Questions for Media and Digital Technology

 JC Church

9/15/26

Digital Media: Theory and Practice

Questions for Media and Digital Technology

1. What is mediation? How do digital technologies illustrate mediation in modern social,

political, and economical life?

    Mediation is the process through which a medium such as technology shapes how people communicate, understand information, and experience the world. Instead of experiencing many events or relationships first hand, people often encounter them through some form of mediation. In social life, technologies such as social media, messaging apps, and video-calling platforms mediate how people communicate and maintain relationships. They allow people to interact across long distances and create online communities. In political life, digital technologies mediate how citizens receive political information and participate in public debate. Social media and online news platforms allow people to follow politicians, discuss political issues, organize movements, and participate in campaigns. Finally, in economic life, digital technologies mediate activities such as shopping, banking, employment, advertising, and financial transactions. Online marketplaces connect buyers and sellers, while platforms for food delivery and ride-sharing connect customers with workers. 

2. What are “new media” and “old media”? How do they compare with “digital media” and

“analog media”? How does the emerging of “new media” transform the society each

time in the history?

    “Old media” refers to traditional forms of communication such as newspapers, books, radio, television, and film, while “new media” refers to newer, interactive and networked forms such as websites, social media, streaming platforms, blogs, and mobile apps. Although most new media are usually digital, “digital media” and “analog media” describe the technological form in which information is stored and transmitted, rather than whether the media is historically old or new. Analog media includes examples such as vinyl records or film, while digital media store information as digital data, such as MP3s, digital photographs, and online videos. Throughout history, the emergence of new media has transformed society by changing how people communicate, access information, share knowledge, and interact with one another. For example, writing allowed knowledge to be preserved, the printing press enabled mass distribution of information, radio and television created mass audiences, and the internet and social media made communication faster, more interactive, and more global. 

3. How does “remediation” relate to digital media as a continuous format of general media

Communication?

    “Remediation” relates to digital media as a continuous format of general media communication in that new technologies do not completely replace older media but instead incorporate their familiar features into new formats. For example, an online newspaper remediates the traditional newspaper by presenting articles, headlines, and photographs digitally, while social media can remediate elements of television, radio, photography, and print. Digital media can therefore be understood as a continuous development of general media communication, where older forms are repeatedly redesigned and combined with new technologies.

4. How do the two characteristics of digital media, convergent and distributed, make social

media communication widespread in today’s world? Use some examples to explain.

    The convergent characteristic of digital media can help make social media communication widespread today in that convergent means that different forms of media, such as text, photos, videos, music, and live broadcasting, can be combined on one digital platform. For example, on Instagram or TikTok, users can create and share videos with music, captions, images, and comments all in one place. Distributed means that digital content can be quickly shared across networks and reach large audiences without depending on traditional media organizations. For example, a post on X, TikTok, or Facebook can be shared and reposted by thousands or even millions of people within a short time. These characteristics make communication faster, more interactive, and more accessible because people can both create and consume content. As a result, social media allows individuals, businesses, news organizations, and communities to communicate with global audiences and spread information almost instantly. 

5. What is technological determinism in understating digital media?

    Technological determinism is the idea that technology strongly influences or determines how society develops and changes. In the context of digital media, it suggests that new technologies such as smartphones, the Internet, social media, and artificial intelligence can shape how people communicate, work, learn, and interact with one another. For example, the development of smartphones and social media has made communication faster, more convenient, and more constant, allowing people to share information instantly from almost anywhere.

6. What is social construction of technology? How does it relate to history of the

technology development in media communication?

    The social construction of technology is the idea that technology is shaped by society rather than developing independently or determining society by itself. People’s needs, values, culture, economic interests, politics, and patterns of use influence how technologies are designed and developed. Thus, technologies such as the printing press, radio, television, the internet, and smartphones developed in response to social demands and were shaped by how people chose to use them. For example, the Internet was originally developed for communication and information sharing, but its later development into social media was influenced by people’s desire to connect, share content, and create online communities.