#Publicsphere

[justacryingbaby]

How Tumblr’s Platform Vernacular Shapes Digital Activism and Micro-Publics

Tumblr isn’t just a relic of 2010s internet culture - It’s a living, breathing ecosystem where *platform vernacular* fuels niche communities and redefines digital activism. But how do Tumblr’s unique language and norms empower marginalized voices while navigating the paradoxes of the “public sphere”?

Micro-Publics and the Rise of Hashtag Vernacular

Habermas’s “public sphere” idealizes open, rational discourse, but Tumblr’s fragmented micro-publics - like LGBTQ+ blogs or fan communities - show how digital spaces operate differently (Simpson 2018). Here, hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter or #MeToo aren’t just metadata; they’re rallying cries that shape political discourse (Rho & Mazmanian 2020). 

For instance, the #bodypositive movement on Tumblr challenges beauty norms through user-generated selfies and essays, fostering a community-driven counter-narrative to mainstream media (Reif, Miller & Taddicken 2022). These hashtags act as vernacular glue, binding users through shared slang (e.g., “OTP” or “AU”), GIFs, and reblogs - a far cry from Habermas’s text-heavy ideal.  

Anonymity as a Double-Edged Sword

Tumblr’s lack of real-name policies creates safe spaces for marginalized groups, like LGBTQIA+ teens, to express themselves without fear of surveillance (Cavalcante 2018). Yet, this anonymity coexists with algorithmic biases. While Tumblr’s reverse-chronological feed *seems* democratic, studies show platforms like Twitter skew political discourse leftward, raising questions about whose voices get amplified (Huszár et al. 2021).  

Platform Vernacular in Action: Memes and Fandom 

Tumblr’s vernacular thrives on remix culture. Take TJLC (The Johnlock Conspiracy), a Sherlock fandom theory that spiralled into a meta-commentary on queer representation. To be more specific, the video of Sarah Z’s dissection of TJLC highlights how Tumblr’s “shitposting” and roleplay (RP) cultures blend humour with activism. Memes here aren’t just jokes - they’re resistance tools, as seen in political movements like #FreeHongKong, where absurdist humour critiques authoritarianism (Zheng & Li 2023).  

Challenges: Surveillance and Algorithmic Gatekeeping 

Despite its grassroots ethos, Tumblr isn’t immune to corporate or governmental surveillance. The Department of Homeland Security’s social media monitoring underscores how “safe spaces” can still be policed (Boyce 2016). Meanwhile, algorithmic curation risks homogenizing discourse - echoing Habermas’s fear of institutional influence.  

Conclusion: Tumblr as a Vernacular Public Sphere?  

Tumblr’s vernacular - reblogs, dashboards, and niche slang - creates a *participatory* public sphere where aesthetics and activism collide. Yet, its fragmented micro-publics remind us that the digital “public sphere” is plural, messy, and perpetually evolving. As platforms phase out hashtags, Tumblr’s survival hinges on balancing creativity with resistance to algorithmic control.  

Reference:

Anselmo, DW 2018, ‘Gender and Queer Fan Labor on Tumblr’, Feminist Media Histories, vol. 4, University of California Press, no. 1, pp. 84–114.

Boyce, GA 2015, ‘The rugged border: Surveillance, policing and the dynamic materiality of the US/Mexico frontier’, Environment and Planning D Society and Space, vol. 34, SAGE Publishing, no. 2, pp. 245–262.

Cavalcante, A 2018, ‘Tumbling Into Queer Utopias and Vortexes: Experiences of LGBTQ Social Media Users on Tumblr’, Journal of Homosexuality, vol. 66, Taylor & Francis, no. 12, pp. 1715–1735.‌

Huszár, F, Ktena, SI, O’Brien, C, Belli, L, Schlaikjer, A & Hardt, M 2021, ‘Algorithmic amplification of politics on Twitter’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119, no. 1.

Reif, A, Miller, I & Taddicken, M 2022, ‘“Love the Skin You‘re In”: An Analysis of Women’s Self-Presentation and User Reactions to Selfies Using the Tumblr Hashtag #bodypositive’, Mass Communication & Society, vol. 26, Taylor & Francis, no. 6, pp. 1038–1061.

Rho, EH & Mazmanian, M 2020, ‘Political Hashtags & the Lost Art of Democratic Discourse’, pp. 1–13, viewed 16 February 2025.

Simpson, E 2018, ‘Integrated & Alone’, pp. 237–240.

Zheng, Q & Li, M 2024, ‘Foreign Movies and TV Dramas as the Source of Political Argot in an Authoritarian Context: Memes and Creative Resistance in Chinese Social Media’, Critical Arts, Taylor & Francis, pp. 1–19.

[sonkjl]

Week 3:

Tumblr and the Public Sphere: A Unique Digital Community

Introduction

Tumblr is a unique social media platform where users share content through short posts, images, GIFs, and hashtags. With its anonymity and creative focus, Tumblr has become a safe space for many marginalized communities and social movements.

From a theoretical perspective, Tumblr can be examined through the concept of the public sphere, developed by Jürgen Habermas in the 1990s. An ideal public sphere is a space where individuals can freely discuss, access unrestricted information, and contribute to societal change. But does Tumblr truly fulfill these criteria?

The Public Sphere and Digital Communities

According to Habermas, a public sphere must: ✅ Provide full access to information for all. ✅ Be free from institutional control (government, corporations, etc.). ✅ Ensure equal participation for everyone.

However, scholars like Bruns & Highfield argue that instead of a single public sphere, modern society consists of micro-publics—small digital communities formed through social media platforms. Tumblr is a prime example of micro-publics, where users connect via:

Blogging

Algorithmic content distribution

Hashtags (#)

Comment interactions

Yet, Tumblr is not a completely free space. There are still barriers to participation, including:

Digital literacy gaps, making access difficult for some.

