boyd-2015-social-media-a-phenomenon-to-be-analyzed

Overview of Social Media as a Phenomenon

• Definition: Social media transcends mere platforms or technologies; it encompasses a set of tools, practices, and ideologies that materialized post dot-com crash.

• Origin: Developed primarily by technologists in the Bay Area as a means to reconnect with the essence of community and communication.

Historical Context

Emergence of Social Media

• Post dot-com crash sparked a desire among entrepreneurs to explore new avenues for engagement and interaction.

• Aimed to build technologies that fostered connections and collaborations, rooted in experiences from Usenet, BBSes, email, and instant messaging.

Shift from Traditional Media

• Traditional infrastructure transitioned as social media tools emerged, leading to new programming languages and database architectures.

• Shift encouraged a blend of designing, developing, and deploying strategies, reshaping interactive experiences.

Implications of Social Media

Social Graphs and Connectivity

• Social network sites provided a new framework for interpersonal connections via 'friends' lists, allowing users to access networks of acquaintances and communities.

• As social media tools evolved, they redefined how individuals access information, people, and ideas.

Cultural and Business Implications

• Social media mirrors the values of a selective user network that co-created these platforms, reflecting societal norms.

• Shift towards new business models and critiques, integrating aspects of neoliberal capitalism and data surveillance.

Contemporary Relevance

• Social media's evolution has resulted in it becoming integral to daily life, manifesting through well-known brands like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

• Analysis of social media is critical due to its unprecedented global adoption and influence on digital interactions.

Conclusion

• Understanding social media's role in society goes beyond its technological features; it involves examining its impact on communication, community-building, and socio-technical practices.

Author Information

• Author: danah boyd

• Background: Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research and founder of Data & Society; holds a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley.

• Research Interests: Focuses on topics like big data, privacy, publicity, and youth culture.