compromise

The Web 2.0 component of the new media is perhaps the most exciting part of the interaction between "old" and " new" media in the process of learning and teaching humanities and other disciplines. If somebody may object to the quality of the content disposed on Wikipedia or other collaborative wiki platforms (although as Rozenweig's piece suggests some problems can be transformed into advantages), then I guess both "experts" and "amateurs" enjoy the possibility to share their views and thoughts on a certain topic, or to engage in an interdisciplinary discussion.

Here the excitement is not merely that the Web 2.0 will replace the traditional conferences, but it is the great opportunity to display your thoughts and your research process to the scrutiny of the diverse audience. Of course, there is a risk that after an extended session of exchanging comments in a virtual realm, one might found out that there are no more subjects to debate at the conference table, but at the same time, there is another opportunity, that the lively debate will transcend the pixelized format and will jump into the implementation stage.

When in comes to the implementation stage, "First Monday" series featuring Schnapp's idea of any public institution as "a glocal enterprise" transcends the concept of the archives, libraries and museums as physical repositories of memory and make the "memory palaces of the 21-st century more permeable." In this sense, new media has to be an additional layer of means which will not only bridge the communication gap between different social groups, but will also generate interest and non-traditional insights into the physical space of the museum.

A new medium needs new tools. In other words, you cannot make modern cars only with hammers. Although they are still used and will be used, you need some special technical skills to operate different techniques. In this sense, Bruce's project can be characterized as an online photo laboratory which train photographs for the possibilities and challenges of the new medium.