While I’ve always been somewhat skeptical about the direction our media generation is heading, I have to admit that what Jenkin’s terms our ‘participatory culture’ is a much more natural manifestation of how I believe people like to share knowledge. Old media forces us into an information hierarchy, closed to debate and commentary, praise or criticism. As media is now able to flow across many different platforms and freely into our lives, technology has thus influenced the way we perceive other people, cultures, places, work, leisure and ourselves. Convergence has many positive effects, however I hate to think of instances where economic imperatives have been the dominant cause for ‘old media’ being phased out. My main gripe is with the introduction of Kindle – a sad day for literature. How any one can possible read a novel on their iPhone is beyond me…
Anyway, the topic of convergence culture has interesting implications for my report - which looks at the ways social media alters socio-political space - so I thought I’d do a little more research into convergence culture and politics. While the ‘everything at your finger tips’ notion makes it sound like information is only one click away, there is a disturbing trend for what Professor Harsin terms the ‘rumour bomb’. This refers to an instance when someone accidentally (but more often than not deliberately) posts misinformation on the Internet, which generates enough traffic that it ultimately influences the production of content in other media forms such as TV or radio. The thing that makes the Internet great is also its greatest weakness – and people’s incomprehensible ability to believe almost anything poses many challenges, especially when people are now being hired to start these kind of rumours… it’s a new age for public relations.
Nice post Jess. I like your link to Public Relations at the end, particularly if you look at CSR and other initiatives with regards to the profession.
ReplyDeleteThis is kinda unrelated but if your research topic is social media and politics an interesting concept you should check out is the digital divide. Basically it's the gap between those who have access to and control of technology and those who do not. Have you heard about it? I did a research report on it last year for another subject and found it to be rather interesting. I also think it could be used to provide a bit of a contrast to the whole idea of convergence, as some countries are nowhere as advanced as others when it comes to merging technologies and old media. Just food for thought :)
I would have to agree with you that Jenkin's term of participatory culture is the natural way in which users can generate and view information. Convergence has really adversely affected the way content flows and how it is perceived, but it mostly positive ways for our current interconnected generation.
ReplyDeleteWe have already see the phasing-out of many technologies like CDs and DVDs, I wonder whats next? Great post Jess.
Great post Jess! Two things: firstly, I totally disagree with your dislike for the Kindle, the fact that you have a hundred books with you whenever you want, with the pages marked and at the font size you need, all of which fits easily into your bag, is astounding to me. And a very good thing. I honestly find it easier to read off a Kindle than a regular book because of the backlighting and text. But anyway, each to their own. Secondly! The notion of the rumour bomb is very interesting to me, and I love the way you've related to it to PR. The first case that comes to my head when I hear it is the 'Gay Girl in Damascus' blog, which was qutie the publicity stunt. Great work.
ReplyDeleteI love how you considered the 'rumour bomb' concept and how media convergence often means that misinformation can be spread at a rapid pace. A great example of this is the rumour of celebrity, Jeff Goldblum's death earlier this year. Although quite funny, this is a perfect example of how misinformation posted on Twitter was broadcasted on national television and made worldwide news. Further reading here: http://bit.ly/unY1Ej
ReplyDeleteI also found a great article explaining rumour bombing with convergence media here http://bit.ly/tlQiRU.
In regards to the kindle, I have never used one but the idea of having hundreds of books in one light weight technology is astounding, and a little irresistible! But can you ever really beat the satisfaction of finishing a big heavy book?
Insightful post Jess.