Economic limitations, where certain marginalized groups lack resources to engage.

Algorithmic biases, which shape what users see and how content spreads.

Tumblr – A Distinct Digital Community

Tumblr has several features that set it apart from platforms like Facebook and Twitter:

1. Anonymity and Low Surveillance

Unlike Facebook and Instagram, Tumblr does not enforce real-name policies, making it a safer space for marginalized groups, particularly LGBTQ+ communities. Additionally, Tumblr does not show users’ online status, reducing social pressure.

2. Hashtagging as a Community-Building Tool

Tumblr was one of the first social media platforms to utilize hashtags to organize content. This has allowed social movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo to gain momentum.

3. Aesthetic and Creative Focus

As Jessalynn Keller (2019) points out, Tumblr prioritizes aesthetics and creativity, allowing users to customize their blogs freely, fostering a distinct artistic digital culture.

Activism and Tumblr’s Unique Communication Style

The concept of “Platform Vernacular”, introduced by Martin Gibbs et al. (2015), refers to the unique communication styles, rules, and logics that shape how users interact on different platforms.

On Tumblr, this is evident through: 📌 The use of GIFs as responses rather than plain text. 📌 Memes and quote-sharing as a way of spreading messages. 📌 Reblogging content to keep discussions active and visible.

A strong example of Tumblr’s role in activism is found in Jessalynn Keller’s (2019) research, where she interviewed teenage girls from the US, UK, and Canada about their experiences on different social media platforms. One 14-year-old girl shared that she prefers posting feminist critiques on Tumblr rather than Twitter due to the hostile backlash on Twitter.

📢 "Even when I have experienced [sexism], I don’t really feel like putting it on Twitter because I feel like I’ll be attacked for it. Actually, I want to put it out there so people know this stuff is going on, but I don’t want three or four guys replying ‘you’re a liar, you’re a whore.’ I’d rather just not say anything." – (Dara, 14, quoted in Keller)

This demonstrates how Tumblr provides a safer environment for political and social discussions.

Tumblr’s Evolution and Challenges

📌 Corporate Acquisitions: Tumblr was acquired by Yahoo in 2013 for $1.1 billion, then by Verizon in 2017, and later by Automattic (WordPress) in 2019. 📌 NSFW Ban (2018): The ban on explicit content led to a decline in younger users, particularly affecting body-positive communities (Reif, Miller & Taddicken, 2022). 📌 Declining User Base: Once a leading social platform, Tumblr has struggled to maintain relevance after multiple policy changes.

Conclusion

While Tumblr may not fit Habermas’ ideal definition of a public sphere, it serves as a powerful example of a digital community. With its anonymity, hashtag culture, and creative expression, Tumblr has fostered a unique online environment that supports social movements and marginalized groups.

However, corporate influence and content restrictions have posed significant challenges to its continued role as an open platform. The question remains: Can Tumblr maintain its identity as a safe and creative digital community, or will it continue to decline?

REF:

Bruns, A & Highfield, T, Micro-publics and social media engagement,

Keller, J 2019, ‘Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms’, Social Media + Society, vol. 5, no. 3.

Reif, A, Miller, S & Taddicken, M 2022, Impact of Tumblr’s Policy Shifts on Online Communities

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Object permanence

#20yrsago Interoperable apocalypse: sf story about devices that come to life https://web.archive.org/web/20050208033403/http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/difilippo3/difilippo31.html

#20yrsago List of Polish communist snitches available online https://web.archive.org/web/20050205131854/https://www.futrega.org/lista/

#15yrsago Zero rupee note that Indians can slip to corrupt officials who demand bribes https://web.archive.org/web/20100204201655/http://blogs.worldbank.org/publicsphere/paying-zero-public-services

#15yrsago Santa Fe Institute economist: one in four Americans is employed to guard the wealth of the rich https://web.archive.org/web/20100206183034/http://sfreporter.com/stories/born_poor/5339/

#15yrsago Photog sued for shooting a street that contained publicly funded art https://web.archive.org/web/20100208073541/https://komonews.com/news/local/83618997.html

#10yrsaog Ron Wyden to Eric Holder: before you go, how about all those requests for information? https://www.techdirt.com/2015/02/04/senator-wyden-follows-up-with-eric-holder-all-requests-doj-has-totally-ignored/

#10yrsago If privacy was really dead, would everyone be trying so hard to kill it? https://rifters.com/crawl/?p=5525

#10yrsago Alan Turing’s lost notes discovered as crumpled insulation in Bletchley Park huts https://web.archive.org/web/20150203205132/http://www.mkweb.co.uk/pictures/8203-BLETCHLEY-PARK-Alan-Turing-s-notes-used-roof/pictures-25966005-detail/pictures.html

#10yrsago GOP senator: abolish hand-washing regulations in restaurants https://www.joeydevilla.com/2015/02/03/gop-senators-example-of-reducing-regulatory-burden-letting-restaurant-workers-opt-out-of-washing-their-hands-after-using-the-bathroom/

#1yrago How I got scammed https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/05/cyber-dunning-kruger/#swiss-cheese-security

[turoce]

Oce's 2024 art highlights

ok uhm. dont get mad but i didn't really draw much

Janurary: i didn't draw anything!!!!!!

Feburary: i didn't draw anything!!!!! actually, i got into Flight Rising around this time... so no wonder.

March: i finally finish my part for a Papa Louie customer collab i was part of.... this was around the time my Papa Louie fixation began to fade too so this is the last proper art of a customer i've made. rest in piss @jogotcha, yell at me if you ever want the @ for yourself. [link] (while i finished the art around March, i didn't post it until July)

April: there was an alterative timeline art challenge going around on twitter at this time so i took part in it myself, ft HG. i drew little portraits of her alternative forms as well [link]

May: I drew my friend's dnd oc..... that's not going in the publicsphere but it was quite a challenge, since i'm not used to drawing furry characters...

