Redai dili (Sep 2024)
Spatial Characteristics and Dynamic Changes of Youth Neo-Tribes: A Case Study of the "706 Youth Space"
Abstract
As a social, cultural, and spatial phenomenon, the spatial characteristics and dynamics of youth neo-tribes reflect the mode, process, and strategy of interaction with their social environment. However, existing studies mainly regard space as a formation condition and internal characteristic of neo-tribes, while failing to consider it as a key perspective for understanding the social and historical processes of neo-tribes. Therefore, this study constructs an analysis framework based on two spatial analysis paths proposed by Soja(2005)from his ontology of existence: "time-space" and "society-space." Furthermore, "706 Youth Space" is taken as a case study to analyze the spatial characteristics and dynamics of youth neo-tribes. Our results indicate the following: (1) The "706 Youth Space" embodies distinct neo-tribal attributes, including the mobility of its members, common feelings, rituals and symbols, and a shared space. As a neo-tribal space, the socialization of "706 Youth Space" includes emotional resonance and identification, memory generation, and imagination extension. This study supports the summary of the characteristics of neo-tribes in existing studies. Additionally, it reveals the temporal and spatial continuity, rhythm, and spatialization of the instantaneous outbreak of the neo-tribe and emphasizes the spatiality characteristics in the process of its socialization. (2) This study analyzes the relationship between the neo-tribe and its environment through the spatial strategy, and corrects the double illusion of the existing research on the spatial understanding of neo-tribes. The game strategy between the "706" youth neo-tribe and its environment is summarized as space contraction, stimulus diffusion, and space expansion strategy. The youth neo-tribe needs to be embedded in the real social space, and can be preserved and developed through strategic contraction and change. Through space extension strategies such as the opening of space and expansion of relationships, we can promote the connection with the place and make it a bridging space in terms of filling and extensibility of social relations. (3) This study analyzes the role of virtual and physical space in the formation of youth neo-tribes, the embodiment in their survival strategy, and the respective characteristics and relationships of virtual and physical space. Among them, in the formation, strengthening, and identification of neo-tribes, young people change from unfamiliar online members to offline physical space encounters through activities, and form temporary neo-tribes based on common feelings under the guidance of common interests and tastes. After the activity, young participants establish a sense of identity with the youth neo-tribe and apply to join the online community, thus continuing its existence through the virtual space. In terms of survival strategy, through the contraction of offline space, development of online space, and integration of online and offline, the youth neo-tribe realizes its adaptation to the external environment. The study overcomes the limitation of understanding the relationship between online and offline space from the functional viewpoint and reveals the synergy of such space in emotion, identity, and survival strategy of the neo-tribe.
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