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Blog Post #3 Week 4 due 2/13

How does Everett challenge the myth that Black people are late or uninterested adopters of technology?

Everett challenges this myth by documenting the early and enthusiastic use of the internet by African diasporic communities, especially around 1995 when Black web presence began visibly growing. She mentions examples like Afrocentric content on Yahoo and the Million Woman March being organized online, showing how Black communities were not only participating in digital spaces, but they were also innovating within them.

How does mainstream media coverage of Black online activity reflect racial bias, according to Everett

Everett critiques mainstream media for portraying Black digital users as “surprising,” marginal, or only recently joining the digital world, even though they have been present just like everyone else. She highlights how coverage often emphasizes that Black digital activity is new, inadequate, or rare, making it seem out of place. This reflects a deeper bias that frames whiteness as the default digital identity, erasing the complexity and history of Black tech use.

What is one of the downsides of government monitoring for public safety?

I believe the government monitors our actions closely and often targets specific groups, particularly African Americans and Latinos, to make surveillance appear more justified. According to the article "Track and Trapped," around 40,000 African Americans and 130,000 Latinos are listed in the CalGang database. While this data may be presented as a tool for public safety, it results in tracking of innocent civilians who may look alike, leading to unfair outcomes for both targeted and untargeted groups. Although monitoring criminals can be valuable for society, the widespread surveillance of innocent people results in damage in areas that reduce justice and trust in the system, is a downside.

Should we blame AI for its algorithms? Or humans?

Artificial intelligence is essentially created by humans, meaning that its algorithms are based on what humans input into it. The ones we should blame for the lack of information that led to racist remarks are AI. The article “Algorithms of Oppression” mentions an example of how Google returned offensive results of African Americans, showing them with terms like “gorilla,” which is concerning. I believe we shouldn’t hold AI solely responsible for these outcomes. After all, it reflects the biases present in the data we feed it, which come from us. These errors reveal more about human prejudice than the technology itself.

Everett, A. (2002). The Revolution Will Be Digitized. Duke University Press. https://read.dukeupress.edu/social-text/article-abstract/20/2%20(71)/125/32619/The-Revolution-Will-Be-DigitizedAFROCENTRICITY-AND?redirectedFrom=fulltext 

Youth Justice Coalition (2012). Track and Trapped. Youth of Color, Data Gang Databases, and Gang Injunctions.

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Blog Post #10 due 4/24

How does the Madison and Wallschlaeger case reflect government control over digital spaces and online activism?

The case of Madison and Wallschlaeger shows the increasing conflict between government surveillance and the freedom of digital spaces. While social media platforms have become an essential tool for organizing protests and activism, their use has also attracted scrutiny and intervention from government authorities who may see them as a threat to public order. This raises important questions about how far governments can regulate or monitor online communication and what impact this has on privacy and freedom of speech.

How did the Patriot Act harm minorities and marginalized groups?

The Patriot Act increased suspicion and racial profiling, where people from Arab, Muslim, and South Asian backgrounds were often viewed through the lens of suspicion by government authorities due to their appearance/color. This kind of racial profiling led to increased harassment and questioning of these communities, as authorities tended to associate them with potential terrorism, even if there was a lack of evidence. It essentially also increased surveillance and harassment of these groups.

What role does fear play in the creation of government policies?

Fear, specifically fear of terrorism, is used to justify the expansion of government surveillance. After 9/11, the "culture of fear" was used to justify policies that invade personal freedoms but might otherwise be seen as violations of rights. By framing these measures as necessary for public safety, the government can gain public and political support for policies that essentially just erode privacy and empower law enforcement agencies, even in non-terrorism-related cases.

How does the Total Information Awareness (TIA) program relate to the trend of more surveillance post 9/11 era?

The Total Information Awareness (TIA) program allows extreme measures to be taken to track and analyze personal data for national security purposes. Its purpose is to create a massive database that gets information from a wide range of sources, including credit card transactions, health records, and internet activity. This program essentially lets the government seek and monitor every aspect of citizens' lives in the name of identifying threats or for national security. It highlights the risks of creating a surveillance state where privacy is sacrificed for security.

