Media Convergence

The emergence of new digital technologies have transformed the media landscape ever since the demise of analog technologies. Although digital technology is the driving force in the media industry, there is still the need to digitize the analog mediums that persist such as paper, celluloid and film reels. In addition to the digitization of older mediums, the creation and distribution of new media are disseminated by airwaves and wired internet connections to a wide array of consumers all over the globe. In order to be profitable in the media industry, one must be well versed in convergence, the process of bringing something together. Vincent Miller describes convergence in multiple forms, saying “convergence is a term that has been used in a

Miller writes that the “blurring of the boundaries of the telecommunications, computer and media industries into something more or less approaching on giant industry”…(78). I agree with Miller because in the history of the media industry, there have been efforts to curb the formation of monopolies that hurt small businesses and competition in the early 20th century by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). With the rise of these giant corporations like- Disney, Sony, and Apple - the laws that once protected the small business and competition have been crumpled in response to the overreaching influence of big business and

Miller presents the positive aspects of convergence allowing for the consumer to be more involved in the consumption of media rather than in the passive state in a “consumer-led participatory culture” (85). However, as a consumer, what are some negative aspects of convergence? Does the ever increasing process of convergence beneficial in the long term in regards to its utility. For example, there are groups of people who still cling to the analog mediums such as film, records and print in a nostalgic fashion. How far will convergence go in the digitization and distribution of mediums because there is a certain aura of holding an item like a record, a cd, or a book that fails in comparison to some of the digitized forms. Will society one day lose analog mediums? It is human nature to cling to the past, but how long will that