Simon Lindgren - Digital Media and Society (2017)-participation

Networked Publics Definition: Coined by cultural anthropologist Mimi Ito, this term describes transformations in society due to digital media centrality in communication.
Historical Transformation:
- The 1990s-2000s witnessed a shift from metaphors like artificial intelligence and cyberspace to networking and communication.
- Emergence of 'networked publics' reflects socio-cultural changes intertwined with technological advancements.
Public vs. Audience:
- Ito emphasizes 'public' over 'audience' to highlight engagement vs. passivity in media interaction.
- Individuals become 'participants' actively (re)making and distributing content.
Public – Social collectives with shared interests in public events or issues. Members of the group may not be directly connected or known to one another. Suggests engagement and refers to the idea of the public sphere.
Network – Refers to the social networks produced by the “world wide web.” How the internet and social media connect people through “loose ties.”
Focus on personal media; user-generated media rather than mass media and the “voice” of “regular people” (prosumers) being heard by much larger and further reaching groups than before the internet.
twitter - networked, tiktok - algorithmic

Personal Media: Defined by Lüders, contrasting traditional media (TV, film) with platforms requiring active participation (email, forums, social networks).
Shifting Roles: Contemporary users often transition between roles of consumer and producer, highlighting an evolving media landscape that empowers individuals.
Prosumers: The concept discussed by Toffler, referring to individuals participating in production and consumption simultaneously.

User-Generated Content: Emerged since the mid-2000s, reflecting a democratization of media.
Role of Platforms: Blogs and social media challenge mainstream news, enabling ordinary individuals to become content creators.
Risks of Commercialization: Despite democratization, there's concern over corporations profiting from user-generated content.

Social Shifts: Rainie and Wellman describe a move towards networked individualism, characterized by looser, more diverse connections.
Differences from Collective Models: Focus shifts away from traditional community bonds to individual-centric networks.

Definition of Memes: Introduced by Richard Dawkins, memes are cultural elements that replicate and evolve through shared communication.
Internet Memes: Represent online creativity, evolving from simple jokes to social phenomena, often illustrating digital culture's complexity.
Spread and Influence: Memes play a significant role in shaping online discourse and public perception.

Digital Citizenship: Refers to the ability to participate actively online, conditioned by access to technology and literacy.
Digital Divide: The split between those with internet access and digital skills vs. those without.
Political Implications: Discrepancies in digital skills shape political participation, affecting civic engagement.
Second-Level Digital Divide: Discussed by Hargittai; focuses on variances in internet use skills rather than mere access.

Defining the Public Sphere: Habermas described it as an arena for dialogue and opinion formation, central to democratic processes.
Historical Context: Initially dominated by elite figures, the public sphere evolved due to rising literacy and capitalist influences in the 18th century.
Modern Concerns: While digital media can enhance public discourse, they also risk creating fragmented conversations absent of critical debate.

Definition: Jodi Dean introduces cybersalons to describe new forms of online discourse that differ from traditional public forums.
Limitations of Traditional Models: Habermas' theories fail to account for the complexities of online interaction where identity and communication styles vary greatly.

Public vs. Private Dynamics: While Habermas warned against mixing the two spheres, Papacharissi highlights the importance of how private acts can influence public discourse.
New Forms of Participation: Online platforms allow citizens to engage in political discussions in more personal and informal ways than before.

Citizen Journalism: Emerged due to the digital shift, allowing everyday individuals to report news through personal accounts and social media.
Participatory Media Culture: Changes the relationship between news producers and consumers, promoting a more interactive environment.
Monitorial Citizens: Schudson's concept where citizens monitor the news landscape, remaining ready to mobilize when needed.

Fragmentation of the Public Sphere: The rise of diverse media platforms leads to varied public engagement experiences.
Historical Comparison: Compared to previous forms of public engagement, today's digital environment supports both discrete and collective expressions of dissent.

Emergence of Social Movements: The digital age has facilitated movements like the Arab Spring, which arose from spontaneous networks resisting traditional authority.
Potential and Limitations of Digital Activism: While social media can enhance mobilization, it also risks surface-level engagement without deep commitment.

New Modes of Activism: Bennett and Segerberg highlight the shift to personal action frames in recent social movements, allowing broader engagement without traditional organizational constraints.
Connective Action: Characterized by personal sharing and participation online, facilitating rapid and widespread mobilization without formal structures.

Evolving Methods of Activism: New forms of activism utilize personal stories and social networks to generate engagement around various causes.
Future Directions: Concepts of public engagement and activism must adapt to account for the fluid dynamics fostered by digital media.