‘Readings’ – on creativity and digital media

David Gauntlett discussed his new book Making Media Studies: The Creativity Turn in Media and Cultural Studies (2015) that describes the two peaks of communication that exist simultaneously in media studies and have different purposes. The first peak as described by David Gauntlett is creating things, which is the excitement that all media creators have as they have the power to expand the world’s access to information and entertainment through different mediums. The other peak is surveillance and digital exploitation; which suggests that large capitalist systems and powerful corporations can infiltrate users data with the purpose make money from it.

Ways in which we learn and consume media are challenged by Gauntlett, as he believes we should learn with media rather than learn about it, as it’s the only way forward. I couldn’t agree more with this point as the only way you can study the media is by interacting with it.

Gauntlett quotes artist Brian Nino who believes media is the trigger for experiences and is essential for making things happens in the world.

‘”We should look at media not just for channels of communications and thinking about things but look at media as triggers for experiences and making things happen can be places of conversation.’” To analyze this in the context of social media and new media; the conversation is active and always expanding on many social media platforms such as twitter, Facebook and other blog/expressive sites where you can share any story or thought at any time. Nino explains the “exchange” which Gauntlett picks up on and he says something quite thought provoking. The term ‘share’ or ‘sharing’ has different meanings in the new age of technology. Sharing doesn’t refer now to the human act of giving something in return for another gift or thanks but instead Facebook has corrupted this term. On Facebook sharing means literally anything you post on Facebook or something you specifically tag people in; it relates to sharing an idea but doesn’t relate to actually giving something meaningful away like the old term relates to. Nino also discusses “transformation” which refers to the power of the media to make our lives better through the active use of technology and consumption of knowledge.

Nino continues: “the media is a fantastically messy set of network filled with millions of sparks some igniting new meanings, passions, ideas, and some just fading away “. This means the content we view can lead to inspiration and pondering of ideas. Some of which wouldn’t come to mind without the assistance of the media. But this can equally mean the media we consume that we perceive as unimportant will just fizzles out and it doesn’t inspire or remotely interest us.

But as Gauntlett discusses the media and the social media platform are crucial to people connecting and the masses being inspired by the content they see. The media we consume today has never been more powerful. Look at the 2011 riots in Egypt, it has been remembered as the revolt of the people inspired by the ‘twitter revolution’. It was a highly significant event as it showed the power that the media has over the people. Through communications made easy the people were able to overthrow the Egyptian government. The media gives the people a voice and in second millions can view and decide what action they will take; it is a very powerful tool which day by day changes the world.