MEDIA IS US: Description of Chapters
Introduction (pp. 1-10):
Here you will learn about the author and the structure of the book. I describe my background, assumptions, and biases that shaped this work. The introduction presents the book as my subjective intellectual journey to understand people's relationships by exploring modern forms of communication.
Chapter 1 -- What is media? (pp. 11-34):
There is little consensus about what media is and what role it plays in our lives. At the same time, many people share an unspoken assumption that media is something separate from them. We talk about (harmful) things that social networks, video games or smartphones can do to us, as well as about things that we can do with their help. Thus, media is often described as something--or somebody--else. The chapter advocates for changing this perspective. Media is not "it" or "them." Media is us, communicating with each other through technology. New cultural forms may be different from anything that has existed before and they can change our lives in significant ways. Yet the underlying principles of communication remain unchanged, and they can be explained by exploring who we are as human beings.
Chapter 2 -- Imperfect meaning-makers (pp. 35-64):
To understand these underlying principles, we need to explore how we see the world and interact with each other. People differ from other animals in that human beings depend on ideas in their heads. These ideas are shaped by shared human nature as well as by our individual experiences and traits. Although we inhabit the same reality, our interpretations of it differ, sometimes dramatically. Discussing the strengths and limitations of our cognitive processes can help us make sense of the modern media. Conversely, asking questions about modern forms of communication will allow us to learn more about ourselves.
Chapter 3 -- Paradoxes of power (pp. 65-90):
It is impossible to fully comprehend ourselves and our relationships unless we ask difficult questions about power. The topic of power is also essential to discussions of media, especially since so many people are concerned about media's impact on their lives. This chapter argues against seeing power through a binary in which one either has it or doesn't. Rather, power should be described as a paradox: something that we can have and lack at the same time. To explain this complex idea, I introduce the theory of micro- and macropower. Society is shaped by forces that are stronger than any of us individually but that consist of all of us--a multitude of people acting together in seemingly uncoordinated yet interconnected ways.
Chapter 4 -- Blame is not the answer (pp. 91-108):
Since people are often afraid that modern technologies have power over them, it's not uncommon to blame media for a variety of social problems. Blame is a natural human reaction that is triggered when we feel out of control. Unfortunately, this reaction does not help us find long-term systemic solutions. Moreover, it can create new problems, as the intense divisiveness of the United States demonstrates. Understanding the limits of blame can help us see alternatives that lie beyond it. Namely, we should explore benefits of empathy and consider our shared responsibility for the better future from which all of us could benefit.
Chapter 5 -- ACE it (pp. 109-136):
This chapter offers a practical model for applying the ideas of the book in everyday life. The model is called ACE: from awareness to collaboration through empathy. Readers will find specific guidelines, such as enhancing awareness through five media literacy questions and practicing empathy through Nonviolent Communication. Collaboration is presented as the process of solving social problems together while respecting each other's unique perspectives and learning to integrate different worldviews.
Here you will learn about the author and the structure of the book. I describe my background, assumptions, and biases that shaped this work. The introduction presents the book as my subjective intellectual journey to understand people's relationships by exploring modern forms of communication.
Chapter 1 -- What is media? (pp. 11-34):
There is little consensus about what media is and what role it plays in our lives. At the same time, many people share an unspoken assumption that media is something separate from them. We talk about (harmful) things that social networks, video games or smartphones can do to us, as well as about things that we can do with their help. Thus, media is often described as something--or somebody--else. The chapter advocates for changing this perspective. Media is not "it" or "them." Media is us, communicating with each other through technology. New cultural forms may be different from anything that has existed before and they can change our lives in significant ways. Yet the underlying principles of communication remain unchanged, and they can be explained by exploring who we are as human beings.
Chapter 2 -- Imperfect meaning-makers (pp. 35-64):
To understand these underlying principles, we need to explore how we see the world and interact with each other. People differ from other animals in that human beings depend on ideas in their heads. These ideas are shaped by shared human nature as well as by our individual experiences and traits. Although we inhabit the same reality, our interpretations of it differ, sometimes dramatically. Discussing the strengths and limitations of our cognitive processes can help us make sense of the modern media. Conversely, asking questions about modern forms of communication will allow us to learn more about ourselves.
Chapter 3 -- Paradoxes of power (pp. 65-90):
It is impossible to fully comprehend ourselves and our relationships unless we ask difficult questions about power. The topic of power is also essential to discussions of media, especially since so many people are concerned about media's impact on their lives. This chapter argues against seeing power through a binary in which one either has it or doesn't. Rather, power should be described as a paradox: something that we can have and lack at the same time. To explain this complex idea, I introduce the theory of micro- and macropower. Society is shaped by forces that are stronger than any of us individually but that consist of all of us--a multitude of people acting together in seemingly uncoordinated yet interconnected ways.
Chapter 4 -- Blame is not the answer (pp. 91-108):
Since people are often afraid that modern technologies have power over them, it's not uncommon to blame media for a variety of social problems. Blame is a natural human reaction that is triggered when we feel out of control. Unfortunately, this reaction does not help us find long-term systemic solutions. Moreover, it can create new problems, as the intense divisiveness of the United States demonstrates. Understanding the limits of blame can help us see alternatives that lie beyond it. Namely, we should explore benefits of empathy and consider our shared responsibility for the better future from which all of us could benefit.
Chapter 5 -- ACE it (pp. 109-136):
This chapter offers a practical model for applying the ideas of the book in everyday life. The model is called ACE: from awareness to collaboration through empathy. Readers will find specific guidelines, such as enhancing awareness through five media literacy questions and practicing empathy through Nonviolent Communication. Collaboration is presented as the process of solving social problems together while respecting each other's unique perspectives and learning to integrate different worldviews.