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.