Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Research Essay Final Copy
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AZbJbcyh_h48ZGhuaHdmM3ZfMTFjMzkycmJtYg&hl=en
Amanda Caughie- Essay on “Construction of Authorship”
Michael Foucault once stated, "In dealing with the "author" as a function of discourse, we must consider the characteristics of a discourse that support this use and determine its differences from other discourses. If we limit our remarks only to those books or texts with authors, we can isolate four different features." Discourse is usually defined as a written or oral communication of debate, but in Foucault's interpretation of discourse within authorship, this discourse constitutes sequences of such relations to objects, subjects, and other enouncements. (Foucault) Current representations of this type of discourse are evident in popular websites amongst young adults and college students, which include "Texts From Last Night" and "F My Life." Both of these websites are a construction of thousands of different authors, however, these authors remain anonymous. To relate these sites to one of the four different features of the “author function” that Foucault speaks of would be that “the author function” is not a universal or constant feature of every text.” I believe this to mean that sometimes certain texts do not require having an author and can describe in terms of authorship that "literary texts can be anonymous" and the goal is to always try to find the author who is the one that had actually written the words published. Before analyzing authorship within these websites it is important to learn more about them.
Text messaging has become an overnight phenomenon between young and old as a faster easier way to communicate and even a little more fun than old fashioned phone conversations. This popularity can result from the ever-growing world of technology and many people’s desire to want the newest type of phone and networking outlet. "Texts From Last Night" is an example of how popular it is to communicate through text messaging and how many people enjoy reading anonymous people’s funny situations or over-the-top debacles, that they may have once experienced or know someone who has. This website, textsfromlastnight.com was created in early 2009 by two friends that had noticed a trend building around the country: " the tendency to press send more easily as the night turns to morning, friends social habits, Kwame Kilpatrick, exes, law school, closing down bars and leaving tabs open, general debauchery and/or a common disgust for all the negativity surrounding the "sexting" phenomenon" (textsfromlastnight). This is a clear representation that many people learn about a previous nights events through messages sent and received while controlled by a world of drunkenness. This is a very relatable situation, which can explain the success seen in this website.
“Texts From Last Night” is divided in two sections that can be an easy way for readers to find what they are looking for. These sections include, “Best Nights, “Worst Nights”, but also a “random” section to give readers a mixture of best and worst texts. Within each of these sections, the reader has the opportunity to choose the best or worst texts from “Today,” “This Week,” “This Month, or “All Time.” This is another great way for the reader to choose what they want to read, as well as, searching for the most relatable text to them and something they have experienced once before.
In terms of choosing what texts are published on the website, the owners of the website are the ones to choose what texts will be most popular and also seem to be funny, original, and believable. They cannot determine whether or not a text is actually legitimate, but they will post one that seems to be real and believable. The owners also do not promise that anyone who sends in a text will actually be published. With the hundreds of thousands of texts received each day it is nearly impossible to publish each and every one, but they try their best to deliver a variety of texts and sustain their overall mission of posting funny and relatable text messages. Here are a few examples from the area code “304”:
“(304): i'm dressed up like the coppertone baby and being hit on a guy in a monk costume. the irony is not lost on me” (textsfromlastnight).
“ (304): I can't belive they dont sell booze Sunday mornings. I mean some of us have to work” (textsfromlastnight).
“(304): I can't belive they dont sell booze Sunday mornings. I mean some of us have to work” (textsfromlastnight).
“Texts From Last Night” is a clear example of what is involved in constructing authorship in relation to anonymous authors. When becoming a member of “Texts From Last Night” the person is well aware that once these words are sent and have the chance at being published, the website is the new owners of them. Anything that is used without permission will be subject to copyright infringement. With these rules, however; many still participate in sending in their texts, I believe, for the thrill of having something published that was directly involved in their lives.
Although the text is only given an area code number as the “author,” the original authors and readers can still search out their particular areas by looking for their area code. This is another way it can be very relatable to many of the people involved and reading the texts. Also, in terms of connecting this to authorship, I feel that this website is allowing people to express themselves and is used as an outlet. By publishing these participators anonymously it can give them a sense of privacy, while also incorporating them into Foucault’s “author function” and his definition on discourse.
