Final Exam for JRL 604 - Mass Media & Society
Wired editor and blogger Chris Anderson has put forward a concept he refers to as "long tail media." What does he mean by this? He explains his initial conception of it in an extended article from Wired magazine that ran in October of 2004. You will probably want to print out a copy of the article, and take a good look at the associated graphics. You should also take a look at a variety of entries in his blog, including the entries defining the long tail and the forces that are creating an era of long tail media.

Your final exam question is:

In a 900-1100 word essay:

• Describe what long and short tail media are.
• Discuss what is driving the change in the marketplace from short to long tail media.
• Discuss several examples of long tail media, and what makes them long tails.
• Present your answer in the context of media organization theory as presented in McQuail.
  
  You are to e-mail me your answer at rhanson40@gmail.com no later than 11:55 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12. The exam is worth 50 points.