I found this video on a pop culture blog called “hipster runoff”. Like many other blogs this one aims at posting interesting current events and share-worthy information for a certain cluster of readers. It is a network in which a person can connect with many other people instantly. An interactive blog is very democratic by its nature. Although there is one main author, people have the freedom to choose what they are exposed to, respond how and when they want, and equally communicate their views on a “global village”-like scale. We continually pull information from the collective to educate ourselves. This video has created a network of viewers, whom then probably share the space and commonly flow within other bigger networks.
In its essence, this video is nothing more than random silliness. Yet, I continually find myself indulging in these types of unscripted, untalented, unpolished pieces of entertainment. This viral video is typical. These are two regular (very teenage) girls who decided to film themselves dancing in their 37th week. Now, with the utility of a low cost web-cam and a youtube account what’s stopping them from viral fame? Its appeal lies in its simple visual quality, which nears taboo. I pose the question to myself, “I wonder what very young, very pregnant girls dancing to Fergie would look like?” This video is exactly what it looks like. It is “out of the ordinary” therefore we want to see it. These girls look very young for how big they are. What does this say about societal standards of sex? Should there be a reason to regard this act as gross? I believe the remedial power of this video is in its shock value as opposed to humor, comfort, or information. In relation to Born Digital, I think this is an instance of “sharing too much”. These mothers are publicly exposing themselves, awaiting judgment, and unconsciously branding themselves with Fergie. Or is the publicity beneficial? Perhaps seeing themselves dance on screen was a therapeutic, introspective way of dwelling with changes.
-Steve Huerta
I agree with Steve that the "taboo" factor is what attracts us to this video. As it is "out of the ordinary",it continues the snarky tone aspect of the internet as it plays on issues of gender and beauty.It displays the reality that baring a child changes the physique of the female body contrary to that of the unrealistic-avatar like perception of what the female body should look like. As discussed in Turkel's "Aspects of the self", these girls are displaying themselves in a playful and comfortable manner similar to that of a role-playing environment, You-tube's user friendly environment provides a sort of role playing environment for working on personal issues in this case the physical beauty of childbearing.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Palfrey talks about how disclosing such personal information might be an attempt to garner social approval or create intimacy with viewers, but it mostly makes them look immature instead of their simple derivation of pleasure from their exhibitionism. The problem in this instance is that not only is the identity of the two girls exposed, it's also exploiting the unborn babies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Steve, this video is very silly. Most of the popular content on youtube and other websites is plainly funny, silly and even stupid videos. In relation to the Born digital reading and as Steve mentioned, I do feel like this is an example of sharing too much. These young mothers are online experimenting with the world wide community for a sense of acceptance through the humor of what they are doing. It is hard to control content on the internet. Pelfrey also discusses that sharing through the internet holds back insecurity. Pelfrey mentions an example of a 16 year old whos identity is characterized through insecurity. These women feel very comfortable with themselves in the video because the internet makes even sharing too much information feel comfortable.
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