What Defines a Community?

Scholars have argued for a long time about whether online groups can be considered communities. Of course, there are many different types of online groups, some of whom consider themselves a community and some who do not. Some people attribute Internet-based interaction to breaking up local communites. But as Wellman (1996) points out, for many people in the United States, people’s strongest social ties have not been local for quite some time. He argues that industrial forces have been changing the composition of our social networks over the course of the last hundred years–long before the Internet appeared on the scene.

In conducting online research among video sharing site participants, I’ve noticed that YouTube is vast with people relating positive and negative experiences they have had on the site. But what is particularly interesting to me is that in discussing whether or not YouTube feels like a community to them, the interviews revealed what the individuals defined as the characteristics of community. To me this is an important part of the video. Many different defintions of community are mentioned in this video both in text and images. Can you identify them? Which definitions seem most persuasive to you?

This footage was taken at the SouthTube meeting in Georgia on September 22-23, 2007.

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Impressions of Imprint

I attended the Imprint Culture Lab event in Los Angeles and was particularly struck by discussions about Asian representation in media, Asian influences on pop culture and differences with regard to how to handle Asian stereotyps in media. For more information about the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy see: http://www.ncdemocracy.org/

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Video Blogging and Activism

I spoke with Ryanne Hodson about how video blogging can be a form of activism. A particular video blog can certainly raise awareness about specific issues. But Ryanne also talked about how teaching others to video blog is also a form of activism in that it widens the number of voices who can bring their own perspectives to an issue. She talked about how video blogging can be considered a basic form of media literacy. Some people find it problematic to equate certain skills such as making videos with basic abilities such as literacy. What do you think?

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Behind the Scenes at JETSET Live

I attended the live production of the JETSET show held in Los Angeles on July 30, 2007. It was a very interesting event and I thank Zadi and Steve for allowing me to participate and learn about a number of themes of interest to the Digital Youth project I’ve been working on at USC, such as how people support communities through engagements with media. The event took on a serious tone as well with dance group Elastic Illusion’s intense discussion about their mobile lifestyle and nomadism.

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Ferris Wheel and Moon (Credited)

This is the same as the Lumiere version except this one has credits. For more information on Lumiere videos see: http://videoblogging.info/lumiere/

I noticed that some video bloggers leave their names in and some do not. I find it hard not to leave my name. Did I learn something about myself?

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Ferris Wheel and Moon

This is another Lumiere video. For more information about Lumiere videos, including rules and examples see: http://videoblogging.info/lumiere/. Other Lumiere videoso on anthro vlog include Sunrise over Goteborg, the Zoetrope videos, and the Lion in Summer video.

As much as I want to share reactions I have gotten to this video and my other Lumieres, I’m trying not to. As a researcher, this is quite difficult. But I think people should comment for themselves, rather than having me point out what others, or I find interesting.

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Scenes from Goteborg

On a recent trip to Sweden in July, I went to Goteborg and Marstrand Island. I put together a slide show and found some great music by a duo called racingpaperplanes. As an anthropologist, I was interested in not only photographing spectacular scenes but also everyday images that were part of my trip and scenes that are familiar to people from the area. I was especially pleased to find music by a Swedish band to accompany the video. One of the band members said he recognized these scenes and asked to put this video on the band’s MySpace page. I was so excited! I find it a lot of fun to find music for a video. I think it is interesting that I sought music with Swedish roots.

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Noble’s Nomadism

I interviewed Shannon Noble at the recent Pixelodeon Festival. It was a very interesting conversation that I hope to post in future videos, but I wanted to post a short comment that I think would be fascinating to study, and that is Internet nomadism. Do you ever destroy sites you’ve made, or is it more important that you have a permanent home online? Do you know of any video bloggers that are Internet nomads? I’d like to hear these types of experiences!

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Viking Dinner

This is basically a slightly shorter version of my Viking Dinner footage (without the concert music). At the recent International Pragmatics Association Conference in Goteborg, Sweden, we were treated to a Viking-inspired dinner at Carlsten Fortress on Marstrand Island. The fortress, if you’re curious was built in the 17th century and the Swedish Vikings period spanned the years 750-1060 C.E. The meal was quite a treat! Apparently, meat was very popular. We had beef, lamb, and pork. Special thanks to all the organizers! It might be difficult to top this at the next conference in Melbourne!

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Lion in Summer

 

Yet another Lumiere film. I like a certain special something that happens near the end. Can you find it?

For the rules on lumiere videos see: http://videoblogging.info/lumiere/

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