廣電科技、家戶空間與家庭時間的論辯──英國媒體與文化研究的理論性觀點

Broadcast Technology, Household Space and Domestic Time -- The Theoretical Arguments and Perspectives in British Media and Cultural Studies

過去二十年來，廣電科技與家庭生活已經成為英國媒體與文化研究新興的學術領域，其中關於廣電科技、家戶空間與家庭時間的論辯是最重要之探討主題，藉此瞭解廣電科技家庭化(domestication)的過程。本文之目的在於回顧與批判該領域的理論性觀點，首先，探索廣電科技興起後，對工業化社會家庭生活的影響，特別著重R. Williams與A. Giddens的啓發。接著，以R. Silverstone借用E.P. Thompson的道德經濟(moral economy)概念為基礎，討論廣電科技與家戶空間，以及廣電科技的使用、收聽或收看與家庭時間的關係。最後，本文指出，未來的研究除植基於該領域中原有的理論性觀點與議題，另一方面則應將研究對象擴及其他資訊與傳播科技，如電腦、錄放影機、有線電視、衛星電視等，論述這些科技是如何透過家庭消費被整合至每天生活脈絡之中。

In the two decades, broadcast technology and domestic life has become a new academic field in British media and cultural studies. The most important issue in this research area is the dialectic relationship between broadcast technology, household space and domestic time. Based on this debate, researchers are eager to understand the process of domestication of broadcast technology. The purpose of this paper is to review and to criticise the theoretical arguments as well as perspectives in this field. Firstly, this paper explores the impact on domestic life in the industrialised society because of the arrival of broadcast technology. It especially concentrates on the enlightenment of R. Williams and A. Giddens. Secondly, with the concept of moral economy that R. Silverstone borrowed from E. P. Thompson, this paper discusses the relationship between broadcast technology and household space, and the relationship between the use of broadcast technology and domestic time. Finally, this paper points out, except the theoretical arguments, the research targets for future studies could extend to other information and communication technologies - computer, VCRs, cable and satellite television, for example, to understand how these technologies are integrated into everyday life through domestic consumption.