Editorial: A Reflection on the Role of New Media — From Peer-to-Peer to Protest

Abstract

What does the concept of ‘new’ mean in relation to the technologies that encompass new media? Similar to the path of preceding technologies, new media has permeated many different social, political, and economic realms, transforming the way we carry out daily life. However, the emergence of new media has given rise to a set of assumptions surrounding technological advancement that overlook historical dimensions and ways of thinking about new technology. More specifically, the ‘newness’ of new media carries with it a renewed sense of optimism about technology and its ability to drive social change, revive political landscapes, and foster economic prosperity. One of the aims of this volume is to enlarge this dialogue by further illustrating the depth and scope of issues surrounding new media and the contexts in which new media technologies function.