Participation is the new consumption (quick thought)

Participation is the new consumption
Originally uploaded by Will Lion
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Comments

[alm]

i second that!

http://www.alm.at/category/participative-consumption/

[Peter]

I am not sure that I agree. Most people do not participate, and will probably to do in the future. Yet the minority that does will become more important.
I think i would say:

"participation is the new production"
to underline this minority's role i production or:

"participation is the new advertising" to underline the trendsetter effect of the participating minority, but not participation is the cosumption.

[Gerd Leonhard]

Good point - will ponder. It all depends how you define consumption I guess. More soon! Thanks for the comment

[Peter]

Another interesting chain of thought could be

“participation is the new status/power/capital”

Based on Bourdieu’s idea of the different forms of capital: social, cultural and economic capital.

In a broadcast society, a persons social and cultural is hard to show to people that don’t know you. If you have economic capital you cam just buy a big car.

With the increased amount of participation, the social and cultural capital is more visible to the surrounding world. having interesting things pop up when someone google your name, probably gives you more status then a big car. And more importantly, now everyone can see it.

[Bas]

Depends on what's being consumed/participated in, also. For instance, participation in social networks means consumption; they're making money from the participation.

What's confusing in the above comments is this: participation is the new consumption, but it's not the only new consumption. People can consume 'Twitter' without being a member, without contributing. Non-participation means you may or may not be a consumer of 'open' products (that don't require you to sign up or throw up other bariers), but if you're participating it means you're definitely consuming.

As for the above comment, participation is definitely a new type of capital. And it's so valuable.

[Bas]

Ah, the comment is now below. I mean the comment by Peter.

[sheamus]

Is there a difference between production and consumption when you're talking about digital interfacing and content?

[Gerd Leonhard]

Very good point Sheamus - there may not be, Investigating!! Cheers Gerd

[Gerd Leonhard]

Thanks Peter - great points.