What's On The Tube Today? - On the Ontology of Television and YouTube

Abstract

This research looks at the problems that occur when approaching media in an ontological way. By use of different key characteristics of television, such as flow and liveness, but also elements as production and economy, this work attempts to discern the differences and similarities between both television and YouTube as a case study. Both media are compared to show that in fact they are becoming similar instead of different. Then, how can you still define a medium by an ontological list of traits, when they are also part of other media? This investigation argues for a 'de-ontology' of media, opting for a perspective that focusses on transition, context and temporality instead of fixed elements.