Abstract:
The paper analyses three instances of Internet folklore texts, based on images
(photos) or voices (recording) of existing but relatively unknown people. Due
to the popularity of the texts on the Internet, the images and personal data have
been widely publicized, which in turn caused many complications in the lives of
the “celebrities.” The paper presents ideas inferred from the analysis of those texts,
regarding technical, social and media-related contexts in which netlore operates, as
well as certain ethical aspects of studying it; additionally, it formulates a hypothesis
stating that in certain circumstances Internet folklore may come into conflict with
traditional folklore, and may be contributing to the gradual wane of some forms
of the latter (e.g. hazing).
