Blog Post #1

1. The authors define the term “spreadability” as the potential for audiencies to share content for their own purposes (spreadable media). Examples of “spreadability” or “spreadable media” are social networks such as youtube, instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, etc. Through these sites individuals are able to compose and produce their own content for widespread audiences to view, like, share, or comment. The term “stickiness” is the need to create content that attracts audience attention and engagement (spreadable media). An example of content produced with the intentions to “stick” are do it yourself videos we see on facebook, pinterest, youtube, etc. These videos engage with the audience because it gives the opportunity for viewers to participate and make crafts or meals with or for their families.

2. When Susan Boyle auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent her performance as viewed over 77 million times on YouTube. The authors discuss Susan’s audition because it was a great example of how making the conscious decision to upload your own content through digital media increases one's opportunity for spreadability and high views/ratings. They also discuss how Youtube is a place for “duplication”. Duplications of Susan’s performance spread across the world reaching countries like Brazil, Netherlands, the United States, and Japan.

3. The authors discussing AMC’s Mad Men was to express the point that twitter played a huge role in the shows marketing. At the time of the shows premiere, Twitter launched for the first time, making twitter the most logical platform for Mad Men characters to interact with their audience, and promote the series. The use of twitter amongst the characters allowed for wide spread buzz about the show. This also created a sense of trust and bonding between the characters and the fans.

4. Harold Innis how media becomes the “most dominant means of communication in a society”. He suggest that the society influences the creation of content and control the information being spread. Marble has to do with his perceptions of information of dissemination. He refers to marble as “heavy and durable”, allowing media to “preserve information but also control what information is preserved”. Papyrus is an example of “light and easy transportation”. It is the way information is spread and dispersed across the globe.

Source:

https://nyupress.org/webchapters/jenkins_intro.pdf