Media-Space and Its Importance in Understanding Modern-Day Media - Literature review Example

Media-space and its importance in understanding Modern-day Media Name Institution Introduction Media, in relation to communication, have played a significant role in transforming concepts of time, space, and the manner in which their role is vital in experiencing mobility, temporality and spatiality. Media, with communication technologies, are essential in shifting perceptions of space and time without lowering to triviality the notions of space and time or their skewed occurrences. Contrary to this, by defying customary theoretical approaches to space and time, there is a perception that electronic media might be capable of ‘mediating’ space and time, problematizing the enormous way in which they take place presently. As a result, this essay espouses the idea that there has been a tremendous success of electronic communications in interconnecting inaccessible areas without the elimination of their importance. Media-space and its importance in understanding Modern-day Media The sizeable bulkiness of literature with reviews of media and globalization argues that there has been enormous change spatial and sequential gaps, which has been brought about not just be mass media, but also by communication, as well as electronic media (Biagi, 2014, p. 9). The invention of Morse telegraph that happened in 1840s turned out to be the foremost medium, which facilitated communication amongst unreachable regions in bout. As a result of this, the worth of space and time for remote exchange and communication was lessened (Kaffine & Costello 2010, p. 19). Additionally, the telegraph led to the harmonization of local time, as well as the formation of time zones. These advancements resulted in the establishment of the earliest news agencies during the initial part of the 19th century that led to communications’ instantiation all over the world (Rantanen 2009, p. 611). Broadcasting media has strengthened communications’ instantiation remarkably not only in the second part of the 20th century, but also in the last two decades, as well, through the increasingly extensive digital communication technologies. The knowledge of space and time has considerable implications for the physical mobility, as well as a sense of identity for individuals. Consequently, an intense contention has elicited amongst philosophers such as Giddens and Harvey, regarding the impact of media technologies in relation to the adjustments in space and time. The notion of space-time distanciation, which refers to the practice of detaching space from time, was at the core of Giddens’ hypothesis on globalization (Giddens, 2013, p. 21). This notion partially emanated from Giddens’ sociological critique of Marx’s contention that even spatial distance has the capability of condensing itself to time and a significant effect on Giddens by Harrison (2009, p. 44) challenging notion of a global village, as well as its teleological principle that technological progression allows individuals to interrelate with one another i.e. through confronting each other. Giddens believes that in regards to space and time, technological expansion has channeled its easing up and universalization, and he is convinced that these are requirements of globalization within an era of postmodernity. According to Giddens, globalizing aspects of interactions give rise to ‘stretched’ relations between ‘distant’ and ‘local’ media styles, with ‘local happenings’ being characterized by events occurring miles from each other and the other way round (Harrison 2009, p. 64). Throughout non-electronic dealings, different forms of communication such as print, oral and writing were designed through either regional or inter-local milieus, since spatial and temporal period of communication got restricted as a result of non-improved technology along with other advancements (such as postal services) and immediacy as a requirement. On the contrary, electronic methods of communication have made it possible for local milieus to advance communication practices, as well as exchange flows, which suffer from milieus that are not only geographically secluded, but also temporarily reserved. Apparently, these norms along with exchange flows detach space from time, aids social interactions, which are disembedded from temporal and spatial milieus, and create broadened and distanciated communication designs and relationships. Harvey categorizes postmodern hypothesis of space and time as the sequential basis of his theory, just as Giddens. Conversely, Harvery diverges from Gidden’s thoughts of a detachment of space from time by coming up with the notion of the compression of time and space. He applied the theories of universalization and liberalization of space and time in a different way from Giddens, contending that liberalization and universalisation permitted time to wipe out space (Giddens, 2013, p. 241). According to Harvey, what happens is that, time decreases while space shrinks, thus time attains the ability of reducing the restraints of space and the other way round. Harvey believes that time-space compression happens to be a string of adaptations concerning a heightening velocity of time and a diminution in physical expanse, in postmodernity age. He contends that an increasing swiftness of time destroys abstractions of space, with media technologies playing a major part in this transformation, amongst other technological modernizations. According to Harvey, some of the innovations devoted to the deletion of spatial obstructions include the telegraph, television, the automobile, jet aircraft, telephone and radio. Therefore, Harvey is convinced that the influx of up-to-date international communications technology, for instance satellites, TV and telephones set in motion for exchanges to occur constricting the units of time, as well as space required some time ago. Although Harvey describes the new state of density as having spatial disruption since there is the amassing of spaces, symbols, as well as culture define, this does not eliminate spatial and sequential ways of social life recognized to us this far (Harvey 2010, p. 302). For this reason, the concept of compression focuses on exemplifying the shifting topography of spatial distances and temporal measurements, a topography that identifies the span in which communications take place presently all over the world. In this essay, I recommend the inclusion of both concepts of ‘disanciation’ and ‘time-space compression’ into one thesis, supporting a ‘mediated’ importance of space and time - which believes that, when it comes to the media, ‘space’ and ‘time’ are both effectively compressed and extensively distanciated. Over the years, developments in telecommunications have initiated a ‘network society, thereby launching not only the space of flows, but also the timeless time. Castells, who also happens to be a theorist, believes that flows’ space exemplifies a contemporary material organization of individual interaction and exchange that does not depend on physical closeness or where time fades away, sequence is absent and