Introducing our YouTube Ethnography Project

[humzayunasnandla1]

Great introduction of enthnograph

[sonnetxi]

THAT MOUTH...............IS TO DIE FOR

[zeelidium]

THE BEST SONG IN THE WORLD -----> /watch?v=gDAz7Niq_bA

[mydinkywebcam]

Hey Prof - liked the idea, but have serious misgivings. I'm 54, one of the last half baby boomers. My agemates started with an incredible ideology that turned tail and proceeded to lay the country to economic waste. I'm not being sarcastic here, but serious. When I look at some of the projects coming out of the current tech generation - open source software barter and trade movements, microlending - I see good stuff. But my generation has made me very skitish.

[McTaggStar]

@mydinkywebcam: That really hasn't anything to do with ethnographic research.

[Yojimbo413]

Stop trying to put school and academics into youtube.

[McTaggStar]

@Yojimbo413: What difference does it make to you? :s.

[TheSarahbillington]

That is pretty awesome! I am a grad student in Texas and you seem to have a really cool prof. good for you! :)

[Introspective91]

@TheSarahbillington I'm a sopmore college student in Texas!

[FAKEanGAYS]

What a ugly guy.

[peichienwu]

The guy at the back who kept pointing himself is hilarious!! LOL

[CONSTRINGACY]

holly sh!t david icke was right hes a frackin reptile!!!

[zayrasandoval]

hey

[zayrasandoval]

hey

[DeBerry1]

I'm sorry you all have to live in Manhattan, KS! That place is a hole!

[KakdeRashmi]

Hi! I'm a masters student of Design ethnography at University of Dundee in scotland. Good to know what your group is doing! :)

[wilbur51488]

What do they want us to say to them?

[snakecharmer133]

you look like steve-o from the jackass crew!

[theemceemurdah]

This is so awesome!! I'm actually an Anthropology student right now currently trying to complete by B.A.

I wish I could take this class!!

[cigarguy66]

Stumbling upon this now...is the study going on? Were results published? What about African-American self-representation on YouTube? Or gay self-representation? Thanks. Awesome research concept!

[yitih]

@cigarguy66 Yup. Check out "And Anthropological Introduction to Youtube"

[deproduction]

I keep watching your videos, hoping you'll study and report on the demographics of YouTube users and the lack of representation of so many communities and economic classes in YouTube users and creators. It rarely seems to be acknowledged in your work, and bolsters the claims of govt trying to remove funding for media and technology training and access with the excuse "they've got YouTube". Its a privileged minority that participates on YouTube, which your videos never seem to address.

[Sebron3000]

verry creative  ... you make me think diferent

[YinYangTzu]

thats what anthropologists do... *sigh* ahh yea.... we have that effect on people.

haha, half kidding ;-)

[cpvinci]

seems like a cool class! I'd like to see more videos of you guys, what you guys do and talk about. Make a video of a casual/normal/day-to-day conversation!

[najeebputhiyallam]

hi prof... ur a greate creative freak

[Culturaeleqtro]

stupid

[pearsoncrz]

How can you dialogue when youtube limits the character count of your comments?

[martyi710]

love

[SaaKoreaInc]

hey there what programs do you guys use to mount these videos??

thanx

[bluebullmagic]

so what program was used??

[eye8one2]

wow, gl with this, sounds and SEAMS fun and likely could breed understanding, harm-money, oh no, Harm-Money, they do not like that on Their-Tube. Unfortunately, they call this YouTube but in truth, it is THEIR-TUBE, read their policies and such, they own everything within TheirTube, You is just a marketing ploy to attract ewe who they shear, peace/piece of sphere-IT.

[PatrickSchabus]

i think this is a very good idea, but how are you doing it ?

[maslanov]

hmmm, you only reaching to those who are english speaking middle/upper class...

what about the rest of us?

[capsolo99]

as a recent sociology/anthropology graduate, I would love to have taken this class. I am absolutely infatuated with the internet and it's many uses.... not to sound cliche but the internet is going to remodel our world. But you've already said that in your web 2.0 video. I hope your students enjoy the class as much as I enjoy watching these videos...

[KBurkitt2]

I'm starting a MA Content Analysis Thesis through New Jersey City University about YouTube. At this time, I am looking at YouTube as a container for educational content. Once I am able to establish YouTube's validity, I will be analyzing specific content based on keyword, subject, and general search results. Would any of you have any advice that could help me out?

If so please let me know. My YouTube name for this project will be: kburkitt2

Thanks,

Kevin Burkitt

[toptimes368]

That is very good work !

[humo1222]

XD ethnography  of youtube will be interesting!

[UtubeCritics]

Thats pretty cool i lik the idea i giv this a 5/5...