Many websites are now becoming ways for people to look for an outlet and express themselves in a constructive manner. “F My Life” is a website that allows that to happen and has been another overnight phenomenon. To begin, I think it is important to analyze the expression “fml” that is at the end of every anecdote published. This acronym stands for “fuck my life” and has taken a prominent role in many young adults vocabulary. The acronym itself prevents a person from swearing outright and instead can be more expressive in perhaps a less derogatory manner. Also, “fml” has evolved through the text messaging era and the many abbreviations that are used to type more within a message. Because of the popularity of text messaging, this is again a representation of people perhaps reconfiguring themselves and language around the ever-growing world of technology and creating an even easier and faster language. So, right off the bat, this website is relatable to a younger audience and perhaps a way to try and incorporate older generations.
“F My Life,” or fmylife.com, was created to assist people to “let it all out” and provided something fun to read on an everyday basis. It is the overall mission of the website to give people the opportunity to express themselves and remain anonymous, while also creating entertainment to readers that can relate, relax, and laugh. The website contains many categories of subjects that these anecdotes contain. These categories include, love, money, kids, work, health, intimacy, miscellaneous, and dating horror stories. Each of these makes it easier for readers to search for anecdotes that they can relate to, because each of these categories are everyday headaches for a vast amount of people. (fmylife)
Here is an example of an anecdote from the “Kids” category, “Today, I was watching Pokémon with my daughter when she told me that I reminded her of her favorite Pokémon. Feeling good about it, I asked which one. She pointed to the screen and said "Snorlax!" The fat and lazy one. FML #6310679.” This example showcases that sometimes kids can say the funniest things, without really knowing what they mean or say. This is very relatable to many parents out there and can find this amusing. (fmylife)
“Today, I went on a date with a man I met on Halloween. It appears that his mullet wasn't actually part of his costume. FML #6133031.” This is an example taken from the category “dating horror stories,” a category that many can relate to and feel a little better about their own dating horror stories when reading some of these over-the-top occurrences. (fmylife)
Each of these anecdotes expresses how “FML” is used and also showcase the authors of these anecdotes anonymously with only a number to categorize them. This is in the same relation to “Texts From Last Night,” but instead of an area code a number is used for the author. In a way, this website gives a little more recognition to the original author by granting them an original number, whereas, “Texts From Last Night” only uses the area code that the text was sent in on. Perhaps this is a way for “FML” to make the author’s words more original and prominent, but still remaining anonymous and private.
In terms of “constructing authorship” these websites enhance the words of a person by giving them this creative outlet and a chance for their words to become published on a world-wide website. They are actually constructing an entire series of authors and series of subjects that, I believe, takes authorship to a whole new level. Because the anecdotes and texts are original and hardly derive from another literary text, I believe it is safe to say that these websites exhibit Foucault’s assertions and it is important to point out that Foucault also stated in the excerpt from “The Author Function,” “all these operations vary according to the period and the form of discourse concerned” (Foucault).
Each of these websites is entertaining and creative outlets to everyone involved, whether they are reading or contributing. They are clear representations of Foucault’s “author function” in terms of discourse which “constitutes sequences of such relations to objects, subjects, and other enouncements” (Foucault). The creators of the websites are not preventing the acknowledgements of the original author per say, but instead compiling thousands of texts and anecdotes to create a whole new “work of art.” While they give a clear representation of Foucault’s assertions, they also represent an ever-changing world of technology involved in text messaging and the World Wide Web. In addition to constructing different authors into a concentrated space, the websites are also constructing different authors into a different genre of writing and expression that can leave the author anonymous.
Word Count: 1770
Works Cited:
1. Foucault, Michel. “The Author Function.” Excerpt From Foucault, Michel "What is an Author?"translation Donald F. Bouchard and Sherry Simon. Language, Counter-Memory, Practice. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1977: pp.124-127.
