Initially the thought of being a prosumer didn’t hold much value to me; what could I possibly produce that would classify me as it? But reading Ritzer and Jurgenson’s article they note that “the Web 2.0 is currently the most prevalent location of prosumption” (2010, p. 20). It then occurred to me that everything I do online, from this blog to Tumblr and even Facebook, are all consumed by the people that see it. All this due to the “recent social changes, especially those associated with the internet... [that] have given it greater centrality” (p.14).
What I found incredibly interesting within the reading was that the authors explain that “prosumers seem to enjoy, even love, what they are doing and are willing to devote long hours to it for no pay” (2010, p.22). This is an extremely significant shift from traditional capitalism where money is exchanged for services and goods. But interestingly enough, their observation rings true to me. I find that I enjoy updating my blogs. For one, I have a Tumblr blog that is strictly dedicated to my photography. I continue to gain followers, and because of globalisation, have followers from various countries. I’ve devoted a large amount of my time into it and receive no outside benefits beside the satisfaction that people are viewing my work. Though the internet is vast, and seemingly never ending with its possibilities, I find it rather pleasant to know I have some sort of power with the things that I generate.
Industrial production is a constant necessity. We consume everyday if we realise it or not. However, prosumption is integrating itself more and more into our everyday lives. Updated your Facebook today?
