Ethnography, the Internet, and Youth Culture: Strategies for Examining Social Resistance and "Online-Offline" Relationships Author(s):

Brian Wilson Source: Canadian Journal of Education / Revue canadienne de l'ducation, Vol. 29, No. 1, The Popular Media, Education, and Resistance/ Les mass-mdia populaires, l'ducation et la rsistance (2006), pp. 307-328 Published by: Canadian Society for the Study of Education Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20054158 Accessed: 14/06/2010 18:35
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www.jstor.org/action/showPublisher?publisherCode=csse. Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

Canadian Society for the Study of Education is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Canadian Journal of Education / Revue canadienne de l'ducation.

http://www.jstor.org

the Internet, and Youth Culture: Ethnography, Strategies for Examining Social Resistance and "Online-Offline" Relationships Brian Wilson

The methods between global

integration can aid online character from my

of

traditional

(offline interested cultural

and

face-to-face)

and

virtual

researchers and of offline youth on

in developing understandings the diffuse life, and examining In constructing and the rave

ethnographic of relationships and sometimes I have studies underscored these framing and circuits of used also

resistance. activism suggestion:

insights informed by a

studies central

youth theoretical

this argument, These subculture. to research structures flows

to everyday experiences sensitivity can (still) be a powerful guide experiences in Internet-influenced cultures. resistance

that an approach and the power for understanding

Key words: globalization, virtual ethnography de m?thodes

qualitative

research,

social

movements,

rave

culture,

L'int?gration pr?sentiel) relations

en et traditionnelles (hors ligne ethnographiques les ? mieux TIC peut aider les chercheurs comprendre en et le caract?re diffus entre la vie culturelle ligne et ? ?tudier ligne et hors son sur L'auteur fonde des de la r?sistance argumentation jeunes. plan?taire parfois sur Y activisme et la sous chez les jeunes tir?es d'?tudes des observations portant ? servent de de Ces ?tudes techno-rave. culture point d?part l'hypoth?se ?galement ou recourant aux centrale exp?riences peuvent r?sistance de l'auteur, ? savoir aux de la recherche qui est sensible qu'une approche ces aux structures du pouvoir encadrant exp?riences et circuits de les courants de guide pour comprendre pr?cieux et sous l'influence d'Internet.

quotidiennes servir (encore) dans

les cultures

Mots

cl?s

: mondialisation, ethnographie

recherche virtuelle

qualitative,

mouvements

sociaux,

culture

techno-rave,

Canadian

Journal

of Education

29,1

(2006): 307-328

308

Brian

Wilson

Virtual opposition Utopian dangerous

reality to,

and the

cyberspace real world....

are

commonly In certain

The mythology of cyberspace is reality.... that it is time to re-locate virtual in the culture argued seduced that virtual culturalists, by their own metaphors, or new we are, indeed, the of dead pronounce dying). Through development technologies, more to experiences and more of de-realisation and de-localisation. But we continue open preferred real world over its sociology. (the real world I have to have between and localised existences. physical these conditions. 1996, pp. (Robins, We must consider our state of suspension 16, 26)

project. conditions

Virtual

is imagined Reality of contemporary social

presented as a nowhere-somewhere

imagined these cases,

in terms are

of

reaction as

against, some kind

or of

alternative

to the

In

since Robins' (1996) years to better understand strides important the life. Scholars like Burkhalter (1999) have examined are experienced identities for example, how how

researchers have made critique, links between online and offline (1999), Ebo

cultural

and Stubbs related have

(1998) Harcourt (1999), and class, race/ethnicity, gender offline and online. Other researchers

considered, have

virtual-real others

experience examined

life is a continuous youth subcultural Wilson & Atkinson, Still (Bennett, 2004; 2005). online and offline support addiction/recovery

group conventions Researchers experiences this context, Hine and the Stewart

& Nettleton, 2000). (Pleace, Burrows, Loader, Muncer, are also to best understand how the considering across online and offline In of those who navigate spaces. (2000), Markham (2002, 2003), Kendall (1998), Miller and Slater (1999), and others have (2000), Mann

emphasized an to and of Internet research, ethnographic importance approach use into the of offered (and relationships/differences important insights mediated communication between) (CMC) and face to face computer in interviewing (FTF) methods Internet-related study topics who groups. Ethnographers to and apply novel develop struggle to while sensitive still-useful remaining for qualitative of conducting with inquiry. Markham a non-traditional sensibilities" and focus

to their research, approaches elements of conventional techniques (1998) called this the "the in a non-traditional remains

paradox

ethnography (p. 62). There

nonspace,

traditional

much

relationships the Internet example, offline accessed interviews, for analysis,

between

to explore in these areas given the various For and offline qualitative methodologies. is a space where research subjects are recruited for online produced experiential by culture members are and

documents

ethnographic

explorations

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

309

through research offline because

cultural that

spaces

and online considers

environments relationships especially of work

specifically methods ethnographic there is a relative

take place. between rich that

The area of online and

remains

scarcity on ways can that online and offline ethnographic techniques to aid research focused on cultural groups and especially be integrated on cultural flows - a topic of particular interest for those who study the reason is The that this for those of culture. important globalization reflections in education the dissemination of culture is that understanding of a dominant the dissemination form of of understanding - cultural - and for young the sets of knowledge people people around

