Blog Post #4
1) What is the author's understanding of convergence culture?
The author defines convergence culture as a "flow of content across multiple media platforms and cooperation between multiple media industries and the migratory behavior of media audiences who will go almost anywhere in search of the kinds of entertainment experiences they want".
2) What is your understanding of convergence culture?
I look at convergence culture as a type of collaboration.Whether it was meant to become mainstream or not, is a variable. It's in the hands of the viewer more so than the creator to get the content circulating. The more a viewer can get out of a piece of content, the more popular it will be. All of our media is coming through collectively through mostly one medium. We aren't satisfied if something can't meet all of our expectations of entertainment.
3) What can we learn from the media history?
Ways of accessing media has come a long way. Not only have we given ourselves ways to access all media from one medium, but we can do it where ever we want now. To be effective in this kind of culture, you need to stand out. Almost anyone can become an overnight success, and once the ball gets rolling, it's hard to stop it.
4) How are the participators engaging?
Every day we are engaging in furthering the convergence culture. We are constantly sharing things through social media allowing people to see something they might otherwise have not seen. We all have a longing to be connected to others and through technology it's becoming easier to do that.
I like that you refer to the momentum that content can gain overnight. I think we are currently exposed to an unprecedented obsession with fame and success because of the seemingly immediate bursts of attention things can garner when distributed on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that this is probably creating many false expectations about lasting success and hard work, particularly in younger generations. I think convergence culture has significantly contributed to the need for instant gratification. It's strange to think that the way our media is distributed can have such significant psychological and cultural impacts.
Yeah it is definitely important to stand out in today's media. You're right about how with today's technology, literally anyone can become an overnight success. I think Kaitlin is also right about how it has probably diluted our vision of hard work and lasting success because we feel like anyone can be famous now.
ReplyDeleteI think you made a great point about how important it is to stand out in convergence culture.
ReplyDeleteFor students in creative fields, the Internet has been a priceless resource. We can find inspiration at our fingertips. But I also wonder if convergence culture online has spread to art and photography. Instead of being forced to innovate, it is much easier to copy or imitate something we've seen online. (Probably not a new phenomenon, since people could easily copy work from a gallery, but the Internet definitely makes it easier.)
I know I have noticed it in my own art. The kinds of paintings and photographs that are popular online have had obvious influence on my subject matter and style. It's great for inspiration, and it's helped me improve, but what would I be painting now if I had developed a new style with less help?
This seems kind of off topic, but I thought it was a little example of how I've noticed convergence culture influence me!
I like your concept of collaboration between the viewer and creator when you talk about your meaning of convergence culture, I didn't think about it in that sense when it comes to media circulation. Everyone wants to feel connected and this is the easiest and most entertaining way of doing that. Good points!
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