1936 – Walter Benjamin publishes the widely discussed essay, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.”
1940-45 - Vannevar Bush – Primary organizer of the Manhattan Project. Created groundbreaking analog computing projects at MIT. 1940 got grand by Franklin Roosevelt for funding and research between military, industry and academic “iron triangle” which led to new media. 1945 wrote As We May Think. Doug Engelbart – Inspired by Bush’s “As We May Think”, he invented the mouse, word pressor, and the hyperlink.
1950 – Alan Turing worked to decrypt encoded language. He wrote an essay, Computing Machinery and Intelligence, which discusses the many aspects of artificial intelligence.
1952 – “Grace Murray Hopper programmed the first compiler, computer languages began to take shape.”
1954 – Norbert Wiener began working toward cybernetics, which is “the science of communications and automatic control systems in both machines and living things.” (Apple Dictionary). Wrote the essay Men, Machines, and the World About.
1957 – Allan Kaprow established a new trend in performing arts where the audience became more and more involved with the performance, these were called “happenings”.
1959 – Brion Gysin was an artist who made popular the “cut-up” technique, where he would cut newspapers into sections and rearrange the text.
1960 – J.C.R. Licklider was an American computer scientist famous for his publication of “Man-Computer Symbiosis”. This article describes the need for the symbiosis of computers and man-power.
1962 – Doug Engelbart invented the computer mouse.
1963 – Ivan E. Sutherland – Sketchpad was created, which is a three dimensional communication program.
1966 – E.A.T. (Experiments in Art and Technology) was founded by Billy Kluver, Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Whitman, and Fred Waldhauer.. Which led to the development of the relationship between artist and engineer.
1967 – Negroponte founded the Architecture Machine Group at MIT.
1968 – “The mother of all demos” Douglas Engelbart and others demonstrated the research behind ARC (Augmentation Research Center) about interactive computing. This led to an explosion of interest in the field.
1974 – Augusto Boal writes “Theater of the Oppressed”, which brought about ideas of interactive theater, further blurring the line between audience and actors.
1975 – Nicholas Negroponte publishes “Soft Architecture Machines”; an article that depicts the importance of humans being empowered by computers, allowing for creative experimentation.
1976 – Joseph Weizenbaum writes “Computer Power and Human Reason”; which brings up concerns about the effects human relations have with the advance of computer interaction.
1977 - Burroughs and Gysin publish “The Third Mind,” a collection of cut-up writings and essays.
1977 – Myron Kreuger publishes “Responsive Environments”. He is the godfather of virtual reality, and interactive computer spaces.
1977 – Alan Kay and Adele Goldberg publish “Personal Dynamic Media”. They developed the ideas that led to the development of the laptop and desktop computer.
1978 – Joseph Weizenbaum publishes “Computer Power and Human Reason”. He wrote one of the most famous chatterbox in the history of computing, and then perceived the dangers of some of the uses that can come from it. He then demanded that scientists and technologists take responsibility for what they develop.
1979 – The first interactive video art installation, “Lorna”, is created by Lynn Hershman.
1980 – “A Thousand Plateaus” is written by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari.
1982 – “Literary Machines: proposal for a Universal Electronic Publishing System and Archive” is published. Written by Ted H. Nelson, it explains Xanadu.
1983 – “Direct Manipulation: A Step Beyond Programming Languages” is written by Ben Shneiderman. He tries to bring about the idea of communicating based on a visual language, rather than a literary language.
1984 – Sherry Turkle publishes “Video Games and Computer Holding Power”. This article explores the psychology behind video games.
1985 – The definition of a cyborg is explored in Donna Haraway’s article, “A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century”
1985 – Open source software, the idea that the programming is open to the public, is discussed in “The GNU Manifesto”, written by Richard Stallman. He coins the term “copyleft”.
1986 – “Mythinformation” by Langdon Winner articulates how computers can be used for positive social change.
1987 – Lucy A. Suchman criticizes AI research in “Plans and Situated Actions”. She presents two unsolved problems: the self-explanatory tool, and giving the computer a purpose.
