James GallagherinMedia EthnographyClub meeting proves that Instagram is not enoughThe room is large, divided into a section with seating, and a section with rows of tables. I can pick up snippets of different…May 8, 20173May 8, 20173
James GallagherinMedia EthnographyHow to attract new members: A video experimentThis week I visited the Charm City Collectors Club in Middle River, MD. Their monthly meetings take place Saturday morning in a party room…May 8, 2017May 8, 2017
James GallagherinMedia EthnographyWhat motivates ultra-completist collectors? Futility.David Tilley, co-author of the Lamley Group (a toy car hobbyist blog I discussed last week), has a tagline that he often posts with his…Apr 24, 2017Apr 24, 2017
James GallagherinMedia EthnographyWhere are all the women? — A video experimentThis semester, I’ve been studying how adult male toy collectors use Instagram as a space to imagine an identity and a community. One of the…Apr 24, 20171Apr 24, 20171
James GallagherinMedia EthnographySpecial interest content gives the blogosphere a desperately-needed reason for beingThe ‘blogosphere’ was a once-thriving world of personal writing. It was hailed as proof of the Internet’s potential, the height of Web 2.0…Apr 17, 2017Apr 17, 2017
James GallagherinMedia EthnographyControversial video advertising and Anand Pandian’s “Reel World”“Films can make things happen — in zeal and in boredom, with contemplation and indignation, for better and for worse. But everything turns…Apr 7, 20177Apr 7, 20177
James GallagherinMedia EthnographyToy aisle soundtrack: An audio experimentI want to start off by saying that this experiment wasn’t really a success. However, in its failure it taught me something important.Apr 7, 2017Apr 7, 2017
James GallagherinMedia Ethnography‘I’ve got more toys than my kids’: An audio experimentToy cars are designed for kids. Toy cars are marketed towards kids. Sometimes, though, it’s adults who end up playing with them.Mar 13, 2017Mar 13, 2017
James GallagherinMedia EthnographyInstagram: ‘If you’re careful, you won’t be screwed over’Conflict in the diecast collectors’ communityMar 6, 20171Mar 6, 20171
James GallagherinMedia EthnographyHow to interview an Instagram accountI’ve been sending out a lot of direct messages on Instagram in the past few days: “Hi, my name is James Gallagher, and I’m a college…Feb 27, 20173Feb 27, 20173