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Week 5: Digital Solidarity: How #BlackLivesMatter Redefines Citizenship in the Social Media Era

In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, digital citizenship encompasses more than just technical skills; it involves understanding the ethical, social, and political implications of our online actions. Indeed, digital citizenship often goes hand in hand with character education (Bearden, 2016). A poignant example of this intersection between digital citizenship, character education, and political engagement is the #BlackLivesMatter movement, particularly evident through its utilization of social media platforms.

Participatory Politics and Collective Action:

#BlackLivesMatter exemplifies the transformation of political participation, moving away from traditional ideological affiliations towards issue-based activism. Rather than adhering to partisan divides, individuals rally around the cause of racial justice, transcending political boundaries.

Simultaneously, the movement embodies the philosophy of collective action, emphasizing the need to repair harms and work across differences towards protection and the sharing of what we have in common, which sustains all planetary life (Karsgaard, 2014).

The Mediated Context for Politics:

Social media platforms serve as vital arenas for #BlackLivesMatter activism, providing spaces for discourse, organizing protests, and raising awareness about systemic racism and police brutality. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok amplify marginalized voices, enabling global solidarity and support.

Citizens engage in discussions, share personal experiences, and disseminate information, fostering a sense of community and empowering individuals to take action both online and offline.

Narrative-Driven Approaches:

The movement harnesses the power of storytelling to convey the lived experiences of Black individuals and communities, resonating with audiences on a personal level. Through social media, these narratives challenge dominant narratives, educate the public, and inspire empathy and solidarity.

Personal stories shared under the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag humanize the movement, making it relatable and compelling for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Hybrid Organizational Forms:

#BlackLivesMatter showcases innovative organizational strategies in the digital era. It operates as a decentralized network, allowing local chapters and grassroots activists to adapt their tactics to specific contexts while maintaining a cohesive movement identity.

Social media enables the coordination of decentralized actions, facilitating collaboration between diverse groups and amplifying the impact of collective efforts.

Connective Action and Social Capital:

The movement demonstrates the power of connective action, where loosely connected individuals collaborate around shared values and interests. Through social media, individuals build social capital by connecting with like-minded allies, forming alliances, and mobilizing resources to effect systemic change.

In summary, the #BlackLivesMatter movement exemplifies how digital citizenship empowers individuals to engage politically through social media. By leveraging platforms for discourse, organizing, and storytelling, the movement transcends traditional boundaries, amplifying marginalized voices and catalyzing collective action for racial justice and equality. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, the lessons from #BlackLivesMatter underscore the importance of responsible digital citizenship in fostering informed, inclusive, and participatory democracies.

References:

Bearden, SM 2016, Digital citizenship : a community-based approach, Corwin, a SAGE Publishing Company, Thousand Oaks, California.

Karsgaard, C 2024, “Democracy and planetary politics: Achille Mbembe and futures of digital citizenship education for life,” Critical studies in education, pp. 1–16.

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Week 4:  "Shark Tank": Unveiling Entrepreneurial Narratives in Digital Communities

In the BBC article “Why reality TV deserves more credit”, Louis Staples delves into the intriguing world of reality television. Despite its often-dismissed reputation, reality TV merits recognition. The article highlights how shows like “Made in Chelsea” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” have left their mark. While reality TV may not always receive critical acclaim, its impact is undeniable. Over the last two decades, it has grown exponentially, influencing culture and catapulting ordinary people to stardom. From Paris Hilton to the Kardashians, reality stars have become A-list celebrities. Even Donald Trump’s journey from reality TV to the presidency underscores its significance. 

"Shark Tank," a paradigmatic reality TV series, transcends its ostensible role as a platform for business pitches. It serves as a captivating amalgamation of innovation, drama, and high-stakes negotiations, with entrepreneurs seeking investment from seasoned investors—the formidable "Sharks." This essay undertakes an academic exploration of how "Shark Tank" shapes digital communities and fosters entrepreneurial fandoms. Silverstone's advocacy for conceptualizing audiences as rooted in 'the reality of experience' becomes relevant in this exploration. This perspective emphasizes that experiences, including those derived from media consumption, possess inherent authenticity. (Silverstone, 1999)

"Shark Tank" establishes a virtual arena wherein entrepreneurs navigate nerves, rehearse pitches, and strategically present their ventures. Viewers seamlessly integrate into this community, participating in the collective experience by rallying behind favorite contestants and offering critiques on business acumen.