June: i made a portrait of these three for a bigger comic but it just wound up never happening. they look really nice though..... i'm sorry guys.

July: i lied about Kasey O being the last Papa Louie art i did. [link]

August: i played PMD: EoS around this time. Team Butch you are iconic in my eyes. the Munchlax is Ginny and the Torchic is Tanya

September: the demons got to me. this is actually my first time making a humanoid plushie and i'm really happy that it turned out well... i did follow a template. but still! [link]

October: the first and only time i've ever drawn a Puyo character. uhm. maybe i should draw more of them, considering they consist of one half of my brain right now...

November: i start to draw stuff again but it's only stupid stuff... and also old object ocs. i always relapse and draw my fuckass objects lol [link]

December: i drew nothing!!!!!!!!!

this year was rough. maybe because i'm a senior and shit but i wasn't able to do much artistically... maybe next year will be different? but i won't count on it. i'm so damn tired.

i wanted to do a lot, but i think i only did 25% of what i was thinking of... doesn't help i have chronic procrastination... and i was sad for a lot of this year.... and i kept getting distracted by Youtube shorts.... oh boy, i gotta change myself a lot for this year.

[lacthehumann]

Is Tumblr the New Agora? 🤔 Decoding Digital Communities! #MDA20009 #DigitalCommunities #Tumblr #PublicSphere #PlatformVernacular

Hey guys! 👋 So, today's lecture on digital communities totally blew my mind 🤯. We talked about the public sphere and platform vernacular, and it got me thinking… is Tumblr, like, the new Agora? 🤔

The Public Sphere: Ideal vs. Reality 🏛️

Remember Habermas's idea of the public sphere? (Habermas, 1991) That perfect space for open communication and rational discussion? Yeah, Tumblr kind of fits the bill. We've got access to tons of info, (theoretically) equal participation, and anyone can share their hot takes. It's like a digital town square! 📢

Think about all the times fandoms on Tumblr have rallied around social issues. Remember when everyone was reblogging posts about net neutrality? That's the public sphere in action! People using the platform to discuss important issues and try to influence policy. This aligns with Benson (2009) concept of "strong" public spheres, where deliberation and collective decision-making are emphasized.

But let's be real, it's not all sunshine and rainbows 🌈. We've got barriers to entry (not everyone has equal access or digital skills), surveillance (Big Tech is always watching 👀), algorithm bias (hello, echo chambers!), and harassment (haters gonna hate 🙄). Habermas's ideal public sphere is all about rational discourse, but online, things can get… messy.

While fandoms can be great for social activism, they can also be breeding grounds for cyberbullying and infighting. Remember when [insert a recent example of fandom drama on Tumblr]? Not exactly rational discourse. This illustrates the challenges of maintaining a "strong" public sphere online, as discussed by Benson (2009).

Platform Vernacular: Lost in Translation? 😵‍💫

And what about our unique language? Reblog, dash, RP, shitpost, F4F, OTP, AU… it's like a secret code! 🕵️‍♀️ This "platform vernacular" is what makes Tumblr Tumblr. It's our way of expressing ourselves, of creating our own culture. It's what makes us us.

When someone posts "I'm screaming," you know they're not actually screaming. It's a way of expressing intense excitement or amusement. It's a Tumblr thing. Try explaining that to your grandma! 👵 This is a perfect example of how online communities develop their own unique language and communication styles, as discussed by Battistella (2003) in his work on internet linguistics.

But platform vernacular can also be exclusive. If you're new to Tumblr, it can be hard to understand what everyone is talking about. It's like learning a new language! This highlights the potential for in-group/out-group dynamics within online communities.

So, is Tumblr a public sphere?

Tumblr, like other social media platforms, has the potential to be a public sphere. It offers a space for discussion, information sharing, and community building. However, it also faces challenges related to accessibility, equality, and the quality of discourse. It's a complex ecosystem with both positive and negative aspects.

What do YOU think? Is Tumblr a public sphere? Let's discuss in the comments! 👇

Reference list

Battistella, EL 2003, ‘Language and the Internet: A Linguist Looks at Discourse on the Internet (review)’, Language, vol. 79, no. 2, pp. 432–432.

Benson, R 2009, ‘Shaping the Public Sphere: Habermas and Beyond’, The American Sociologist, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 175–197.Harper, T 2016, ‘The big data public and its problems: Big data and the structural transformation of the public sphere’, New Media & Society, vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 1424–1439.

Blocked 2025, Pinterest.com, viewed 14 February 2025, <https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199636195984363298/>.

[v1821anna]

Exploring the impact of Tumblr in shaping digital communities Hey there, Tumblr newbies! 👋 Join me as we explore the captivating realm of digital communities and the significant impact that Tumblr has in shaping them. 🌟 Let's dive into the fascinating world of the public sphere, the ever-changing landscape of blogging, the awesome features of Tumblr, and how it has shaped user experiences and activism. Alright, let's get started! ✨

Sooo, what is public sphere? The public sphere is a concept that describes social and technological changes in society. It seeks to comprehend the role of mass media in democracy and social relationships (McKee, 2005). It is a place where private individuals can come together as a public, using reason to foster critical knowledge and effect political change. While its existence is still debated, media scholars argue that the traditional public sphere has given way to micro-publics, or digital communities (Bruns et al., 2012). Hmm, what about blogging 🤔? Since its inception in the middle of the 1990s, blogging has been instrumental in promoting self-expression and expanding the public domain. The term "weblog" was first used on Justin Hall's personal homepage, and it was eventually abbreviated to "blog" (Holbrook et al., 2006). Blogs are now a potent tool for exchanging thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences. Here's a short video talking about the history of blogging:

Now, let's talk about Tumblr! Tumblr was established in 2007 and has undergone several ownership changes. Verizon's acquisition of Yahoo in 2017 led to controversies and ultimately resulted in Automattic (owner of WordPress) acquiring Tumblr in 2019 (Pilipets and Paasonen, 2022). Tumblr's anonimity provides a secure environment for marginalised communities, including LGBTQI communities 🏳️‍🌈, to freely express themselves. An additional potent tool on Tumblr, hashtagging facilitates the discovery of content and community development. In contrast to alternative social media platforms, Tumblr enables users to peruse content without the requirement of following one another (Keller, 2019).

