What is a convergence culture, and how is it present in society today?

As complex as the term ‘convergence culture’ sounds, the meaning behind the term is equally detailed as it is complicated.  In order to truly understand the basic concept behind a convergence culture, it is essential to look to Henry Jenkins for the answer.  In his book titled “Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide”, Jenkins explains how convergence is a complex flow of information that can take place on numerous different platforms.   In order to define convergence there needs to be interactivity between media.   There is not a universal definition, but rather the definition depends on the context in which convergence is being used. 

So what does this mean?

Jenkins focuses heavily on media convergence within our society.  In other words, convergence can happen when old and new media coexist.  This however is not as simple as it may sound.  Collective intelligence and participatory culture must contribute in order for convergence culture to take place.  If members of our society are not communicating among each other, then collective intelligence will not be achievable.  It is true that no one individual holds all the knowledge in the world, so if we bring together individuals who are knowledgeable in different areas then it is much easier to achieve intelligence, or rater collective intelligence.  In order for this to happen, there must be a participatory culture where interaction takes place between media consumers and media producers. 

Sounds simple enough…

In general, convergence can only happen when the right ingredients are mixed together: convergence, collective intelligence, and participation.  It is a process that relies on users and producers in order to find a solution.  My understanding of convergence is that this mixture relies heavily on the demands of media users.  If a demand is not present, then there will fail to be an achievable result.  If media users are not specific about their wants and needs, then producers cannot adequately create advancements within our culture.  In other words, we will be stuck in the present.  Participation is crucial when it comes to convergence. 

One key ingredient in the convergence recipe is the combination of old and new media.  This leads to the importance of our past, especially in regards to media history in general.  I believe that there is not only plenty to learn from, but also that it is essential to learn from media history.  It is improbable to make progress if we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.  Instead, we should learn from our previous mistakes, and grow as a whole. 

Many people believe that there will always be an uneven equation when it comes down to who actually holds the power in convergence cultures.  I believe that power can be stabilized if people are willing to engage and participate.  In today’s society, there are more and more people willing to engage with one another due to the ease in communication platforms that the internet has created.  In the past, it was far more difficult to stand out in the crowd of communication, much less to be heard at all.  Our advancements in media have made it convenient for populations to take part and participate, which in turn leads to collective intelligence, which then lead to convergence.    

Our interests in media platforms have created a continuous demand for new innovative ways to communicate everywhere.  Our world is ever-changing, especially in regards to media, which makes it essential that people hop on the bandwagon or else risk being left behind forever.

New Media and Technology: Who sits in the Audience?

Living in an era of ever-changing technology makes it easy to forget, or simply overlook, who is sitting in the crowd (or more appropriately who is sitting in front of the screen).  The internet places no age restriction on its users, which can be seen as both practical and concerning. 

It’s hard to fathom the idea that the small children we see running around are already impacted by new media and technologies.  Whether this is good or bad depends on the user and the extent of information that they are exposed to.  It seems as though the age for interest in technology is getting younger by the second, and it is not uncommon to spot young children (including infants) entertaining themselves through the use of technology.  Whether it is a smartphone, computer, or the television, their attraction to technology never fails.  Parents will do whatever they can to keep their children happy, and if that includes a saliva covered smartphone in the hands of their 14 month old baby, then so be it. 

My father enjoys using the phrase: “back in my day…” which then cues the endless rant about “how easy you have it with today’s technology”.  His stories are proof enough that times are continuously changing.  However ridiculous it may seem to spot fifteen different infants enjoying a stroller ride through the store while completely preoccupied with a technological device in the palm of their hands, it is the unmistakable reality of where our society stands in today’s day and age. 

The space based culture that we live in today requires unending change.  Change in content, new media, technology, software, and even users.  As time progresses, more and more users are entering the online community.  If the continuous introduction of new media and technology simply foreshadows what the future entails, then it only makes sense that our children should be familiar with its interactions.  After all, the children of our society ultimately determine the future of our society. 

The real question is what content is helpful and what content is harmful?  In a journal paper titled, “Children and Computers: New Technology – Old Concerns”, authors Ellen Wartella and Nancy Jennings explore the benefits and concerns that society should have regarding children’s access to the online world.  This article highlights the enhanced learning and interactive nature that accompanies new media and technology uses in children.  Studies confirm that children receive enriched learning experiences that have proven to strengthen cognitive thinking, as well as heightened interactivity levels when using technology such as the internet.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, the downside to early technology use lies in its lack of filtered content. 

The internet is now an endless source for information, but a great deal of its content is not considered appropriate for every user.  If it is impossible to censor every fragment of inappropriate content does this mean that we should ban internet use for our children altogether, or should we simply sit back and hope that their innocence isn’t stolen by the unpredictability of the online community? 

