Group Transactions (1st Spring Institute, 2009)
COMM 503

Clay Shirky, in his book “Here Comes Everybody” has a lot of interesting things to say about social media and the impact it has had on groups.

“…most of the barriers to group actions have collapsed, and without those barriers, we are free to explore new ways of getting together and getting things done.” (p. 22)

Yochai Benkler’s concept of networked information economy:

…system of production, distribution, and consumption of information goods characterized by decentralized individual action carried out through widely distributed, nonmarket means that do not depend on market strategies.

Participatory culture – regular citizens have ability to not only consume but also contributors and producers. Jenkins et al (2006) describe participatory culture as one:

1. With relatively low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement
2. With strong support for creating and sharing one’s creations with others
3. With some type of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced is passed along to novices
4. Where members believe that their contributions matter
5. Where members feel some degree of social connection with one another (at the least they care what other people think about what they have created)

Source: Wikipedia

Dr. Gordon Gow set up a course blog in 2010: http://mactcomm503.blogspot.com

Benkler, Y. (2006). The wealth of networks: How social production transforms markets and freedom. London: Yale University Press.

Jenkins, H, Puroshotma, R., Clinton, K., Weigel, M., & Robison, A.J. (2005). Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century, available at http://www.newmedialiteracies.org/files/working/NMLWhitePaper.pdf.

Shirky, C. (2008). Here Comes Everybody. New York: Penguin Press.