Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Xtra Second LIfe

ead the Burgess article in the Video Vortex Reader and also view the links provided to the work of Bernhard Drax (aka Draxtor Despres). How does the article's perspective on the nature of viral videos apply to the work of Drax?

"Through reuse, reworking and redistribution, spreadable media content ‘gains greater resonance in the culture, taking on new meanings, finding new audiences, attracting new markets, and generating new values" (Video Vortex). Viral videos spread and constantly change in their meaning and adaption. They create and manifest story lines for people to enact and be apart of. The video gains life and evolves through circulation on the internet.


Second life evolves in the same manor. In second life the users have the ability to expand and change their virtual world. Drax created a fictional detainment camp to promote awareness. He used second life to educate people and make them aware of how torture effects prisoners.


The world in second life constantly changes because of user participation. The users are key to its metaphoric capabilities. It evolves along with the people whom create it. Youtube and second life are constantly being rediscovered and changed. They both take on their own life.




Indeed, scholars at the forefront of YouTube

research argue that for those participants who actively contribute content and engage in

cultural conversation around online video, YouTube is in itself a social network site; 3 one in

which videos (rather than ‘friending’) are the primary medium of social connection between

participants

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