Computers can't give credit: how automatic attribution falls short in an online remixing community

In this paper, we explore the role that attribution plays in shaping user reactions to content reuse, or remixing, in a large user-generated content community. We present two studies using data from the Scratch online community – a social media platform where hundreds of thousands of young people share and remix animations and video games. First, we present a quantitative analysis that examines the effects of a technological design intervention introducing automated attribution of remixes on users’ reactions to being remixed. We compare this analysis to a parallel examination of “manual” credit-giving. Second, we present a qualitative analysis of twelve in-depth, semi-structured, interviews with Scratch participants on the subject of remixing and attribution. Results from both studies suggest that automatic attribution done by technological systems (i.e., the listing of names of contributors) plays a role that is distinct from, and less valuable than, credit which may superfi...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2011
• Where: CHI
• Authors: Andrés Monroy-Hernández, Benjamin Mako Hill, Jazmin Gonzalez-Rivero, Danah Boyd
• Keywords: CHI 2011, Human Computer Interaction, Media Platforms, Parallel Examination, Semi Structured Interviews