Mediamorphosis

Mediamorphosis is a theory by Roger Fidler that states that new media do not arise spontaneously and independently but the morph from something that is existing or emerge gradually from the metamorphosis while the older forms of media tend to adapt and evolve continuously rather than to die. The Mediamorphosis theory is also known as the ‘digital metamorphosis’ that explains and estimate the changes in the digital world and its culture. ‘New Media’ is created to update and upgrade the old media where technology is constantly changing, and involving from time to time.

This term used by the Fidler means “the transformation of communication media, usually brought about by the complex interplay of perceived needs, competitive and political pressures and scial ang technological innovations” (Fidler, 1997)

For example, Digitalization is a main feature of Mediamorphosis of the artistic communication and its development is important to the production, reproduction and distribution and reception of products. Digitalization changed the way we manipulate texts, images and sounds which are used to be tied to paper film, vinyl and more. New forms of art are introduced such as 3D modelling, installations, hybrids, film arts and etc.

Fidler identifies six principles of Mediamorphosis: Coexistence and coevolution of media forms, gradual metamorphosis of new media forms from old ones, propagation of dominant traits in media forms in media forms, survival of media forms and enterprises in changing environment, merits and needs for adopting new media and delays from proof of concept to widespread adoption of new media.

The first principle: Coexistence and coevolution of media states that all media coexist with other media and that these media coevolve and influence over time and development of their existing form. I.e., the AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio coevolved with television after the World War II era and coevolved to FM (Frequency Modulation) radio to take most of the music audience.

The second principle: Gradual metamorphosis explains that new media arise gradually changes or develop from another media format.

The third principle: Propagation explains that media propagate dominant traits from older forms and are passed and spread to the new media. For example, News prints and televisions are developed to websites that positions articles and headlines and adding video segments on the website. Another example is form of distributing information or a message. Instant messaging and short messaging as a new form to transmit information. This is the convergence of a form of person to person communication through mass medium and it had to evolve to the environment.

The fourth principle: Survival where the old media continues to adapt and evolve in accordance to the changing conditions of time rather than to die.

The fifth principle is the Opportunity and needs where new media don’t succeed  without market opportunity and motivating social, political, and economical reasons.

The last principle: Delayed Adoption states that new technologies take longer than expected to attain commercial success.

The three great Mediamorphosis in human communication are:

1.      Spoken language

Development of “broadcast” forms of storytelling and ritual performances.

Leads to social group formation and complex problem solving skills

2.      Written Language

Development of portable documents, printing, mass media

3.      Digital Language

This allows communication through technology or machines between humans. Technology extends human interactions widespread throughout the world. The three domains of human communication are:

·         Interpersonal- communication between one person to another

·         Broadcast- refers to the level of conveyance

·         Document or Internet- refers to mass media such as radio and television news.

In this sense it is not seen here only as a new distribution channel that enhances in an unprecedented way of already is existing distribution channels.

In conclusion, Mediamorphosis is a way of thinking on the technological evolution of communication media that emerge gradually from the metamorphosis of old media and the when latest forms of communication media emerge, the older forms don’t die but adapt and evolve.­­­Mediamorphosis

Mediamorphosis is a theory by Roger Fidler that states that new media do not arise spontaneously and independently but the morph from something that is existing or emerge gradually from the metamorphosis while the older forms of media tend to adapt and evolve continuously rather than to die. The Mediamorphosis theory is also known as the ‘digital metamorphosis’ that explains and estimate the changes in the digital world and its culture. ‘New Media’ is created to update and upgrade the old media where technology is constantly changing, and involving from time to time.

This term used by the Fidler means “the transformation of communication media, usually brought about by the complex interplay of perceived needs, competitive and political pressures and scial ang technological innovations” (Fidler, 1997)

For example, Digitalization is a main feature of Mediamorphosis of the artistic communication and its development is important to the production, reproduction and distribution and reception of products. Digitalization changed the way we manipulate texts, images and sounds which are used to be tied to paper film, vinyl and more. New forms of art are introduced such as 3D modelling, installations, hybrids, film arts and etc.

Fidler identifies six principles of Mediamorphosis: Coexistence and coevolution of media forms, gradual metamorphosis of new media forms from old ones, propagation of dominant traits in media forms in media forms, survival of media forms and enterprises in changing environment, merits and needs for adopting new media and delays from proof of concept to widespread adoption of new media.

The first principle: Coexistence and coevolution of media states that all media coexist with other media and that these media coevolve and influence over time and development of their existing form. I.e., the AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio coevolved with television after the World War II era and coevolved to FM (Frequency Modulation) radio to take most of the music audience.

The second principle: Gradual metamorphosis explains that new media arise gradually changes or develop from another media format.

The third principle: Propagation explains that media propagate dominant traits from older forms and are passed and spread to the new media. For example, News prints and televisions are developed to websites that positions articles and headlines and adding video segments on the website. Another example is form of distributing information or a message. Instant messaging and short messaging as a new form to transmit information. This is the convergence of a form of person to person communication through mass medium and it had to evolve to the environment.

The fourth principle: Survival where the old media continues to adapt and evolve in accordance to the changing conditions of time rather than to die.

The fifth principle is the Opportunity and needs where new media don’t succeed  without market opportunity and motivating social, political, and economical reasons.

The last principle: Delayed Adoption states that new technologies take longer than expected to attain commercial success.

The three great Mediamorphosis in human communication are:

1.      Spoken language

Development of “broadcast” forms of storytelling and ritual performances.

Leads to social group formation and complex problem solving skills

2.      Written Language

Development of portable documents, printing, mass media

3.      Digital Language

This allows communication through technology or machines between humans. Technology extends human interactions widespread throughout the world. The three domains of human communication are:

·         Interpersonal- communication between one person to another

·         Broadcast- refers to the level of conveyance

·         Document or Internet- refers to mass media such as radio and television news.

In this sense it is not seen here only as a new distribution channel that enhances in an unprecedented way of already is existing distribution channels.

In conclusion, Mediamorphosis is a way of thinking on the technological evolution of communication media that emerge gradually from the metamorphosis of old media and the when latest forms of communication media emerge, the older forms don’t die but adapt and evolve.­­­