Both of the articles for this weeks reading have a focus on the importance of niches. The number of people who are seeking music, movies, books that is outside of the Top Charts is increasing. The development of media and how it has impacted the internet and the desire for continued expressions of artwork seems to be a basis for both of these articles.
There is now more of a participator culture where media consumers have learned how to manipulate technologies and interact with it. Take for example Fan Fiction, because of a fan taking the movie Twilight and forming their own twist to it, this lead to the creation of the movie series 50 Shades of Grey. All of this began with a fan interacting with a fan site and creating content on their own. We have so much access now to technology and information on how to create it that many consumers want to become producers of their own content.
The ability to produce our own content has led to lots of different cultural expression. The article mentioned the comparison of how parents put their children’s artwork on the refrigerator in the same way, the internet has become a “digital refrigerator” for those who want to exhibit their works to people around the globe.
The internet has made it possible for media creations made by home producers to have visibility to people around the world.
I enjoyed reading how amateurs are taking pride in their own productions even thought they don’t have Hollywood budgets. That they have made “a virtue out of their limitations, often spoofing or parodying Hollywood genre conventions and stylistic norms through films that are intentionally crude or ragged in style.” Producers like these amateurs have been able to find a place for themselves on sites like YouTube. With enough views they are even able to make money off of their productions.
Sites like Etsy and Lulu prove that we are a lover of niches. The number of content that is exposed on the internet gives development to new themes, groups and ideas for people to follow.
Stephie on New Media Tech 