Mass Communications Lecture

Overview of Mass Communications

• Definition: Communication from one person or group of people through a medium to many different people.
• Medium: Any communication device used to transmit information.

Historical Revolutions in Mass Communication

1. Phonetic Writing

• Time Period: 3,000 years ago.
• Shift: From pictographic writing to phonetic writing.
  • Pictographic Writing: Symbols represented objects/ideas (e.g., drawing of a dog).
  • Phonetic Writing: Symbols represented sounds of words (e.g., letters 'd', 'o', 'g' for 'dog').
• Advantages:
  • Easier and smaller writing style.
  • Introduction of papyrus (lighter and more portable than clay tablets).
  • Made information more portable and storable.
• Impact:
  • Increased literacy as people could access written material.
  • Wider communication between societies.
  • Beginning of mass communication.

2. Printing

• Essence: Development of the printing press.
• Time Period:
  • First printing press: Year 305 in China (wooden).
  • Johannes Gutenberg's metal printing press: Year 1455 in Germany (movable type).
• Significance:
  • Faster and easier reproduction of books/materials.
  • Shift of knowledge from a few privileged individuals to a broader audience.
  • Information became more accessible and portable.
• Impact:
  • Enabled the development of libraries.
  • Mass communication to a larger audience.

3. Computers

• Time Period: Began in the 1950s.
• Role: Electronic storehouses and transmitters of large amounts of information.
• Technology: Quicker and more efficient processing, transmission, and storage of information.
• Impact:
  • Changed the nature of mass communication.
  • Increased accessibility and ease of information storage and sharing.

Key Ideas in Mass Communication

1. Ability to Store Information
2. Ability to Transport Information
3. Access to Information

Conclusion

• Understanding these revolutions provides insight into the evolution of mass communication.
• Next lecture on Tuesday.