Think different: Estilos de vida digitais e a cibercultura como expressão cultural

The concept of cyberculture has gained unquestionable legitimacy within the field of human sciences, where it comprises the backdrop for relevant issues regarding subjects as diverse as anthropology, philosophy and literary theory. However, its broadness and chronic indefiniteness suggest a likeness to media studies as a form of knowledge that is nebulous, transdisciplinary and under constant reevaluation of its boundaries. The goal of this work is to propose the definition of cyberculture as a discursive or cultural formation (cf. MATRIX, 2006; FOSTER, 2005), with coherent epistemological structures that are approachable from a unifying perspective. What is suggested, therefore, is to understand cyberculture as a field of knowledge that can encompass, without disparities, the many different objects and issues that have been traditionally classified as “cybercultural.” To this end, we take the iPhone as a case study, analyzing some of the cultural representations surrounding the device, frequently viewed as an object of desire and symbol of a “digital lifestyle.”