Modalities

Modalities

Modalities, or plural for Modal, is a relational term of media pertaining to its' presentation, form, or mode. Basically, modalities are modes; a manner, way, or method of doing.

Modality is a path of communication between the human and the computer or other electronic devices, a sense of which the human can recieve the output of the computer.

When Relating To Media

Modalities of media, however vague they can sometimes be, are always constructed from a particular person's point of view. Two people could paint or draw the same thing. Differences in background, ethnicity, childhood experiences, sociological, religious, or other differences in the individuals could allow for the works to appear and function in completely different ways, or in other words, their modes would differ.

Evolution of Modalities

Through time the modalities of different media change to suit the needs of human beings. This is natural but interesting because we are constantly adopting new methods of media to use to our advantage and in turn, help ourselves evolve as a race. There are many examples already presented in history its self to explain this concept. People used to record history on cave walls. These days we have dozens of information gathering resources such as textbooks, newspapers, television, and the internet. People used to only own large house phones attached to the wall. Through time, the telephone became much smaller and much more portable. Now we can attach it to our ear. The evolution of media through time in order to suit our needs is the basic concept of modality of media. There is also the evolution of media through advertising and design, it is no longer completely hand rendered, now it is mostly done by computer.