'Extended diaspora': new forms of communitization phenomena in the digital age

What is it about?

In our article, we address the question of the extent to which the phenomenon of the digital diaspora can also be transferred to internet communities. We examine the use of the concept ‚diaspora‘ by using several examples from the fields of video games (Minecraft), digital video (esp. cooking videos), social network and music video. These artefacts make use of the term ‘diaspora’ to create a feeling of community in the realm of the digital without necessarily cashing in on its original meaning.

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Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash

Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It seems that by using the term 'diaspora' in this extended meaning, game or video makers in the realm of the digital are enabled to evoke a sense of digital community amongst users who engage in the respective game or watch the respective video, for instance. This phenomenon has not received much academic attention so far. Our article, however, sheds light on those forms of communitization which develop against the background of certain connotations traditionally associated with diasporas. This allows us to study drifts and modifications which the traditional term 'diaspora' has undergone in the digital space.