Numerical Representation: Everything we see on a computer actually exists as a string of numbers in a numerical representation. So, in order for other forms of media to be accessed via a computer, they too must be translated into this numerical code. This happens by a process called digitization. Just as our bodies are made up of cells (and furthermore, strands of DNA), working together for the function of the whole, these informative number strings build up the images we can see on computers.
Modularity: The idea of modularity stems from the idea that new media is made up of a lot of different facets that can work independent from each other. This is comparable to an outfit. The combination of tops and bottoms we wear are endless. Each article functions by itself. It can be added, edited, or deleted altogether. But, each item is self-sufficient, separate from the rest of the outfit. The combination of the different articles is up to the wearer which can be very good or very bad based on personal preference.
Automation: More and more, automatic processes have come into play when media and media access come into question. Lots of media exists, and one of the big automatic computer processes in development right now is a better retrieval method of the media materials. Some people might start to freak out if they think things being and becoming automatic. They shouldn't. I for one, am very glad I don't constantly have to remind my heart to beat or my lungs to breathe. It would get annoying really fast. Automation is just the next step in allowing us to become the lazy creatures we want to be. Bring it on New Media.
Variability: This is the idea the experience we choose to have through computers can be very personalized. Whether the experience is automatic - choosing the ads we see of the quality of our experience based on the speed of our connection - or self controlled - changing your profile pictures or managing your profile period - it varies depending on who is having it. This ability to be changeable is variability. This is comparable to our memories. Our memories are created and stored on strings of proteins. Each time we recall a memory, we reassemble the proteins. During this reassembly, the memory changes depending on our mood or suggestions offered by another party. Because of that, our memories, just like our new media experiences, are variable.
Cultural Transcoding: The language of computers is radically different from the one we use to talk to each other. It's developing crazy different structures that we can't hardly recognize as "language" at all. Transcoding is our process of translating our access to knowledge and language into a code the computer can process. The only example I can think of would be the one I've already kind of explored. The language barrier. It's impossible to translate meanings across languages word for word and have the meaning remain intact. Try logically explaining the phrase "lucked out" to someone learning English. You can't.
In Conclusion: I think the most powerful principle demonstrating our "cultural undergoing of computerization" rests in the realm of automation. The computers are starting to read our minds based on some Google search months ago. For example, a few months ago I searched for the premiere date of the new season of one of my must see shows. I just got a new phone, powered by Android, and it happily tells me whenever a new episode of the show is playing that night. It knew. I'm not talking conspiracies, but the ability of the computers offer such variability automatically is crazy amazing. As the computers do more and more things for us automatically, we're going to get more and more lazy.
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