Week II – September 8, 2025
Scholar, Professor, and Co-Director of MIT’s Comparative Media Studies, Henry Jenkins speaks about transmedia change and how civilians are taking control of the media and convergence culture.
Henry Jenkins discusses his views on media convergence and how communication and everyday stories are showcased in modern-day media.
Henry Jenkins continues the conversation about participatory culture and media technologies by using interactive discussions and examples.
These videos have more in common than just the same educated speaker. Henry Jenkins speaks about the importance of participatory culture and how it is changing over time. Contemporary culture is promoting engagement where ideas can be expressed even from the safety of a teenager’s bedroom. Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok allow young people to share their stories and use the platforms as a ground to build off. Of course, no one is required to engage with this content but social media welcomes anyone and everyone to engage as they would.
Much like the first video, where Jenkins goes into detail about transmedia and uses the example of folk stories turned corporate signature, he opens the TED talk with an example about a boy named Peter, who we find out he is talking about the Peter Parker, aka Spiderman. In his method of opening that Peter is “just another average civilian”, we understand that his approach is to humanize him and promote that literally anyone can impact the world. He is asked a lot of questions in the second video about how participatory culture has changed a lot as social media has developed, which relates to his note on how Peter Parker quit his job at the newspaper because “he didn’t need it anymore”. The internet now allows Spiderman to see videos, read articles, and do everything he was previously searching for in newspapers from a pocket PC.
Rori Nikole
I am the writer, director, and producer of the four episode mini-series "Outrunnable" that debuted in February 2025. I am currently pursuing my undergraduate bachelor's degree in Electronic Media, minoring in Expressive Arts, and studying to receive three certificates in the Communication Department.
One Comment
GalaxyonKnowledge
I just finished reading the blog post about Henry Jenkins, the scholar and co-director of MIT’s Comparative Media Studies, and I must say, it was an eye-opening experience! The way he discusses transmedia change and how everyday people are starting to take control of media is both enlightening and inspiring.
This was my first visit to the blog, and I was pleasantly surprised by its insightful content. Jenkins presents complex concepts in a way that’s easy to grasp, making it accessible for anyone interested in media culture. I really appreciated his perspective on convergence culture, emphasizing the power of civilians in shaping the media landscape.
The article does a great job of blending informative insights with engaging writing, keeping me hooked from start to finish. It’s clear that Jenkins is passionate about the subject, and his enthusiasm shines through the text. If you’re curious about the evolving world of media and what it means for us as consumers and creators, I highly recommend checking it out. I definitely plan to return for more!