Culture, boundary, and identity: a comparison of practices between two online punk communities in China

Abstract

This article analyzes how digital technology can shape cultural practice in Chinese online communities. By using the concepts of boundary and identity, it explores the formation of two online punk communities in China, created by those who are interested in punk music originating from the Anglo-American countries. Drawing on data from participant observation and 10 in-depth interviews, this article first reviews literature on Internet culture in China, online community, boundary and identity. It then focuses on the differing practices of the two online punk communities. A discussion is subsequently provided, of how boundaries are constructed in the online communities through exclusion enabled by the technological platform. An analysis of how the members identify themselves with online communities and form punk subculture encouraged by the boundaries of their respective communities is then presented towards the end of the article. It is through this process, that the members empower themselves in their relationships with their surrounding society.

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