Highlights From First Monday (September 2011; 16.9)

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1. Ladders, samurai, and blue collars: Personal branding in Web 2.0
by Robert W. Gehl

Abstract

Drawing on the work of Gilles Deleuze, Eva Illouz, and Mark Andrejevic, this paper critiques the personal branding literature, particularly as it applies to Web 2.0 social media. I first describe the three–part logic of personal branding: dividuation, emotional capitalism, and autosurveillance. Next, in a sort of mirror image to the self–help literature of personal branding, I offer a critical “how to” guide to branding oneself in Web 2.0. Finally, I conclude with a discussion of why personal branding can be seen as a rational choice, given the circumstances of globalized capitalism and precarious employment. Individuals who brand themselves willfully adopt the logic of capitalism in order to build their human capital. However, I ultimately argue that the obsession with personal branding is no antidote for life in precarious times.

2. You can’t build a car with just one wheel (why duplication may not be such a bad thing), and some limitations of Internet search/retrieval
by David Zeitlyn

Abstract

In this article I survey different approaches to the indexing of time based media (sound and video recordings) in response to two articles published in December 2010. Issues of overlap and duplication are discussed as a positive boon. They enable real comparison to be made and different styles may suit different categories of user. The lack of synoptic overview of different applications approaching the same topic is noted. Suggestions are made as to why search engines are not picking up on this. This failure leaves a continuing role for human agents, such as subject specialists and librarians, to see connections and make complete comparison lists of what is available for end users.

3. Describing place through user generated content
by Ross Purves, Alistair Edwardes, Jo Wood

4. Culturomics 2.0: Forecasting large-scale human behavior using global news media tone in time and space
by Kalev Leetaru

5. Promoting health in a virtual world: Impressions of health communication messages delivered in Second Life
by Joan Cowdery, Jeannette Kindred, Anna Michalakis, L. Suzanne Suggs

6. Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement
by David S. White, Alison Le Cornu

7. The impact of industry structure on e-commerce initiatives in the developing world: Two case studies from Trinidad and Tobago
by Alexander Vuylsteke, Simon Fraser

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Filed under: Journal Articles, News, Patrons and Users, Video Recordings