analogous communication takes place. These views by Castles have gone deeper concerning the current technological sorts of communication, for instance mobile communications (Castells 2011, p. 171-178). Additionally, current media technologies phase in the focus on the manner in which mediate space together with time interrelate with peripheral spatial, as well as temporal frontiers. Traditionally embraced frontiers (such as geographic zones and time) possess increasingly a smaller amount of restrictive control over communication alongside the exchange, whereas internal or mediated space and time set up their own frontiers, often in corresponding and co-existence with exterior temporalities and spatialities. For example, scholars have talked about ‘cross-platform’ when it comes to media production (such as internet and radio), disputing that such approaches operate within their own distinctive space and time (Tomei 2011, p. 122), allowing communication to go on despite exterior spatial, as well as chronological disparities. Some scholars have gone further in broadening this discussion of mediation claiming that, in the current communication milieu, a serried of similar relationships crop up thus becoming more than mediated relationships. Certain arguments have arisen that, though connected relationships are incapable of substituting face-to-face interaction, they constitute a different communicative aspect which possibly enhances face-to-face interaction (Biagi, 2014, p. 91). Additionally, there are claims that connected relationships are capable of making physical absence together with temporal or geographic spaces even more trivial considering that none of them initiates communication as expansively as in previous times. An example of this is shown by Licoppe, as he utilizes mobile technologies in emphasizing the lessened worth of physical locale in not only infiltrating communication, but also human correlation, as well (Campbell, 2004, p. 99). Nonetheless, claims concerning the weakening worth of space along with time in mobile, electronic and digital communication continue being an issue that is under much criticism. The latest research on mobile technologies talks about an upgrading of time with space, given that mobile technologies impinge on time and space with most spheres of social life as a revolution of private into public space and the other way round, the hazing of lines separating personal life from work, and modern patterns of harmonization and social networks (Ling & Campbell 2009, p. 1). In this case, it is claimed that spatial gaps happen to be less significant owing to the personalized character of communications all through the geographic regions created by means of mobile technologies. Nevertheless, mobile technologies give individuals the opportunity to separate communication doings from external spatial frontiers, while at the same time re-structuring such frontiers, as they set up additional technological principles for portraying not just space, but its frontiers, as well For example, a mobile phone user repeatedly envisages spatial boundaries on the basis of the external descriptions of these frontiers (for example road, geographic zone, borough or city), but in terms of network or technological criteria as network coverage or signal strength when he or she is set to communicate with the help of the mobile phone. When it comes to time, Ling and Campbell (2009, p. 12) argue mobile technologies’ potential in the facilitation of diverse harmonization schemes of time that lead to the diminished importance of the clockwise time, since the description of time, is in terms of its convenience. Simultaneously, modern sense of time is developed in mobile communication that has the ability of detaching itself from external temporal frontiers. For example, persons using mobile telephones calculate time based on the availability of usable credit, convenience along with users of correctness instant mobile communication takes place, usually separately from external time frontiers and more reliant on internal concepts, as well as contextualization of time. Consequently, mobile technologies affect the manner in which a person positions himself or herself at the appropriate time and space, thereby establishing intensities of temporal, as well as spatial flexibility in daily activities. This argument coincides with Ling and Campbell (2009, p.14) stand regarding the manner in which ‘spatio-chronological frontiers are navigated inside a mobile world,' though here they relate to the explicit spatio-chronological frontiers, as well as how the public detect and psychologically restructure or chuck out these boundaries. Mobility has the ability of developing a sense of fluid while modifying spatiality and temporality; nonetheless, the user is capable of re-conceptualizing, as well as re-shaping and re-structuring space and time frontiers that are essential for the user’s dealings, without making time and space irrelevant (Biagi, 2014, p. 123). In this era of electronic media along with communication, reflections about time and space produce an elaborate and in most cases, contentious portrayal of how unique media technologies impact, navigate and express personal, public understanding of time and space in unique ways and surroundings. Following a careful analysis of such disclosures and study cases, I am of the opinion that both time and space come into existences as a result of not just mediation, but also re-mediation, as well as reformation and conciliation in electronic interactions. Evidently, time was theoretically built through the discovery of the calendar while in the present world; this was done through the global standardized technique of Greenwich Mean Time. Time has ended up being generally reliant and traditionally framed by a number of considerations pertaining the social order thereby getting influenced by traditional changes in views along with the happenings of geographical, as well as social spaces. Space happens to be an indistinct and inconsistently described idea. This paper regards space not only as a geographical, but also a socioeconomic aspect of existence. Although there is a wide consideration that the space is a physical location when it comes to the geographical perspective, in most case, there is a connection to the thought of the place considering that as space provides the surroundings for places, it also derives its value from certain locales (Servaes 2013, p.55). Incidentally, illustrations of space are drawn primarily from the occurrences of perpetual and cultural areas, which form individual identities and collective characteristics, as well. For this reason, there is a connection amongst the concepts of theory, awareness, as well as occurrence. A socioeconomic view of spaces indicated that the space production is anchored not only in capitalism, but also in technological, as well as organizational advancements, which occurred in previous centuries (Harvey 2010, p. 45-57). There has been massive commodification and influence of space along with spatial interactions through structural settings of market creation and