blondietalks

[blondietalks]

Are gaming communities becoming more toxic environments for some communities?

Hey, it’s blondietalks again! For the last post of my Digital Communities thread, I’ll be exploring the topic of social gaming. More specifically, I’ll be delving into the question of whether gaming communities are becoming a more toxic environment for some communities.

In my opinion, it is often found that gaming circles can get toxic pretty quickly by directing their frustrations towards vulnerable targets. These targets are often women, people of colour and the LGBTQIA+ community – essentially those who deviate from societal norms. However, I do believe that more and more people from the gaming industry are actively promoting a positive gaming experience due to an increased awareness of the importance of inclusivity and providing safe spaces.

How it can become toxic

Men – particularly those fitting within societal norms – often encounter less toxicity in gaming communities compared to minorities for several intertwined reasons (ok I know that I used a picture of a female avatar being a bully). And it is important to note that male gamers face a different type of toxicity in comparison to other minorities; one is more harmful than the other because it is a direct discrimination against a race, gender or sexuality.

Historically, gaming was dominated by a male demographic resulting in a more accepting environment for male participants. The online gaming culture that sometimes fosters a “boys-only club” mentality can create an exclusionary atmosphere for other underrepresented communities. This causes minorities that have perceived differences to become targets for discrimination without any repercussions.

And it is okay to admit that we were all once toxic when we didn’t know any better, regardless of which group we belong to. I would like to think that the majority of the gaming community grows out of their toxic phase once they’ve learned how harmful their behaviours are.

Are they getting worse?

The rise of online multiplayer games has exponentially increased the size and diversity of gaming communities, leading to a wider range of personalities and behaviours. Unfortunately, this diversity can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and conflicts if not managed appropriately.

The integration of social media platforms within gaming ecosystems further amplifies toxicity. Public forums and chat features allow toxic behaviour to spill over from the game itself into broader online spaces that might make people perceive that the toxicity of social gaming has increased.

It's crucial to note that this perception may not reflect the behaviour of the entire gaming community. Many social gamers actively work towards promoting positive environments while developers are implementing measures such as robust reporting systems and moderation tools to counteract toxicity and foster inclusive gaming experiences.

However, going back to the question of whether or not underrepresented groups face more toxicity, my answer is yes. Although the gaming community are getting more and more politically and socially aware of their actions, there is no doubt that women, people of colour and the LGBTQIA+ communities would face more discrimination, if not more harmful ones compared to the majority demographic.

Fostering good gaming ethics

Fostering good gaming ethics towards minorities is essential for creating inclusive and respectful gaming communities. To achieve this, education plays a pivotal role. Gamers need to be informed about the diversity within the gaming community and understand that individuals from various backgrounds contribute to the richness of the gaming experience.

Promoting cultural sensitivity is important in cultivating positive gaming ethics. Game developers and community leaders can actively work towards creating diverse and representative content that reflects different cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives. This not only enhances the gaming experience but also helps combat harmful stereotypes and prejudices.

Implementing and enforcing strict anti-discrimination policies within gaming platforms might be the most crucial step and the most effective one. Transparent reporting systems should be in place to allow users to report instances of harassment or discrimination. Respecting and not abusing the system will help create a safe space for everyone who desires to join the community.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, the gaming community confronts its toxic past by fostering inclusivity. Fostering good gaming ethics, through education and anti-discrimination policies, is crucial for creating a safe, diverse, and respectful environment for all players. I hope I don’t come off as an SJW in this last post, but some things needed to be said. With the power of friendship, we all can strive to be better. Ar ar ar ar ar, ar ar ar ar ar.

[blondietalks]

It’s not just dolls – Barbie (2023) fandom brings politics to the party.

Hey Barbies! This week for my Digital Communities thread, I’ll be talking about how fandoms can instigate political discourse and bring light to the political symbolism of their favourite aspect of pop culture – whether it be books, movies, TV shows, sports or others.

I’m a part of multiple fandoms but today I will go on a tangent delving into the world of the Barbie fandom, specifically the fandom of the Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig. This community is commonly found on TikTok and Twitter where once the algorithm learns that you love Barbie, you’ll automatically be a part of the discussion board. With that being said, I’ll be dissecting how this fandom prompted significant conversations regarding political and social issues of the patriarchy and women's empowerment.

