Introduction to New Media

Over the next week I will be delivering a series of posts on New Media. Posts will include “Introduction to New Media”, “Usefulness of New Media”, “Dangers of New Media”, and “What Should Christians do with New Media”.



You may or may not of heard of the term “New Media”, but by virtue of reading this blog, you already know what New Media is. New Media is the term for various types of digital communication been invented and popularized over the last 25 years. 



New Media is characterized by its usefulness for the “common man”. With New Media anyone can produce and distribute his product (i.e. blog, podcast, etc.) for a fraction of the cost of traditional media.



Traditional media includes television, radio, newspapers, and books. Traditional media is controlled by big businesses, and costs literally millions of dollars to produce. In the past it was produced on paper or with analog technology. 



New Media is produced almost solely on personal digital computers. It relies on the internet as its host. New Media includes things such as MySpace, Facebook, blogs (such as this one), iTunes, MP3 players, Podcasts, YouTube, etc.



New Media is affecting everything from how we talk to friends to how we purchase products. New Media is even affecting traditional media. A law will soon come into effect in NJ that states that all television sets must be digital rather than the traditional analog. New Media has already completely taken over music which ten years ago was almost exclusively traditional media. iTunes has completely redefined how we purchase music. In five years no one will own a music CD. 



New Media is currently in the process of taking over movies and even television. Apple has once again made this possible with the Apple TV. In ten years there will be no tv set as we know it. It will be an entertainment computer with the capabilities to purchase and rent movies, tv shows, music, and the internet. In the next 25 years cable tv as we know it will disappear. It will be replaced by an advanced version of the Apple TV.  



New Media has also affected how the spread of ideas. Blogs are now the main avenue for debate and discussion. Instead of heading to the local coffee house or gathering at a friend’s house people visit various blogs or visit their MySpace or Facebook accounts.



Podcasting is the internet version of the radio. Anyone can make a podcast. They can be downloaded to your iPod or MP3 player and taken anywhere. There are far more options from a talk perspective than is available on the radio, and topics are endless.



In the face of such vast change we as christians must decide what to do and we must decide quickly. We need to answer questions like how do we use this New Media for the glory of Christ and the spread of the gospel, where do we draw the line with this New Media, what is appropriate usage and what is not, what should we avoid, should we boycott MySpace and Facebook, and how do we best use this New Media as Christ’s stewards.