With regard to user experiences, Tumblr has been instrumental in promoting feminist activism and critique. Specifically, adolescent females have utilised Tumblr as a platform to participate in various forms of activism, wherein they voice apprehensions and bring attention to social issues (Keller, 2019). By employing social media platforms strategically, these young individuals have showcased their initiative, discernment, and expertise (Keller, 2019).

To summarise, Tumblr has become a dynamic medium that influences virtual communities and empowers individuals to express themselves. Its distinctive characteristics, including hashtagging and anonymity, contribute to the emergence of a variety of communication genres. #MDA20009 #digitalcommunities #publicsphere #blogging #Tumblr #activism #swinburne References Bruns, A., Highfield, T., & Lind, R. A. (2012). Blogs, Twitter, and breaking news: The produsage of citizen journalism. Produsing theory in a digital world: The intersection of audiences and production in contemporary theory, 80(2012), 15-32. Holbrook, D., Bird, R., & Enfield, J. (2006). Theorizing the Diary Weblog. http://www.ourboldhero.com/research/theorizing.pdf

Keller, J. (2019). “Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist”: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms. Social Media + Society, 5(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305119867442

McKee, A. (2005). The Public Sphere. Cambridge University Press.

Pilipets, E., & Paasonen, S. (2022). 'Nipples, memes, and algorithmic failure: NSFW critique of Tumblr censorship'. New Media & Society, 24(6), 1459–1480. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820979280 #MDA20009 #digitalcommunities #publicsphere #blogging #Tumblr #activism

[rejectedreligion1]

RR Pod E27 Dell Rose - Cultural Receptions of Emanuel Swedenborg: Connecting the Spiritual with the Material This month's topic centers around Emanuel Swedenborg, who was, and still is, an extremely influential figure within the currents of esotericism. Dell Rose begins by giving a short introduction about Swedenborg, and then moves to discuss other aspects of Swedenborg's life and beliefs that led to his eventual 'revelations' about the nature of the spiritual world and free will.  Dell is particularly concerned with the cultural reception of Swedenborg, and he notes that Swedenborg's influence is varied, but overwhelming. This influence is seen in all forms of cultural life from the 19th century onward, in areas such as art, literature, poetry, and music; but also in the political sphere, including public planning, cooperative societies, and women's rights. Dell shares his own research into Charles Augustus Tulk, who was keen to implement Swedenborg's ideas onto social issues, as well as other figures who were also inspired by Swedenborgian thought.

[ger-canshowyoutheworld]

Can social media be considered a public sphere?

What is the public sphere? The "public sphere" is typically seen as the social setting where various viewpoints are voiced, issues of public concern are addressed, and communication solutions are found (Wessler & Freudenthaler 2018). German philosopher Jürgen Habermas initially introduced the idea of the public sphere in the 1960s. Habermas contends that the public sphere is essential to democratic societies because it gives people a forum to express their ideas, form opinions, and hold those in positions of authority responsible. However, does social media considered a public sphere? 

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are eliminating all the temporal and spatial obstacles to distant contact, whereas formerly the public space was located in physical venues like cafés (Khan, Gilani, & Nawaz, 2012). Therefore, social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram allow people to share information, express opinions and have conversations with a global audience. Therefore, there are some requirements to discuss whether social media is a public sphere. A public sphere must be free exchanges of ideas, free speech, and free debate (CommGAP, n.d). An equal and protected involvement must be allowed, access to knowledge must be unfettered and limitless, and institutional surveillance must not exist.

So, could everyone in the world have access to knowledge limitlessly on the internet? People from underdeveloped countries, they are lack affordable access to the Internet. As a result, they may receive inaccurate or incomplete information. This can be defined that there is no guarantee that everyone can access the same knowledge from social media. Hence, this is one of the proofs that social media might not consider a public sphere. Besides that, the content that people are looking at on social media is mostly controlled by algorithms. Social media algorithms are a means to order posts in a user's feed based on relevance rather than when they were published (Barnhart 2021). Therefore, it can be considered institutional surveillance, where the algorithms only show the content that the user might like to see, which caused that every user might receive different information. Not only that, although there is freedom of speech for everyone, there is still some unequal situation happening on social media. Celebrities, micro-celebrity, or people who have many followers on social media called it influencer, tend to get more blindly supports from their followers whenever they give out their opinion towards some issues. These can be proof that social media did not meet the requirement of the public sphere.

In conclusion, social media cannot be considered the public sphere due to the reason that social media did not meet the 3 requirements which are access to information limitlessly, equal involvement, and institutional monitoring should not exist.

References:

Barnhart, B 2021, ‘Everything you need to know about social media’, Sprout Blog, viewed 11 May 2023, <https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-algorithms/>. 

CommGAP, n.d, The public sphere, CommGAP, viewed 11 May 2023, &lt;https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08b45e5274a27b2000a69/PubSphereweb.pdf>. 

Khan, M, Z, Gilani, I, S, & Nawaz, A 2012, ‘From Habermas Model to New Public Sphere: A Paradigm Shift’, Global Journal of Human Social Science.

Wessler, H, Freudenthaler, R 2018, Public sphere, Oxford Bibliographies, viewed 11 May 2023, &lt;https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199756841/obo-9780199756841-0030.xml>.

