Mason+Study+Guide


 * Matt Mason's** **__The Pirate's Dilemma: How Youth Culture is Reinventing Capitalism__**

Please take the necessary time and energy to consider a thoughtful response. And remember, questions are usually as important as answers.

//__Chapter 1__//__: Study Guide__ 1. To what extent is Mason's argument is about changing economic structures? What does he see happening? What is the language of economics that he is appropriating? 2. Why "punk"? What do you know about punk? 3. How does he define the history of the "D.I.Y." movement? 4. He offers 3 elements of punk capitalism: (i) D.I.Y.; (ii) resist authority; and (iii) combine altruism with self interest (31). What do you think? is this new?

//__Chapter 2: Study Guide__// 1. Explain the history of "sea forts." 2. Who exactly is a pirate? 3. What are "patent trolls?" 4. Explain "Net Neutrality?" Why does Mason think it's important? 5. Mason offers 3 "finer points of the pirate mentality" (66); explain what these means, how these strategies are similar or different to other business models, and if you see this working in your social media participation; (i) look outside of the market; (ii) create a vehicle; and (iii) harness your audience.

//__Chapter 3: Study Guide__// 1. In what ways has the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) come under heavy fire for aggressibely trying to stifle innovation in the music business? 2. How does Mason describe the history and significance of drum and bass--reggae? 3. How does Mason describe the history and significance of disco? 4. Mason provide 6 "ingredients" for remix (81-83). What are they? Are there moments where they leak? (do you know what I mean by leak?) 5. What is "Creative Commons" (101). //(note: we will spend some time on this one!)//

//__Chapter 4: Study guide__// 1. Explain the significance of graffiti? 2. What is your stance on the "politics of public space?" 3. Discuss the relationship between graffiti and advertising. 4. Where are the lines of "authenticity" blurred? 4. What is "covert graffiti'? 5. What is Mason's point of view regarding "Buy Nothing Day"? (127)

//__Chapter 5: Study Guide__// 1. "Punk democratized the means of production" (141). Explain 2. Mason relays the story of the origins of "the Loft." What boundaries are expanded in this narrative? 3. Mason relays the story of the origins of "the Homebrew Computer Club." What boundaries are expanded in this narrative? 4. Mason cites possible reasons for the decline in the recording industry (158); what are these reasons? Do you agree or disagree? (this question relates to the crux of our online discussion about stealing.) 5. What is "open source culture"? 6. Mason provides four "pillars" of open-source communities (167-169). What are these? Have you come across these in your social media participation? 7. What is Mason's position about the relationship between "boundaries" and "foundations." Explain.

//__Chapter 6: Study Guide__// 1. Explain what Mason means when he writes: "In youth culture, the dominant language is hip-hop. In the grand scheme of things, the root of this language is real talk--the art of making authentic connections" (174-175). 2. What is the "language" of hip-hop? 3. Mason argues about hip-hip culture, that it is impossible to separate "the underground youth culture from the mainstream" (184). Why? 4. Can hip-hop culture "make a difference"? Why or why not?

//__Chapter 7: Study Guide__// 1. What is a "flash mob"? 2. What does Mason suggest is "youth culture's great disappearing act" (206)? 3. How is it possible, as Mason writes: "Activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and economists are championing an alternative worldview based on sustainable, democratic, decentralized networks" (207)? Give examples of sustainable, democratic, decentralized networks. 4. What is a media virus? What are the 4 ways Mason suggests youth culture might "look after a virus" (219-220)? 5. What is a corporate shill? 6. Discuss Mason's prophecy: "The source of future youth movements will just as likely be the rage, desperation, and hope transmitted from the medinas, favelas, and shanty cities of the southern hemisphere" (227). 7. Consider Mason's use of Gandhi's story regarding new revolutions: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win" (229). (Can you make a connection between Gandhi's story and your own narrative?)

//__Chapter 8 (OUTRO): Study Guide__// 1. What is "game theory" and how will it answer the Pirate's Dilemma? 2. Explain the "Prisoner's Dilemma." 3. Solve the "Pirate's Dilemma." 4. Explain Mason's model of the "Pirate's Dilemma" (239). 5. Consider what industries might be impacted in the coming years.