This week's class was the last which involved readings. I have to say, even though I wasn't originally too sure about one or two books, they have all proven to be really helpful in knowing more about the internet and how we use it for consuming information. I wouldn't have originally thought that there could be a book written on the Long Tail, manly because the concept seems simple enough to understand. However, I did like all f the examples provided and ways that showed which things were hits and which were misses. When it comes to New New Media, I have to say originally I was not too fond of a boo that spent its first chapter in a confusing whirlwind of new and new new media, then spent nearly three pages discussing what the remaining chapters would focus on. That, I assumed, should be left for the table of contents. However, I loved the fact that the book broke down all of the different forms of media and went in depth on each one. Media Convergence with Jenkins was also chopped full of facts and in depth looks at different media. This book took far more examples from society and actual events than the other books. While reading the last chapter, I came across something that probably defines many of the discussions we've had in class...
"The potentials of a more participatory media culture are also worth fighting for. Right now, convergence culture is throwing media into a flux, expanding the opportunities for grassroots groups to speak back to the mass media. Put all of your efforts into battling the conglomerates and this window of opportunity will have passed. That is why it is so important to fight against corporate copyright regime, to argue against censorship and moral panic that would pathologize these emerging forms of participation, to publicize the best practices of these online communities, to expand access and participation to groups that are otherwise being left behind, and to promote forms of media literacy education that help all children to develop the skills needed to become full participants in their culture. " p. 259.
Quite lengthy, I know, but in essence this is what new media has given us: the opportunity for mass debate, societal change, and improved literacy. However, these slang terms and internet jargon have not helped with out literacy.
Okay, so 3 key things I have learned in this course:
1. Dr. Markman will one day add a plethora of new word to the english dictionary (ok, that's just a joke :)
1. The love mark is a great way of using fans to promote your products by having them participate with the item they have grown to love and basically give free advertising for
2. The Long Tail means that me, Jennifer Elaine Sadler, a 23 year old graduate student and single mother from Memphis, has the unique opportunity to be heard among the masses because instead of just the big names in media...I can have a voice to :)...produce my own material, gain fans (a following), become an influencer, and make changes to the world just through using the Long Tail methods of creating and distributing media.
3. Finally, I learned that Wikipedia is far more of an educational resource than I previously thought. The amount of time given to reviewing, editing and the collective intelligence used to create the site has made me give more respect to it than I may have before. I still use it as a starting point rather than my ending source, but knowing that it's not just randomness and lacking the true facts, as noted by many previous professors, gives me a better view of it in general
