lacansmirror, 11/2

I thought about media in an entirely new light after reading about the feedback loop between DIY aesthetics of participatory culture and mainstream media.  Jenkins argues that the media used to shape our culture, but now the media is always trying to keep up with culture and subcultures.  The old TV shows often reinforced stereotypical American families trying to achieve the American dream.  Today, culture is on a larger spectrum that values uniqueness.  Mainstream media cannot succeed by sending out general aspects of culture because people are already participating in their own subcultures.  Instead, mainstream media must keep up with as many subcultures as possible.  Some would argue that this is the reason why there are fewer journalists now.  Before, journalists would tell stories, but now they retweet.

When the Harlem Shake became popular, news stations not only needed to be the first to report on it, but they needed to participate.  This video is a great example of a CNN affiliate station participating in a large internet based subculture.  When mainstream media catches up to culture, then they are relevant.  However, the culture will move on.  Jenkins says that "reworking the media industries" leaves them behind and reduces their likelihood to change or unite groups (468).  It is only when tragedies occur that the media can get attention.