Different spaces: Exploring Facebook as heterotopia

Authors

  • Robin Rymarczuk University of Groningen
  • Maarten Derksen University of Groningen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v19i6.5006

Keywords:

Facebook, Social Media, Heterotopia, Non-use, Space, Coveillance

Abstract

In this paper we explore the space of Facebook, and use Michel Foucault’s concept of heterotopia to describe it. We show that the heterotopic nature of Facebook explains not only much of its attraction, but even more the discomfort that many people, users as well as non–users, experience in it. Analysing Facebook as a heterotopia brings its relation to other spaces into focus: it is a world in the world, that juxtaposes and merges other spaces into ‘une espace autre’.

Author Biographies

Robin Rymarczuk, University of Groningen

Theory & History of Psychology, Msc

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

University of Groningen

Maarten Derksen, University of Groningen

Theory & History of Psychology, PhD

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

University of Groningen

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Published

2014-05-26

How to Cite

Rymarczuk, R., & Derksen, M. (2014). Different spaces: Exploring Facebook as heterotopia. First Monday, 19(6). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v19i6.5006