New media… New media is on everyone’s tongue. New media affects our everyday life. New media plays a major role in our lives. But the term makes me wonder. Not why it affects our lives – because it makes totally sense. I love new media and I would not live without it. But what is actually new media and why is it named ‘new’?

I was reading Siapera’s book and it made me wonder even more. The terminology. The newness. Why is it called new when the internet is over 40 years old? That did not make sense to me at all. Even though she tried the explain herself. I totally disagree. Besides being wrong, I consider the term as vague. Besides being vague, it is a term that has been interpreted differently. If the term was totally sharp, different interpretations would not have been an option – I think. Thirdly, I do not consider the term as lasting. In 10 years from now what will you then call the term? At that time, the internet has turned 50 – is it still new? Or will we just say old instead?

I agree with Siapera that ‘online media’ and ‘digital media’ are neither right terms to describe the media we are experience today. They are too exclusive and prioritize different elements. They do not focus on how technology and connectability are interrelated. The evolving part is important in today’s media.

Maybe we should just name the term ‘evolving media’. Or maybe that will be just as vague as new media. It will refer to all kind of media so it is a broad term. But at least it does not signify something wrong – in my opinion. Terminology is difficult. Maybe it is not that easy to be a thinker who tries to explain things in the everyday life that people not even think of.

The media landscape is dynamic and there occur shifts all the time. Maybe we should stop thinking about the importance of terminology and start thinking more about how new media is actually used. But of course other thinkers do that.