Cognitive Science 0325 - Dead Media

This advanced seminar reverses the telescope on the development of new media by identifying media in the past that never materialized, failed to be taken up or were replaced by other media. The main purpose is to see what can be learned from media demises that might inform more accurate predictions regarding new media. Students - hopefully with a range of interests from gaming and computer science to design, theatre and history - will identify a dead medium, a term first proposed by the science fiction writer Bruce Sterling. They will then spend the term conducting an archeology of it: exploring its actual historical experience, perhaps embroidering on it through inventive fantasy, maybe building a model and examining how its story might have relevance for the near-term media future. In addition, we will share common readings on innovative media research - like sound studies - to heighten our analytical abilities.

Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.