1. Why does convergence happen in the communication and media fields? What are the two conditions that lead to convergence?
Convergence happens in the communication and media fields to facilitate the consumer's needs in products. Where there is a consumer need, producers will find a way to fulfill that need. With the development of new technology, big media moguls must quickly act to dominate the industry with their developments. Generally, their job seems rather simple, they need to find a way to develop an invention that is unlike any other in its market or create something better, something more efficient. The two conditions that lead to convergence are the consumer and what they think and what they say to others through social interaction.
2. What are the three different kinds of digital convergence discussed in the article?
1. Participatory Culture
2. Collective Intelligence
3. Media Convergence
3. What cultural and social impacts does digital convergence have in addition to technology changes?
Digital convergence has many cultural and social impacts as a result of technology change. Most importantly, digital convergence provides people with a network of ways to communicate and share ideas over new media. The presence of new media allows for people to communicate in a myriad of ways that could not have been achievable otherwise. Technology changes as a result of digital convergence could be correlated to an increase in social interactions.
4. Do the new media displace old media in the history of media development? Why or why not?
New media does not displace old media. Old media never actually fades away, it is capable of being adapted. This adaptability feature is the reason for new media. New media takes the place of the old media and advances it, sometimes simplifying it to make it more accessible and easy-to-access. Instead of new media displacing old media, delivery technology is displaced. Delivery technologies such as 8-tracks and CDs are fading away because they are outdated and no longer essential to use, as per new technological advances.
5. The convergence happens from both the top-down corporate level and bottom-up grassroots level. How do both levels change the traditional concept of media consumption?
The traditional concept of media consumption is found when the top-down corporate level uses research from the bottom-up grassroots level. The corporate level processes the grassroots level to receive information as to what they would like to see. The top-down corporate level and bottom-up grassroots level changes the arrangement for media consumption to establish a better media form.
6. What does digital convergence in media indicate for communication and journalism professionals in the future?
Digital Convergence in media indicates a challenge for communication and journalism professionals in the future. The whole shape of a journalism professional's career is subject to great alteration as a result of digital convergence. A newspaper is passé in this day and age. People are less prone to buy a newspaper with the accessibility of it right on their computer or smart phone. Print media is slowly becoming obsolete as a result of digital convergence. Communication and Journalism professionals must be able to adapt and work with the new technology. Our workforce must always be able to converge with the technology and stay on top of it.
