China's Social Memory in a Digitalized World-Assessing the Country's Narratives in Blogs

TitleChina's Social Memory in a Digitalized World-Assessing the Country's Narratives in Blogs
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsJunhua Zhang
JournalJournal of Historical Sociology
Volume25
Issue2
Pagination275–297
ISSN1467-6443
Abstract

This paper will study the role that new media plays in shaping social memory by exploring China's grass-root narratives existing in blogs. By conducting a content analysis, the main features of China's storytellers are illuminated. While emphasizing the role of narratives in shaping a nation's social memory in China, explanations for the source of a new social memory are being searched. In doing so, the linear-model of cause and effect between technology and social change, including McLuhan's term “digital village” are being questioned. The author predicts that, under today's circumstances, China's memory policy including an internalized self-censorship will still have its effectiveness.

URLhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-6443.2012.01431.x/abstract
DOI10.1111/j.1467-6443.2012.01431.x