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last updated 9/2/2013 History of the Evolution of Media: Media and Social Structure through History [based in part on W.L. Haynes (1988) Of that which we cannot write, QJS, 74:71-101 ]
Haynes' Theme: The dominate medium at any period in history is always linked to (necessary to?) the social/ political system that exists.
[CAPS = dominate medium. bold = social/political system]
PRIMARY ORALITY - 100,000 -200 B.C. Tribal structures (characteristics) face to face interaction limited (local) area of control limited individualism - little "self" concept shared consciousness knowledge/truth from personal experience & myth
ELITE LITERACY - 4000/200 B.C.- 1460 A.D. Kingship (characteristics) 2 track society (literate and not) - extended rule leaders and followers - some specialization identity by social role knowledge/truth from authority
MASS LITERACY - 1600 -1950 A.D. Democracy (& socialism) (characteristics) mediated interaction, specialization & high social participation rise of individualism (SELF concept) objective, impersonal truth arises linear and propositional thinking
ELECTRONIC/VIDEO/DIGITAL AGE - 1965 - ... (Post-Democracy ???) (characteristics) more oral and immediate (Global Village) holistic, image oriented impressionistic/emotional (NOT linear)
(effects on identity and truth are not yet clear)
Social Political Effects the Digital Age
1. Less ability to do linear - propositional work, non-visual math, essay writing/case making.
2. Lower levels of critical thinking (impressions only) become more common.
3. The distinction between truth and fiction / reality and invention blurs
4. Empathy at a Distance replaces the more direct (what about near by?)
.. in order to make effective political and economic decisions. · Discussion questions for Tuesday o Where do you get your news? What sorts of news? o Do you think your sources of information are different from your parents and grandparents? How does that affect opinions? o How has the main-stream media (news networks, major newspapers and magazines) affected the discussion on health care? o Are the same (sorts of) people watching cable news as those watching broadcast news? Daily papers? Does that matter (in the health care debate)? o Do you use “new media” (internet based) for civic information? How so? o Do you think Haynes is correct in his general argument? Why or why not? o If Haynes is right, we are moving into a “post-democratic” era. What will government/ public deliberative-decision systems be like in the future?
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