Double Logic of Remediation

In my recent workshop we explored a new topic named the double logic of remediation. According to J. David Bolter and Richard A. Grusin their theory on the topic is the characteristics of new media and its continuous remediating media outlets such as television, radio, journalism and other old media.

Remediation also spreads out and takes two different forms to explain it, such as immediacy and hypermediacy in its media form.

 

Immediacy, which I like to call being lost in the moment during a session with a media source, it is being lost in the environment, more involved and realistic and unaware of the new media. For example, when you are watching a horror movie, you feel extremely involved as if you are a character in the movie; you feel the suspense, tension, scared, scream and in general reactions to the movie. Another source of media that can be consumed and have the outcome of immediacy is video games. For a great example is the famous virtual pilot game. This gives you a real life experience of what it is like to pilot and it is as realistic to the real thing. 

Whereas Hypermediacy is the complete opposite, this is where you are completely aware of the use of media; an example of this is a new media source where you can connect to friends and family over the world for free over Skype. For Skype all you need is a webcam to make video calls and communicate where you will be fully aware and constantly reminded of the new media used to make this possible. There is also another term that can sum up hypermediacy ‘breaking of the fourth wall’. The fourth wall is an imaginary wall placed in front of the stage where the audience sees the action and the other three walls are placed behind and both sides of the audience. From my research, since this is the first time I have heard of this is when the character if fully aware of the fictional role being played whether addressing an audience directly or indirectly and when the fourth wall is broken the audience realise it is a media and may interact with the creator, and this is where they communicate with the audience and the use of immediacy and hypermediacy comes in and creates the double logic of remediation.

In conclusion finding out about this has made me more aware of the media I consume and how it effects me towards immediacy and hypermediacy but I think it depends on the type of person you are as it doesn’t affect me as much as it might affect somebody else and I don’t believe it could really play a major role in reality.