Jenkins

Question:

How does your capstone measure up according to the definition proposed in Henry Jenkins' "Eight Traits of the New Media Landscape"? For this entry, describe the principle that your project fits best and the one it fits worst. How might you alter your project to fit better?


Answer:

To me the biggest trait our capstone would fit under is Convergent. The reason being is that our system is built entirely on what the users give for input, and becuase of this the site and station will be controlled by the mass media. As Jenkins says '.... participatory impulses of consumers, who want the ability to control and shape the flow of media in their lives; they want the media they want when they want it and where they want it.' By providing this type of voting system we hope to create the media they wish to have when they want.

The least of the eight traits that our capstone will incorporate is Global. Our capstone will broadcast over FM radio and is restricted to the size of our antenna, which will result in a smaller broadcast radius. Due to the small broadcast signal we will only be able to generate a small list of users at first. A simple solution to this problem would be to allow users to play the daily song lists online(which has already been done) or increase our radio signal.


Question #2:

Do you agree or disagree with Jenkins' definition, and why?


Answer:

I agree with Jenkins's idea of New Media becuase of the openness of the definition. Unlike Crosbie, Jenkins' definition only requires that the media incorporates some of the traits outlined in his article, Global, Convergent, Innovative. Crosbies definition was to limited, in order to be New Media it had to recreate the way we communicate, which I disagree with. Whereas just building onto existing ways of communication or even creating an artistic project can be considered New Media.