Recalling Media Moments, Mates and Memories

[Extract] One of the more interesting aspects of producing a book is that it invites you to revisit your own personal and professional experiences with the subjects and themes contained therein. Sometimes this can take the form of recalling cherished moments from one's past, while at other times it incorporates the discipline of setting down what you think it is that drives your current teaching and research practices; occasionally it even involves staring into the swirling mists of a crystal ball, particularly when looking at the future of a subject that is a driver of-yet at the same time driven by- rapid technological change. For me, there have been two quite separate narratives that have come together throughout this project, and I will briefly outline each by way of putting in context at least my perspective on how this book came about. The first is an account of the book as a collaborative production, while the second is more of a personal narrative that later blossomed into a professional one.