Hot Media Prominent during Mechanical Age Also referred to as high definition Little interaction involved

Cold Media Prominent during the Electric Age Referred to as low definition Audience must participate to complete information

Hot Media State of being filled with information A lot of information is given Ex: Photograph, Alphabet, Film, Radio

Cold Media Very little information is given Requires audience to participate to complete information Ex: Cartoon, Speech, Television, Telephone

Hot Media A photograph is clear and full of visual information and detail. As the saying goes, A picture is worth a thousand words.

Cold Media Cartoons are low definition simply because they provide low visual information. The viewer must use their imagination to fill in the blanks.

Hot Media The alphabet, when printed on paper is hot because it gives all of the information without any participation or completion by the reader.

Cold Media Speech is a cool medium because the listener must participate greatly in order to fill in much of the information that is being given.

Hot Media Film and theater overload the audience with intense audio and visual information; No participation from viewer. Pay each time for prepared space. High definition.

Cold Media Television is small, unclear, and weak to the audio and visual senses; Not overpowering. Do not need to pay every time to watch. Low definition.

Hot Media Radio is high definition. Informs listener without any need for participation; not open for debate or discussion. High quality sound.

Cold Media The telephone has low quality, minimal sound. Requires completion of information by listener. Low definition.