Practical Applications

Media Ecology theory has evolved with society and technology; therefore there are many ways this theory can be applied. One way that media ecology is practiced in today’s society is thought the everyday use of the internet. Technology has evolved, which in turn has allowed society to establish a constant connection with the rest of the world. This has lead society to form a “global village”. Communications theorist Herbet McLuhan discussed this “global village” fifty years before the birth of the Internet.

McLuhan described a practical application of media ecology through electronic mass media collapsing space and time through barriers brought forth by human communication. This communication allowed people to interact on a global scale through mass media and evolved society.

The Internet globalizes communication by allowing users to connect with each other from around the world simultaneously. This has formed a new reality and environment around our society thus forming new sociological structures and changing our own culture.

Another form of practical applications of media ecology is the recent rise in popularity of digital video recorders. Digital video recorders devices allow television viewers to record their favorite programming in digital format onto a disk drive for later viewing.

This advancement within technology and television has allowed the viewers to dictate the time they would like to view a program, ignoring planned schedules. This technological advancement has changed our society and raised alarm among television executives who see the digital recording devices as a threat to commercial television. In addition viewers can fast-forward through commercials, causing an economic threat to television, creating a new culture and environment for television viewers within our society.

            Overall, there is one form of technology that has changed society completely practicing media ecology in our every day lives, that invention is the cell phone. Cell phones have become a necessity for many people; people can’t leave home without one.

This has created a society with the ability to remain in contact with family, friends, and associates at all times. In addition this technology has created an environment where one can know where a person is at all times of the day. Society is presented with the responsibly to answer phone calls at all times, to explain their location at all times, and to respond to others at all times. This advancement has evolved us to practice media ecology every day and lead us into a society of constant communication and connection to the world.

All these advancements have created a new world around us in society. Media ecology has been adapted to our culture. Daily society is changing and we as a whole change along with it. There are practical applications of media ecology within our daily lives and we will continue to change and evolve along with it.

(Blue Team, Spring 2008)