for development includes detailed

working is a way

knowledge cultural that knowledge of the world interpretations

and possess inform their acquire them (including their interpretations are in of forms of knowledge offered formal education contexts). they to existing The goal of this article is to contribute literature around reflections from my experiences these topics by offering methodological conducting an ethnographic

a study of online and offline cultural life in and outlining the rationale for the subculture; youth describing a of for the online and offline methodology recently designed study cultural ultimately a global lives of members of youth-driven social movement a set of suggestions for examining social offering - an where culture circulates and age age (youth) globally collective action is increasingly The transnational. locally, and where is that underlies this article that the of argument integration both traditional and and methods, (offline face-to-face) ethnographic can be helpful in developing rich and virtual, comprehensive between character online of youth for those and offline culture cultural life, and resistance. groups; and in resistance

of relationships understandings and for examining the diffuse This research that young people out of educational of youth the ways

is particularly in the ways interested pertinent in and interact with and through Internet technology the online and offline that cultural lives ways settings, educational and for those settings, of social issues is sometimes concerned translated with into

transcend

that knowledge social action. In making

offline

I acknowledge this argument, not is approach always preferable

that a combined to exclusively

online online or

310

Brian

Wilson

offline exclusively choice of methods

cultures and experiences. The on is largely dependent the goal of the research and in studying that the researcher is interested 'strands of experience' even Hine As studies that (2000, p. 59) observes, 2001). (Eichhorn, both online and offline should not be viewed include research conducted given that all ethnographic for research concerned with online forms of social accounts tracing are selective and partial.

studies

of

Internet

as holistic, However, between

organization and action, a multi-site and multi-method approach is sensible - as I not without and problems and desirable although challenges intend to show. interactions

connections/relationships and activism, and offline

ETHNOGRAPHY: THEORY, METHOD, AND RATIONALIZING AN ONLINE AND OFFLINE APPROACH

Ethnographic Methods Although consensus and the Boundaries of Ethnographic Research is a

some term, notoriously ambiguous some idea that ethnography includes of participant and non-participant combination informal observation, - and that and document and semi-structured the interviews, analysis is life worlds up research findings and (re)presenting process of writing ethnography occurs around the integrally related oral to the act of doing ethnography interactions have traditionally (Prus, 1996; Tedlock, "as been privileged that tends to treat speech as texts of associated of & of accounts the realties

2000). Although part of the 'romantic legacy' of ethnography, more than writing," authentic increasingly valued with cultures have become equally those being studied 1995). Hine (Hine, 2000, Atkinson,
texts. Rather be seen than as seen as more material or less which accurate tells us

the written

on Hammersley p. 51, drawing more on this view elaborates inclusive (2000)

being

portrayals about

of

reality,

texts

should which

ethnographic

the understanding

authors have of the reality which

in many of the settings which

they inhabit. Texts are an important part of life

now address, and to ignore them

ethnographers

would

be a highly impartial account of cultural practices. Rule books, manuals, scientific papers, official statistics and codes of practice can all be biographies, seen as ethnographic material in the ways in which they present and shape reality and are embedded in practice, (p. 51)

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

311

as part of a broader ethnographic and situating the writing and contextualizing properly analysis or as Hine in ways the texts meaningful, that make reading practices texts to circumstances of those (2000) argues "tying particular production Including online and offline texts means consumption" work ethnographic sites, a point pursued and (p. 52). around is the view that Implicit to this argument the Internet ideally takes place in multiple later in this paper.

Connecting Theory andMethod Around a Critical Interactionist Approach Although research lie in the the roots of sociology-based ethnographic as to it related tradition, ethnography (especially symbolic came more to be associated with the study of urban youth cultures) in at the the of and studies 1970s oriented writing University critically Studies. The Centre for Cultural Centre, Birmingham's Contemporary an advocated centre-associate Paul Willis, and especially approach as "critical interactionism" known (Willis, 1977; see Kincheloe loosely This and McLaren, of this and related traditions). 2000 for an overview - an in research described article that the this guided approach approach - is an integration micro of a conventional, interpretive, essentially to research to and a structuralist sociological approach approach interactionist interpretation. a critical-realist is aligned with The critical interactionist position a positioning stance that is somewhat distinct from the more relativist some stances adopted those influenced strands of by by postmodern associated with critical realism is linked position theory. The ontological to the epistemological that although multiple (even endless) assumption - whether texts exist of these be images, webpage interpretations
documents, interview transcripts at some point a "relative anchorage"

of meaning Interpretations

in

interpretations texts of media

of

can be useful analysts/researchers be used might by audiences/users. women in sport media, Margaret articulation Responsible particular of this position.

(Hall, made (e.g., webpages) in shedding light on how In her Duncan textual (1990)

texts

occurs

1985,

p.

