Module #6: Ephemeral Narratives and Disappearing MediaTopics:
- The Temporality of Digital Media: Understanding how media like Snapchat, Instagram Stories, and ephemeral messaging apps shape communication.
- Cultural Significance of Disappearing Media: Examining how transient storytelling reflects societal trends and values.
- Ethics and Implications: Analyzing privacy, digital permanence, and the ethical considerations of ephemeral communication.
- Storytelling Techniques in Ephemeral Media: Crafting impactful and engaging narratives within limited time frames.
- The Temporality of Digital Media: Understanding how media like Snapchat, Instagram Stories, and ephemeral messaging apps shape communication.
- Cultural Significance of Disappearing Media: Examining how transient storytelling reflects societal trends and values.
- Ethics and Implications: Analyzing privacy, digital permanence, and the ethical considerations of ephemeral communication.
- Storytelling Techniques in Ephemeral Media: Crafting impactful and engaging narratives within limited time frames.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
Explain the concept of ephemeral narratives and their relevance in digital media ecosystems.
Analyze the cultural and ethical implications of disappearing media formats.
Evaluate the impact of temporality on narrative structure and storytelling techniques.
Required Readings:
Wakefield, Lane. "Conceptualizing Ephemerality in Online Marketing Communication for Consumers and Firms." European Journal of Marketing, 58(10), 2024, pp. 1437-1462.
Kim, D., & Kim, S. "Social Media Affordances of Ephemerality and Permanence: Social Comparison, Self-Esteem, and Body Image Concerns." Social Sciences, 12(2), 87 (2023).
Barnea, U., Meyer, R. J., & Nave, G. "The Effects of Content Ephemerality on Information Processing." Journal of Marketing Research, 60(4), 750-766 (2023).
Activities & Assignments:
Mini-Assignment: Reflection on Ephemeral Narratives
Task: Analyze one ephemeral narrative (e.g., Snapchat story, Instagram post) or one of the module readings. Write a concise 1–2 paragraph blog reflection, addressing the narrative's context, impact, connection to theory, and personal insights.
In the study from Kim & Kim (2023) the authors mention that in previous literature found that ephemerality of social media content provides emotional benefits by lowering self-presentational pressure and reducing impression management concerns. However, their results, Kim & Kim (2020) found the opposite. They observed that users who perceived Instagram Stories as ephemeral were more likely to engage in upward social comparison, which led to negative emotional outcomes such as higher body-image concerns and a negative effect on self-perception. These findings contradict Wakefield’s (2024) notion that content with high ephemerality can contribute to positive emotional regulation, as people have to be less cautious with this content compared to content with low ephemerality. I think the difference in these findings is the way how both authors approach ephemeral content. Where Wakefield (2024) explains that the short-lived nature of high ephemeral content allows people to express themselves more freely as there are no permanent consequences, Kim & Kim (2023) explain that posting an ephemeral story often shows a short snippet of somebodies daily life which can lead to jealousy and envy increasing social comparison. So the difference in these findings can be explained by the fact that in Wakefield’s study it focuses on the person who creates the story, and in Kim & Kim’s study the focus is on the person who views the story.
ReplyDeleteAnother contradiction is that Barnea et al. (2023) argue that the scarcity of ephemeral content, actually increases attention and information processing. This heightened attention is linked to better information recall and more favorable attitudes toward the content. They emphasize that the perception of scarcity can lead users to allocate more cognitive resources to ephemeral content, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of persuasive messages (Barnea et al., 2023). However, Wakefield's study presents a different view, suggesting that high ephemerality is not ideal for information sharing as it limits reach and effectiveness for information management. This directly contradicts Barnea et al.’s (2023) assertion that the scarcity associated with ephemeral content can improve attention and information processing. A possible explanation for this difference is that Barnea et al.'s (2023) findings might be more suitable for short-term engagement, but that for long-term information retention and sharing high ephemerality is less effective.
References
● Wakefield, L. (2024). "Conceptualizing Ephemerality in Online Marketing Communication for Consumers and Firms." European Journal of Marketing, vol. 58, no. 10, 2024, pp.p1437-1462. Emerald Insight, 28 May 2024.
