Participatory Culture

Social networking is a very important part of my culture. It is the way in which I communicate and meet new people. So, to say that social networking is when you meet people would be an understatement. Social networking: The use of a website to connect with people who share personal or professional interests, place of origin, education at a particular school, etc. (dictionary.com). A great example of social networking would have to be the wiki. Every single one of us that take mass communication is on that wiki constantly posting up comments, blogs, request, etc. In the start of the year we knew of no one in that class but now, a lot of us have known each other and have made great bonds with each other. In Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, Klosterman writes about Big Brother. Big Brother was a game show were complete strangers would be picked to live together and while living there they would face each other to win a half a million dollars. This game show was a perfect example of social networking because these strangers would live together, and while on the show would be forced to get to know each other (without knowing each other you would not create alliances and therefore will probably not win therefore you will probably be the first voted out which would suck). A lot of times on these shows you find cast members hooking up, breaking up, fighting, forming friendships, and so much more. It is comparable to the Real World as well but the only difference is that there is no half a million dollars to compete over.

Another great example of social networking is the widely popular phenomenon called facebook. I myself am heavily involved with this form of social networking. It has given me the opportunity to make friends with people I was not really friends with in High school. For instance I have started talking to this girl that was in my grade 11 math class, we never really spoke then but just recently we started talking. This comes to show the powers of social networking and how it has truly become a popular culture that many people engage in. I have had facebook for years now and I have only increased my friends list. I think it is important to have an outlet where you get to meet or better understand a person. For instance, I have my co-op coordinator on facebook because I know in the future that could help me out when I ever need a letter or recommendation or even a reference.


Work Cited

Social networking. Dictionary.com. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. .


Klosterman, Chuck. Sex, drugs, and cocoa puffs a low culture manifesto. New York: Scribner, 2003. Print.