One premise to collective memory is “connected to
space/places”. This was defined in class as memory residing in physical objects
and places such as memorials, museums, and landmarks. I have personally seen this with two high school friends who passed away. A Facebook page was created in memory of Michael and Katie. This page has pictures and happy memories that friends share. The creator also posts on significant dates, i.e. Christmas, birthdays, the anniversary of their passing, ex.
"Michael & Katie Memorial Page"
The link below is a webpage that is also a memorial for the children who were victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting. On this site you can read the obituaries, see photos, and visit the guest book. This legacy website has other memorials aside from that of Sandy Hook. It is a collection of memories that people can visit at any time. As we discussed in class, memorials in the digital/networked media are more accessible then visiting the grave sight. This online website allows for loved ones to visit the deceased at any time. There is also a sense of "lack of privacy/intimacy". On the legacy website and Facebook memorial pages there are advertisements that make if feel not as personal. It's much different than going to the grave sight so speak with your loved one.
One premise that is very good about online memorials is the availability of feeling a connection. You can easily instant message the person via Facebook messenger and feel as though you are still talking to the person. This creates a connection similar to talking to the person at their grave sight, except in the 21st century it is more "normal" to talk on Facebook. A teenager talks to their friends on Facebook or any other social media sight more then in person, so talking to them after they have passed is a way of feeling as though they are still here. It can prevent moving on or to some it can help the healing process.
Local landmarks are all over digital/networked media. It is a way advertising and it works! I had to put together a presentation for a Public Speaking course about my hometown. This required that I do research and find websites, pictures, even menus to provide examples for the audience. Memorizing these websites gives you the ability to always access their email, menu, hours, special events, ext. It is one of the best things a business can have. A specific business is also a local landmark in Ogallala. Front Street is home to bull fries, premium steaks, the longest running summer stock theatre in Nebraska, and the end of the Texas trail.
http://www.ogallalafrontstreet.com
It is brilliant what digital/networked media can do for its constituents. Collective memory works with digital/networked media. The physical object/place, "the World Wide Web". Memorials, museums, landmarks, all of which have been explored.
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