“The axis or dimension that is measured has no indivisible unit from which it is composed,” this quote from the text explains  the concept of Continuous Data. The understanding of what Continuous Data is, is important in the development  of new media objects. What Manovich means by a new media object, is something that is generally computer generated and has numerical form. Manovich then explains that when old media devices are used to create objects, the form is in continuous data. Manovich wants readers to understand that new media objects are commonly converted from old media and the conversion process of Continuous Data  into numerical data, is now known as Digitization.

Further into Manovich’s explanation , he states that there are two steps within digitization. The first step is called sampling. Within this step continuous data is gathered into a specific group, which is normally chosen to display something. Manovich gives an example of sampling  in the text as , “a grid of pixels used to represent a digital image.” In the act of sampling, continuous data becomes discrete data, which he defines as “data occurring in distinct units.” The second step to digitization is called quantization.  In quantization, sampled data is then given a certain numerical value that comes from a defined range.

I believe it to be important for any artist that plans on using a form of new media to create something, should be able to fully grasp the inner workings of the process. Manovich explains the scientific background  and makes it easy to understand.I would have never known of the numerous processes that go into something that seems so simple, when i go to create a new media object . Understanding the different types of data will definitely help for developing future projects within the various new media devices i will be using.

Before our most recent class my knowledge on recycling was  rudimentary at best.  I would never take a moment to think about where the plastic goods arrive after being recycled. Finding out that there is a place in the ocean where plastic objects and other garbage items conglomerate, destroying countless habitats is deeply disturbing. This area called the Great Pacific garbage patch has brought to my attention, that i must do more than simply recycle my plastic goods i must reuse them. But In order to fully understand how to go upon reusing these objects it is important to research the types of chemicals each were made of. I found out that the plastic bottle of iced tea i had brought in to class was made of Polyethylene Terephthalate or PET, this is a common chemical in resins of generic plastic liquid containers. Further into my research about this chemical, i found information saying that water bottles made with this chemical can be used in solar water disinfection systems. Solar water disinfection systems are common among developing nations as a method of water purification. Solar water disinfection is just one way of reusing plastic objects that is both beneficial to the environment and the human race. This research we did in class has influenced me to find other ways to reuse common plastic items. The possibilities of the reuse of plastic objects seems endless. What was also interesting about this recent class was the perspective of an artist on reusing plastic. The artists who taught our class, expanded my mind by showing us an innovative concept. Which is using something i would normally think to just toss away, like a water bottle, as art.

Marshall Mcluhan,  author of “The Medium is the Massage,”  makes several points to how advancement in technology has created extensions of the human senses.  I completely agree with this sentiment. Mcluhan includes “Your neighborhood,” as something that has been extended due to advancement in technology. There have been several different creations throughout the years which have extended the sense of what “Your neighborhood” is.  The most prominent of these creations is Facebook™.  Before the invention of this social media site people had to actually get out of their house and speak to others to learn about them. Now with Facebook™ people can virtually learn a person’s entire life story with just looking at the their profile.  Facebook™ has become an online neighborhood where pretty much everyone across the world are now “neighbors.”

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