New media and the circuit of cyber-culture: Conceptualizing Napster

Media studies scholars have employed the cultural circuit model to analyze media in the context of capitalist political economy. This model identifies interrelated moments\u27 in which the meanings of cultural products are determined, negotiated, and subverted in interaction between producers and audiences. The turbulent evolution of new media, however, requires continuous reflection on the adequacy of conceptual tools. Analysis of recent controversy surrounding the Internet music-exchange service Napster indicates that the cultural circuit model must be modified to accommodate the emerging media of cyber-culture

New media and the circuit of cyber-culture: Conceptualizing Napster

Media studies scholars have employed the cultural circuit model to analyze media in the context of capitalist political economy. This model identifies interrelated moments\u27 in which the meanings of cultural products are determined, negotiated, and subverted in interaction between producers and audiences. The turbulent evolution of new media, however, requires continuous reflection on the adequacy of conceptual tools. Analysis of recent controversy surrounding the Internet music-exchange service Napster indicates that the cultural circuit model must be modified to accommodate the emerging media of cyber-culture

On the predicaments of the English L1 language learner: a conceptual article

The unparalleled rise of English has led native speakers (L1) to becoming increasingly outnumbered by L2 speakers; English as global commodity has stimulated much research into the learning and teaching of English. Meanwhile, fewer and fewer L1 English speakers are choosing to learn languages; a phenomenon which has received less attention. This article investigates both phenomena in the light of two recent theoretical developments in Applied Linguistics and second language acquisition (SLA), namely dynamic system theory and the multilingual turn in SLA, scrutinising the effects of the re-positioning of L1 English language learners. The conclusion suggests a conceptualisation of this learner group alongside, and yet very different to, other linguistically disadvantaged group. Pedagogical pathways to best support this learner group are also discussed

Theorizing and Documenting Cultural Insularity in the Center: A Critical Analysis of U.S. College Students’ English-Language Spotify Consumption Orientations

This paper highlights an instructive case of cultural insularity in the center (CIC) and illustrates the potential theoretical and analytical utility of a theory of CIC. CIC refers to a tendency among many American cultural consumers toward comparative inwardness in their cultural consumption orientations. This insular tendency is particularly pronounced vis-a-vis “language heavy” cultural goods such as popular music. I critically engage the notion of CIC via a textual analysis of the written discourse of 86 American undergraduates produced via an assignment completed in four international communication classes. This assignment asked students to investigate popular music on Spotify sung in languages other than English and to write about their process. I use this analysis of undergraduate written reflection vis-à-vis their exploration of non-English language pop music to reflect on the general explanatory utility of CIC. Ultimately, a CIC model encourages us to critically explore the unique ways in which American cultural consumers and Anglo-American consumers in countries such as the United Kingdom are positioned vis-à-vis the global cultural system. More broadly, CIC encourages us to critically engage the ways in which the global cultural system orients toward an English-language dominated center, especially in the cultural domain of popular music. </jats:p