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The chapter "The Melbourne Indie Game Scenes: Value Regimes in Localized Game Development" from Independent Videogames: Cultures, Networks, Techniques and Politics, edited by Paolo Ruffino, explores the unique dynamics and values that shape the indie game development community in Melbourne, Australia. Authored by Brendan Keogh, this chapter delves into how localized conditions influence indie game creation, addressing economic, social, and creative challenges specific to Melbourne. Keogh discusses the frameworks and resources that support this community, as well as the cultural and professional networks that indie developers rely on. He also examines how creators navigate visibility within global and local markets, sometimes facing constraints imposed by digital distribution platforms and social networks.

This analysis places Melbourne's indie scene within broader discussions of global indie game culture, revealing how localized contexts contribute to diverse indie gaming identities and practices worldwide. For further details, you may want to explore the full text available through academic libraries or purchase it from major booksellers like Routledge and Lehmanns

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The article "Making-Up on Mobile: The Pretty Filters and Ugly Implications of Snapchat" by Jessica Barker, published in Fashion, Style & Popular Culture, explores how Snapchat's beauty filters impact users' self-perception and body image. Barker delves into how these filters encourage an idealized beauty standard, influencing users, especially young women, to compare their real selves to digitally perfected images. The study examines the psychological implications of these beautifying filters, suggesting that they can lead to "self-discrepancy" and potentially foster dissatisfaction with one's appearance in real life.

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In Platform Governance at the Margins: Social Media Creators’ Experiences with Algorithmic (In)Visibility, authors Brooke Erin Duffy and Colten Meisner delve into the complex dynamics of algorithmic governance on social media platforms, especially as it affects creators from marginalized identities and niche content genres. Published in Media, Culture & Society, the article critically examines how algorithms on major platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok impact creators’ visibility and, by extension, their ability to generate income and sustain a career.

The study is based on in-depth interviews with 30 social media creators who often face challenges not only because of their creative niche but also due to their identity markers such as race, gender, or sexuality. Duffy and Meisner’s analysis reveals that algorithms, while intended to be impartial, instead reflect the biases and values of the society in which they operate. These creators frequently find their visibility on the platform inconsistent, with many feeling they are "shadow-banned" or otherwise algorithmically disadvantaged, which diminishes their ability to reach broader audiences. This visibility—or lack thereof—directly affects creators’ economic opportunities and leads to a sense of precariousness in their work.

The authors describe how algorithmic opacity contributes to a “black-box” effect, where creators cannot fully understand or predict what will increase or decrease their reach. This lack of transparency pushes many creators to engage in self-censorship or adopt strategies to "play the algorithm." For instance, creators reported altering their content to align with perceived platform biases, often prioritizing “safe” or mainstream content over authentic or culturally specific material. Furthermore, creators noted that platform bias often aligns with societal prejudices, where non-white, non-male, and LGBTQ+ creators report being less frequently promoted and encountering additional barriers to success​.

This article also underscores the broader social implications of algorithmic (in)visibility. Platform governance, rather than being a purely technical process, becomes a powerful gatekeeping tool, determining which voices and cultural expressions are seen and heard. As the authors argue, this dynamic reinforces existing social hierarchies by elevating content and creators who already enjoy greater privilege in society. They call for greater transparency and accountability from platform companies, emphasizing the need for a governance approach that is more inclusive and equitable.

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The article "Slow Fashion Consumer Behavior: A Literature Review" focuses on understanding the values, attitudes, and motivations behind consumers adopting slow fashion, an alternative to fast fashion that emphasizes sustainability and ethical production. The study reviewed 25 papers from databases like Scopus and Web of Science, conducting both a bibliometric analysis and a content analysis to identify five major dimensions influencing slow fashion consumer behavior: ethical values, sustainable consumption, consumer motivations, attitudes, and sustainability awareness.

The research highlights that slow fashion is still relatively new in academic studies, with the first related paper published in 2008. The theories underpinning slow fashion are drawn from fields such as sustainability, marketing, culture, fashion, human behavior, and business. The study concludes that most of the published work on this topic uses a combination of qualitative methods (like interviews and case studies) and quantitative methods (like surveys).

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The article "Digital Citizenship with Intersectionality Lens: Towards Participatory Democracy Driven Digital Citizenship Education" by Moonsun Choi and Dean Cristol, published in Theory Into Practice (2021), offers a comprehensive review of digital citizenship through three different approaches: unidimensional, multidimensional, and critical/radical. It emphasizes using intersectionality as a framework to address social issues, with the ultimate aim of achieving participatory democracy through digital citizenship education. Drawing from Dewey's ideas on democracy, the authors advocate for personalized and political participation in the digital age, particularly within educational settings, to foster more engaged and inclusive democratic participation.

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Reality Television: The TV Phenomenon That Changed the World

Chapter Six of "Reality Television: The TV Phenomenon That Changed the World" focuses on how reality television has evolved in the era of social media. The chapter explores how reality TV has adapted and capitalized on the rise of online platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and other social networks. It discusses the strategies reality TV producers use to engage audiences online, such as encouraging social media interaction and integrating influencer culture into their shows.

Moreover, the chapter analyzes how platforms like YouTube and social media have created new opportunities for "ordinary" people to become celebrities outside of traditional TV formats. The blurred line between reality TV stars and influencers is discussed, along with the future trajectory of reality television in this digital age.

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The book "Love the Skin You're In: Selfies and Tumblr's Hashtag #Bodypositive" by Anne Reif, Insa Miller, and Monika Taddicken explores the phenomenon of the body positivity movement, particularly through the lens of selfies on Tumblr. It analyzes how individuals, especially women, use the hashtag #bodypositive to portray themselves outside the confines of traditional beauty standards. The research focuses on the ways users present themselves in these selfies and how they challenge societal norms around beauty and body image.

The authors highlight the importance of social media platforms, like Tumblr, as spaces where users can redefine body image ideals and promote self-acceptance. This is part of a broader cultural shift that resists stereotypical portrayals of beauty. The study also examines audience reactions to these posts, illustrating the supportive community formed around this movement, which encourages a diverse and more inclusive representation of bodies.

This book contributes to discussions on digital identity, self-representation, and the power of social media in shaping societal attitudes.

References

Braunschweig, T. U. (2015). Dr. Anne Reif. Tu-Braunschweig.de. https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/en/ifkw/team/alumni/anne-reif

Braunschweig, T. U. (2018). #bodypositive. Tu-Braunschweig.de. https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/en/ifkw/bodypositive

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 and Society, 26(6). https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2022.2138442

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