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Wired 14.12: The Secret World of Lonelygirl

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Saved by 3 people (0 private), first by anonymouse user on 2008-03-13


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Lonelygirl15 wouldn't exist without the explosion of broadband and the advent of YouTube – and partly by the appeal of a hybrid form of storytelling. Lonelygirl15 is a mashup of homemade video diary, soap opera, and mysterious, hint-laden narrative like Lost.

Highlighted by wenzel61

Lonelygirl15 didn't get them sued for deceiving the public

Highlighted by dchristal

on 2008-03-13 by dchristal

Herein lies another problem with the internet, the anonymity. Posing as a fake person could get them in trouble in this forum, but what about how the creeps that pretend to be 20 when they are 55? Or Second Life Even? It is very hard to define what is right and what is wrong on the internet.

In short, they were planning to exploit the anonymity of the Internet to pull off a new kind of storytelling, and they worried they were on shaky legal ground.

Highlighted by wenzel61

Goodfried's advice was simple. "If anyone asks point-blank if you're real, don't answer the question," he said. "Don't lie to people. The answer is no answer. In my mind, it's the equivalent of not lying. But if people talk to Bree like she's Bree, that's fair game."

Highlighted by wenzel61

As Bree, she struck up friendships with people in Sweden, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Australia, Mexico, and all over the US.

Highlighted by dchristal

on 2008-03-13 by dchristal

It amazes me how widespread the popularilty of this character became. Since I'm not huge into watching YouTube videos or even reading (or watching) blogs besides PostSecret unless someone insists I must see something, it is hard for me to imagine Lonely Girl having such a devoted and widespread following.

A conventional TV episode airs once at a certain time; even if it's great, it can only serve to attract viewers to future episodes. On YouTube, a video can be streamed at any time

Highlighted by wenzel61

Could it be, one fan wondered, that the whole thing was an elaborate ad campaign for the retailer?

Highlighted by dchristal

on 2008-03-13 by dchristal

Like Travelocity's Roaming Gnome commericals.

She'd deleted it when she became Bree, but Google cached a copy

Highlighted by dchristal

on 2008-03-13 by dchristal

This is one of the things about internet that scares me... none of it goes away. In this case a deleted MySpace came back to haunt her. I never really understood why they just can't be deleted and be gone. I know this a major problem that a lot of people have with site likes MySpace or Facebook.

interactivity, as opposed to the passivity of television

Highlighted by dchristal

on 2008-03-13 by dchristal

Basically, American Idol meets a soap for the internet. I feel like there have been shows were users could vote for their endings, I just can't think of the show I am thinking of. This "revolution" if it occurs, will make the line between TV and internet even more hazy.

"You make movies for the big screen, sitcoms for TV, and something else entirely for the Internet.

Highlighted by dchristal

on 2008-03-13 by dchristal

Interesting... if this idea takes off the genre will completely change. Networks try to map out exactly who would be watching their programs, and inthsi case viewers can be anyoen from anywhere.

It's a concept that the Internet portals understand better. "Yahoo says it wants to be the network of the 21st century," Beckett says. "And we're the production company of the 21st century."

Highlighted by wenzel61