Authors
Henry Jenkins, Sangita Shrestova, Liana Gamber-Thompson, Neta Kligler-Vilenchik, Arely Zimmerman
Publisher's description
There is a widespread perception that the foundations of American democracy
are dysfunctional, public trust in core institutions is eroding, and little
is likely to emerge from traditional politics that will shift those
conditions. Youth are often seen as emblematic of this crisis--frequently
represented as uninterested in political life, ill-informed about current-
affairs, and unwilling to register and vote.By Any Media Necessary offers a
profoundly different picture of contemporary American youth. Young men and
women are tapping into the potential of new forms of communication such as
social media platforms, spreadable videos and memes, remixing the language
of popular culture, and seeking to bring about political change--by any
media necessary. In a series of case studies covering a diverse range of
organizations, networks, and movements involving young people in the
political process--from the Harry Potter Alliance which fights for human
rights in the name of the popular fantasy franchise to immigration rights
advocates using superheroes to dramatize their struggles--By Any Media
Necessary examines the civic imagination at work. Before the world can
change, people need the ability to imagine what alternatives might look
like and identify paths by which change can be achieved. Exploring new
forms of political activities and identities emerging from the practice of
participatory culture, By Any Media Necessary reveals how these shifts in
communication have unleashed a new political dynamism in American youth.
Experimental aspects:
Open Square is NYU Press’s platform for publishing and reading open access books. A browser-based reading platform, Open Square enables us to increase the impact of scholarly work by making it freely available in a digital format and to experiment with new ways of presenting scholarship and adding enhanced content to traditionally published books. This site uses Readium, an open source software package for handling EPUB documents. By Any Media Necessary offers a profoundly different picture of contemporary American youth. Young men and women are tapping into the potential of new forms of communication such as social media platforms, spreadable videos and memes, remixing the language of popular culture, and seeking to bring about political change—by any media necessary.