usage. Particularly in the preceding century’s technological along with commercial developments, disputes have risen that there has been a reorganization and serious opposition of spatial frontiers. For instance, Rantanen contends that all areas in space and time are declining with everything getting combined together into harmonized distancelessness (Rantanen 2009, p. 690). The broadening of communication and mass media has led to recent electronic sites reducing spatial expanses. The case of electronic expanses is capable of shedding light on the responsibility of electronic media when it comes to the reconceptualization of space and restructuring the mode in which space is experienced. While reviewing the historical function of communications and media, one can recognize five key phases of mediated communications, which affect the space conceptualization and its connection to time. These phases include the phase of oral – what is considered as being premeditated or unmediated – this communication comes with a limited space along with a particular time frame; the phase of production of script media, which advances a comprehensive limited space concept, widening the communication’s spatial distance along with its practicability when it comes to time; print media phase that led to limited and extensive general spaces, reducing while restricting the time value for interaction; the electronic media phase that resulted in a general understanding of not just space, but also time; and the digital interaction phase that is advancing even now, and in my opinion, tends to mistakenly perceive space equally worthless and the earth equally distanceless. The discovery along with the multiplication of mass media electronic have resulted in the most domineering script and oral interaction, whereby the vicinity happens to be the set area of conversation, paving way for geographically scattered communications, diminishing the meaning of spatial distinctions while putting a disconnection between physical space and the swift increment of communications speed. This was necessitated by the advancement of communications globally while defining their individual ‘electronic spaces’ irrespective of the location of the concerned actors or the demonstration of their physical mobility. The usage of the telegraph turned out to be this evolution’s core starting point (Rantanen 2009, p.612). This was followed by newly erected and more conceptual spaces of mass communications along with worldwide electronic spaces, which represented a reference point in communications’ history. Unfortunately, these latest electronic spaces turned into a different commodity that was under the dominion of a limited number of international media primacies, at the same time rooted in mediated social relations (Harvey 2010, p. 143). At the start of the 20th century, broadcasting discovery revolutionized spatiality significantly since the communication's contents became obtainable to everybody throughout the world, thereby disputing farness, as well as spatial barriers. As a result, last century’s electronic media advanced further the surfacing of electronic spaces, thus exemplifying the captivating liveness of a now-and-then, as well as a here-and-there (Poldma 2013, p. 173). In the recent past, modern ‘virtual’ spots available on the internet indicate more advancements or degradation of typically recognized ‘real’ spots. In this case, we ask ourselves to what extent the move from actual to virtual or electronic spaces have the ability of dominating digitally fashioned and illusionary spaces. Particularly mobile internet era along with other forms of communication, the contentions for the space modernization (Ling & Campbell 2009, p. 29), as well as the development of modern substance organization, which is free from physical nearness (Castells 2011, p. 171-178) gain more weight. Conclusion This essay has identified the significant function of media in disputing historically important notions of space and time, changing the manner in which individuals shape their individualities and stretching the degree of physical, as well as psychological mobility within the present day’s globalised world. It critically covers two different notions, ‘time and space compression’ together with time and space distanciation, underlining the intricacy of time and space relations by analyzing the hypothesis and exploration regarding mediation. Contradicting the indecisive exhibition of fanatical theories concerning the crumpling of chronological areas, along with the removal of spatial expanses, I have supported a new sensible understanding whereby space and time continue being important, at times even more extensively, and in situations that electronic media is a more complex factor in the mediation of social phenomena, hence reorganizing concepts and occurrences of space and time. The second part looks at the function of media and communications whereby space and time have traditionally been subject to transformation, using the traditional instances of electronic spaces and internet time in problematizing contentions of chronological simultaneity, as well as spatial expanse irrelevance. This implies that the endless argument of space and time as insignificant dimensions of realism should eventually stop and be substituted by another argument: an argument which concentrates more on the manner in which these aspects are mediated, re-arbitrated, classified and reorganized within the field of international electronic interactions, along with mediated understanding of inaccessible areas, necessitating incessant and sensitive reconceptualisation. References: Biagi, S. (2014). Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media. London: Cengage Learning. Campbell, R. L. (2011). Mobile Communication: Bringing Us Together and Tearing Us Apart. Oslo: Transaction Publishers. Castells, M. (2011 ). The Power of Identity: The Information Age: Economy, Society, and Culture, Volume 2. California: John Wiley & Sons. Giddens, A. (2013). The Consequences of Modernity. Boston: John Wiley & Sons. Harvey, D. (2010). Social Justice and the City. New York: University of Georgia Press. Harrison, S. (2009). Media space 20+ years of mediated life. London: Springer. Kaczmarczyk, L. C. (2012). Computers and society: computing for good. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis. Kaffine, D. T., & Costello, C. J. (2010). Unitization of spatially connected renewable resources. Cambridge, Mass.: National Bureau of Economic Research. Ling, R. S., & Campbell, S. W. (2009). The reconstruction of space and time: mobile communication practices. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers. Poldma, T. (2013). Meanings of designed spaces. New York: Fairchild. Rantanen, T. (2009). When News Was New. Boston: John Wiley & Sons. Servaes, J. (2013). Sustainability, participation & culture in communication theory and praxis. Bristol, UK: Intellect. Tomei, L. A. (2011). Advancing education with information communication technologies facilitating new trends. Hershey, Pa.: IGI Global (701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA). Read More

