This week, with the help of Henry Jenkins (2004) and Mark Deuze (2007) readings, we looked at the concept of media convergence, specifically in creative industries. The very stem of media convergence for our current interconnected-society is dependent on Web 2.0, a term used to describe the interactive and collaborative capabilities of the Internet.
According to Jenkins (2004), media convergence essentially outlines the process of altering the relationship between existing technologies, industries, markets, genres and audiences. Convergence is a vital aspect of Web 2.0. Our mobile phones do not only send and receive calls and texts, we can now take photographs, send email, play games, surf the web, navigate maps and video call - all from the palm of our hand. Clearly, this concept has largely affected the way we consume content and use our 'everyday' technologies.
Another defining attribute of Web 2.0 is the idea of the "prosumer" or "produser", which describes how the internet can be a medium for both producing and consuming media content. Gone are the days of specialism in print, broadcast or online industries... With the abundance of blogs, online magazines and youtube video channels. Today's accredited media content producers must be multi-platform and multi-skilled wonders, because failing these expectations would otherwise lose the competitive hold for producers in the industry. As Deuze (2007) notes, "the blurring of real or perceived boundaries between makers and users in an increasingly participatory media culture challenges consensual notions of what it means to work in the cultural industries."
With the lowering of both production and distribution costs of content (Jenkins, 2004) and the proliferation & success of produser/prosumer content online... I can't help but wonder what will happen to our forgotten analogue media platforms? And also, the professionalism of the media industry? Will our future interconnected generations do things differently to us, or follow in our footsteps? Will they opt to wipe out analogue forms of media? If this image below is any indication of past changes, it sure looks to be a possibility for the future...
Click the image to see larger version :)
You make a good point Olivia, in asking where professionalism will go in the future. I believe we are already seeing the times where companies must start online to continue growing and expanding, but the power of the Internet will also give the amateurs and entrepreneurs a chance to succeed. The professionalism of work, in my belief, hasn't lowered but people are adjusting to marketing from a different perspective, because things are always changing. Great post.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point with where are former platforms will go. Who knows? Look at Borders Bookstores. They were completely shut down due to e-readers and Amazon. I hope that some of the old platforms don't disappear completely, but I understand how many of them are starting to go. They are not changing with the technology so they are being phased out.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Olivia, I agree with Dimity in that I think the question of the future of professionalism is a very important one, especially for those of us who hope to one day work in creative industries. As for former platforms, it is clear that examples such as Borders on a large scale, but many local businesses on a smaller scale, are being forced to close as they cannot (or will not) adapt to changing technology and customer demands. As you say, with lowering of production and distibution costs and increasing access to users, the produser may well overtake traditional professional production methods in the future.
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