The Genius Work of Greta Gerwig

Before even going into the Barbie movie, Greta Gerwig already had a cult following for writing scripts that greatly encapsulated womanhood like no other directors could. Her previous work, Little Women captures the nature of how it feels to have sisters that no other male directors could do. Lady Bird showcases the unhealthy but universal mother-and-daughter relationship that correlates with a lot of women, so when it is known to the public that the new live-action Barbie film will be directed by her, the people know that it will be more than just an unassuming storyline of a child’s doll.

Barbie correlates with a lot of women and gained a huge fanbase for embodying the societal expectations that women often experience, emphasising the constant pursuit of perfection. Stereotypical Barbie played by Margot Robbie, had the perfect life and the perfect body when suddenly she started experiencing distressed emotions and started gaining flaws. This reflects the typical journey of many girls who initially paid little attention to their appearance but eventually developed a subconscious desire to present themselves more favourably. The movie centres around the journey of Barbie striving to restore her perfection along with the journey of her self-discovery.

The Barbie fandom used platforms like TikTok and Twitter to share their own perspectives and discourse regarding all the political and social contexts that were mentioned in the film.

Barbie vs. The Patriarchy

After joining Barbie to venture into the real world, the male protagonist Ken introduces the concept of the patriarchy in hopes of gaining more power and authority over Barbie Land. The movie displays an intense caricature of the patriarchy, such as brainwashing all of the Barbies into becoming servants to all of the Kens, in order to ridicule misogynistic ideologies that have an adverse impact on everyone involved. When Ken was rejected by Barbie, he became vulnerable and succumbed to toxic masculinity due to his unmet emotional and personal needs.

Although the events in the movie are absurd and comical, it has caused the Barbie fandom to discourse their thoughts about the political issue on social media. Barbie fans on TikTok are using the Barbie movie as a way to gauge their partners' views on the patriarchy. Discussions from the fandom revealed that some women even broke up with their partners for supporting Ken’s misogynistic approach and not empathising with women who are affected by the issue. On the other hand, male fans of the Barbie movie acknowledge how ridiculously greedy the patriarchy is and how it can also be detrimental to men’s mental health.

Does Barbie empower women or actually just set up unrealistic expectations for them?

I've seen most of the Barbie movies released since 2001, and none of them have encouraged girls to prioritise their appearance. In fact, all of the Barbie movies focus on their own personal mission and strengths, completely indifferent to the existence of a prince. Barbie movies have empowered me to be anything that I want, and this particular movie could very well be the most impactful one yet.

One of the more shining moments in the Barbie film that embodies women's empowerment is the monologue given by a character named Gloria about the complicated and difficult experience of being a woman in modern-day society.

According to Rosenblatt (2023), countless female fans on Twitter have expressed how the monologue perfectly articulates the pressure that they’ve experienced and how it became an important scene for them long after Barbie left the theatres.

The Conclusion

Through thought-provoking scenes and impactful monologues, the film challenges stereotypes and empowers women to embrace their strengths, making it a standout addition to the legacy of Barbie movies. The social discourse of the fandoms on platforms like TikTok and Twitter reflects the film's relevance in sparking conversations about the patriarchy, women's empowerment, and self-discovery. This is essentially a shorter version of my research paper for this unit, so here’s a glimpse of it since y’all don’t have access to mine. Til' next time, bye Barbies!

List of References

Rosenblatt, K 2023, ‘Why America Ferrera’s “Barbie” monologue resonates with women’, NBC News, 25 July, viewed 13 November 2023, <https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/america-ferrera-barbie-monologue-resonates-young-women-rcna96043>.

[blondietalks]

How did Black Panther become a symbol for the Black Lives Matter movement?

Hey it’s blondietalks! In today’s post as a part of my Digital Communities thread, I’ll be exploring the topic of activism and protest. To narrow it down, I’ll be writing about how Black Panther has become a symbol of the Black Lives Matter movement for activists all over the world.

The Black Lives Matter Movement

Police violence against people of colour is unfortunately a longstanding issue in the United States. Although racial profiling is prevalent in America, we should never turn a blind eye to this issue.

