John Johnston's background combines expertise in modern literature, poststructuralist philosophy, and high technology's production. Like Kittler, he draws on historic fact, anecdote, and literature. From this vantage point he explicates the theoretical and practical consequences of Friedrich Kittler's insights into the social and psychological effects of the processes by which metaphor in one medium is made real by another.

John Johnston's background combines expertise in modern literature, poststructuralist philosophy, and high technology's production. Like Kittler, he draws on historic fact, anecdote, and literature. From this vantage point he explicates the theoretical and practical consequences of Friedrich Kittler's insights into the social and psychological effects of the processes by which metaphor in one medium is made real by another.

"This book offers a new look at the latest research and critical issues within the field of information systems by creating solid theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical findings of social developments"--

The new media landscape touches every aspect of our social, political and cultural lives. It is more important than ever, therefore, that we are able to understand and explain the complexity of our digital world. Understanding New Media gives students the tools and the knowledge they need to make sense of the relationship between technologies, media and society. This best-selling student introduction: Makes complex ideas accessible, clearly explaining the key thinkers, theories and research students need to understand Brings theory to life with a range of new case studies, from selfies or trolling, to the app economy and algorithms in social media Gets students started on projects and essays with guided research activities, showing them how to successfully put learning into practice Provides guided further reading, helping students to navigate the literature and extend their studies beyond the chapter Understanding New Media remains the perfect guide to the past, present and future of the new media world. It is a vital resource for students across media and communication studies and sociology, and anyone exploring new media, social media or digital media.

"Lance Strate takes the reader on a journey through the interdisciplinary, communication-centered field of media ecology, the study of media as environments, a field that encompasses the study of technology, symbol systems, and aesthetic form, in addition to traditional conceptions of media and mediation. Strate presents media ecology as an open-ended intellectual tradition, a network of great books and independent thinkers. Echoes and Reflections: On Media Ecology as a Field of Study is a unique book that provides the first comprehensive overview of the field, followed by a case study concerning the relationship between modes of communication and constructions of the self."--BOOK JACKET.