Convergence Culture

Jenkins stated "we are entering an era where media will be everywhere and we will use all kinds of media in relation to one another" (Jenkins,2001). This is based on Jenkins' theory of Convergence Culture where old and new Media collide, facilitated by new media devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. I agree with Jenkins- "old media[s] never die" (Jenkins,2008,P130). For example I can read a hard back book, but it could just as easily be accessed as an eBook. Media does not disappear, but shifts and changes across various platforms over time.

Media convergence is where "important stories gets told, every brand gets sold, and every consumer gets courted across multiple media platforms" (Jenkins,2008,P3). An example would be how the 'Bert Is Evil' image crossed several platforms from America to the Middle East. Moreover convergence allows the consumers to connect to disparate media which allows more information. Consumers don't have to experience "the old idea" which was where, all devices would converge into one central device" (Jenkins,2008,P15). They can for example now instead experience the second screen, thus creating a unique feeling, where one device can be as good as the other. This shows that "television did not kill radio"(Jenkins,2008,P14) instead the old mediums developed. However negatively- now consumers can access any media content from across the globe allowing easy access to and spread of child pornography. There are no restrictions on media content in general, and this may have serious repercussions for the old moral order.

Participatory culture see's the rise of the consumers forming fan club communities, interacting with corporate businesses and media industry producing collective intelligence " none of us can know everything; each of us knows something; and we can put the pieces together if we pool our resources and combine our skills"
(Jenkins,2008,P4). Convergence is shaped by the individual consumers who interact with others through the new media devices, and each individual is thus able to will gain a "personal mythology (...) [which is] extracted from the media flow" (Jenkins,2008,P3). Consumers are now realising that their input will allow them to slowly control the media flow. Quality is an issue here an individual consumer producing media content can produce an amazing artefact, or a disastrous one; this individualism may balance the growth of media power and affect how we consume media content and what may be consumed. It is hard to argue against the view that "the flow of content across multiple media platforms, the cooperation between multiple media industries, and the migratory behaviour of media audiences who will go almost anywhere in search of the kinds of entertainment experiences they want" (Jenkins,2008,P2).

Bibliography

Books
Henry,J (2008) Convergence Culture: Where old and new media collide. New York University Press: London

Websites
Henry Jenkins (2001) Convergence? I Diverge [Online]. Available at:
http:/www.technologyreview.com/article/40102/convergence-i-diverge/ (Accessed: 08/10/2013)