93).

by media these texts

on analysis work a succinct offers

textual analysis studies do not assert with absolute certainty how texts are interpreted. But they suggest the kinds of interpretations that

312

Brian

Wilson

may

take

place,

based

on

available

evidence,

and

likely

interpretations

of

particular

text. Ultimately
and logic

these interpretations must

of the researcher's discussion,

be judged on the basis of

(p. 27)

the persuasiveness

This

is especially for textual analysis work pertinent understanding on of webpages for the potential focused meanings unveiling Textual and the likely goals of website users/audiences; producers. on the Internet are ideally complemented studies focused by analysis with and interviews audiences includes work that ethnographic producers between influenced described This approach grounded neo-Marxist between of online online and content, offline especially cultural if insight into life are sought study presented the relationships - a that point in this paper, linked resistance and a with that an is A

the design later.

of the second

case

stance critical-realist reflexive, to studying and interpreting in the Marxist-related of concepts

is inherently (youth) hegemony

ideology.

presumes relationship hegemony understanding a dominant and group (e.g., moral youth marginalized a relationship and media such as law-makers producers), entrepreneurs the dominant secured because that has been at least tentatively group been able it has to achieve and maintain consent to its dominance and allowed successfully are those who amongst marginalized or musical like shocking hairstyles alter of safety valve of resistance expressions forms of resistance, (e.g., symbolic some forms, that might empower social conditions that Hall & frame and

has

because

but seldom young people, the circumstances reinforce 1976; Wilson, inherently 2002a,

the their

drawing linked with Hall's because their

(like webpages) maintain groups strategies mainstream resistant (e.g.,

Jefferson, oppression-c.f., on Gramsci, is 1971). This understanding texts and Duncan's view of interpreting that dominant it is based on the assumption forms 1989; ideological into culture youth In a similar way, Schissel, 1997). are (relatively) well those who the through of alternative use of

dominance

incorporating (Baron,

culture)

equipped of dominant messages support

especially (youth) groups, often and well-organized,

to challenge the hegemony attempt the and groups ideological by undermining disrupting to that have been created and disseminated and structures power positions. Succinct examples of this sort of

their

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

313

are evident undermining/disruption Adjusters Vancouver-based magazine advertisements contradictions and write articles that underlie critical

in who that

the work devise are

of

those

at

the

counter and publish to unveil intended the

Underlying is the assumption relations privileges that a real set of power messages some groups and that behind the other groups, and marginalizes and these relations that messages support (e.g., justify ideological - see decontextualized about youth messages/images oversimplified, if the Acland, 1995) is a hidden reality, a reality that must remain hidden and is to remain relatively unquestioned of powerful groups a primary goal is to For critical interactionist researchers, unchallenged. uncover contradictions that emerge when the ideological comparing privilege and the actual practices of these groups by power is context & This Andrews, Jackson, 2002). (Howell, groups important the for subsequent this of of and article, especially parts description to study the resistance rationale for methodologies that I adopted of fronts presented youth who were guided by these critical interactionist principles.

the practices of multinational corporations. structures and media of dominant analyses

Studying Youth Cultural Resistance in a Global Age What experience study of everyday in the age of Internet communication is on a and often take these experiences forms level. place global to and has been for social theorists challenge methodologists figure resistance articulate my what Guiding Arjun research on this level. to study experience on this topic has been the theoretical work itmeans is unique forms of cultural about the critical and that The out of

and clearly

are uniquely focused on (2000). Appadurai's writings Appadurai or the of cultural what he transmission, theorizing dynamics global to called "five dimensions of global cultural flows," demonstrate the across borders various ways that culture moves and around the world (p. 33). Appadurai taken into account outlined when five dimensions, examining or "scapes," cultural flow: that need to be

mediascapes, technoscapes, refers to the flow of people or refugees). transnational

global and finanscapes, around the world refers to

ethnoscapes, Ethnoscapes immigrants,

ideoscapes. (e.g., tourists, of

Technoscapes business relocations

the flow

or the hosting

(e.g., technology of mega-events like the

314

Brian

Wilson

Olympics

that

include

the movement refers

countries). Finanscapes level. global Mediascapes distribution (e.g., electronic allow refers (e.g., to gain viewers to images that are

of new to various technologies to the patterns of capital transfer on a refers to the modes of mediated image and of to how these images the world.

access

or print media), to other parts with distributed

Ideoscapes

invested

propaganda images At the core of Appadurai's outlets). the various cultural

political-ideological meaning to and media through mass is the assumption framework that that occur between

global scapes) offer cultural analysts that local cultures relate to global forces, insight into the complex ways and the ways that culture circulates 2002). (Carrington & Wilson, are A variety of methodological to used strategies study cultural that culture to and the ways flows from specifically individuals around the world, for studying cultural although methods flow and the Internet (in ways that account for the complexities of global are only movement described to be by Appadurai) beginning considered. The body of work on the broad topic of globalization and cultural flows includes studies as focused on the flow and of with impact of such the global transmission forces, Americanizing Michael values associated Jordan (and the corporate Nike & Mazur, [Andrews, Jackson, sponsor Carrington, reactions that people have to these sorts of messages and & Sparks, of images Jordan's 1996]) and the flows and

or interactions disjunctures flows (as they relate to the various

images (Wilson used to examine such phenomena include the 2001). Methods of and discourses textual spaces, analysis images, using analysis drawn from media that are historical studies, techniques analyses to the development sensitized of (and relationships between) political, and cultural as part understand phenomena of audience over time, and the use of focus group research that assess how projects

economic, interviews individuals

cultural messages (from abroad). et. Michael in Global and his colleagues al., 1999) Burawoy (Burawoy a and in Postmodern World Forces, Connections, Imaginations Ethnography: a most to offer the study of global forces and encompassing approach power case studies use what Burawoy termed an "extended was an that study" approach, approach guided by the following four principles: that the researcher must enter the field to appreciate the relations. These

