At Kanas State University Dr. Michael Wesch, a cultural anthropologist, teaches Digital Ethnography. Ethnography is basically a research method used to conduct descriptive studies of human societies and cultures. In this presentation at the Library of Congress, Dr. Wesch takes us inside the culture of You Tube which he explores with his group of undergraduate students.

‘Digital Ethnography and the Anthropology of YouTube’ is a fun presentation and a good demonstration of how anthropology, a discipline some perceive to only apply to the study of cultures past, is also the study of cultures current and emerging. I would think that in this digital age it would be an exciting time to be an anthropologist!

While watching this presentation I kept thinking about Erving Goffman’s book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life and how the ideas contained therein could be utilized in a study of the presentation of self on You Tube, specifically in terms of vblogs. As a sociologist with a keen interest in self and identity, I concur with Dr. Wesch when he says You Tube is a fascinating place for those who share this interest.

You can also view the post about this video on Professor Wesch’s blog. The video he produced which he refers to in this presentation can be viewed here.