Remediation! Context Part 2: Study Hall Writing Composition #13: ASU + Crash Course

Summary

This video script from Study Hall: Composition explores the complexities of communication through different media, challenging the traditional transmissionary model. It introduces McLuhan's theory that 'the medium is the message,' suggesting media shapes the message's interpretation. The script discusses 'remediation,' the process of adapting messages across media, using Sasha's YouTube channel as an example. It also encourages Comparative Media Analysis to optimize message delivery, emphasizing the importance of understanding media's affordances and constraints.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The word 'fine' can have different meanings depending on the context in which it's used.
• 💻 Technology provides various contexts that can affect how our messages are interpreted.
• 🎨 We are all cross-media composers, adapting to the needs and benefits of different media.
• 📚 The concept of remediation is about improving our message crafting across different media.
• 📡 The transmissionary model suggests direct communication of ideas, but it's often not that simple.
• 🌐 Marshall McLuhan's famous quote, 'the medium is the message,' implies that the medium influences the message's interpretation.
• 📸 McLuhan argues that the medium can alter the message, similar to how a physical photograph's meaning can change over time.
• 📝 Writing is an interpretive process, and our original message can change even as we write it down.
• 🌐 All communication is mediated, and different media have their own affordances and limitations.
• 🐱 A Writer in Action example: Sasha starts a YouTube channel to communicate about deforestation in a more accessible way.
• 🔍 Comparative Media Analysis is a technique to find the best medium for a message by understanding its affordances and constraints.

Q & A

What does the word 'fine' often lack in communication?

The word 'fine' often lacks context and can be ambiguous without an introduction or sign-off, potentially causing confusion.

What is remediation in the context of media communication?

Remediation refers to the process of adapting messages across different media to better suit the needs and benefits of each medium.

What is the transmissionary model of communication?

The transmissionary model of communication is a theory that suggests ideas are directly transmitted from the sender to the receiver without change.

Who is Marshall McLuhan and what is his famous quote mentioned in the script?

Marshall McLuhan was a media theorist known for the quote 'the medium is the message,' suggesting that the medium through which a message is conveyed shapes the message itself.

How does McLuhan's perspective differ from the transmissionary model?

McLuhan's perspective differs from the transmissionary model by asserting that the medium significantly influences and alters the message received by the audience.

What is an affordance in media communication?

An affordance in media communication refers to the possibilities and constraints inherent in a medium that enable or limit how a message can be conveyed.

Why does the script mention that communication is complicated and subjective?

The script mentions that communication is complicated and subjective because the medium shapes the message and the audience's interpretation is influenced by their experiences and expectations.

What is Comparative Media Analysis and how does it help with remediation?

Comparative Media Analysis is a technique where one compares different media platforms to find the most suitable way to convey a message by understanding the limitations, affordances, and expectations of each medium.

What is the example given in the script of someone remediating a message?

The script provides the example of Sasha, who starts a YouTube channel using a cute cat singing catchy songs to teach people about deforestation and environmental preservation.

What is the importance of understanding the medium's affordances and constraints?

Understanding the medium's affordances and constraints is important for effectively communicating a message to a specific audience by leveraging the medium's strengths and mitigating its weaknesses.

How does the script suggest improving one's remediation skills?

The script suggests improving remediation skills by practicing Comparative Media Analysis and being aware of the medium's limitations, affordances, and audience expectations.