5 Principles of NM

1. Numerical Representation

            Numerical representation, simply put, is new media’s language. The perceived product on the web is simply a translated, and visually appealing, version of a mathematical equation—which is the language of its creation. This idea suggests that all new media can be manipulated and understood by a computer, as well as a human. As an example, consider layouts, designs, typefaces, etc. Their manipulation is made possible because of their primal mathematical coding. Consequently we are able to view and change any aspect of their design by simply modifying their code.

2. Modularity

            As I understand it, modularity suggests that all objects of new media are broken down into consistent building blocks. This consistency allows all new media to be interpreted and designed the same throughout its family (image, video, sound, etc.). Because of these basic building blocks, one can take a product apart and modify one individual block if needed, rather than redesigning the whole project. For example, if an audio file needs revision and modification, an individual track and section of the song could be taken apart and altered and then reinserted, instead of having to rearrange and create the whole song.

3. Automation

            Automation’s meaning is exactly as it sounds: the automatic shortcuts and autopilots within the new media world. Because of the numerical representation and modularity, this process is able to occur. The computer system is able to memorize some basic active steps and utilize it without needing human interaction and creativity. As an example I specifically thought of simple online image editors, such as red-eye removal. The computer has memorized code modification and can automatically change the color of the pixels in that certain area of the image with nothing but the assistance of a basic click. This is due to the broken down process of mathematical equations packed into small and manageable building blocks.

4. Variability

            Variability is basically the idea that new media objects are unrestricted to several different ways, within each design. Because of the modularity of new media objects, it is possible to manipulate their order and patterns without breaking the code, since they are held intact within each building block. This is incredibly freeing and gives the basic web user an illusion of creation within limited automated processes. For example, in several social networking websites, people are given an assigned design for their personal profiles. Still, to develop personality, variability allows simple modifications within each profile without breaking its basic numerical representation.

5. Transcoding

            Forgive my extreme English nerdiness but I related transcoding to the critical approach of new historicism. New Historicism suggests that all history and culture affects literature and literature affects all history and culture. Transcoding holds kind of the same idea. New media is a very active part of human life. As it changes, so do our thought processes and our culture. Likewise, as our cultural world changes around us, new media modifies itself to fit the new standards. Looking at simple advertisement can serve as an excellent example. As new media has modified, our eyes have demanded cleaner and similar advertisement design. Consequently, as these designs make daring changes, our new media standardization also modifies itself to fit the quota.

            I will definitely have to agree with Kory—or should I say Kor—on transcoding being the most important of the five concepts. We are addressing Manovich’s belief that “culture [is] undergoing computerization.” This thought is exactly what transcoding means: that our culture is changing because it is being affected by new media. I think being aware of that, alone, modifies our thoughts and behaviors quite a bit.