42

I am guessing that unless you are a fan of the wonderfully absurd Douglas Adams, you are at least curious about the significance of 42? For those that are unaware, 42 is, of course, the “answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything” (Adams 1979). However, if you wish to know what the question is, I suggest you find yourself a copy of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I feel I should warn you though, that the question may not make much more sense to you than 42 does, then again, it may make perfect sense.

Filter Bubble

Though the term “filter bubble” is often met with criticism, it does have the advantage of making a generic ‘space’ more welcoming and the ability to turn space into place. Of course the term “filter bubble” is not exclusive to describing the algorithms that decide our ‘newsfeed’ on Facebook, it can easily transfer to alternate scenarios. For example, if a person were to attend a party at a stranger’s house where they did not know anyone, the experience would be completely different to attending a party at a friend’s house where they know all the guests. Tuan (1991) states, “It may need only a few kind words among friends to change an ordinary kitchen into a bright and happy place” (pg. 686). Though Tuan utilises the word “kitchen”, it could easily be substituted for the word party or even group.

Many Facebook groups are generally fairly localized, like local buy, swap sell sites for instance. The group I am examining however, though based in the USA, spans the globe; with many of the community’s regular contributors have English as a second language. Despite what could be an obvious barrier to communication, the language used in this group will make you either feel right at home or completely out of place. Despite a world of difference between some of our languages, the common language (or ontology if you prefer) is science fiction mixed with absurdity.

Kuttainen (2017) states “narrative and communication organises reality” and for this page it rings very true. While most would agree that discussing religion or politics is a bad idea, I have seen discussions between the left and right wing and atheists debating religion with believers, without offence being taken on either side. In fact, the only time I have seen people get really angry or offended, is if the discussion turns to the merits of pineapple on pizza. Joining a group of like-minded individuals is like having a filter bubble. This Facebook group has created a filter bubble out of Douglas Adams’ book and almost every interaction on the page is consequently almost as absurd as his books are.

For more information on Filter Bubbles follow this link to “The Conversation”

https://theconversation.com/the-filter-bubble-isnt-just-facebooks-fault-its-yours-69664

Image 1 courtesy of

https://www.found.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/filter-bubble-v2.png

Kuttainen, V. (2017) BA1002 Our Space: Networks, Narratives and the Making of Place, lecture 4: space and place

Link to full PDF version of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas Adams (1979)

https://boodow.blogspot.com/2017/02/ultimate-hitchhikers-guide.html 

Tuan, Y. (1991).  Language and the making of place: A narrative-descriptive approach. Annals of the 

Association of American Geographers, 81(4), 684-96.