SYNCOPATED COMMUNICATIO
NS & IDENTITIESBlogging in China
OBJECTIVE
Observe how blogging has affected Chinese culture and how blogging
culture in China is different than Western blogging culture
METHODS Qualitative Observation
Yao ChenBlocked on Weibo
Interviews International Chinese students at UCLATumblr users
LiteratureCase studies done by other researchers
BACKGROUND Chinese government censorship
National imageBriberyStructureCoercionAmbiguity
Liberalization of economy Chinese social media
Sina Weibo
ILLUSORY FREEDOM Government controls all data Replicated social media Blogging is the freest form of speech Real life implications
Imprisonment, restructuring, raids
Covert behavior
CHINESE CULTURE Accustomed to censorship Digital media is new
Culture is emerging and developing Self-censorship is an automatic behavior “You don’t crave for an idea you’ve
never known.” – Tiffany ChiThe notion of democracyBlocked communications from outside
CHINESE BLOGGING CULTURE Metaphors, satire, encoding High context blogging culture Must be embedded in culture For example:
River Crab / héxièPhonogram for
censorship All content is
dominated by censorship
WESTERN BLOGGING CULTURE Dominated by self interest and the
notion of celebrity Messages are low context Some high context
Media specificFor example: “what is air”
Community and socializationVersus disjointed compartmentalization
SIMILARITIES Celebrities are the news
Newsmakers, news finders, etc. Growing sense of individualism Popular topics:
Social justice & gov’t accountability
Public safetyControversial topicsTopics of entertainment
BLOGGING REALITY Government accountability Case Study (Yang Lan)
Mass urbanizationLots of evictions, home loss, and even
deathPublic outrage via blogsState council passes regulations on house
requisition and demolition Empowerment
BUT… Political evolution vs. revolution No community, no centralization, no
martyrs Censorship…**********…censorship Still too early (even for Western
blogging) Complacency High potential, but may require major
controversy as call to action
IN SUMMARY Covert communications High context Blogging has opened up new avenues of
communication Globalization = inevitable exposure New sense of identity and individuality Witnesses of a developing and
transforming culture
THANKS! QUESTIONS? Have this kitten for your troubles.