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| Image Courtesy of: <www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au> |
The concept of equality and diversity is wholly embraced by
my social network Snapchat. The photo and video sharing network has grown in
popularity, with 150 million ‘snaps’ estimated to be sent daily, and this is
due to the fact that it embraces equality. This is best exemplified as the
interface is the same across the board and all users are bound by the same
confines. This is closely aligned with the notion found in aboriginal culture
that “man, society and nature…are at one together within a unitary system”
(Stanner, 1979).
I find that the collective narrative of your network is
implicitly emphasised as being of greater importance than self-narrative. This
is based upon my understanding that the exchange between users is one of the
major appeals of Snapchat. Humans are relational (Petray, 2013). By placing
greater emphasis on collective rather than self, equality emerges as the
collective requires contributions from all to be constructed. “Networked
engagement” (McNeil 2012) is what allows the user within this community to
thrive.
The construct of the collective is non-existent unless it is
engaged. We see this best through the Aboriginal idea of singing to the land
for it to exist (Chatwin, 1987). In context this means unless a user engages
with another user, the collective narrative (and by relation the equality) of
the network does not exist – “to exist is to be perceived” (Chatwin, 1987).
Self-narratives are constructs for a particular purpose and
in today’s society consumers of products are taking an active role in their
production (Van Luyn, 2013). I find that within Snapchat the active role is
much needed to flourish and to have the best possible experience. By
contributing to the collective network, you become part of something bigger
than the story of yourself, you become part of the story of us and an equal in
your own right.
Until Next Time,
Gabriel
Until Next Time,
Gabriel
Reference List:
1. Stanner, W.E.H. (1979) White man got no dreaming. Canberra, Australia: Australian National University Press
2. Petray, T. (2013) BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives and The Making Of Place, Lecture 2: Power. [Notes] Retrieved from: http://learnjcu.edu.au
3. McNeill, L. (2012) There is no 'I' in network: social networking sites and posthuman auto/biography. Biographical Research Center
4. Chatwin, B. (1987) The Songlines. London: Jonathan Cape Ltd
5. Van Luyn, A. (2013) BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narrratives and The Making Of Place, Lecture 4: Narrative. [Notes] Retrieved from: http://learnjcu.edu.au
Image Credit:
[Image] (2011) Retrieved from: <http://www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/EventViewTrainingDetails.aspx?Bck=Y&EventID=287&DisplayType=T>
Hello Gabriel,
ReplyDeleteAs a frequent Snapchat user myself, I would agree with you that, Snapchat focuses on ‘collective rather than self’. Unlike social networks such as Facebook, Snapchat doesn’t ask us to “fill in blanks or check boxes as mandated by the sites program” (McNeill, 2012). When using Snapchat there is no criteria put in front of us telling us what is or isn’t important in our lives and what shapes who we are (Van Luyn, 2013). Instead, Snapchat dismisses ‘personal profiles’ all together and gives users a basic layout that encourages them to focus on communicating through images with friends. I’m interested with your perception of Snapchat, I noticed that you mentioned how it ‘embraces equality’. I have always thought of Snapchat as a simple networking site, but after reading your blog, I can see how the site functions and is laid out does promote a sense of equality amongst users, not giving any one individual more power over the other.
I am excited to see what else you might uncover that i have not noticed yet.
Happy blogging!
References:
McNeill, L. (2012). There is no 'I' in network: social networking sites and posthuman auto/biography. Biographical Research Center
Van Luyn, A. (2013). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narrratives and The Making Of Place, Lecture 4: Narrative. [Notes] Retrieved from: http://learnjcu.edu.au