“Learning from Network Dysfunctionality: Accidents, Enterprise and Small Worlds of Infection” presented by Sampson and Parikka
Symposium:
Session Title:
- ‘Press Delete’ – The Politics and Performance of Spamculture
Presentation Title:
- Learning from Network Dysfunctionality: Accidents, Enterprise and Small Worlds of Infection
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
In February 2010 an outbreak of media panic spread through the British tabloid press concerning a marketing campaign called DubitInsider. The DubitInsider website recruits 13-24 year olds who consider themselves to be “peer leader[s] with strong communication skills” to act as “Brand Ambassadors”. This requires the clandestine passing-on of product suggestions to peers via posting on message boards and social networks, emails and instant messenger conversations, organizing small events and parties. DubitInsider ignited the moral indignation of the tabloids not because of its covert nature, but since Brand Ambassadors were apparently paid to market “unhealthy” junk foods to minors.
