for financial return , and amateurism indicates doing something for pleasure , for the sheer love of it … However , these rather value-laden , popular distinctions conceal much more complex social relations ’ ( Zimmermann , 1995 , p . 1 ). Zimmermann refers to the intricate power dynamics woven between both concepts ; whilst professionals perform a recognised and required function of society , amateurs can be viewed as imitators and dabblers in their spare time . The professional is legitimised and valued in society by payment for their services ; contrastingly , the amateur pays to engage with such hobbies often through equipment or means to access . For example , a professional director functions as part of the entertainment industry ; their work is commoditised and packaged to the masses . An amateur filmmaker may imitate such work by buying a camera , researching cinematography , or taking film classes whilst functioning as a buyer for institutions to market products towards . In this example , the differences are overt ; the director holds power , expertise ,
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and societal value based on their product , the amateur does not . However , since the technological revolution , power dynamics have been dismantled and redistributed , professionals and amateurs can no longer be conceptualised as binary opposites .
Technology has provided unprecedented access to information hence removing barriers to enter professions . Parallel to this , the internet has constructed a digital space where power negotiations continually occur due to a cornucopia of new online environments . For clarification , it is useful to return to the example of the director . Preinternet , their work holds significantly more value than an amateur ’ s , subsequentially affording them more power within this specific professionalamateur dynamic . However , in this contemporary digital environment , amateurs can showcase work online and potentially garner widespread approval and critique . These new environments formulate the question : who possesses more power now ? What number of online hits outshines
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