Mechanisms and Pathways for Digital Technology Empowering the Dissemination of Rural Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Perspective from Symbolic Consumption

Abstract

Digital technology is reshaping the logic of cultural dissemination. As a living carrier of outstanding traditional Chinese culture, rural intangible cultural heritage (ICH) currently faces dilemmas such as generational transmission disruptions, narrow dissemination channels, and insufficient symbolic transformation. This paper employs Baudrillard’s theory of symbolic consumption as its theoretical core, integrating multiple research methods to explore the empowerment logic of digital technology. The findings reveal that digital technology activates the dissemination ecosystem through a three-dimensional mechanism of “symbolic reconstruction-immersive scenarios-user participation.” Implementation pathways manifest as the instrumentalization of technology, ecologization of platforms, and hybridization of talent. However, challenges persist, including the short-term efficacy of traffic generation, cultural distortion, and the digital divide. Based on these insights, the paper proposes recommendations such as delving deeply into symbolic connotations, constructing a tripartite co-governance model, and cultivating compound talent. These suggestions provide support for the living inheritance of rural ICH and high-quality industrial development, aligning with the requirements of rural revitalization and the construction of a culturally strong nation.