A social networking site works two ways, is dynamic and profiles can be changed by the influence of your network. So people start creating a second profile, using a nickname. One profile for your employer and one to be free and informal. A new form of schizophrenia emerges: new spaces arise, each one for a different identity.
Pimping profiles leads to a competitive culture. Parodies on these sites are over-pimped and almost unreadable: a social comment using design. Does pimping also play on the selfesteem?
To sum up: social network sites are not a one way presentation of yourself on the internet, but are two way systems.
Phil & Nick, students at the Rietveld Art Academy talked about their project: Multi.Inter.Ation. (Multiple Internet Ambiguations)
Ones identity no longer has to exist within the material paradigm, but can be expanded to encompass online existence — an incorporeal fabrication that can be disconnected from any physical actuality. It is now possible to disappear, to be reborn, to renew oneself whenever one desires; and as the internet expands and becomes the dominant source of human interaction, so these new personalities gain credence and significance.
Katja Novitskova showed elements of self-representation online considering youtube phenomena on YouTube
Examples from YouTube:
Tina singing Backstreet boys: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SngQsg7k9XI
a speed version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcNUXI46NUU
Leave Britney Alone fan www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWSjUe0FyxQ
Spongebob version: www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7q7rZifQ8
and every one of these YouTubes sprawned many parodies...
