Camgirls—Celebrity & Community in the Age of Social Networks

Senft (U. of East London, UK) takes a revealing look at "camgirls," young women who try to establish a modicum of celebrity on the Internet through political, social and sometimes overtly sexual means. By using examples from social networking sites such as Live Journal, YouTube, MySpace and Facebook, the author explains how these girls manipulate ideas about identity and community through electronic media. Modern perceptions of feminism are also explored, with Senft, who was once a camgirl herself, questioning whether this phenomenon will reflect these sensibilities or complete undo them. Written for sociologists and students of women's studies, this book also addresses whether being a camgirl is an effective way to launch an acting career. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)