Media Ecology for the 21st Century: Theories of Culture, Communications, and Consciousness

This book frames "theories" as tools for understanding and applying real-world phenomena, bridging classic scholarship with the unprecedented challenges and opportunities posed by machine intelligence, digital platforms, and shifting cultural dynamics. Structured in four sections—Foundational Media Theories, Interaction and Impact Theories, Critical Media Perspective Theories, and Advanced and Future-Facing Theories—the textbook progresses from essential theories like Marshall McLuhan’s and Neil Postman's Media Ecology Theory to cutting-edge concepts like Ambient Media and Attention Economy Theories. With chapters addressing topics such as algorithmic influence, media ecology, participatory media, and posthuman digital embodiment, the book offers a holistic view of media’s past, present, and evolving futures. The 12 future-focused media theories presented include the introduction of Quantum Media Theory and Gestalt Media Theory as an integrated, cross-disciplinary, approach to understanding media theory from a wholistic “whole is more than the sum of its parts” perspective.