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Enter the Koobecaf: By Adam Polson
It’s been called an online utopia, an ever advancing social mecca, the next level of online communication. I was 18 years old when I first discovered the Koobecaf, which was in early stages of growth at that point. Since then, Koobecaf has become somewhat of an online culture among our very own. Koobecaf, commonly known as Facebook, is an online social environment, or so it began as such. Since its conception in 2004, it has become much more, which attributes greatly to its popularity among American culture. Let’s examine the barrel model of Facebook and how it relates to American culture. Koobecaf’s culture is one that is centered on a machine; the computer internet server. The culture is fully reliant on the system and can only exist inside of it with an internet connection. Once a part of the culture, a person can build a social network inside his or her own living space by locating friends that have already become part of Koobecaf. If that does not work, they can find people to converse and observe by viewing profiles of the millions of people that make up this culture. Beginning with the infrastructure of Koobecaf, it can be argued that it is based solely on technology, as every element involves the usage of the internet. However, we must examine the economical aspects of the infrastructure as an individual element of Koobecaf. Marketplace has made it possible for members of Koobecaf to trade, sell, and purchase virtually anything within Koobecaf. This system can be compared to the American culture’s bidding phenomenon known as eBay, but Marketplace does not typically involve bidding. The social structure of Koobecaf is very well put together with thousands of organizations and groups for the members of Koobecaf to be a part of. Similar to those in American culture, some are exclusive, and others are open to anyone. In doing this, “tribes” of sorts are formed inside of Koobecaf itself, and people can become divided or come together as a result of these memberships. Contact information is available for just about everybody inside of your network that you’ve chosen to be a part of, and can be used to share information about others to expand ones personal social structure inside of the larger one. I view the social structure, as the very essence of Koobecaf. Lastly, the super structure of Koobecaf is largely built upon acceptance, and I feel that this part of the barrel model is what is changing the culture of America outside of Koobecaf. Facebook displays many elements that people look to find common ground on when making friends; such as religious views, political affiliation, as well as the other persons values and morals (Interests and Activities). I observe the super structure of Koobecaf to be somewhat controversial in the sense that while citizens of Koobecaf have the ability to make their living space unique and defining of their own personalities, the human desire of acceptance cannot hide from even the internet. I feel that we have become a self-conscious generation as a result of Koobecaf; hence the reason people are so addicted to checking their profiles, as well as others, to see what has been said or posted of them. While I understand that image is important to some people, I believe that Americans, who normally don’t care what other people think, are acting differently as citizens of Koobecaf. Through Koobecaf, many of us have delved deep into a culture that has made us a slave to the machine, and we must understand that our real lives are the ones worth keeping in check.
KatieHines |
Latest page update: made by KatieHines
, Oct 20 2008, 8:28 PM EDT
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Moved from: Koobecaf Ethnography Instructions
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