Power, M. (2010, March 11). How Your Twitter Account Could Land You in Jail. Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/03/police-twitter-riots-social-media-activists/

Parenti, C. (2007). The soft cage: surveillance in America: from slavery to the war on terror. Basic Books.

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Blog Post Week 12 Due 4/17

What are some of the positive and negative impacts of Surveillance?

Surveillance essentially helps us stay protected and safe. It helps with crime, public safety, and national security. It can also help us feel more protected, knowing surveillance helps reinforce laws. On the other hand, there is also a downside to surveillance. Being surveilled 24/7 causes an invasion of privacy and affects personal identity. Many become afraid to speak out or act upon certain societal issues, fearing they are being watched and that something bad will happen to them if they do.

What was the effect of Gamergate on the gaming industry?

Gamergate had a major impact by exposing the widespread sexism and harassment in gaming culture. It highlighted how women and marginalized voices were often targeted online, leading to increased awareness about online abuse. The controversy pushed the gaming industry to start addressing issues of diversity and inclusion, while also influencing how internet platforms handle harassment. However, it also caused lasting harm to individuals and is seen as a turning point in the rise of toxic online movements.

Who is most likely to be targeted when it comes to spyware and surveillance?

When it comes to spyware and being surveilled, people who have the power to speak out about certain issues are the ones who face the most attention. As mentioned in class, lawyers, doctors, educators, journalists, protestors, local politicians, activists, and many are prone to more surveillance than others since they voice against the government and its issues. Essentially, the government and those who hold greater power target these groups to suppress opinions that do not support the government.

Is it possible to opt out of surveillance and protect our privacy?

It is possible to opt out of surveillance for privacy, but it’s not as easy at it seems. As we saw in the documentary Surveilled, technology is used for many purposes and we humans rely heavily on it. We can admit that we need surveillance for safety purposes, but that comes with the risk of compromising our privacy. A way that we can “opt out” of surveillance is by completely not using technology or our phones, which is much easier said than done. Doing this comes with pros and cons, and it’s our personal choice whether or not we want to.

McLaine, S. (2001). Ethnic Online Communities: Between Profit and Purpose. In D. Gauntlett (Ed.), Web.Studies: Rewiring Media Studies for the Digital Age. Arnold Publishers.

Hathaway, J. (2014, October 10). What is Gamergate, and why? An explainer for non-geeks. Gawker.

O'Neill, M., & Peltz, P. (Directors). (2020). Surveilled [Film]. HBO Documentary Films.

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Blog Post #8 Due 4/10

How were tactics like Facebook check-ins or live-streaming during the #NoDAPL movement used to challenge traditional activism and movements?

Tactics like Facebook check-ins and live-streams is collective action used to challenge traditional methods by allowing participation in many different forms. In traditional protest organizing, physical presence and participation were key, but with digital tactics, people can support a cause from a distance and participate without formal leadership. They can even create their own local actions and movements. This “horizontal” approach allows for more flexible and widespread participation and makes movements more dynamic and adaptable for people who want to be a part of it (Deschine Parkhurst, 39).

How did social media play a role in challenging mainstream media during the #NoDAPL movement?

Mainstream media outlets, like NPR and CNN, largely ignored or misrepresented the movement, painting the protest as violent, even though it was not. Social media, therefore, became a platform for people to share unfiltered narratives, providing a space to correct misrepresentations, such as in the coverage of police violence at Standing Rock. Social media provided more authentic, Indigenous-centered perspectives that were not shown in mainstream/national media about the movement (Deschine Parkhurst, 38).

How is using genealogy as a method to analyze Black Twitter an advantage?

Using genealogy to analyze Black Twitter is an advantage because it uncovers hidden, non-chronological history that is often silenced.  It is not like traditional historical approaches that focus on continuous, chronological narratives. Foucault’s genealogical method allows for the recognition of useful information shared on Black Twitter to be ascertained while also “appreciating the fluidity and the ephemeral nature of these spaces” (Lee, 7).

What effect might Black Twitter have on the public's perception of racial issues, and how does it function as a counter-narrative to representations in the mainstream media?

