The definition of participatory culture is that the public acts not only as consumers, but also as producers and contributors. In a reading by Henry Jenkins he stated that, "The emergence of new media technologies supports a democratic urge to allow more people to create and circulate the media."
I think this quote really gets at the base idea of participatory culture because new media technologies allows for access and availability for people to be able to participate. Non-profit group, Participatory Culture Foundation, makes available an open- source desktop video player which allows people to view videos or create their own. This video system removes gatekeepers which control the flow of information. The group says that their goal with this project is to make the mass media open and accessible to everyone. And to deepen engagement with culture and politics.
The positive thing about the idea of participatory culture is that since now computer programming skills are not required to create content on the Internet it is open to everyone. And because of this, there is more likely to be a diversity of ideas and content so people can be educated on all sides of an issue and draw their on conclusions or submit their own ideas on the topic. It allows not only those with "power" to be involved but everyone.
The main problem seen is again the idea of the digital divide or the gap between people with access and those with little or none at all. Those who don't have access to the Internet do not have the same opportunities to be involved because most of participatory culture in recent years is through blogging and other online means to express ones opinion. With lack of access they are being excluded from being able to do so.
The idea of participatory culture has leaked into the news media. During the inauguration of President Barack Obama those present were asked to take photos from where they stood and send them to CNN. After CNN created an almost 3d experience of being there as they compiled the pictures together to create one that allowed viewers to zoom in and out and move around the area and see what it would have been like to be at any place there. Also more news papers are creating online editions in addition to their papers. And to add viewer participation, they often have comment areas at the end of each article so readers can write their own comments on the article. This is almost doing away with letters to the editor because there is no limit to how many comments you can leave; with letters to the editor in the paper they can only publish someones letter once every two weeks.
Social networking sites which are mainly about participatory culture. I have a facebook page and I joined a group called "15,000,000 for lower gas prices." This group started out by having members sign a petition to lower gas prices. Group members then started to discuss alternative fuel ideas. Then a Fox News story about a man who created a tool that uses water to cut metal. Members of the group used this idea and created a tool for their cars that uses the same technology and water that goes through a filter to run their cars. So this example shows the way participatory culture can not only allow for online participation but also in real life.
Here is the news video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwfUzJbZBg
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteI think participatory culture is a great new way to get your word out there. I do like the idea that it does remove the gatekeepers in a small way. Ecpecially here in Utah where there are few gatekeepers. I hate when I am flipping through the local channels on my T.V. and every news station are broadcasting the same story with the same views. It is interesting to be able to hear what others have to say about our news that surrounds us. It is a great way for people to learn. It always seems like I am more interested in something if I read about a news event on someones blog or word of mouth. So it is good that people are able to get there ideas out there.
ReplyDeleteI like the story about facebook. The internet has become such a strong resource it can make so many great ideas come about.
It is scary though that the digital divide is getting larger and larger. I think that participatory culture is going to only grow larger. I think ideas like crowdsourcing will become more popular, so the digital divide will just get larger. I am glad that Obama is looking into the issue. When I first moved into my home we did not get the internet for like five months and I felt so out of the loop. It is difficult to even function in this new century without the internet. I think those without internet connection available grow at a slower pace and could be the benefits of the internet will be left behind.