Henry Jenkins is an American media scholar and currently a Provost Professor of Communication, Journalism, and Cinematic Arts, a joint professorship at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
He is the author of several books including:Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide, Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture and What Made Pistachio Nuts?: Early Sound Comedy and the Vaudeville Aesthetic.Nine Propositions Towards a Cultural Theory of YouTube
Henry Jenkins’ blog dated May 28, 2007 presents nine ideas to explain his “Cultural Theory of YouTube” that were adapted from his remarks at the 2007 International Communications Association conference in San Francisco. He describes YouTube as a hybrid media space for commercial, political, social, educational, and grassroots groups.
Jenkins enumerates the ways contemporary culture will be influenced by and relate through production and circulation of media content. Not only does Jenkins recognize YouTube as a marketing tool to measure demographics and economic trends but he foresees a participatory culture growing from YouTube’s technical platform. It supports social and civic engagement and encourages collaboration among its’ users.
Jenkins also has ideas on the importance of youths to participate in the cultural convergence on YouTube. He proposes present and future social skills develop through social networking and participation in new media experiences. He warns that lack of participation and barriers associated with the digital divide will prevent personal growth and access to converging cultural experiences.
I cannot speak to the accuracy of Jenkins nine propositions toward a cultural theory of YouTube because I am part of the non-participatory group. I am part of the over 50 generation and until I went back to school and specifically this Internet Cultures class, I used my computer solely for business. My lack of experience and knowledge of YouTube has not affected my business and social relationships, nor has it prevented me from being a productive member of society. For future productivity and sociability, I can imagine the importance for developing a wider range of technology and social media skills.
In this YouTube video Jenkins discusses the role of digital media in cultural transformation and concerns for the widening participation and digital divide.
http://youtu.be/4tpLIlxaPMM?t=7s