Redai dili (Mar 2024)
The Dependence of Short Video Creators' Virtual Space on Geographic Space: Data Analysis Based on Bilibili
Abstract
With the development of digital technology, virtual spaces have attracted widespread attention. Some studies have suggested that there is a certain interaction and dependence between virtual and geospatial spaces. However, most current research interprets geospatial implications in virtual spaces using semantic interpretation methods and lacks case studies that combine specific industries. Represented by the short video industry, the digital economy industry has constructed a virtual communication space that is distinct from the geospatial space through Internet media, possessing analytical conditions and values with dual spatial attributes. Given that short videos are important carriers of virtual social networks, this study focuses on the top short video creators on Bilibili, known as "POWER UP 100," who produce original short video content from 2018 to 2021. Relying on their basic information, video information, linkage situations, and other data, this study quantifies the two virtual space attributes of selected short video creators (influence and network centrality) using methods such as Spearman's correlation coefficient and social network analysis. Furthermore, it discusses the relationship between these two attributes and their geospatial attributes (geographical location and hierarchy), thus exploring whether the virtual space attributes of short video creators depend on their geospatial attributes. This study confirms that virtual spaces exhibit a certain degree of dependence on the geospatial space. Regarding the correlation between the UP virtual level and geospatial hierarchy, there are differences in the distribution of UP creator influence levels in different cities, with larger and higher-level cities having more dispersed UP creator influence levels. High-level top creators are mostly located in super-large cities, whereas low-level cities rarely have such creators. Although virtual networking platforms can, to some extent, enable top creators to attract fans and overcome geographical limitations, the level and range of their influence remain closely tied to the geographical hierarchy within the geospatial space. Virtual space interconnectivity networks based on UPs exhibit strong distance correlation, with linkage frequency primarily determined by geographical distance. However, in virtual space interconnectivity networks based on cities, the dominant role of geographical distance weakens, whereas the role of city hierarchy increases. Therefore, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) There is only a weak positive correlation between the virtual space level of the top short video creators and the geospatial hierarchy. (2) The construction of virtual space networks by top short video creators exhibits geographical proximity and hierarchical orientation, demonstrating a certain dependence on the geospatial space. (3) The virtual space activities of the top short video creators are significantly influenced by factors such as the economic and cultural levels of their cities. This study provides guidance and inspiration for the future creative work of short video creators. However,, using the short video industry as an example, it reaffirms the conclusion that the virtual space generated under media transformation cannot be detached from the existing geospatial space.
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