Participatory Composition: Video Culture, Writing, and Electracy

Acknowledgments

ix A c k n o w l e d g m e n t s Several people deserve thanks for contributing to the making of this book. They include Victor Vitanza, my dissertation chair, mentor, and friend, whose work inspired this book. Victor continues to inspire me in all areas of life. Gregory Ulmer, whose concept of electracy frames all aspects of my scholarship and teaching. Geoffrey Carter, who single-handedly helped propel my own thinking into video and participatory cultures, read the manuscript, provided extremely helpful feedback, and suggested the title “Participatory Composition.” Robert Leston, Byron Hawk, and Thomas Rickert, who through many conversations inspired the evolution of my ideas connecting the theories we were all workingwithtovideoandparticipatorycultures.EileenKlink,mydepartment chair at California State University, Long Beach, who tirelessly supported me and advocated for my work. The College of Liberal Arts at CSULB and specifically former dean Gerry Riposa, for granting me a sabbatical in spring 2011, which gave me the sustained time to finally rework my ideas. Kristine Priddy at Southern Illinois University Press, who was a particularly patient, kind, and supportive editor. Bahareh Alaei, Cortney Kimoto (Smethurst), and Amy Loy, graduate students who have collaborated with me on this and other works; Mark Olague, Suzan Gridley, Luis Orozco, Linda Hua, Sarah Roussin, Teresa Troutman, and Noel Vincent, all former graduate students, whose ideas, projects, and participation helped form the concepts that shape this book. Without these smart and savvy students, I would not have been able to reconceptualize my arguments for video and participatory cultures. And, finally, to Chris, the love of my life since way back when, who is my backbone. And to my babies, Jackson, Ashton, and Madeline, who all were brought into this life while I was working on this book. You are all three wise souls who teach me something new every day. My unbelievable, little family—Thank you. P A R T I C I P A T O R Y C O M P O S I T I O N ...