1.
Why does convergence happen in the communication
and media fields? What are the two conditions that lead to convergence? Convergence happens because new technologies
and media are being developed over time.
When there is a new development in technology the different types of
media will evolve with them. This leads
to the idea of convergence. The two
conditions that lead to convergence are the consumer’s active participation and
the desire for collective intelligence.
2.
What are the three different kinds of digital
convergence discussed in the article?
The shift of media’s content, the “black box,” and media production and
consumption.
3.
What cultural and social impacts does digital
convergence have in addition to technological changes? Digital convergence allows us to communicate
through various media across the world.
Digital convergence is helping to integrate cultures through new
technological advances. Platforms such
as social media and online gaming have allowed people around the world to
interact easily.
4.
Do the new media displace old media in the
history of media development? Why or why not? Not necessarily. The old media adapt to the new media and they
coexist. For instance, when TV came
along radio did not disappear, it changed its format and became a platform for
rock music.
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 top down corporate level types are having to
adapt to the grassroots level companies.
More and more we see smaller startup companies like Facebook displaces
former media giants. When this happens
these older corporations have to figure out a way to adapt and compete. A company like Facebook or YouTube puts media
at the fingertips of consumers and provides free entertainment, this changes
the entire landscape.
6.
What does digital convergence in media indicate
for communication and journalism professionals in the future? People will need to be able to adapt to
convergence and be able to work across multiple platforms. Gone are the days when there is one or more
people for each part of a job, an individual now needs to be able to perform
every function of a particular job.
