By this point in the quarter we have visited and discussed the effects of technology on human culture as a whole, and have specifically talked about the growth of blogs, wikis, etc., as the new medium for our culture. We've talked about uses of youtube, and social networking sites like myspace and facebook, as well as blogs much like the one we are participating in to convey messages to mass amounts of people. But it isn't just the middle class, "typical" people who do this. Celebrities, and specifically athletes have began putting themselves out there through this medium, which is something that could seem unreal to fans because of that aura of unavailability that surrounds many athletes and celebrities. Places like yardbarker.com have began hosting blogs for pro-athletes, like former Ohio State basketball stars Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr., so fans can follow them throughout their daily lives. Professional poker players interact, chat, and even play online with their fans on gambling web sites. There's a video on youtube of Chris Bosh, and NBA player on the Toronto Raptors, encouraging fans to vote for him for the All-Star Game. Last of all, there was NBA player Rudy Gay asking people on youtube to submit slam dunk footage, of which he would select the best to perform at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. There are countless examples of how celebrities have started really interacting with people through the new medium that they would probably never meet otherwise. They are showing that they are just like everyone else, which is something we would not get to see otherwise. This not only applies to celebrities, but people in general. It seems as if the new medium has made people more comfortable about putting themselves out there. From online dating services to even facebook and myspace, there has been great change in how people get to know one another. You're allegedly just one profile click away from knowing whatever you want to know about a person.
My questions to you are: Has the evolution of these sites and technology as a whole really affected the way celebrities and athletes are perceived in the public eye? Should we even care? What else can this medium be used for? Does this all make people seem more approachable, regardless of who they are? Can we get accurate representations of people through their profiles and images on these sites? How has all of this affected how we live our lives on a daily routine?
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6 comments:
I think the mediums used in this essay are great for connecting people and for sharing ideas all over the world. The thing about celebrities and their blogs is good too because it provides a cool insight on their daily lives. Sometimes it can go to far when people can see everything they do, but it is their choice so they know what they are getting into. I think that blogs are kind of like the new essay in that they can provide multi voices in the comments and in the posting.
I guess it's a good thing because it makes these athletes seem more like regular people (which they are) than these gods among men type things that people seem to hold them as. I think it's good that athletes are trying to connect with people but I also think it's just another way for that weird guy that watches and cares about sports way to much to track his favorite players more carefully. The only downside I have about this is that if people are posting on these athletes blogs don't you think that the people that don't like these athletes are going to go on there and just blast them?
I think these types of technology are just another medium for athletes and celebrities to become more visible to their fans. YouTube videos and other forms of interaction on the internet are more informal ways of communicating with fans as opposed to television or the newspaper. I think guys like Chris Bosh and Rudy Gay making YouTube videos makes them appear more approachable to their fans and perhaps more likable with the overall fan base in general.
I do believe that this medium makes people more approachable and I say this because if people put themselves out there through the use of profiles then they must not mind that people see them and want to interact with them.
I am not so sure if we can get accurate representations of through the profiles and the images that people put up and I say this because there are many dishonest people in this world and I don't think that you can discern whether one is lying or telling the truth about themselves unless you know them personally.
It's changed the way celebs are percieved for the better. With YouTube, people feel way more personal with the person they are watching, rather than just seeing it on tv. The guy will look right into the camera when recording and say "hey, I'm talking to YOU. Vote for me for this". It's working great too.
I don't really care much for celebrity of athletic gossip. I guarantee that all of their "profile" are so carefully well constructed by some publicist and have little to do with the actors actual thoughts and feelings. Anything the celebs say is probably put through so many editors before it reaches publication these days anyway.
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