Box 13

This is an Xbox 360 controller. The name pretty much says it all. This object is manipulated by the user to control whatever is happening onscreen. The controller is covered in buttons and joysticks. On the left there is a joystick and a directional pad and on the right there are four buttons with individual colors and letters along with another joystick. In the center is the "start" and "back" buttons with the large Xbox guide button. On the top there is a pair of triggers and another set of buttons.

The controller represents a gamer's interaction with the game. Without a controller, the Xbox 360 is entirely inaccessible to the user. This is an object that is very important to the subculture. Of course this isn't the first type of video gaming controller, but it does represent the latest in the gaming technology currently prevalent in today's society.

This object and identical ones just like it are spread across the globe because it is manufactured by the large company Microsoft. It does not tell us much about the company that created it. It also can't really tell us much about the person who uses it other than that they play video games. What type of games does the user play? There is no way to tell.

While not telling us much about individuals, this item gives us a good ideal in how those who use it interact with their hobby on a very basic and literal level. I chose this object, because it is one of the most simple insights into the subculture by showing us one of its most basic tools.