In this thesis I analyze "flash mob" and "urban gaming" practices as manifestations of online social relations in actual spaces. In contrast to theories that emphasize the democratizing and empowering effects of new communication technologies I argue that flash mobs are an example of the depoliticizing effects of online consumption and participation. I explore the highly mediated nature of flash mob performances through an analysis of the visual technologies used to document and represent them online and the social networking sites used to organize them. Through an analysis of flash mob video spectatorship and a Marxist approach to social space, I argue that the participation and activity that is demanded of users in online contexts and seen in flash mob and urban gaming events often functions to defer political action and further incorporate social space into processes of capitalist valorization. / Dans ce projet de mémoire l'auteur se prête à l'étude des "foules éclairs" (flash mobs) et des "jeux urbains" (urban gaming) contemporains en tant que manifestation de relations médiatisées par ordinateur et actualisées dans des espaces actuels. À l'encontre de ceux qui voient chez les foules éclairs l'effet démocratisateur des nouvelles technologies de communication, l'auteur y voit plutôt un effet de dépolitisation de par la même participation et la communication médiatisée. L'analyse des dispositifs sociaux et visuels qui sont utilisés pour les resprésenter ainsi que pour les organiser s'ajoute à l'approche marxiste à l'espace social pour enfin rendre l'hypothèse que ces activités laissent à un temps différé l'action politique et, de plus, rend l'espace social aux effets de valorization capitaliste.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Jena, 1920. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [7]-9).

A defining aspect of our era is the continuous migration of media consumers toward alternative distribution platforms. These are used to access content formerly available only in traditional media's original format. The intensification of wireless networks and the increasing portability of content, music content in particular, has resulted in radio listeners reverting to wireless delivery technologies to access, discover, listen to, share and store music. This empirical research project explores the consequences of mobile technology on commercial radio by looking at the ways in which mobility is altering the relationship between commercial radio and music fans. The specific research objectives of this study are threefold: (1) to better understand the increasing role of the mobile industry and of wireless delivery technologies as purveyors of music; (2) to explore their repercussions on the viability of commercial radio; and (3) to identify the appearance of effects on the habits and expectations of radio listeners.

This research aggregated key elements discussed during the CRTC Public Hearing on New Media, in order to examine fundamentals for the development of sustainable business models within the new media environment. The use of a qualitative methodology allowed the progressive gathering of in-depth information. Three main data collection techniques were used to obtain the desired information. First, an observational case study focused on the new media public proceeding. Second, a thorough content analysis examined public submissions through grids in order to extract relevant data. Third, formal interviews with regulatory experts were used to access information at a more intimate level. In the context of this study five media groups were chosen for examination. This would include, private broadcasters, public broadcasters, the culture and independent producers sector, telecommunications companies and Internet Service Providers. This gave an overall view of each sector within the Canadian broadcasting system. As a result of this research, the Canadian media industries will have to make urgent changes. To begin, platform-specific content production will be vital to the overall success of the system. This would allow proper distribution, minimizing the need of reformatting the content. Accordingly, maximizing the use of content will ensure that Canadians have access to programming that reflects their realities. Most companies agreed that new online advertising funding methods were needed, that new media initiatives generated economic growth and that content ownership should be a priority for upcoming regulatory decisions.

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