earthtogwyneth

[earthtogwyneth]

Blog Post #10 11/14/24

How does the concept of an online "Homeplace" create community?

Virtual "homeplaces" offer community through shared experience via online spaces. Much like Black Twitter, LGBTQ+ support threads, and other communities that find community in one another, the "homeplace" provides a productive place for thoughtful discussion. Discussed in "Virtual Homeplace: (Re)constructing the body through social media," Lee focuses on the virtual community made up by women discussing their natural hair and life instances where their hair plays a roll. The virtual Homeplace acts as a beacon to developing politicized discussion about the community. These communities essentially earn their title of becoming a "Homeplace" through thoughtful, meaningful discussion and sharing of experiences by the members of the community, rather than proving oneself.

Can virtual communities inspire radical action?

Virtual communities are able to foster radicalized individuals and radical thoughts which can inspire radical action to take place. For example, discussions about police brutality via Black Twitter and communities engaged Black Lives Matter led to the gathering of people around the United States. Virtual communities, despite being prone for trolling and spreading of misinformation, still come together because of the interactions of real individuals. People have the ability and right to practice anonymity via the internet, but the internet also provides people with the confidence to project a certain image of themself. Radicalized individuals can choose which image they would like to present of themself and can choose to inspire radical action with their community.

How can the commodification of online communities affect credibility?

The commodification of online communities affects the credibility of an online space by exposing it to deception via foul selling techniques. Commodity makes an item, service, or anything have a price, thus creating a profit for whoever is in charge. For sites and virtual spaces provided to creating community, the commodification of these spaces begins to stray away from the original purpose of the community. In Mclaine's, "Ethnic Communities Online: Between Profit and Purpose," he discusses sites created for community formation focusing more on profitable measures than doing good for the communities. When ventures begin to focus more on the profits rather than its members, it can be considered a "sell-out" and lose any respectable manner people might have had about it due to mistakes made by not caring about the members first.

Is the sexism within gaming communities brought on by the games themselves?

Games do not portray women in the most positive of lights majority of the time. Hathaway discusses the sexism that thrives deeply within the gaming community, seemingly as most of its members identify as cis-gendered heterosexual men. Anonymity is highly valued in the gaming realm, considering one immerses themselves as a character to engage with the game. If one is constantly exposed to situations in which their character does not treat women well, these behaviors begin to be mimicked in real-life scenarios. The games offer a platform for game creators to include sexist ideology brought by the media and/or their larger company.

Hathaway, Jay. "What Is Gamergate, and Why? An Explainer for Non-Geeks."

Lee, Latoya Allisha. Virtual Homespace:(Re)Constructing the Body and Identity through Social Media. 2016. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.

McLaine Steve. Ethnic Online Communities: Between Profit and Purpose

[earthtogwyneth]

Blog Post 11/7/23

How do corporations capitalize off social justice movement?

Companies and Corporations capitalize off social justice movements by engaging in meaningful discussion without working internally to have a diverse workforce and proper representation. During the height of Black Lives Matter in 2020, many companies made posts in support of #BLM, yet neglected to do the proper work internally to have diversity initiatives. The issue lies within companies creating a false sense of support only to reel consumers in. This false perception speaks to a large number of people who will go on to support this brand simply because of their support for a social justice matter. The outward support of a movement does not mean that the company has done anything productive within itself. People must critically research what companies they choose to purchase and align themselves with.

How does Black Twitter create a space for critical discussion?

Black Twitter creates a space for critical discussion by allowing for discussion to take place without an imposing threat of harm or immediate bias to taint the conversation. Black Twitter allows for those who are marginalized to come together in a space that uplifts one to organize change rather than cause harm Since it is the internet, the space is unable to exist without hate groups engaging with it (Lee, page 11). The organization within Black Twitter is what allows for meaningful discussion to happen that leads to radical action. The space of Black Twitter creates for a new way of discussion to occur with attempts at pushing out narratives that clog social networks.

