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Digital media. The idea that something is broken down into a digital

Signature or file by using combinations of 1’s and 0’s

Mr. Morse was the first true visionary of the digital age; even though he never saw a CD-Rom, modern computer, or the Internet. His idea is still very much alive and being used by billions of people around the world. Morse gave us the most simplistic way to break information down for transmission. The telegraph was only a medium; his code was the real work of his genius.

Think about it, his idea was scaleable–it could accommodate a short or long message. It could be transmitted and retransmitted through various junctions to arrive thousands of miles from its original location. Sounds a lot like e-mail doesn’t it?  At first, very few people understood this complex language of codes and taps, but in time the practice spread to other applications. The only limitations were how far the wire could reach.

Morse Code was the first protocol for mass electronic communications. A standard that enabled growth and empowerment to otherwise cut off sections of business, government and remote regions. Most people have heard of Morse code, and they understand the simplicity of Morse logic. That is: tap long or short on this transmitter in a series of sequences, and the person on the other end will translate what you wrote.

In it’s time; Morse code was more impressive and magical than the telephone, TV or computer. The reason was simple; there had never been something like this before. The point of reference simply did not exist, but once exposed to the technology, the wheels of opportunity and possibility began to spin setting thousands of inventions in motion.

Morse had the right idea, provide a platform to enable communication and invite others to learn it, use it and embrace it. Cities lined up to have the latest technology because the possibilities were overwhelming. Imagine being able to talk to other towns, without sending a letter, or messenger! Leaders could make informed decisions quickly, without having to focus on the delivery, transport time and complications of a written message. Information was becoming more transparent and available. Content transmission of news, weather, and voting results even the birth of a baby was sent over the “wire”.  Remember this happening when websites became more common in the mid 1990’s?

There were bugs to work out of course, not everyone was as technically savvy on the Telegraph. Their messages came through with typos, errors even accidental omissions of words.  This may have been because the contraption lacked a backspace key, but compared to modern times and the e-mails I get everyday, things haven’t changed much.

The wire relay system proved to be limited in time though. Increased traffic, long-winded messages grew until the system became absorbed. On the night the Titanic sank, there was so much wireless traffic coming from the vessel about racing results, notification of early arrival to New York and other mundane messaging, that the SOS went ignored by a ship within 5 miles of her fatal iceberg strike. Messaging had already proven to be a life saving and vital element of our civilization. Unfortunately the USS Californian did not heed the calls for help and history made a grim record of the event. Even at that time, we were becoming a society obsessed with communicating. Until then, ships had used their own communications system, a set of flashing lamps that mimicked Morse code through long and short flashes. This was a clear example of taking the next step with communications. They applied a given system of logic, and used a new medium to transmit it. Like emailing photos of the grand kids in an email, rather than placing them in an envelope.

This process continues today, all of the digital technology in place works on the same platform as Morse code. Instead of Morse code, the language is binary math, but the principal is the same. A numerical code replaces a letter or number, those codes are strung together to form words, calculations, images, everything on your computer. We have digital music, digital satellite TV and new to the scene, digital paper (where information is stored on a special paper).

So what is Morse logic? Morse logic is the application of an understood communications principle into areas previously undeveloped by technology.  The spread of the Internet followed the pattern of Morse logic. College students developed a language to view server contents at other universities by way of a browser or viewer. This viewer required information to be written in a simple language called hypertext markup language or HTML. From there the idea was developed to be able to send a viewer to other pages or other sites by way of a relay language called hypertext transfer protocol or HTTP. You will see these acronyms all over the place when surfing the web, but they are transparent to the user. (Even though they are essential to the functions of web use.)

Imagine how many steps have occurred between the Internet and the Telegraph? First we wrote messages, and then tapped them in code, then radio came along and we were able to talk over long distances, which brought on the telephone. Then came the Television, and then network broadcasts, followed by cable, and followed by Satellite TV. In all cases, the technology grew in parallel with each system remaining in place, except the telegraph. We still write letters, use radios, make phone calls, watch TV and order movies via pay-per-view but we use something different for the telegraph, we use a computer.

Something is happening to this paradigm of parallel media, something that has not occurred in the history of communications. The original idea is replacing or absorbing the other mediums. Today, the computer and its attached network are replacing the need for the other devices as we know them.

Morse logic is being applied to the parallel forms of communications and as a result the next step has been taken. We can talk over the Internet, send a message to a pager, and even view camera shots of remote areas that are thousands of miles away. We can view web casts of television shows, watch live performances or hold a conference call with simultaneous participants in random locations. All of this can be done from one device, the web-connected computer. This computer though far more complex than the original Morse system, uses the same methodologies of code, relays and user flaws that were present originally with the telegraph.

The next step is now in motion; soon we will interact with television shows, and see new levels of targeted marketing. We will be driving down the street and ask our car where the nearest Italian restaurant is. The car will give us the name, directions, make reservations and display a sample menu on the vehicles built in touch screen. If this seems overly technological, or too far-fetched, remember two things:

This is transparent technology that simply enables us to ask a question, get informed and then react (like the guys on Star Trek).

This idea is already being tested with the latest automobiles, ISP’s and Wireless Application authors.

Morse logic is not about Morse code; it’s the concept of building block technology that enables the next step in transparent communications to take place.

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