● Kim, D., & Kim, S. (2023). Social Media Affordances of Ephemerality and Permanence: Social Comparison, Self-Esteem, and Body Image Concerns. Social Sciences, 12(2), 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12020087
• Barnea, U., Meyer, R. J., & Nave, G. (2023). The Effects of Content Ephemerality on Information Processing. Journal of Marketing Research, 60(4), 750-766. https://doi-org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/10.1177/00222437221131047
I was at Jelly Roll’s concert last night, and it was an amazing show….but that’s for another post. The energy in the crowd was electric, and his performance was raw and emotional. This morning, while scrolling through his socials, I saw that he had reshared fan’s posts from the show and followed it up with a heartfelt thank-you message from his tour bus. This simple yet powerful use of ephemeral media exemplifies the impact of temporary storytelling. His gratitude felt personal and immediate, creating a direct connection with his audience.
ReplyDeleteSeeing him reshare fan posts, including moments I witnessed firsthand, made the experience even more special. This aligns with Wakefield’s discussion on ephemerality in online marketing, where brands and artists use disappearing media to foster authenticity and engagement. The fleeting nature of the post added to its sincerity and specificity to the particular Edmonton show I attended. In addition, Jelly Roll’s use of multiple reposts and stories from his show allowed him to highlight fan experiences, share behind-the-scenes moments, and express appreciation without cluttering his feed. Personally, I find these types of narratives compelling because they create a sense of intimacy and urgency, encouraging real-time interaction and emotional engagement.
Works Cited:
Wakefield, Lane. "Conceptualizing Ephemerality in Online Marketing Communication for Consumers and Firms." European Journal of Marketing, vol. 58, no. 10, 2024, pp. 1437-1462.
Speaking of ephemeral narratives on social media platforms, I have previously learned about the visual aesthetic characteristics of this type of narrative. Balca Arda (2021) explores the ephemeral visual format of Instagram Stories, emphasizing how their transient nature shapes user interaction, experience, and contemplation. Using theories of picturesque aesthetics, Arda positions Instagram Stories as contemporary modes of visual spectacle, which provide momentary escapes from the demands of high-speed society. “Ephemeral profile stories reflect a pause between the self and its experience. They mediate a momentary yet contemplative visual to the viewers”(Arda 2021). However, Kim and Kim (2023) effectively quantify the psychological impacts of ephemerality, their study offers how ephemeral and permanent features on Instagram differentially influence users' social comparison and body image concerns. At the same time, there is a significant idea pointed out in the article, which is exploring cultural and gender differences beyond the current predominantly white, female college sample (Kim & Kim, 2023) could enrich the findings and offer more nuanced insights into how diverse populations experience social comparison and body image pressures on ephemeral social media platforms. In that case, I think there could be a question for future research: How do different genders, races, and cultural backgrounds affect the visual perception and psychological impact of ephemeral social media content?
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Arda, B. (2021). Ephemeral social media visuals and their picturesque design: interaction and user experience in instagram stories. Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Film and Media Studies, (19), 156-175.
Kim, D., & Kim, S. (2023). Social media affordances of ephemerality and permanence: social comparison, self-esteem, and body image concerns. Social Sciences, 12(2), 87.
When I first started this module, I didn’t fully grasp how much ephemeral media—like Snapchat snaps or Instagram Stories—shapes the way we communicate today. I’ve always used these platforms without much thought, posting quick updates or silly moments that vanish after 24 hours. But diving into the temporality of digital media opened my eyes to how these fleeting formats aren’t just convenient; they’re fundamentally changing how we share and process information.
ReplyDeleteThe readings really brought this home for me. Wakefield’s article on ephemerality in marketing communication made me realize how companies exploit this “here today, gone tomorrow” vibe to create urgency—like those limited-time offers that disappear if you don’t act fast. It’s clever, but it also feels a little manipulative. On the flip side, Kim and Kim’s study on social media affordances hit closer to home. They talk about how ephemeral content can ease the pressure of perfectionism since it doesn’t stick around for scrutiny, but it can also fuel social comparison. I’ve felt that myself—watching someone’s “perfect” Story and wondering why my life doesn’t look that polished, even if I know it’s just a curated moment.
The cultural significance of disappearing media was another eye-opener. I hadn’t considered how this trend reflects a societal shift toward valuing the present over the permanent. It’s like we’re all chasing fleeting experiences, and these platforms let us document them without the weight of a lasting record. But the ethics section made me pause. Barnea, Meyer, and Nave’s research on how ephemerality affects information processing got me thinking about privacy and accountability. If something disappears, does it mean it never happened? I started wondering about the implications—like how people can say or do risky things online without consequences, or how we lose a sense of history when everything vanishes.