The UtubeCritics: The source of video updates and comments!

[buspoet]

How is this class going? Studying an internet culture...

YouTube is MILLIONS of people deep. Isn't studying a culture that large a little daunting? Do you separate it into little e-cliques? And if so, how? The trolls from the stalkers? Anime geeks from geeks in general? Popular v-bloggers from preteen wannabes? That one could be interesting.

[ninjask1]

and yet, the larger the group, the deeper you can go, the more you can learn of people, their thoughts, their ideas, their motives... in the anonymity of the internet, a person can become their true self... but can also become something new.

the internet itself is a different culture than the physical one we live in.

[teedubyo]

i like turtles

[ohEMgeeITSmeeee]

i like pie...... (lol out of subject huh?)

[keviimis]

he looks like the gman

[nooccar]

Mike Wesch is a god! But... buy a Mac! Why Dell?

[verylikeakitten]

I'm interested in looking at whether digital communities constitute the kind of 'ideal speech situations' described by Habermas and was wondering to what extent I might use an ethnographic approach to do this. So your video is really interesting - will be trying to find out more about your project. Thanks : )

[Sabu632]

I think there are differences in perception of self, living in our digital age. Case in point, the t-shirt, "You Looked Better On Myspace." People can become what they want to be by creating it on an unregulated medium.

My username is, "Sabu632" and what does this mean to you?

For some maybe nothing. However, others would agree that the digital self might be closer to who we really are than who we make ourselves out to be in the physical world.

[dbmor10]

I'm curious about informed consent. I ask because I'm having problems with IRB to do research on Facebook after a class is over no less while a class is happening. Do you have blanket IRBs at the beginning? I'd love any responses that people have about IRB and student-technology research. Thanks!

[richarddaveyhhc]

There's a good book called 'Readings in Virtual Research Ethics: Issues and Controversies' that covers informed consent in a virtual environment quite well. However, Facebook users show concious effort to post personal information online in a public domain, so consent isn't necessary (although the ethics behind it are argued). The need for consent can also depend on the type of interaction that you may be having with the participant! I could go on, but I recommend you read the book ... :D

[dbmor10]

Thank you so much for your post. I'll pick up the book.

[richarddaveyhhc]

There's a good book called 'Readings in Virtual Research Ethics: Issues and Controversies' that covers informed consent in a virtual environment quite well. However, Facebook users show concious effort to post personal information online in a public domain, so consent isn't necessary (although the ethics behind it are argued). The need for consent can also depend on the type of interaction that you may be having with the participant! I could go on, but I recommend you read the book ... :D

[wolverineeeeeeeee]

great vids;) digital philoshofers(pff how do i write that lol)

[TigerMojo87]

I would be entirely interested in this. I'm an anthro minor. Is there anything like this at Mizzou?

[flamingmunki9]

Hes got a smiley mouth :D

[hafnergasse]

well done! austrian greetings!

[KillieKingdom]

You are a geniune genius mate! Outstanding videos and content, wonderful background music - amazing overall!

[Quiebus]

Changing informations means changing ourselves means changing the world.

There's a future in this...

Makes it obvious to what extend we are only at the verry beginning of the information age.

But i wonder if the information age will be fundamentally different from aother historical periods.

as i said, changing information means changing ourselves.

[proteanview]

Absolutely fascinating

[boyprodegy]

Thank's. Love your city.

[ikenmcg]

this proyect it's just great. I only want to congratulate you all for you're excelent work. Let's keep changing the world

[JagJam37]

yo your videos are crazy.... i must have seen them all like 5 times each at least.... i would really be interested in an ethnography project or class like that.... anyway good job and make some more videos please i try to spread them around as much as i can to my friends

[laughmeasmile]

ahh! your class sounds sooo cool!

[A2FatalAssassin]

You're videos are; mentally stimulating. Thank you. It provides watchers, hopefully, with a sense of what is going on in the world.

[jjanderson89]

this is really cool guys, keep up the good work ! :)

[gaia0117]

You must have the coolest anthropology class ever. Thank you so much for posting...I'm a secondary education-social sciences major and have saved all of your videos for possible use in my future classes.

[Ravenstryk]

dude..that's not cool

[PierreE14]

Bravo, votre projet est passionnant et je reviendrai vous voir.

How about this side of the digital information: you might not find it in a language you understand ?

One more question I'm wondering about after seeing your videos

Merci ;)

[Siliven]

I love your videos. I also love the music you put, it's so fitting. Good job. I can't wait to see more videos from you and your group. And what the future brings of course. :P

[photofu]

good for you...looks interesting...greets from india...