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

315

must take place over time and to macro-forces; from micro-processes as due process is extended and that theory and challenged when a is research This useful examining (pp. 26-28). findings departure point and the Internet it requires for considering because globalization of individuals; experiences must research that space; that fieldwork extend that take place in the production analyses of both the micro-interactions as well as the macro of Internet content and across the Internet medium, has in analyses of who (e.g., evident Internet offers This services). is consistent with the critical interactionist embodied approach position in the classic work of Paul Willis that the "macro-forces" (1977) except to by some of those in Burawoy et. al.'s book include global referred not considered What the following two case phenomena by Willis. that frame to the these interactions and who access Internet studies offer this literature is a way cultural flow of as thinking it relates theoretically and structures

about to the methodologically specifically Internet communication and with particular to flows attention medium, through online and offline settings, and from local to global spaces.

STUDYING YOUTH CULTURE, SOCIAL RESISTANCE, AND ONLINE-OFFLINE CULTURAL FLOW

In this section and offline I have described and reflected on two studies of online

and youth. The first is a now life, social resistance, rave of the subculture I conducted from 1995 completed study youth in 1999 Canada Southern & Ontario, 2002a, 2006; Wilson (Wilson, an The is second of Atkinson, 2005). in-progress study youth-driven a focus on social movement between online groups, with relationships cultural loosely in the rave scene ranging from approximately participants ravers were several older than this. Participants old, although activist groups range in age from approximately youth-driven
years old.

organization/activism term youth is used

and offline

collective

action.

In these contexts, and young

the

to refer to adolescents

adults, with 13-25 years in the 13-30

Cultural Resistance, Globalization and Online-Offline Cultural Flow Three youth, interconnected resistance, derived from literature arguments, social movements, and globalization, focused around

communication

316

Brian

Wilson

for the discussion form the background of the two studies. technology, lives of many should First, the subcultural young people Internet-using as virtual or real because not be understood the online and offline experiences example, embedded (2000) in of youth are oftentimes continuous and interconnected. For an of online-offline ethnographic study relationships in cultural life in Trinidad and Tobago, Miller and Slater

on "virtuality or that the focus of so much research as to the feature of the Internet well have less may separateness defining to do with the characteristics of the Internet and more the needs do with stated and Slater's projects" (p. 5). Extending Miller point into the context of research on youth cultural life, I assert that it is to consider not only how the division between online and important a in is theoretical offline one, but also (for many many respects youth) how offline the study of connections between that and flows are sensitive is especially through online and to this form of pertinent of young for those of these various intellectual

requires and experience interested

methodologies interaction. This

in gauging experiences people in other curricula schools and pertinent settings. developing a need exists to more account for and theorize Second, adequately character cultural life. the increasingly and of global political youth in a classical offered by those working Early theoretical explanation tradition American 1955) helped (e.g., Cohen, subsequent delinquency react to of describe how researchers young people feelings a with and alienation group of similar by connecting marginalization Researchers (counter-middle class) value system. creating an alternative at the University of Birmingham for (at the Centre - the a in the 1970s theorized Cultural Studies CCCS) Contemporary a who their reactive and proactive assertively youth, youth expressed others and dissatisfaction rituals and system through symbolic & 1976; Jefferson, 1979). More Hebdige, outlandish/shocking styles (Hall the most late twentieth theorists century studying prominent recently, the rave subculture, have that members of this subculture, argued are less and group overtly political postmodern youth supposedly confrontational 1999; McRobbie, Wynn, 1997). than those of past subcultural (Malbon, 1998, generations & 1993, 1994; Redhead, 1990; Redhead, O'Connor, In a similar way, classical social movement theorist with the dominant

in better

point the cultural

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

317

Alberto

Mellucci action

(1996) has among

commented

of political

youth

on the apparent in the 1990s and beyond

disappearance (compared to

eras). previous These approaches fail to account for more global that have of resistance and cultural dissemination years around a range of and social issues, including

and political forms in recent emerged the environment,

(Barlow & poverty, gender/racial/ethnic inequality globalization, 2000; Sage, 1999; Wilson, Clarke, 2002; Klein, 2000; Niedzviecki, 2002b), a of the methodology for the second point I elaborate on in my discussion case same way, In the the flows of (culture), flows global youth study. and Internet media, migration, through tourism, mass media, are only to be accounted for in literature around other means, beginning resistance & Wilson, 2002). (Carrington youth This observation is at the base of the third and final argument, which link between the rise of Internet communication is, that the identified and the emergence of various social movements (and the related potential Witheford, action, 2001; Dyer [Downing, not in has been 2000; Fisher, 1998; Myers, 1994]) investigated resistance This any depth by those who (Wilson, 2002b) study youth of youth lack of research focused on the global dissemination cultural forms and on the enhanced for transnational collective that occur

for collective action in an age of potential Internet communication has also meant that methodologies aimed at flows of and the online-offline culture, global culture, examining impact on attempts at collective of Internet action remain communication and unexplored. underdeveloped Case Study 1 - Rave Culture, Online and Offline Rave was in Southern Ontario in the mid to late 1990s, culture, as it existed a largely middle were class culture of youth whose members in computer-generated interest dance for their renowned music,

at all-night dance parties and, in many cases, amphetamine Unlike subcultures that previous drugs. youth rejected mainstream ravers in communications and embraced media, progressions technology as part of their 2002a, 2006). (Wilson, My philosophy study did not to aim examine between offline online and cultural initially relationships attendance life, although eventually this became an interest (and requirement) once

