Dissent, contestation, grassroots knowledge, the sharing of information and knowledge and the struggle to define meaning and communication are central characteristics of postmodern media communities. These are communities where people get to know each other through a variety of media experiences that do not have a direct connection to geography. Networked technologies, zines, web-based environments, Freenets, listservs, and electronic mail have fundamentally altered the geographic boundaries of human interaction. This in turn has led to a redefinition of the meaning of communal interaction. A common characteristic of these communities is the use of visual media to communicate and share resources and ideas.
Little attention is paid to the medium of communication.
Rather, technology is used to facilitate existing or new relationships. This seminar will explore many of the contradictions and benefits that these new forms of community interaction have made possible.