The Language of New Media

In this influential book Manovich proposes five principles of new media: 1) Numerical representation: new media objects exist as data. 2) Modularity: the different elements of new media exist independently. 3) Automation: new media objects can be created and modified automatically. 4) Variability: new media objects exist in multiple versions. 5) Transcoding: The logic of the computer influences how we understand and represent ourselves. Another often cited point in the book is his discussion of database aesthetics and database narratives. Manovich's work is based in cinema studies and his book was especially rapidly taken up in media studies departments.