Storybaiting online. Interactive life storying in social media

What is it about?

The Finnish YouTuber Niilo22 is an unemployed person who broadcasts frequent video clips of his everyday activities. There is nothing special or extraordinary about the content of clips as often it is just Niilo22 rambling, drinking coffee or sitting at his computer. His followers, however, have a curious connection with him as they tend to post insulting comments day after day, while they may also bring him donations such as comic books and cheap trinkets, leaving them behind his door as they know where he lives. Apart from being unemployed, Niilo22 has been diagnosed with dyslexia, which can be something else he receives insults on.

Featured Image

Photo by Nebular on Unsplash

Photo by Nebular on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Interaction between Niilo22 and his followers gravitates towards repeated story models and views of Niilo22 as a persona. We invent the concept of storybaiting to study Niilo22’s video clips through the kinds of narrative techniques he and his followers employ to maintain their odd relationship in the YouTube environment.