Rukeyser’s (1968) claim that “The universe is made up of stories, not of atoms” coexists nicely with Berger and Luckmann’s (1967/1966) theorizing on the social construction of reality. Without doubt, our universe – digital and physical – is socially-constructed. More than a half century after the late 1960s, we could argue that courtesy of new/digital/social media these stories are increasingly of our own creation. But can we? To what extent do our stories represent our unbridled expression and the full measure of our creativity? Are we free to create, share, and receive the stories we desire? This paper explores some of the tensions generated in the interstices, the spaces enabled by the confluence of the formerly disparate activities of producing and consuming media. Our universe – digital and physical – although socially-constructed, remains socially-constricted. This paper reviews literature relevant to understanding the interstitial spaces lying between freedom and control, between self and other, between exploration and inhibition, between the production and use of media. Multiple theories – some still emerging – can intersect and shine a light into the spaces between what previously had been neatly-separated and discrete components of media systems. The goal of this paper is to review varied relevant literatures to support and encourage new ways to think about how society navigates life in the digital interstices.

Authors:
Rebecca Lind, University of Illinois at Chicago, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Rebecca Lind is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at University of Illinois at Chicago in United States

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