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Making is Connecting: The social power of creativity, from craft and knitting to digital everything
SECOND UPDATED EDITION, WITH THREE ALL-NEW CHAPTERS The first edition of Making is Connecting struck a chord with crafters, YouTubers, makers, music producers, artists and coders alike. David Gauntlett argues that through making things, people engage with the world and create connections with each other. Online and offline, we see that people want to make their mark, and to make connections. This shift from a ‘sit-back-and-be-told culture’ to a ‘making-and-doing culture’ means that a vast array of people are exchanging their own ideas, videos, and other creative material online, as well as engaging in real-world crafts, music projects, and hands-on experiences. Drawing on evidence from psychology, politics, philosophy, and economics, Gauntlett shows that this everyday creative engagement is necessary and essential for the happiness and survival of modern societies. This fully revised second edition includes many new sections as well as three brand new chapters on creative processes, do-it-yourself strategies, and platforms for creativity.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2011
23 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
David Gauntlett
21 books11 followersDavid Gauntlett is Professor of Media and Communications at the University of Westminster, London. He is the author of several books on media audiences and identities, including Moving Experiences (1995, 2005) and Creative Explorations (2007). He produces Theory.org.uk, the award-winning website on media, gender and identity.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 7, 2018
I got this book after seeing it sourced in Slow Stitching, and I was curious. It was definitely different than what I expected. Instead of focusing mostly on craft (like I was hoping) it was a discussion of creativity and social engagement.
I learned several new terms, and began to notice them in my daily life. Things like "the long tail," was something I'd never heard about before, but now that I know, I'm seeing how the term could be applied to several innocuous text posts on tumblr.
Speaking of tumblr, it was doubly fascinating to read about troubled social media platforms while tumblr goes through its adult content purge (AKA its failed algorithm kicking off users and flagging pictures of kittens and people elbows as NSFW content.)
Though I have to say, I rather prefer that facebook is streamlined the way it is, as I do not see it as a creative space. Plus, the idea of cookie cutter facebook personalities is something that I believe people understand. We know people cultivate online personas. We share facets of ourselves across several different social media platform.
Despite the fascinating tidbits of information, I did find several essays (excuse me, chapters) rather dull, though they led to a cohesive whole at the end. Plus, there was a lot of waxing nostalgia for the early days of the internet and poorly designed websites. Which, as a millennial who vividly remembers the days when neopets crawled, I definitely don't mind our current internet, and I don't feel sad about the progress. (Though I do share reservations about our online communication being controlled by monopolies.)
Either way, this review is starting to sound like a response more than a review, so I'll stop here. But, at least I finished a book on my currently reading list instead of starting another!
I learned several new terms, and began to notice them in my daily life. Things like "the long tail," was something I'd never heard about before, but now that I know, I'm seeing how the term could be applied to several innocuous text posts on tumblr.
Speaking of tumblr, it was doubly fascinating to read about troubled social media platforms while tumblr goes through its adult content purge (AKA its failed algorithm kicking off users and flagging pictures of kittens and people elbows as NSFW content.)
Though I have to say, I rather prefer that facebook is streamlined the way it is, as I do not see it as a creative space. Plus, the idea of cookie cutter facebook personalities is something that I believe people understand. We know people cultivate online personas. We share facets of ourselves across several different social media platform.
Despite the fascinating tidbits of information, I did find several essays (excuse me, chapters) rather dull, though they led to a cohesive whole at the end. Plus, there was a lot of waxing nostalgia for the early days of the internet and poorly designed websites. Which, as a millennial who vividly remembers the days when neopets crawled, I definitely don't mind our current internet, and I don't feel sad about the progress. (Though I do share reservations about our online communication being controlled by monopolies.)
Either way, this review is starting to sound like a response more than a review, so I'll stop here. But, at least I finished a book on my currently reading list instead of starting another!
October 1, 2014
The title sums up the book, but it is still a really good idea to read the book and explore the way the ideas are presented.
A key quote is:
"Why is everyday creativity important? Because I feel that it's incredibly important - important for society - and therefore political...But it is the fact the people have to make a choice - to make something themselves rather than just consume what's given by the big suppliers - that is significant. Amplified slightly, it leads to a whole new way of looking at things, and potentially to a real political shift in how we deal with the world."
The author brings together many examples of making, using examples from social media (including Flickr and Youtube) but also using some offline examples of making as well. Gauntlett has a very interesting discussion about art/craft encouraging people to rethink how they think about them, and his discussion is very interesting.
