Participatory Culture : Me, Myself, and
Outside of the marketing world lies a culture where people themselves contribute to it instead of playing the role of a mere consumer. One such participatory culture that is sweeping the globe that I have become an integral participant in is none other than the Facebook network.
At point value Facebook looks to be a simple networking site that provides the ability to share pictures and personal information with others at your own discretion. Although Facebook is used by man as simply a way to creep into people’s lives, the network provides so much more opportunity for productive participation.
From what I’ve seen, Facebook can be a very useful participatory mechanism. Everything on facebook involves participation of the people involved. It is a collection of people who network with each other through their personal page, and who participate in a number of groups and networks, all at the discretion of the individual.
To set up a profile, you are given a blank slate in which to complete a promotion of yourself. Everything from pictures, to quizzes and filling out the basic and personal information, packages a person’s personality and sells it to its audience. Facebook gives the freedom to post notes on personal opinions which can bring about debates, it facilitates the sharing of organizations and events that can be created by any individual and opinion for the public to use. Most importantly it is an expense free way to do so.
At any moment I could log onto my facebook account and choose to share a video feed of my favourite artist, start a group for the awareness of poverty in my community, and post an album of my latest photography work. No matter what I decide to do I can be sure of one thing, I am partaking in a participatory culture in which I am met with various avenues to circulate my ideas and broadcast myself.
Nice blog! Facebook definitely has the potential to be used as a means of increasing awareness of a world issue, but it can also be used for shameless promotion by companies.
ReplyDelete-PF
Facebook is indeed everything you describe. It is also a good marketing tool with all the ad's on the side now too and some how they key in to your interests and certain ad's that your facebook knows your compatible with show up. Like mine are a lot of Harry Potter ad's and vintage clothing.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true.
ah, and it is so true....although i must say. Facebook is merely a small sliver of what we call pop culture. as soon as the new generation hits, something is new is going to take over. for instance, there was IM then there was MSN then MySpace, and now Facebook. honestly? I'm sure I'm missing something, but it's an interactive source, but not one that i can should be entirely approved of? Hm...I think I'm rambling so yes~!
ReplyDelete-'hobo' -.-