318

Brian

Wilson

it was

clear

that and

the

Internet

was

a central point

organization, Atkinson, 2005). I chose a variety many Toronto-based world. focused

cultural

reference

meeting for youth

space place, ravers (Wilson

of &

of methods the Internet.

and data

around

and newsgroups I read weekly and monthly I attended online-offline and abroad.

sources to study this group, two I joined three rave newsgroups: one inhabited the by ravers around in Toronto online rave zines produced raves that featured where with those online online video of in attendance

at a dance party, DJs playing rave location at the offline viewers.

and a chatroom could interact

parties interviews
subculture.

I also, more conventionally, in various Toronto locations, with were my rave DJs, several rave

participants/ rave dance spent time at all-night and conducted in-person and online and members of the rave promoters, where on my work rave local online and offline was research

There (especially

instances

involvement following

The complementary. is evidence this: of information debates develop guides

concepts.

set of examples

newsgroups) drawn from my

gleaned in the local

from rave

early designed

'mini-hypotheses'

"sensitizing informed to allow was

discussions and newsgroup reading a basis scene provided from which to These and concepts." experiences early the development of interview guides, these identified for explorations around a forum

the

newsgroup for both interviewees were as

local

majority viewed because

offline). credible and were

I recruited through which and online interviews the offline (although aware of the need to I was be especially trustworthy by potential interviewees in

local and stigmatized commonly being at time this the about and national media reason, concerned (and for on lurk their At the of who outsiders suspicious might newsgroups). same time, I was too to the fact that posts sensitive that included much what depth and detail might not be read. For this reason, I adopted to recruitment. I called a "two message" The first approach was a nature I the short summary of my letter of who was, on the newsgroups, for the research, the reasons and involvement

ravers

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

319

ravers. interest in interviewing my interested in the project to a second where I provided several received surprisingly,
request.

In this letter

letter,

I directed

those

(i.e., newsgroup posting) I and the research. about myself ravers. interested from responses Perhaps to the research there was no online negative response greater detail

was an excellent source about upcoming the newsgroup information events online and offline (i.e., events). My research schedule was I received. influenced by the daily information heavily The online were harmonious in qualitative approaches on websites that the focused research, promoted My an and offered into the rave philosophy, insights provided for examining and tensions reference contradictions point and offline online scene,

other ways. rave scene excellent within

and distinguishing between the official rhetoric and about the scene, and the various (and often contradictory) practices in it. In several instances, offline interviews cultural behaviors embedded email conversations to continue included that allowed me follow-up

the rave

in rapport and trust. In a general way, my early experiences developing rave parties and scene the rave scene (e.g., attending about the reading on webpages to during and newsgroups), when referred interviews, allowed me to demonstrate to respondents that Iwas deeply interested in their culture, and was not looking to do a superficial, story journalistic about rave (and drugs) that would further discredit their culture. in detail below, was heavily The design of the second study, outlined influenced about a by my realization and that set of about enabled. the research spaces, the culture This but on also rave was about specific group information through which aspects of the culture were that Hine
on sites, culture, We miss

not only the circuits

flowed

is akin,

and through which to the retrospectively, research.

out on other ways of and space in

position
By focusing

(2000) took in her online

locales and we may places, on connection, the opportunity

ethnographic
be missing difference, to consider

understanding incoherence.

based out on

heterogeneity the role of

structuring
that This a new space

social relations.
form is of the space space is of

[It is simultaneously
increasingly flows, rather which, than important in

important to consider]
in structuring to the social space of

the idea
relations. place, is of

contrasts

organized

around

connection

location...[and

that]

the organization

320

Brian

Wilson

social

relations

is not

necessarily

linked

to local

context

in a

straightforward

way.

By analogy,
organized

the field site of ethnography

around tracing connections

could become
than about

a field flow, which

location in a singular

is

rather

bounded way.

(p. 61) Social Movements,

Case Study 2 Connected Youth: A Study of Youth-Driven in the Age of the Internet and Community Globalization, In recent years, youth-driven, social a address variety of social, political, abundant and at times prominent. networks activist

networks/organizations and cultural concerns have Issues addressed within

that become these

are both youth-specific and more general (e.g., school bullying) human the environment, violence, issues), (poverty, rights, Aboriginal on both a local and global and are engaged level. Many of these exist, and in some cases thrive, because organizations they have access to and make Internet.

and relatively strategic use of the far-reaching inexpensive are a central meeting In most cases, in fact, webpages point and for these groups. dissemination and expression basis for information on youth, are so notable to studies These developments because and local date, have tended to focus on the symbolic, stylistic, apolitical, to their feelings of marginalization and that young people ways respond on earlier in this article. Moreover, a point elaborated social concerns, in any depth the those who study youth resistance have not investigated identified link between of various the rise of Internet social What communication movements. and For the these emergence several reasons, globalization tell researchers (transnational) about youth, unanswered:

questions remain largely about

the nature

at a time when actively

peers?