By sharing the real-life experiences of Black people and providing an unfiltered perspective on systemic racism, Black Twitter frequently offers a counter-narrative. Black Twitter allows folks to highlight the racial, political, and emotional aspects of events from a different point of view, in contrast to mainstream media like CNN or ABC News, which shows a more impartial or law enforcement-focused viewpoint. This counter-narrative allows voices that are usually underrepresented in traditional media to challenge biased media portrayals and educate the public (Lee, 6).

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blog post #7 week 10

In what ways does the idea of the "white racial frame" contribute to the explanation of why white supremacist movements continue to exist?

The term "white racial frame" describes a viewpoint that has been historically ingrained to normalize white supremacy, impacting ideas about racial inequality. According to the reading, many people use this framework to understand racial disparities, which causes them to either blame individuals for inequalities or ignore systemic racism as nonexistent (Daniels, 44).  In addition, the idea that racial segregation was a fundamental American value rather than a social injustice is reinforced by this frame, which makes the ideas of white supremacists more acceptable by associating them with historical personalities like Thomas Jefferson (Daniels, 52-53).

How does anonymity contribute to the growth of white supremacy?  

Anonymity allows individuals to form online communities where they can share extremist ideologies without the fear of consequences. As their ideas and content spread, they can recruit like-minded individuals who support their beliefs. This essentially creates a space where ideologies are amplified, fostering a strong sense of community that further fuels their expansion.

How does Daniels explain online activism and its role in the real world? Is it effective?

Daniels argue that online platforms are essential for spreading ideologies, but don’t always equal participation in the real world. Research on white supremacist organizations and environmental activism shows that participation online does not always result in in-person action. It is unclear if digital spaces substantially contribute to real political change because many users passively participate as viewers, rather than actively contribute as members (Daniels, 50-51).

How do passive and active participants/members differ, and what roles do they play in online activism? 

Passive participants typically observe or occasionally engage, whereas active participants create content, organize events, and spread the movement’s message. While online movements rely on passive supporters to build momentum, they depend on active individuals to drive meaningful change. Successful activism is when members contribute not only online but offline as well.

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blog post #6 due 3/13

How does the cyborg challenge traditional feminism?

Haraway’s idea of the cyborg rejects the traditional feminist ideology that all women are the same. It challenges gender out of the system, arguing that the cyborg has no origin story. It is not created around a certain gender, so instead, this promotes sex and gender fluidity. Haraway suggests that gender is a social construct rather than a biological one, going against the notion of feminism being a fixed identity (Haraway, 354).

How is “reality aesthetic” in creating digital female figures impacting how users interact?

Reality aesthetic is the way digital figures are portrayed to look more realistic and engaging. Digital entities like Ananova, Lara Croft, and Kyoto Date make them seem more than just digital constructs, making users have emotional attachments to these characters. However, this aesthetic also enforces unrealistic ideals of the female body. It creates an illusion of the “naturalization” of the human body and gender norms (O’Riordian, 244)

How can our modern society be seen as a cyborg?

Human society has grown so dependent on modern technologies that we have turned into cyborgs. In today's society, cyborgs—a hybrid of a human and a machine—have become accepted in many different ways. As defined by Haraway, “a cyborg should be a ‘hybrid of machine and organism” (Haraway 354). We can see this through modern prosthetics and sensors to restore movement, robots, and through habits with technology like always needing a show/movie on the iPad to eat.

Why is AI created to interact with humans? We see that AI could be very helpful in some places, but are there any negative effects?

AI is created to interact with humans as a helping tool, but they are essentially created for profitability. This goes beyond homework help or Google search, in ways that people are becoming attached to AI in romantic ways (O’Riordian, 244). An example would be Ananova, AI that imitates real relationships. People become so emotionally attached to this that they become influenced to do wrong things, like the boy who unlived himself after the chatbot told him to.

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Blog Post #5 due 3/6

How can using humor when discussing racism reinforce racial stereotypes and have a negative effect?

Using humor to discuss racism can backfire if not used carefully. Though someone’s intention could be not trying to highlight or support racism, their “jokes” could come off as insensitive and harmful. It could be misinterpreted and reinforce offensive stereotypes, and even validate some racist beliefs rather than challenging them (Senft & Noble, 115-118).

