Lifestreaming is a digital practice that originated in the mid-1990s, conceptualized by Eric Freeman and David Gelernter at Yale University. It involves the use of a time-ordered stream of documents to create a digital diary or timeline of a person’s life. This concept has evolved from being a mere replacement for traditional file cabinets to a significant component of social media[2] platforms like Facebook[3] and MySpace[6]. An offshoot of lifestreaming is lifecasting, which involves the continuous live streaming of everyday life events via digital media[1]. This was popularized by Justin Kan in 2007 and has since been adopted by platforms like Instagram[4] and Snapchat[7]. The practice employs wearable technology[5] and encourages viewer interaction. The evolution of lifestreaming and lifecasting technologies has significantly impacted social networking and the way we share life experiences online.
Lifestreaming
« Back to Glossary Index« Back to Glossary Index
Terms definitions
1. ↑ digital media. Digital media refers to any form of media that uses electronic devices for distribution. This form of media can be created, viewed, modified, and distributed on digital electronics devices. Digital media encompasses a wide range of items including software, digital images, digital videos, video games, web pages, and websites. It came to prominence with the rise of digital computers which enabled the binary representation of data. Over the years, digital media has evolved, causing significant societal and cultural shifts. It has also impacted various industries such as journalism, publishing, education, and entertainment. Additionally, digital media has given rise to new trends and legal challenges, especially in terms of copyright laws. The consumption of digital media has rapidly increased with growing internet access and the rise of social media platforms.
2. ↑ social media. Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.
Lifestreaming (Wikipedia)