Interaction in Chat Rooms

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Interaction in Chat Rooms

• LM350 Computer Mediated Communication

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Whats IRC?

• Form of online communication that allows
  apparently synchronous text-based interaction
  between multiple users in any geographical
  location where the program can be run
• Server, channel (chanop, sysop)
• Users download software, e.g. MSN which provides
  a talkline and a chat window

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Whos who?

• User
• Chanop - initiate and moderate a channel. Can
  kick users off channel
• Sysop or Oper - controls and moderates IRC
  network. Can moderate and kick off anyone on any
  channel, send mail to all users etc.

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Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place
Different place
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Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place Face to face talking
Different place
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Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place Face to face talking
Different place Not possible until telephone
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Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place Face to face talking Leaving note
Different place Not possible until telephone
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Where does it fit in? Pre-CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place Face to face talking Leaving a note
Different place Not possible until telephone Letters
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Where does it fit in? CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place chat
Different place
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Where does it fit in? CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place chat
Different place Chat, video conferencing
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Where does it fit in? CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place chat Email, bulletin board
Different place Chat, video conferencing
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Where does it fit in? CMC
Synchronous Asynchronous
Same place chat Email, bulletin board
Different place Chat, video conferencing Email, bulletinboard
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How is it different from face to face
conversation?

• Non-presence
• No voice, gesture, etc
• Multi-voice - what happens to turn taking?
• Policed by chanop

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Setting norms

• Balou Gal Hows everyone?
• Timgodden MICHAEL JOLIFFE
• EGLV I want to major in advertising
• Timgodden HES COOL
• EGLV LOL Fan
• EGLV tim please lower your caps
• Timgodden MICHAEL JOLIFFE
• Dragonrider Timgodden, UPPERCASE is normally
  used for adding EMPHASIS! Otherwise its
  considered SHOUTING (and harder to read).

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Whats the fuss?

• Lack of physical presence opportunity for
  play/deception via misleading identities leads to
  moral panics, especially around
  children/sex/paedophile

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Moral panic?

• Cohen (1972) Folk Devils Moral Panics
• http//www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/thinkingallowe
  d_20030430.shtml
• moral panic an occurrence which is characterised
  by stylized and stereotypical representation by
  the mass media, and a tendency for those in
  power (politicians, bishops, editors and so on)
  to man the moral barricades and pronounce
  judgement.

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Moral panic?

• According to Goode Ben-Yehuda (1994) " A moral
  panic is characterised by a feeling held by a
  substantial number of a members of a given
  society, that evil-doers pose a threat to society
  and to the moral order as a consequence of their
  behaviour and, therefore, "something should be
  done about them and their behaviour".

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Moral panics?

• Mods and Rockers
• Elvis Presley
• James Bulger, child violence
• Satanic rituals
• Catholic church child abuse
• Drugs, e.g. Leah Betts ecstasy
• AIDS
• Asylum seekers

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Media Moral panics?

• Horror comics
• Rock and roll
• James Bulger, child violence video violence
  (1993)
• Columbine shootings video violence
• Rap music
• Chat