We look at how key historical events have affected our ways of communicating and interacting. What is media evolution?
On 8 November 2024, during the Educational challenges of media technologies class, we worked with the text by M. Kita entitled ‘Radio and Orality – from a Linguistic Perspective’, published in Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Litteraria Polonica in 2017. Our discussion focused on the question of what events had the greatest impact on the development of the media. We also sought answers to the question: What is media evolution?
Writing is humanity’s most important media achievement
Students shared their insights, which covered a variety of aspects. They highlighted the importance of print and the internet as key innovations that revolutionised access to information. They mentioned how we now have access to everything, which brings both development and the phenomenon known as brainrot. We also discussed how digital exclusion affects older generations as they move online.
The role of writing and its invention emerged as a key form of memory recording, including source code. Discussions highlighted the use of media during wars, particularly the First World War, where radio played a crucial role, and during the Vietnam War. Participants recognized writing and books as important tools for describing history. The telegraph, as the first means of long-distance communication, changed how information was transmitted.
What is media evolution? Today we are looking primarily at artificial intelligence
Attention was given to the development of online platforms, such as YouTube, which changed the way media was monetised. Pandemic was another important topic as it shifted our lives to the media, which had a huge impact on everyday interactions. Artificial intelligence, which facilitates content creation, also found its way into the discussion. Finally, we discussed how the fall of communism ended censorship in Poland and contributed to the development of advertising in the media.
The discussion was inspiring, with students asking questions about the impact of these events on our daily lives and the future of the media. What other events could be relevant in terms of media development? What do you think about the impact of artificial intelligence on our perception of information?
Bibliography
Kita, M. (2017). Radio i oralność – z perspektywy językoznawczej [Radio and Orality – from a Linguistic Perspective]. Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Litteraria Polonica, 39(1), 31-47. https://doi.org/10.18778/1505-9057.39.06