Thomas Allison 0051
Youtube is a very popular website and uses a web2.0 design which allows the users to create an account and form an identity amongst this websites population. The websites I will be focusing on will all establish this idea. Youtube allows the user to create an account with their own display picture, from this they are then allowed to upload videos and be producers with a potential live audience. The videos then receive hits on how many people have viewed the video and comments are enabled for feedback. Youtube was used by my AS media group for electronically evaluating our production pieces so I already have experience with web2.0 design relating to my media work. I believe this site is for already existing identities however they are allowed to express themselves over the internet showing their interests via videos. This is also allowed by other account holders to join or follow a certain stream of videos and show their collective identity. Youtube is an ever growing web2.0 designed website this could be due to the fact that the internet is a fast growing media form which is reveiled and accessible to millions of people all over the world. The new media technologies that are now available to users allow them to be media producers themselves and this makes Youtube a key tool people who want a live audience with the choice of a hidden identity.
Ebay is another type of Web2.0 design website which is different from the above which gives viewers the ability to create an identity for trade. Ebay allows viewers to auction off products to other account holders, acting as an online market. This site constructs identities by people with similar interests; everyone on Ebay is either looking to buy items or selling them. This website focuses less on the personal identity and acts more as a whole collective identity however sub collective identities may be formed through similar interests and needs such as guitar collectors who may chose to follow each other’s sales and listings. The theory by Michel Foucault can be applied as the technolgies of the self and power is put into the hands of the individual and allows them to sell what they want and interact with people to trade.
RuneScape is my first example of web2.0 design for gaming. This allows a user to create their own character and rome around diegesis of medieval times in animation form. As far as the construction of collective identities are formed, users create groups and friendships to help survive the game. During this game Foucault’s theory of technologies of the self can be applied as the users have the power within a limited extent of the game. However part of Anne Cronin’s theory suggests that you become the product you buy and although you do not buy this game it still becomes apparent that you become the product with your character.
Facebook is defined as a social networking site which allows users to create an account showing their identity as an individual. This website relies on Web2.0 for the users to join their collective identity which is mainly friend groups but also other groups such as bands and other random groups. This website relies on word of mouth and friends of users to join so people can keep in contact giving Facebook popularity. From a theoretical point of view Michel Foucault suggested within his theory that the power of the media is put in the control on the audience allowing them control over what they do which debatably makes them producers. However it can be argued that the media business within Facebook has only given the viewer certain power within a limited freedom for example of Facebook everyone has the same background a page layout however they do have power over the choice of status, personal message and profile picture. These collective identities are formed by common interests such as where people live, what hobbies they have or maybe mutual friends. An example of this from my own experience was last year when I joined “past and present pupils of All Saints” which is my old school used for keeping in touch with everyone. The reason for joining this group was not because I knew people but due to the common thread of attending this school. The theory of cultural capital may be used to show for why someone joins a group, as Pierre Bourdieu said when joining the group you are doing it because of what the group stands for however there is still the element of independence within the individuals identity which may mould to suit the group. Michel Foucault's theory of technologies of the self helps to suggest that we wish to change our identity to be in a prefered happy state, this can be linked with our ability to like people's photos and status's allowing us to gain satisfaction knowing that someone agrees with our technologies and they we interact with the media. Loui Althusser's idea of interpellation can be linked with Facebook as we as the users identify with peoples representations and Facebook's application and we seek to become and use it.
MySpace is my second example of a social networking sight however is less popular than Facebook however it used to the most popular and focuses on a certain collective identity. However it may be that it did not target this group it may have been taken over by them. MySpace has turned to be a sub-cultured group due to the association with music. Music is what makes MySpace popular and has made many users popular for example Lily Allen. The group that this web2.0 design website has focused on is of the “EMO” population. This could be due to the applications given within the website like the ability to upload music and display your interests within on the screen. Unlike Facebook this website gives the user more freedom and Facebook is associated more adultlike and mainstream. In comparison to Facebook they both relie on similar elements to receive popularity, which are friendships who have similar traits and are identified by their names and profile pictures. Once again as with Facebook Loui Althusser's theory of interpellation as the media calls out to the target audience (mainly music lovers) and gets them to join the collective identity and join their friends. Pierre Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital explains how users develope their worth within a collective identity through groups and the personalisation of their page.
Good application of theory however you could improve your work with a wider use of terminology.
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ReplyDeleteHi Thomas!
ReplyDeleteI thought the examples you used were good because they are all quite varied. In particular the gaming website you meantioned 'RuneScape', was an interesting example to use.
I did notice that you could apply more theories however, which would strenghten your points more.