Interkonsuktion

Interkonsuktion is a term used mainly in sociolinguistics and media studies to describe the phenomenon in which individuals simultaneously consume multiple forms of media or communicative inputs and integrate them into a coherent personal perspective. It essentially refers to the cognitive and social processes that allow a person to attend to diverse sources of information—such as television, streaming services, news websites, social media platforms, and face‑to‑face conversations—while maintaining the ability to compare, contrast, and synthesize these inputs. The concept emerged in the early twenty‑first century as a response to the rapid proliferation of digital content and the blurring of traditional media boundaries.

The word is a hybrid of the English prefix inter‑ (between, among) and the Germanic root konsuktion (consumption, derived from konsumieren). The term gained traction after a 2013 review by Müller and Schmidt, who argued that interkonsuktion represents a distinct skill set from traditional media literacy. Subsequent research has mapped interkonsuktion to improved critical thinking, higher levels of cultural awareness, and better adaptation to complex social contexts. Studies in the United States, Sweden, and Japan have examined how teenagers demonstrate interkonsuktion by referencing memes, news clips, and personal anecdotes in daily conversations.

Academic inquiry has focused on the educational implications of fostering interkonsuktion, with some educators integrating media mashups into curriculums to enhance analytical skills. Critics point out that interkonsuktion may also contribute to information overload and shallow engagement if not moderated. The field continues to evolve, with interdisciplinary work linking cognitive science, communication theory, and digital humanities. Related concepts include multimodal literacy, media convergence, and information overload.