The notion of space-time distanciation, which refers to the practice of detaching space from time, was at the core of Giddens’ hypothesis on globalization (Giddens, 2013, p. 21). This notion partially emanated from Giddens’ sociological critique of Marx’s contention that even spatial distance has the capability of condensing itself to time and a significant effect on Giddens by Harrison (2009, p. 44) challenging notion of a global village, as well as its teleological principle that technological progression allows individuals to interrelate with one another i.e. through confronting each other.

Giddens believes that in regards to space and time, technological expansion has channeled its easing up and universalization, and he is convinced that these are requirements of globalization within an era of postmodernity. According to Giddens, globalizing aspects of interactions give rise to ‘stretched’ relations between ‘distant’ and ‘local’ media styles, with ‘local happenings’ being characterized by events occurring miles from each other and the other way round (Harrison 2009, p. 64). Throughout non-electronic dealings, different forms of communication such as print, oral and writing were designed through either regional or inter-local milieus, since spatial and temporal period of communication got restricted as a result of non-improved technology along with other advancements (such as postal services) and immediacy as a requirement.

On the contrary, electronic methods of communication have made it possible for local milieus to advance communication practices, as well as exchange flows, which suffer from milieus that are not only geographically secluded, but also temporarily reserved. Apparently, these norms along with exchange flows detach space from time, aids social interactions, which are disembedded from temporal and spatial milieus, and create broadened and distanciated communication designs and relationships. Harvey categorizes postmodern hypothesis of space and time as the sequential basis of his theory, just as Giddens.

Conversely, Harvery diverges from Gidden’s thoughts of a detachment of space from time by coming up with the notion of the compression of time and space. He applied the theories of universalization and liberalization of space and time in a different way from Giddens, contending that liberalization and universalisation permitted time to wipe out space (Giddens, 2013, p. 241). According to Harvey, what happens is that, time decreases while space shrinks, thus time attains the ability of reducing the restraints of space and the other way round.

Harvey believes that time-space compression happens to be a string of adaptations concerning a heightening velocity of time and a diminution in physical expanse, in postmodernity age. He contends that an increasing swiftness of time destroys abstractions of space, with media technologies playing a major part in this transformation, amongst other technological modernizations. According to Harvey, some of the innovations devoted to the deletion of spatial obstructions include the telegraph, television, the automobile, jet aircraft, telephone and radio.

Therefore, Harvey is convinced that the influx of up-to-date international communications technology, for instance satellites, TV and telephones set in motion for exchanges to occur constricting the units of time, as well as space required some time ago. Although Harvey describes the new state of density as having spatial disruption since there is the amassing of spaces, symbols, as well as culture define, this does not eliminate spatial and sequential ways of social life recognized to us this far (Harvey 2010, p. 302). For this reason, the concept of compression focuses on exemplifying the shifting topography of spatial distances and temporal measurements, a topography that identifies the span in which communications take place presently all over the world.

In this essay, I recommend the inclusion of both concepts of ‘disanciation’ and ‘time-space compression’ into one thesis, supporting a ‘mediated’ importance of space and time - which believes that, when it comes to the media, ‘space’ and ‘time’ are both effectively compressed and extensively distanciated.

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