YouTube Vlogging and Cultural Citizenship
Faculty Sponsor
Lisa Silvestri, Gonzaga University
Research Project Abstract
YouTube serves as a “forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe,” and additionally “acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small” (YouTube “About”). Video blogging, colloquially known as vlogging, is one of the most common and influential practices of YouTube users. The intent of this presentation is to put YouTube, as a space of appearance, (Arendt) in context and conversation with citizenship and civic discourse. I will describe the relationship between the practice of vlogging and cultural citizenship, primarily utilizing what social theorist Michel Foucault calls a dual economy of freedom and constraint to provide insight regarding communication phenomena on YouTube. The presentation will examine citizen media, participatory culture, and democratization. Commentary and observation from YouTube will be juxtaposed with scholarly examination and theory. I will provide a thorough overview and interpretation of the video blogging collective.
Session Number
RS3
Location
Robinson 229
Abstract Number
RS3-b
YouTube Vlogging and Cultural Citizenship
Robinson 229
YouTube serves as a “forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe,” and additionally “acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small” (YouTube “About”). Video blogging, colloquially known as vlogging, is one of the most common and influential practices of YouTube users. The intent of this presentation is to put YouTube, as a space of appearance, (Arendt) in context and conversation with citizenship and civic discourse. I will describe the relationship between the practice of vlogging and cultural citizenship, primarily utilizing what social theorist Michel Foucault calls a dual economy of freedom and constraint to provide insight regarding communication phenomena on YouTube. The presentation will examine citizen media, participatory culture, and democratization. Commentary and observation from YouTube will be juxtaposed with scholarly examination and theory. I will provide a thorough overview and interpretation of the video blogging collective.