[nyahdigitalcommunities]

Social Media Platforms as Ideal Public Spheres

Three traits cornerstone Habermas' notion of an ideal public sphere; "unlimited access to information, equal and protected participation, and the absence of institutional influence” (Flinchum, Kruse & Norris 2018). There is debate on whether social media platforms align with these requirements.

Arguments For:

Social media is an interactive space which empowers communication amongst active participants. Social media has democratised media content production, enabling equal participation by providing users with the tools necessary to independently broadcast their voice. This redistribution of power has established a media space where communication is on a peer-to-peer level rather than one-to-many (Flinchum, Kruse & Norris 2018). This has empowered individuals to engage in discourse publicly.

The reliance on traditional media gatekeepers has been removed by social media platforms. The equal contribution of the public to the media landscape has decreased the influence of institutions (Flinchum, Kruse & Norris 2018). Moreover, unlike traditional media, there are no gatekeepers on social media platforms which permit or deny the posting of content. This fulfils the requirement of a space absent of institutional influence.

Users also have unlimited access to all information available on social media platforms (Flinchum, Kruse & Norris 2018).

Whilst social media fundamentally meets the requirements of a public sphere, its ideality is inhibited by multiple factors.

Arguments Against:

Unlimited access to information

Users are segregated into niche online communities and are not exposed to the unlimited information available on social media. Algorithms analyse user data to predict and present content which aligns with an individual’s interests. Users are repeatedly exposed to media which affirms pre-existing viewpoints, forming a filter bubble (Belavadi et. al 2020). The online community is separated into smaller ideologically homophilic circles, constructing echo chambers of opinion (Belavadi et. al 2020). Automated content personalisation ultimately limits information access by sheltering users from exposure to opposing viewpoints.

Equal and protected participation 

The exclusion of individuals from social media often arises as a consequence of the digital divide, which refers to the discrepancies which prevent certain groups' equal use of online spaces. Primary factors are the lack of access to the required technology, such as a stable internet connection and personal devices, and one's degree of competence with these technologies (James 2021). As individuals have varying access and competence which limits them in different ways, social media is not a space in which all individuals can equally participate.

Users are not protected when participating in discourse on social media. As mentioned in the Flinchum, Kruse & Norris reading; surveillance on social media can result in online activity impacting users’ life offline. This is reflected by the offline consequences faced by NBA player Kyrie Irving’s career after posting a link to an antisemetic film on Twitter in 2022 (Ganguli & Sopan 2022). Irving received an eight-game suspension by the Brooklyn Nets, and Nike terminated his contract 11 months prior to its official expiration (Doston & Vera 2022; Ganguli & Sopan 2022). Exemplified by Irving’s financial and reputational damage; users are held accountable offline for content shared on social media. Users may alter or limit their online presence to not reflect their views and reduce the risk of offline consequences.

The following video discusses the incident further and highlights the damage to Irving's reputation.

Source: Good Morning America 2022

Government surveillance is also an issue for protected participation on social media. This is exemplified by Douyin, the predecessor of TikTok launched for the Chinese market. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) monitors online activity and enforces strict internet censorship restrictions (Gamso 2021). Government surveillance prevents protected participation as Douyin users must limit their online expression, particularly on political issues, to avoid legal prosecution. 

The following video briefly explains the CCP's internet censorship practices.

Source: South China Morning Post 2020

Absence of institutional influence 

The commodification of user information breaches the requirement of a space free from institutional influence. Data is collected by platform owners and offered as targeted marketing to external organisations. Meta Inc., parent company of Facebook and Instagram, generated $116.6b USD in revenue in 2022 primarily from promotion (Meta Inc. 2022). Platforms themselves benefit economically from their existence, profiting from the data generated by users’ self expression. Thus, social media is not free from economic institutional influence.

Attainability of the Ideal Public Sphere

The reading acknowledges doubts on the attainability of the public sphere outside of theory (Flinchum, Kruse & Norris 2018). Equal participation of all individuals requires the removal of all barriers which often stem from prominent sociocultural and economic issues in society (Flinchum, Kruse & Norris 2018). Thus, the ideal public sphere theorised by Habermas may be unattainable in both the digital and physical space.

Reference List

Belavadi, P, Burbach, L, Calero Valdez, A, Nakayama, J, Plettenberg, N & Ziefle, M 2020, 'User Behavior and Awareness of Filter Bubbles in Social Media', in V G Duffy (ed), Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management. Human Communication, Organization and Work, Springer International Publishing, SpringerLink, pp. 81-92.

Dotson, K & Vera, A 2022, Kyrie Irving returns to the Brooklyn Nets after serving 8-game suspension, CNN, viewed 2 March 2023, &lt;https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/20/us/kyrie-irving-return-brooklyn-nets/index.html >.

Flinchum, J R, Kruse, L M, Norris, D R 2018, 'Social Media as a Public Sphere? Politics on Social Media', The Sociological Quarterly, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 62-84.

Gamso, J 2021, 'Is China exporting media censorship? China’s rise, media freedoms, and democracy', European journal of international relations, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 858-883.

Ganguli, T & Sopan, D 2022, What to Know About Irving’s Antisemitic Movie Post and the Fallout, New York Times, viewed 2 March 2023, &lt;https://www.nytimes.com/article/kyrie-irving-antisemitic.html>.

Good Morning America, 2022, Kyrie Irving causes controversy by sharing anti-Semitic film, viewed 10 March 2023, &lt;Kyrie Irving causes controversy by sharing anti-Semitic film>.

James, J 2021, New perspectives on current development policy : COVID-19, the digital divide, and state internet regulation, Springer International Publishing AG, p.23-35.

