The Dilemma of Closeness and Distance: A Discursive Analysis of Wall Posting in MySpace

摘要

MySpace is an online social network site (SNS) where users regularly communicate via audparticular part of the profile page known as "the wall". This article uses a discursive approach toudstudy the construction of identity in communication on the wall. The analysis shows that walludcommunication constitutes a set of relational positions that need to be discursively organised inudorder to manage the presence of a mediated community of other MySpace users. Drawing on theudwork of Celia LURY, the paper explores this issue in terms of a set of practices for managing theuddilemma of closeness and distance that stems from the new forms of individualism that is inherentudto a "prosthetic" culture. The article is concerned with the way MySpace users negotiate the issueudof distance and closeness as part of the process of identity construction in MySpace. A broaderuddiscussion in terms of discourse, community and technology is included.