Imagine sitting in the dining hall surrounded by juniors that you don't really know and don't quite feel comfortable talking to. In your abysmal boredom you whip out your smart phone and load up 'Angry Birds'. The music starts playing and people start to pay attention to you, they want to know how many levels you have completed and which bird is your favourite. Next thing you know you're hosting 'Angry Birds' parties in the lounge where people can expect to find bird shaped snacks, primary coloured beverages and tips and tricks for that one level that they just can't crack. Suddenly, you're the most popular person in Sama and that 'Angry Birds' game was the social object that started it all.

A social object is something that has prevalence in society. It must be well known enough to create talk about itself, it must have people engaging with it. Conversation is key to the creation of a social object. One could argue that social objects have become more prevalent by our ever mediated culture. Now anyone can make a video that goes viral, consider the devil sheep video that inspired so much conversation first on YouTube, then on Facebook when Diana posted it and then in class.

Comment on this page