Digital Media and the Transnational Imaginary: Virtual Memorialization of Global Action Sport Stars

Abstract

Three sun bronzed young men — George (11), Jack (14) and Kelly (14) — gather around the large iMac screen in the kitchen. With his hand on the mouse, Jack controls the activity; their faces, just inches from the screen, light up as he clicks play on the YouTube clip. The music begins as a group of teenaged long boarders are seen carving through the busy urban streets of Miami, Florida, narrowly missing collisions with cars and one another. The action is captured by one of the skaters riding with a GoPro digital camera installed on his/her helmet. The identity of the skater is unknown; we see everything through the eyes of the skater. In essence, the viewer is the skater. As he/she skateboards through a red stoplight, George gasps out loud. The GoPro has affectively transplanted him into this time and place — it is as if he is the one running a red light and his body responds to the possibility of serious consequence. George tucks into himself, as if trying to optimize the speed of the skateboarder on the screen through this subtle bodily adjustment. As the cars stop just in time and the skateboarder makes it safely through the intersection, Jack elbows his little brother in the ribs. The three boys chat and laugh together as the short video comes to an end. Kelly then points to the screen and prompts Jack to click on another video, then another, and another. Almost 45 minutes has passed when the boys tire of watching the videos online. A group decision is made and they scurry off to their bedroom, returning with three helmets, gloves with pads on the palms, and their own GoPro camera.