On the 25th of May 2020, the tragic death of George Floyd brought the Black Lives Movement to the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 46-year-old black man was suffocated on the street by getting kneeled on the neck by police officer Derek Chauvin (History 2021). When Floyd refused to be placed inside a police car due to a false allegation of counterfeiting, the officer pinned him to the ground for 10 minutes, refusing to release him despite his cries of suffocation that resulted in his unconsciousness.

Floyd was pronounced dead at the hospital while the police officer faced no repercussions – this reminded people of the recurring nature of this pattern over the years. The protests started in Minneapolis but quickly spread over 2000 cities mid-2020 across the United States as well as major cities across the globe.

The movement has shifted the conversation around racism and police brutality that is happening all around the world. Police brutality against people of colour does not only occur in the US, but as well as in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, and Colombia (Silverstein 2021).

Black Panther for #BLM

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Panther (known as T’Challa) is the king of the country Wakanda, a place isolated from the rest of the world that possesses the most advanced technology and a coveted resource known as Vibranium – a material that is sought for by the rest of the world. The white villain in the movie is motivated to steal their Vibranium resources to sell them to the rest of the world, reflecting a narrative where individuals from the white community exploit marginalised ones for their own gain. That pretty much feels like what’s happening in real life. Given this rare depiction in movies, the events that happened in Black Panther resonates with people of colour and significantly contributes in empowering the African American community.

The Black Panther movie became one of the most successful movies from the Marvel franchise, earning over 1.3 billion US dollars worldwide. Not only is the movie directed by a black director, Ryan Coogler, but the film also features a predominantly black cast and crew, serving as a powerful representation of black empowerment and influence.

Protesters advocating for Black Lives Matter frequently employ the Black Panther symbol in their quest for equal rights and justice for the black community. People are using the Wakanda salute – crossing your arms together as a symbol of black pride and alliance. In August 2020, NBA player LeBron James paid tribute to Black Lives Matter along with the rest of the players and crossed his arms in honour of the Black Panther actor before their game.

Using Pop Culture in Activism

What’s the point of using movie characters in protests? Shouldn’t pop culture be enjoyed on its own without forcing it in every political context?

The logic of using movie characters, music and every other form of art to raise political awareness is cultural relevance, and maybe a sense of familiarity.

Black Lives Matter activists use Black Panther as one of their symbols because he represents black empowerment in hardships. It inspires them to not be defeated and seek justice for their people, just like T’Challa did. The director had it in mind to bring to life a black hero who becomes the lead character, recognising the importance of presenting the audience with a powerful and influential figure.

On the other hand, a lot of people opt to steer clear of political criticism but still wish to express their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by using the Black Panther emblem. A huge chunk of the world's population does not set foot into the world of politics because they are afraid of saying the wrong things or raising conflict. Using pop culture – something that is less intimidating – can help protect individuals from being targets.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, the cultural impact of the Black Panther movie became a symbol employed by activists in their quest for justice. While some criticise the use of pop culture in political contexts, the cultural relevance of figures like Black Panther serves to provide a familiar and less intimidating way for expressing solidarity with vital movements like Black Lives Matter. This was a bit of a hard piece for me to write because I had to read back about all the tragic deaths and lives lost over police brutality. Also, take a shot every time I say the word ‘black’ in this post.

List of References

Silverstein, J 2021, ‘The global impact of George Floyd: how Black Lives Matter protests shaped movements around the world’, CBS News, 4 June, viewed 16 October 2023, <https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-floyd-black-lives-matter-impact/>.

History 2021, ‘George Floyd is killed by a police officer, igniting historic protests’, A&E Television Networks, 24 May, viewed 16 October 2023, <https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-floyd-killed-by-police-officer>.

[blondietalks]

Twitter censorship of Donald Trump, is it a violation of the “free speech” principle and democracy?

Hey guys! This week on my Digital Communities thread, I’ll be writing regarding political engagements on social media – more specifically, Twitter’s censorship of Donald Trump. Does banning Donald Trump violate the First Amendment of the Constitution regarding free speech?

This post will investigate whether or not this controversial figure should exercise their freedom of speech. It is important to explore the implications of Twitter's censorship on the political engagement of Donald Trump and the public sphere.

Before the Storm: Trump’s Uproar on Twitter

Trump made his debut appearance on Twitter on the 4th of May 2009 – a bland tweet to remind his followers to tune in the show Late Night with David Letterman as he was the show guest. As per all important figures, the start of their presence on social media were usually handled by their hired staff. But once Trump learned to voice his opinion on the platform, his Twitter insanity started in 2011 where he encapsulates his true persona for the rest of the world to see.

