Culture Jamming

The convergence of online technologies has changed the “way we create, consume, learn and interact with each other” (Jenkins, 2006).

The purpose of this blog is to explore the way in which we experience, consume, and interpret new technologies in the 21st century, using Game of Thrones as an example. Watching a television program is no longer a personal experience shared by families and friend –  it is a global event, experienced simultaneously by millions within the online community. Each television series has developed its own online presence, and as soon as the newest episode has finished airing, there are guaranteed to be hundreds of thousands of reviews, blog posts, video reactions, and remixes posted online. Thanks to the convenience and immediacy of Twitter, people in the online community will often discuss the episode and make predictions while the program is still airing.

THE FACEBOOK GROUP

I have decided to use social networking as a means to explore this topic, as it allows for an open flow of communication and combines many forms of media. I have created and maintained a Facebook group over the last 5 weeks that has acted as venue for my friends and I to experience the series together. The group has collected many videos, images, surveys, and website links related to Game of Thrones, as well as prompting healthy discussion about the series.

The post below is the first I posted in the group, requesting that members participate in uploading content:

As you can see, the second reply I received was a YouTube link for a fan-made video that combines aspects Game of Thrones and Star Wars.  This appropriation of the two texts is a form of ‘culture jamming’, combining two forms of mass media for a satirical purpose. It also further proves the popularity of Game of Thrones, as the hype and love surrounding the series is being compared to the monolithic Star Wars.

There were many other examples of images and video that satirised and subverted the material that were uploaded to my Facebook group. See  results below:

 

The video below shows a Sydney University that rigged its bell to play the Game of Thrones theme song.

Some members linked YouTube videos to the Facebook group that were animated parodies of the series.

Others linked podcasts and reviews of the program:

INTERNET MEMES

“A meme is a concept, catchphrase or byword that spreads from person to person” (Schubert, 2003) Internet memes are ideas – usually expressed as images – that  respond to pop culture in an often humourous manner.

Game of Thrones is no exception. There have been hundreds of memes uploaded to my Facebook group that satirise Thrones and other pop culture phenomenons, ranging from Iron Man to World of Warcraft.

References

• Henry, Jenkins (2006), Convergence Culture, New York University Press, New York
• Schubert, Karen (2003), Bazaar Goes Bizarre, USA Today. Retrieved 2007-07-05.).