2. How does black twitter serve as a social space and a space for activism?

Black Twitter represents a "public group of specific Twitter users" rather than a "Black online public". It serves as an online place for black users to understand each other by networking, connecting, and engaging with others who have similar concerns, experiences, or cultural practices. The term "signifyin" is a linguistic performance on Black Twitter that allows for communication with wordplay and misdirection, allowing not only opportunities to reject 'colorblindness' but the chance to connect with others to "create and reify a space for social blackness" (Senft & Noble, 114). This allows for activism as the blend of cultural expression creates a powerful tool for social change online by bringing attention to racial injustices and organizing collective responses to discrimination.

3. How does the merit system enforce superficiality, and why?

The episode we watched in class does a good job of illustrating how a merit system diminishes genuine social interactions. When people focus on wanting to earn points or maintaining a high status/reputation, they often act fake to achieve this “good look” and to align with the system. Essentially, following this system causes the suppression of real expressions of emotions like human anger, in which being angry and lowering one’s merit score, even though it is a natural response. The merit system hides true emotions and instead supports the idea of acting superficially, as seen through people in society hiding their true emotions to appeal to a higher reputation.

4. What connection does social media have to a merit system?

Since likes or the number of followers can be seen as being tied to merits and a higher social position, social media is comparable to a merit system. For example, more social media likes or followers likely give you more chances to gain advantages like sponsorships, partnerships, and the upper hand. It also gives you the title of being an influencer or a celebrity.  As shown similarly throughout the film, merit unlocks the door to certain rights. In addition, bad behavior from someone with high merits might result in the loss of likes, support, or merit points. A social media influencer with a large following will lose followers if they get “canceled” by saying or doing something their viewers don’t like.

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Blog Post #4 Due 2/27

How does online racial construction influence racial and social dynamics offline?

As argued in the text, race and cyberspace are socially constructed phenomena shaped by what is shown and built online. Films like Strange Days, Hackers, Virtuosity, Johnny Mnemonic, and Jumpin’ Jack Flash present black characters as mediators in the real and virtual, supporting the idea and perception that blackness aligns with physicality and street culture.  This comes from the way that these films represent Blackness through its “authentic, stable, and ‘real’ ” visual and narrative depictions, influencing offline racial relations to see Blackness this way as well and positioning whiteness as the “default” in cyberspaces (Kolko, 10).

2. What ethical responsibilities should creators of AI and other media creators have in representing race in digital spaces and its usages?

Creators of AI and other media creators should make sure that race is considered in their online designs. Ethically, these creators should take into account that race in online interaction affects social interactions as well. For example, as Prof. Lee talked about in class and at the GSS & WRC Speaker Series about Digital Literacy, AI facial recognition contributes to an environment that ignores systematic inequalities where it incorrectly identifies people with darker skin tones. This lack of knowledge in the creation as well as ignorance becomes detrimental to marginalized communities. Similarly, media creators should examine if their platforms are “race neutral” to avoid this in social interactions.  

3. Is there a relationship between today’s American society and video games?

Yes. The phrase “procedural meritocracy” used in the article "Ludo-Orientalism and the Gamification of Race" suggests that there is a relationship since it describes the phrase as a progression system that is dependent on an individual's performance. This shares similarities with video games; for example, advancing through a level requires mastering specific abilities.  This phrase also captures the hierarchical structure of modern American society, in which, for example, a student may start kindergarten and would have to pass the grade in order to advance to the next grade level (pg. 5)

4. How is meritocracy illustrated by race?

According to the article “Ludo-Orientalism and the Gamification of Race”, Asian Americans are part of the "model minority" due to their cultural emphasis on academics. They believed that to prove that race doesn’t define one’s ability to compete, they would have to have economic success (pg. 6). Although meritocracy suggests that factors like race, gender, or social status should not determine success, the lack of resources and opportunities means that some individuals face greater challenges in achieving their goals than others, regardless of these factors. The idea that one has to go to school to receive higher education and a high-paying job to prove this success might not be possible for everyone.

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Blog Post due 2/6

How does the internet serve as a tool to interwork global feminism, yet the internet economy reproduces oppressive workplaces for women?