using the development How might alter how researchers explain organizations the emergence

young people the Internet as a forum

of youth are increasingly

and action, identity, do these developments and social cohesion community social gaining access to and

for meeting of these

similarly positioned networks/movement of young efforts youth-driven are to globalization in been understood and is the relationship social offline efforts

the resistive

relationships people's that have understood, traditionally relationships terms of youth being impacted by global forces? What between action? young people's online (activist) activities

How might people? influence how young

of transnational

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

321

was traditional informed by study design ethnographic from lessons research on derived my experience conducting principles, work and methodological the rave subculture, and existing ethnographic The to online-offline sensitive 2000; papers (especially Hine, relationships to the Mann & Stewart, and 2002, 2003; Sade-Beck, 2004) study of et. al., 2000). and cultural flows (Burawoy The research globalization use that the Internet as focuses on youth-driven networks/organizations a primary forum for promotion were chosen that had a mandate Vancouver-based) of promotion engagement global networks. over of issues and related Organizations to the engagement of local (i.e., concerns in and and participation were chosen because of their of in and and communication.

local networks. global issues

Others and

participation

promotion

were for thirty-seven interviewed Representatives organizations were focused on the course of study. The organizations/movements a range of issues/topics, racial conflict, the environment, including native native activism, globalization, violence, youth issues, sweatshops, genetic engineering, problems with mass media, war issues, and social Because parts of the research are still in sport. development through - and this article is the research methods and because about progress ? Iwill keep for the research (not the findings) adopted methodology the organizations' identities anonymous. Phase One. monitored and In the first phase, the content of these websites of articles on was the analyzed, including to chatroom and online materials describe activities, websites, designed the organization/movement. and promote this stage, the Following a key information source (i.e., keeping websites remained the research events and emergent issues of interest to the of upcoming a basis to compare The information also provided the values group). on their website and goals of the group as they were described formally to the informal and actual practices of the organization. In this way, the collected movement data acted as a foundation and for subsequent interviews with as as well for the website-producers, team informed an examination

ethnographic Phase Two. interviews

organizers work at meetings

with

and conferences (phases 2 and 3). team In phase members conducted two, in-depth movement website and The organizers. producers

322

Brian

Wilson

interviews

focused

on

the details

of

the movements'

emergence

and

(and the strategies underlying promotion development, in this context), role of the Internet between online and relationships and the various identities and perspectives offline movement-activities, of those involved between in the movement. the various Team members also considered (local participants between the movement and other global relationships), the movement and others and between (e.g., mainstream in the movement

the movements'

relationships relationships, movements, press, social more attain offline

to the government organizations, key figures relevant politicians, concerns of the group). The key goal of this phase was to find out and about the main features of youth movement-organizations a sense the relationship culture/activism/action. of Three. at Phase formal (e.g., three and rallies, between was online writing/activism observation and and

Phase interviewing

based

around

informal cultural and

events festivals, around

movement-groups

or conventions) demonstrations, of and media coverage promotion (e.g., meetings Earth Summit easily
Internet.

found festival
such as

surrounding Summit or the of these groups prior to the G8 Economic - this These events are part of the research is in-progress). on event the calendars that can be accessed through
events, such as Vancouver's Rhyme and Resist a

these by organized fundraisers, protests, an the of analysis events higher profile

Large-scale

cultural
topics

attended smaller informal recorded

by

thousands
and

of youth,
rainforest-defense

include workshops
occur semi

on

anti-imperialism

regularly observation

(while and of

events

occur

interviewing interviews,

frequently). followed and ongoing

A by

combination fieldnote-taking,

of

transcription were central

(reflexive)

analysis

to this phase.

Rationale and Reflections in mind. ethnographic principles the early explorations of the webpages informed notably, Perhaps same of the interview At the the construction the website time, guide. as 'casing the joint,' that is, using information could be viewed analysis to make decisions team members about how research from the website Phase designed with several most should present themselves to those the organizations, and for identifying one was

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

323

potential

I also consider the websites and interviewees. gatekeepers as the official to understand documents produced by the youth groups a as rules and stances underlying acting key reference group-culture, the and informal where unofficial of the other parts study point during be uncovered. rules, systems, and strategies will potentially The task of assessing the ability of these youth-driven around certain to organize and raise consciousness groups accomplish Internet's other related have set), while role movement issues (and the

examining they goals are being in this process, (2002) by Lemire's guided on social movement Lemire's research research groups. previous a list of known social action through for enabling identified strategies in research included using his identified Factors Internet communication. email and websites to promote the webpage be

to mobilize the signing of petitions, using webpages and using of the group/movement, the ideologies/doctrine source. as an alternative media The aim in considering is to these and other factors through interviews with key group members to comment on Internet-related strategies for collective these and the logic underlying these groups, by to how these this consider with intend, background, the success of their Internet-related define efforts, and that the Internet enabled or constrained in

in a position action adopted strategies. members I also

group

reflect on the way ultimately their efforts.

