Powerful Reads

Powerful Reads
By Chelsea Roles

                                 
                                                             
                                                        Good Reads ... What to do? (Pamela, 2013, http://www.thediscriminatingfangirl.com/2013/10/15/goodreads-what-to-do/)

Power is an intangible ‘thing’ that is possessed by individuals who are deemed powerful by others. One of the most common modalities of power, identified by John Allen, is a centred form of power: where people can hold power, but may or may not chose it use it (Allen, J. 2003). Even those who chose to not use their power are still deemed powerful while doing so. A second modality of power, commented on by Allen, focuses on how people derive positions of power for themselves within the global space economy. Allen terms this ‘power through mobilisation’ and argues that it is reproduced through networks, and therefore focuses on how power is produced in and through social interaction (Allen, J. 2003).

In order to identify these modalities within a social network, I decided to log into a much-neglected Goodreads account that I used once, around four years ago. Immediately I was flooded with reviews from people I followed years ago; many of them now well-respected authors. It is easy to identify those who hold the main power within this network; and funnily enough, the authors linked to this site seem to hold the least amount of power. Instead, the power lies with those who review and rate the novels; people just like me. Reviewers on this site have the power to influence what people are reading by their ratings, public reading list and their group discussions. According to Dye,

                 “The Elite are the few who control what is valued in society and use that control to shape   lives of others” (Dye, 2005). This links in with the reviewers controlling what novels they project are worthy to read, and which are not. This in turn shapes not only reader’s lives, but authors who fall victim to such negative reviews.

Reviewers, on such a large public scale have the power to destroy authors and their work, depending on how big of a following they have. However, the power lying with the people is not always a negative thing. Platforms such as these have the power to expand people’s minds and popularise people’s works and novels.

“Power in a networked space of relations, - and it can also be a necessary, productive and positive force in the networks of society.” (Gaventa, 2013)

As I have not yet written a review, or even done so little as rate a novel, I am virtually powerless on this site at the moment. I am however, willing to experiment and see if I am able to create a sense of power for myself. And since “power is formed through relationships made online and in person,” (Kuttainen, 2017) I am eager to see if and how I can interact with those who hold power, and if it effects my state at all.

In the forthcoming weeks, I will analyse power and space within this network, and observe how it is used to influence other adamant readers. Will I feel inclined to read the newest 5 star rated book? Or will I stick with my outdated Austen? Only time will tell.



Want to understand the concept of power in more depth? Click here.


References:
Allen, J. (2003). 'Introduction: Lost Geographies of Power'. In Lost Geographies of Power. (p.p,1-12). Maiden, USA: Blackwell Publishing.

Dye. (2005). Space and place quote. In Kuttainen, V. (2017). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, week 2 notes [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from: http://learnjcu.edu.au

Gaventa. (2003). Space and place quote. In Kuttainen, V. (2017). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, week 2 notes [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from: http://learnjcu.edu.au

Kuttainen, V. (2017). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, week 2 notes [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from: http://learnjcu.edu.au

Liu, Eric. (2014). How to understand power. [Video file]. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/c_Eutci7ack

Pamela. (2013). Good Reads ... What to do? [Image]. Retrieved from: http://www.thediscriminatingfangirl.com/2013/10/15/goodreads-what-to-do/