"Introduction: Worship at the Altar of Convergence"

1. Why does convergence happen in the communication and media fields? What are the two conditions that lead to convergence?

        Convergence happens in the media as the technology begins to evolve. Communication is something that cannot state stagnant for to long. It is something that is constantly changing along with the people that are using it. Converging different types of media allows the audience count to expand, and can reach people on all parts of the globe. It has gone from being a possibility into a necessity in the digital age. The two conditions that lead to the concept of convergence are wether or not there are the proper resources to expand into different mediums, and what types of media are being demanded as a means to make communication more efficient and useful to the masses. When those two criteria are met, media convergence is a key to evolving communication to fit our needs.

2. What are the three different kinds of digital convergence discussed in the article?

        The three different kinds of digital convergence that is given were that the computer industry is converging with the television industry, the word-processing program has converged with the typewriter, and the digital desktop publishing converged with the linotype machine and the letterpress. These are the three major convergences that have helped to shape what we use in technology today.

3. What cultural and social impacts does digital convergence have in addition to technological changes?

        Being able to share content over various mediums can create pathways leading to all different types of information. Our cultures, traditions and mindsets can be shared instantaneously, allowing us to communicate easily, making it a more social means. Because of that, the technologies that we develop are being made so that it's easier to implement these convergences. Televisions now have ben made so that you can access your social media and post things while still on the TV. Phones can now utilize social media instantly, and you can link all your profiles on the various sites together, constantly tethered to every facet of yourself on the internet. Being able to combine aspects of the media using links has many influences on culture because of what is being shared and expressed, and as a result, it becomes more social, and allows others to read and discuss it, linking us all together.

4. Does the new media displace old media in the history of media development? Why or why not?

        Old media was the foundation for modern communication. The origins of the radio and television allowed communication to a large of people possible. Since that time, it has evolved so that it has become more efficient, faster, and has made it to different mediums like the cell phone and personal computer. Since the digital age, social media has become parts of the medium that already exists, but has had more social implications, and has taken the old media's place as the new wave of evolution of communication. So new media has displaced new media because it isn't a physical product that is evolving communication, but rather os a part of something that already exists, and is an improvement of that.

5. The convergence happens form both the top-down corporate level and bottom-up grassroots level. How do both levels change the traditional concept of media consumption? 

        The traditional concept of media consumption was that the larger, top-down corporate level, simply communicated information to the bottom-up grassroots level, and that's it. There was no back and forth, and the radio prevented really any feedback from the audiences that it was talking to. Only those that could afford time on either the radio or the TV were allowed to utilize the medium. Now, all that has changed, as the evolution of the internet and social media has allowed anyone to communicate to everyone, and there a very high level of feedback from all of the internet that sees the site or post. This sense of community completely changes the idea of a one-track path to reaching an audience, but rather reaches out in all directions to all that are willing to see it.

6. What does digital convergence in media indicate for communication and journalism professionals in the future?

        If you are a journalist, or you are willing to pursue a career in journalism, digital convergence is essential in this day in age. Since everything can by instantly shared across all sorts of platforms, journalists are able to document the various changes in how we communicate, and spread it to a massive audience. This also helps journalists to keep a record of the evolution of the media itself. It indicates that people are willing to gravitate themselves more towards having their own niche, than to have some major company decide it for them.