[Air-l] we need a new word?

[Barry Wellman]

I was speaking at a seminar for non-techies at MIT yesterday (not a
contradiction, as these were community development folks from across the
USofA).

And I found myself saying -- and my PPTs reading -- "Internet" -- but then
verbally qualifying by saying, "well I really don't mean the traditional
email Internet, but also IM, chat, lists, video, etc." (add your favorite
including Usenet and BBS).

What to call it? "Computer mediated communication" is a mouthful, jargony
and chews up PPT space. "New media" is too indistinct and PoMo: moreover,
is email "new media" any more? We should focus on the affordances of
the media and not on the newness.

So what to call it. My first thought at the breakfast table was "e-media",
but I am open to other suggestions. I also am putting it on the list,
because I am confident that others have had similar dilemmas, and that it
would be best if we had a standard word.

 Barry
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  Barry Wellman         Professor of Sociology        NetLab Director
  wellman at chass.utoronto.ca  http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman

  Centre for Urban & Community Studies          University of Toronto
  455 Spadina Avenue    Toronto Canada M5S 2G8    fax:+1-416-978-7162
	     To network is to live; to live is to network
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