary field of research, which is significantly and closely related to the theoretical and methodological heritage of media studies. New media studies have employed very critical relation to theoretical reductionism, they accepted multicausal, symbolically oriented approach to media technologies as social phenomena and they also opened themselves to a historicizing view of new media. However, ongoing criticism within new media studies repeatedly reveals and underlines the fact that the field still lacks a basic conceptual kernel. That theoretical core is necessary for many reasons – mainly because it 1) offers an answer to still “open” question what new media “are”, 2) consequently, it has significant theoretical and methodological implications, 3) and, finally, it gives us a comprehensive view of the terrain of actual and possible research agenda. This paper contributes to the debate about the issue – it offers three-dimensional theoretical model of new media. The model is based on non-deterministic, multi-causal approach to new media as socially constructed phenomena and evolves discussion about holistic conception of media technologies. New media are thus conceived as complex of mutual relations between technological artifact, social actions and institutions (uses) and surrounding sociocultural, political and economic contexts.