Unlimited Connection
The article “A Gift From the Interwebs” and its supporting articles on Antoine Dodson and Marilyn Hagerty got me thinking about how differences in age, gender, race, and geographic location no longer exist as limitations in the new era of “internet sensations.” Here, one article links together three individuals of different ages, genders, races, and geographic locations: a 30- year- old African American man from “the hood,” an 85- year- old Caucasian woman from North Dakota, and a young African American man from Lincoln Park. At surface level, it may seem that these individuals have little or nothing in common, however, thanks to the internet they all appear in the same news story and hold the same title of infamy, otherwise known as “internet sensation.” Not only are these three individuals of different ages, genders, races, and geographic locations, but they also would appeal to vastly different target audiences if not for the internet. Without the internet Dayum Drops’ audience would probably be non-existent or limited to his friends and family; Marilyn Hagerty’s audience would be limited to those who subscribe to the Grand Forks Herald; and Antoine Dodson’s audience would primarily be the police or whoever else was at the scene of the crime. Clearly, the internet allowed each of them to overcome certain limitations and to reach the same, general audience. What I found most interesting is how Marilyn Hagerty, a woman who presumably grew up without the internet and technology we have today, has managed to assert her name right alongside a slew of youngsters who have grown up with the luxury of the internet perhaps for their entire lives, including Dayum Drops, Antione Dodson, and the Gregory Brothers. The article shows how the internet is an immensely powerful tool that can be used to connect users and audiences all across the globe, regardless of age, gender, race, or geographic location. I think that is pretty amazing.
4 responses so far
I like your point of view a lot. I actually would have had to think quite a while before i could have seen the connections you made. I think your point of view made the articles seem a little more cohesive and interesting for me.
I agree that the usage of three different boys maintains an equal representation of each race and in turn of American culture altogether, but I would also like to hear your response to the first video, which has only one African-American man. It seems to me that video is sending a rather different message through its choice of race representation.
I don’t think the equal race representation was done intentionally. I just think that the fact that we have one news story with three distinct individuals of varying age, race, gender, etc shows how the internet helps us connect in an unlimited way.
I feel like the real amazement that the internet wields lies within your assertion that these three very different people have achieved the title of being an “internet sensation,” without the formal intention of seeking to become viral hits. Sure Daym Drops has a Youtube channel where he tries to achieve some kind of internet fame, but before The Gregory Brothers picked his video to alter, he would have remained in relative obscurity. Marilyn Hagerty surely had no intention of becoming such a sensation that she’d be on late night talk shows, her grandson admitting that she was utterly clueless of the word “viral” until after her review spread like wildfire. Finally, Antione Dodson was just a man trying to warn his community about a dangers criminal. Almost by divine intervention were these three “chosen” to rise the ranks of virtual fame, by powers outside their control. It goes to show just what we’re able to control online, and what can occur without our knowledge or permission.