What is Digital Media for and Why Are We Studying It?

The technically illiterate often group all forms of communication invented in the past two decades under the umbrella definition of 'Digital Media.' They cite things like email, blogs, and podcasts, and some even add in older technologies such as television.  This is incorrect because it represents a misunderstanding of of the terms 'digital' and 'media,' and how they work together.  'Media' is the noun, normally defined as "the means of communication, such as radio and television, newspapers, and magazines, that reach or influence people widely" (dictionary.com).  It is the platform: a book being a form of media, and Moby Dick being the work that utilizes it.  When one places 'Digital' in front in the definition, any 'Media' that interacts with computer technology and the internet has to be included.  A book is a form of media, a book on the internet is a form of digital media, and Moby Dick is still a work that utilizes it.  Yes, there are traditional forms, such as blogs and podcats, but if a personal blog it were not on the internet it would just be a widely read diary (Imagine:  The Blog of Ann Frank), and if a professionally made podcast wasn't downloaded on iTunes it would be traditional radio.


We study Digital Media because it is not fully understood, and is yet central to our lives.  If we know what it is, and how to utilize it, we can grow as self-educators and artists.