He also looks at Ruskin and the work of William Morris, and this adds a very helpful viewpoint to the discussion. It also highlights the need to explore examples of good practice. Making is very much about making yourself as part of making things, and about our place as citizens. To quote from Ruskin, and this book 'do what you can'. It is also about thinking about consequences for our actions, including the environmental consequences. "Crafting can be a reclamation of the power of life".
I enjoyed reading this book and it is adding to the ideas which I am exploring in this area. It was an entertaining and interesting read where stories were used effectively to illustrate points.
A key quote is:
"Why is everyday creativity important? Because I feel that it's incredibly important - important for society - and therefore political...But it is the fact the people have to make a choice - to make something themselves rather than just consume what's given by the big suppliers - that is significant. Amplified slightly, it leads to a whole new way of looking at things, and potentially to a real political shift in how we deal with the world."
The author brings together many examples of making, using examples from social media (including Flickr and Youtube) but also using some offline examples of making as well. Gauntlett has a very interesting discussion about art/craft encouraging people to rethink how they think about them, and his discussion is very interesting.
He also looks at Ruskin and the work of William Morris, and this adds a very helpful viewpoint to the discussion. It also highlights the need to explore examples of good practice. Making is very much about making yourself as part of making things, and about our place as citizens. To quote from Ruskin, and this book 'do what you can'. It is also about thinking about consequences for our actions, including the environmental consequences. "Crafting can be a reclamation of the power of life".
I enjoyed reading this book and it is adding to the ideas which I am exploring in this area. It was an entertaining and interesting read where stories were used effectively to illustrate points.
June 6, 2019
As a maker who has been thinking about the social consequences (and potential) of human creativity, I was delighted to read David Gauntlett's take on the subject. He combines thorough research with personal experience, empathy, and a lighthearted writing style. I found much to consider about online and offline creative communities; I suspect I will be rereading parts of this book as I move forward with my work. If you are intrigued with the title, I think you'll find this book worth a read. (Note: I have not read the first edition of this book. However, Gauntlett is explicit about many of his changes in this new edition.)
did-not-finish
December 11, 2012Rats, didn't have time to finish this before it was due back at the library. Will have to pick it up again soon to finish. Loved the first half -- Gauntlet's got a great grasp on non-stuffy academic writing. And he talks about dinosaur cakes.
December 27, 2023
This book explores the social meaning of creativity, from DIY and knitting to YouTube and Web2.0.
In fact it begins before DIY (but after knitting) with insights about craft from Victorian thinkers John Ruskin and William Morris. They were critics of the new industrialization and what it did to the world of making, of manufacture. And more specifically, what it did to those workers caught up in the industrial process which denied any individual creativity to the worker who was there to aid the machines in making predesigned product.
The author extends this discussion to emphasize the importance and value of making in everyday life, and how new technologies are taking the making and distribution of creative work out of the hands solely of professionals. And the various ways in which this is a good thing.
Throughout the discussion Gauntlett leads the reader through some very stimulating and critical arguments, ideas and research from a wide range of sources including his own. The discussion is always balanced, weighing counter-arguments throughout. It is very clearly presented, with plenty of signposting to help the reader follow the argument making this an easy and involving read.
I now feel like Ive had a bit of a crash-course in cutting-edge Media and Communications Studies. Has made me think about my life in a different way.
Highly recommended, even to www skeptics!
In fact it begins before DIY (but after knitting) with insights about craft from Victorian thinkers John Ruskin and William Morris. They were critics of the new industrialization and what it did to the world of making, of manufacture. And more specifically, what it did to those workers caught up in the industrial process which denied any individual creativity to the worker who was there to aid the machines in making predesigned product.
The author extends this discussion to emphasize the importance and value of making in everyday life, and how new technologies are taking the making and distribution of creative work out of the hands solely of professionals. And the various ways in which this is a good thing.
Throughout the discussion Gauntlett leads the reader through some very stimulating and critical arguments, ideas and research from a wide range of sources including his own. The discussion is always balanced, weighing counter-arguments throughout. It is very clearly presented, with plenty of signposting to help the reader follow the argument making this an easy and involving read.
I now feel like Ive had a bit of a crash-course in cutting-edge Media and Communications Studies. Has made me think about my life in a different way.
Highly recommended, even to www skeptics!
