Webcam self-display produces three distinct relational dynamics of reflectivity reflexivity and refraction

Evidence

Although this story represents an exceptional day in the life of a camgirl, I tell it because it illuminates a set of recurring themes. First, there is the theme of reflectivity, with webcams serving as mirrors for those who choose to display themselves to the world in this way. Next is reflexivity, the way our dialectical exchanges place us in a continual feedback loop with others. Finally, there is the theme of refraction, which occurs when one person’s definition of public is another’s definition of private or professional, as in my reaction to Allie’s posting to her blog before contacting us. — Theresa M. Senft, Camgirls, 244

Categorization

• DEFINE: The author formally distinguishes reflectivity, reflexivity, and refraction as three analytical themes for understanding networked self-display.
• XREF: connects to: Reflections serve as spatial orientation cues for humans; Social media turned attention capture into mutual self-display at unprecedented scale — Tim Wu, The Attention Merchants, 1062; Reflection deepens the reflective-reflected split beyond self-consciousness — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness: An Essay on…, 802

Broader Connections

• Reflection deepens the reflective-reflected split beyond self-consciousness #corroborates (0.78) — Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness, 802
• Social media turned attention capture into mutual self-display at unprecedented scale #expands (0.75) — Tim Wu, The Attention Merchants, 1062
• Reflections serve as spatial orientation cues for humans #expands (0.74)