[AdduJi]

Sir, truly awesome. You look more like a friend than a teacher. As long as teachers like you are in world, we have hope for betterment. God bless you and keep moving!!

[DelicateMorning]

College student here, looks like a fun class and a good bunch of people, i do hope everything will go well for all of you.

[mbarthel05]

nice job everyone. i really have been enjoying your videos mwecsh. very inspiring...

[lanceauthor2525]

Study hard boys and girls, sometimes you only get one shot...

[FezocaBR]

I believe this work is something realy important. I'm from Brazil and I have received this link from people I work with. We work on an advertising multinacional company and undestanding this new generation of consumers (of which I belong too) is our main goal. Its interesting how among so many internet junk, people can find inspiring content and distribute ir for free. Great iniciative professor Wesch.

[Mondoman54]

I just want to thank you for using YouTube for something useful. You guys are actually using youtube for communication. I'm gonna try and convince my AP World History class to do something like this. Maybe, since the internet is making the world smaller and more connected, we will be able to use it to collaborate better and accomplish something bigger -reach a better understanding between nations and individuals alike. This stuff is truly inspiring and interesting. Good work.

[sillykiddo14]

your videos are inspiring and awesome :)

keep making more!!

[DeeJaySantana]

I never like school... but this Youtube project changed my mind.

[SpikesScarletWitch]

ok. cool. hope y'all have fun with this. got to say, never seen a white guy with dreds that looked good till now! *L* i don't have a web cam (yes, gasp in horror that is my life, oh woe is me) :D i'm in college to so please send good "vibes" my way..need all the help i can get..(an get the pervy git thoughts outcha heads!) :D Ta!

[crazymind88]

lol tht guy u could barley see that was in the back pointing to himself. the one with the hat. LOL he was the only guy i was paying attention to

[johnnywolf]

we need more teachers like you.

i really wanted to like college. i really did.

[nachvornegucker]

i echo toastfrancais - why aren't there classes like this at every school? awesome project.

[toastfrancais]

Oh, god. I think I have to transfer schools now. :) What a great class idea, I'm very jealous. I can't wait to learn more.

[barrageuez]

lol i like that vid 5/5 :D

[arien14]

Sounds interesting. I'll PM you all as well. :)

[JustinSmith1986]

I look forward to observing and participating in this (if I can find a cheap camera!). These are fascinating, important questions, and I'm excited to see that there are people engaging them.

[tcarrapatoso]

I want to sit at that empty chair!

I'll send you a private message!

[xxDreakins]

cool

[Miyagi22]

muy interesante, very interesting!

[Seriphyn]

Only 9700 views? This needs to be more popular

[RandomProductionsINC]

I'd love to join, but I'm 12...

[sidiwda]

cute girls in the class! How do I join it?

[mallikadasi]

music, soundtrack, is an extremely important part of any video if you want an audience. yOURS IN so GOOD. move along, "CURIOUS INTEREST" mood. i LOVE YOUR (DARN THESE LAPTOP KEYBOARDS WHERE THE CAPS KEY IS WHERE THE shift key should be) project idea. I recently got broadband and saw such potential in youtube I nearly burst!!

[spadastunter]

cool video i dont know why it hasnet been made as one as the must watch, i might recomend

[Charqui]

fantastico, espero que resulte bien el estudio.

[Puffycoat396]

You bring up some very good conversation starters! And how do you edit these clips??? There awsome!!!!

[dkorus]

The Art of Communication .. Great thing, your project. Good luck!

[carlsjr2k]

just stumbled upon this video and suddenly see a werder bremen shirt :D - yeah a its a small world :)

[MLMPowerGoldMine]

Thats Awesome! Web2.0 is really connect people together in a way thats never been done before!

We have passed the information age.

We are NOW in the Communication AGE!

Lets connect soon!

To Your Success!

David Nguyen

watch and Subscribe to My 90Day Challenge and Send Me Your Support and Feedback

[WonOnOne]

Eh, I dunno. Some people still have 56k, or maybe no internets at all. Still in the information age maybe.

[Acumensch]

Has anyone tried applying Baudrillard to digital ethnography? YouTube is hyperreality: our experience of the people and places in the images only exist as images for us. Therefore, who's to say that it's "real" in an ontological sense? It's just a kind of symbolic interaction.

[lgraziela]

Hi, very interesting! I´m brazilian anthropologist and I´m also reserching in this community. My ethnography project is about fanvideos.

[maleger1963]

Very interesting project, I will be looking forward to see how this evolves. Certainly the You tube community is becoming, or is, a tribe of sorts of individuals looking to express themselves in a creative way and reach out to others... I think Marshall McLuhan would love your project...

[jmcconville1000]

What a great program - I wish I could join.

