Extracted from publication Semiovers
Exploring the sociodigital construction of meaning. A Sociosemiotic Perspective Sociodigital culture as trivial mythification of existence
DOI: 10.53136/97912218161295
Pages: 83-96
Publication date: January 2025
Publisher: Aracne
This paper argues that the sociodigital semiosphere encapsulates the ongoing dialogue between human agency and technological mediation, exemplifying the intricate dynamics of digital existence in the modern era.In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, the advent of digital technologies has brought about profound changes in societal practices, communication norms, and the formation of personal identities.Sociosemiotics is an analytical framework that offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics between society and digital signs at the core of thistransformation.This article advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to sociosemiotics, which combinesdigital ethnography with semiotics from information and communication sciences. By bridging various semiotic theories, including Paris semiotics and hypersemiotics, this approach offers a rich theoretical lens for analyzing the interactions between individuals, communities, and digital artifacts within the digital realm. Understanding human existential experience within the context of digital communication necessitates acknowledging the intertwining of social and technological mediation. The study of sociodigital mediation explores how individuals navigate their identities and social interactions within a digital ecosystem, shaping both their daily lives (digital hexis) and social conduct (digital habitus).Adapting Lotman’s semiotics of culture to sociodigital practices, this article examines the notion of the Internet as a metatext of culture. It discusses the evolution of culture through multimodal productions and the challenges of applying traditional semiotic frameworks to digital culture. Applying Lotman’s concept of the semiosphere to sociodigital culturehighlights the dynamic interplay between canonical and dynamic texts. The evolving semiosphere of digital culture, comprising images, ideas, and stereotypes, reflects the tension between communicative norms and innovative expressions.Examining the role of sociotechnological myths, this article delves into the mythification process mediated by digital technologies. It discusses how algorithms shape self-perception and existential transcendence,influencing the emergence of new aesthetic standards and social practices in the digital age. In conclusion, by synthesizing semiotics, socio-anthropology, and digital studies, this article offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay between society and digital signs. Analyzing sociodigital culture through the lens of Lotman’s semiotics provides insights into the construction of meaning and identity in the digital age. Moreover, exploring the sociodigital mediation of existence sheds light on how digital devices shape self-image and social identities. Finally, the notion of sociotechnological myths reveals the transformative impact of digital technologies on contemporary life and existential perceptions.