CONCLUSIONS, CONCERNS, AND FUTUREDIRECTIONS

to researchers issues pertinent I have several raised article, an in cultural resistance interested in the study of youth age of Internet a in how critical I also consider reflection communication. In this which interactionist/ethnographic approach, to everyday theoretical experiences sensitivity is a useful guide that frame these experiences, resistance is and underscored the power for understanding youth culture. The Internet is a by structures

in a global age and Internet-influenced in a space where that are evident cultural resistance aspects of youth in the exist and online and alongside production community-formation same virtual groups space as forms of culture operated by power associated ethnographic with the Internet is useful (e.g., AOL/TIME in sensitizing A critical Warner). to this broader scholars

approach

324

Brian

Wilson

and for considering this struggle that youth groups exist within, to notions and ideology earlier of hegemony described to questions resistance flows of youth cultural about whether leading extent to and the are, in fact, effectively power groups, challenging are or to forms which consented cultural youth incorporated. in relation and understanding the Internet knowledge as a space where and battles between different message producers a out. sort to This research contributes claims of knowledge body of play in education of knowledge from and work focused around the diffusion through various media. to how more conventional Ultimately, by considering approaches with and use of the Internet (as an social groups' relationships studying context that Internet the and interactive, global medium) social-political a better understanding use takes place within, and of media, youth can be into the twenty-first and cultural experience resistance, century approached. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I acknowledge
(SSHRC)

context

Underlying understand

research 'whose

on

topics

such counts'

as

these

is a

commitment

to

the support of a Social Sciences and Humanities

standard research grant.

Research Council

of Canada

REFERENCES
Acland, C. (1995). Youth, CO: murder, spectacle: Press. Z. & Jackson, S. (1996) A The cultural politics of "youth in crisis."

Boulder, Andrews, D.,

Westview

Carrington,

B., Mazur,

Jordanscapes:

preliminary analysis 13(4), pp. 428-457. Appadurai, A.

of the global popular.

Sociology of Sport Journal,

(2000). Modernity
MN: T. University (2002).

at large: Cultural dimensions of globalization.

of Minnesota Global showdown: Press. How the new activists are

Minneapolis, Barlow, M., & Clarke,

fighting global corporate rule. Don Mills, ON:

Baron, S. (1989). Resistance and its consequences:

Stoddard.
The street culture of punks.

Youth & Society, 21 (2), 207-237. Bennett, A. (2004). Virtual subculture? Youth identity and the Internet. In A. Bennett & K. Khan-Harris (Eds.), After subculture: Critical studies in

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture

325

contemporary youth
Macmillan. M. Lopez, Blum, J., George,

culture

(pp.

162-172).

New

York:

Palgrave

Burawoy,

S., Gille, Thayer,

Z., Gowan, M. in a (2000).

T., Haney, Global

L., Klawiter, ethnography: Berkeley,

M., Forces, CA.

S., Riain, and

S., &

connections, University

imaginations Press.

postmodern

world.

of California

racial identity in Usenet Burkhalter, B. (1999). Reading race online: Discovering In M. P. Kollack (Eds.), Communities in cyberspace Smith & discussions. (pp. 60-75). New York: Routledge. Carrington, B., & Wilson,
dance

B. (2002). Global
music culture.

clubcultures: Cultural flows

Cieslik & G. Pollock (Eds.),

and 'late
Young

modern'

In M.

people in a risk society: The restructuring of youth identities and transitions in late modernity UK: Ashgate (pp. 74-99). Aldershot, Hampshire, Publishing. Cohen, A. (1955). Delinquent
of Glencoe.

boys: The culture of the gang. Glencoe

IL: The Free

Press

Downing,

J. (2001). Radical media: Rebellious communication and social movements. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. M. and sexual difference: (1990). Sports photographs Images of women and men in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic games. Sociology of Sport Journal, 7(1), 22-43. N. (1999).
capitalism. Cyberghetto CT: Praeger. Sites unseen: Ethnographic research in a textual

Duncan,

Dyer-Witheford,
technology Ebo, B. (Ed.)

Cyber-Marx:
Chicago: or

Cycles and circuits of struggle in high

of Illinois Press. on the internet.

University Race,

(1998).

cybertopia:

class,

and gender

Westport, Eichhorn, K.

(2001).

community. Fisher, D.

Qualitative Studies in Education, 14(4), 565-578.

(1998). Rumoring theory and the internet: A framework for analyzing the grass roots. Social Science Computer Review, 16(2), 158-168. (1971). Selections from the prison notebooks of Antonio
Q. Hare & G. N. Smith). London, UK: Lawrence

Gramsci, A.
trans.

Gramsci
& Wishart.

(Ed. &

Hall,

S.

(1985). Signification, structuralist debates.

114.

and post representation, ideology: Althusser Critical Studies inMass Communication, 2(2), 91

326 Brian Wilson

Hall,

S., &

Jefferson,

T.

(Eds.). Britain.

(1976). London,

Resistance UK:

through Hutchison.

rituals:

Youth

sub

cultures

in post-war

Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, York: Routledge.

Harcourt, W. (1999).

P. (1995). Ethnography: Principles in practice. New

Women@Internet:

Creating

new

cultures

in cyberspace.

New

York: Zed Books. Hebdige, Hine, C. Howell, D. (1979). Subculture: The meaning of style. London, UK: Methuen.

(2000). Virtual ethnography. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. J.,Andrews, D., & Jackson, S. (2002). Cultural studies and sport studies: In J.Maguire & K. Young (Eds.), Theory, An interventionist practice. sport & society (pp. 151-177). New York: JAL L. (1999).
for

Kendall,

Recontexualizing
on-line research.

