Challenge Question Response

The use of the internet in ethnographic studies is a very tricky concept to consider. It seems almost unavoidable and perhaps foolish at this time in society to neglect it as a factor in most music being examined. Unless one is studying a society in which no one has access to the internet, it is going to be a factor that affects the music of any culture, let alone just web based communities. The internet makes it so easy for people to exchange ideas and access information. The information learned may not be accurate or useful, but it is wise to examine what knowledge people are consuming.

In terms of Miller's 2007 article regarding the video game Grand Theft Auto, she used the internet in a number of ways that were beneficial to the study. It was probably useful for her to be able to utilize a wider range of responses and reactions than she has access to in person. However, for posts of uses of fan sites online, one can't further investigate the background of these interviewees and thus don't know their specific cultural context and influences on why they feel that way. One also can't check the accuracy of claims. You dont' know that the people will be who they say they are even if they provide information as to who they are or where they're from. One also doesn't know if people are serious or being honest in their claims. I suppose you never know if people are being honest when they're interviewed or taking surveys, but if they've consented to the study they're probably taking it somewhat seriously and not treating their responses as jokes. On the other hand, because these responses are often anonymous, their feelings and comments might in fact be more upfront and honest rather than when they think their answers might be evaluated or judged.

Another large issue at hand is consent. This is a very important aspect of the ethics of ethnomusicology, as noted in Titon (2002) as well as some other articles. People interviewed at the very least should sign consent forms and have the ability to request a pseudonym or for their identity to remain hidden. This is a tricky line to tread when utilizing testimonies found on the web. On one hand, these thoughts are already published in a public forum and thus would imply their consent for people to read them. On the other hand, the commentary is intended for a very specific purpose and forum where the audience is probably expected to be fairly limited. One probably wouldn't expect his or her thoughts about Grand Theft Auto to be utilized for an ethnographic study. However, no ethnographic method of research is without its flaws and drawbacks. Because computers are so customary nowadays and the internet is such a central way that music is perpetuated, it would be foolish not to use it as a research method. Perhaps some general guidelines and suggestions for use should be established, but I'd say the web communities and ethnographies will become more and more of a necessity and relevant endeavor in both academia and the world beyond.