How has hacking and doxxing affected true online discussion?

The fear of being hacked and/or doxxed has impacted critical discussion online greatly. Users online are afraid to share their true opinions about topics when the fear of having your personal information shared for all users to see is at risk. In the age of being hacked and/or doxxed, users weigh the benefits and risks of sharing their opinions online. People are entitled to their privacy, and the ways in which online spaces operate have eradicated this. Online anonymity can be crucial for certain figures that participate in online discussion.

How has online blogging affected online journalism?

Internet activism generates discussion amongst millions of users about certain topics. Online sources and journalism have constantly been viewed as unreliable, especially when online bloggers begin to post about news related topics. A discussion of whether an online blogger is a journalist has been a hot topic in media. Online bloggers often don’t go through the same training that journalists are expected to have completed. Online blogs are allowed to enhance their stories with their own opinions, whether as journalists are supposed to remain neutral on the subject. Online blogs have affected journalism by believing that opinion should be the norm in news and media. News should be delivered without bias to ensure that people can form their own opinions without being a fed a narrative.

Lee, L. (2017). Black Twitter: A response to bias in mainstream media. Social Sciences, 6(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci6010026

Vegh, S. (2007). Cyberprotesting globalization: A case of online activism. Governance and Information Technology, 208–212. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/7473.003.0027 https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/7473.003.0027

[earthtogwyneth]

Blog Post #7 (10/17/24)

For my gaming persona, this is my standard character that I use while playing Animal Crossing. I don’t play many other games outside of this one so I felt this would be the best way for me showcase this one. My username through Nintendo is just my first and last name. I never felt as though I had to conceal my name/identity on my Nintendo Switch/Nintendo account because I only interact with friends and family. As far as for my outfit, I spend a lot of time during my playing time coming up with new outfits to wear. This is one of my favorites that I always default back to wearing. I was not interested in having to conceal my sex, gender or race as this game is essentially an invite-only game. The people I interact with through this game are people that I decided to let onto my island. Because of this, hiding myself didn’t make much sense since my friends and family have seen the real me.

My day-to-day avatar would feature me in a staple outfit that everyone who knows me knows I would wear. My username on most platforms is again just my first and last name. This choice was done for ease of locating my social medias to interact with more acquaintances. I have wondered whether I should remove my first and last name from certain platforms to preserve what little privacy I have from technology, but I presume that is already too late. I again would not be afraid to show my sex, gender and race as most of my interactions would be with friends and family. Social constructions of gender and race have given the ability for people to hide behind false online personas and avatars. I have not yet felt reason to present myself differently via online versus to my real self.

My dating avatar would show all the best versions of myself. Online falsehoods have convinced most people, including myself, that you must be perfect when you showcase yourself to other people. I feel like this still presents itself even in online avatars. My username would most likely look like “glacey” or something that doesn’t fully present my first and last name. People will create how avatars look and create new personalities that do not match that of their own. I believe I would remain authentic in showcasing myself as an avatar on dating platform because I would want that sense of truth from others.

[earthtogwyneth]

Blog Post #6 (10/10/24)

How can social media promote social movements? How can it be detrimental?

Social media can unite people all over the world to help a cause. Movements can gain traction over social media platforms leading to larger audiences being able to learn about the cause. These larger audiences are able to generate more awareness thus leading to greater chances of true justice being performed. On the other hand, social media can create for counter-movements to occur. Widespread misinformation can be spread which can limit the opportunities movements can create.

How is the concept of "white privilege" built into systems?

White privilege is a concept involving that there are unearned benefits from systems of power due to the lightness of one's skin. People can benefit from "white privilege" despite being caucasian due to it being based off of the way one looks. White privilege has been built into systems through because of its direct tie to the social construction of race. Race is a socially constructed concept that was created and has been enforced through systems and policies to keep people seperated for the gain of those in powers. White privilege is a concept created out of the distinction of race between people, which is also a concept created to seperate. White privilege grants people access and power due to systems being built to accept access as a form of status and power.

