im looking but i dont see anything =)

Maybe our reactions to the lack of an inside *IS* the experiment.

So for anthro, we are to do an ethnographic study of a relatively small cultural group that we have access to. That's you guys. I wanted to do something different, instead of say, a church congregation.

Anyway the components are studying a specific interaction via participant observation (it will in this case likely be a thread or two, or the forum during a set period of time), and interviews with two of you.

So if I could get permission from two forum vets for an interview later, I would really appreciate it. Otherwise I'll end up having to study my parents Southern Baptist Church. Lol.

So. What do you guys think?

I wouldn't exactly call this a cultural group...more like an extended community of board game enthusiasts, who happen to be rather intellectually bent.

Well, that's an interesting point, but I disagree, I think any social group has an emergent culture, and I think from what I know now that most anthropologists would agree with me. Obviously some are more interesting/important than others lol.

Anyway we definitely have a culture here, with norms, behavioral expectations, even limited rites of passage, and above all, a sort of collective ethos.

Trolls play a big role as well.

lol i like it, this will be interesting to follow

bump.

i will need at least two willing interviewees for this to work particularly those who have a good level of experience with the community.

I can do an interview, but not today if that's what you mean.

no not today, eventually, in a week or so.

i dunno if my email is in my profile. if it is, email me if interested. if not, pm me your email and i'll email you back.

[email protected]


Tell me in a few days if you haven't found anyone better/more relevant.

I'll volunteer, Thucy. I'm part troll, part reactionary, and all ego. Can't go wrong with me!

i think you'll be fine, aoe, but if say like kestas or TGM or a mod signs up then yeah..

i'll still probly interview you and take the best two.

thanks for the help.

p.s. do you guys mind/think it's a good idea to not say which thread/period i'm studying? that seems better.... but i'm supposed to sort of have permission. if anyone is uncomfortable with that (seems unlikely but still), just say so.

You can study anything about me that you like.

Sounds cool. I'd be willing to get interviewed if you need me.

In terms of results, it would clearly be better not to tell anyone. I know there's this thing called "ethics" that tends to get in the way of stuff, but since most of us use handles anyway and you could further anonomize it by giving us different names, I don't see the issue.

Also, why only two interviews? This is such a diverse community, it would be cool if you interviewed people that showed that like:
figle, Draug, TMW, Sicarius, djbent

i wouldnt have a problem with it either, it could be fun and if theres something that you dont feel like sharing you can always just stay that in an interview and its usually not a problem (unless its a job interview or something really important like that)

Sure if ya' want. Ask away.

I don't know how important demographics are to your study, but you could try emphasizing the wide range of ages, jobs and locations of our group. Also down for an interview.

And full legalese permission from me.

i/m interested in this outcome.

yeah i tend to agree that permission and such isn't as big a deal in this case.

i will be writing a paper about this though, so theoretically you should be prepared to see your username in a paper somewhere, not that this undergrad essay is a big deal at all.

lol. just trying to follow directions.

anyway.

and i'm happy to show you all the finished product, when i finish it that is.

so, possible interviewees:

abge
LJT
Draug
Crazy Ang
maltizok
aoe3rules

alright cool. i will email some of you, or all of you. probably more than 2. lol.

all i have to do tonight is write up the project proposal so i just wanted to test the water.

thanks again

You can interview me any time. I'm used to it. Will you be using a strong light and handcuffs?

So here is the proposal I've written up, in case you were interested in reading it as well:

"I propose to study the online community that has formed on the website: www.webdiplomacy.net, based primarily on the site’s forum. The website is a gaming site used for playing an online version of the board game “Diplomacy,” which is a strategy game based on a map of Europe. The game is more than 50 years old, and has itself developed a sort of culture, which permeates its players. In additions, the site’s community has an emergent culture of its own. My personal experience with the site is being a player and participant for more than three years, which is itself about five years old.
The two best options for an “event” I could observe and participate in would be either one specific “thread” on the forum (a thread is a collection of posts on a single topic), or the forum in its entirety over a pre-determined period of time. In either case, there would be a clearly defined starting and ending, and a concrete list of participants. A key difference between these options and a physical event is that it will be documented in its entirety after the fact, which could be useful for more in-depth analysis than would normally be possible. Another factor to consider about the group’s online nature is the relative anonymity among the players, given that most only know each other by pseudonyms. This in itself is a topic that can be explored in the project. Permission to perform this study has already been sought and received by the community, and interviews will be conducted over email."

i'm thinking i should do the whole forum for maybe a 24 hour period, since i don't want to be restricted to one topic and one kind of person who tends to post in that kind of topic.

thoughts?

well, could be written better, but sounds interesting : )

Question: Why aren't you just looking through all for past threads for your info?

abge makes a good point. Looking at a past thread will not result in one or more of us tailoring our responses because we know we are going to be studied and interviewed. You could run with a thread a week or two old that had plenty of participation but is now dead and then interview your study participants with regards to the thread.

That would be interesting.

"Dear Member, what was going through your head when you wrote this post?"