This week's lecture was about distribution and aggregation which are two very important features of publishing and publics. Aggregation refers to the collection of any information, resources, items, notions, thoughts etc. that one comes in contact with or seeks out. Distribution is exactly as it sounds. It involves sending out the information that you gather or that you inherently possess to begin with. Distribution can also involve forwarding or deflecting information or thoughts. Where one might receive an email, for example, that is aggregation. To reply or forward that email, or compose a new one based on its contents is distribution.
In the tutorial we discussed our personal favourite modes of publishing. This was an exercise in both aggregation and distribution. We aggregated different styles and methods of publishing and distributed our favourites to the rest of the class. My particular choice was a piece of football commentary which evidently proved how valuable sound can be to that particular type of publishing.
The readings this week focus on distribution and aggregation and in particular the increasing role of the publics. Wes Dodson reviews Joe Salvo's theory that the Information Age is over. This age was very much about the arbitrary distribution of information by leaders and aggregation by followers. Now, says Salvo, the followers are also distributing at far greater a rate in what is dubbed the Systems Age.
David Gauntlett also mentions a similar point in his book 'Making is Connecting'. His website examines the many ways we can connect in the new era with subtitles 'WRITING is connecting', VIDEO is connecting, WIKIPEDIA is connecting, LINKING is connecting etc. His website here is a very interesting method of exactly what he is describing. He has aggregated a series of ways in which we can use the different modes of publishing to connect, assisted by the advent of web 2.0. This reinforces the role of citizens in producing their very own material.
