Digital Ethnography: Anthropology, Narrative, and New Media

by Natalie M. Underberg, Elayne Zorn

Underberg, Natalie M., Zorn, Elayne

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Ethnography

127 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2013

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

C:3.5 U:1.8 P:1 A:2

Probably more interesting for anthropologists struggling with practicalities of adapting to new technologies. However Zorn and Underberg's treatment of space in the later chapters is worthy of a generalist's attention. Though I think much more could be said about the constructive function of the spatial/identity relationship.

[Greg Getner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but fairly expensive & a little too academic for my needs. Many of the references were quite old, which was unusual given the forward thinking nature of the book itself.

[Kate McGhee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, not the book that I thought it would be.

There was more emphasis on the digital curation and presentation of ethnographic data and findings.
This is material that dates very quickly.

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is such a pleasure to read an academic monograph and know that the scholars have spent time ensuring that the structure is both logical and organically developed and the prose is smooth, reflexive, considered and evocative.

This fine book moves anthropology - a discipline which was reticent to engage in and with digital environment - into internet studies. There is attention to online museums and archives, gaming and digital design. The subtlety of the book emerges in the changing consideration of identity and the flattening of the relationship - and connection - between the scholar and the subject.

A short book. A fine book. Beautifully written. A model for us all.