Sherry Turkle, trajectory and challenges of virtual ethnography

Authors

  • Francisco Rüdiger Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/fem.2012.142.09

Abstract

Cyberspace has called the epistemic attention of anthropologists in the middle of the 1990’s. This paper aims to characterize and discuss the trajectory put in action by it from this moment onward, focusing on Sherry Turkle work. Our article begins with some indications about the way the cyberculture studies were structured. Following, we stress the methodological bias by which the field was approached by anthropology. Finally, we offer a critical reflection about the merits and limitations of all this stage of research. Besides the pioneer article of Arturo Escobar and the focus on Sherry Turkle trajectory, we make some remarks about the contributions originated from David Haken and Christine Hine. 

Key words: cyberculture, virtual ethnography, Sherry Turkle.

Author Biography

Francisco Rüdiger, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS

Doutor em Ciências Sociais pela Universidade de Sâo Paulo. Professor da Universidade Federal e da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. Publicou recentemente "As teorias da cibercultura" (Porto Alegre, Sulina, 2011).

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Published

2011-11-10

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2012): May/August

Section

Articles

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