Page - 37 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 01/01

Methodological Challenges by (New) Media | 37www.jrfm.eu 2015, 1/1, 37–42 Christian Wessely Methodological Challenges by (New) Media An Essay on Perspectives and Possible Consequences aBsTraCT The classical concept of media analysis depends to a large extent on linearity, but modern interactive media are mostly non-linear. roger Odin has suggested a method for working with such interactive media; however, the approach he suggests creates a new problem. What would be an appropriate way to deal with the dilemma of bal- ancing sufficient intersubjectivity and concessions to non-linearity? KeyWOrDs media analysis, communication spaces, media literacy, concept of meaning BiOGraPhy Born in 1965, Christian Wessely attended a College for agriculture before studying Catholic Theology at the University of Graz. his doctoral thesis discussed the utiliza- tion of mythological structures in the entertainment industry (Von Star Wars, Ultima und Doom, 1996) whereas his habilitation dealt with the position of the deacon within Catholic ecclesiology (Gekommen, um zu dienen, 2004). his main research areas are film, new media and computer games. He is currently chair of the Institute for Funda- mental Theology at the University of Graz, austria. Prior to any possible definition of meaning there must be an experience that induces the impression of immediate meaning for the individual. such an experience has the potential to shape or even completely change one’s life and is usually denoted as “re- ligious” or “spiritual”. However, “meaning” is not something the individual defines all by itself. every possible meaning of “meaning” is necessarily relational due to the fact that “meaning” always involves a certain objectivity. Claims to provide meaning involve not only personal purpose, but also a connection of this purpose to the envi- ronment the individual is embedded in. Therefore, if one experiences an “instance” that gives the impression of meaning to one’s individual life, one is initially subject to a pre-lingual event, but one is bound to reflect on it in order to integrate it into one’s