Everything about Professional Amateurs totally explained
Professional amateurs (also
Pro-Ams or
ProAms) is a conceptual term to describe a blurring between the separate distinctions of
professional and
amateur within any endeavor or attainable skill that could be labeled professional, whether it's in the field of
writing,
sports,
computer programming,
music,
film, etc.
(It also has been use to describe a certain style of
pornography where the actors or actresses often do
gonzo porn shoots or web-based porn scenes, etc. until they attain a certain level of familiarity and popularity with fans, producers and directors to be put in "professionally" made feature-length adult films, which is often how this works in the porn community.)
The term "professional amateur" has long had meaning and significance in any endeavour where a professional contingent exists. It is probably most recognizable in the field of
sports, where those who play at highly
competitive or skilled level, but are not paid, are often called Pro-Ams.
Note that the term Pro-Am could also refer to a contest in which professionals play with amateurs, especially in golf.
Historical shift
The 20th century witnessed the rise of many new professionals in fields such as
medicine,
science,
education and
politics. Amateurs and their sometimes ramshackle organizations were driven out by people who knew what they were doing and had certificates to prove it.
This historic shift is now reversing with Pro-Ams: people who pursue amateur activities to professional standards are increasingly an important part of the
society and
economy of developed nations. Their
leisure isn't passive but active and participatory. Their contribution involves the deployment of publicly accredited
knowledge and
skills, and is often built up over a long
career involving sacrifices and frustrations.
Pro-Am Revolution
Recently, the term Pro-Am has been used as a descriptor for an emerging
sociological and economic trend. This has been described by a
UK think tank,
Demos, in the book
The Pro-Am Revolution: How enthusiasts are changing our economy and society (2004), by
Charles Leadbeater and Paul Miller.
Pro-Ams occur in populations that have more leisure time and live longer, allowing the pursuit of
hobbies and interests at a professional level. For example, authors of
encyclopedia articles have traditionally been paid professionals, but recently amateurs have entered the field, participating in projects such as
Wikipedia. Other Pro-Am fields include
astronomy,
activism,
surfing,
software development,
education, and
music production and distribution.
Open source/
Free Software such as
GNU/
Linux was developed by paid professionals at companies such as
Red Hat,
HP and
IBM together with Pro-Ams, and has become a major competitor to
Microsoft.
» :—excerpts,
The Pro-Am Revolution (2004)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Professional Amateurs'.
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