2. Texts From Last Night. www.textsfromlastnight.com
3. F My Life. www.fmylife.com
Amanda Caughie- Essay on “Construction of Authorship”
Michael Foucault once stated, "In dealing with the "author" as a function of discourse, we must consider the characteristics of a discourse that support this use and determine its differences from other discourses. If we limit our remarks only to those books or texts with authors, we can isolate four different features." Discourse is usually defined as a written or oral communication of debate, but in Foucault's interpretation of discourse within authorship, this discourse constitutes sequences of such relations to objects, subjects, and other enouncements. (Foucault) Current representations of this type of discourse are evident in popular websites amongst young adults and college students, which include "Texts From Last Night" and "F My Life." Both of these websites are a construction of thousands of different authors, however, these authors remain anonymous. To relate these sites to one of the four different features of the “author function” that Foucault speaks of would be that “the author function” is not a universal or constant feature of every text.” I believe this to mean that sometimes certain texts do not require having an author and can describe in terms of authorship that "literary texts can be anonymous" and the goal is to always try to find the author who is the one that had actually written the words published. Before analyzing authorship within these websites it is important to learn more about them.
Text messaging has become an overnight phenomenon between young and old as a faster easier way to communicate and even a little more fun than old fashioned phone conversations. This popularity can result from the ever-growing world of technology and many people’s desire to want the newest type of phone and networking outlet. "Texts From Last Night" is an example of how popular it is to communicate through text messaging and how many people enjoy reading anonymous people’s funny situations or over-the-top debacles, that they may have once experienced or know someone who has. This website, textsfromlastnight.com was created in early 2009 by two friends that had noticed a trend building around the country: " the tendency to press send more easily as the night turns to morning, friends social habits, Kwame Kilpatrick, exes, law school, closing down bars and leaving tabs open, general debauchery and/or a common disgust for all the negativity surrounding the "sexting" phenomenon" (textsfromlastnight). This is a clear representation that many people learn about a previous nights events through messages sent and received while controlled by a world of drunkenness. This is a very relatable situation, which can explain the success seen in this website.
“Texts From Last Night” is divided in two sections that can be an easy way for readers to find what they are looking for. These sections include, “Best Nights, “Worst Nights”, but also a “random” section to give readers a mixture of best and worst texts. Within each of these sections, the reader has the opportunity to choose the best or worst texts from “Today,” “This Week,” “This Month, or “All Time.” This is another great way for the reader to choose what they want to read, as well as, searching for the most relatable text to them and something they have experienced once before.
In terms of choosing what texts are published on the website, the owners of the website are the ones to choose what texts will be most popular and also seem to be funny, original, and believable. They cannot determine whether or not a text is actually legitimate, but they will post one that seems to be real and believable. The owners also do not promise that anyone who sends in a text will actually be published. With the hundreds of thousands of texts received each day it is nearly impossible to publish each and every one, but they try their best to deliver a variety of texts and sustain their overall mission of posting funny and relatable text messages. Here are a few examples from the area code “304”:
“(304): i'm dressed up like the coppertone baby and being hit on a guy in a monk costume. the irony is not lost on me” (textsfromlastnight).
“ (304): I can't belive they dont sell booze Sunday mornings. I mean some of us have to work” (textsfromlastnight).
“(304): I can't belive they dont sell booze Sunday mornings. I mean some of us have to work” (textsfromlastnight).
“Texts From Last Night” is a clear example of what is involved in constructing authorship in relation to anonymous authors. When becoming a member of “Texts From Last Night” the person is well aware that once these words are sent and have the chance at being published, the website is the new owners of them. Anything that is used without permission will be subject to copyright infringement. With these rules, however; many still participate in sending in their texts, I believe, for the thrill of having something published that was directly involved in their lives.
Although the text is only given an area code number as the “author,” the original authors and readers can still search out their particular areas by looking for their area code. This is another way it can be very relatable to many of the people involved and reading the texts. Also, in terms of connecting this to authorship, I feel that this website is allowing people to express themselves and is used as an outlet. By publishing these participators anonymously it can give them a sense of privacy, while also incorporating them into Foucault’s “author function” and his definition on discourse.
