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THESIS ONLINE SPACES: TECHNOLOGICAL, INSTITUTIONAL, AND SOCIAL PRACTICES THAT FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH INSTAGRAM AND TWITCH Submitted by Taylor Weigel Department of Communication Studies In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Summer 2020 Master’s Committee: Advisor: Evan Elkins Greg Dickinson Rosa Martey Copyright by Taylor Laureen Weigel All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT ONLINE SPACES: TECHNOLOGICAL, INSTITUTIONAL, AND SOCIAL PRACTICES THAT FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH INSTAGRAM AND TWITCH We are living in an increasingly digital world.1 In the past, critical scholars have focused on the inequality of access and unequal relationships between the elite, who controlled the media, and the masses, whose limited agency only allowed for alternate meanings of dominant discourse and media.2 With the rise of social networking services (SNSs) and user-generated content (UGC), critical work has shifted from relationships between the elite and the masses to questions of infrastructure, online governance, technological affordances, and cultural values and practices instilled in computer mediated communication (CMC).3 This thesis focuses specifically on technological and institutional practices of Instagram and Twitch and the social practices of users in these online spaces, using two case studies to explore the production of connection- oriented spaces through Instagram Stories and Twitch streams, which I argue are phenomenologically live media texts. In the following chapters, I answer two research questions. First, I explore the question, “Are Instagram Stories and Twitch streams fostering connections between users through institutional and technological practices of phenomenologically live texts?” and second, “If they 1 “We” in this case refers to privileged individuals from successful post-industrial societies. 2 Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky, Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media (New York: Pantheon Books, 2002); Stuart Hall, “Encoding/Decoding,” in Media and Cultural Studies: Keyworks, ed. Meenakshi Gigi Durham and Douglas M. Kellner (John Wiley & Sons, 2009), 163–73. 3 Ganaele Langlois, “Participatory Culture and the New Governance of Communication: The Paradox of Participatory Media,” Television & New Media 14, no. 2 (March 2013): 91–105, https://doi.org/10.1177/1527476411433519. ii are, how do users support and advance connections across individuals in dispersed geographies on Twitch streams and Instagram Stories?” As my analysis shows, Twitch streams and Instagram Stories are texts that present themselves as phenomenologically live—meaning that even if they are not live, they are meant to feel live to the viewers—due to the complex institutional and technological practices that often remain hidden to the user, as well as social practices of users. By looking specifically at the rhetoric of liveness, the public screen, the third place, embodiment, and platform affordances and governance, this thesis will uncover the modes of production and possibilities for connection in online, ephemeral spaces. Through a visual and textual analysis of phenomenologically live texts on Instagram and Twitch and a critical analysis of the temporal, social, technological, and institutional practices that engender the materialiZation and maintenance of these communities, this thesis seeks to understand how visual platforms structure particular experiences in online interactions, acting as informal public spaces that have the ability to foster connections between users. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My deepest gratitude goes first to Dr. Evan Elkins, who helped guide me through two years of researcH in my graduate education, sharing my excitement, frustration, confusion, and enthusiasm along the way. His interest in and unwavering support of my researcH encouraged me to continue writing, even during a pandemic, because the work we are doing on building connections in online spaces is more prominent in society now than ever before. My appreciation extends to my wonderful committee members, Dr. Greg Dickinson and Dr. Rosa Martey, both of whom helped guide me toward new literature in the earlier stages, pushing me to incorporate research on topics in which I had little to no prior experience. Without Dr. Dickinson, I would not have discovered my eagerness to learn about the rhetoric of space and place, which led to my interest in the third place and theories of embodiment in online spaces. Dr. Martey introduced me to literature on social norms which largely guided my analysis of Twitch streams, building the framework for this thesis. I am lucky that both of my committee members saw potential in my prospectus and urged me forward to incorporate new literature and theories in my researcH, strengthening my thesis beyond words. I am grateful for my colleagues who dealt with my near-constant puns and goofy jokes, answered questions at all hours of the day, held me accountable through timed breaks and check- ins, and most of all were my greatest friends and allies during the last two years. I would not have finished my thesis without the moral support of Allison Foust, who served as my “accountability buddy” for the last two years, ensuring I stuck to a writing schedule and stayed on task. Thanks also to Ben Pettis and Michelle Matter, who enlivened our office space witH encouragement, assistance, and plenty of good humor. To all of my cohort, thank you for helping iv me maintain a positive attitude throughout my graduate career; you have all changed my outlook on organiZational culture and work-life balance for the better. Above all, I would like to thank my family and friends, whose love and support increases as I age. I can confidently say that I have called my mom and dad more in the last two years than I have called all others combined, as they have helped me talk through thesis ideas, listened to me, and distracted me when needed. My sister Brooke is currently completing her PhD at the University of Chicago and has always been my inspiration for working hard and completing my graduate studies. My brother Michael has pushed me to reach for the stars and higher my entire life, and my graduate education was no exception. And finally, I acknowledge my partner in life, Colin, who is my champion and believes in me more than I could ever believe in myself. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iv Chapter 1 – Branding communities in online spaces: Uncovering technological and institutional practices of Twitch and Instagram .................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Embodiment and Temporality in Phenomenologically Live Environments ............................... 4 The Habitual Body and the Embodied Self ................................................................................ 6 Twitch ....................................................................................................................................... 16 “We saved you a seat in chat” ................................................................................................... 20 Instagram ................................................................................................................................... 23 Instagram: About Us ................................................................................................................. 26 Behind the Screen: Community Guidelines, Content Creation, and Moderation ..................... 27 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 36 Chapter 2 – Shifting political expectations: Alexandria Ocasio-CorteZ’s creation of an enclaved public screen through Instagram Stories ....................................................................................... 39 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 39 From Public Sphere to Public Screen: The Enclaved Public Screen ........................................ 47 The Narrative Selfie: Creating Connections Through Stories .................................................. 52 Amateur Vlogger or Inspiring Politician? Millennials decide. ................................................. 56 “This is a movement. This is not me.” ...................................................................................... 59 Congress Camp: Pulling Back the Curtain on Accessibility .................................................... 64 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 68 Chapter 3 – Livestreaming on Twitch: Creating an ephemeral virtual third place with Linkus7 71 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 71 Building Connections and Virtual Third Places ....................................................................... 74 Critical Method