Making is Connecting: The Social Meaning of Creativity, from DIY and Knitting to YouTube and Web 2.0 - Softcover

Gauntlett, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745650023 ISBN 13: 9780745650029

Publisher: Polity Press, 2011

Synopsis

In Making is Connecting, David Gauntlett argues that, through making things, people engage with the world and create connections with each other. Both online and offline, we see that people want to make their mark on the world, and to make connections.

During the previous century, the production of culture became dominated by professional elite producers. But today, a vast array of people are making and sharing their own ideas, videos and other creative material online, as well as engaging in real–world crafts, art projects and hands–on experiences.

Gauntlett argues that we are seeing a shift from a sit–back–and–be–told culture′ to a making–and–doing culture′. People are rejecting traditional teaching and television, and making their own learning and entertainment instead. Drawing on evidence from psychology, politics, philosophy and economics, he shows how this shift is necessary and essential for the happiness and survival of modern societies.

About this title

About the Author

David Gauntlett is Professor of Media and Communications at University of Westminster, UK, and author of several books including Creative Explorations.

During the previous century, the production of culture became dominated by professional elite producers. But today, a vast array of people are making and sharing their own ideas, videos and other creative material online, as well as engaging in real–world crafts, art projects and hands–on experiences.

Gauntlett argues that we are seeing a shift from a sit–back–and–be–told culture′ to a making–and–doing culture′. People are rejecting traditional teaching and television, and making their own learning and entertainment instead. Drawing on evidence from psychology, politics, philosophy and economics, he shows how this shift is necessary and essential for the happiness and survival of modern societies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity Press
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745650023
• ISBN 13: 9780745650029
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232