Defining New Technologies

Encyclopaedia Britannica defines technology as “the application of knowledge to the practical aims of human life or to changing and manipulating the human environment.” The term technology comes from the [Page 490]Greek words techne, “art, craft,” and logos, “word, speech.” While there is no universally accepted definition of new media technologies, they can be best understood as new forms of media technology or new applications of existing media technology.

It is useful to distinguish newly invented technological tools from already existing technologies. New technologies (e.g., CDs and DVDs) are based on advances in digital computing in recent years, which have led to smaller, ...