How is privilege a form of access?

Privilege acts as a form of access by granting those society has deemed worthy of to receive special treatment. Access granted by privilege can be seen in many instances especially within systems and structures of power. In terms of technology, R.Benjamin discusses, "While more institutions and people are outspoken against blatant racism, discriminatory practices are becoming more deeply embedded within the sociotechnical infrastructure of everyday life"(page 66). For access to exist out of privilege, systems have been created to accept a trade off of privilege for access into systems that bar entry to those without the proper assets. These assets can range from socioeconomic backgrounds and status as well as be race, gender, religion and sexuality. These factors that affect how one is viewed therefore whether they are deemed worthy of possessing privilege.

If race and gender are socially constructed theories, is privilege a socially constructed concept? Why or why not?

Privilege can be deemed a socially constructed concept as it is born out of the ranking of other socially constructed concepts. Privilege relies on a person's outward appearance to society including race, gender, religion, sexuality, etc.. These parts of a person are all defining parts of a person that society has held to a standard. When one is believed to possess the "correct" form of the category that humans have been separated into, they can begin to reap benefits that are applied without ever asking. When privilege is applied in instances where the person was unaware, it is a direct association to an unfair bias being granted. Privilege acts as a socially constructed theory due to its lack of consistency because of an ever-changing society.

Benjamin, R. (2019). Race after technology: Abolitionist tools for the new Jim code. Polity.

Hunsinger, J., & Senft, T. (Eds.). (2013). The Social Media Handbook (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203407615

[earthtogwyneth]

Blog Post #5 (10/3/24)

How has the gamification of violence impacted children's view on violence?

Violence in video games has lessened the impact of how real the consequences are. In many games, the killing, raping, murdering of people, especially women, has become a normal part of the game. Committing these acts are needed to win the game in most circumstances. Fickle discusses, "Did it [Pokemon GO] not, by making requisite such discomfort as might otherwise be avoided or at least anticipated in daily life, actively reify the abstract fact of inequality with an unpleasantly vivid material reality?"(pg. 1, Introduction). When games begin to make violence normalized and present it in a palatable way for children, children begin to believe this is normal behavior. Children begin to reinforce this behavior through the way they interact with others and have a normalized sense of that this behavior is accepted in the world.

How has the internet increased the spreading of misinformation?

Misinformation has become so heavily widespread across various media platforms that it has affected the ways in which people consume information. The internet has impacted the way information is presented and then consumed. As opposed to only getting your news from trusted news sources, the internet has allowed for people and independently-ran sources to present news. Although discourse about news is encouraged on social media platforms, it creates an outlet for people to spread personal opinion and call it fact. Without a proper caution to believing everything you see online, people can begin to believe personal bias and opinion as fact, and this would create a loophole of misinformation constantly being spread.

Does the usage of race in video games reflect society's beliefs on race-related topics?

Video games including race and creating scenarios in which a character's race is their entire storyline does reflect society's consistent uncomfort with race-related topics. Discussed by Fickle, games are meant to be an alternate reality, and this alternative reality still harbors the same constraints and notions related to race and gender. Games were created to be an outlet from regular routine, for many an escape. This escape has only been subjected to the same prosecutions the world has been subjected to involving socially constructed viewpoints to become integrated into the game's development. Kolko said, "As mentioned earlier, users bring their assumptions and discursive patterns regarding race with them when they log on, and when the medium is interactive, they receive such assumptions and patterns as well"(pg 9, Race in Cyberspace). Although thoughts of race is developed within the game, in online spaces, discussions of race are also present and involve users presenting opinions on race, most often in negative ways.

How can society be critically aware of their consumption of bias related to race in media?

