Is The 'You' in 'YouTube' Singular or Plural?: Creative Expression, Collaborative Networks, and the Future of Learning

You has a curious status in the English language. The same pronoun refers to both the Second Person Singular and the Second Person Plural. When we think about the You in YouTube, which is being referenced? Do we understand YouTube in singular terms -- as the locus for personal expression -- or in plural terms -- as the meeting point between different subcultural communities? Might we use YouTube as a metaphor to begin to explore the new kinds of learning communities that are emerging in a networked culture? One could argue that the ability to network is emerging as a central component of the new media literacies. In this talk, I will use YouTube as a starting point to explore new modes of creative expression that are emerging within a convergence culture and to consider their implications for schools, libraries, and other public institutions that are committed to helping young artists grow and develop.

About Henry Jenkins:

Henry Jenkins is the Director of the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program and the Peter de Florez Professor of Humanities. He is the author and/or editor of nine books on various aspects of media and popular culture, including Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture, Hop on Pop: The Politics and Pleasures of Popular Culture and From Barbie to Mortal Kombat: Gender and Computer Games. His newest books include Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide and Fans, Bloggers and Gamers: Exploring Participatory Culture.

Jenkins recently developed a white paper on the future of media literacy education for the MacArthur Foundation, which is leading to a three year project to develop curricular materials to help teachers and parents better prepare young people for full participation in contemporary culture. He is one of the principal investigators for The Education Arcade, a consortium of educators and business leaders working to promote the educational use of computer and video games. He is one of the leaders of the Convergence Culture Consortium, which consults with leading players in the branded entertainment sector in hopes of helping them adjust to shifts in the media environment.