Trump was notoriously acknowledged on Twitter for his constant targeting of celebrity drama at the start of 2011 (Singer & Emerson, 2018). Back in 2012 when the Twilight lead actors broke up, Trump was fully invested in their relationship as shown on his Twitter account below.

According to The Economist (2021), Trump had tweeted over 46,000 times up until the start of 2021. Even when you purposely avoid his account on Twitter, the 45th U.S. President will take it as a challenge to creep up into your feed. Nobody tweets more than Donald J. Trump, not even a person going through the five stages of grief.

Trump’s Twitter Ban

On the 8th of January 2021, Trump was suspended on multiple social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitch and TikTok – but this post will focus on his Twitter ban. Twitter staff had banned his account and over 70,000 accounts for spreading acts of far-right extremism (Romano 2021).

The tweet that got him permanently suspended is his support for Capitol rioters who infiltrated the United States Capitol on the 6th of January 2021. The riot started due to Trump’s claim that the 2020 election was not legitimate when Biden won. According to Duignan (2021), the rioters smashed the windows and vandalised the offices in the capitol to show their rage against the election.

Does banning Trump Violate the Freedom of Speech?

Many audiences have debated whether it is fair or not to suspend Trump from his audiences following the incident, some claiming that it violates the First Amendment regarding the freedom of speech.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”.

In simpler words, the First Amendment ensures you the freedom to speak without any consequences from the government. In my opinion, banning Trump on Twitter does not violate the freedom of speech because Twitter, or any other social platforms are not the government. The First Amendment has no leverage on whether or not these social media platforms must allow everyone to use them. Twitter is owned by a company which in turn makes it a private property with the privilege of making their own regulations on what people can do on their site.

Deplatforming Donald Trump and its kind

So, what is the rationale of banning Trump in the first place anyway?

All of these events that went down which resulted in the ban of Donald Trump and thousands of other far-right accounts on Twitter unveil one simple fact: kicking people off social media isn’t about free speech, it’s about deplatforming extremist communities from mainstream Internet spaces to decrease their influence and take away their ability to recruit violent behaviour as shown by the Capitol attack. Demonstrating zero tolerance towards bad behaviour by banning people off social media sets a reminder to everyone to just behave better online. One of the examples of how deplatforming helped reduce hate speech online is when Reddit banned multiple infamous subreddits in 2015 (Romano 2021). In 2017, a study done on the communities on Reddit showed a decreased amount of hate speech when the platform is regulated and is restrictive in allowing toxic spaces on their platform.

However, deplatforming does not fully cleanse the online public sphere from hate speech. These extremists will find a way, a different platform that is less restrictive and much laxer to continue their “prophecies”. It’s the very existence of these alternate channels that proves that free speech still exists and is not violated.

The Conclusion

To conclude this week’s topic, Trump’s evolution on Twitter in the end got him banned from the platform. It is important to recognise that deplatforming does not violate free speech, but it is an effort done by responsible tech companies to eradicate forms of hate speech, violence and extremism. Whether or not my opinion is correct, it is ultimately my opinion, and it is ultimately up to Tumblr to rationalise if I am allowed to spread my intervention on their platform.

List of references

Duignan, B 2021, ‘January 6 U.S. Capitol attack’, Britannica, 4 August, viewed 9 October 2023, <https://www.britannica.com/event/January-6-U-S-Capitol-attack>.

Romano, A 2021, ‘Kicking people off social media isn’t about free speech’, Vox, 21 January, viewed 9 October 2023, <https://www.vox.com/culture/22230847/deplatforming-free-speech-controversy-trump>.

Singer, PW Emerson, B 2018, ‘The little-known story of Donald Trump’s first tweet’, Time, 2 October, viewed 9 October 2023, <https://time.com/5412016/donald-trump-realdonaldtrump-twitter-first-tweet/>.

The Economist 2021, ‘How Donald Trump evolved into a prolific, angry Twitter user’, The Economist, 12 January, viewed 9 October 2023, <https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/01/12/how-donald-trump-evolved-into-a-prolific-angry-twitter-user>.

[blondietalks]

Is blogging still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram?

