Convergence Culture - Conclusion

What hasn't he invented?

In the conclusion of Convergence Culture, Jenkins gives several different scenarios of how we may use media in the future.  He begins with discussing Current, Al Gore’s attempt at a less controlled news network.  I don’t think I have ever heard Al Gore make a single speech without unrealistically idealizing something; usually something he “created,”  but I like the idea of Current and the potential that a network like that could have.  However, I don’t think the pendulum has swung far enough in the direction of the consumer for something like it to compete with the deep pockets of the major networks.  I do think it can and eventually will happen, and I enjoyed reading this chapter because of the examples and evidence that support that.  It is easy to think that the direction you are going is the best path, but some of the arguments in this chapter present very realistic apprehensions about the convergence of media.

The quote, “Future TV may be unrecognizable from today, defined not just by linear TV channels, packaged and scheduled by television executives, but instead will resemble more of a kaleidoscope, thousands of streams of content, some indistinguishable as actual channels (Highfield 2003)” was one of the most powerful in the entire book.  As soon as I read this, I could immediately see the Netflix ad with the different DVD covers rotating in a circle on the screen.  A kaleidoscope is the perfect representation to associate with this format.  We can already see this in Netflix, Hulu, and Blockbuster online.  This idea also supports the comments made by Betsy Frank.  She points out that the new generation of viewers has grown up with some form of immediate satisfaction regarding media, suggesting the movement of media into more of a kaleidoscope format where shows can be viewed at their consumer’s discretion.

I liked that Jenkins gave an example of how “democratized television (Jenkins 262)” could take a completely different route in reaching its consumers.  The merging of media platforms has made it easier to access shows in different formats, but it also gives producers a different financial avenue.  A producer has less incentive to release a show on its network if it is already difficult to cover its production costs.  This may be far off, but I could certainly see cable and satellite companies becoming a non-factor, and networks charging individually for their content.  This, paired with more incentive to produce shows in a DVD series in an attempt to cover costs, could lead to media being more expensive than it is now.  This potential scenario reminds me of how boxing has evolved.  Boxing used to be regulated by a few governing bodies that did the promoting of a fight and distributed revenue somewhat equally.  As more sponsors, promoters, and channels became involved, the governing bodies have no control over anything anymore.  Championship fights are now upwards of $60 and the sport is on the verge of dying.  The convergence of media will never become this extreme, but it is interesting to think about.

My last dominant video game.

The idea of a participation gap could play a very significant role in the development of convergence culture.  As of right now, there is no one device that effectively reaches across all platforms.  This can force a consumer to choose between different forms of media or reject them all together if products are financially unavailable to them.  Culture can also play a huge role in a consumer’s willingness to engage with the new technology even if it is available to them.  Up until the age of 16, I had no TV in my room and was not allowed to watch TV during the week.  Growing up, the majority of my year consisted of being in class and then going to football, basketball, baseball, or track practice.  Now, I am apprehensive to try any new technology because I feel like I am way behind everyone else.  In college, I didn’t even want to play Guitar Hero at a party because I had never played and knew that I would embarrass myself.  

Bud Light = No participation gap.

I thought Jenkins did a great job bringing together convergence culture and the potential it has in the conclusion of this text.  He discusses several different arguments and provides examples of how media could eventually arrive at each destination.  He points out that the converging of media is still extremely new and that many rules and guidelines have not yet been established, which puts a great deal of power in the hands of consumers.  Although I did not relate to a great deal of the text personally (Survivor, American Idol, anything past a blackberry), I learned a great deal about how different technologies are moving media into an entirely new direction.