Dissertation Proposal 2013
THOMAS SQUIRE
Level 5: Online & Digital Identity
IN THE DIGITAL AGE, TO WHAT EXTENT DOES INTERNET PLAY A ROLE IN SHAPING OUR IDENTITY?
Aims/Objectives YouTube
How has the democracy of content creation changed in the digital age? To what extent has YouTube given rise to a form of “new� celebrity? How has the ease of access to creating user generated content resulted in a rejection to the role of the audience? The identity of the modern celebrity as a result of YouTube Participatory culture in the digital age
Research into general and specific contexts
An in depth look into the internet, it’s creation and growth within society since it’s first deployment An investigation into celebrity culture throughout history will also need to undertaken to provide a timeline of reference for comparison of the types of celebrities in the digital age to celebrities of the past. A brief analysis, investigation and understanding of Post modernism Key figures relating to my subject maybe such people as Rebecca Black, Jenna Marbles, SMOSH, JacksGap. (Famous/Popular “YouTuber’s”)
Approaches to methods, processes, materials and tools
I will initially begin to consider a range of research methodologies however primarily my research will be conducted through the sociological impact of the Internet and YouTube on society. My research will also be largely focused towards mass media and the repeal against mass media and democratization of content creation
Jean Burgess – Professor at CCI who’s research investigates cultural participation in new media contexts, with a particular focus on user-created content, online social networks, and co-creative media including digital storytelling. Andrew Keen – Entrepreneur, Author concerned with Internet culture and it’s impact upon professionals and those with expert skills, his writing discuss the debate between Amateur and Professional. David Gauntlett – British sociologist and media theorist concerned with contemporary media audiences and their role.
Preperation and Investigation to undertake
What is user generated content? What is defined as user generated contented and what forms the basis of user generated contented and to what extent is it a form of digital appropriation. This could be investigated through researching this within books as well as interviewing those who create content for YouTube to gain their insight on the subject. Furthermore I could produce a range of content myself to practically investigate what is and can be considered user generated content. Online research techniques could be employed to gain a wide range of opinion based researched and this can be conducted through asking questions in online forums as well as conducting research within YouTube comments themselves.
Who is this creativity for?
I think mainstream media companies and those who produce media for the masses maybe interested in this type of research. I think that I will be fairly limited to working and researching and gaining research from a younger, youth based target audience as these are the primary users of a service like YouTube and they form is majority percentage of users. I think my research will expand upon the small area of research already conducted within the field as the internet and online services grow rapidly it’s hard for printed and academic sources to update at this pace
Primary Sources
Name: BigFrame Description: Big Frame is a leading media company in the YouTube entertainment space. Name: Interviews with “Youtuber’s” Description: Conducting interview with those who create channels and content on the youtube platform will provide me with valuable insight into their views on user generated content. Name: YouTube HQ Description: YouTube HQ is the main office for YouTube in the United Kingdom and is used by both YouTube and YouTube content creators, at this location I gain researched from both those working for YouTube and those creating the content on YouTube.
Secondary Sources
1. [Book] Youtube - Online Video and Participatory Culture / Burgess, Jean & Green, Joshua (2009) [Blenheim Walk 302.23] 2. [Book] The Cult of the Amateur: How Today’s Internet Is Killing Our Culture / Keen, Andrew (2007) [Unavailable in Library - Available at Amazon.co.uk] 3. [Video] The Virtual Revolution. Part 2/4: Enemy of the State. / Hanly, Francis (2010) [Available at ] 4. [Journal] Out of Hand: You Tube Amateurs and Professionals / Salvato, Nick (2009) [Available at jstor.org] 5. [Journal] Sharing, Trading, Creating Culture / Benkler, Benkler (2009) [Available at jstor.org] 6. Making is Connecting / Gauntlett, David (2013) [Unavailable in Library - Available at Amazon.co.uk] 7. Ephemeral Media: Transitory screen culture from Television to YouTube / Grainge, Paul (2011) [Blenheim Walk 302.23]
Perceived Problems
Availability of resource No immediate link to visual, aesthetic and creative practice Getting people to talk and co-operate with me to conduct interviews, questionnaires etc