It's important that society critically analyzes the usage of race and discussion related to race online. Race being a socially constructed topic will always create for discourse surrounding it, but that discourse can be used to present justice to those impacted by negative notions. Society needs to have a clear understanding that race continues to be a prevalent topic of discussion because of media's infatuation with the topic, and the constant discussion of race. Kolko wrote, "Cyberspace and race are both constructed cultural phenomena, not products of "nature"; they are made up of ongoing processes of definition, performance, enactment, and identity creation"(pg. 10). The role that race plays in all of media is due to the constant discussion of the topic, which lies at the fault to that differences have not been accepted, and policy allows for these differences to fester.

Fickle, T. (2019). The Race Card: From Gaming Technologies to Model Minorities. New York University Press.

Kolko, B. E., Nakamura, L., & Rodman, G. B. (2000). Race in cyberspace. Routledge.

[earthtogwyneth]

Blog Post #3 (9/12/24)

How can cyberfeminism lead to radical action about intersectionality?

With the first development of feminism, women of color were outcasted from receiving the rights that were being fought for. Since then, with newer waves of feminism, women of color are often spoken for when it comes to ideology and approach, and the voices of women of color are often drowned out. With the development of "Cyberfeminism," women of color now have an outlet to speak directly to one another to encourage radical action. In the article, "Rethinking Cyberfeminism(s): Race, Gender and Embodiment" Jessie Daniels wrote, "Many women in and out of global feminist political organizations view Internet technology as a crucial medium for movement toward gender equality (Cherny and Weise 1996; Harcourt 1999, 2000, 2004; Purweal 2004; Merithew 2004; Jacobs 2004)"(pg. 107, 2009). Cyberfeminism gives women of color the platform to create community which can lead to changes for their lives and the lives of others.

Does the use of technology as a tool relinquish our control on the collection of personal data?

The use of technology as a tool poses the question of whether society has essentially allowed for companies to collect a person's data. With the continuous advancements made in technology, users have ultimately signed off that technology is allowed to become more and more invasive on their lives. Eubanks wrote, "Today, we [society] have ceded much of that decision-making power to sophisticated machines"(pg. 13, Automating Equality, 2013). As society accepts the terms that come with the creation of newer technology, society accepts that their data will be monitored, sold and used to continue the creation of newer technology. Technology has become a tool for society as a whole, whether that be in the medical field, social action, or used to help humans achieve success and goals. The advancements in technology are made with careful analyzation of the data that user's willingly accept to be monitored. The terms and conditions that user's click "yes" to without reading over specifically say what data is being collected and how it will be used. Through using technology for society's benefit, companies have taken that as a willing acceptance to a collection of personal data and information.

How does the automation of technology devalue human experience?

Technological automation removes all human involvement from an interaction. A situation as simple as checking-in for the doctors can now have the receptionist removed from the interaction, thus placing the person with a piece of technology learning personal information about them. The removal of humans in many interactions have created for an individualizing experience. With this removal comes the integration of technology in spaces that require empathy and emotional connection amongst humans. The challenges involved with accessing social work and social benefits is an example of how automating services creates more problems than it solves (Eubanks, 2013). For poverty-stricken communities and areas, having to access resources through automated services presents a larger issue at hand. The issue being that they become larger targets for suspicion and attempts at being denied services. The automation of technological resources allows for companies and systems to take advantage of those in need by becoming the largest targets for data collection.

Can AI be taught bias?

As AI rapidly advances, the notion that it can learn just as much as and even more than humans is prevalent. AI learns as it is taught and what data it is fed. The data it is presented is taken from millions of online users that agreed to have their data collected. When AI is presented with differing opinions, is it as a non-human force able to create bias? AI itself cannot be taught bias, but the technology that AI provides can be used to perpetuate bias.

Daniels, J. (2009). Rethinking Cyberfeminism(s): Race, Gender, and Embodiment. Women’s Studies Quarterly, 37(1/2), 101–124. https://doi.org/10.1353/wsq.0.0158

Eubanks, V. (2013). Automating Inequality. St. Martin’s Press.

