Platform Vernaculars & Affordances

Question 1

Define platform vernaculars

Answer 1

Ordinary and everyday forms of communication operated within platforms. They are the ‘norms, rules, and aesthetics’ of a platform and how users creatively repurpose affordances.

Question 2

Define affordances

Answer 2

All the possibilities for action that objects offer to people/users (e.g likes, taking a picture, uploading a story on Instagram.)

Question 3

How do users, platforms, and society influence each other?

Answer 3

Users, platforms, and society influence each other through affordances and platform vernaculars. Platforms offer specific actions (affordances) that shape user behavior, like Instagram encouraging instant sharing. Users creatively adapt these features, forming platform-specific practices. Society, in turn, standardizes behaviors like creating “Instagrammable” spaces, influencing both social and commercial trends such as cafés. This interaction drives a cycle where platforms shape societal norms, and users contribute to evolving cultural practices.

Question 4

Why are these terms important?

Answer 4

Affordances and platform vernaculars are important because they help us understand how digital platforms shape user behavior and societal norms. Affordances highlight the possibilities for action platforms offer, influencing what users can or cannot do. This determines how people engage with technology, guiding their interactions. Platform vernaculars show how users creatively adapt and use these features to build their stories and encourage users to network and communicate. Together, these concepts reveal the power platforms have in shaping communication, everyday behavior, and even societal values, making them essential for analyzing digital culture.