Rethinking ‘rethinking convergence/culture’ | Culture and communication in digital worlds

Author(s): Henry Jenkins

Year of publication: 2014

Keywords: Participation, Convergence, Fandom, Activism, Democracy

Methodology/Sample: _/_

Reference: Jenkins, H. (2014). Rethinking ‘rethinking convergence/culture’. Cultural Studies, 28(2), 267-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/09502386.2013.801579

Abstract

Responding to the September 2011 special issue on ‘Rethinking Convergence Culture’, this essay seeks to identify ways that the author’s thinking about convergence and participatory culture have shifted over time, often in ways that are closely aligned with the issue’s contributors. Throughout the essay, the author addresses the links between cultural and political participation, the challenges in using new media in support of democratic change, the ways that institutional power structures continue to exert strong influence on our culture despite or perhaps because of significant expansion of who has access to the means of cultural production and distribution and the challenges and opportunities for doing cultural theory in an era of neo-liberal capitalism

> Summary

The paper reflects on the evolution of convergence and participatory culture over time, influenced by contributors to a special issue.
It discusses the challenges of using new media for democratic change amidst persistent institutional power structures.
The author emphasizes the need for robust models of change in the context of cultural production and distribution.
The essay critiques the corporate exploitation of participatory tools while advocating for broader access to these technologies.
It calls for historical reflection to better understand current media debates and avoid simplistic narratives of technological progress.

> Problem statement

The paper discusses the challenges of using new media for democratic change under neoliberal capitalism.
It highlights the influence of institutional power structures on cultural production and distribution.
The author emphasizes the need for meaningful participation in cultural studies.
There is a call for a nuanced understanding of participation mechanisms amidst corporate control.
The urgency of broadening participation against constraining policies is also addressed.

> Methods used

The paper discusses methodological approaches for moving from localized case studies to larger theoretical models.
It emphasizes the need for deeper discussions on cultural studies curriculum.
The author engages in dialogic essays to explore politics of participation.
The paper advocates for expanding case studies beyond digital and global north contexts.
It highlights the importance of grassroots participation and networked communication in various regions.
The author reflects on the shift in commercial media industries regarding fan participation.
The abstract indicates a focus on cultural and political participation using new media.

> Practical implications

The paper emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of participatory culture beyond utopian and dystopian views.
It advocates for educational reform to equip youth with skills for meaningful participation in media.
The author stresses the importance of fighting against corporate control and censorship to promote grassroots participation.
The paper suggests ongoing dialogue between optimistic and skeptical perspectives on media participation.
It highlights the necessity of developing robust models for social change in the current media landscape.
The author calls for a multi-front struggle for media reform, focusing on access and skills.
The implications include recognizing the complexities of media participation in a capitalist context.