Certain pitches evoke profound resonance among the audience. Whether featuring a quirky invention, a heartwarming backstory, or a disruptive tech solution, these entrepreneurs garner a devoted following. The utilization of the #SharkTank hashtag on digital platforms has become a hub of excitement, serving as a space for fans to discuss deals, predict outcomes, and even share their entrepreneurial ideas. There is a power chronology at work in the temporal relations between television itself and audiences. (Hill, 2019)

The inherent premise of "Shark Tank"—investors vying for equity—sparks ethical inquiries. Questions arise about the fairness of rigorous negotiations with struggling entrepreneurs and whether the pursuit of profit occasionally overshadows empathy. The digital community actively grapples with these dilemmas, forming nuanced judgments.

In essence, "Shark Tank" transcends the conventional confines of reality TV by becoming a celebration of dreams and determination. The digital discourse surrounding the show transforms viewers into integral members of a global entrepreneurial community—one that appreciates risk-taking, applauds creativity, and believes in the transformative power of a well-crafted pitch. Whether one identifies as a Shark or a viewer, it is essential to recognize that every idea pitched is an opportunity to navigate the entrepreneurial waters and make waves in the vast ocean of business.

References:

Hill, A 2019, Media experiences : engaging with drama and reality television, Routledge, London, [England] ;

Silverstone, Roger 1999, Why study the media?, SAGE, London.

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Week 3: Exploring the mechanisms of community building on Tumblr.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Tumblr emerges as a virtual agora, nurturing scholarly discourse and fostering communal engagement. As a dynamic social media platform, Tumblr functions as a digital crucible, where diverse communities converge to analyze, dissect, and interpret cultural phenomena. Notably, it fosters a sense of community among its users by providing a venue where they can both create and consume content (Hoch et al, 2020). With a particular emphasis on textual analysis and intellectual exchange, Tumblr serves as a nexus for academically inclined individuals to cultivate shared interests.

Within the context of #StrangerThings4, Tumblr transcends its conventional role as a mere social medium, transforming into a scholarly campfire. Here, enthusiasts, bound by a common affinity, engage in rigorous discussions, contributing to the nuanced digital tapestry of academic exploration.

Under the umbrella of the #StrangerThings4 tag, a virtual art gallery surfaces—a testament to the profound impact of the show. Within this space, creators skillfully wield digital brushes, akin to sorcerers, transforming screen captures into evocative visual poetry. These artistic renderings transcend conventional homage; they metamorphose into artifacts of the collective imagination. Whether depicting Eleven’s telekinetic prowess, the eerie Upside Down materializing in pixelated hues, or the nostalgic pulsating neon glow of Hawkins Mall, these fan-made creations blur the traditional demarcations between viewer and artist, beckoning exploration into the intricate visual DNA of the show. Tumblr, though appearing as a list of posts, gains a unique appeal due to the visual quality of moving graphics, photography, songs, and inside jokes (Hanson, 2016).🎨🔍✨

In the intricate web of nostalgia, “Stranger Things” weaves a vibrant tapestry of '80s references. The #StrangerThings4 hashtag assumes the role of a digital time capsule, meticulously preserving flickering images of tube TVs, the gentle hum of cassette tapes, and the radiant glow of Starcourt Mall. Yet, it transcends mere homage; it evolves into a semiotic playground. Fans engage in meticulous dissection of every retro detail—the placement of Eggo waffles, the resonance of walkie-talkies, and the cultural echoes of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. In this pixelated universe, viewers metamorphose into cultural archaeologists, deciphering the nuanced signifiers of a bygone era.

The #StrangerThings4 hashtag pulses with anticipatory energy, reminiscent of scholars huddled around an ancient manuscript. What lies beyond the narrative cliffhangers? Will the exploration extend into Russian labs, unveil new dimensions, or witness the unraveling of our beloved Hawkins crew? Fans participate in spoiler-free conjectures, fueled by cryptic teasers and breadcrumbs thoughtfully left by the Duffer brothers. Theories intertwine like vines in the Hawkins forest, waiting for validation or subversion. In this digital realm, speculation transcends mere idle chatter; it transforms into a form of textual exegesis—an earnest attempt to decipher the intricate narrative runes of the show.

Tumblr functions as a vibrant and dynamic community hub. It fosters scholarly discourse, encourages creative expression, and ignites shared passions. Whether dissecting retro references or speculating about beloved shows, Tumblr thrives as a virtual agora—a space where individual voices resonate and collective narratives unfold. 🔥🌐

References:

Hoch, IN, Stein, L, Cho, A & McCracken, A (eds) 2020, A Tumblr Book : platform and cultures, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.

“Tumblr” 2016, The Social Media Revolution : An Economic Encyclopedia of Friending, Following, Texting, and Connecting, pp. 352–354.