The convergence of media technology, content, complexity and societal impacts is occurring in ways which are profound but whose ramifications are often unpredictable. For example, the ‘Sixth Sense’ device developed by MIT graduate researcher Pranav Mistry2, as shown above in this video segment at a recent TED Conference appearance demonstrates the radical re-conceptualization of media interfaces with the natural world we could conceivably be engaging in as ‘normal’ media interactions in the near future.
As often as technology is revisionist, improving slightly on a previous innovation, it can frequently be disruptive, witness the phenomenon of the iPod and iTunes store reinventing the century old recording and music industry and digital photography decimating Kodak’s camera film business as recent examples (Bernius, 8/17/2010)3. Media technology in particular is equally susceptible to Taleb’s (2007) ‘Black Swan’ occurrences. Events characterized by similar rarity which lie outside the realm of regular expectations, carry extreme impact, and are only explainable retrospectively, never predictably in advance4.
Hence, as media psychology researchers, there is a need to master current scholarly theories and methodologies and continue to evolve and innovate psychological and psychobiological theories along with communication technology. Anticipatory methodologies of analysis and media measurement with sound extrapolative impact predictions are needed to understand and positively influence the inevitable biopsychosocial changes and normative shifts that will result in both individual and ever widening social ecosystems.
I am particularly focused on the fast evolving world of smart phones, tablet computing, cloud computing, Web2.0/3.0 as related to mobile media consumption and researching viable commercial models in this media realm.
The Metaphor is the Message
Today media design plays a major role in shaping and informing content and delivery methods. The iPhone has revolutionized the personal digital assistant marketplace and evolved an entirely new field of smart or more accurately app phones and tablets.5
Take for example, this website. The design template was chosen from the blog template metaphor of a picture window and the image is that of a green bamboo leaf. For this website author, a picture window represents a view or insight into our media domain or a novel way of framing the vast world of ideas, images and choices before us. It also implies there are an infinitude of frameworks through which to view this wondrous world and the more consciously we do so the better. The bamboo leaf hints at the author's affinity for Eastern art, philosophy, culture and ecological values. Bamboo is known to be very fast growing, spreading from below the ground and shooting up rapidly, these qualities as well as strength combined with flexibility have led it to being incorporated more commonly in many green products. Even if not thought about consciously, a visitor to this site would develop some emotional responses to their visual experience of the site and may begin to form some guesses as to the character, motivation, values and interests of the person who designed it.
Creativity and Insight, Humor and Haiku
Neuroscience is revealing many insights into how we think creatively and what circumstances help us produce insight balanced with concentration6. As the heir to Gary Larsons cartoonist throne Dave Blazek notes, it often feels as if one's brain operates according to the following diagram7.
As a forming media psychologist I am fascinated by these mechanisms in our brain and exploring how they can interface with our media technologies to reveal unique uses of new media to aid us in promoting innovative thinking.
If you would like to try an experiential experiment, see for yourself how the similar experience of the ‘Aha’ moment occurring from reading and getting the joke of a cartoon such as the two samples listed below8 feels versus the insight or sought after satori experience inherent in a Zen haiku.
Haiku
The old pond
A frog jumps in
Plop!
~ Basho~ 9
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