March 31, 2019
I love this book a lots! For a long time ago, I was engaged in DIY stuffs and was rather happy that I could teach myself from tutorials availabe online. Even now, I don’t have a right condition to get back to my track, there is still an urge inside me to make this or that things. I didn’t understand what it was until I read this book. It illustrates beautifully how and why people love making things and the underlined benefits of making things. The book also includes many examples of platforms that offer people to exhibit and share their creativity. What I found most interesting about the book is the solid arguments coming from many sources. The author laid out good defense of how internet can bring advantages to creativity and also expressed the concerns of protecting the open environment. He also suggests some ways for people to start “making things” which I found very practical and inspiring.
November 17, 2019
I found this book interesting and energizing. I particularly liked the first chapters, for example when he talked about Morris' and Ruskin's philosophies. I found them motivating and nourrishing. Other chapters were more meh, but overall it definitely feed me some thoughts.
August 24, 2022
Un buen libro sobre las posibilidades y límites de la creatividad individual y social en el ecosistema de medios digitales. Me gustó especialmente cómo usa el pensamiento de Ivan Illich.
Un contrapeso a toda la literatura apocalíptica sobre la cultura digital que está tan de moda en este momento.
Un contrapeso a toda la literatura apocalíptica sobre la cultura digital que está tan de moda en este momento.
December 27, 2019
Very informative and actually got me creating again too!
March 24, 2019
Didn't really work for me for one reason or another....
April 11, 2021
I enjoyed this book and placed a lot of sticky notes for passages and references that I might want to return to in my own academic work. I was a little surprised how much the book focuses on creativity, although with hindsight that is a logical topic for this type of discussion.
Gauntlett brings together a lot of interesting arguments and theorists. He is aware of the backdraws of technology, the internet etc., but chooses to focus on the empowering potential of online communities.
As a knitter, I was a little disappointed to see that the discussion of fibre crafts, Ravelry, Instagram, was not as detailed as I had expected. I will need to check the first edition to see whether there is more about this (but not Instagram). What I would have liked to read more about is especially the growth of small (and often one-woman-shop) companies in this space, e.g. as independent designers, yarn dyers, yarn shop owners, illustrators, what not. Gauntlett discusses the commercial value of e.g. YouTube videos, but doesn’t really talk about you tubers who do this for a living or to support their living (although the payment for adverts may have changed since the publication, I am not sure).
The one domain that Gauntlett focuses on a lot, with two dedicated chapters, is music. His discussions are very interesting, and personally I am not familiar with the music world, but I am not quite sure about the argument why music is worth two chapters, rather than spending one chapter on another example.
Overall, I found this book very inspiring, with many examples and reviews of interesting literature. As a linguist, I had hoped to see more “empirical analysis” e.g. discourse analysis of an exchange on social media, or simply more covering of other types of research. (Granted, in one chapter he reported on and quoted from an interview that he did for this book, but overall, it feels a little more like a theoretical book with literature review, interpretation and examples, rather than an empirical study). Finally, I also must say that I found the discussion at times rather male focused, especially in the first few chapters who focused on male Victorian theorists (this got better in the second half of the book), and VERY western focused. There isn’t really any acknowledgment of e.g. Asian cultures or Chinese social media (as if YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter are relevant to the entire world).
Despite these points I would recommend the book and I personally found it helpful as a starting point for my reading about craft, creativity and online spaces.
Gauntlett brings together a lot of interesting arguments and theorists. He is aware of the backdraws of technology, the internet etc., but chooses to focus on the empowering potential of online communities.
As a knitter, I was a little disappointed to see that the discussion of fibre crafts, Ravelry, Instagram, was not as detailed as I had expected. I will need to check the first edition to see whether there is more about this (but not Instagram). What I would have liked to read more about is especially the growth of small (and often one-woman-shop) companies in this space, e.g. as independent designers, yarn dyers, yarn shop owners, illustrators, what not. Gauntlett discusses the commercial value of e.g. YouTube videos, but doesn’t really talk about you tubers who do this for a living or to support their living (although the payment for adverts may have changed since the publication, I am not sure).
The one domain that Gauntlett focuses on a lot, with two dedicated chapters, is music. His discussions are very interesting, and personally I am not familiar with the music world, but I am not quite sure about the argument why music is worth two chapters, rather than spending one chapter on another example.
