Post by Admin on Feb 1, 2019 23:09:56 GMT -5
Four forums were mentioned among the interviews with climbers: Reddit, MountainProject, 8a.nu, and SuperTopo. Each experienced varying popularity, and furthermore, forms of use. Gitelman suggests that this is an experience in "negotiation of meaning," where the "introduction of new media [...] is never entirely revolutionary" (6). If these forums are to be considered evolutions of each other, Gitelman's observation implies that these sites grappling with their own invention and meaning while considering how their presence shapes the community around them. As each forum grows, it becomes more and more like itself: over time, the expected use of each forum solidifies itself as the real meaning of each forum. Reddit becomes more of an entertaining joke, while SuperTopo isolates itself as a niche haven for trustworthy answers.
Adding to the consideration of forum as a medium is Gleick's observation that "Hardly any information technology goes obsolete. Each new one throws its predecessors into relief" (12). MountainProject is an example of technology working well to improve existing technology. The comparison with guidebooks offers an in-depth approach to how the two negotiate around each other. 8a.nu, on the other hand, is an example of technology perhaps falling short of the goals. From an outside perspective, 8a.nu attempts to throw several predecessors into relief: news outlets, search functions, route guides, video media, and forum sites. By attempting to do all of these things, the site seems instead to do none of these things. The uses 8a.nu is relegated to (by the respondents of the interview portion) are difficult ascent logs and training materials. Yet, 8a.nu did succeed in becoming an authority on the topic. While Reddit and even MountainProject's trustworthiness are questioned, and information found on those forums cautioned to be taken with a grain of salt, 8a.nu was not accompanied by similar doubts. The users holistically trusted the site, and found it to be a method-of-choice for the few things it does do well.
It seems then, success and failure seem to have their own meanings among groups within the climbing community. While something may objectively be a "failure" from low visibility or lack of traffic, it may be a success in trustworthy material and superior content. On the flip side, while something may succeed in popularity and reach a wide audience, its visibility may also be its downfall via the same things that made it "successful."
Adding to the consideration of forum as a medium is Gleick's observation that "Hardly any information technology goes obsolete. Each new one throws its predecessors into relief" (12). MountainProject is an example of technology working well to improve existing technology. The comparison with guidebooks offers an in-depth approach to how the two negotiate around each other. 8a.nu, on the other hand, is an example of technology perhaps falling short of the goals. From an outside perspective, 8a.nu attempts to throw several predecessors into relief: news outlets, search functions, route guides, video media, and forum sites. By attempting to do all of these things, the site seems instead to do none of these things. The uses 8a.nu is relegated to (by the respondents of the interview portion) are difficult ascent logs and training materials. Yet, 8a.nu did succeed in becoming an authority on the topic. While Reddit and even MountainProject's trustworthiness are questioned, and information found on those forums cautioned to be taken with a grain of salt, 8a.nu was not accompanied by similar doubts. The users holistically trusted the site, and found it to be a method-of-choice for the few things it does do well.
It seems then, success and failure seem to have their own meanings among groups within the climbing community. While something may objectively be a "failure" from low visibility or lack of traffic, it may be a success in trustworthy material and superior content. On the flip side, while something may succeed in popularity and reach a wide audience, its visibility may also be its downfall via the same things that made it "successful."