New Media

So my lecturer introduced us to a theorist Henry Jenkins and his article 'Eight Traits of the New Media Landscape'. I found this article really interesting and just wanted to discuss some of the ideas he brought up in his article. This is the link:
http://www.henryjenkins.org/2006/11/eight_traits_of_the_new_media.html

The key idea I was introduced to through this article was Participatory Culture. This is the idea that in terms of media the 'public' can be consumers as well as producers of what they consume. I thought this concept really applied to me, and my use of media especially where social networking is concerned. Social networks provide a great level of participatory culture for people as they can join groups and fan pages, update statuses, and play games. For example on Facebook I am able to consume media posted by others, but I am also able to upload my own media, whether it is a video or a picture.
Participatory culture is also something that has increased over the years as new media has arisen. Media products are constantly improving so that we as consumers have a more active role and can participate more. An example of this is the social networking site Twitter. Twitter allows users to 'follow' other users and be 'followed' in return. This gives users more power to participate in other users lives, as they are able to follow that particular persons train of thought at any time of day.

Some of the other key points I think Jenkins' raised in his article are that New Media is convergent and Everyday. The idea of convergence is that all media products should be 'played out' across the widest range of platforms available. Convergence is described by' as being shaped both top-down by media conglomerates that enjoy the power they have to circulate their content globally as well as bring shaped bottom-up by the participatory impulses of the consumer, 'who want the ability to shape the flow of media in their lives'. In other words 'they want t Jenkins' he media they want, when they want it and where they want it'. Producers are learning that they have to work with and listen to their audiences (consumers) in order to create and circulate the perfect product. I think this point about convergence is very valid because yes big media conglomerates do have the majority of power but like Jenkins' says consumers are finding ways to get the media they want, whether it be through downloading illegally or remixing current media content to produce something new.
As mentioned earlier another key point I felt arise in Jenkins' article was the idea that New Media is 'everyday'. He pointed out that family homes have become 'home entertainment centers'. Media technologies have become a part of everyday normal life for many families and fit in with social interactions. Considering my family I believe there is a lot of truth in this theory. In my household the living  room TV is the place where we all gather as a family to socially interact. Everyone also has access to a mobile phone so we are all constantly in contact. Every room in my house has some form of media technology that we can all access and use whether it is to interact with one another or some other family, relax or do work.