Overall, I found this book very inspiring, with many examples and reviews of interesting literature. As a linguist, I had hoped to see more “empirical analysis” e.g. discourse analysis of an exchange on social media, or simply more covering of other types of research. (Granted, in one chapter he reported on and quoted from an interview that he did for this book, but overall, it feels a little more like a theoretical book with literature review, interpretation and examples, rather than an empirical study). Finally, I also must say that I found the discussion at times rather male focused, especially in the first few chapters who focused on male Victorian theorists (this got better in the second half of the book), and VERY western focused. There isn’t really any acknowledgment of e.g. Asian cultures or Chinese social media (as if YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter are relevant to the entire world).
Despite these points I would recommend the book and I personally found it helpful as a starting point for my reading about craft, creativity and online spaces.
Read
December 19, 2014I am a fan of David Gauntlett's work from back in the early aughts with his set of theorist trading cards. I discovered them while studying for my MA qualifying exams and thought they were delightful. At the time that I bought this book, I did not realize this was the same person.
So perhaps I am biased but I found this book to be more reasoned and balanced than other books on maker culture. I would describe Gauntlett's tone as cautiously optimistic rather than the euphoric optimism one finds in other books on the topic. He recognizes the need for digital literacy and for building a literacy of making. In addition, he treats the relationship to craft and earlier creative communities more substantively than others. And at the same time, he builds an argument for the ethical imperative to and possible futures that arise out of maker culture.
Overall it was an engaging and thought provoking read that I will find useful for the research I am doing in this area.
So perhaps I am biased but I found this book to be more reasoned and balanced than other books on maker culture. I would describe Gauntlett's tone as cautiously optimistic rather than the euphoric optimism one finds in other books on the topic. He recognizes the need for digital literacy and for building a literacy of making. In addition, he treats the relationship to craft and earlier creative communities more substantively than others. And at the same time, he builds an argument for the ethical imperative to and possible futures that arise out of maker culture.
Overall it was an engaging and thought provoking read that I will find useful for the research I am doing in this area.
December 12, 2013
Una lettura scorrevole ma non banale, che riempie di energia ed ottimismo verso le possibilita' offerte dal web 2.0 in termini di condivisione della propria creativita' e del proprio saper fare da parte dei "makers" in senso lato: i nuovi artigiani del XXI secolo. Fare e' connettere, e' condividere, e' collaborare, online ed offline, ed e' anche avere uno scopo, un progetto comune anche ad altri per cui spendere se stessi e grazie a cui relazionarsi reciprocamente. Queste, del fare qualcosa perche' si desidera farlo, e del connettersi con gli altri, conclude l'autore, sono le chiavi della felicita' umana. Un libro da regalarsi e poi da regalare.
September 13, 2012
Making is Connecting: The social meaning of creativity, from DIY and knitting to YouTube and Web 2.0 (2011) de David Gauntlett é um livro fundamental na corrente atual de livros (ex. livros de Clay Shirky ou Charles Leadbeater) sobre os efeitos da nova criatividade potenciada pela internet e mais especificamente pela web 2.0.
Análise no blog: http://virtual-illusion.blogspot.pt/2...
Análise no blog: http://virtual-illusion.blogspot.pt/2...
March 29, 2013
Read this book last year but its the kind of book that is worth dipping into again and again. Gauntlett describes and analyses creativity in the community spanning arts and craft, blogs and YouTube and taking in social capital and web 2.0. Gauntlett gives us a number of tools for '...thinking about everyday life, creativity and media' in terms of five principles, including and '..an understanding of creativity as process, emotion and presence'.
November 11, 2011
Found it a bit too optimistic at times and could've done with a healthy dose of scepticism. Plus some parts were overly lengthy and others not enough. Still, interesting stuff but not my favourite book on Web 2.0 and the power it has to connect people - try Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everyone instead.
March 23, 2012
Despite a bit of boring academic tone, this is a lively intellectual history (starting with Ruskin and Morris) that delves into the always fascinating links among craft, art, community, and connectivity.
January 11, 2013
Loved this book. Convinced me to stay on a Masters when I wanted to quit because it reminded me about why I did these things I do. Gauntlett also contributed feedback on my dissertation as well, which just sealed my respect for the guy.
December 30, 2011
Loving it so far!
Read
June 29, 2013Incredibly interesting and right smack in the middle of all of my research interests. Great read (for me at least)
Read
January 23, 2015Didn't finish this because it wasn't what I was expecting - more philosophical than practical.
Want to read
June 3, 2011Recommended by Gill Wildman in context of happiness.
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July 6, 2018302.30285 G272 2018
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews