Media as Mirror vs.Media as Prosthesis

Under the course: New Media StudiesBy: Himanshu Bansal

How media could be a mirror?

We know, in its essence media is a mode of transportation of information or data from one source to receiver. It works as an interfaces between the two. If media does not introduce changes in the information and presents it to the receiver as it is, it should be considered as media as mirror.

How media could be a mirror?

Photographs exactly replicates the purpose of photographer without any change in information

How media could be prosthesis?

In contrast with case of mirror, if media is altering the information by adding or removing the some part of information to have more out of the same according to our need or want.

How media could be prosthesis?

Watching video onto images using Augmented Reality apps.Here printed images are offering more than what it actually consist and make themselves interactive.

Media as Mirror vs.Media as Prosthesis

Reference:Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan