Second Reflection Paper

Re-media-tion

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Our first reflection paper focused on our embodied experience of a particular medium. The second reflection adds to this embodied experience through the concept of "remediation." In addition, we will focus our attention on "literary artefacts" that have had an influence in our decision to study literature.

What is “remediation?” Etymologically, remediate comes from remedy, or a cure for illness. However, in their book Remediation, Jay David Bolter and Richard Grusin (1999) claim “re-media-tion” is the process of curing problems that appear in older media. New media attempt to solve problems of older media by adapting older media to the new form. As we move closer to a world in which electronic media become the primary vehicle of communication, we will need a better sense of how electronic media adapt older media to its own form. They suggest, like McLuhan, that every medium should be understood as “that which remediates” – that all media translate, refashion, and repurpose both the form and the content of alternate media. Remediation occurs in speech and writing just as much as in electronic media.

As an experiment, select a literary artefact and “re-mediate” it. That is, if your artefact is a short story, convert or translate this artefact into another medium (audio recording, image, video recording, drama, hand-writing, website, tweet, or power point are a few examples). In your reflection, describe the process of re-media-ting this artefact: what is lost and what is gained? How does the “content” change through the new medium? Begin thinking of the categories employed by McLuhan (media studies) as well as Du Gay and Hall (cultural studies).

Provide an exhibit of your “remediated” artefact: Upload an image, video, or audio file related to your artefact.
Write 500 words (roughly 2 pages, double-spaced) reflecting on the changing “content” of this artefact in relation to the form of the old and new medium.
Type your reflection on a word document, copy and paste to the form, then submit.
You can integrate one or two additional central concepts from the back of our course reader or website: However, don't just add words. Be sure they are related to your analysis and can help you offer insights. I suggest you use the central concepts from week 1-4 to help you become familiar with them.