In Praise Of Online Obscurity
The very definition of mediated that something is presented through media. It’s like saying that people are breathing in a way that lets them inhale oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
No, you’re right — my word choice there was wrong. I meant more in a “crafted persona” sort of way, with people holding up some sort of refractory device in front of their selves — sometimes as a way to cultivate community, even. Kaycee Nicole is probably the most obvious example here, but there are variants on that practice that are less wire-fraud-accusation worthy.
Of course, presenting a collection of online recipes (as the person profiled in the piece’s first half does) is presenting the self in a particular way, too.
The word I’ve been using at work is “performative”. This whole area is really fascinating to me too.
