Man Oh Manovich

Manovich's first principle of New Media is Numerical Representation. I automatically think of the Matrix because it shows that all new media can be represented by numbers, ones and zeros. These numbers are used to transfer data and information from one computer to another. So, when you create an image on your computer it builds the image based on a language of ones and zeros. You can then open the same image on another computer because it transfers the universal language to the other computer.

The second principle that Manovich discusses is Modularity. This is the idea that several individual parts make up the whole. When you watch a video you often see images and audio. This principle comes from the idea that if you were to take away the images from the video you would only have a song and no longer have a video. Each individual part is necessary in order to have the whole be what you want it to be.

Automation, Manovich's third principle, helps to improve quality and minimize errors. It could be seen as a template or a fill in the blank. It is a way for the person creating the media to simplify and magnify all the different parts. It also allows you to change the elements of a program. An example of this would be a blog template. You are given different sections to fill out with things like blog name, authors, about me, etc. What you put in the template then creates the blog and from there you can edit and change styles, themes, colors, etc.

Manovich describes Variability as all the different versions of the same media. When new media is created it has infinite alterations, anyone can take it and edit it the way they want.It can also be a software update or a new add on. An example of this would be a group picture. Say you take a picture with all of your friends and each of you posts it on Instagram, but you post it with a border, Sally posts it with a design on it and Sue crops Sally out before she posts it. Each person posted the same picture, but it was altered in various ways.

Manovich's final principle is Transcoding. This principle describes the process of taking one form of media and turning it into another. A simple example of this would be turning a word document into a PDF. Another idea would be taking a form of old media such as a vinyl record and converting it into an MP3 file. A project that I did for my grandpa over the summer.

The principle that I think is most applicable to our culture undergoing computerization is variability. Things are constantly changing and it is important for us to be updated and have all the latest software, even though it only has one change. Every where I go something is being updated. My apps on my phone are constantly fixing bugs or adding new features. We live in a world where we are striving to constantly be better and faster, this is why I think variability is so important.