Strolling through Cyberspace

With the emergence of cyber space and social networks we have seen the revival of the Flaneur in a modernised way; a Cyborg flaneur for virtual spaces (Barnes 1997). As a “Newbie” to the Flixster community you can be known as a Cyber-flaneur, lurking in the background, observing, just scrolling through the movie titles and reviews without actively participating (Barnes, 1997). The more a new member explores and starts to interact within the community, leaving reviews for titles they have watched, the further the member drifts away from being a Cyber-flaneur and becomes more a part of the community. The Cyber-Flaneur then becomes the brand-new members to have signed up, hence never truly losing the Flaneurs of this network. Although Prouty (2009) describes the flaneur differently, arguing “[the flaneur] taking in the sights and offering themselves up as a spectacle in their own right”, Barnes (1997) interpretation of the flaneur was that their aim was to disappear seamlessly.     

Le Flaneur - Paul Gavarni (1842) (http://afriendinparis.com/an-atmospheric-19th-century-private-walking-tour/)

Cyber-flaneurs never truly know where they are going within the website, Barnes (1997) points out that “The Cyber-flaneur begins their journey without a spatial sense of cyberspace, gaining orientation in the space as they go forth and acquire a mental map of relevant ‘sites’.” It is important for the network to have an effective design of the space. Flixster has a simple and self-explanatory home page, instantly making the user feel at ease. This home page helps a Cyber-flaneur have a point of orientation, mapping their way through the sight. A map always serves a purpose, they can shape how we act and form ideas of the space (Kuttainen, 2017). It is imperative that a website allows for easy navigation, for without said easy navigation a website could be frustrating and unusable. Barnes (1997) agrees stating “Man’s feeling about being properly orientated in space runs deep. Such knowledge is ultimately linked to survival and sanity.”

In my last blog, I mentioned that I would explore whether this particular social network would make someone conform to fit into the community of Flixster uses or would a member keep their sense of self. The websites ‘architecture’ allows a member to reflect their true self and express opinions without the fear of backlash or criticism of other community members. This social network was found to be a safe place; a new home for me to express my love for the film industry and read reviews from those alike. A true feeling of belonging, a safe place, somewhere I can go and explore free from judgement, unlike being a member of other social networks such a Facebook and Instagram, Flixster does not give the opportunity to intimidate other users with comments of judgment and criticism (also known as trolls). This type of character in these different social networks would support Prouty’s explanation of the flaneur previously explained. So in the case of Flixster, Flaneur’s do have a presence in the space, at the moment I would count myself as a Flaneur of Flixster.

By Cassandra Schwerin

References

Prouty, R. (2009, October 28). One-way Street: A turtle on a leash [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/

Barnes, G. (1997). Passages of the Cyber-Flanuer. [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/

Kuttainen, V. (2017). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, week 4 slides [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/

Ann Jeanne in Paris. (n.d.). “Le Flaneur” – Paul Gavarni 1842 [image]. Retrieved from http://afriendinparis.com/an-atmospheric-19th-century-private-walking-tour/