1988 – Bill Nichols publishes “The Work of Culture in the Age of Cybernetic Systems”. This essay updates Benjamin’s essay on mechanical reproduction, and addresses contemporary forms of reproduction.
1988 – Ivan Sutherland won the Turing Award for his invention of the Sketchpad
1990 to 1992 – the “golden age” of hypertext fiction.
1991 - Pelle Ehn and Morten Kyng published “Cardboard Computers: Mocking-it-up or Hands-on the Future” on the human use of comuters. Their focus is on human-relations, and has had a strong effect on the “usability” of computers.
1991 - Chip Morningstar and F. Randall Farmer created one of the first interactive virtual environment called “Habitat”.
1991 - Bolter points out the importance of understanding typography and how computers relate to the movement of writing in his essay “Seeing and Writing”.
1991 – “You Say You Want a Revolution? Hypertext and the Laws of Media” by Stuart Moulthrop is a very in depth discussion on the hypertext, and brings up many interesting observations on the internet
1992 – Robert Coover tries to create a new form of fiction. His essay “The End of Books” describes hypertext fiction, and declares that it will end books as we know them.
1993 – Scott McCloud writes the comic book version of Aristotle’s Poetics. He describes the laws and dynamics of how comics work.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Museum of Moving Images
I really enjoyed the Museum of Moving Images. I loved seeing all the old cameras, and it makes me realize how grateful I am for the new technology. Those people who made films on those machines must have been truly dedicated. I also really liked how interactive the museum is. I could have spent a long time there. It was fun seeing the old video games, like the original Pong, as well as the new Dance Dance Revolution (which I learned I am not very good at). I think it was a great museum for the end of the year, it was a lot of fun, and a nice little bit of relaxation during the finals time.
New Media Reader 649 - 735
Cardboard Computers: Mocking-It-Up or Hands-On the Future
Pelle Ehn and Morten Kyng published this essay on the human use of comuters. They noticed that the programming language has become more complicated, so the ideal that Alan Kay and Adele Goldeberg stated has not been achieved. Ehn and Kyng have noticed a trend that is heading in the opposite direction; one where programming is more company driven, than for individual users. They created “Utopia”; a project that takes the approach of working with users to design new media tools. This seems like an obvious step, but their focus is on human-relations, and has had a strong effect on the “usability” of computers.
The Lessons of Lucasfilm’s Habitat
Chip Morningstar and F. Randall Farmer created one of the first interactive virtual environment called “Habitat”. This program first showed us the experience of the simulated world, and taught us many lessons in online interaction. This essay hits on two important approaches to new media, and that is the computer-mediated communications, and virtual environments. These guys helped create the online gaming world, which is something I grew up a part of. I still love getting into the cyber world and shooting at each other. This essay shows us the origin of all that.
Seeing and Writing
Bolter points out the importance of understanding typography and how computers relate to the movement of writing. He explores the concept of how new media influences our concepts of reading and writing. He observes that while electronic spreadsheets are native to the computer, the program itself relates to structures that are evident in paper accounting practices. This is very true. I am using this program in a view that allows me to see the edges of the paper, so I know where I’m writing on the page. Bolter states that it is important to study the history of typography, and to adjoining better-understood territory and new media.
You Say You Want a Revolution? Hypertext and the Laws of Media
Moulthrop uses McLuhan’s plan for a four-part media interrogation, he subjects the idea of a hypertext to scrutiny. He points out that the hypertext does not replace the book- it’s more like a replacement for TV, stating that middle-school and high-schoolers are spending the time on the computer rather than on the TV. The four questions from McLuhan that he poses in this essay are: What does hypertext enhance or intensify? What does hypertext displace or render obsolete? What does hypertext retrieve that was previously obsolete? And what does hypertext become when taken to its limit? This essay is a very in depth discussion on the hypertext, and brings up many interesting observations on the internet we have today.
