Digital memorialization

by Sara Hebert

Throughout American history, memorials have played a key role in shaping collective memory and propagating particular beliefs and conceptions of public tragedy. With the rise of an online participatory culture, collective memory can be shaped by a plurality of voices, rather than by those with powerful positions in government and other large organizations, which typically control the process of memorialization. Social media connects communities through technology and has allowed the public to create spaces for mourning and memorialization without the input of official culture. The digital memorials that arise out of media environments contribute to and change the collective memory of American public tragedy. This study centers around three forms of digital memorials: video memorials, mourning on social networking sites, and memorials in virtual worlds. Through analysis of specific digital memorial sites, commentary from digital memorial media producers and a historical analysis of traditional memorial sites and spontaneous shrine sites this thesis examines how these memorials function as activist media not only in relation to issues surrounding public tragedy, but also by shaping collective memory.

131 pages, NOOKstudy eTextbook