Using visualization to illustrate the values underpinning large-scale communities

Over the last three decades, the dynamic nature of internet cultures has been continually reshaping the landscape of discourse analysis. This transformation necessitates constant methodological innovation, a challenge this thesis aims to address by focusing on the role of data visualization in discourse analysis. Particularly, it investigates the cross- cultural discourse occurring in large-scale online events. I argue that data visualizations offer a potent lens for uncovering and reinforcing implicit values within online communities. They provide tangible evidence of these values, weaving together narratives from seemingly scattered data. Over the course of this study, I have delved into an impressive corpus of over 249,232 chat messages, dedicating 3 hours 17 minutes and 4 seconds to the content exploration. However, despite the power of data visualization, it's important to acknowledge its limitations. A comprehensive understanding of the community being studied is indispensable, without which the full potential of data visualization cannot be realized. In this longitudinal study, I analyze three significant live streams—1) [DEBUT STREAM] SHAAAAAARK, Sep 12th, 2020; 2) Reacting to my Debut Stream., March 13th, 2021; 3)【3D BIRTHDAY】PARTY TIME!, June 20th, 2022—hosted by the popular Virtual YouTuber (VTuber), Gawr Gura. Collectively, these events highlight an underlying aesthetic of cuteness, a value binding Gura’s community of chumbuds together. These parasocial relationships are defined by bidirectional interaction, emotional reactions, and a shared suspension of disbelief, mediated through an avatar. This constructed character facilitates a unique dynamic, where the aesthetic of cuteness becomes a cultural value. While other values exist within the community, this thesis primarily concentrates on the argument for cuteness, made evident through data visualization. These values are embodied and reinforced in the discourse patterns played out between Gawr Gura and her audience. Community actors such as clippers reinforce these patterns and values. They do so by capturing memorable stream moments, upholding community guidelines, and modeling appropriate behavior to newcomers. In conclusion, this thesis identifies and explores a model of large-scale online discourse driven by live-stream events. It highlights the significance of data visualization in analyzing this model, the patterns structuring it, and the values underpinning it. This approach offers a new dimension to the study of discourse in large-scale online communities, reflecting the continuous evolution of methods in response to the ever-changing landscape of internet cultures.

Date

2023-08-01

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Text

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