The Internet has made it possible for women of color, especially those from diasporic communities, to interact and organize internationally despite the obstacles. African American women's online political organizing and South Asian internet networks are two examples. Feminist advocacy is made possible by these online platforms, signifying the potential to transcend conventional gender and social constraints. However, throughout the text, it is critiqued that the theoretical future where there is subversive potential for this transcend ignores the actual exploitation that women workers experience, especially in low-skilled tech production jobs. This highlights the limitations of the cyborg theory when it fails to consider the economic reality of Haraway’s theories (Daniels 101-105).

How does the internet resist and reinforce the subverting of traditional power structures and hierarchies?

According to the text, the internet is often where women can form online communities for embodiment. For example, “pro-ana” and transgender communities demonstrate the shaping of self-identity, self-expression, and resistance to traditional societal norms to subvert from those structures (Daniels, 112). However, there are cases where the internet can reproduce white, heterosexual, and masculine cultures that reinforce the supremacy of whites and the hierarchies. It is often an unmarked dominant category in online communities, just like how it is offline in society. For example, in Mary Bryson's study of queer women in online settings, there is a recognition of racial tensions. She notes how the experiences of a woman of color compared to a white woman were much different in terms of treatment by white middle-class men online. Inclusivity was limited by the traditional social power of white men silencing and excluding women of color, dictating who is allowed to belong, essentially requiring marginalized groups to conform to a culture that centers on whiteness. There is no way that the internet can completely resist offline realities (Daniels, 116).

Is Artificial Intelligence Ethical?

Artificial Intelligence has its advantages and drawbacks. But whether or not one outweighs the other is hard to answer. The article "Flawed Facial Recognition Leads to Arrest and Jail for New Jersey Man" by Kashmir Hill cites instances in which a wrongful arrest was caused by facial recognition errors. The article cites false accusations, a violation of civil rights, and the experiences of arrestee Mr. Parks (Hill, 1). These all seem to support the idea that AI is not ethical in ways that it affected someone’s life negatively due to its lack of knowledge. Though I personally enjoy the convenience AI brings, I do not think it should be used for facial recognition purposes to solve criminal cases, as it lacks information and can be inaccurate, potentially leading to unethical practices.

Is replacing human jobs with AI reliable?

The article "Automating Inequality" tells the story of a wife who struggles to get support from their new insurance. The company was unable to assist the narrator because the Al system detected a bogus fraud. Despite her persistent calls, the AI assisting her on the other end of the phone continued referring to what the "system said" instead of verifying her documentation (14-16). The article expresses how it is essentially an automated decision maker that puts social safety at risk, criminalizes the poor, intensifies discrimination, and compromises our deepest national values. All of these, in my opinion, are unethical and demonstrate how AI can be unreliable. I believe more serious jobs like this should not be replaced with AI, especially when it comes to individuals’ health, privacy, and security, like insurance.

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Tech failed

This is a story time about how I accidentally sent an explicit text to one of my guy friends right before we were about to meet up that day. I thought I knew everything about technology. I was wrong. The day starts with me being in the Mihaylo business building at CSUF. I finished up with class, and he texted me, asking me where I am at. Just a little background information: there’s a certain lag spot at the business building that makes me lose reception every time I am in that area. Continuing on, I texted him back that I had just finished class and to “give me sec” as I wanted to go use the restroom first. Well, that’s what I thought I wrote, but technology had other plans for me. Autocorrect decided to send “give me sex” instead! Luckily, I was in the lag spot at the business building while sending that text, so it did not go through right away. Thinking quickly, I decided to do what I thought I knew and hit the airplane mode button to try and stop the text from sending. That method usually never fails me when it comes to accidentally sending unwanted texts, but guess what? Technology failed me once again. After turning my cellular back on and airplane mode off to see if the text was sent or not, my phone was filled with messages from my friend. Not only did I get a “woah there,” from him, but I had not yet mentioned that it was autocorrect because I thought that it didn’t send. So, all he had received was a reply of “give me sex.” So embarrassing. Once I realized that airplane mode had failed me and sent that text, I immediately corrected myself, informing him that it was autocorrect and not me. I also tried to hide my embarrassment with a whole bunch of crying emojis. Luckily, this situation was minor and was brushed off to the side like it didn’t happen. To be honest, it wasn’t that serious, but at the moment, I was freaking out and mortified. Now, I know I cannot rely on airplane mode.