Henry Jenkins' 2007 Beyond Broadcast keynote presentation can be viewed here.
In this presentation, Jenkins talks about possible connections between participatory media culture (what we have been discussing in class in relation to Survivor and American Idol) and what he refers to as "participatory democracy."
Discussion questions:
- According to Henry Jenkins, what would participatory democracy look like?
- How is this different from the way democracy has traditionally worked in the United States?
- How does this relate to consumers' evolving relationship with media (participatory culture)?
Leave your response as a comment on this blog entry. Please write no more than three paragraphs (one per question). Responses should be posted by the end of the day.
If you want to reference a specific point or example, you can find a written version of the presentation on Jenkins' blog. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here.
7 comments:
Jenkins says that there is a difference in what “classical” democracy and 21st century democracy looks like. While classical democracy evokes images of the declaration of independence and the Boston Tea Party, 21st century democracy is about the power that the public has to produce and distribute news and other content on-line. He addresses citizen-journalism and the power that we now have as a society to create change through the internet and other tools.
When we view democracy in terms of what it means to the general public, it was previously assumed that the general population was passive consumers in regards to media and social change. We passively watch television and read newspapers. And while there were many social revolutions, rarely did the general public use the media to facilitate these changes. Now, audiences are active participants in the media. We can create and disseminate content on our own, and we can use that as a tool for vocalizing our social concerns.
That first post is Matt's. Sorry!
Participatory democracy involves everyone being able to participate. We are active in society, which allows for open-endedness.
Before, to see how democracy has traditionally worked, Jenkins stated that we always pulled material from the past to demonstrate it. He gave examples such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Boston Tea Party. It seemed those were the images we used to always go back to in describing democracy. Now it has moved toward being in the now pulling in issues of today, my favorite example being the music group expressing how George Bush doesn’t care about black people. I don’t think that even 20-30 years ago anyone would have even dared to think doing something like that, much less putting it out there.
For our relationship to media, I think it shows now how the consumer wants more control. We want to participate in the media and no longer want to be doing what the media thinks we should be, such as like the fact that no one would have dared before to take such a stand against George Bush. Consumers also want to control what information they are given and if they feel any information isn’t true, want to and will react to it. I think the best example in the Jenkin’s viewing was the two pictures from Hurricane Katrina, the black individuals were looting from the grocery store and the white family was relieved to have found some bread to eat at a store. Ten years ago we had no way to really question that or again, would even think of questioning it. Today we can sound off on discussion boards, email the news network that aired it immediately, and basically make sure our voices are heard and heard quickly and reacted to as well.
Henry Jenkins theory behind participatory democracy has to do with everyone working together equally to achieve a common goal. There would be no cross party mud slinging and everyone would have an equal say in making important decisions.
I think this definition of democracy is a little different than the traditional idea of democracy. Previously people really didn't have a say in important matters aside from the random trip to the polling booth. Today, people are more inclined to "make change" through their global communities on the Internet. I think the opportunity for a participatory democracy has always existed, but it is easier to achieve in the 21st century.
I think this change has come about mostly because of the technology advances of media today. There are so many more ways today to inform yourself about movements for change making it easier to participate and have your opinions be known. This has lead to a more participatory culture and democracy.
Participatory Democracy manifests itself in many forms from protests and marches to political blogs written by everyday civilians. The common strain among these examples is that participatory democracy involves the participation of the general public in the democratic society of our nation. When the United States was first formed the public tended to look more towards its leaders and not question their authority or decisions. Sure there were some protests and those who were unhappy with the government in the early days of the U.S. but those who were unhappy didn’t voice their opinions with nearly the outreach which those unhappy with today’s government are doing. Much of this can be explained by the fact that in the early times of the U.S. the technology just wasn’t there for the outreach which protesters and voices are currently reaching, however much of this can also be explained by the fact that Americans today aren’t as passive as we once were.
Today, people love to voice their opinions and have no fears of doing so. Thus the democracy of today has become much more participatory. People are able to “speak back” to their leaders via the technology of today. Examples of people speaking back to their leaders would be blogs, web videos, posts on message boards, and all sorts of other media with which the public can wield to voice their opinions. There are thousands of blogs out there run by “average” people who write their thoughts and concerns about the upcoming elections and post those thoughts to their blogs. Then there are, of course, marches and protests where people gather to voice their opinions on freedoms and laws. Music is also another huge factor in participatory democracy. Songs such as “American Idiot” by Green Day are extremely popular and in the song being popular the political views of a band get broadcast all over the nation through the radio airwaves.
And, of course, let us not forget two very large upcoming films which represent participatory democracy, “W.” by Oliver Stone and “Frost/Nixon” by Ron Howard. Both films, especially “W.”, are bound to be riddled with opinion which then is spread to the public. What all this means is that in today’s society it is very easy to spread your opinion and speak your mind and make your opinions available to millions of people. And by voicing your opinion you suddenly are participating in the democracy of today’s United States as those vying for the presidency can’t ignore the opinions and questions of those who they are competing to govern over.
Once upon a time America was content to sit back and be passive, or perhaps we were just incapable of speaking out, however today America talks, shouts, screams, pushes, and fights back when it comes to the government. It is in this way that America today is a Participatory Democracy.
Henry Jenkins presents 'participatory democracy' by establishing how democracy throughout the United States is viewed (moreso in the past than in the present) versus how it is actually being executed. Participatory democracy is slightly self explanitory in the sence that everyone does/has the opportunity to participate in the public events, occurances, etc.
Democracy is viewed more as something of the past, such as events like the Boston Tea Party or the signing of the Declaration of Independece. These events are participatory, however they were not able to involve large masses of people. However, now mass audiences/participators are able to have their say as well. With opportunities such as open voting on American Idol, everyone is invited to participate, it is simply up to you whether or not you choose to.
This easier form of participation helps the public to feel more included as well as in greater control. It is easier for the public to have this ability due to ever growing media accesibility/evolvement.
Jenkins modern looks upon participatory democracy are vast and numerous. He mentions several recent incidents that are possible with the technology of today- cell phone camera pictures of newsworthy material being posted online, protesting and graffiti in other world programs like Second Life and World of Warcraft, and YouTube videos that received many views because of their solid information that was passed over by the mainline media.
His older looks on democracy were of famous protests like the Boston Tea Party, the signing of the Declaration, and posters like ones of the famous Uncle Sam. These incidents were limited by their times and technology, and only involved select groups in select areas with power.
With the connectivity of today, there is much participation and the use of collective intelligence. One can make world news by photoshopping a pic of Bert from Sesame Street and Osama Bin Laden from a basement. This wasn't even thought of as possible several years ago. There are avenues for everyone to find likeminded people and sites, and to also post their opinions and news on the modern world.
The evolving of all of this is continuing at a fast rate. Jenkins vision is to see an open, positive, and free culture for people to achieve and see their dreamscapes happen.
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