A participatory culture is a culture that exists around having low barriers or obstacles to express and create artistically as well as engage in that community. This culture also fosters strong support for all of those who create and share on the given platform. The culture may also have a space where a type of informal mentorship may take place and a sort of knowledge or experience can be passed down from elders and older creatives.
Jenkins defines participatory culture as, “one which allows free expression of artistic talent and civic engagement sharing one’s creations with others. In the process, everyone becomes a produser (producer and user).” Users and creatives may also establish social connection with others by sharing their own creations. I also like how during his TedTalk, Jenkins used a Marvel analogy to describe how social media can be used to bridge generational gaps by connecting like minded people. I loved this reference because I am a huge Marvel and Spider-Man fan but also because it is very true.
I myself am a well established participant of this culture as I have been a social media user for over a decade now. My social media usage has ranged from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, VSCO, and snapchat to name a few. I have countlessly posted pictures, words, art, and many other things of my own creation or reposts of others on all of these platforms. By doing this I have been participating in the social media culture of posting and sharing for my followers and other users to see, interact, and share. The main inspiration for me behind participating in this culture is the opportunity to view, share, and support my peers who are using their platforms for expression or for business as well. With the evolution of social media, platforms have been showcases but also marketplaces for businesses and entrepreneurs alike.
With the rise of Covid-19 around the world this past year, my social media participation definitely reached a new peak. Because of the virus and the isolation it required us to fall into, social media became the main way I was able to keep up with my peers and socialize with friends and family. While doing this I also had to be careful that I was not being consumed by the social media frenzy and still find time to be present in the real world.
Some examples of what I usually share online consist of reposting my friends brands and businesses, reposting positive and motivational things for my followers to see, sharing posts I find funny with my friends and family, and occasionally posting some of my own pictures onto my own feeds.