The End of Books
Robert Coover explores the idea that the hypertext will destroy the book. He actually has taught classes in writing in the form of a hypertext. This is a very interesting idea, and I don’t think I’ve ever read, or would want to read, a story in this form. His classes only lasted for two years, from 1990 to 1992, and he declared that the “golden-age” of hypertext fiction is over, and perhaps there will be an enjoyable silver age. I think that new forms of literary media will appear, but I have yet to see anything that rivals the book publications. Maybe there just hasn’t been enough money put into pursuing new literary styles, but I hope it doesn’t end books altogether, I rather like the old fashioned hard-cover novel.
Time Frames
Scott McCloud has written the blueprint for all of comic writing, which is why he is proclaimed the “Aristotle” of comics. He describes the underlying structures and techniques that make comics work. His explanation is complete, and comprehensible. What I like best about this essay is that it is written in comic form. He not only describes how the different techniques work, but he shows directly in the essay how they work. This work shows that this form of media does indeed have conventional rules and methods. I really enjoyed reading this essay. It really taught me a lot about what I look at as I read a comic, and how time relates to comics.
Pelle Ehn and Morten Kyng published this essay on the human use of comuters. They noticed that the programming language has become more complicated, so the ideal that Alan Kay and Adele Goldeberg stated has not been achieved. Ehn and Kyng have noticed a trend that is heading in the opposite direction; one where programming is more company driven, than for individual users. They created “Utopia”; a project that takes the approach of working with users to design new media tools. This seems like an obvious step, but their focus is on human-relations, and has had a strong effect on the “usability” of computers.
The Lessons of Lucasfilm’s Habitat
Chip Morningstar and F. Randall Farmer created one of the first interactive virtual environment called “Habitat”. This program first showed us the experience of the simulated world, and taught us many lessons in online interaction. This essay hits on two important approaches to new media, and that is the computer-mediated communications, and virtual environments. These guys helped create the online gaming world, which is something I grew up a part of. I still love getting into the cyber world and shooting at each other. This essay shows us the origin of all that.
Seeing and Writing
Bolter points out the importance of understanding typography and how computers relate to the movement of writing. He explores the concept of how new media influences our concepts of reading and writing. He observes that while electronic spreadsheets are native to the computer, the program itself relates to structures that are evident in paper accounting practices. This is very true. I am using this program in a view that allows me to see the edges of the paper, so I know where I’m writing on the page. Bolter states that it is important to study the history of typography, and to adjoining better-understood territory and new media.
You Say You Want a Revolution? Hypertext and the Laws of Media
Moulthrop uses McLuhan’s plan for a four-part media interrogation, he subjects the idea of a hypertext to scrutiny. He points out that the hypertext does not replace the book- it’s more like a replacement for TV, stating that middle-school and high-schoolers are spending the time on the computer rather than on the TV. The four questions from McLuhan that he poses in this essay are: What does hypertext enhance or intensify? What does hypertext displace or render obsolete? What does hypertext retrieve that was previously obsolete? And what does hypertext become when taken to its limit? This essay is a very in depth discussion on the hypertext, and brings up many interesting observations on the internet we have today.
The End of Books
Robert Coover explores the idea that the hypertext will destroy the book. He actually has taught classes in writing in the form of a hypertext. This is a very interesting idea, and I don’t think I’ve ever read, or would want to read, a story in this form. His classes only lasted for two years, from 1990 to 1992, and he declared that the “golden-age” of hypertext fiction is over, and perhaps there will be an enjoyable silver age. I think that new forms of literary media will appear, but I have yet to see anything that rivals the book publications. Maybe there just hasn’t been enough money put into pursuing new literary styles, but I hope it doesn’t end books altogether, I rather like the old fashioned hard-cover novel.
Time Frames
Scott McCloud has written the blueprint for all of comic writing, which is why he is proclaimed the “Aristotle” of comics. He describes the underlying structures and techniques that make comics work. His explanation is complete, and comprehensible. What I like best about this essay is that it is written in comic form. He not only describes how the different techniques work, but he shows directly in the essay how they work. This work shows that this form of media does indeed have conventional rules and methods. I really enjoyed reading this essay. It really taught me a lot about what I look at as I read a comic, and how time relates to comics.
