Comparing Internet Cultures Eras (Week 2 Free-Write)

From what we’ve discussed regarding participatory culture, crowdsourcing and the internet as a whole, I think the concept has changed the same but between each era, it’s with a new subject or a new topic. It was only 20 years ago where phones were only used to text and call, before any applications or games were a thing to be played on a phone; before a smartphone. Technology nowadays has filtered down into one, single device that can do anything. There’s no need for individual devices for one application. For example, like a basic calculator. Smartphones have calculators in them, so now, calculators aren’t needed as a separate device, the phone takes over the job of the calculator. Overall, the material and the mode of delivery as well, but concept of technology has generally stayed the same.

Drawing this back to participatory culture, when we compare internet culture from 10 years ago to internet culture now, it’s all obviously changed, and this is because of people’s opinions, creations, and what the users feel comfortable sharing to everyone on the internet. Being on the internet doesn’t protect you entirely but it does have a small security blanket. The security blanket being behind a screen and feeling comfortable to post whatever you want, but the second the post gets any kind of negative feedback, the original poster has the power to delete the post. Where, if this were in real life, in public, once something is said, you can’t go back on that; there’s no delete button. The internet can be dangerous, but once people start to learn what it’s really for, then the internet will prosper and grow.

A quick couple ideas for the podcast Paige and I are creating include game design, streaming on Twitch, or the gaming industry. But we do want to focus on gaming since we both have a plethora of experience with gaming. What does the gaming industry look like for women? What are the best ways to go about streaming? What are some quick tips for streaming? How does one get into game design and development for larger companies?