Paper short abstract:

Our paper approaches the challenges regarding the fieldwork of virtual heterotopias. We address the philosophical facets of Foucault’s concept of heterotopias in the mirror of Baudrillard’s concept of hyperreality. Afterwards, we discuss the continuous process of “research data” interpretation.

Paper long abstract:

Our paper brings forth a series of aspects pertaining to the fieldwork of virtual heterotopias that present particular challenges. These challenges are not unfamiliar to anthropologists who use “conventional” methods. However, the complex nature of multiple juxtaposed places and realities of virtual heterotopias means that fieldwork is an activity characterized by multi-tasking: it entails knowing how to use a plethora of research techniques and data set construction. Furthermore, the fact that the data sets configured in our research may be accessed later by readers online conveys several relevant issues as well. The methodological terminology used in studying virtual places are based on positivist models of empirical research. They don’t necessarily reflect the complexity of research dedicated to heterotopias. In our presentation we begin by addressing the philosophical facets of Foucault’s concept of heterotopias in the mirror of Baudrillard’s concept of hyperreality.

Living in an era of simultaneity, of proximity, of overexposure and transparence, we are interested in the relevance of Fabian’s writings about the “denial of coevalness” when addressing virtual heterotopias.

Finally, from an anthropological point of view, we discuss the peculiarities of “research data” obtained from virtual heterotopias and their analysis: we consider them as being corelated. We assert that anthropologists are constantly engaged in a process of interpretation as they are engaged with research participants.