Convergence Culture: A Conversation with Henry Jenkins

Henry’s blog

What does fandom mean? (20 years ago) it was about remixing and repurposing. (flash forward) same concepts found in web2.0 and convergent culture using social networks and collaborating. models after fan culture.

The internet and fandom. More people find their way into fandom; expansion. Observing and communicating in real-time. Example, Twin Peaks, fan base were early adopters and used online to further develop storylines and characters. Creates a demand for more indepth info, more backstory and more character development.

Fans getting sued for use of copyright material. Likeliness of stopping remixing and collaboration is nil. Publishers need to accept. In fact, this enhances value of the brand and the product. The participatory community is continually threatened by Hollywood. There is bullying from intellectual property holders.

Further, legislation is being passed to protect children by limiting access.  Education from librarians, teachers, parents, and mentors would be far more effective. On top of limited access, youth are also targeted by media owners for copyright infringement. The social area online is under fire by government and governing bodies. Heading to requirement of parental permission for all means of communication using electronic devices. Part of the problem is fear mongering in government and mainstream media.

Online democracy and participatory culture. The language is changing. Democracy needs to be a lifestyle. Photoshop democracy - communicating politics through a language of imagery. The language of fan culture will colour the climate of the upcoming [american] election.

Is knowledge process or product? Wikipedia is a the monument of participatory culture. Need to tap into energy of Wikipedia to develop national policy.

Panelists:

• danah boyd USC Annenberg Center
• Henry Jenkins Dir,   Comparative Media Studies - MIT