In the Middle Ages, due to high illiteracy rates, paintings often served as the main medium of communication. Today, media communicates through monitor screens and their pixels. Pixels are rectangular dots created by hardware that combine to form text or images. Currently, the pixel is the smallest unit of media communication. Cryptopunks, NFTs created by Canadian software developers Matt Hall and John Watkinson in 2017, are images composed of rough-resolution pixels. Although their value has increased due to their historical significance, ‘Cryptopunk #7523’ from the series was sold for $11,754,000 at Sotheby’s auction on June 10, 2021, because it conveyed rarity and history through its rough pixelation. This NFT, which utilizes square pixels as a tool, conveys a similar concept to Lego blocks, which are meant to be constructed with blocks. In media, messages are created, distributed, and valued based on the nature of the expression tool. The tool is the message. - Joseph’s “just my th...
Before the high level of civilization, human life was tribal. However human beings were needed for the large-scale labor force for industrialization, so people were gathering in the cities for a living. That was the detribalization. These days when we are developed by social media, people are used to selectively make a relationship with those who have similar philosophies and preferences. Rather, the new media makes the retribalization in different meanings. Therefore, now human relationships are becoming more important the interests and preferences. When choosing to make a relationship, people gather according to their preferences. Communication is narrower and more easily ostracized. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”