Viral Video and Second Life

Jean Burgess’ article discusses the nature of viral videos while the videos of Drax revolve around the virtual world Second Life. The article states that videos are not concrete messages but rather techniques for communication and mediation among the masses. This applies to Drax’s work because of the way Second Life allows mediation on a virtual level. The online participants of Second Life come from all over the world with different political and social backgrounds where they are able to come together in this virtual world to not only discuss matters of society but to also experience different virtual locations, like Guantanamo Bay. This idea of the viral video and virtual community support Habermas’ idea of the Public Sphere because of the way both encourage conversation and debate over important topics.