Hi, it’s blondietalks here! On this week of my Digital Communities thread, I will be exploring the topic of blogging and its relevance in the current Internet atmosphere.

In my opinion, blogging is still relevant in some ways. However, it is incomparable to the relevance of TikTok and Instagram as the public spheres on these platforms are getting more engagement by the day.

The Pilot episode of the Internet: Blogging

Blogging was the foundation of the rise of the Internet. Blog websites – formerly known as weblogs, created the first public sphere for people all over the world to come together online. Before blogging, traditional websites that were set up by big companies did not allow a two-way communication system for the readers to interact with (Duermyer 2022). Blogs have become a public sphere by allowing equal participation for the users and the sharing of public opinion.

Knowing this it is no surprise that a large chunk of users still use the Internet to blog as their way to embody their online presence. Being a part of the blogging community – for example, being a member of a subgroup on Reddit – gives people a sense of community and support from the peers whom they interact with. In all its glory, people still blog because there are others who still demand for it and engage with it, in turn making it somewhat relevant.

The Relevance of Blogging

When people search on Google “why does my Epson printer won’t go online”, they most likely wouldn’t want to watch a whole video explaining why. This is where blog posts come in handy when people are searching for content that they can glance through quickly. Blog posts are still mainly the first result that appears when you search for a topic on Google. The Google algorithm that prevails blog websites on their platform is what keeps these blogs around.

Some people turn to blogging because it gives them a sense of anonymity. For people outside of my circle, you wouldn’t know who I am writing this blog post on Tumblr. People feel more comfortable writing their thoughts online instead of recording a video of themselves talking on media-based platforms. Based on an article on BBC (2021), online anonymity helps people to openly speak up about their concerns while protecting their privacy. Using platforms that focus on pieces of writing instead of media that might expose their identity allows the participation of anonymous users.

Blogging vs. TikTok and Instagram

So how does blogging fit in the current rise of TikTok and Instagram?

Blogs are getting less engagement these days because people are more attracted to fast-paced content. As the attention span of social media users get shorter and shorter, content that are digestible and easy to follow will get the engagement that they strive for.

An example of how Instagram can be used to capture the attention of social media users is the phenomenon of spreading political and environmental education with the use of infographics. Instead of reading through lengthy blogs about a chosen topic, resourceful accounts such as the Instagram account below make information more digestible and attainable for people.

@/impact on Instagram posting an infographic about the history of slavery. Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CwS5HGGu1wH/?hl=en&img_index=1

People also prefer TikTok and Instagram over blog websites because of the intelligent algorithms that these applications offer. These platforms can learn a user’s interest just by their engagement and activity on the application. According to Huang (2022), generation Z are using TikTok as their search engine because of its powerful algorithm that makes searching for information more convenient. TikTok is constantly learning the user’s behaviour and presenting them with content that is in their favour.

Video-based platforms give people an enriched experience with visual stimulation compared to blog websites. Based on Huang (2022), a TikTok user stated that a restaurant review on the application feels more genuine based on watching the reviewer’s facial expressions. People use TikTok to obtain product and establishment reviews because they can observe it first-hand through video recording.

The conclusion

So, in conclusion, just because blogging is not trending through the charts anymore, that doesn't mean that it’s completely irrelevant. I believe that blogging is still relevant as ever because people will go back and forth between platforms and in ways of expressing themselves on the Internet. Some days they feel like hopping onto TikTok trends – and another day they might write up their opinion on Tumblr under a hashtag that no one else is reading through.

That's all for this week, catch up with you guys soon :)

List of references Duermyer, R 2022, ‘What is blogging?’, The Balance, 29 November, viewed 1 October 2023, <https://www.thebalancemoney.com/blogging-what-is-it-1794405>. Huang, K 2022, ‘For Gen Z, TikTok is the new search engine’, The New York Times, 16 September, viewed 1 October 2023, <https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/technology/gen-z-tiktok-search-engine.html>. BBC 2021, ‘Social media: should people be allowed to be anonymous online?’, BBC, 26 February, viewed 1 October 2023, <https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56114122 >.

[blondietalks]

About this space

hi! this is Diyana and this blog is used for my Digital Communities unit. this account is open to the public so feel free to interact for any inquiries :) Disclaimer: This blog is used strictly for education purposes only. No copyright infringement intended.