Meta Inc., 2022, Meta Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results, Meta Investor Relations, viewed 10 March 2023, &lt;https://s21.q4cdn.com/399680738/files/doc_financials/2022/q4/Meta-12.31.2022-Exhibit-99.1-FINAL.pdf>.South China Morning Post 2020, How China censors the internet, viewed 11 March 2023, <How China censors the internet>

[gabsfabblog]

How digital citizenship and political engagement spark discussions (w5)

In the digital age, we live in now almost anyone can be classed as a ‘digital citizen.’ Digital citizens have a strong influence within the public sphere, shaping their skills and knowledge surrounding digital technology in a positive way to participate with the rest of society, whilst creating, consuming and sharing digital content. There are three main areas of participation in society which are to do with economical opportunities, democratic participation and inclusion in prevailing forms of communication. (Mossberger, 2008)

As mentioned in this week’s reading, it’s important to understand the mainstream influence Australian politics has on its audiences. (Vromen, 2017) Understanding these effects and tactics through digital technology/media is what helps a wide audience of Australians become familiar with “major changes in citizen-based politics in the digital age,” (vromen, 2017) this is especially prominent in advanced democracies. 

Nowadays most citizens engage with politics in “individualised” ways this can be done through online or offline forums such as “online petitioning, donating money, ad hoc volunteering of time, and boycotting…” (Vromen, 2017) Many citizens also used “digitally-based mechanisms” (Vromen, 2017) to engage audiences in politics, enabling them to have the ability to express their point of view through the public sphere. 

The use of hashtags has had a huge part in shaping the public through the use of social channels relating to politics and pressing social justice issues. Hashtags such as;

#Auspol

#MeToo

#ClimateChange

#ImWithHer

#ecofashion

#March4Justice

#BlackLivesMatter

#FreeBritney

These all demonstrate a call to action, engaging citizens and making them more aware of the effects these topics have. Platformization can also be considered a result of the transformation of social networks into social media platforms. Which is relevant to the ways digital citizens engage with content online or offline sparking discussions surrounding these issues.

Bibliography:

Mossberger, 2008, ‘Institution, Policy Innovation, and E-Government in the American states’, Wiley online library, URL: 

Vromen, 2017, 'Intro  Download Intro', 'Digital Citizenship and Political Engagement The Challenge from Online Campaigning and Advocacy Organisations' London : Palgrave Macmillan

[digitaldiscussions]

Social Media: A cause for political engagement? (Week 5)

Social media is known to foster communication between people. Considered as a forum to post interesting photos of yourself/others or what you are doing/interested in, social media is not often associated with the world of politics and activism. However, with the increased use of social media and recent “advances” (Law et al 2018) in “digital communication platforms” (Law et al 2018), social media has transformed into a digital infrastructure aiding political engagement. Social media allows for the “distribution of ideas” (Law et al 2018) and “public deliberation” (Law et al 2018). Through this, social media inherently promotes the sharing of political ideas and political discussion

The unique feature of hashtags, or specifically hashtag publics further helps social media facilitate political engagement. Hashtags use specific words or abbreviations to connect or “affiliate” (Zappavigna) different posts together. Through different themes and keywords, ideas and discussions can instantly be connected. Additionally, whilst hashtags generate “ambient affiliation” (Zappavigna) between those who use them within a post, other users who merely wish to engage with the content of a specific hashtag public can search for that hashtag whereby all posts that have used it are coordinated. Hence, hashtags can help to coordinate political ideas, events and experiences and allow those interested in those ideas to engage with them. Ultimately, hashtags “aid the formation and coordination of ‘ad hoc issue publics’” (Bruns & Burgess; Rambukkana). Users of social media who wish to express a political opinion, idea or experience can use a specific hashtag whereby any experiences similar to can also be coordinated. 

Ultimately social media, whilst often considered a mundane digital infrastructure, has become a forum to promote and engage issues of politics and activism. Political engagement within “advanced democracies” (Vromen 2017, p.2) has “changed” (Vromen 2017, p.2) within the last few years. No longer do citizens solely align with “traditional, dutiful allegiances” (Vromen 2017, p.2) of politics, such as political parties and trade unions, to engage with political issues. More often, citizens are now engaging with politics in a more “individualised” (Vromen 2017, p.3) way, specifically using “everyday digitally based mechanisms” (Vromen 2017, p.3) to “engage in politics” (Vromen 2017, p.3) and “express points of view” (Vromen 2017, p.3). This is due to the connectivity and availability social media affords its users. 

Moreover, within the modern era, many people are digitally literate. They can understand how internet applications work, and can communicate effectively using different social media platforms. Hence, many generations today represent ‘digital citizens’. The concept of a digital citizen can be used to articulate how social media can be used to foster political engagement. A digital citizen is a person who has the “skills and knowledge” (Office of the eSaftey Commissioner, NSW Department of Education) to “effectively use digital technologies” (Office of the eSaftey Commissioner, NSW Department of Education). Moreover, a digital citizen uses these skills to “positively participate in society and communicate with others”  (Office of the eSaftey Commissioner, NSW Department of Education). Through using social media applications, people can effectively share their political opinions/ideas/experiences within one another. Additionally, social media can be used as a forum for political discussion, whereby different people can discuss different political events or efforts that require more attention from the public. 

Ultimately, the advances of social media coupled with its increased use and literacy means that everyday citizens can use social media to engage in politics, outside the constraints of traditional and formal political engagement. 

References:

Ariadne Vromen (2017) Intro, Digital Citizenship and Political Engagement The Challenge from Online Campaigning and Advocacy Organisations London : Palgrave Macmillan

[anuratalksmedia]

So... what is Tumblr?

When you think about Tumblr as a platform, most people will cast their mind back to when they first discovered the Internet as a 13-year-old highschooler. Tumblr became a safe haven for young people to share their thoughts, loves, hates and interests. Were you a fan of anime, or Supernatural? There’d be a set of Tumblr blogs dedicated to sharing and discussing that one thing you loved.

