Manovich Reading #7 Questions

1.) Manovich discusses one of the five principles to be automation. In this discussion he notes how low levels of automation require certain degrees of user interaction and minimal computer response. Basically the initial creation of algorithms resulting in media interaction used to be more uniquely created. However, with high automation there is, what the author notes to be, minimal user interaction and a certain extent of algorithmic automation in response, essentially the scale of effort in the process of automation tips. Given the level of automation in response functions and algorithmic creations currently in use with web-surfing and other media experiences, is the new media world destined to an increasingly automated system especially through the expression in art? Does the movement toward a minimal user-program interaction and increasing program-user interaction jeopardize the legitimacy and appearance of New Media Art?

2.) In discussing the “fractal structure of new media” when dealing with modularity, the author notes the potential breakup of multiple facets of a once unified whole. Similarly, this transcoding of an image, object, sound, etc. into “infinite” numerical (or even spatial) data creates a multitude of units each applicable to assignment of specific quantization. While the digitization of entities will always yield infinite numerical possibilities, the interaction with the user when concerning detailed digitization elements in creating an interactive media experience is developing to be more simplistic and unrevealing of the algorithmic and/or numerical complexities. Does this dichotomy in the numerical digitization representation and user simplicity define the New Media Era? Or is there the possibility or current occurrence of, a regression toward a fascination with the acknowledgment of digitization complexities as well as more involved user-program interaction?