"cyberspace":
In S. Jones (Ed.),

Methodological
Doing Internet

considerations

research: Critical

issues and methods for examining

the net (pp.

57-74).

Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Kincheloe, J., & McLaren, P. (2000). Rethinking critical theory and qualitative In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research. research (pp. 279-313). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
(2000). M. No Logo: Taking aim at brand bullies. Toronto: and Vintage social Canada. In

Klein, Lemire,

N.

(2002).

Globalization,

information

society

movement.

M.

Pendakur
age

& R. Harris
(pp. 310-321).

(Eds.), Citizenship
Aurora, ON:

and participation
Press.

in the

information

Garamond

Malbon,

B. (1998). Clubbing: Consumption, identity and the spatial practices of In T. & Skelton life. G. Valentine (Eds.), Cool places: every-night New York: cultures 266-286). (pp. Routledge. Geographies of youth B. (1999). Clubbing: Dancing, ecstasy and vitality. New York: Routledge.
C, & Stewart, F. (2002). Internet communication and qualitative research: A

Malbon,
Mann,

handbook for researching online. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Mann, In J. Gubrium & J. C, & Stewart, F. (2003). Internet interviewing. Holstein (Eds.), Postmodern interviewing (pp. 81-105). Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage.

Markham,

A.

(1998).
Creek,

Life online:
CA: Altamira

Researching
Press.

real experience in virtual space.

Walnut

Ethnography,

the

Internet,

and

Youth

Culture_327

McRobbie,

(1993). Shut up and dance: Youth culture and changing modes femininity. Cultural Studies, 7(3), 406-426. A.
A. (1994). Postmodernism and popular culture. London, UK: Routledge.

of

McRobbie,

Melucci,

A. (1996). Challenging codes: Collective action in the age of information. New York: Cambridge University Press. (2000). The Internet: An ethnographic approach. New York:

Miller, D., & Slater, D.

Berg.

Myers,

D.

(1994).

Communication
of computer

technology
networks to

and
activism.

social movements:
Social Science

Contributions

Computer Review, 12(2), 250-260. Niedzviecki,

mass Pleace, N.,

H.

(2000). We want some too: Underground desire and the reinvention of

Toronto: R, Loader, Penguin. B., Muncer, S., & Nettleton, S. (2000). On-line

culture.

Burrows,

with

friends of Bill W: Social support and the Net. On-line 5(2).

Sociological Research

Prus, R.

(1996). Symbolic interaction and ethnographic research: Inter subjectivity and the study of human lived experience. Albany, NY: State University of New
York.

Redhead,

S.
York:

(1990). End of the century party: Youth and pop towards 2000. New
St. Martin's Press.

Redhead,

S., O'Connor,
Readings in popular

J, & Wynn,
cultural

D.
studies.

(Ed.), (1997).
Maiden, MA:

The clubcultures reader:

Blackwell.

Robins, K.

(1996). Cyberspace
New media

and the world we

in social context (pp.

live in. In J.Dovey

1-30). London, UK:

(Ed.), Fractal
Lawrence

dreams:

and Wishard. Sade-Beck, L. (2004). Internet Online and offline. International

ethnography:

Journal of Qualitative Methods, 3(2). Article 4. Retrieved Maarch from http://www.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/3_2/pdf/sadebeck.pdf Sage, G. (1999).
Organization, Journal,

23, 2006,

Justice do
collective

it! The Nike

actions, and

transnational
outcomes.

advocacy
Sociology

network:
of Sport

16, 206-235.

Schissel, B. (1997). Blaming children: Youth crime, moral panics, and the politics of hate. Halifax, NS: Fernwood Publishing.

328 Brian Wilson

Stubbs,

P. (1999). Virtual Research On-line

diaspora? 4(2).

Imagining Retrieved

Croatia March

on-line. 23,

Sociological from 2006,

http://www.socresonline.org.Uk/4/2/stubbs.html

Tanner,

J.

(1996).

Teenage troubles: Youth and deviance in Canada.

Toronto:

Nelson

Canada.

InN. Denzin Tedlock, B. (2000). Ethnography and ethnographic representation. & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (second edition) (pp. 455-486). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Willis, P. (1977). Learning to labour:How working class kids get working class jobs. New York: Columbia University Press.
B. (2002a). The Canadian rave scene and five theses on youth resistance.

Wilson,

Canadian Journal of Sociology, 27(3), 373-412.

Wilson, B. (2002b). The "anti-jock" movement: Reconsidering youth resistance,

and sport culture in the age of the Internet. masculinity Journal, 19(2), 207-234. Wilson, B.
century.

Sociology of Sport

(2006). Fight, flight, or chill: Subcultures, youth, and rave into the 21st
Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press.

Wilson,

B., & Atkinson,

real: Exploring

M.

(2005). Rave and Straightedge,

and off-line experiences

the virtual and the

in Canadian youth

on-line

subcultures.
Wilson, B. & Sparks,

Youth & Society, 36(3), 276-311.

R. (2001). cultures. media Michael In D. and Jordan, Andrews late modern sneaker (Ed.), commercials, Michael Jordan (pp. and Inc.:

Canadian Corporate

youth sport,

culture,

America

217-255).

Albany, NY: State University

of New York Press.