COMM TEST 1 - CONVERGENCE

Convergence

the coming together of computing, telecommunications, and media in a digital environment

Technological Convergence

refers to specific types of media, such as print, audio, and video, all converging into a digital media form

Economic Convergence

the merging of Internet of telecommunications companies with traditional media companies

Cultural Convergence

occurs through the globalization of media content, when, for example, an HBO series such as Sex and the City becomes wildly popular among female office workers in Thailand

Implication of Convergence

the effects that convergence has on media organization, media type, media content, media use, and media distribution

Effects on Media Organization

In the world that predated convergence, media content was created and published or broadcast on predetermined schedules by centralized media organizations

Effects on Media Type

distinctions between media types is not so clear anymore; listeners can choose how they want to view content, such as in a podcast or video

Effects on Media Content

users have more control over what they are viewing; for example, hyperlinked content allows a viewer to explore a story in a nonlinear narrative

Effects on Media Use

fewer and fewer places on the globe are truly isolated; technology is used to reach captive audiences

Effects on Media Distribution

the Internet enables audiences around the world to participate in a dialog about

global events and issues

Effects on Media Audience

audiences in the age of convergence can now more easily and quickly communicate with each other and with those who create and publish mass-communication content via social media, email, online forums, and other interactive media

Interpersonal Communication

what was traditionally considered interpersonal communication can also be widely distributed by individuals through online networks

Globalization of Media

the impact of global media on multiculturalism, or the diversity of culture internationally

Telecommunications Companies

A telecommunications company that also owns a media company can speed the

transmission of its own content and slow the content from competing companies

Blurring Media Boundaries

the phenomenon where the distinctions between different media types become less clear

Engaged Public

a future scenario where the public uses digital media and online networks to further interactivity and democracy

Media Conglomerates

established media companies that may hijack public interests for their own ends

Global Dialog

the interaction among individuals separated by political and cultural boundaries

facilitated by the Internet

Skill Development

the knowledge and abilities required to participate fully in society, which can be

hindered by the high cost of telecommunication services

Surveillance

• Gives us information

• News, documentary, advertising, etc.

• Celebrity is a product of media surveillance

  • You can’t be a celebrity if no one knows who you are

Correlation

• The ways events and issues are interpreted and given meaning

• Editorial/persuasive/opinion function of the media

• News, advertising, public relations

• “This is what our product means”

Cultural Transmission

• The way we maintain and pass down the culture through media

  • Not necessarily created

• Tends to favor the dominant culture, but can include subcultures

Entertainment

• The “fun” component of media

• If media was not entertaining in some way, we wouldn’t watch it

Shannon and Weaver Model

• Info source → transmitter (e.g. camera) → channel (noise source) → receiver (e.g. television) → destination (human)

• Noise source: message is never perfectly received, something is keeping us from message perfection

  • Ex. buffering video, background noise, distractions, subtitles/dub

Critical Theory and Cultural Studies

influenced by Marxist notions of ideology and capitalism, it criticizes positivist

researchers for misapplying physical science methods to human behavior, emphasizing cultural experience over mere information reception