www.snob.ru: A Social Network Site for the Elite

Abstract

Since its launch in 2008, the Russian project Snob, involving a printed magazine and a website, has fascinated observers as the first example of a self-proclaimed Russian elite, joining the league of asmallworld.net and affluence.com. Sponsored by billionaire Mik-hail Prokhorov, the project initially resembled yet another invention by New Russians who are eager to flash their riches, with its online social network serving as yet another exclusive club. However, in 2009 the site was opened for guest access and membership by subscription; it is now possible not only to establish the basic facts of the site’s interface, design, member-ship numbers and profile options, but also to analyse the interests and characteristics of the so-called Snobshchestvo community. The result of the analysis reveals that we may have to reconsider not only our perception of this particular elite, but also, more generally, our under-standing of the social aspect in online social networks.
OriginalsprogDansk
TidsskriftDigital Icons Studies in Russian, Eurasian and Central European New Media
Vol/bind6
Sider (fra-til)81-92
ISSN2043-7633
StatusUdgivet - 2011
Udgivet eksterntJa

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