By Alesha Granshaw
Maps are an integral element
of the process of understanding social networks as they “inform and shape how
we act in and conceptualise the world” (Kuttainen, 2015). Individual groups of
people have varying interpretations of what the map of the world looks like,
and these interpretations are constructed based the geographical area in which
they reside. As discussed by Woods et al (2006, p.8), there is more
than one true map of the world, as maps are only as accurate or as complete as
they need to be to suit the purposes of the unique user or group of users for
whom they were constructed. This perspective can also be applied to the
millions of users of a social networking site, particularly YouTube. With more
than one billion users worldwide, YouTube has users from almost every
geographical demographic globally.
The geographical location of
a particular user informs their ‘map’ of the social network and the way in
which they interact with the site. For example, users in Australia are more
likely to be subscribed to and regularly watch the videos of Australian or
Australia-based content creators such as Lauren Curtis (laurenbeautyy) and
Troye Sivan (TroyeSivan18). The way that YouTube users interact with the site
based on where they are from or reside also speaks to the development of a
sense of space and place within the community, as people from a certain
geographical area tend to seek out people from the same area as them.
In ‘Turtle on a Leash’,
Prouty (2009) considers the threat that was posed by urbanism and
Parisian mobs in the 1700’s. The YouTube community often experiences a version
of these mobs in a virtual backdrop, with cyber bullies and keyboard warriors
becoming an increasingly prevalent danger. With an ever-growing community of
content creators courageously braving the challenge of directly uploading their
thoughts, feelings and actions onto a forum for worldwide perusal, it is easier
than ever to sit in the comfort of your own home and verbally abuse strangers
without the annoyance of direct repercussions. This Bustle.com article
discusses a recent incidence of a YouTube creator being bullied online, with
Disney star Zendaya defending New Zealand’s Shannon Harris (Shaaanxo).
McGahan, M. (2015). Zendaya Shuts Down Sexist Internet Trolls & Once Again Proves Herself as a Badass Feminist. Retrieved from http://www.bustle.com/articles/89646-zendaya-shuts-down-sexist-internet-trolls-once-again-proves-herself-as-a-badass-feminist
References:
Abramms, B., Kaiser, W. L., & Wood, D. (2006). Seeing Through Maps: Many Ways to See the World. UK: New Internationalist Publications.
Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives and the Making of Place, Lecture 4: Maps. [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved on August 20, 2015 from http://learnjcu.edu.au
Prouty, R. (2009). A Turtle on a Leash. Retrieved from http://www.onewaystreet.typepad.com/one_way_street/2009/10/a-turtle-on-a-leash.html
Image Credits:
Zendaya Shuts Down Sexist Internet Trolls & Once Again Proves Herself as a Badass Feminist [Image]. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.bustle.com/articles/89646-zendaya-shuts-down-sexist-internet-trolls-once-again-proves-herself-as-a-badass-feminist
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