Clay Shirky theory and key words

Main argument

Due to digital convergence and the emergence of new technologies, audiences are no longer passive to the media they consume

Digital natives

Communities of media users that were born and raised in the digital age and is fluent in it

Digital natives relevance to the theory

Argues that they actively participate in media rather than just consume it. Their familiarity with digital tools fuels the shift

Prosumer

A media consumer that also produces media

Example of a prosumer

A TikTok user

Prosumer relevance to the theory

Argues traditional roles of media produced and consumer are now blurred

Convergence

The coming together of technologies and institutions to create and distribute something new

Convergence relevance to the theory

Argues it supports mass amaturisation and collaborative content by providing tools

Mass amateurisation

The rise of non professionals producing media content using the capabilities given by new media forms

Example of mass amaturisation

YouTubers producing documentaries of high quality and production

Mass amateurisation relevance to the theory

Argues that quality of media is no longer controlled by gatekeepers

Cognitive Surplus

increased leisure time allowing for more sharing, collaboration and creativity using online platforms

Example of cognitive surplus

People editing Wikipedia in their spare time

Cognitive surplus relevance to the theory

Argues it’s a fuel for citizen journalism + mass amaturisation

Web 2.0.

Phase in history where it evolved interactivity, user participation and collaboration

Examples of Web 2.0

The emergence of platforms like YouTube

Web 2.0 in relevance to the theory

Argues it’s the foundation for interactive media

Citizen journalism

News and information reported by non professionals (the audience)

Citizen journalism in relevance to the theory

Example of “we the media”, shift in media power from institutions to individuals