Week 14

Based on what Lessig and Jenkins had to say, there are so many more opportunities available to the 21^st century writer. Also, I believe this means that the 21^st century writer can be anyone. This concept in confirmed by how well we have progressed over time. It is so much easier to “write” in comparison to previous times. The heights the 21^st century writer (just about anyone) can attain are limitless, and with that there is a definite sense of freedom.

The emergence of digital technologies plays an enormous role in the life of the 21^st century writer. One can argue that more writing is now done digitally than physically. It is just a faster, usually more efficient way to get your ideas expressed and out into the public. It also opens the door for a number of new ways in which one can compose. These days, a “writer” can write a book using a computer. These days, a “writer” (musical artist) can write a song using a computer. These days, a writer (the average student) can turn in a term paper using a computer. There are so many ways that one can compose these days, due to the ever-changing and evolving capabilities of the digital technologies that exist now.

Last week, we read about Jenkins article and how profound of an impact Harry Potter has had on our culture. There was one particular example from that article that I found interesting and that we discussed in class. It was the young lady who created the “Daily Prophet”, the site where avid Harry Potter fans could immerse themselves into a world that coincides with that of the Harry Potter world. This composition was obviously very important to a number of people, and a particular form of digital technology facilitated this.

In Lessig’s reading, he talks about the extensive yet so accurate and elegant way in which his roommate could incorporate others works to prove his point in his texts. I found it interesting how he pointed out that at a point in time there was a double standard that existed regarding copyright issues between physical texts and digital texts. There was a judge he brought up who was absolutely opposed to the idea of using others’ works and incorporating some of those ideas into one’s own ideas (regarding digitally-music). He came down hard on those artists, who I believe were rap artists. He felt that doing that digitally is much more serious than if you were writing a book and gathering sources. I feel they are all synonymous, as long as one’s sources are accurately transcribed in the physical text or form of digital technology.