SYNCOPATED COMMUNICATIO

NS & IDENTITIESBlogging in China

OBJECTIVE

Observe how blogging has affected Chinese culture and how blogging

culture in China is different than Western blogging culture

METHODS Qualitative Observation

Yao ChenBlocked on Weibo

Interviews International Chinese students at UCLATumblr users

LiteratureCase studies done by other researchers

BACKGROUND Chinese government censorship

National imageBriberyStructureCoercionAmbiguity

Liberalization of economy Chinese social media

Sina Weibo

ILLUSORY FREEDOM Government controls all data Replicated social media Blogging is the freest form of speech Real life implications

Imprisonment, restructuring, raids

Covert behavior

CHINESE CULTURE Accustomed to censorship Digital media is new

Culture is emerging and developing Self-censorship is an automatic behavior “You don’t crave for an idea you’ve

never known.” – Tiffany ChiThe notion of democracyBlocked communications from outside

CHINESE BLOGGING CULTURE Metaphors, satire, encoding High context blogging culture Must be embedded in culture For example:

River Crab / héxièPhonogram for

censorship All content is

dominated by censorship

WESTERN BLOGGING CULTURE Dominated by self interest and the

notion of celebrity Messages are low context Some high context

Media specificFor example: “what is air”

Community and socializationVersus disjointed compartmentalization

SIMILARITIES Celebrities are the news

Newsmakers, news finders, etc. Growing sense of individualism Popular topics:

Social justice & gov’t accountability

Public safetyControversial topicsTopics of entertainment

BLOGGING REALITY Government accountability Case Study (Yang Lan)

Mass urbanizationLots of evictions, home loss, and even

deathPublic outrage via blogsState council passes regulations on house

requisition and demolition Empowerment

BUT… Political evolution vs. revolution No community, no centralization, no

martyrs Censorship…**********…censorship Still too early (even for Western

blogging) Complacency High potential, but may require major

controversy as call to action

IN SUMMARY Covert communications High context Blogging has opened up new avenues of

communication Globalization = inevitable exposure New sense of identity and individuality Witnesses of a developing and

transforming culture

THANKS! QUESTIONS? Have this kitten for your troubles.