An accessible and exciting new textbook that provides students with an in-depth historical and conceptual understanding of the nature and function of media in society. Stacey O. Irwin contextualizes media objects and experiences – including cinema, TV, phones, gaming, radio and podcasting, journalism, publishing, advertising, and more – into three descriptive sections: screens, sounds, and synergies. The text examines how technology is enfolded into the cultural process of contemporary media experience, exploring topics such as social media, augmented reality and other trends from the metaverse. It also reflects on the impact of legacy media and highlights instrumental moments in media history along the way. By examining media history from the perspective of future decision-making, this textbook explores how media technologies have a positive and negative sociocultural impact. This provides students with a more accessible entry point to the topic, and readers are left with a well-rounded understanding of media and the interplay between media, culture, technology, and society. Each chapter concludes with things to consider and additional takeaways to enhance student learning. This is an essential text for students taking classes such as Introduction to Mass Media, Survey of Media, Media History, Media and Society, and Media Culture.