Actualization of Convergence : Human, Cultural and Social Perspectives on the Practices of Multiple Media

Abstract

Beyond the limit of a techno-industrial, functionalist perspective on media convergence, we aim to examine the mechanisms and the meanings of the actualization of convergence through human practices of multiple media use. The actualization of convergence is defined as peoples practice of multiple media creating and expressing concrete cultural modes and social relations in media convergence ecology. Drawing upon those theoretical perspectives, this research approaches the realities of convergence in Korean society by conducting in-depth interviews with multiple media users. By and large, the research shows that the users are constructing their everyday lives into media rituals on the personal, cultural and social dimensions. Firstly, we see convergence subjectivities that embody instantaneous, vagrant and weary experiences with more convenience and freedom given by a media-rich environment. Secondly, we see a culture in which the users conflicts as well as fuses with various sub-culture groups and cultural industrial organizations. Thirdly, we see popular social sentiments that voluntarily comply with and get crazed by the hierarchical emotional relationships of adoration and admiration, which seems to be in contrast with the technologically egalitarian designs of social networking.