Old Media

We explain what old media is and what they are. Also, its advantages and disadvantages, and its differences with current media.

What is old media?

The media are those instruments, devices or tools that allow a sender sends a message to be received by a receiver.

The old media, like smoke, bugle or carrier pigeonsmeant the first step to emit a message that could be captured by several people at the same time, going beyond face-to-face communication and leaving behind the limits of distance and time. These means were used in previous times, but at present they are not used as frequently because more efficient ones have emerged.

The media are characterized by being supports or techniques that facilitate some aspect in the process of transmitting a message. For example, they allow messages to last over time or to be sent more quickly and over long distances; They facilitate the exchange of information, because it is not necessary for the sender and receiver to be in the same place, or they serve to send information instantly, among other uses.

What are the most important ancient means of communication?

Various ancient media are listed below. Some of them are still used today.

• Smoke. Smoke signals were a very ancient means used to contact someone who was far away or to indicate the location of the emitter. They had a specific code, which both the sender and the receiver had to know.
• Cornet. This sound instrument made it possible to overcome distances. In general, the sound was used to call someone or warn that some problem or danger was occurring. Previously, instead of this musical instrument, a horn was used for the same purpose.
• Stone. Before the invention of paper, stone was the support used to overcome the passage of time when formulating a message. On it, and with other stones or paints, signs, symbols or drawings could be captured. Due to its weight, the distances were an obstacle that he was unable to overcome and its content could only be interpreted by those who knew the signs used.
• Messenger. In this case, no type of support was used, but rather a person was in charge of carrying a message from one point to another and communicated it orally or, later, in writing.
• papyrus paper. This support was used for writing messages. It was made from an aquatic plant of the same name and was written with ink on it.
• Carrier pigeon. In this case, the sender used one or more pigeons to which he placed a tube in one leg, with a letter inside. These birds were trained and managed to cross long distances to carry the message to its destination.
• Letter. In this case, a message was written on a piece of paper, placed in an envelope and the post office was in charge of organizing and sending the letters. It is a medium that is still frequently used today.
• clay tablet. Different ancient civilizations used clay tablets to record administrative and commercial information or specific texts.
• Telegraph. This technological invention allowed distance to not be a problem for transmitting information, since messages were sent from one telegraph to another through electrical connections and using Morse code.

Advantages and disadvantages of old media

If you compare these means with those of today, it is clear that there are more disadvantages than advantages, but at the time they emerged, they were a solution to obstacles such as distance and time. Some advantages and disadvantages are listed below.

• Smoke. As an advantage, it can be mentioned that it allows you to communicate a message over distances, in addition to being economical and easy to make and understand. The disadvantage is that it does not allow many message variants to be formulated and, on rainy days and at night, it is not a good option.
• Cornet. The advantages are that it overcomes distance, is easy to use and understand, and can be used day and night. The disadvantage is that, like smoke, it has a spatial limitation, because it works as far as sound reaches.
• Stone. Among its advantages, we can mention that the content remains over time. The disadvantages are that it requires knowledge of the symbols represented, so it can only be read by those who handle the code. In addition, it takes up a lot of space and is a very heavy material, so distance remains an obstacle.
• Messenger. A huge variety of messages can be sent because the content is communicated by a person and manages to overcome the limits of distance. The disadvantage is that the message, if it is oral, does not last over time, it is subject to the person's memory and can take time, since it depends on the time it takes the individual to move from one point to another.
• papyrus paper. It lasts over time, is light and easy to transport. In any case, it is expensive and can only be used among those who know the symbols depicted.
• Carrier pigeon. He overcomes distances and is fast. Among its disadvantages, we can mention that it is expensive and requires training.
• Letter. It bypasses time and space, and protects privacy. Its main disadvantage is that its shipping can be very slow.
• clay tablet. It keeps messages over time and is easy to draw. Its disadvantages are the weight, which limits the possibilities of transporting it, and that it can only be interpreted by those who know the meaning of its symbols.
• Telegraph. It allows a message to be transmitted instantly over long distances. Its disadvantages are that the message can only be interpreted if Morse code is known and, in some cases, it can cause errors in transmission.

Old and current media

The technology had a huge impact on the ways of communicating. It allowed the new media mass, instantaneousness and the possibility of transmitting more complete and sophisticated messages, ranging from texts and sounds to photographs, graphics and videos.

Furthermore, current media, such as newspapers, television, radio, cinema and cell phones, do not usually present difficulties in transferring messages quickly over long distances, as was the case with ancient media.

Types of media

Taking into account the complexity of media throughout history, German scientist Harry Pross established three categories:

• Primary media. They are those that do not require machines and that allow oral communication. For example, the voice or the use of signs.
• Secondary media. They use printed or written techniques by the person issuing the message. For example, the newspaper or a brochure.
• Tertiary media. They require machines or devices to send and receive the message. For example, television, radio or the Internet.

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References

• Badenes, D. (2014). History of the media. Virtual University of Quilmes.
• Cremayer Mejía, L. (2017). The media and its transformations. Parmenia.
• Piqué, R. and Sánchez-Gijón, P. (2011). The long road of translation towards the clouds. 7th Cuba-Canada Translation, Interpretation and Terminology Symposium. Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​Spain.
• Roca Moreno, L. (2022). History of communication: Homo sapiens. Planet.