Reposting, commenting, sharing and posting something again for the fifth time are all ways that allow Tumblr to function like an online community. It doesn’t seem like it - but it’s those little things like giving someone a ‘like’ for that one gif they made about The Good Place and then sharing it to your friends that really defines this idea of a digital community. The community that you build on Tumblr makes you feel like you’re having a conversation with 25 people without having to leave your phone.

But let’s get down to specifics here, so bear with me… if you’re familiar with media theory, you’ll know about Habermas’ public sphere theory. He says that individuals who are usually private come together as a public for the purpose of furthering critical knowledge. 

Now why is this relevant? That kinda makes no sense.

But in actuality, Tumblr is more connected to this theory than any of us realise.

We, as part of the Tumblr community, are a part of something called an issue publics, which is an offshoot of the public sphere. It’s a weird name,yes, but issue publics, AKA issue communities, are best described as groups that gather in online platforms, like Tumblr. In your daily life on Tumblr, you will most likely interact with people that are your online friends, as well as complete strangers. You’re likely to have a private chat with your friends, and will only comment on a post from a stranger. Very different interactions. But it’s this sudden shift in interactions, the movement between interpersonal and public conversations, that really highlights how both in theory and in practice Tumblr is a highly functioning digital community. 

Who knew Tumblr was so complicated? 

[realjohnmda]

How Does Tumblr Function as a Digital Community?

Many of us have ingratiated social media platforms into our daily lives. It seems, other than when washing, working, or sleeping, we engage in some way with the digital communities that we are a part of. Participation in these networks is not simply a matter of being in or out; on or off (Boyd 2012). Social media has transformed the traditional public sphere into a complex system of publics which intersect, overlap, and co-exist at various levels and for different lifespans within society (Bruns & Highfield 2015). 

Networking and sharing information with others are assumed parts of participation in the modern world (Boyd 2012). Thus, our engagement with social media platforms becomes less a question of whether we are part of these digital communities. Rather, of how individuals choose to brand, curate, and display themselves, and determining which best highlight and express these marketable elements by leveraging each platform’s affordances (McCosker 2017; Scolere, Pruchniewska & Duffy 2018). 

Tumblr affords its users commensurably greater creative freedom than other platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This is achieved through the level of customization, personalization, and richness of content it provides. With this creative freedom, comes the attraction of individuals who not only seek to express themselves, but to develop their own identity through the assumed norms and values of the Tumblr community, and by producing content which strengthens the community as a whole (Mousavi, Roper & Keeling 2017). 

Perhaps Tumblr’s biggest strength lies in its hybrid characteristics of social networking, traditional blogosphere, and social media (Chang et al. 2014). Furthermore, Tumblr is particularly popular among teens and young adults interested in self-expression, while density and connectedness among these users is much higher than traditional blogs (average distance of 4.7 users between every 2) (Smith 2013; Chang et al. 2014). 

In relation to social and political engagement, Tumblr provides individuals a degree of privacy in tandem with mutual connectedness to drive movements and collective responses to social concerns. For example, Tumblr has gained a reputation as a feminist-friendly space where in-depth dialogue can be cultivated in relation to issues such as intersectionality, patriarchy, and protest (Keller 2019). 

This is another aspect which makes Tumblr unique amidst other social platforms. Individuals are free to display aspects of themselves and engage with a range of interests and issues which may not be revealed among close friends and family. While this seems positive for public discourse, Tumblr has also attracted criticism for promotion of self-harm, pornographic, and white supremacist material forcing the social network to impose content bans to make it more difficult to access such content (Eveleth 2013; Rosenberg 2018). 

With its popularity and attributes as a digital community, comes many of the same threats which all social networks must face in this novel digital age. As, these platforms have emerged from within a broader culture and are inescapably subject to the societal and cultural influences which drive them. 

References

Boyd, D 2012, ‘Participating in the Always-On Lifestyle’, The Social Media Reader, in M Mandiberg (ed.), NYU Press, New York; London, pp. 71-76.

Bruns, A & Highfield, T 2015, The Routledge Companion to Social Media and Politics, in A Bruns, G Enli, A Larsson, E Skogerbo & C Christensen (ed.), Routledge, New York, pp. 56-73.

Chang, Y, Tang, L, Inagaki, Y & Liu, Y 2014, ‘What is Tumblr: A Statistical Overview and Comparison’, ACM SIGKDD Explorations Newsletter, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 21-29.

Eveleth, R 2013, What Happened to ‘Self-Harm Blogs’ After Tumblr Banned Them?, viewed 24 April 2020, <https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-happened-to-self-harm-blogs-after-tumblr-banned-them-15883320/>.

Keller, J 2019, ‘“Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist”: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms’, Social Media + Society, vol. 5, no. 3, p. 205630511986744.

McCosker, A 2017, ‘Data Literacies for the Postdemographic Social Media Self’, First Monday, vol. 22, no. 10.

Mousavi, S, Roper, S & Keeling, K 2017, ‘Interpreting Social Identity in Online Brand Communities: Considering Posters and Lurkers’, Psychology & Marketing, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 376-393.

Rosenberg, E 2018, Tumblr’s nudity ban removes one of the last major refuges for pornography on social media, viewed 24 April 2020, <https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/12/04/tumblrs-nudity-crackdown-means-pornography-will-be-harder-find-its-platform-than-nazi-propaganda/>.

Scolere, L, Pruchniewska, U & Duffy, B 2018, ‘Constructing the Platform-Specific Self-Brand: The Labor of Social Media Promotion’, Social Media + Society, vol. 4, no. 3, p. 205630511878476.

