Semeful Sociabilities: Socially Networked Photography as Embodied Relationships of Touch

Abstract

AbstractIn this chapter, I define cultural semes in response to academic discussions of technological seams. Discussions of technological seams are divided by aspirations of seamlessness and seamfulness. Seamlessness aims towards technology being seamlessly integrated into our everyday relationships. Arguments of seamfulness are driven by a focus on user empowerment and how seamlessness acts as a form of social control. In this context, semefulness focuses explicitly on the significance and meanings of Touch in human–technology physical relationships. Identifying social media and the technological self as embodied and drawing on the findings throughout this book, I propose the term “semeful sociabilities” to describe networked social media practices of the technological self, recognising visual social relationships as culturally meaningful practices of Touch.