[MmmSauceNeal]

I don't know much about your class, but I'm into it! Check out my vlog, i'd like to hear your input and participate how I can!

[lfathman]

great idea. I'm an anthropologist, former publisher, married to an e-publisher. we've been discussing your Web 2.0 video. I like your questions: I remember thinking about the Internet and community in the 90s when things ere heating up (and HTML was getting off the ground!). Is community linked dependent on space? What is space?

[thepoasm]

Hey im one of Dr. Weschs students...but yeah your point of what is space came up in my part of the project. is the internet a space? or just a platform to retrieve information? and does that apply to reality? formerly, in a top down approach, i think reality had physicality...i think some things might be socially redefined...

[lfathman]

I think that's a great question: how is community defined? I think mostly by a sense of shared experience or interest or kinship or something, which the Internet definitely provides. But we also privilege physical space, even though kinship relationships (maybe especially) transcend spatial boundaries.

[lfathman]

I think the thing about the Internet is that the absence of physicality which defines the web SEEMS problematic when we think of it as a community. On the other hand, this is, to me, one of the best examples of Benedict Anderson's concept of the imagined community

[WonOnOne]

Why study anthropology when the answer is "intelligent design"?

[thepoasm]

regardless of how we got here, were here! its interesting to see what humanity is doing with its time. ;)

[WonOnOne]

I was just making a jab at the fact that the state of Kansas had a law that required the teaching of intelligent design in classrooms. If we said everything was the result of ID and stopped researching further, no one would figure out how electronics work and there'd be no YouTube or even teh internets. ID is quack. :D

[illiadum]

You might just as easily say structure of social interaction is controlled by "magic", but that's completely ridiculous also. I think this is a great study, and I'd be interested to see the conclusions.

[luciansultan]

this is awesome!! greetings for mister teacher! :)

[dsh22006]

ahhh cool people :p and mike you're great at editing videos

[likeomgmancow]

GOD

[XYicious]

Nice to see all the faces in the team. Good luck!

[madinmelbourne]

I've hated the thought of learning any new software, takes sssooo long to do basic things, and I so want to be able to communicate/share/learn/connec­t... include me in any developments/surveys/connectio­ns/questions in this phenomenon please.

[BizzyBeMe]

i'm definitely interested in helping to figure out some of the answers to those questions. count me in!

[Maxell303]

awesome

[aq22q]

Nice to see the group, nice graphics as well

[calmansi]

when I saw the thumbnai with the hand knocking, I thought it was a citation from A. Baggs' In My Language JnylM1hI2jc. Both your Web 2.0 and her videos have created warm micro-communities... of transcribers and translators.

I can't find where to create a log-in for your projects' blogs, though

[CoralieBrown]

Good!

[alexmac999]

I have to say I'm impressed with the way you have gone about starting this project (releasing the v.well conceived Web 2.0 video - thereby attaining the exposure you need for the project to be successful) .

I would be very interested in seeing the results of such a study of YouTube.

good luck guys

[radronOmega]

awesome, i hope that class gets more attention at your school after this project is over.

[pbroadbent]

Hi, interesting class. I've just finished a similar sociology class at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Good times - I'd like to help!

[areopagiticascb]

Hi cool class. Your project already rocks my world. I'll be watching you!

[KennyWrites]

eth·nog·ra·phy

NOUN:

The branch of anthropology that deals with the scientific description of specific human cultures.

This should be interesting! I've been collecting data on the top subscribed YouTubers for about 6 months now and writing about YT for almost a year. Maybe I can be of some help. Good luck with your projects!

[fordcowboyben]

soulds like a blast.. (my hometown is near manhattan) wish they would do something like that here at washburn..

[MemberHomei]

yes, it's cool

[SparklingDiamonds22]

that is so cool!!

[Stella000]

Great project. Good to see you all laughing, wish we'd have so much fun studying. Can't wait to see your next video.

[meanelvis]

Loved your previous video, and am looking forward to what you guys come up with next!

[Idjet]

That is a very interesting project it seems :D

[thepoasm]

Wesh I am very proud of "us" already (student here) Very excited to dig my heels into this project.

[kelvlam]

very cool class I gotta say. with a computer science graduate school background, I find your class and idea is a great example of cross-disciplinary graudate study :)

[beba1123]

cool!

[GoldenAgeMuse]

Excellent, I'm in. Already I have passed out Web 2.0...The Machine is Us/ing Us. And if you were to keep track of it on myspace as well...

[chaguanas]

You get credits for being on YouTube?!

[dragonaustin]

I wish I had a class like this

[peaceonearth108]

it looks like fun...thank you

[camslutbag]

my school needs classes like this