A Community of Interest

Introduction

• A population that all share a common interest 
• Function relies on participants
• Construction of identity
• Maintenance of civility and professional practice
• Social media is the habour

Identity

• Self construction of an online identity
• Extremely abundant and key within a community
• Livingstone (2008)
• Macca Gregory Chino's modified car identity
• Hyperlinking can aid in construction

Civility

• Rules are set to control civility within a community
• Livingstone (2008)
• Tyson's buy/swap/sell Facebook page rules
• Social practices performed correctly can aid
• Familiarity, likability and trust maintain flow

Professional Practice

• Large amounts of information online
• Participants must be selective
• M. O'Neil, Shirky and Stanger (2010)
• MPS Torque (amateur) vs. 2carpros (elite)
• Users can post anything, it's their right too

Conclusion

• Behaviour by participants is key
• Links with other key fundamentals
• Modified car community clearly displays all