Couchsurfings' Virtual Songlines (Week 4)

Couchsurfing is a virtual network I participate in. I have previously explained the workings of Couchsurfing and touched on how it can empower the users. In this blog I will expand on the empowerment that Couchsurfing offers people through narratives, connections and its' ability to overcome barriers such as western dominated communication.

Empowerment comes in many different forms and Couchsurfing engages more than one. One of these forms is international communication. The ability to communicate and share with people across the globe empowers you through new experiences, learning's and ideas. Whilst western communication dominates Couchsurfing, it is a pioneer in trying to overcome this boundary. Gordon (2008, pp 101) states that "more space for theoretical speculation and stylistic experimentation must be carved out in the discipline of communication". Couchsurfing is providing a creative way for people from all different cultures, western or not to fill this space. 

A representation of what virtual songlines could look like (Lundquist, 2013)

The communication networks found within Couchsurfing can be related to the Australian Indigenous 'Songlines' discussed in our lecture this week. Chatwin (1987, pp 13) describes Songlines as "a trail of scattered words and musical notes along the line of footprints". Couchsurfing has created a similar phenomena on a global scale. As travelers use Couchsurfing to move throughout the world they scatter words along their footprints in a virtual, rather than song form. These words are left in comments on experiences with different people and culture. By sharing stories participants encourage others to travel along the same paths. These elements connect dispersed groups through virtual communications and networks in the same way the "Dreaming tracks lay over the land as a ways of communication between far flung tribes" (Chatwin, 1987, pp 13).

Western communication domination is spread throughout the world and is identifiable in language. English is the most dominate language used throughout the world. This western communication form is seen within Couchsurfing. However as you visit foreign countries, surfers who are solely English speaking can be dis-empowered. Surfers may not be able to communicate with hosts, who may not speak English. The effect is the same for those traveling from Non-English speaking countries to English speaking countries. As a result, this social network does not strongly emphasise or empower one culture or language more than another.

Couchsurfing empowers users of many different heritages. Whilst western culture has strong influence within the network, Couchsurfing is fighting western communication domination through the promotion of cross cultural experiences.

References 

Chatwin, B. (1987). The Songlines. London, England: Johnathan Cape Ltd

Gordon R (2007) Beyond the Failures of Western Communication Theory, Journal
of Multicultural Discourses, volume 2:2, pp 89-107

Denizen (2013). Denizen: For Third Culture Kids. Retrieved From: http://www.denizenmag.com/2011/05/couchsurfing-and-the-mobile-identity/