This article not only recognizes the lack of consideration towards content over the internet, but it also makes readers ponder the question: Are we protecting our children by restricting new media and network activities, or are we essentially hindering their ability to keep up with the rest of society?  It is time to acknowledge the fact that the standard for “appropriate” needs to rise in order to stimulate growth among our future society.  This article helps to point out the dire need to improve the level of conversation that happens over the internet. 

"Children and Computers: New Technology - Old Concerns" http://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=45&articleid=201&sectionid=1311

"Personalization and Privacy"

Who should be held accountable for the breach of privacy over the internet? 

The amount of information that we willingly provide to the online world is astounding.  As technology continues to evolve, we have become more and more careless about how much information we voluntarily post to the Internet. 

No, I am not referring to  the continuous stream of Facebook status updates, tweets, or Instagram pictures that inform the online community of your favorite movie #romcoms,  your most recent escape to a foreign country (cue the passport/boarding pass pictures), or even your new canine comrade “Helen added 52 new photos to the album: I GOT A DOG.”   Frighteningly enough, I am talking about the personal information that was released prior to those posts. 

Chances are a bit of research was done before any of those posts reached an audience.  Most likely, a search engine was used to look up any information that could be useful: “Top ten romantic comedies”, “What language do they speak in the Netherlands?”, “How much dog food does a golden retriever need?”  A few more clicks and you are one step away from owning “Dutch for Dummies”.  The only action left is a button that reads “create your account”, which seems harmless enough…

BAM!  You’ve just sent your personal information into the world of cyberspace.  Honestly though, what’s the harm?  Everyone’s doing it these days.  Every Web site requests our name, address, credit card information, social security number, and so on.  The disturbing part here isn’t so much what the requests entail, but rather the fact that we willingly provide the answers to these questions without even batting an eye.  We are essentially taking our identity, shoving it inside a fat and juicy piece of meat, and dangling it right in front of the wolf’s face. 

A few days later and Facebook knows all about your upcoming trip to Amsterdam.  Your Facebook friends have no idea that you’re going abroad, but the same can’t be said for your Facebook account.  Welcome to your front seat view of a “recommender system”. 

Often times we underestimate how much information we are actually handing over to the Internet.   We have an understanding that the Internet is “smart” and “advanced”.  Is this true, or have we just become lazy and stupid?  However helpful e-commerce may prove to be, why are we reluctant to stop the serious breach of privacy that it creates?  Once we log out of an account, we rarely think twice about who might have access to our personal information.  Are we so wrapped up in the ease of the Internet that we can no longer differentiate innocence from ignorance?  It is almost counterproductive for information systems to identify and inform users of privacy risks when no solution exists.  Who will protect us when we can’t even protect ourselves? 

Is there a balanced equation to this solution, or will it remain unstable in the future as well?  Only time will tell. 

2020

2020... it sounds like a year that is so advanced into the future that we all might be riding around on hoverboards by then.  Ten years ago, the eleven year old that I was, I would have wagered a generous amount of money on this prediction.  Generous meaning the only money to my name; a whooping twenty dollars.  Regardless of that amount, I was convinced after watching "Back to the Future" that by the time we reached 2015, the year in which Marty McFly traveled forward to, we would see at least some indication that hoverboards were on the rise.  Unfortunately, this just isn't realistic.

In today’s time, we rely on the internet for anything and everything.  The internet provides a quick and easy way for users to do just about anything.  This being said, the need for print is dwindling as more and more people find it easier to stay updated through the ease of their technological devices.  This applies not only to news found printed in the daily newspaper, but also information regarding social issues and networking as well.  We rarely pick up the phone to call our friends and family to check in anymore, because we can find out this information by simply searching them on our Facebook.  Immediately we can see pictures from their latest trip, status updates about their lives, and so on.  We use the internet to check the weather, to see what is on TV, to stay connected with our favorite politicians or celebrities, and so on.  We use Twitter to follow accounts that can relay important news articles to us, or use it to stay informed with what’s happening in our area.   As the internet continues to change and advance, where will this lead us in five years?

I strongly believe that in five years we will rely on the internet as our sole outlet for news and information.  The use of print is fading, but it is still seen throughout our society with conservatives who still use it as a primary source of information.  It’s not to say that I agree with the retirement of print altogether, but in this day and age it is essential to be realistic.  We already use the internet in so many ways that provide us with our information outlets and half of the time we are unaware of it.  With the use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Chat Rooms, and so on, we are constantly updated with information.  We use word of mouth over the internet to share our opinions, and receive recommendations.  We are able to filter out anything that is not of interest to us, and stay in tune with other information that does concerns us.  Our social media habits are constantly changing, and over time they have helped to evolve the internet into what it is today.   There are already numerous news sources online, so who’s to say that our entire news supply will not become accessible through the internet?  Our reliance on technology will continue to grow, and by the year 2020 we will consider print media a concept of the past.  My optimistic hopes for hoverboards will continue, but for now I will stick to the prediction of something more promising: the Internet.