When I decided to write about edgework over twenty-five years ago, I had no idea that I had put myself on a pathway of sustained engagement with one of the most important sociologists of the twentieth century. As an academic sociologist in the early stages of my career, I felt that I had a good general understanding of Erving Goffman’s most important ideas and a proper appreciation of his uniqu...

Alone is an American reality television series on the History Channel. The show features 10 contestants who are vying to outlast each other while living off land. Notably, there no camera crew, and must film themselves everyday; production team creates a weekly program that marks journey of individual. This study sought understand degree which participants able shape their public identities thr...