LibraryThing
LibraryThing is a great resource to be aware of. It’s always hard for me to find good books to read, and this is a great website that will refer you to books you might like based on your list. This is great because I basically only read books that have been recommended to me, and this will help me find new books to read. This will also be a good source for when I’m figuring out which books to use in my rationale.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
New Media Reader 585 - 647
Mythinformation
Winner’s essay, “Mythinformation”, seeks to articulate how computers can be used for positive social change. He takes the rhetoric of the computer language, and addresses what the social goals of the revolution will be. He addresses the idea that new technology and new ways of getting information does not necessarily create a more democratic society. It does have the potential to be democratic, but it must be worked towards, and does not come automatically.
From Plans and Situated Actions
Lucy Suchman wrote the essay in “Plans and Situated Actions” to make a critique on the practice within artificial intelligence. She presents a different concept on how people seek to accomplish goals. She points out that AI research is fundamentally misguided. She says that the basic principle that the research cannot be based on logical manipulations like the human brain would function, and that AI would never be able to address rapidly changing situations like on a battlefield. She presents two unsolved problems, which are the self-explanatory tool, and giving the computer a purpose.
Siren Shapes: Exploratory and Constructive Hypertexts
Michael Joyce makes a distinction between two types of hypertext environments; exploratory and constructive. Constructive hypertexts are flexible representation of thoughts, stories, arguments, and everything else for which we use media. Exploratory hypertexts are former constructive hypertexts that are not being used by original author of the work. With these two forms she argues that they hold promise for transforming education than simple electric reading with links. There have been a few programs on the Web that have used this type of hypertexts, but there are lots of legal issues that surround it. She says the web is barely-exploratory, and that it has a much bigger potential.
The Work of Culture in the Age of Cybernetic Systems
Bill Nichols writes an update to Walter Benjamin’s essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” He discusses the shift from a fetishization of the object to the fetishization of the process of interaction, of simulation. He relates simulation to video games and genetic engineering. I think it’s important to write this update to Benjamin’s essay, there have been dramatic shifts in art and mechanical reproduction, and he definitely never addresses simulation in that essay.
The Fantasy Beyond Control
Lynn Hershman’s “Lorna” is considered to be the first interactive video art installation. It allowed the viewer to make selections of the space Lorna was in. She spurred many new forms of interactive video art, with Hershman and Griffith, and the recent work of Chris Hales.
Winner’s essay, “Mythinformation”, seeks to articulate how computers can be used for positive social change. He takes the rhetoric of the computer language, and addresses what the social goals of the revolution will be. He addresses the idea that new technology and new ways of getting information does not necessarily create a more democratic society. It does have the potential to be democratic, but it must be worked towards, and does not come automatically.
From Plans and Situated Actions
Lucy Suchman wrote the essay in “Plans and Situated Actions” to make a critique on the practice within artificial intelligence. She presents a different concept on how people seek to accomplish goals. She points out that AI research is fundamentally misguided. She says that the basic principle that the research cannot be based on logical manipulations like the human brain would function, and that AI would never be able to address rapidly changing situations like on a battlefield. She presents two unsolved problems, which are the self-explanatory tool, and giving the computer a purpose.
Siren Shapes: Exploratory and Constructive Hypertexts
Michael Joyce makes a distinction between two types of hypertext environments; exploratory and constructive. Constructive hypertexts are flexible representation of thoughts, stories, arguments, and everything else for which we use media. Exploratory hypertexts are former constructive hypertexts that are not being used by original author of the work. With these two forms she argues that they hold promise for transforming education than simple electric reading with links. There have been a few programs on the Web that have used this type of hypertexts, but there are lots of legal issues that surround it. She says the web is barely-exploratory, and that it has a much bigger potential.
