Has anyone seen "The Social Network" yet? I haven't, but this review intrigues me. I thought it was an excellent example of a cultural studies perspective, as the article discusses the encoding/decoding phenomenon of audience interpretation. Apparently comments after screenings and questions to the directors have indicated a bifurcated audience -- the older generation finds Zuckerberg (the founder of Facebook if you somehow don't know :)) to be a cold, callous person who throws friends away and tramples anyone in his path in the name of ambition, while the younger generation interprets Zuckerberg as a bold and fiercely determined entrepreneur who does everything it takes to bring his vision into reality.
I'm hoping actual studies will be done to shed more light on these contrasting interpretations, as I would particularly like to know what ages define the "older" and "younger" audiences. How would people in their mid 20's, who have used Facebook for many years but didn't remotely grow up with it, interpret Zuckerberg's behavior? And are these generalizations actual audience interpretations or simply generational stereotypes (ie, Generation "Me" vs. the Baby Boomers)?
I saw “The Social Network” last Friday and my experience was nothing less than what this article states.There was most definitely a divide in the audience members as I walked out of the theater.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading many reviews and talking to others who have seen the movie I think it would be an excellent case study in cultural studies. The interpretation of Zuckerberg’s character and the story itself seems to be very generational. Younger audiences sympathize with him as a socially awkward genius following his dream and becoming too wrapped up in his idea to look out for others; it is too late before he realizes he is in over his head. Zuckerberg’s not a bad guy he’s one of us, we can relate to him and our generation experienced the growth of the Facebook phenomena first hand. It defines the way we’ve communicated and structured our relationships throughout college.
While on the other hand, older audiences see him as a vengeful kid breaking the rules of business ethics. How would people from other countries interpret Zuckerberg’s character, especially those from collectivist cultures. The film is also very affective in the way it blurs right and wrong which I think would itself make a very interesting study.
I also think Facebook itself would make an excellent study in the way that it continues to change society, from relationships to advertising. I read a review that I felt laid out both the movie and the social network itself very well, “the full impact will not be felt until the generation that it portrays can look back at it in retrospect. It is a very contemporary piece of thought provoking entertainment, but we can’t assume that it defines who we are as a collective community because, like Zuckerberg says of his digital society, we don’t really know what it is yet.” -Daniel Hubschman