Current Mediums

One example of a current medium which has greatly affected society is the website Twitter. Twitter is considered a "microblog," meaning that it is like other blogs, but its content is much smaller. Users with a Twitter account can post messages, links, pictures, etc. of up to 140 characters. Users can "follow" other users' Twitter accounts, and read what they have been posting. Many celebrities and other public figures have Twitter accounts in order to reach their broad fan-bases. This medium is very significant because it allows its users to send small messages and updates to all of their followers, without the hassel of sending out several personal e-mails or making phone calls. 

Another example of a current medium is Apple's App Store. The App Store allows iPod, iPad, iPhone, and now Mac users to access thousands of "apps," or applications for their devices. These apps cover a wide range of uses, from restaurant locators to social networking, to intense games and puzzles. Users can either buy or download apps for free form the App Store. This medium allows app developers to reach a large, broad audience through their apps. The App Store also demonstrates the notion of a "democratized media," in that anyone with an idea or concept for an app can develop it and put it directly on the App Store as long as it is approved by Apple.

A third current medium is an online forum. An online forum is made up of discussions on a website by its users. These discussions are also known as "threads." Many different websites, brands, music artists, celebrities, etc. have multiple forums in which fans and users can have discussions. Most sites have administrators or moderators, who must approve content before it is posted on a forum. A forum is a medium in which users who do not know each other can discuss common interests, ask for advice, or just simply have a conversation in an easy and sometimes anonymous way. Many users have usernames and avatars that are ambiguous, in order to keep their identity private. Forums are a practical medium in which information and ideas are able to be shared.