Novelty
Another theme that should be discussed is the idea of novelty. It seems obvious that information technology keeps things new, but I would argue that it is only in the last 10 years that fundamental cultural changes are happening so that it’s not just about getting the fastest, newest computer but what specific functions it can do for your life. Increasing numbers of people are getting used to living in the “new.” I also argue that as people learn more, they’re becoming more discriminating about the things that are new instead of flocking to the next big thing. For example, many people are excited to buy on DVD movies (and tv shows) they’ve already seen and probably own copies on VHS. But since it’s the “collector’s edition” and includes “deleted scenes that should have been left out anyway,” it’s new and gives people a reason to buy it. In this case, they’ve already chosen the movie; they like it and won’t have to take a chance.
Remediation presents old media and old ideas in new ways and keeps them new. For something substantial to survive in this new computerized culture, it has to either be new or have something novel about it for people to want to keep it around. For example, Neuromancer was published in 1984, the same year that Apple launched its groundbreaking computer and ad. As far as information technology is concerned, 1984 is ancient history. In 2004, the companies that provide the technology are also “old” so they are continuously trying to “think like a start-up” to retain that competitive edge. Both the ideas and the ad have revolutionary, precedent-setting ideas that continue to bring people back to them. Neuromancer asks the questions and we are still trying to come up with the answers.
Novelty definitely also appears in language. In response to the changes in technology, the language must change. People may have heard of Hi-Fi, but do they know Wi-Fi? I find it fascinating that the words we recognize have become more popular than the objects that they originally describe. My favorite example: spam. Now there's an intellectual property nightmare(the link goes back to a previous post on our blog) - they're in danger of losing their trademark! One of the best books that we have read that reflects the theme of novelty is In the Beginning There Was the Command Line, which traces the long lineage of operating systems; each one follows the next because there is something about it, perhaps open source code, that attracts people to it. I welcome your comments!
posted by SB | BS @ 4:31 PM
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