This chapter explores the impact that the recent technologies associated with Web 2.0 may have had on some specific genres. In particular, the chapter investigates the contribution of the technological affordances of Web 2.0 to the action of the centripetal and centrifugal forces of discourse (Bakhtin 1982), with reference to the case of Wikipedia, the well-known cooperative online encyclopaedia. The research hypothesis underlying the case studies reported in the chapter is that Wikipedia entries may not necessarily comply with generic conventions at the time of their creation, subject as they are to the centrifugal forces of individual creativity, but eventually do so in the long run by effect of the centripetal forces unleashed by the action of the Wikipedia community.
Centripetal and Centrifugal forces in Web 2.0 genres. The case of Wikipedia
GATTO, MARISTELLA
2012-01-01
Abstract
This chapter explores the impact that the recent technologies associated with Web 2.0 may have had on some specific genres. In particular, the chapter investigates the contribution of the technological affordances of Web 2.0 to the action of the centripetal and centrifugal forces of discourse (Bakhtin 1982), with reference to the case of Wikipedia, the well-known cooperative online encyclopaedia. The research hypothesis underlying the case studies reported in the chapter is that Wikipedia entries may not necessarily comply with generic conventions at the time of their creation, subject as they are to the centrifugal forces of individual creativity, but eventually do so in the long run by effect of the centripetal forces unleashed by the action of the Wikipedia community.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
