Summer of Myspace Update

The Summer of MySpace exhibition continues…

I haven't said much about the exhibition…

In some ways, this is just to see how the whole thing developed.
The Revolution site got hijacked, which is interesting, and will make
documentation pretty hard. That's the problem with a dynamic project.

Also, curation has been a bit of a question.
The EULA for MySpace is a problem for anyone creating content for share
here. In effect, after the NewsCorp buyout, all property can be appropriated
by NewsCorp, which is a big question. With the consumer-driven model of Web
2.0, info-industralists (or as Wark calls them the Vectorals) create
channels, and then capitalize fromt eh material created by the users.

In many ways, it is a pay-to-work model, which I really abhor. Labor must be
compensated if capital is involved. Non-profit is another matter, and I
believe that it should be considered as 'commons'. But in Second Life, there
is the potential for compensation, but it is 'on spec' in a pay to play
site. It may be an investment, but I still hold it circumspect.

What about MySpace? Even though MySpace is 'free', is is an advertising
channel, which in effect users create Value-Added Resources for a commercial
site.

I don't think that anyone has figured that this is only the root node of a
potential curatorial system.

However…

What about the EULA? What about the agreement to let NewsCorp to any and all
content that the users create? This is a problem. I stay here for
communication and cultural study, and understand the drawbacks. I also
understand that the shelflife of MySpace is probably short - 2-5 years,
maximum.

This is why I feel the "Summer of MySpace" project is an interesting
snapshot of a significant moment in online culture.

One last point -
There is a challenge in considering the boundaries between creation and
promotion. I have gotten several requests for webcam porn (interesting
potential for performance art), and for MySpace Music artists. What is the
difference between a MySpace site as embodied work, and mere promotion? For
the moment, I am not accepting MySpace Music site, except one or two who
explained in great detail their rationale for being on, which was fine.

But thanks to the people who have contributed, and I look forward to the
next month and a half!

Peace, out.
Patrick
The Curator of MySpace