>Compare and contrast the approaches that von Wodtke and Mitchell take to virtual space. According to von Wodtke, how should one address this space? How does Mitchell suggest that we look at this space?

Due 22 Oct. Making Sense of Space and Architecture

Von Wodtke says media space is "The context in which people can use representations to work with artificial reality." This distinction of media space as artificial, is an important concept to keep in mind when we think about interacting in the media environment. We, the users, are alive, thinking, creative beings. Media space has been created by us to serve as a tool to help us perform tasks in an effective manner. According to von Wodtke, when we use media we need to develop an image of the

media environment like a map of a city, which is "reality."

Just like a city map, when we visualize the artificial reality of our media space as a map, we understand where we are on the map. We understand how to get from one place to another. We understand the functions of each place on the map. When we understand all of this, we will be able to interact effectively in this space.

Most of Mitchell's book is about how our world is changing as a result of our new media space. I think he is telling us about the effects of this space on our lives. He is telling us we need an awareness of what is happening. In order to relate this media space to our perceptions he uses comparisons. "As our bodies morph into cyborgs, the buildings that house them are also transforming." He compares bookstores to bitstores; stacks to servers; galleries to virtual museums; schoolhouses to virtual campuses; banks to ATMs; and on and on. In some situations, these changes will replace the old, but in others they will not be

able to replace the real thing. We still need personal contact with other humans. We still want to use all of our senses to enjoy a painting or a sunset or feel the rain on our faces.

Mitchell says all of this leads to the creation of "Soft Cities." In this way, Mitchell's views are similar to those of von Wodtke in which he sees media space as a place where we live, work and play. Space in Mitchell's media space is a commodity who's value will be determined by the old laws of supply and demand. When the demand grows larger than the supply, who will allocate this space? As citizens of this space, the question becomes, who will develop the "coded rules" of this space.