The Work of Culture in the Age of Cybernetic Systems
Bill Nichols writes an update to Walter Benjamin’s essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” He discusses the shift from a fetishization of the object to the fetishization of the process of interaction, of simulation. He relates simulation to video games and genetic engineering. I think it’s important to write this update to Benjamin’s essay, there have been dramatic shifts in art and mechanical reproduction, and he definitely never addresses simulation in that essay.
The Fantasy Beyond Control
Lynn Hershman’s “Lorna” is considered to be the first interactive video art installation. It allowed the viewer to make selections of the space Lorna was in. She spurred many new forms of interactive video art, with Hershman and Griffith, and the recent work of Chris Hales.
Comic Web Sites
This Modern World:
I really enjoyed the few cartoons I read. They are very insightful, they make great observations on the republican/ democratic controversies.
Leisure Town:
This one didn’t do much for me. I didn’t really understand it’s purpose, and though it’s different in style, the photo comics was a distraction and uninteresting for the most part.
Yimagination:
This site looks very interesting, I like how it is trying to incorporate the viewer into the creation of a story. The c-ware section can allow you to create your own comic strip. I think it’s something to keep an eye on to see if it’s successful or not.
The Comics Journal:
A great resource for comic artists, with interviews and a forum for new comics to be posted.
Modern Tales:
This is a great site that is well organized, and you have access to about a hundred different comic strips. I had no idea there were so many comic strips out there.
Penny Arcade:
This strip is pretty good. I read a couple and I like the references to Facebook.
The Web Comic List:
This site is really good for getting up to date comics, and keeping track of when a new comic is out.
Top Web Comics:
This is the best site I’ve seen so far for aquiring online web comics. They have categories to search by, and then they are ranked, so the bad ones are filtered out. I was surprised they did not have a category for political comics, maybe there aren’t that many out there?
I really enjoyed the few cartoons I read. They are very insightful, they make great observations on the republican/ democratic controversies.
Leisure Town:
This one didn’t do much for me. I didn’t really understand it’s purpose, and though it’s different in style, the photo comics was a distraction and uninteresting for the most part.
Yimagination:
This site looks very interesting, I like how it is trying to incorporate the viewer into the creation of a story. The c-ware section can allow you to create your own comic strip. I think it’s something to keep an eye on to see if it’s successful or not.
The Comics Journal:
A great resource for comic artists, with interviews and a forum for new comics to be posted.
Modern Tales:
This is a great site that is well organized, and you have access to about a hundred different comic strips. I had no idea there were so many comic strips out there.
Penny Arcade:
This strip is pretty good. I read a couple and I like the references to Facebook.
The Web Comic List:
This site is really good for getting up to date comics, and keeping track of when a new comic is out.
Top Web Comics:
This is the best site I’ve seen so far for aquiring online web comics. They have categories to search by, and then they are ranked, so the bad ones are filtered out. I was surprised they did not have a category for political comics, maybe there aren’t that many out there?
Comic Documentary
The documentary on comics was very interesting. I didn’t realize that world out there existed. I had no idea what kind of culture surrounded the comics, or how they developed. I thought the intro was great, with the animations that drew up the name each person in the documentary, followed with the very comical oil spill at the end. I thought the superhero war propaganda was very interesting. I also didn’t realize that comics went through so much censorship. It was great how Mad Magazine was able to circumvent those censorships. I like how Robert Crumb had absolutely no inhibition in proclaiming his addiction to LSD and how he relied on it for his inspiration with his cat series. This didn’t surprise me as much as another scene in the movie with the girls wearing practically nothing playing pool behind a comic artist being interviewed. This is a side of the comic world I did not expect. I didn’t realize how much of a ladies man you can become by drawing comics.
I liked how the film turned the interviews into their own comic strip, by freeze framing them and placing them side by side. I thought it was a good documentary about comics, but I really wanted to see Bill Watterson, he is one of the most successful comic artists, and I own all his Calvin and Hobbes books.
I liked how the film turned the interviews into their own comic strip, by freeze framing them and placing them side by side. I thought it was a good documentary about comics, but I really wanted to see Bill Watterson, he is one of the most successful comic artists, and I own all his Calvin and Hobbes books.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)