Participatory Culture

Participatory Culture is something that Henry Jenkins worked for more than 20 years. In his speeches, Jenkins argues that participatory culture took advantage of every new technology as it was presented as a vehicle to participate in the world, and to be engaged in our community. For people it is significantly important to share their creative ideas, opinions, and thoughts with others. In addition, he refers to online video games as a good way of people communication, as well as developing necessary leadership qualities.

This TED talk by Henry Jenkins will explain more about the term participatory culture. 

Albinism in Media

There are many different stories, movies, and opinions around the world about people with albinism. If you have seen my previous post, you already know Jenkins and what he thinks about participatory culture. 

Albinism in movies is usually used in a negative way. Normally, directors or writers lack adequate information about albinism. Furthermore, ignorance of such problem may seriously harm people affected by albinism.

According to Henry Jenkins, the move from spectatorial to participatory culture is a positive thing. An example we could consider is "The Albino Code" by Dennis Hurley. He is actor and comedian who has albinism himself. Here is the link for his parody. In this 12 minute film he challenges and subverts the stereotype and ignorance about albinism in "DA Vinci Code", which was a successful movie. However, there is a also a danger that participatory culture could support stereotypes and depict albinism as evil. There could be parodies that create negative images about albinism.

Here is the LINK for this parody by Dennis Hurley.

In this parody, albinism is used to make the jokes. Some of the jokes are funny. For example, when 4 guys in the car are making fun of the albino by saying that he has to go back to Albania. However, some of the jokes could be considered as a negative element of that parody. When the little girl smashes poor albino guy, it looks like he is an underdog. Even though it is a funny parody, negative elements could be seen. The use of parody has a danger of emphasising the grotesque and comical features of any social group and participatory culture may need to be more positive in its representations.

For example, the movie The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard, demonstrates the worst misconceptions about albinism and demonstrates its creators' lack of research on that topic. The move from spectatorial to participatory culture, made albinism the stereotype of 'evil'. People could attach negative label or image when they think of albinos, because mass media have a strong impact on its audience. With the development of participatory culture, people are making short movies, posters, web blogs, and mass media as a whole, which could turn albinism into a negative or a positive label.

Before the film's release, several attempts were made by National Organisation for Albinism and Hypopigmentation to persuade the director to not carry in to the film ignorance about albinism demonstrated by the book. These requests were largely ignored by the director of the movie.

The Da Vinci Code wasn't the only movie which used inadequate information about albinism and lacked necessary research about the topic.

Henry Jenkins and His Opinion

According to Henry Jenkins an american media scholar,and currently a Professor of Communication, Journalism, and Cinematic Arts the old media system is dying and the new media system is being created. He argues that spectatorial culture is giving way to participatory culture, where people can actually participate in what being done in media. For example, the public sector are taking videos from internet without owning copyright and prioritise them, as well as innovating and experimenting.

Jenkin's theory is based upon convergence culture. It is where every story, idea, sound, brand, or image plays itself at a maximum number of different media channels. Also I found it very interesting, when Jenkins was talking about Wikipedia. He argued that Wikipedia serves as collective intelligence, where the group of people put together their knowledge.

"Any Transmedia Projects, the story or experience are spread across variety of different media platforms, so that each platform contributes what it does best", mentions Jenkins. In this video, Jenkins refers to refers to reality as a complex enough to allow us to have many different stories, on many different platforms

Albinos

For my collective identity topic I have decided to do Albinism. I chose this topic not only because it is very interesting but also I want to know more about this topic. Albinism is something you do not choose, you are born with it. People around the world believe in the "Evil Albino" stereotype.  The representation of Albinos in media, particularly in movies is not positive.

Achromia also known as Albinism is a genetic condition. It is characterised by a deficit in the production of melanin and by partial or complete absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. This "disease" could be found not only in humans but also birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

     

Since birth, people with albinism have little or no pigmentation in their eyes, skin and hair. People with albinism are very pale with fair hair and very light eyes. A person with albinism is generally as healthy as the rest of the population. However, problems with vision and skin are particularly common.