It's somewhat funny how close the two words clique and cliche are, I know they aren't actually that close, but I wouldn't be surprised if the same person thought them up and perhaps at the same time. Although this is all very unlikely. Well they probably are both french.
I was thinking about the convergence of media/cultures and media cultures for that matter, and how so many things and places want to be connected now more than ever to tap into all of these different cliques and cliches. For example the new cable ad that appears that a guy wrote a song a taped it for youtube that utilizes many of the common themes from music videos and youtube in one and sneaks in some video game themes, to sell cable tv. That definitely seems like a convergence right there.
Here's that video:
So why cliche, cliques... I know that most mediums are trying to focus their focus on one group of people in order to create a hype within that community and this seems to be working really well, and because of this many people can see that media is actually getting better. Television shows aren't boiler plate specials anymore throwing in the kooky neighbors, they are focused and try to create an interactive fan base. This is making more money for the industries and also keeping the market happy, we all win right?
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2E Hands Volvo Leasen
3 years ago
I kind of wish they'd really gone for it with the "guy singing a song on youtube" aspect of the ad instead of adding in all the graphics. I think that would be the ultimate convergence.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, I think that's creepy. It's like those kids we saw in last week's video clip, who are paid to talk about hip hop artists in online forums. This is a very real form of marketing, and now you never know who's actually recommending something and who's selling you something. If you can't trust random strangers on the internet, who can you trust, right?
Convergence is definitely the word to describe this commercial. It did give off the kind of creepy vibe that you get when someone (or thing) is trying too hard...like your friend's dad in high school who thought he was so "hip".
ReplyDeletePresumably the agencies that create these ad campaigns (onslaughts) are getting paid the big bucks so it behooves them to be ultra media savvy and current on how people are communicating with one another whether it be via youtube, twitter, texting, etc.
Dudes, it means they're getting into our heads...
What about the Harry Potter sites, (as we read in chapter 5 of Convergence Culture this week), that are trying to create fan sites for children, while simultaneously encouraging their writing, editing, reviewing and publishing skills? I don't think those people are in it for the money; they seem to be in it for the educational aspect. Shouldn't that be our focus, to improve the education of today's children?
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