a€oeConvergence does not depend on any specific delivery mechanism. Rather, convergence represents a paradigm shift a€" a move from medium-specific content toward content that flows across multiple media channels, toward the increased interdependence of communications systems, toward multiple ways of accessing media content, and toward ever more complex relations between top-down corporate media and bottom-up participatory culture.a€A (243) thesis statement

a€oeWe are in a critical moment of transition during which old rules are open to change and companies may be forced to renegotiate their relationship to consumers.a€A (243)

a€oeRather than talking about personal media, perhaps we should be talking about communal mediaa€A (245)

a€oeJust as studying fan culture helped us to understand the innovations that occur on the fringes of the media industry, we may also want to look at the structures of fan communities as showing us new ways of thinking about citizenship and collaboration.a€A (246) BIG THESIS

a€oeThat is why it is so important to fight against the corporate copyright regime, to argue against censorship and moral panic that would pathologize these emerging forms of participation, to publicize the best practices of these online communities, to expand access and participation to groups that are otherwise being left behind, and to promote forms of media literacy education that help all children to develop the skills needed to become full participants in their culture.a€A (248) ADVOCACY THESIS

a€oeA politics of confrontation must give way to one focused on tactical collaboration.a€A (250)

a€oeConcentrated power is apt to remain concentrated. But we will see adhocracy principles applied to more and more different kinds of projectsa€A (256-7). Yes, but what about sabotage?

a€oeparticipation becomes an important political right.a€A (257). Yes. Why isna€™t there more of this in the book?

a€oeThe ideal of the informed citizen is breaking down because there is simply too much for any individual to know. The idea of monitorial citizenship depends on developing new skills in collaboration and a new ethic of knowledge sharing that will allow us to deliberate together.a€A (259). ok

a€oeOne of the ways we can shape the future of media culture is by resisting such disempowering approaches to media literacy education. We need to rethink the goals of media education so that young people can come to think of themselves as cultural producers and participants and not simply as consumers, critical or otherwise.a€A (259). Call to rethink media literacy

MESSAGE: rules redrawn. Negotiation. Resurgence of communal culture. Political implications. Key prescriptions = advocacy. Not sure how his corporate readers would react. Focus on negotiation, but doesna€™t jive with hardline advocacy. Convergence will save us all. We just need to help it happen.

too much information for one post at aramsinnreich.typepad