One topic that we read about in an assigned reading was the topic of participatory culture. Participatory culture is all about us. Us, as in the audience the general individuals of the media. Except instead of just consuming the media, you are also participating in giving more media. Usually if you are sharing and contributing to a specific audience, or market you will find a way that you fit in and are supported within this community.
I actually took a class that was called New Media and Participatory culture. It was about the study of how different people actually can participate within this culture, and how to participate on specific apps. We did an assignment where we worked in a group and were assigned an app to investigate and talk about how people could actually participate in this app. The app that my group was assigned was and up and coming app called Vero. We had to weight in the different ways that people can create and post and actually participate on the app by actually experimenting and partaking in making an account for the project. We figured out how to create posts, and how to follow others. The point of the app was to be real interactions, and real connection. It actually had you pick out different categories that you were interested in and helped you follow people and interact with things that you would find interesting.
What this app did was actually have you find that group that you can find a connection with. Then the contributing aspect of it comes really easy. So it really sets you up to be part of this participatory culture, and be prepared to take part in your role in your set audience. I wound up taking part in the entertainment side of things. I followed all celebrities who were helping with the app and got news stories that were about famous celebrities. I then would post comments like or share posts that I found interesting.