Smith, C 2013, Tumblr Offers Advertisers A Major Advantage: Young Users, Who Spend Tons of Time on The Site, viewed 24 April 2020, <https://www.businessinsider.com.au/tumblr-and-social-media-demographics-2013-12?r=US&IR=T>.

[scholarshipja]

Hold your Government officials accountable! Offer them solutions! Work with your leaders for a better Jamaica! Are you ready @thelockedwonder Looking forward to listening to a collaborative conversation to make the lives of the youth better! This Saturday on #TalkUpRadio, we share the airwaves with Minister of State in The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information - The Honourable Alando Terrelonge! Minister Terrelonge will be in studio to answer the questions of the youth! What's on your mind? What do young Jamaicans need? What support are you looking for? Comment your questions below or dm us, and tune in Saturday to hear Minister Terrelonge answer them! Young people need opportunities to engage with the political system, interrogate policies designed for them and where necessary, hold elected officials responsible. Seize the moment youts! #TalkUpRadio is live on Nationwide 90 FM! 11 am to 1 pm! Listen at nationwideradiojm.com or download the Nationwide app. #TalkUpRadio is a #TalkUpYout production, Jamaica's number 1 source of positive, youth led mainstream media content, made for youth, by youth! #GivingtheYouthaVoice #civicengagement #publicsphere #civicmedia #youthmedia #youtissues #youthsolutions #Youth2030 #youthleaders #youthorganizations #youthcommunity #jamaica #kingston Follow @talkupyout Feel free to post your questions in @emprezzgolding comments! (at ScholarshipJamaica.com) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7a3ruPhpUb/?igshid=55qihzxnid8f

[mathewlowry]

news industry trade associations are corruptly cashing in their political capital ... their members are newspapers, and politicians are scared of them — in desperate acts of protectionism to attack platform companies. The result is a raft of legislation that will damage the internet and in the end hurt everyone, including journalists and especially citizens... Google is emphasizing news ... good for publishers, as that sends them readers... publishers aren’t competent at ... creating valuable ongoing relationships with the people sent their way... dogged refusal to understand how the internet has changed their world... contend that Google is taking their “content”... like a camera stealing their soul... EU copyright legislation tries to force Google ... to pay for quoting snippets of content ... Google won’t... platforms will link to news less ... self-inflicted harm for the news industry ... hurting the public conversation... via: Diigo, IFTTT

[pimpkinpieee]

Week 5 – Digital Community and Fandom: Reality TV Case Study

Week 5 is all about Reality TV! I am not that big of a fan of reality TV shows but I do have a few that I enjoy watching. To begin with, let’s see what reality TV shows are all about and how it connects to public sphere.

According to Miss. EL (2023), reality TV has recently evolved into a ‘dominant form of television programming’ in the past few years due to its rising popularity. Reality TV also serves as a catalyst for political discussions to occur and this creates a forum for people to engage with the public in deliberation by connecting information, identities, and experiences to society (Graham 2011). Thus, the existence of reality TV has somehow expanded the public sphere by providing a wider spectrum of people access to reality TV.

An example of a famous reality TV show that I personally watch, and that left a significant impact on both the entertainment industry and the public sphere is “Hell’s Kitchen” (2005-2023).The show, hosted by renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, brings aspiring chefs together in a competitive environment to showcase their culinary skills. Beyond its entertainment value, "Hell's Kitchen" has expanded the public sphere by fostering discussions about food, cooking, and the restaurant industry, and even touching on political issues.

One way in which "Hell's Kitchen" has expanded the public sphere is by popularizing the art of cooking and making it accessible to a broader audience. The show's format allows viewers to witness the challenges and intricacies of the culinary world, exposing them to new techniques, expert skills, flavours and the transformation of ingredients into gourmet dishes (Sinewe 2017). As a result, it has sparked interest and curiosity about food among viewers who may not have been previously engaged in cooking-related discussions.

Moreover, "Hell's Kitchen" has stimulated conversations about the restaurant industry and its inner workings. The high-pressure environment, the intense competition, and the quest for perfection depicted on the show have shed light on the demanding nature of the culinary profession. Viewers have been exposed to the realities faced by chefs, ranging from the long hours to the creative pressures and the complex dynamics of restaurant kitchens. These discussions have led to a greater appreciation for the work that goes into delivering exceptional dining experiences.

Additionally, "Hell's Kitchen" has not shied away from addressing political issues within the culinary world. The show has explored topics such as workplace dynamics, leadership styles, and the effects of intense competition on individuals' mental and emotional well-being. It has sparked debates about effective management, gender dynamics in professional kitchens, and the importance of fair treatment and respect within the workplace. By raising these discussions, "Hell's Kitchen" has played a role in shaping public perceptions and challenging societal norms within the food and restaurant industry.

To conclude, "Hell's Kitchen" has expanded the public sphere by creating a space for discussions about cooking, the restaurant industry, and political issues within the culinary world. The same concept applies to other existing reality TV shows out there. Although reality TV can be depicted as unrealistic, it has the ability to generate political talk in the public sphere as it focuses on 'cultivating a public sphere where free, equal, and open communication, deliberation, and exchange of information among citizens can flourish' (Graham & Hajru 2011).

References

Graham, T. & Hajru, A 2011, ‘Reality TV as a trigger of everyday political talk in the net-based public sphere’, European journal of communication (London), vol. 26, no. 1, SAGE Publications, London, England, pp. 18–32.

Miss.EL, 2023, Week 5: Digital Community and Fandom: Reality TV Case Study (Powerpoint Slides) Swinburne University of Technology, viewed 9 May 2023.

Sinewe, R., Baron, C. & Lockford, A, 2017, COMPLIMENTS TO THE ONSCREEN CHEF: COOKING AS SOCIAL AND ARTFUL PERFORMANCES, viewed 9 May 2023, &lt;https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=bgsu1491165097470373&disposition=inline>.