Media and Existence Today

TL;DR

Media theory has evolved from mass media to social media, focusing on profilicity and second-order observation.

Transcript

20th Century Media Theory, was, naturally, Mass Media theory, it focused on print media, on film, and TV. Moreover, it belonged to the “age of authenticity”, and its core question was: Can the media “make the people speak”? Can they make people more autonomous and society more participatory? Today, after decades of Internet and new media, we need a... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔉 Media theory has shifted from mass media to social media, emphasizing profilicity and second-order observation.
• 🌍 Examples like Pop Idol and interactive media illustrate the evolution towards a virtual life world inhabited by profiles.
• 👷 The concept of the general peer in social media enables individuals to engage in social validation feedback loops and identity construction.
• 🔉 The coupling between politics and media has transformed politics into profile politics, shaping both elections and political activism.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has 20th-century media theory evolved to encompass social media?

20th-century media theory has expanded to include social media, emphasizing the concept of profilicity and second-order observation, reflecting a shift in media dynamics towards interactive and participatory platforms.

Q: What are some examples that illustrate the shift to second-order observation in media?

Examples like Pop Idol, theme park photos, interactive media, and Korean graphic novels showcase how individuals are now being observed by a general peer in a virtual setting, emphasizing the concept of profilicity.

Q: What role does second-order observation play in media today?

Second-order observation in media today enables individuals to be seen as being seen, fostering social validation feedback loops with the general peer and shaping identity construction in virtual spaces like social media.

Q: How does the concept of profilicity challenge traditional notions of authenticity in media theory?

Profilicity challenges authenticity in media theory by emphasizing the importance of social validation feedback loops and profile-building in online spaces, moving away from the ideals of originality and sincerity towards a new form of existentialism.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• 20th-century media theory focused on mass media like print, film, and TV, aiming to make people more autonomous and society participatory.

• Today's media theory includes social media, highlighting the concept of profilicity and second-order observation.

• Examples like Pop Idol, theme park photos, interactive media, and Korean graphic novels showcase the shift from first- to second-order observation.