The Digital Medium and its Impact

-   The Digital Medium and its Impact

The digital medium is an effect a growing, technology-based society. Because our society revolves around growing technology, stories have begun to change in form. People are now free to express their stories and ideas to the whole world digitally through the internet. This can be an interactive process; more interactive than print. The digital medium is only accessible to those who have computers and internet. The way I see it, each new story that is published digitally connects the entire interface a little bit more.

No other medium of writing can be manipulated like the digital medium. Because the internet is digital and the story is digital, writers are able to connect the two to enhance their writing. In this medium, hyperlinks are accessible. Hyperlinks are simply items that redirect the reader to another area or site that can potentially enhance the reader’s knowledge. For example, in a particular story, an Emperor Tamarin might be mentioned (Click on Hyperlink). As a person who has a very basic knowledge for animals, I would have no idea what this animal is or looks like. A hyperlink could be used to go to a page with a picture and a description of the animal to learn that it is a monkey-like creature that lives in the Amazon. Hyperlinking can expand the knowledge of a general reader. There are many cases in which authors have a special knowledge of something that the general population would not necessarily know. The digital medium and hyperlinking can help use other sources to explain these things instead of relying solely on the author’s explanation in print. The digital medium also differs from any other medium because of discussions. People can read and discuss the content simultaneously with other people on the internet. An example of this would be a blog. Discussion in a group setting is almost always beneficial in terms of ideas, interests and other story related topics.

The digital medium and digital storytelling has had an immense impact on the way people view reading and writing. Computers and other digital medium are becoming the norm for reading, writing, and interaction. On a personal level, digital writing has allowed me to become more creative with my writing. As opposed to print, where writing down words was the only way to tell a story, digital storytelling is a breath of fresh air. There are not any constraints or restrictions as to what you can write about and how to write it. Although the digital medium is not directly related, I now feel comfortable with experimenting with new styles of writing and even mixing and matching styles of writing.

Digital medium has expanded the capability of both the reader and writer. With a new technology based era, people are free to construct, post, and read pieces of writing on the internet. Digital storytelling is not restricted to words either. Hyperlinking and other tools can be used to help the reader and expand the knowledge of that reader. It continues to grow in popularity and size. The digital medium has had a positive impact on both writers and readers.