The task of this paper is to contribute to the critical theorization of social relations in the turbulent times of contemporary capitalism in general and of social relations that shape contemporary media, the Internet, communication and consumption in particular. The analysis criticizes dominant approaches in the sociology of prosumption and the sociology of participatory media. It empirically tests the limits of the participatory Internet hypothesis. It is maintained that discussing politicaleconomic alternatives is important.
Keywords: Capitalism, critical political economy, social media, Internet, prosumption, criticism of participatory media