First, I'd like to define convergence culture as I understand it; which is two fold:
1) When several mediums converge to create a super sized media community. The convergence of radio, internet, t.v., newspaper, etc.
2) Blurring the lines or shifting the roles of producer, consumer, and citizen.
I believe that the U.K. may be further advanced than the U.S. in its convergence culture. Two fairly recent examples come to mind. First is the example made by the Artist Formerly Known as Prince!!!! That's right folks, step back Jenkins, this musician IS offering solutions to the "melodramatic" problems that others have posed. Presently, there is a downward spiral of record sales. Why buy music when Limewire gives this stuff away? Furthermore, why opt for live entertainment when video entertainment is free and instantaneous? (See now the problems with fragmentation. Anything is available, why pay a mass distributor?) But oh, the insightful Prince is aware of all this. He decides, no one will buy an album anyway, and people are far too pleased to sit at home watching pay-per-view and live concert feed on the internet than to buy tickets for a live show... Prince decides to surprise fans by giving away his new album with the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
Let's piece this all together...
Buy a newspaper-get a music album-crave more-feelings of reciprocity-SELLOUT PRINCE's WORLD TOUR!!!
Next, an Indie British band called The Crimea decide that they haven't the label or the money to produce an album. They post all their music online available for free download on their website. There music becomes so widespread, their website receives so much attention, that they build a fanbase worthy of an album tour.
And so it begins (convergence culture that is).
These musicians have done something greater than pull the wool over consumers' eyes. They have responded to changing times. They have said, 'we will play, if you will listen.' The internet, the NEWSPAPER, has opened up additional lanes of distribution and ended the hierarchical top-down system. For The Crimea, the public was first the producer, then the consumer. For Prince, the public acted as citizens (reading up on current events) and was rewarded in a way that made them producer, then gave them the choice of becoming consumers. Isn't this what Americans want?
1) When several mediums converge to create a super sized media community. The convergence of radio, internet, t.v., newspaper, etc.
2) Blurring the lines or shifting the roles of producer, consumer, and citizen.
I believe that the U.K. may be further advanced than the U.S. in its convergence culture. Two fairly recent examples come to mind. First is the example made by the Artist Formerly Known as Prince!!!! That's right folks, step back Jenkins, this musician IS offering solutions to the "melodramatic" problems that others have posed. Presently, there is a downward spiral of record sales. Why buy music when Limewire gives this stuff away? Furthermore, why opt for live entertainment when video entertainment is free and instantaneous? (See now the problems with fragmentation. Anything is available, why pay a mass distributor?) But oh, the insightful Prince is aware of all this. He decides, no one will buy an album anyway, and people are far too pleased to sit at home watching pay-per-view and live concert feed on the internet than to buy tickets for a live show... Prince decides to surprise fans by giving away his new album with the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
Let's piece this all together...
Buy a newspaper-get a music album-crave more-feelings of reciprocity-SELLOUT PRINCE's WORLD TOUR!!!
Next, an Indie British band called The Crimea decide that they haven't the label or the money to produce an album. They post all their music online available for free download on their website. There music becomes so widespread, their website receives so much attention, that they build a fanbase worthy of an album tour.
And so it begins (convergence culture that is).
These musicians have done something greater than pull the wool over consumers' eyes. They have responded to changing times. They have said, 'we will play, if you will listen.' The internet, the NEWSPAPER, has opened up additional lanes of distribution and ended the hierarchical top-down system. For The Crimea, the public was first the producer, then the consumer. For Prince, the public acted as citizens (reading up on current events) and was rewarded in a way that made them producer, then gave them the choice of becoming consumers. Isn't this what Americans want?
3 comments:
the most recent radiohead album was only available, at first, on their website as a download. pay what you could, or what it's worth to you. many people snagged it for free. others threw down a few pounds. some may have paid more than standard retail price to support the band's generous promotion. copy and burn it as many times as you want. somehow they convinced the record label to go along with it.
hey honey and good morning. this is amanda, and i was just droppin by to see if you have any ideas on how u wanna split up the articles for tuesday. i sent lacey a comment on her blog to to let me know how shes feelin the srticles too. just email me at adavi49@lsu.edu, or call me at 504-452-5760 and let me know what u think. talk to ya layta...
I heard about the Radiohead album for whatever you can pay too. I also heard on the radio that a band was going to offer a limited amount of free downloads on their website to encourage people to go out and buy the album if they liked the free preview. I can't remember what band it was though.. But really it's a good idea, especially for a new band on a not-so-well-known label. It does surprise me that such a well known band like Radiohead would let so many people have their album almost for free.
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