Materiality

Materiality, "that which is the matter of something, material substance," from Modern Latin materialitas, from materialis "of or belonging to matter," from Latin materia "matter, stuff" (n.). rom 1560s as "state or quality of being material;" 1640s as "quality of being important to matters at hand” (www.etymonline.com). Materiality are “properties that determine how portable, durable, fragile, transferable, or transmittable a certain type of medium is” (Walter, John. Cyber-Rhetoric: Literature, Theory, Technology, 2014). All mediums and medias have different properties that make up their materiality (Merriam-Webster, Mediums, 2020). Materiality is the concept that every medium or platform used for literacy has its own limits and benefits. Upon comparison of materiality between two mediums like clay and paper, comes the realization that both have affordances (advantages) as well as constraints(disadvantages). From Clay writing to Writing on Paper to Keyboard-Typing— all used for the same purpose—to put our thoughts into words you can see.

Think of it like pros and cons: you can easily erase a pencil-written mistake with an eraser (pro of using a pencil); but if the mistake was written on clay, the whole piece would have to be remade if the clay had already hardened into stone (con of using clay). The materiality of every media encompasses many factors that might lead the writer to choose one medium over another. For example, how well can someone edit their writing, is it transferable, portable, easy to share among others, and much more (Walter, 2014).

The number of affordances over the number of constraints that it has might influence their choice of their medium. Paper and tablets are two types of media so their materiality is different. A tablet would not fit the necessary commitment for a narrative story that is going to be printed to be published. Paper would be the adequate medium to use because paper is easily handled and sold for people to buy and read. A tablet would not be able to multiply itself for publication and for it to be distributed and read as a paperback.

However, “we can also discuss materiality in terms of what it fosters and encourages” (Walter, 2014). Although the tablet might not be appropriate for the printing press, it is convenient for accessibility on the go. Its materiality allows access to any documents or revision of your work with any internet connection. This enforces the idea that every medium possesses their own resources.

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Materiality stems from the simple idea that all writing mediums have varying levels of worth and usefulness. This concept is still being argued and discussed “McLuhan underscores the materiality of this seemingly contentless as well as the formless medium that shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action,” (Hong). Materiality ideals with how effective a medium or form of new media is to convey a message. More specifically, materiality is the means in which a message is affected whether by affordances or constraints due to the limitations of the medium’s material effectiveness. An example of this concept is, if one had to choose between a dry erase board and a sticky note to write a to do list for the next day, what would one choose that is easiest to write on and transport throughout the day? The choice based on its affordances would be the sticky note. However, the sticky note is small and can get lost. The materiality affects the decision for media and mode when communicating a message.

According to Yumma Sammie and ASU, materiality can also be defined as the “affordances” and “limitations” one assigns to any given medium. Whether it be a computer, a notebook, a cell phone. The affordances designate the benefits one receives from using that medium. The limitations of any specific medium, when weighed against the affordances allow the user to select the one that works the best for them. When designating the importance of materiality and how people use writing mediums, it is important to understand that materiality is a concept that is relative to the user. The affordances cell phones provide when texting might be the limitations for another user. As well, the materiality of a medium takes into consideration that the medium being used must both be user friendly, but one must also have a pre-existing idea of what one intends to produce with whichever media one is discussing, (one must already have a message on is planning on communicating to their audience).

This term at its core is drawn from the simple idea that all forms of media have varying material properties with varying levels of usefulness. This is a concept is frequently being argued and discussed, “McLuhan underscores the materiality of this seemingly contentless as well as the formless medium that shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action”(Hong) .Arguably the most important aspect of the definition is that “all media, physical or digital, have material properties, and those material properties help define the affordances and constraints of their respective media”(Watson). These different elements that determine the affordance of new media guide the choices one makes regarding a singular medium a writer might use. It is the basic principle behind the deliberation process when assessing what medium is the best option to achieve any desired effect.

Dennis Baron the author of “A Better Pencil” expresses an avid appreciation for writing in clay, regardless of how effective this form of writing is today, or how he finds a pen easier to use than computers (regardless of how popular or useful they might be), this definition defines materiality from the perspective of the user. “It’s not surprising that those of us that grew up with ink-stained fingers think of computers as harder to master,” (Baron 71). Though certain technologies, mediums, and forms of communication (cellphones, social media, laptops), have more utilitarian significance and are globally appreciated, materiality from the perspective of the user is based on personal preference and how useful, or beneficial that medium might be at conveying their authorial intent.