[earthtogwyneth]

Blog Post #2 (9/6/24)

How has media affected our acceptance of biases?

Media has affected our acceptance of bias by allowing ourselves to be complicit to pushed narratives. In News for all The People, Gonzalez and Torres begin their writings with, "Access to instant news has become so indispensable to modern society that major media companies now wield unprecedented influence over public thought." Media companies now possess the upper-hand in a society willing to take everything for face-value. Media pushes for certain narratives of a story to be told rather than a full encompassing view. This all stems from the need for control that media conglomerates have. By presenting society with limiting viewpoints and biases, society unwillingly accepts and knows no means to escape it.

Can community on social media really influence radical action?

Numerous communities are built upon various social media platforms. These communities often find comfort with one another, seeing as though you have somebody to relate to, much like a friend or peer. Alongside communities made up of fans or mutual interests are communities looking to make change (Fuchs, 2014). These communities band together across social media platforms attempting to educate others on their cause. Can this form of education really influence people to take action? Much like every other grassroot movement, the determining factor on whether people will feel influenced relies on the way the information is presented. To promote radical action via social media, the information must be presented in a way that rallys others to share the information. Being that the platform is social media, it's easier to share information as well as provide access to stories in real time. If a story that supports the cause has just happened, in minutes communities can mass-spread this story, reaching hundreds very quickly.

Does an acceptance of bias in media mean an acceptance of control?

Without knowing or not, media conglomerates feed the same narrative on multiple platforms. Even if you possess any form of media literacy and do your due-diligence of fact checking, if the information from every source is the same, you are left with that as your final answer. Although media companies claim to be non-bias, motive for power and control overtake that claim. Gonzales and Torres write, "Despite the incessant chatter, many Americans remain remarkably misinformed about the world around us, while the professional journalists who produce our news routinely endanger fear and loathing from the mightiest politician or celebrity, as well as from the lowliest citizen”(Gonzales and Torres, 2011). People are not looking to sign off to hearing bias without consent, but simply due to the nature of social media and the way in which media consumes all aspects, people have unknowingly consented to being presented narratives.

How can we navigate systems of power with skewed information?

Navigating systems of power with limited or skewed information requires society to be much more aware of their sources. Media literacy must be taught to people at a young age to fully comprehend the importance of critically questioning power systems. Many of the sources available present biased opinions (Gonzales and Torres, 2011), and without critically evaluating sources, society falls victim to manipulation and attempts at controlling radical action.

Cosimo Marco Scarcelli. (2015). Christian Fuchs, Social Media. A Critical Introduction, Sage, 2014. Tecnoscienza (Padua, Italy), 6(1), 166–169. https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2038-3460/17249

González, J., & Torres, J. (2011). News for all the people : the epic story of race and the American media. Verso.

[earthtogwyneth]

A time when technology didn’t live up to its promises was during the 1D (One Direction) Day livestream. As silly as it may sound, for 9-year-old me this was the event of the century. One Direction hosted a 7-hour long livestream via Youtube Live on November 23, 2013 to promote their new album, Midnight Memories. The band prefaced the livestream with that technical difficulties were bound to happen on their end, naturally it was a livestream. It started out great. I was watching on both my iPad and the family desktop computer, forcing everyone to watch this livestream with me. I had begged my mom to create a Twitter account so that I could have the chance to have a tweet featured in the livestream (spoiler alert: it never happened). It was about hour 2 of the livestream when my devices began to freeze. Frazzled that I was missing out on one of the five boys that I was enamored with reading my tweet aloud, I yell for my dad to fix the computer. “It won’t load, It won’t load!” I cried to him, and he just sat and laughed at how distraught I was.

Ultimately, the wifi had gone out for at most 10 minutes. This was arguably the worst 10 minutes of my life for 9-year-old me. Even to this day I wonder whether One Direction had read my tweet out loud to millions.