The storytelling techniques part was my favorite. Learning how to craft a narrative in just a few seconds—like a mini-movie with a beginning, middle, and end—felt challenging but exciting. Ephemeral media forces you to grab attention fast and leave an impression before it’s gone. I experimented with this by making a quick Story for a class project, and it was tough to condense my idea into something punchy yet meaningful. The temporality definitely shapes the structure—you can’t ramble or over-explain like you might in a blog post.
By the end of this module, I feel like I’ve gained a new lens to view the digital world I’m so immersed in. I can explain why ephemeral narratives matter—they’re not just fun apps but a reflection of how we live now. The cultural and ethical angles made me more critical of what I post and consume, and I’m starting to see the balance between freedom and responsibility in these disappearing spaces. The storytelling skills I picked up are practical, too—I can already imagine using them beyond class, maybe even in a future job. Overall, this module turned something I took for granted into something I’ll keep questioning and exploring.
With the emergence of Snapchat, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp have introduced ephemeral narrative features. Today, these ephemeral narrative functions have, to some extent, reshaped the way we express ourselves on social media and altered our cognitive habits, raising new ethical issues.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, ephemeral narratives expand the ways in which we express ourselves on social media. They allow users to reveal their innermost thoughts (including darker or foolish ideas) to a certain extent, without being constrained by social moral standards. As Wakefield and Lane (2024) pointed out, when the message’s temporality is high and it can only be viewed for a short time, consumers are less concerned about sharing negative word-of-mouth. Barnea, (2023) also reached a similar conclusion, asserting that ephemeral platforms offer more security, and users are inclined to share content that may have negative consequences for them. However, on platforms that emphasize visual effects, a contrasting conclusion may emerge. For example, users on Instagram Stories, which disappear after a short period, may experience greater body image concerns and be more cautious about what they post, believing they must present their best selves in such a fleeting environment (Kim & Kim, 2023). Barnea’s research also suggests that ephemeral narratives can increase audience attention and recall, potentially leading to the formation of a negative image in others' minds (Barnea, Meyer, & Nave, 2023).
Secondly, ephemeral narratives require us to invest more cognitive resources and, to some extent, alter our cognitive habits (Barnea, Meyer, & Nave, 2023). Due to the immediacy and temporality of ephemeral narratives, they trigger a psychological sense of urgency, influencing the speed and depth at which we process information. In order to avoid missing out on content, we may voluntarily extend the viewing time, enhance memory functions, and alter our attention patterns (Barnea, Meyer, & Nave, 2023). However, the high level of focus generated by ephemeral narratives may not always be effective under certain conditions. For instance, during product promotions, compared to long-form narratives, short-term narratives may not be suitable, as the high temporality of online marketing communications is less effective for audiences with higher motivation, ability, and opportunity (Wakefield & Lane, 2024).
Finally, the privacy issues raised by ephemeral narratives warrant consideration—does the ephemeral nature of these messages truly reduce the likelihood of privacy exposure? In the digital age, personal privacy is often at risk. On social media, demographic information and other personal data are frequently shared publicly and purchased by retail companies, highlighting numerous privacy concerns (Spilinek & Jorgensen, 2025). Wakefield and Lane (2024) argue that the higher temporality of online marketing communications can be a more effective means of safeguarding privacy. However, despite Snapchat, Instagram, and other platforms implementing screenshot alerts, these measures do not completely prevent malicious actions such as screen recording or photo capturing, which can circumvent system protections.
References
DeleteBarnea, U., Meyer, R. J., & Nave, G. (2023). The effects of content ephemerality on information processing. Journal of Marketing Research, 60(4), 750–766. https://doi-org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/10.1177/00222437221131047
Kim, D., & Kim, S. (2023). Social media affordances of ephemerality and permanence: Social comparison, self-esteem, and body image concerns. Social Sciences, 12(2), 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12020087
Spilinek, M., & Jorgensen, J. J. (2025). Creepy or convenient?: Consumer perceptions of privacy and ad exposure on social media. Italian Journal of Marketing, 1, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43039-025-00107-z
Wakefield, L., & Lane, J. (2024). Conceptualizing ephemerality in online marketing communication for consumers and firms. European Journal of Marketing, 58(10), 1437–1462. Emerald Insight.