A cyber-ethnographic foray into GR&T int…

A Cyber-ethnographic Foray into Internet Photo Blogs

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EXCERPT:

“As ethnographers we find Internet cyber-culture(s) and social networking using
advancing communication technologies to be provocative and relatively unexplored
ethnographic topics. As Romani studies scholars we seek out research applications
relevant to our specific interest in culture change among Gypsies (Romanies) and
Travelers in the United States (GR&T peoples).

“As cyber-ethnographers using a ‘data dredging’ methodology we explore Internet cyber-subcultures comprised of youthful GR&T peoples. We describe GR&T adaptive and creative uses of some interfacing new mass communications technologies; for example, photo cell phones, the Internet and personalized web logs. GR&T adolescents using these technologies construct self-ascribed identities and ascribe identities to others via their online Internet communications.

They also reveal their values and material cultures. GR&T ‘self-narratives’ encountered in their photo-blog guest books comprise a distinctive written argot. From these online data sources we isolate and discuss specific themes, and a theoretical implication”.

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Sounds like a good paper, huh? Romani Gypsies and cyber-ethnography. You should read it, because if you’ve gotten this far, how could you *not* be an anthropologist? It is obvious.

About:
David J. Nemeth is Professor of Geography and Planning at University of Toledo, Bancroft
Street, Toledo, OH 43614–3390, USA. Email: david.nemeth@utoledo.edu
Rena C. Gropper is Professor Emerita in Anthropology, City University of New York, and
independent consultant in the practice of health anthropology. Mailing address: Ms. Rena C.
Gropper, 6507 110th St., Forest Hills, NY 11375–1423, USA. Email: renagropper@yahoo.com

Source:
Romani Studies 5, Vol. 18, No. 1 (2008), 39–70 issn 1528–0748