Many websites are now becoming ways for people to look for an outlet and express themselves in a constructive manner. “F My Life” is a website that allows that to happen and has been another overnight phenomenon. To begin, I think it is important to analyze the expression “fml” that is at the end of every anecdote published. This acronym stands for “fuck my life” and has taken a prominent role in many young adults vocabulary. The acronym itself prevents a person from swearing outright and instead can be more expressive in perhaps a less derogatory manner. Also, “fml” has evolved through the text messaging era and the many abbreviations that are used to type more within a message. Because of the popularity of text messaging, this is again a representation of people perhaps reconfiguring themselves and language around the ever-growing world of technology and creating an even easier and faster language. So, right off the bat, this website is relatable to a younger audience and perhaps a way to try and incorporate older generations.
“F My Life,” or fmylife.com, was created to assist people to “let it all out” and provided something fun to read on an everyday basis. It is the overall mission of the website to give people the opportunity to express themselves and remain anonymous, while also creating entertainment to readers that can relate, relax, and laugh. The website contains many categories of subjects that these anecdotes contain. These categories include, love, money, kids, work, health, intimacy, miscellaneous, and dating horror stories. Each of these makes it easier for readers to search for anecdotes that they can relate to, because each of these categories are everyday headaches for a vast amount of people. (fmylife)
Here is an example of an anecdote from the “Kids” category, “Today, I was watching Pokémon with my daughter when she told me that I reminded her of her favorite Pokémon. Feeling good about it, I asked which one. She pointed to the screen and said "Snorlax!" The fat and lazy one. FML #6310679.” This example showcases that sometimes kids can say the funniest things, without really knowing what they mean or say. This is very relatable to many parents out there and can find this amusing. (fmylife)
“Today, I went on a date with a man I met on Halloween. It appears that his mullet wasn't actually part of his costume. FML #6133031.” This is an example taken from the category “dating horror stories,” a category that many can relate to and feel a little better about their own dating horror stories when reading some of these over-the-top occurrences. (fmylife)
Each of these anecdotes expresses how “FML” is used and also showcase the authors of these anecdotes anonymously with only a number to categorize them. This is in the same relation to “Texts From Last Night,” but instead of an area code a number is used for the author. In a way, this website gives a little more recognition to the original author by granting them an original number, whereas, “Texts From Last Night” only uses the area code that the text was sent in on. Perhaps this is a way for “FML” to make the author’s words more original and prominent, but still remaining anonymous and private.
In terms of “constructing authorship” these websites enhance the words of a person by giving them this creative outlet and a chance for their words to become published on a world-wide website. They are actually constructing an entire series of authors and series of subjects that, I believe, takes authorship to a whole new level. Because the anecdotes and texts are original and hardly derive from another literary text, I believe it is safe to say that these websites exhibit Foucault’s assertions and it is important to point out that Foucault also stated in the excerpt from “The Author Function,” “all these operations vary according to the period and the form of discourse concerned” (Foucault).
Each of these websites is entertaining and creative outlets to everyone involved, whether they are reading or contributing. They are clear representations of Foucault’s “author function” in terms of discourse which “constitutes sequences of such relations to objects, subjects, and other enouncements” (Foucault). The creators of the websites are not preventing the acknowledgements of the original author per say, but instead compiling thousands of texts and anecdotes to create a whole new “work of art.” While they give a clear representation of Foucault’s assertions, they also represent an ever-changing world of technology involved in text messaging and the World Wide Web. In addition to constructing different authors into a concentrated space, the websites are also constructing different authors into a different genre of writing and expression that can leave the author anonymous.
Word Count: 1770
Works Cited:
1. Foucault, Michel. “The Author Function.” Excerpt From Foucault, Michel "What is an Author?"translation Donald F. Bouchard and Sherry Simon. Language, Counter-Memory, Practice. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1977: pp.124-127.
2. Texts From Last Night. www.textsfromlastnight.com
3. F My Life. www.fmylife.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Creative Gallery
I definitely believe I know what I will be doing for the creative gallery project. Given the content of my research from Texts From Last Night and F My Life, I feel google maps will be the best way to present this material. Because of the area codes involved on TFLN and the state names given for FML I will be able to place many different anecdotes around the country/world that is based on one overall subject matter.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Creative Response Blog
In reference to my subject for my project I think it would be interesting to combine certain texts and anecdotes from Texts From last Night and F MY Life. They will be coordinated in a way to create a story, song, poem, etc., whichever works best. Another idea could be performing this piece on video and submitting that to College Humor. It is definitely a different way to use authorship.
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